Dave Moritz

Toshsiba HD-A35 or Onkyo DV-HD805 ?

While the upgrade of my 1st generation Toshiba HD-A1 is currently on hold. I am however keeping my options open and am still looking into a player to replace my HD-A1. I just saw the Onkyo DV-HD805 at Fry's Electronics and while it was hooked up using component video it still looked good. And the face plate looked alot nicer than the Toshiba HD-A35. However the Toshiba HD-A35 seems to have gone through a price drop from $499 to $299. The Onkyo to my knowledge sales for aprox. $799.

Who here has the Onkyo DV-HD805 and who has the Toshiba HD-A35?

Is there a clear cut difference between the two? And is the Onkyo worth the extra $500?

Onkyo DV-HD805 $799
HQV Reon-VX Video Processing
Bitstreams Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD and DTS-HD (Does not state if it is full DTS-HD or Core Only)
HDMI 1.3a
1080p

Toshiba HD-A35 $499 reduced to $299
?? Video Processing
Bitstreams Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD and DTS-HD (Core Only)
HDMI 1.3
1080p

I have to admit the Onkyo DV-HD805 would look good sitting in the rack along with a Denon AVR-3808ci receiver and a Denon DVD-2500 BT Blu-ray Transport.

• 1080p High Definition Supporter
• Lossless Audio Supporter
• Current Library: 221 DVD's / 69 HD-DVD's / 149 Blu-ray's (218 HD Titles)

JeremyErwin

Re: Toshsiba HD-A35 or Onkyo DV-HD805 ?

there have been reports that the Onkyo is merely a rebadged Toshiba HD-XA2.

Dave Moritz

Re: Toshsiba HD-A35 or Onkyo DV-HD805 ?

I have heard that the Onkyo was a rebadged Toshiba but besides the sleeker exterior. I was wondering if the Onkyo had been tweeked and modified to where it was better than the Toshiba A35 or not? If not I might just have to save some cash and pick up the A35, maybe. The one thing I do not like is that it only bitstreams DTS-HD core. I might be picking up some import HD-DVD's with DTS-HD MA but if I do not I guess it will not matter if the A35 does not do DTS-HD MA via bitstream.

• 1080p High Definition Supporter
• Lossless Audio Supporter
• Current Library: 221 DVD's / 69 HD-DVD's / 149 Blu-ray's (218 HD Titles)

Robert Crawford

Re: Toshsiba HD-A35 or Onkyo DV-HD805 ?

If you're buying a 3808 receiver then let that decode the DTS-HD MA instead of the player. You can pick up the A35 for $270 from Amazon which is a very good bargain. Also, if your heart is set on having the player decode the DTS-HD MA then why don't you buy the XA-2 which is cheaper than the Onkyo?

G.W. McLintock: Camille, you're on your own.

Dave Moritz

Re: Toshsiba HD-A35 or Onkyo DV-HD805 ?

Thanks Robert for the information as it is very much appreciated.

I am going to keep the A35 on my list for a low cost solution. But I am going to seriously look at the XA-2 like you suggested, as long as it can do DTS-HD MA.

Are you sure the XA-2 will bitstream DTS-HD MA? I found the Toshiba page that said it only delt with DTS-HD core only. And Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD and DTS is listed as 5.1 audio. I am assuming that all HDMI 1.3 can output 7.1 audio. So I guess it all boils down to audio capabilities. If I can get DTS-HD MA bitstream that great but since this is not my primary HD player and the format could be dead soon. I may have no problem getting the A35, but I am going to check out the AX-2 first.

Do you know how much the AX-2 is currently selling for? I think it used to retail for $999 but you would think the price has come way down by now. Especially with the A35's being dropped down to $299.

• 1080p High Definition Supporter
• Lossless Audio Supporter
• Current Library: 221 DVD's / 69 HD-DVD's / 149 Blu-ray's (218 HD Titles)

Robert Crawford

Re: Toshsiba HD-A35 or Onkyo DV-HD805 ?

