Onkyo officially announces its first HD DVD Player - DV-HD805

[Ruined]

http://www.onkyousa.com/news.cfm?id=119

Confirmed DTS-HDMA streaming

08/09/07 - ONKYO USA has announced the launch of its first HD-DVD player, the DV-HD805. This player has been introduced to realize the potential of high-definition HD DVD content. It is also one of the first HD DVD players to take advantage of high-bit-rate audio streaming via HDMI version 1.3a. The DV-HD805 will be available in the fall of 2007.
The DV-HD805 is designed to partner with Onkyo’s 2007 A/V receiver line-up. Both the HD DVD player and the A/V receivers feature HDMI version 1.3a connections, making the combination of these components the perfect platform for high-definition 1080p video images. It also nicely complements Onkyo’s A/V receivers by streaming of the new lossless surround sound formats, Dolby® TrueHD and DTS®-HD Master Audio, as well as two “lossy” formats, Dolby® Digital Plus and DTS®-HD High Resolution Audio.

The Onkyo DV-HD805 has the capability to support different frame rates, including playback at 24 frames per second, which is the native frame rate of the original sources for most HD content. This ensures that the user will be able to experience the playback of films recorded to HD DVD with the smoothest, most stable reproduction possible.

HDMI version 1.3a allows the DV-HD805 to offer the full potential of high-definition 1080p video (the native resolution of HD DVD discs). Furthermore, HDMI version 1.3a enables Deep Color™ technology to improve color tones and achieve finer color gradation. Also, when connected with the new Onkyo HDMI version 1.3a A/V receivers, the DV-HD805 is capable of high-bit-rate audio streaming output. Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound codecs enable bit-for-bit reproduction of the studio master meaning that this player is capable of the highest clarity and most advanced realism from movie soundtracks. It also has the capability to provide Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio bit stream data.

HD DVD specifications allow for the inclusion of web-enabled network connectivity to develop new and unique content such as additional materials and bonus features. In addition to downloading content, HD DVD users also have the ability to upload content and interact with providers, to participate in interactive polls for example. Compared to other media formats, HD DVD is advanced in this capacity. The DV-HD805 includes an Ethernet port to allow users access to these capabilities, as well as enable the user to easily download any future firmware updates.

Recognized as the leading video processing technology in the home theater industry, the DV-HD805’s onboard HQV Reon VX video processing chipset provides exceptionally precise video scaling (to 720p, 1080i or 1080p). When used with the standard-definition DVD format, HQV Reon VX enables viewers to enjoy superior video quality at the native resolution of the connected high-definition display. HQV Reon VX processing also eliminates or substantially reduces video noise for improved video reproduction.

The DV-HD805 will be available in the fall of 2007 at a suggested retail price of $899.

I heard this will be based on a slightly modified HD-XA2 - That may confirm that the HD-XA2 will be able to stream DTS-HDMA for sure via future FW upgrade...

[Derb]

Originally Posted by Ruined

http://www.onkyousa.com/news.cfm?id=119

Confirmed DTS-HDMA streaming



I heard this will be based on a slightly modified HD-XA2 - That may confirm that the HD-XA2 will be able to stream DTS-HDMA for sure via future FW upgrade...

Good stuff. Toshiba needed this. They can't go into fall with just their own. Specs on the Onkyo are impressive as well.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by Derb

Good stuff. Toshiba needed this. They can't go into fall with just their own. Specs on the Onkyo are impressive as well.

I agree.

Peace...

[ganthc]

Why would you buy the Onkyo when the xa2 does the exact same stuff but for hundreds cheaper?

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by ganthc

Why would you buy the Onkyo when the xa2 does the exact same stuff but for hundreds cheaper?

Very possible that Toshiba will discontinue the XA2 if it hasn't already and Onkyo or Meridian will be the only high end options once the XA2 is sold out. The Onkyo may also use a better/faster processor like the Broadcom BCM7440 instead of the slower NEC chipset in the XA2.

This is likely why the HD-XA3 did not get announced. Toshiba is giving Onkyo the spotlight for high end.

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Very possible that Toshiba will discontinue the XA2 if it hasn't already and Onkyo or Meridian will be the only high end options once the XA2 is sold out. The Onkyo may also use a better/faster processor like the Broadcom BCM7440 instead of the slower NEC chipset in the XA2.

This is likely why the HD-XA3 did not get announced. Toshiba is giving Onkyo the spotlight for high end.

And what about the hd-a35 which has been announced?

[Pirate]

It's silver.

