Toshiba HD-A35 displaces HD-XA2 in highend hometheater setups!

Ruined · 10-03-2007, 02:57 PM

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=915405

Apparently those over at AVSFORUM are very satisfied with the HD-A35. Enough so that their XA2s are getting relegated to bedroom duty! Looks like Toshiba has another winner here, except now its less than $500!

dugpa · 10-03-2007, 03:09 PM

So much for the paranoia that you wouldn't be able to pass a soundtrack via bitstream with hd-dvd. It seems to work just fine unless you turn on a commentary or something. Looks like the XA2 still wins in the SD upconversion department though. Oh well, I'll still pick up an A35 since I plan on getting the Denon Blu-ray player which will smoke them all in upconversion.

Ruined · 10-03-2007, 03:18 PM

http://www.valueelectronics.com/AVSTC.HTM

I was able to talk them into giving me the HD-A35 for $438 shipped + free HDMI cable, not a bad deal from a good store.

re: SD DVD upconversion, "joerod" has done side-by-side comparisons and feel that the HD-A35 is on par with the HD-XA2. The Reon offers a bit more in being able to tweak the picture, but as far as baseline upconversion quality they apparently trade blows. I'd reccomend the HD-A35 over the XA2 for its lower price and also because it runs cooler - not to mention that its a bit faster. Many posters who have both are stating that the HD-A35 is the current overall best HD player to own. I agree!

Should match my new Integra DTC-9.8 nicely.

Toefur · 10-03-2007, 03:46 PM

I've got my A35 coming from VE to replace my 360 add on.

That should be a nice upgrade, I'll finally be able to hear the lossless soundtracks.

I never bothered to call them to see if I could weasel an HDMI cable out of them too. Oh well...

sub780lime · 10-03-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruined

I'd reccomend the HD-A35 over the XA2 for its lower price

I am surprised the XA2 hasn't been lowered

Pirate · 10-03-2007, 08:35 PM

dugpa · 10-03-2007, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toefur

I never bothered to call them to see if I could weasel an HDMI cable out of them too. Oh well...

According to their webpage it's a part of the deal, so you may find one in your box anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sub780lime

I am surprised the XA2 hasn't been lowered

The A35 doesn't replace the XA2 as the top player, the XA2 is still in production as their flagship. Only the A2 and A20 are being discontinuted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruined

re: SD DVD upconversion, "joerod" has done side-by-side comparisons and feel that the HD-A35 is on par with the HD-XA2.

He actually said it was close but gave the edge to the XA2.

Ruined · 10-03-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugpa

He actually said it was close but gave the edge to the XA2.

I'm not sure if that edge is significant. In other threads he's been saying that the A35 is just as good as the XA2 in SD DVD upconversion when people remark otherwise. Also, he remarks that the A35 is an overall better HD DVD player which I believe is the important element when the SD DVD upconversion is so close.

Ruined · 10-04-2007, 02:30 PM

Some more info on this player that has been revealed:

1080p24 mode does NOT have the lipsync issues that the XA2 has in the current firmware. 1080p24 apparently works perfectly on the A35. So I would say that the A35 has the advantage in this important area.

1080p60 mode currently does not look as good on the A35 as it does on the XA2. The quality is similar to the A20 here. So the XA2 has the advantage in 1080p60 mode.

Upscaling on both players is excellent. The Reon might have a slight edge but given the problems it is currently having with 1080p24 sync issues the A35 is probably the better player to use for upscaling if you are running at 1080p24.

Bitstream output of hidef codecs is enabled, and it works intelligently. As you may have heard, you cannot use features like IME with bitstream as it requires the use of the player's internal mixer to mix the main feature audio with the IME audio. So, what apparently happens from what I understand is that if you are watching the movie with bitstream audio enabled and you turn on IME, the player will intelligently temporarily switch from bitstream mode to internal decoding mode - sending your receiver decoded audio via PCM instead of the bitstream until you turn off the IME feature. Once you click back to the main movie by itself, bitstream output resumes. This may not be exactly how it works, but that is the general idea. I'll let you know once I get my two pieces and play around with them.

It seems the Toshiba HD-A35 and the new Onkyo/Integra products interact quite well together. I'll report more on functionality when I get them.

"The Dude" · 10-04-2007, 02:59 PM

Dumb question but can the XA2 pass the hidef codecs via bitstream through HDMI or only through PCM? Is this something I should be concerned with if I go ahead and get the Onkyo 805 or any other new next gen receiver that can decode TrueHD and DTS-HDMA?

I just bought the XA2 not too long ago and would really hate to have to replace it for that purpose, especially since I just got it.

Derb · 10-04-2007, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "The Dude"

Dumb question but can the XA2 pass the hidef codecs via bitstream through HDMI or only through PCM? Is this something I should be concerned with if I go ahead and get the Onkyo 805 or any other new next gen receiver that can decode TrueHD and DTS-HDMA?

I just bought the XA2 not too long ago and would really hate to have to replace it for that purpose, especially since I just got it.

