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Caving in….

post #1 of 45
8/18/06 at 11:23am
Thread Starter 
OK, I have sworn to sit out the format war until it is resolved. I have vehemently denied that I would break down and jump in before the second (or even third) generation of players. Well….. um…… I've been down this road before, and I know how it is going to turn out, with the inevitable Labor Day sales coming up (what can I say, I have no will power where AV toys are concerned). It would be easy if the Tosh player was still the piece of junk it was on rollout, but through firmware updates, it seems to be a pretty solid piece of hardware now. My question is, how far is the player from delivering all the functionality initially promised? Are we waiting on more firmware upgrades to give functionality that should have been there from day 1, or is the Tosh where it should have been on rollout?
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post #2 of 45
8/19/06 at 4:09am

Re: Caving in….

With the 2.0 firmware coming suppsedly this week, TrueHD 5.1 will be added which is the most wanted feature. Other then that, its good to go
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post #3 of 45
8/21/06 at 7:25am
Thread Starter 

Re: Caving in….

Kewl, Thanx Joey!

Next question: The player will not be near an internet connection. Can the firmware updates be downloaded, burned to CD-ROM, and applied that way?
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post #4 of 45
8/21/06 at 7:48am

Re: Caving in….

There are some people having problems with that--there are apparently some tricks to it; much simpler to send in the postcard and have Toshiba mail you the updates.
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post #5 of 45
8/21/06 at 7:54am
Thread Starter 

Re: Caving in….

Mark, so the unit can update the firmware with a CD-ROM (as opposed to a direct internet connection)? That would seal the deal for me....
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post #6 of 45
8/21/06 at 8:08am

Re: Caving in….

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vader
Mark, so the unit can update the firmware with a CD-ROM (as opposed to a direct internet connection)? That would seal the deal for me....
Yes it can. You can find both ISO and Nero image files for all of the currently released Toshiba HD-A1 firmware here:

http://www.1080x1920.net/

Be aware that this is NOT an officially sanctioned site. I downgraded my player's v1.4 firmware to v1.2 and it couldn't have been simpler. Burn the image file to CD-R, load it into the player, wait for the update to complete. Took about 5 minutes from start to finish.
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post #7 of 45
8/21/06 at 8:11am
Thread Starter 

Re: Caving in….

Thanks, Doug!
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post #8 of 45
8/21/06 at 12:24pm

Re: Caving in….

You're welcome Darth!
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post #9 of 45
8/21/06 at 8:33pm

Re: Caving in….

Good luck with your new gadget...what sucks is knowing it will only play movies from a small group of studios...unless of course you cave twice and get the $1000 Blu ray machines??

I'm holding out till there is ONE format and ALL studios support that ONE format...I don't want to cheat myself out of all the movies that in time will be released.
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post #10 of 45
8/22/06 at 5:24am

Re: Caving in….

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alf S
Good luck with your new gadget...what sucks is knowing it will only play movies from a small group of studios...unless of course you cave twice and get the $1000 Blu ray machines??

I'm holding out till there is ONE format and ALL studios support that ONE format...I don't want to cheat myself out of all the movies that in time will be released.
Of course the argument can be made that you are cheating yourself out of 100% of the movies right now.

Congratulation (without qualification) on your purchase Vader I’m sure that you will be pleased.
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post #11 of 45
8/22/06 at 5:56am

Re: Caving in….

The other good thing about the HD-A1 is that it is an absolutely superb upconverting SD DVD player that has NONE of the macroblocking problems that plague machines utilizing the Faroudja FLI-23xx deinterlacer/scaler (around 98% of them currently on the market). If you have a HDMI or DVI input on your display you're set. It's also very good at Redbook CD audio.
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post #12 of 45
8/22/06 at 6:00am

Re: Caving in….

Heck, I'm up 80 bucks towards the Toshiba and I vowed that I would wait for a clear winner, but so far this model will not only set the standard as to quality it would probably be vintage in few years. I'm not waiting any longer, I'm saving.
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post #13 of 45
8/22/06 at 4:25pm

Re: Caving in….

Heck I swore that I would only purchase a Blu-ray player and the more I looked into it and after some encouragement from Ronald Epstien. I saved up the downpayment so I could put an HD-A1 HD-DVD player on layaway. I will have it payed off this coming September 1st. I do not have a dvd player that can upsample sd-dvd's so this will be a very nice addition. I allready own 7 HD-DVD titles so far and will buy at least 2 more the day I pick up the player. And I swore I would not buy both players

Oh, buy the way Vader I did not laugh looking at your HT. I work in the retail business in the delivery department. And I see people with little 19 inch tv's and small portable stereos. So there is absolutely nothing wrong with your HT, it is very nice . And I bet your Denon has DTS-ES, my Yamaha RX-V995 doesn't. Heck my Yamaha does not even have component video switching or assignable digital inputs. I would give my left leg for a Denon AVR-3806 right now.