[dugpa]

Originally Posted by ganthc

Why would you buy the Onkyo when the xa2 does the exact same stuff but for hundreds cheaper?

The XA2 does not pass nor decode DTS-MA nor does it pass the raw TrueHD stream. This player passes both streams. That's a biggie for me. If you want to hear DTS-MA off an HD-DVD, this player is the only way to do so right now. Also, thought it remains to be seen what decoder this player uses, for that price I suspect it's using one of the newer ones that actually decode the 1080p directly off the disc. The decoder in the XA2 decodes to 1080i and then deinterlaces after the fact, so you're not getting the native 1080p off the disc.

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by dugpa

The XA2 does not pass nor decode DTS-MA nor does it pass the raw TrueHD stream. This player passes both streams. That's a biggie for me. If you want to hear DTS-MA off an HD-DVD, this player is the only way to do so right now. Also, thought it remains to be seen what decoder this player uses, for that price I suspect it's using one of the newer ones that actually decode the 1080p directly off the disc. The decoder in the XA2 decodes to 1080i and then deinterlaces after the fact, so you're not getting the native 1080p off the disc.

It's been stated that the xa2 will have a firmware update for dts-hdma. As far as the decoder, have you ever noticed a difference in video quality from the deinterlacing process?

[videoworx]

Toshiba is giving Onkyo the spotlight for high end.

Onkyo has its own division, Imtegra, for high-end components. This is Onkyo's entry-level player, much like Sony's BDP-S1 not carrying the ES moniker.
If Onkyo is serious about supporting HD-DVD (and I'm not doubting that), they would probably follow it up with a cheaper player down the line, competing directly with Toshiba's models. However, I don't understand the logic in Toshiba abandoning the more expensive models, as that's usually where CE companies make their profits.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by ganthc

And what about the hd-a35 which has been announced?

The HD-A35 does not have the Reon video processor that the XA2 and the Onkyo HD805 have.

Onkyo has its own division, Imtegra, for high-end components. This is Onkyo's entry-level player, much like Sony's BDP-S1 not carrying the ES moniker.

Given that the HD-XA2 arguably has the best video quality of any hidef disc player released to date, period, I'd consider this Onkyo which is based on that design to be "high end." Is it ridiculous-end? No. But its questionable whether that is worth it anyway. If you do want to spend $1500+ on a HD DVD player, Meridian will have you covered later this year.

However, I don't understand the logic in Toshiba abandoning the more expensive models, as that's usually where CE companies make their profits.

Toshiba is not in the HD DVD game solely for CE profits, they are in it for the long term licensing fees gaining HD DVD and retaining DVD will give them (as opposed to letting BD terminate both of these revenue streams). Therefore, giving the spotlight to another CE manuf that just joined the party would not be a terrible move at this stage in the game.

[Iguana Man]

As far as this DTS-HDMA streaming goes....you folks may want to read this.

[dugpa]

Originally Posted by ganthc

It's been stated that the xa2 will have a firmware update for dts-hdma.

I don't see how it can, I'm pretty sure it doesn't have the hardware inside to decode it.

As far as the decoder, have you ever noticed a difference in video quality from the deinterlacing process?

Since there are no HD-DVD players that pass the native signal there's nothing to compare it to right now. But I'm always of the mindset that the less the signal is fucked with the better. Why be left up to the whims of the quality of a deinterlacer when you can have the untouched 1080p that's never been interlaced in the first place?

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

As far as this DTS-HDMA streaming goes....you folks may want to read this.

Actually I believe all HD-DVDs with DTS-MA are authored in basic mode. There just aren't any in the US. Who knows what major studios would do if they decided to use it in this country. Always good to have the capability just in case. You could say it will never be useful unless X, Y and Z happens. But why not be prepared for it just in case sometime in the future X, Y and Z actually happen. Saying there are no HD-DVD's authored in basic mode doesn't mean there might not be in the future. Espcially if there's a player that can actually handle it, there might be more incentive to do it. I like to have all my bases covered.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

As far as this DTS-HDMA streaming goes....you folks may want to read this.

Originally Posted by HiDefDigest

hen HDMI 1.3 arrives, it will allow the new codecs mentioned above to be transmitted in their native bitstream, but only if they were authored in 'Basic' mode (no interactivity). If the soundtrack was authored in Advanced mode, then it cannot be transmitted in undecoded form; decoding in the player is mandatory because of live mixing.

