Got another HD-XA2 (as a back up)

[zepherman]

Now that HD DVD is officially dead, I started to wonder as to what would happen some day if my current XA2 player croaked. I've got a fairly decent HD DVD library and want to continue enjoying them for many years to come. So I figured it would be a wise investment buying another XA2 as a back up player. And even if my current XA2 just keeps on going, at least I'll have peace of mind. And I can now feel comfortable buying many more discount HD DVD's.

Have any of you purchased another HD DVD player for back up use?


Seth

[umainebearman]

Originally Posted by zepherman

So I figured it would be a wise investment buying another XA2 as a back up player. And even if my current XA2 just keeps on going, at least I'll have peace of mind. And I can now feel comfortable buying many more discount HD DVD's.



Seth

That is of course if that back up XA2 shits the bed right out of the box. I mean just cause its new doesn't mean guaranteed to work. Just a thought.

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by umainebearman

That is of course if that back up XA2 shits the bed right out of the box. I mean just cause its new doesn't mean guaranteed to work. Just a thought.

Yeah I thought about that, and am going to try it out to make sure everything works as it should (incl. after I install 2.7 firmware). If all is good after that, I'm set! All I can do now is wait for my player to arrive so I can try it. If 2.7 installs ok, I "might" install 2.8. But after hearing Plissken's experience with 2.8, I just might pass. And if 2.7 gives me bitstream capability for TrueHD and DTS-HD MA why even bother with 2.8 right?


Seth

[chlngr1970]

I picked up an HD-A30 and an A35 right before the announcement. Since then, I picked up another A35, and just won an A3 on Ebay ( for the kids... ) I will be keeping my eye out for others as I can afford them, but I want to keep a nice pile of backup's in my closet

j

[umainebearman]

Wow! That gives me an Idea for a new slogan for Hd-dvd.

HD-DVD,

The cockroach that survives the Blu-ray nuclear fall out.

Sorry its way past my bed time.

[dugpa]

I was going to buy a back up, but I don't really trust the 3rd gen models and I can't seem to find any X2's anywhere for a reasonable price. So when my A1 dies I'll probably just start re-buying my hd-dvd's in blu-ray format.

[SilentBob]

I've been meaning to get a back up player for my HD-A1 but i would want an XA2 or the A35 player. Sadly i haven't seen these anywhere in my area and are too expensive to import from the states (or lack that option)


So if anyone can get a nice cheap XA2 player for me that would be great

[Derb]

Still have 3 other HD DVD devises other than my Xa2 so I think I'm good if the Xa2 bites it. I sure hope not though as it is an excellent DVD player.

[samhell]

2 is 1 and 1 is none.

[ganthc]

I bought an hd-a35 for cheap after the announcement of Toshiba giving up. So far it glitched like mad, so I returned it and got another one, which has been behaving itself for the past 2 days. I got it because I wanted a 1080p player and it had the best features on it. My hd-a2 has still been a trooper, and I will keep it as a back up for my other hdtv upstairs.

[Derb]

Originally Posted by ganthc

I bought an hd-a35 for cheap after the announcement of Toshiba giving up. So far it glitched like mad, so I returned it and got another one, which has been behaving itself for the past 2 days. I got it because I wanted a 1080p player and it had the best features on it. My hd-a2 has still been a trooper, and I will keep it as a back up for my other hdtv upstairs.

Before you returned the glitch-box did you update it to 2.0?

I bought one today to keep brand new in box until the XA2 kicks the bucket but I figured I better at least update the player first. So put 2.0 on the thing. (Was 1.1)

[plissken99]

Wish I could afford another XA2. I have the Xbox drive, for when it screws up. Actually I need to contact Tosh and see about sending it in. Maybe they can swap the guts or something. Already called once, but they told me some things to try that didn't work, and it took a long time to watch another HD DVD to see that those things didn't work.

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by dugpa

I was going to buy a back up, but I don't really trust the 3rd gen models and I can't seem to find any X2's anywhere for a reasonable price. So when my A1 dies I'll probably just start re-buying my hd-dvd's in blu-ray format.

Yeah I hear you on the 3rd gen. models, I was originally going to get an A35 but then I found out that it didn't look too good in 1080p/60. Since my TV is 1080p/60 I needed a player that was stellar for it. So my only real option was to get another XA2. But finding any now is extremely difficult. And the few that are available new are outrageously expensive. I got lucky and found one on Amazon Marketplace from a reputable seller for $350.

I'm receiving it on Monday, and hopefully it's a sound unit that works fine. If it is, then I should be set for a while.

Originally Posted by SilentBob

I've been meaning to get a back up player for my HD-A1 but i would want an XA2 or the A35 player. Sadly i haven't seen these anywhere in my area and are too expensive to import from the states (or lack that option)


So if anyone can get a nice cheap XA2 player for me that would be great

I'll keep my eyes open for you. Hopefully someone somewhere is selling one for a decent price that will ship your way. Right now the XA2 seems to be the hot ticket and people are buying them up quickly. It's going to be a hard find, but not impossible.


Seth

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by plissken99

Wish I could afford another XA2. I have the Xbox drive, for when it screws up. Actually I need to contact Tosh and see about sending it in. Maybe they can swap the guts or something. Already called once, but they told me some things to try that didn't work, and it took a long time to watch another HD DVD to see that those things didn't work.

It sucks that your XA2 is giving you so many problems. Toshiba has said that they will continue to offer repair service on their HD DVD players, so I would see what they will do for you. If they can fix it for you at a reasonable cost, it'll be worth it as the XA2 is a fantastic player.

