Ron's HD DVD Review

Thanks for the review, Ron! (In case anyone missed it, it is here.)

Have you checked the firmware level? It may be wishful thinking on my part, but the later firmware seemed to improve load time.

Congrats on your purchase, and may there be many hours of enjoyment in all that high definition glory!

- Steve

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Steve, I was expecting the worst when I clicked into this thread
(you never know if people are gonna have issues with a review),
and I was pleasantly surprised by your comments. Thank You!

I need to figure out how to check and update the firmware. Looks
like it takes a bit of time that I just dopn't have right now. I will
check out the "sticky" thread about firmware updating in the hardware
area.

I am immensely enjoying HD-DVD and it is my hope that my review
results in a few people who were on the fence to finally buy a player.

For $500, this is a great way to enjoy a really nice picture.

I'm off to Circuit City with a $50 gift card to find some new titles.
I hope Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is in stock.

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Ron - Nice review. The pricepoint on the HD-A1 along with its availability prior to Blu-ray were the two primary factors that convinced me to take a chance on this player. I was not disappointed.

One minor point regarding the review. It is my understanding ( strictly based upon what I've read on the web ) that the ability to stop and resume HD DVD playback is a disc authoring issue, and not a limitation of the Toshiba player. I don't have a reference to cite, so take that with a grain of salt.

- Walter.

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Nice review Ron I watched KKBB the other night and it has awesome picture quality so you're in for a great movie there. Congrats on the player purchase and welcome to the hd dvd club

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

That's it... Ron you've convinced me... HD-DVD here I come!

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Great review Ron. I've had my A1 for almost a month now and I couldn't be happier. I had to call Toshiba to get the firmware disc since I couldn't figure out how to download it. Anyways, a few days later the disc showed up and about 10 minutes later my upgrade was done. I'm very happy with my player and HD-DVD. Glad you're enjoying yours too!

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Thanks for the review Ron, nicely done. Welcome to the HD-DVD fold.

As for the firmware update, call Toshiba at 800.319.6684. They will set up a file (have the model# and serial# available). They'll send you out the disk. From then on any other firmware updates or anything else that comes about they'll notify you or send you firmware updates automatically.

Toshiba has great CS, I've been very impressed so far.

Enjoy!

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Yes Ron, nice review, and I'm glad you jumped in.

What Walter said, HD DVD's price was what sold me, that combined with the amazing PQ. Had HD DVD looked like the first BD demo I saw (Fifth Element,) I would not have jumped, even if the player was $500.

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

I've done it... I've dived into HD-DVD and I do not regret a moment of it.

Connected the HDMI connection to my Sony 60" Grand Wega LCD-Rear (via a HDMI to DVI connection), connected 5.1 analog, and popped in Swordfish HD-DVD running at 1080i... I think I'm in love LOL

On a side note, the person selling me the player at Future Shop told me that they had sold 2 blu-ray players so far and they both have been returned for an HD-DVD player. On top of that, a Samsung rep came into their store this morning because the manager weren't happy with how the blu-ray was looking on their displays. The Samsung rep said, "well maybe it's the plasma's you hooked them up to."

What sucks is that blu-ray is right up at the front of the home theatre department of Future Shop... HD-DVD is hidden away to the left of the section, I wouldn't have found it fast had I not been taken there.

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Great review, Ron!

I have an extra firmware disc if you want one.

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

I don't own either format right now but I wanted to drop in here and say that I really enjoyed the review that Ron wrote. Great job partner!

Parker

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

I would definitely go for the firmware update disc instead of letting it download to the player. It takes less time to run. However, I would probably leave the firmware alone for now, unless you see any of the lockups or picture problems like we had before the first firmware update. (The firmware seems to have fixed them, too.)

Enjoy!

- Steve

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Good review, but it doesn't change my mind that I won't buy into either HD format until there is a next generation universal player that plays both. I think it's ridiculous that right now, you'd have to buy 2 different players to get all 3 Terminator movies. Stupid.

