What Blu-ray player compares with Toshiba XA2

***Wirehed*** · 03-05-2008, 04:16 PM

I need a Blu-ray player, but I don't know if there's anything available now, or coming up in the next few months that can compare with the Toshiba XA2.

Does such a machine exist?

Iguana Man · 03-05-2008, 05:17 PM

I'd imagine the Panny BD50 but I think we need to wait more to find out about it's upcon abilities.

**Pirate** · 03-05-2008, 05:20 PM

I would say none.

The PS3 is still probably the most "complete" player on the market, but no BD player currently comes close to the XA2's upconversion capabilities. So, if that's important, you may want to wait.

Also, it seems that he current crop of BD players either bitstream or decode the new audio formats, but not both. I got one that can decode since I don't have a next-gen receiver yet, but I'll have to buy another player when I upgrade my AVR. So, keep that in mind.

The Panny BD50 (or one of the new Sony models) is probably one to look at for your new HT.

***Wirehed*** · 03-05-2008, 05:24 PM

yeah, that's pretty much what I'm afraid of. shoot.

I want a great upcon player, like the XA2, as I can only have one player plugged into my reciever at a time (via analog out).

I'm planning to upgrade my reciever to nice seperates in the near future, but I want a Blu-ray player now.

Iguana Man · 03-05-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wirehed

as I can only have one player plugged into my reciever at a time (via analog out).

I'd like to think there is a 'switching unit' of high quality to get you around this.

Yes?

**Pirate** · 03-05-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wirehed

I'm planning to upgrade my reciever to nice seperates in the near future, but I want a Blu-ray player now.

That's why I got the Sharp. It's cheap and plays Blu-rays well. That'll do for now.

***Wirehed*** · 03-05-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

I'd like to think there is a 'switching unit' of high quality to get you around this.

Yes?

I doubt that.

"analog switching" and "quality" is not going to be affordable.

**Pirate** · 03-05-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wirehed

I doubt that.

"analog switching" and "quality" is not going to be affordable.

Shhh! Don't tell anyone, but I got some Y-splitters and have had no problems and no loss of sound.

Iguana Man · 03-05-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wirehed

I doubt that.

"analog switching" and "quality" is not going to be affordable.

Oh well. That's what happens when you spend all your money on funky carpet. No money left for analog switching.

***Wirehed*** · 03-05-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirate

Shhh! Don't tell anyone, but I got some Y-splitters and have had no problems and no loss of sound.

errr, ummm.
no.

hah, yeah, thanks Iggy.
$6000 for the carpet and an additional $10,000 to build the room so far.
I'll have over $20,000 invested in that room and that's NO equipment.

Gah, it's amazing how these things add up!

**Pirate** · 03-05-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wirehed

errr, ummm.
no.

Why? There are actually a lot of folks on AVS who've done the same thing and have had no issues. Granted it doesn't seem to work with all receivers and you have to be careful not to power up both components, but it's a hell of a lot easier than always plugging and unplugging.

Ruined · 03-05-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wirehed

I need a Blu-ray player, but I don't know if there's anything available now, or coming up in the next few months that can compare with the Toshiba XA2.

Does such a machine exist?

I'd say only the Denon DVD-BD3800CI matches the XA2 on DVD upconversion:
Denon USA | DVD-3800BDCI

Yet, despite its high pricetag, the Denon doesn't match the upcoming Panasonic BD50 in featureset for Blu-ray movies - but the Panasonic's DVD upconversion, if it remains the same as the BD30, is utter shite compared to the XA2. Amazing that you can release a $1999 machine and get bested by a $599 one three months later.

***Wirehed*** · 03-05-2008, 10:50 PM

Yeah, this is the problem. Shoot.

I'll probably just pick up the BD50 and continue to use the XA2 for regular DVD. One of those two will have to be hooked up for optical audio though

Ruined · 03-05-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wirehed

Yeah, this is the problem. Shoot.

I'll probably just pick up the BD50 and continue to use the XA2 for regular DVD. One of those two will have to be hooked up for optical audio though

XA2... Standard DVDs don't have any soundtracks that can't be transmitted over optical cable anyway, and your future purchases will be mainly BD.

***Wirehed*** · 03-06-2008, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruined

XA2... Standard DVDs don't have any soundtracks that can't be transmitted over optical cable anyway, and your future purchases will be mainly BD.

True, but the XA2 processes audio much better than my receiver (Yamaha DSP A1) that's why I use the analog outs in the first place.

The XA2 replaced my Denon 3910 which I bought primarily for it's audio.

sigh.

Must get new receiver.

***chlngr1970*** · 03-06-2008, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wirehed

True, but the XA2 processes audio much better than my receiver (Yamaha DSP A1) that's why I use the analog outs in the first place.

The XA2 replaced my Denon 3910 which I bought primarily for it's audio.

sigh.

Must get new receiver.

That is probably your safest bet. You can spend the money now on a better processor, and use your amp from the Yamaha ( same basic principle I am heading to ) then around Christmass time, see if any of the BD players have the feature set you are looking for.

j

***Wirehed*** · 03-06-2008, 03:30 AM

Yeah, that's one thought for sure.

I would really like to move the Yamaha into my gaming room though. I'm using a shitttty old Sony currently and the Yamaha would be perfect for my B&Ws for my 360.