Keep us posted.



Seth

[Derb]

Originally Posted by zepherman

Yeah I thought about that, and am going to try it out to make sure everything works as it should (incl. after I install 2.7 firmware). If all is good after that, I'm set! All I can do now is wait for my player to arrive so I can try it. If 2.7 installs ok, I "might" install 2.8. But after hearing Plissken's experience with 2.8, I just might pass. And if 2.7 gives me bitstream capability for TrueHD and DTS-HD MA why even bother with 2.8 right?


Seth

Ahh.. 2.8 huh?

I think I have 2.7 on my Xa2. Toshiba really pulled off a miracle firmware with 2.2 & 2.7. Never had an issue sinse 2.2/.7 so I didn't bother with 2.8.

When I got the A35 yesterday at LD (A semi-electronics store in Canada) they were in the middle of removing the Xa2 & Tosh display & replacing that with a Panasonic BD-30. Almost got the Toshiba Demo disc off their hands. :doh! Anyways for $150 I think the A35 + 2 movies is worth it.

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by Derb

Before you returned the glitch-box did you update it to 2.0?

I bought one today to keep brand new in box until the XA2 kicks the bucket but I figured I better at least update the player first. So put 2.0 on the thing. (Was 1.1)

Yes, it was on 2.0. I have kept my current player at 1.3 and have watched 3 hd-dvds with no glitches. I will hold firm on this firmware until I see it giving me problems.

[bembol]

That's pretty sweet. Congrats.




My back-up is XBOX 360 HD DVD add-on. I picked it up for <$40 @ Best Buy and after the $50 GC they are giving away for buying HD DVD and selling King Kong & 5 HD DVD rebate for $20, this is one of the sickest deals.

I haven't tried it, can't bother setting it up on my iMac/XP Pro, I'll just wait when I pick up the Elite this June when Ninja Gaiden II comes out.

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by Derb

Ahh.. 2.8 huh?

I think I have 2.7 on my Xa2. Toshiba really pulled off a miracle firmware with 2.2 & 2.7. Never had an issue sinse 2.2/.7 so I didn't bother with 2.8.

When I got the A35 yesterday at LD (A semi-electronics store in Canada) they were in the middle of removing the Xa2 & Tosh display & replacing that with a Panasonic BD-30. Almost got the Toshiba Demo disc off their hands. :doh! Anyways for $150 I think the A35 + 2 movies is worth it.

Yeah if I don't need to update my back up player to 2.8 I'm not going to mess with it.

$150 for an A35 + 2 movies is a great deal! Congrats!

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by bembol

That's pretty sweet. Congrats.




My back-up is XBOX 360 HD DVD add-on. I picked it up for <$40 @ Best Buy and after the $50 GC they are giving away for buying HD DVD and selling King Kong & 5 HD DVD rebate for $20, this is one of the sickest deals.

I haven't tried it, can't bother setting it up on my iMac/XP Pro, I'll just wait when I pick up the Elite this June when Ninja Gaiden II comes out.

Thanks!

That is an awesome deal for that Xbox 360 add on. Very cool.

Yeah I'm also looking forward to getting Ninja Gaiden II. Should be one heck of a game.

[zepherman]

My XA2 arrived today, I hooked it up, tried out some HD DVD's, and it's working perfectly. It had Firmware version 2.5, so I went ahead and updated it to firmware version 2.7. The update went through without a hitch, and is now version 2.7 and all is great! Tried out some DTS-HD MA and TrueHD titles and everything is working! So I now have an excellent HD DVD back up player.


Seth

[Derb]

Originally Posted by zepherman

My XA2 arrived today, I hooked it up, tried out some HD DVD's, and it's working perfectly. It had Firmware version 2.5, so I went ahead and updated it to firmware version 2.7. The update went through without a hitch, and is now version 2.7 and all is great! Tried out some DTS-HD MA and TrueHD titles and everything is working! So I now have an excellent HD DVD back up player.


Seth

Good stuff.

I hope to have the same luck with the A35 when the time comes.

[ganthc]

They doubled the price on the hda35. I'm glad I got mine while the prices were low. Outside of my initial player I got, the new hd-a35 has been working very well on its 1.3 firmware. I will hold off on the 2.0 firmware because I wonder if it was the problem from my last player.

[chlngr1970]

I never took my new A35 out of the box. I should check to see it is actually working The A35 in my HT has performed flawlessly. What titles did you have issues with? Maybe I can see if it has the same issues.

I also won an A3 on Ebay for like $50, and another A30 for $48 delivered. I'm bidding on a couple more A35s. I want a stack up backups

j

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by Derb

Good stuff.

I hope to have the same luck with the A35 when the time comes.

Thanks.

Yes hopefully your A35 will be a winner!

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by ganthc

They doubled the price on the hda35. I'm glad I got mine while the prices were low. Outside of my initial player I got, the new hd-a35 has been working very well on its 1.3 firmware. I will hold off on the 2.0 firmware because I wonder if it was the problem from my last player.

Yes it is a good thing that you got yours while prices were low.

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

I never took my new A35 out of the box. I should check to see it is actually working The A35 in my HT has performed flawlessly. What titles did you have issues with? Maybe I can see if it has the same issues.

I also won an A3 on Ebay for like $50, and another A30 for $48 delivered. I'm bidding on a couple more A35s. I want a stack up backups

j

Yeah it would be a good idea to check and see if your new A35 is fully functional, as it would totally suck to later find out that it's not working. I'm sure it'll probably be just fine, but it's better to be safe.

Well it looks like you got your bases covered, and will be set for quite a while.


Seth