And remember that improvements in video quality are only apparent if you are closer than that critical viewing distance for the resolution and screen size relationship.

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

I read the Review really good review. the only reason I am on the Fence is I havent even finished my HT yet, altho it is almost done. I still have to buy a PrismaSonic Lens, Z4 PJ, Denon SD DVD and NOW a HD DVD Player, Sweet but there goes the Budget again you goto love this Hobby.


I didnt even Finish my HT yet and I am already Upgrading lol


-Gerald

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Uh, really?

- Steve

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Ron what is your suggestion for someon looking to upgrade to a new dvd player ?

My current player is too old to even mention and I have been waiting for the HD players to come out, so that I can decide to go with a high end standard dvd ($1,500) or a HD player.

Where would you suggest I put my money ?

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Brent, I sold my 2mth old Denon 3910 to get the Toshiba A1 and never looked back.

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Isn't having a higher resolution allowing people with larger sets too sit closer without seeing pixelation??

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

I was thinking about this very decision today at work. Reading this thread has me sold on the toshiba HD player, now if I can just make up my mind between the A1 or the XA1. Anyway I will order one or the other tonight. Great thread and review by the way.

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

There are three things that are keeping me from adopting HD-DVD:

1) The player is a cobbled together hackjob of PC parts that was obviously rushed out the door. Yes, it works, but knowing what it is leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

2) The lack of interesting titles. Enough has been said on that. I have about 400 DVDs in my collection, and I estimate that I would want to upgrade maybe 20% of them to HD. Those 20% aren't available yet. Some of them may never be available as those studios are in the Blu-Ray camp. That's a problem.

3) Price. No, I'm not cheap. Though the HD-A1 is certainly cheaper than competing Blu-Ray players, $500 is still too much for a player/format that (a) has a dubious future, (b) is a rush job hack built from PC parts, and (c) has a software base that I find uninteresting. Fix (b) and (c), or (a) and (b), and I'll buy at $500. Today. Otherwise, this player is going to have to hit about $350 for me to start to become interested.

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Jim,

I understand your position.

I rushed out and bought the Toshiba after swearing I'd sit this
format war out. Why did I do it? Just read the threads from owners
and you can see how happy they are with their purchase. I couldn't
stand reading one more positive review without getting a player for
myself.

Toshiba did things right. The players don't seem to be hack jobs
at all. I don't understand where you are reading this. In fact, many
are praising the fact that Toshiba is offering a $500 player that is
worth at least $200 more in build quality. That's another reason I
jumped into this first player -- even despite the fact I'll be forced
to buy a 2nd generation player that allows 1080p playback.

Additionally, Toshiba is backing up their players with solid customer
support. They are constantly releasing new firmware to take care of
any glitches on the player. I called them last night, gave them my
personal information, and a firmware disc is being sent to me in the
mail.

Don't confuse the problems Blu-Ray and Samsung are having right
now with the success of those who purchased Toshiba and HD-DVD.

As far as titles are concerned....

Yes, I do agree that the titles that are available right now are pretty
lame. With thousands upon thousands of titles available from WB and
Universal I am amazed that they played it really safe with the stuff
they released. There's not a single title that stands out amongst the
pack and I think they could have lured more people into this format
if they released King Kong, The Matrix, Batman Begins, Jurassic Park,
etc. I understand the studios always play it safe when entering these
new formats, but the interesting difference here is that there are TWO
formats and you would THINK each side is going to try to "up" one
another on what they can release.

Could you imagine of Fox released Star Wars to Blu-Ray? You
could have mutilated HD-DVD sales.

It seems to me, if you want to win a format war, you gotta put out
killer applications that will entice consumers to buy. I'm not asking that
any studio put all their cards out on the table right now, but some
"prime" titles to supplement the same ol' standard stuff would really
help HD-DVD along.

Getting back to your title predicament....

