Toshiba to Debut Third Generation HD DVD Players (HD-A3/HD-A30/HD-A35)

Jari K · 08-07-2007, 06:54 AM

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/st...4639654&EDATE=

"Toshiba's third generation family starts with the entry level HD-A3
player featuring 1080i output capability.

The other two new models,
Toshiba's HD-A30 and HD-A35, will output 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080p),
the highest HD signal currently available.

Both models are capable of
outputing signals at 1080p/24 frames per second so consumers can enjoy
movies in their native frame rate.

The HD-A30 and HD-A35 models also
feature "CE-Link" (HDMI-CEC), allowing two- way control between the HD DVD
player and a TV through an HDMI connection.

The top-of-the-line HD-A35 also adds support for Deep Color via HDMI
allowing compatible display devices to deliver outstanding video quality -
displaying millions of possible colors to billions of possible colors.

Additionally, the HD-A35 offers 5.1 channel analog output and High Bit
Rate Audio (up to 7.1 channel) via HDMI. With content encoded in 7.1ch,
this advanced surround sound is achieved through the HDMI connection
bypassing the player's internal audio processor and sending the signal to a
7.1 capable A/V receiver. High Bit Rate Audio will allow the consumer to
integrate the HD-A35 with the latest multi-channel A/V receivers and enjoy
a whole new dimension of high definition home entertainment.

Expected Pricing and Expected Availability:
HD-A3 ($299.99, October 2007)
HD-A30 ($399.99, September 2007)
HD-A35 ($499.99, October 2007)"

Marko Berg · 08-07-2007, 07:53 AM

The A35 seems like a winner. Actual street/online prices should be reasonable since it's only $500 MSRP.

Wonder when the 3rd generation will be available here in Europe?

Jari K · 08-07-2007, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marko Berg

Wonder when the 3rd generation will be available here in Europe?

Good question. Now the "1080p"-model in Europe is around 600-700 Euros..

Jari K · 08-22-2007, 11:42 AM

Anyone know when these models will be on "pre-order" etc? HD-A35 ($499.99, October 2007) is probably my choice. These Euro-models are just too expensive (no "1080i" for me).

Steve...O · 08-22-2007, 02:58 PM

Robert Zohn posted in the Value Electronics thread (HT Hardware subforum) that he's putting them up for pre-order Friday night. Obviously he can't post specific details before then, but based on prior history, HTF members will be getting a good deal.

**HTF Ads**

Jari K · 08-24-2007, 02:10 AM

Based on the info at the moment, am I correct here? Please correct any mistakes.

Toshiba HD-XA2 vs HD-A35 ($499.99, October 2007)
(current and the upcoming "flagship"-model - US)

BOTH:

*HDMI 1.3 (both advertise also "Deep Color", but HD-films doesn´t support that)
*Upscaling to/output 1080p (not 1080i)
*Analog 5.1 out

*"Silicon Optix Reon-VX" chip for upscaling/deinterlacing (probably also in HD-A35, TBC)

____________

New with the upcoming HD-A35:

*24fps option

*"High Bit Rate Audio" (up to 7.1 channel) via HDMI. ! "With content encoded in 7.1ch, this advanced surround sound is achieved through the HDMI connection bypassing the player's internal audio processor and sending the signal to a 7.1 capable A/V receiver".
=> I guess this means that now A35 will pass bitstream over HDMI?
Quote from this article - actually from the AVSForum member Sanjay Durani ( http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh..._Necessary/853 )

"Current HDMI allows 8 channels of 96/24 PCM to be transmitted (more than enough resolution for any soundtrack), but not the new codecs in their native form. When HDMI 1.3 arrives, it will allow the new codecs mentioned above to be transmitted in their native bitstream, but only if they were authored in 'Basic' mode (no interactivity). If the soundtrack was authored in Advanced mode, then it cannot be transmitted in undecoded form; decoding in the player is mandatory because of live mixing.
So far, all HD DVD soundtracks have been authored in Advanced mode. Which means nothing will change when new receivers arrive on the market. Despite having HDMI 1.3 transmission and decoders built into the receiver, decoding will still have to take place in the player."

With A35, it now doesn´t encode the audio (I guess this is optional?) in the PLAYER, but is rather sending the signal to a A/V receiver (which then handles it). Am I correct?

(*"CE-Link"-connectivity - allowing two-way control between the HD DVD
player and a TV through an HDMI connection)
(*new cosmetic design)

__________

I´m just trying to figure the "gains" with the upcoming model, since if it´s around $499.99, it´s actually cheaper than the 2rd generation HD-XA2..

Joshua Zyber (with his great review - http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/hreview_hdxa2030207.html ) did found a few minor "issues" from XA2, so perhaps these are now also fixed.

Thanks!

Jack Gilvey · 08-24-2007, 10:25 AM

Quote:

*HDMI 1.3 (both advertise also "Deep Color", but HD-films doesn´t support that)

Don't you just love that?

Jari K · 08-24-2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Gilvey

Don't you just love that?

Yes, this "Deep color" is simply a marketing gimmick. But I guess you need HDMI 1.3 to support all the new HD audio-formats.

Jari K · 08-27-2007, 08:35 AM

Found this from the AVSforum:

"In the last issue of Audiovision http://www.audiovision.de was a interview with Frank Escholz (Product Manager DVD/HD-DVD Toshiba) the statements are:

1. When will the 24p Update arrive and for which Players?
= the Update will come for E10 and XE1 (europe models), it will be shown on IFA and will be released he expect in September.
2. why it lasted so long ?
= there where several problems, because the 24p output wasn't defined in the first HD-DVD spec. also there was the Problem with the additional content . The 24p output will not function with the bonus content like "Picture in Picture" (Troja, Constantine, Batman Begins etc.)
3. will the update also bring the Output capability for 25p & 50i?
= No not in the 24p Update, maybee in the next after that.
4. will the players be able to decode DTS-HD ?
= until now our players could only output DTS-Core, the Bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD will not be possible via Firmware Update, this will be subject of the next generation (A3x)
5. How see you the situation for HD-DVD ?
= really good, alle numbers are increasing."

At least nr. 4 is kinda interesting.

Ed St. Clair · 08-31-2007, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jari K

Based on the info at the moment, am I correct here? Please correct any mistakes.

*"Silicon Optix Reon-VX" chip for upscaling/deinterlacing (probably also in HD-A35, TBC)

Anyone here; hear what scaler the A35 will have?
Thanks.