Unfortunately the HDMI audio features of the XA2 are "auto" "PCM" & "Downmixed PCM" Hopefully "auto" is the same as bitstream but I can't be sure sinse I don't have a receiver with the latest audio decoders.

Ruined · 10-04-2007, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "The Dude"

Dumb question but can the XA2 pass the hidef codecs via bitstream through HDMI or only through PCM? Is this something I should be concerned with if I go ahead and get the Onkyo 805 or any other new next gen receiver that can decode TrueHD and DTS-HDMA?

I just bought the XA2 not too long ago and would really hate to have to replace it for that purpose, especially since I just got it.

At the moment the XA2 can only pass internally decoded audio via PCM, but a firmware upgrade has been officially announced that will be coming in the next month or two which will enable bitstream output of TrueHD/DTS-HDMA and hopefully fix the 1080p24 lipsync issue some are experiencing as well.

dugpa · 10-04-2007, 07:25 PM

Well, no A35 for me then since it's not as good at 1080p60. Glad I waited on ordering one.

"The Dude" · 10-04-2007, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruined

At the moment the XA2 can only pass internally decoded audio via PCM, but a firmware upgrade has been officially announced that will be coming in the next month or two which will enable bitstream output of TrueHD/DTS-HDMA and hopefully fix the 1080p24 lipsync issue some are experiencing as well.

Cool.

Ruined · 10-05-2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugpa

Well, no A35 for me then since it's not as good at 1080p60. Glad I waited on ordering one.

Looks like I was able to help in getting Toshiba working on squashing this bug ASAP:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...6&postcount=55

Pirate · 10-05-2007, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruined

Looks like I was able to help in getting Toshiba working on squashing this bug ASAP:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...6&postcount=55

You (and Robert) are the shit.

dugpa · 10-05-2007, 09:25 PM

I'm skeptical. This looks to be a hardware flaw in the deinterlacer chip itself, so I don't know that firmware can fix it. After all, the A20 has the same problem and they still haven't fixed it after all this time.

Derb · 10-05-2007, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugpa

I'm skeptical. This looks to be a hardware flaw in the deinterlacer chip itself, so I don't know that firmware can fix it. After all, the A20 has the same problem and they still haven't fixed it after all this time.

I know ya want the best of the best of the best! But does your Sammy even accept 1080/24hz?

Iguana Man · 10-05-2007, 11:54 PM

This is awesome news!

I'm like a kid again! YAY!

(If I buy it Ruined, you better expect to come over and at least help me set it up) <--I'm dead serious.

dugpa · 10-06-2007, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derb

I know ya want the best of the best of the best! But does your Sammy even accept 1080/24hz?

It doesn't and that's the problem for me. The error in deinterlacing doesn't effect 1080p/24, it's only on 1080p/60. If I had a display that did 1080p/24 I'd probably still consider the A35. But I don't so 1080p/60 needs to work.

Ruined · 10-06-2007, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

This is awesome news!

I'm like a kid again! YAY!

(If I buy it Ruined, you better expect to come over and at least help me set it up) <--I'm dead serious.

I will... free audio calibration too!

Ruined · 10-06-2007, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugpa

I'm skeptical. This looks to be a hardware flaw in the deinterlacer chip itself, so I don't know that firmware can fix it. After all, the A20 has the same problem and they still haven't fixed it after all this time.

It is very rare these days where a chip cannot be tweaked or have its parameters altered. For instance, the Toshiba HD-A1 had chroma upsampling error for over a year before they fixed it. Not because they couldn't, just because it wasn't a priority. This appears to be a priority now.

Although, I will probably never use the 1080p60 output as I have no 1080p60 display. I will be upgrading straight from my current display to 1080p24 capable one which obviously is unaffected by this bug. However, I see the importance of getting it fixed.

Derb · 10-06-2007, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugpa

It doesn't and that's the problem for me. The error in deinterlacing doesn't effect 1080p/24, it's only on 1080p/60. If I had a display that did 1080p/24 I'd probably still consider the A35. But I don't so 1080p/60 needs to work.

Aye, gotcha.

Have ya thought about the XA2 if it drops in price?

No issues there.

Ruined · 10-06-2007, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derb

Aye, gotcha.

Have ya thought about the XA2 if it drops in price?

No issues there.

From initial reports the A35 actually outperforms the XA2 in HQV tests on 1080p24 material, so that may be worth considering as well.

Derb · 10-06-2007, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruined

From initial reports the A35 actually outperforms the XA2 in HQV tests on 1080p24 material, so that may be worth considering as well.

No doubt, but a HDTV upgrade would be required. I didn't try a SD DVD on my folks BD player & new tv at 1080/24 but I did see a couple of BD films. Gone in 60 Seconds suffers from video judder on my set. I even exchanged a copy for a new one thinking mine was defective. Definitely want to bring that disc over next time I visit.

dugpa · 10-06-2007, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derb

Have ya thought about the XA2 if it drops in price?
No issues there.

