HD-A1 - Severe Buyer's Remorse

Scott Calvert · 06-28-2006, 10:49 AM

I'm taking this thing back. Combination of factors which tell me that now is not the time to buy into HD-DVD:

1) The thing just plain doesn't work properly. Even with the 1.2 firmware, the thing has bugs all over the place.

2) Blu-Ray is getting serious marketing push via Best Buy while HD-DVD has been relegated to gathering dust on the back shelf (I don't like it, just stating facts).

3) Some reports that Best Buy is REFUSING to sell HD-DVD units to customers, stating they are sending them back to Toshiba.

4) CEO of Toshiba making public statement about being open to a unified format. IMO, this is proof positive that Toshiba is getting desperate.

5) Title delays with no explanation and no new release date. Makes me wonder if studios are getting cold feet.

Hate to be all doom and gloom, but that's just the way I see it right now. The picture and sound quality are fantastic (when it works), but I have a gut feeling that if I keep buying into this I'm going to get burned. I think alot of other folks feel the same way.

Walter Kittel · 06-28-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

I think alot of other folks feel the same way.

That is a pretty big assumption. I certainly do not. The point being that your opinion and my opinion are single data points and neither is necessarily indicative of the larger scope of the situation.

- Walter.

Michael TLV · 06-28-2006, 10:58 AM

Greetings

We can choose to buy into the FUD ... or not. We also seem to pick and choose what we want to believe or not ...

Regards

Scott Calvert · 06-28-2006, 11:03 AM

Hey, I want HD-DVD to succeed because if the bugs are ironed out it would make a great format. But you can't deny that there are some serious obstacles. Some folks are willing to take the gamble, not me. If Sony spends more maketing $$ and Best Buy favors their product, it's game over IMO. I'm waiting until at least this Christmas to buy in.

Michael TLV · 06-28-2006, 11:11 AM

Greetings

Welcome to the world of the early adopter.

If you get shaky knees ... then this is not the game for you. Sit back and watch ...

$450 just isn't enough to break me. If it was ... then I have other financial problems far greater than this.

Regards

**HTF Ads**

Walter Kittel · 06-28-2006, 11:24 AM

What Michael said.

With the pleasure of enjoying spectacular HD images comes the risk of purchasing a format that may fail or remain a niche for years to come. Life is too short to worry about it, IMHO. For me the benefits merit the risks. Not trying to disuade you; if you are uncomfortable with the current dynamics then you should return the player.

Cheers,
Walter.

Jordan_E · 06-28-2006, 11:45 AM

Loving my A1 every dang time I use it! And that also includes CDs and SD DVD. And I can only anticipate some spectacular releases coming this Christmas shopping season.

Steve Blair · 06-28-2006, 12:09 PM

Love mine and I am contributing by keeping my player and buying hd dvd's. If no one buys anything neither format will win.

Ron-P · 06-28-2006, 01:10 PM

Quote:

$450 just isn't enough to break me. If it was ... then I have other financial problems far greater than this.

Exactly, I spent $500 the day the A1 streeted and have zero regrets. A small price to pay for such excellent PQ and upscaling.

Scott Calvert · 06-28-2006, 02:39 PM

Nice veiled insult at my (perceived) financial situation.

Anyway, my main beef is the thing not working correctly. It's got the 1.2 firmware already and I didn't want to have to send it in to Toshiba and wait weeks for it to be repaired (I don't think my local Best Buy has one to exchange, either). But, I just got off the phone w/ a Toshiba rep and they are sending me another firmware upgrade, 1.4, which I didn't even know was out. So - I'm going to give this thing another try because I don't think I can live without HD movies another 6 months.

Walter Kittel · 06-28-2006, 03:10 PM

Yep, it is pretty addicting.

Sorry you are having problems with your HD-A1. I'm still running the original firmware with no problems yet ( knock on wood. ) I keep wondering if I should upgrade the firmware but have held off so far. Good luck with 1.4

One question: Are you using the Toshiba remote? If yes, seriously consider replacing it with a learning remote as there is much speculation that a lot of the issues with the player stem from the remote. (I programmed my MX-500 the first night and have never used the Toshiba remote since.)

- Walter.