Dave,
If I was you, I would buy the A35 knowing that I will have a receiver that can decode DTS-HD MA. The A35 can pass through it's bitstream all of the advanced codecs including the one in question to a receiver like the 3808 that can do the decoding. IMO, it's the best cost effective move you can make. I have the XA-2 and just bought the A35 because it was the most bang for my buck as buying another XA-2 would cost me $599 instead of $270. I'm using the A35 to replace my XA-1 in my bedroom HT. Furthermore, if prices drop even further I'll probably buy another A35 as a backup unit due to what I think is going to happen with this format.

G.W. McLintock: Camille, you're on your own.

Pete T C

Re: Toshsiba HD-A35 or Onkyo DV-HD805 ?

I would go with the HD-A35 and put the money you would have spent getting the Onkyo DV-HD805 on an Onkyo 875 (or better from the Onkyo/Integra line - I have the Integra DTC-9.8 myself paired with a Parasound HCA--2205 power amp) receiver instead. The main difference is the Reon chip for standard DVD deinterlacing and the 875 has this builtin. I'm a huge Denon supporter but it is clear that Onkyo has Denon beat this round - audio quality just as good and far better video options.

Since the 875 has the Reon chip built-in, if you send it 1080i from the A35 it will look just as good as the XA2 or DV-HD805 (that is exactly what the XA2/DV-HD805 are doing internally, anyway). The bonus, of course, is that your Blu-Ray player & HDTV deinterlacing will also be improved. Anything you feed the Onkyo 875 will be flawlessly scaled & upconverted to 1080p with Reon. And, you will get an audio upgrade to boot!

If you are concerned about 1080i setting for BD/HD DVD, don't be. I've done craploads of test doing direct 1080p24 output compared to 1080i deinterlaced to 1080p with Reon HQV and there is not a lick of difference on my Sony 60" 120hz HDTV. Plus, 1080p24 doesn't work with all hidef movies! Documentaries, concerts, and other material can be recorded at 1080p30 or 1080i, both of which stutter with 1080p24. So setting the HD DVD/BD player to 1080i is a better "set it and forget it" setting than 1080p24, and there is no quality difference so long as you are using a quality deinterlacer - again, like the Reon HQV in the Onkyo 875. Heck, with the 875's Reon HQV doing the deinterlacing you might even have a better experience with the upcoming Panasonic BD50 instead of the Denon transport; the Panasonic would be used as a "transport" in the same way in that there is no D/A conversion going on with video or audio, and the deinterlacing differences for SD DVD upscaling won't matter because Reon HQV takes care of that. Plus the BD50 supports BD-Live when the Denon does not - and you won't invest so much in a player that will probably be far outpaced in loadtimes by players coming out a year from now. If you say "hey, I won't use BD-Live anyway," then you can save some more cash and pick up the Panasonic BD30.

So, in summary, get an HD-A35 (set to 1080i) and an Onkyo 875 instead of your current receiver pick. It will look and sound just as good as a DV-HD805 + Denon 3808, but it is actually a less expensive combo AND *the rest* of your sources will look better on top of this! I would easily bet that the Denon Blu-Ray transport you are looking at will have better results with DVD upscaling when using the Onkyo 875 instead of the Denon 3808. Onkyo's Reon HQV is much better than Denon's Faroujda DCDi in the 3808, and that will be abundantly obvious with standard DVD. Better to be product smart than brand loyal.

P.S. -- With the current state of HD DVD personally I would save another $150 and simply get the HD-A3 over the A35. In the above combo you won't need to use the 1080p output of the A35 and the bitstreaming capabilities are not necessary either since very few HD DVDs actually use DTS-HDMA (no major US titles use it) - A3 has builtin decoders for the rest. Again, there is no D/A conversion so it makes little difference whether decoding is done in player or in receiver.