I'm considering it. I doubt it will drop in price any time soon since there's not replacement player for it right now though. I'm also considering the Onkyo, but so far I have yet to see what the difference is between it and an XA2 to justify the price. Hopefully when it comes out someone at AVS will take it a part and see what's different about it. Otherwise, I'll probably pick up a XA2.

10-03-2007, 02:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ruined It's Good to Play Together Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NJ, USA	Toshiba HD-A35 displaces HD-XA2 in highend hometheater setups! http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=915405 Apparently those over at AVSFORUM are very satisfied with the HD-A35. Enough so that their XA2s are getting relegated to bedroom duty! Looks like Toshiba has another winner here, except now its less than $500! __________________ For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.

10-03-2007, 03:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
dugpa Nothing But the Best Join Date: Sep 2004	So much for the paranoia that you wouldn't be able to pass a soundtrack via bitstream with hd-dvd. It seems to work just fine unless you turn on a commentary or something. Looks like the XA2 still wins in the SD upconversion department though. Oh well, I'll still pick up an A35 since I plan on getting the Denon Blu-ray player which will smoke them all in upconversion. __________________ DVD collection LD collection Will rent this sig space for blu-ray discs.

10-03-2007, 03:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ruined It's Good to Play Together Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NJ, USA	http://www.valueelectronics.com/AVSTC.HTM I was able to talk them into giving me the HD-A35 for $438 shipped + free HDMI cable, not a bad deal from a good store. re: SD DVD upconversion, "joerod" has done side-by-side comparisons and feel that the HD-A35 is on par with the HD-XA2. The Reon offers a bit more in being able to tweak the picture, but as far as baseline upconversion quality they apparently trade blows. I'd reccomend the HD-A35 over the XA2 for its lower price and also because it runs cooler - not to mention that its a bit faster. Many posters who have both are stating that the HD-A35 is the current overall best HD player to own. I agree! Should match my new Integra DTC-9.8 nicely. __________________ For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.

10-03-2007, 03:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Toefur Actor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Glen Burnie, MD, USA	I've got my A35 coming from VE to replace my 360 add on. That should be a nice upgrade, I'll finally be able to hear the lossless soundtracks. I never bothered to call them to see if I could weasel an HDMI cable out of them too. Oh well... __________________ My DVD Collection

10-03-2007, 08:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Pirate Moderator Emeritus Loves Yellow Subtitles Join Date: Jun 2003	__________________ Early Adopting So You Don’t Have To.

10-04-2007, 02:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ruined It's Good to Play Together Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NJ, USA	Some more info on this player that has been revealed: 1080p24 mode does NOT have the lipsync issues that the XA2 has in the current firmware. 1080p24 apparently works perfectly on the A35. So I would say that the A35 has the advantage in this important area. 1080p60 mode currently does not look as good on the A35 as it does on the XA2. The quality is similar to the A20 here. So the XA2 has the advantage in 1080p60 mode. Upscaling on both players is excellent. The Reon might have a slight edge but given the problems it is currently having with 1080p24 sync issues the A35 is probably the better player to use for upscaling if you are running at 1080p24. Bitstream output of hidef codecs is enabled, and it works intelligently. As you may have heard, you cannot use features like IME with bitstream as it requires the use of the player's internal mixer to mix the main feature audio with the IME audio. So, what apparently happens from what I understand is that if you are watching the movie with bitstream audio enabled and you turn on IME, the player will intelligently temporarily switch from bitstream mode to internal decoding mode - sending your receiver decoded audio via PCM instead of the bitstream until you turn off the IME feature. Once you click back to the main movie by itself, bitstream output resumes. This may not be exactly how it works, but that is the general idea. I'll let you know once I get my two pieces and play around with them. It seems the Toshiba HD-A35 and the new Onkyo/Integra products interact quite well together. I'll report more on functionality when I get them. __________________ For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light. Last edited by Ruined : 10-04-2007 at 02:47 PM.

10-04-2007, 02:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
"The Dude" Actor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Salt Lake, UT	Dumb question but can the XA2 pass the hidef codecs via bitstream through HDMI or only through PCM? Is this something I should be concerned with if I go ahead and get the Onkyo 805 or any other new next gen receiver that can decode TrueHD and DTS-HDMA? I just bought the XA2 not too long ago and would really hate to have to replace it for that purpose, especially since I just got it. __________________ "This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps!"- Walter Sobcheik in the sanitized Big Lewbowski

10-04-2007, 07:25 PM	#13 (permalink)
dugpa Nothing But the Best Join Date: Sep 2004	Well, no A35 for me then since it's not as good at 1080p60. Glad I waited on ordering one. __________________ DVD collection LD collection Will rent this sig space for blu-ray discs.

10-05-2007, 09:25 PM	#17 (permalink)
dugpa Nothing But the Best Join Date: Sep 2004	I'm skeptical. This looks to be a hardware flaw in the deinterlacer chip itself, so I don't know that firmware can fix it. After all, the A20 has the same problem and they still haven't fixed it after all this time. __________________ DVD collection LD collection Will rent this sig space for blu-ray discs.