Hopefully I can just cough up the $6-8 grand for the new pro/amp and a good Blu-ray thingamabob.

...and hold off on the new projector for a while.

Man, I hope business improves soon.

Eddie2u · 03-09-2008, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wirehed

yeah, that's pretty much what I'm afraid of. shoot.

I want a great upcon player, like the XA2, as I can only have one player plugged into my reciever at a time (via analog out).

I'm planning to upgrade my reciever to nice seperates in the near future, but I want a Blu-ray player now.

I am in the same boat as you with a older yamaha receiver. I plan on upgrading my receiver after I upgrade my tv later this year. I think I'll either buy 3 cheap rca switchboxes or a Zektor HDS4.1 to fix my current problem until I upgrade.

esc · 03-09-2008, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wirehed

I need a Blu-ray player, but I don't know if there's anything available now, or coming up in the next few months that can compare with the Toshiba XA2.

Does such a machine exist?

I am in a similar situation, but I dont care about upcon. I am only interested in picture quality on Blu Ray discs. I am considering the Panasonic BD50, BD30 or the Samsung BD-P1400. What great players should I look into? Does anyone have any opinions on these 3 players ?

dugpa · 03-09-2008, 05:59 AM

The BD50 isn't out yet so no one knows the quality of it. But it's one of the most anticipated blu-ray players coming down the pipeline so I'm sure there will be lots of reviews when it hits.

Iguana Man · 03-09-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esc

I am in a similar situation, but I dont care about upcon.

Sorry for the temporary derail, but you don't seem to care about your avatar either.

esc · 03-09-2008, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Sorry for the temporary derail, but you don't seem to care about your avatar either.

Its blacked out and in mourning for HD DVD

Iguana Man · 03-09-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esc

Its blacked out and in mourning for HD DVD

03-05-2008, 04:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
*Wirehed* Producer/Admin NSFW Off 'the list' Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Sacto, Ca --Near Galt, home of LeVar Burton	What Blu-ray player compares with Toshiba XA2 I need a Blu-ray player, but I don't know if there's anything available now, or coming up in the next few months that can compare with the Toshiba XA2. Does such a machine exist? __________________ The Order of the Zombie. The world's greatest zombie culture website. "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wagn'nagl dominos" In his house in R'lyeh, dead Cthulhu waits for the pizza delivery guy.

03-05-2008, 05:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Iguana Man Ex-BadHumor Man Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Jersey, USA	I'd imagine the Panny BD50 but I think we need to wait more to find out about it's upcon abilities. __________________ Get outside and have fun! Nacho Website Focus

03-05-2008, 05:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pirate Director/Moderator Loves Yellow Subtitles Join Date: Jun 2003	I would say none. The PS3 is still probably the most "complete" player on the market, but no BD player currently comes close to the XA2's upconversion capabilities. So, if that's important, you may want to wait. Also, it seems that he current crop of BD players either bitstream or decode the new audio formats, but not both. I got one that can decode since I don't have a next-gen receiver yet, but I'll have to buy another player when I upgrade my AVR. So, keep that in mind. The Panny BD50 (or one of the new Sony models) is probably one to look at for your new HT. __________________ Early Adopting So You Don’t Have To.

03-05-2008, 05:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
*Wirehed* Producer/Admin NSFW Off 'the list' Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Sacto, Ca --Near Galt, home of LeVar Burton	yeah, that's pretty much what I'm afraid of. shoot. I want a great upcon player, like the XA2, as I can only have one player plugged into my reciever at a time (via analog out). I'm planning to upgrade my reciever to nice seperates in the near future, but I want a Blu-ray player now. __________________ The Order of the Zombie. The world's greatest zombie culture website. "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wagn'nagl dominos" In his house in R'lyeh, dead Cthulhu waits for the pizza delivery guy.

03-05-2008, 10:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
*Wirehed* Producer/Admin NSFW Off 'the list' Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Sacto, Ca --Near Galt, home of LeVar Burton	Yeah, this is the problem. Shoot. I'll probably just pick up the BD50 and continue to use the XA2 for regular DVD. One of those two will have to be hooked up for optical audio though __________________ The Order of the Zombie. The world's greatest zombie culture website. "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wagn'nagl dominos" In his house in R'lyeh, dead Cthulhu waits for the pizza delivery guy.

03-06-2008, 03:30 AM	#17 (permalink)
*Wirehed* Producer/Admin NSFW Off 'the list' Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Sacto, Ca --Near Galt, home of LeVar Burton	Yeah, that's one thought for sure. I would really like to move the Yamaha into my gaming room though. I'm using a shitttty old Sony currently and the Yamaha would be perfect for my B&Ws for my 360. Hopefully I can just cough up the $6-8 grand for the new pro/amp and a good Blu-ray thingamabob. ...and hold off on the new projector for a while. Man, I hope business improves soon. __________________ The Order of the Zombie. The world's greatest zombie culture website. "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wagn'nagl dominos" In his house in R'lyeh, dead Cthulhu waits for the pizza delivery guy.

03-09-2008, 05:59 AM	#20 (permalink)
dugpa Nothing But the Best Join Date: Sep 2004	The BD50 isn't out yet so no one knows the quality of it. But it's one of the most anticipated blu-ray players coming down the pipeline so I'm sure there will be lots of reviews when it hits. __________________ DVD collection LD collection Format war rules: Never let facts get in the way of dogma.

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