Toshiba HD-A3 + Panasonic BD50 + Onkyo 875 = $900 saved with better video quality and no significant audio quality difference... That $900 could then be used for more significant/noticable upgrades like getting the Onkyo 905 / Integra DTR-8.8 instead of the 875 - or tons of other things such a large amount of money could bring like new main speakers or a new sub. Heck, you could trade the Onkyo 875 for a Integra DTC-9.8 and use that $900 towards a power amp and you'll have seperates! On the whole your theater will be improved all around by spending money in any of these ways rather than (IMO) overspending on the subtle upgrades the Denon transport would give you and lower quality deinterlacing on standard DVD the Denon receiver and/or transport would give you.

For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.

Dave Moritz

Re: Toshsiba HD-A35 or Onkyo DV-HD805 ?

Hello Robert,

I just want to thank you for your input on the HD-DVD player, I really do appreciate you opinion.


Hey Pete,

Onkyo TX-SR875

• SRP $1,699.00

• 140 watts @ 8 Ohm 20Hz to 20KHz, .05% THD

• Frequency Response 5Hz - 100KHz +1,-3 db (Direct Mode)

• S/N 110 db

• HDMI 1.3a

• 3 Coxial Digital In / 2 Optical In / 1 Optical Out

• 4 HDMI In / 1 HDMI Out

• 3 Component Video In / 1 Component Video Out

• Reon-HQV™ HD video scaling up to 1080p

• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio

• Neutral Surround Sound

• Audyssey Multi EQ TX

• One 12 v trigger

• XM Radio Connection

• Tripple Zone

• RS-232 Conection

• 7.1 Analog Input / 7.1 Preamp Out

• 1 AC Outlet

• Weight: 50.9 lbs

Denon AVR-3808ci

• SRP $1,599.00

• 130 watts @ 8 Ohm 20Hz to 20KHz, .05% THD

• Frequency Response 10Hz - 100KHz +1,-3 db (Direct Mode)

• S/N 102 db

• HDMI 1.3a

• 3 Coxial Digital In / 3 Optical In / 2 Optical Out

• 4 HDMI In / 1 HDMI Out

• 3 Component Video In / 2 Component Video Out

• Faroudja DCDi HD video scaling up to 1080p

• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio

• Neutral Surround Sound

• Audyssey Multi EQ TX (Can be upgraded to Audyssey Pro)

• Two 12 v triggers

• Ethernet Connection

• USB Connection

• Denon Link

• XM Radio Connection

• Tripple Zone

• RS-232 Conection

• 7.1 Analog Input / 7.1 Preamp Out

• 2 AC Outlets

• Weight: 39.4 lbs

Denon DVD-2500 BT Blu-ray Transport

• SRP $999 (Not sure but I could sware that it was SRP $1,200

• Native bit stream output for Dolby Digital+, Dolby TrueHD, and dts-HD master audio
• Fully 10-bit processing for i/p and scaling circuit
• Digital media disc support: Blu-Ray, DVD-Video, DVD-R/RW, CD Audio WMA, MP3, Kodak picture CD, Fuji Color CD.

The Denon DVD-3800 BDci does use the Realta sxT2 HQV video processor but has a SRP of $1,999.00 I have no idea what scaler the DVD-2500 BTci uses? I thought it was the Realta sxT2 HQV video processor but I can find no trace of it being mentioned on Denon's web site for the 2500bt.

I do not know why but the Onkyo TX-SR705 and the TX-SR805 did not impress me. I know that the TX-NR905 has a nice toridal transformer and the following items that the lower models lack. While the Onkyo says it has 10 more watts per channel there will be no difference in volume between the two. I am wondering where the Onkyo TX-SR875 picks up the 10 extra pound from? I have heard problems with some Onkyo models down grading video via HDMI and I am not crazy about amplifiers that run to hot. Exesive heat can contribute to distortion IMHO so that is why it concerns me. It is going to be aprox 4 months before I can buy a new receiver. So I am going to do some more critical listening of some receivers, maybe tomorrow? While I have said I would not buy an Onkyo I will revalute that statement and give the TX-SR875 another listen. I want to see if the sales people will let me push the receiver and see if it runs hot. I also want to evaluate the video switching on it. I am currently not convinced that the extra $100 for the Onkyo is worth it, not yet at least. So if I do change my mind about the Onkyo I may end up eating some crow. The Denon 3808 can upgrade its firmware and I do not think the Onkyo 875 can.