It's gonna be a while before players dip below $500 as the Toshiba
is already way underpriced. New titles are starting to come, with a
bulk of better stuff coming this October. Personally, knowing the cost
is not going to dip, I'd recommend a purchase as soon as you can.

Best wishes! Let us know how you make out.

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Good Review Ron. I'm Solidly in HD-DVD's camp and Hope it prosper's as a format. I don't Trust Sony with a Successful launch after I have a Betamax in my closet, UMD's on my Rack, I just don't think they will stick around. Still I'm waiting on getting a player even thou I own a couple HD-DVD Titles. I'll probably dive in for my 1368x768 LCD thru the Add on Xbox 360 Drive. I'll look into a Standalone player sometime around Christmas and will probably hook that to my older Mits 65" Projection and hope they don't throw the HDMI only switch. My Projector is strictly 800x600 so no Hi Def love there. I guess I wonder if I'll see enough a improvement at 720p (vs 1080i) to warrant getting one now. My Upconverting DVD Player does a nice job on my LCD at the moment. Still I'm buying new releases I want in the HD-DVD Format, so I'm anticipating owning one at some point.

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Life is too short and I think this player is very reasonably priced for a first generation player. You people are lucky. If I had access to the player with this price, I would have bought it in a heartbeat. Here I saw it imported and ready for sale for the price of 1800 euros! That's even more in dollars I guess!

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Am I the only one that feels the notion of the Star Wars franchise being the "ultimate" movie titles is passe? I can think of MANY other movies that would attract me to the format long before Star Wars.

Mark

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Mark it must be the fact that they keep on being reissued for sale.

Yes let's see before Star Wars I'd like on HD-DVD:

2001
Escape From New York
Buckaroo Banzai
Indiana Jones Trilogy
James Bond Films


Just to name a few. Of course before many of those happen Blu Ray has to go down the crapper.

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Mark,

You are correct. STAR WARS being ultimate is very passe,
but it's an example of the kind of title that would lure people
to one format over the other (and you know that would happen).

And another great point....

The Toshiba is $500. Half the price of Blu-Ray. Most predict that
price isn't moving for quite some time, so why not take advantage?

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Here is a reminder from DVDfile.com about the draconian copyright issues associated with the new formats...

"Caveat Emptor"

http://www.dvdfile.com/news/viewpoin...005/05_18.html

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

The A1 is a very well built, solid machine that performs excellently. The final outcome is PQ and it delivers. I've had zero problems with my A1 since I bought it on day one over two months ago.


For myself, two of my all time favorite films came out; Phantom and Serenity. Those two alone had me sold on buying the player.


This is where the early adopter comes into play. Is $500 worth the risk of the format possibly failing, to some it is, to others it is not. For $500 it's a very inexpensive risk to take for such fantastic upscaling and HD PQ.

Half the price and twice the picture quality. The more I am reading it sounds like Sony really dropped the ball with their "Beyond High Definition".

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

jim - if you have 100 continental airlines miles you're about $30 away from $350 (see bargain sites).

cobbled hackjob PC is irrelevant... this really is a nice unit. the only "bad taste" is probalby people who can't afford the $500 entry fee. upscales dvd GREAT (among the best i've seen and better than HTPC). this also boots and loads WAY faster than my HTPC so the laggy-ness is not an issue here.

30-day free netflix Toshiba offer also gives you access to many HD launch titles without purchasing anything. YMMV.

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

OK guys. I'm glad you're happy with your players and I hope you continue to enjoy them for a long time. Please don't get me wrong: I'm not trying to knock the format at all; in fact I would very much like to see HD-DVD succeed. I enjoyed reading Ron's review as well. It's just that despite everything that is good about HD-DVD, there are a couple of things that are keeping me away from it for now. Like I said, fix two of them (next gen player and titles, or price and titles) and I'll be all over it. Until then, I'll have to be satisfied with 1:1 pixel mapped output from my Bravo D1 to my SP4805.