This is not necessarily true. We haven't seen it in action for sure and there hasn't been any confirmation, but it is very possible that when outputting bitsteam the player could simply bypass the mixer. This means that the ONLY sound you will get will be from the DTS-HDMA soundtrack when it is set to bitsteam. No menu sounds, no IME sounds, etc. So if implemented in this way, it is very possible that basic mode will not be a requirement in bitsteam output; however, it is definite that you will have to give up any of the sound features that would use the player's built-in mixer.

[dugpa]

Amir from Microsoft had this to say on AVSForum:

We have covered this topic before . But briefly, HD DVD not only allows bit stream output, but has specific provisions for a title to detect the user has chosen this mode, as to remove options (e.g. PiP) which would not work effectively in this situation. Note that I am not sure if titles are properly authored this way. So the options may still show up but future titles can be "smarter" this way, should bypass mode become popular.

So I have a feeling once players that pass the bitstream come on market, there will be more pressure on studios to start authoring titles in the manner Amir suggested.

[Sehnzeleid]

Kris Deering over at AVS is reporting Onkyo's higher end line, Integra, will be unveiling their HD DVD player along with Onkyo's HD DVD player at CEDIA.

[ganthc]

There is a rumor going around based on an Italian article that Onkyo has pulled its DVHD805 player from the market.

http://www.avmagazine.it/news/sorgen...asma_2654.html

[Taxi]

Babelfish tranlation of the above Italian article. (take it for what it's worth.)

In we were attended of a copy of first HD DVD Onkyo, the DV-HD805, to recensire on the pages of AV Magazine when after a chat with the Italian distributor of the Japanese brand - the Tecnofuturo of Brescia - we have decided of common agreement that of it the pain was not worth more. Because soon it is explained: the DV-HD805 is not other that reader HD DVD rimarchiato Toshiba HD-XE1, seppur natively already compatible with streaming via HDMI the 1,3 of all algorithms audio multichannel HD without loss and of is available only one manciata of exemplary.

In consideration of the political new marketing of the Toshiba that it is making to collapse the prices of the own readers, Onkyo has been put in difficulty in position just the reader (the European price of list is of 899 Euro) and therefore has decided to interrupt of the production. Little produced pieces have been therefore redistribuiti in several the markets and it will be enough to you to know that in Italy they are arrives 11 pieces hardly to you and others will not arrive any, while in Germany they have been more fortunate with very 20 pieces and Spain of it will not receive some.

Here because of the decision not to recensire a product that, beyond to being a clone, will not be of fact never available on the market (11 Italian pieces already they have been sold). Ringraziamo Tecnofuturo for the timely communication and the company also has said a lot dispiaciuta for gets passionate to it to you. Onkyo would be however already actively working to a new reader and according to indiscretions this time of Blu-ray or a hybrid could be dealt. We will have surer news and confirmations in occasion of the next CES of Las Vegas.

[Emphasis mine.]

[Sehnzeleid]

Well it's a rebadged XA2, just more money. Who wants that?

[ganthc]

Do you think this affects the Integra player that is due to come out?

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Sehnzeleid

Well it's a rebadged XA2

See first post of thread

And who will buy it? Rumblings indicate that the XA2 is out of production and therefore people who want a "high end" HD DVD player in between the XA2 and XA3 will buy it when local XA2 stock expires. Toshiba essentially has given Onkyo the exclusive high end spotlight until they roll out the XA3 in Q2 2008.

Personally I can't wait for the XA3. With the Samsung BD-UP5000 (which with the XA3 will likely share the same SoC chipset) retailing for 799, I can't see the XA3 being more than $499 unless it uses the Realta - which also would be awesome, of course

[Sehnzeleid]

Originally Posted by Ruined

And who will buy it? Rumblings indicate that the XA2 is out of production and therefore people who want a "high end" HD DVD player in between the XA2 and XA3 will buy it when local XA2 stock expires. Toshiba essentially has given Onkyo the exclusive high end spotlight until they work on rolling out the XA3 in Q2 2008.

Isn't the XA2 going to be sticking around into Q2 '08?

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Sehnzeleid

Isn't the XA2 going to be sticking around into Q2 '08?

It will continue to be designated as the flagship Toshiba HD DVD player until XA3 arrives, but I don't believe they are still in production - the current prices on XA2 indicate clearance/end of life. At some point stock will run out and Onkyo will be the sole Reon provider until XA3 IMO.

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by Sehnzeleid

Isn't the XA2 going to be sticking around into Q2 '08?

It's been removed from thelookandsoundofperfect website.

[dugpa]

Originally Posted by ganthc

There is a rumor going around based on an Italian article that Onkyo has pulled its DVHD805 player from the market.

How can you pull from the market something you never released to it in the first place?