Onkyo TX-NR905

• SRP $2,099.00
• 4 HDMI In / 2 HDMI Out
• Toridal Transformer
• Ethernet Conection

Not sure what else because Onkyo seems to be having problems with there website again.

The way it currently stand this is what I may end up with by the end of the year. Goal for 2008

• Denon AVR-3808ci Receiver SRP $1,599
• Denon DVD-2500 BTCI Blu-ray Transport SRP $999
• Toshiba HD-A35 HD-DVD Player SRP $299

Alternate receiver choices:

• Pioneer VSX-94TXH Receiver
• Onkyo TX-SR875 Receiver
• Yamaha RX-V3800 Receiver

Goal for 2009

Upgrade current Sony 50" 720p native HDTV / 3LCD to a 1080p 60" or 70" HDTV. Am looking into the new laser tv technology and maybe a Mitsubishi 1080p HDTV? Brands I am considering:

• Sony
• Mitsubishi
• Samsung
• Panasonic
• Pioneer

I will have to say no to LG!

• 1080p High Definition Supporter
• Lossless Audio Supporter
• Current Library: 221 DVD's / 69 HD-DVD's / 149 Blu-ray's (218 HD Titles)

Pete T C

Re: Toshsiba HD-A35 or Onkyo DV-HD805 ?

Well it seems you are really set on the Denon receiver and player, and while I don't want to upset your preferred brand of choice, I'd just advise going over how well a system would work in my first example - and take a hard look at how soundly Onkyo has beat Denon this round in terms of features. In essence you only have to buy one expensive device - the receiver/video processor and as a result even cheap HD DVD/BD players have similar video quality to expensive ones because the high quality receiver is doing the video processing. That saves a bunch of cash that you can spend on devices that make a REAL difference (as opposed to just a name/status branding), like a dedicated power amp.

Let me rephrase my advice, though. If you are insistent on going with the specific Denon receiver that lacks Reon, I'd recommend the Onkyo DV-HD805 for its Reon HQV video processing. If you are so against Onkyo receivers that you would not consider the 875/905, I would go with a player that has builtin Reon HQV deinterlacing because for standard DVD there is no other processor that comes close - stuff like DCDi in the Denon receiver is like amateur hour in comparison. And based on Denon's specs even the costly Denon transport lacks Reon HQV, you need to buy the $2k one for HQV processing.

I just think it makes more sense now to go with a higher quality Onkyo/Integra receiver/processor now that has builtin Reon HQV and compliment it with cheaper HD DVD/BD players as the spec and hardware evolves. Why spend $1000 on a Denon transport that is not even complete in specifications? You could get the upcoming Panasonic BD50 for $600 that DOES meet all of the final specifications and hook it up to the Onkyo 875/905 for deinterlacing and get a perfect picture plus all the features of BD-Live. Or you could save some cash and get a BD30 that has the same features as the Denon transport. Just seems a lot more efficient and sensible to go one of those routes IMO. If you want a Denon player badly, use the BD50/BD30 until Denon releases a reasonably priced BD-Live player in 2009-2010.

I can't comment personally on the quality of Onkyo's amps, but the Integra DTC-9.8 pre/pro I have (Onkyo's high end line) blows my previous Parasound AVC2500 pre/pro out of the water - and that is no easy feat! I have it hooked up to a 300x5 Parasound power amp and the sound is amazing. So I'm betting the 875 or 905 would be pretty great too. If you really want big sound, go for the torroidial and seperate power circuitry of the 905. They do run hot, but they have a lot under the hood so that is to be expected. So long as the device is designed to run hot and gets ample ventilation, there should be no problem. I know I have had none even though I use the DTC-9.8's Reon HQV and Audyssey features fulltime with the sound cranked.

For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.