My current HT system:
Yamaha RX-V995 5.1 Surround Reviever 100w/ch x 5
Sony DVP-S9000 ES DVD/SACD Player
Denon DVD-2200 DVD/SACD/DVD-A Player
Marantz LD-520 LD Player
Denon DTR-2000 DAT Recorder
JVC QL-50 Turntable - this need repairs now
Sony 50" LCD HDTV
Altec Voice Of The Theater A-7's

Toshiba HD-A1 on layaway with possible plans to buy a Sony Blu-ray next.

Upgrades:
Denon or Adcom reciever with 1080p switching and Dolby Digital +, Dobly True HD and DTS-HD built in decoding.
Upgrading center channel and rear speakers.
1080p HD projector w/ 120" screen
Subwoofer
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post #14 of 45
8/22/06 at 5:22pm

Re: Caving in….

You guys will not be disappointed in the Toshiba.

I am just continually amazed by HD-DVD to the point where
I have pretty much ceased purchasing SD-DVD titles.

Perhaps you can better understand my impatience for the
studios to really let loose on these new formats. So much time
and so little films.
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post #15 of 45
8/22/06 at 6:08pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Caving in….

Thanx, everyone!

Unfortunately, I will be unable to take advantage of the upscaling, though. My Mitsu is component only (model year right before DVI became standard - 2003), and I do not anticipate upgrading in the near future (or until this one dies). While I know I cant get the full 1080p (or even digital 1080i), I am like a kid counting down to Chistmas. What really pushed me over the edge was the demo running at SoundTrack, which had the Batmobile chase in HD (I still think SD looks great, but this.....)

Dave, thanks for the kind words! It's kinda funny you should mention a 19" TV, 'cause that's where I started 16 years ago. My first Pro-Logic amp (NEC PLA-710) is still doing duty running my computer speakers. My HT is simply the product of slow evolution (each time my wallet calmed down enough and called off the hitmen, I upgraded a little). Oh, and a nearly unlimited WAF doesn't hurt, either...
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post #16 of 45
8/22/06 at 7:02pm

Re: Caving in….

Hey Vader,

I have done the same thing as you, I saved and saved and upgraded little by little. My first TV was a Sylvania 27" and my first decent audio set up was a Kenwood rack system. Over the years I upgraded to a Toshiba 31" TV, Onkyo Integra 100w/ch Intergrated Amp which I still own. JVC CD player to Denon CD Player upgraded to a Sony DVP-S9000 ES. I started with a Panasonic DVD player then on to a Akia DVD, Pioneer DVD then upgraded to the Sony DVP-9000 ES and now I added a Denon DVD-2200. I took the Kenwood speakers and replaced the components and added a port to the cabinets. I went out and purchased Pile Driver components and replaced the Kenwood componets. I later purchased a pair of Altec A-7's from my father for $400 for the pair. I have owned a number of components over the years and last year purchased a Sony 50" LCD HDTV which I consider a entry level HDTV.

Good luck on you upcoming HD-DVD purchase Vader, enjoy

Hello Ronald E.

I currently have a HD-A1 on layaway and hope it will come into the store and is ready when on pay it off September 1st. I cant wait to get it home and see it on my own HDTV. I decided after one of your replys on a thread I would take the plunge I am giving you the credit for giving me that finall push to buy the HD-DVD player, thanks Ronald E.

I will let you know how it works out as soon as I get the player home. I allready own 7 titles so I will give it a good work out once it is here and hooked up.
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post #17 of 45
8/22/06 at 8:59pm

Re: Caving in….

Well...I caved too. Told myself and others I would wait. Just couldn't do it. Had to have a HD-A1.

I'll post a review later in that thread. But I'm excited as heck.

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post #18 of 45
8/23/06 at 2:34am

Re: Caving in….

You guys are most welcome!

The HD-DVD format is the real thing. You'll immediately see the
improvement to the point where standard definition fare won't cut
the mustard anymore.
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post #19 of 45
8/23/06 at 6:15am

Re: Caving in….

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Glover
Well...I caved too. Told myself and others I would wait. Just couldn't do it. Had to have a HD-A1.

I'll post a review later in that thread. But I'm excited as heck.



Congrats, Tim! Looking forward to your review.
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post #20 of 45
8/23/06 at 10:28pm

Re: Caving in….

Well, I caved about a week ago, and I've only watched Serenity, but...

Oh. My. God.

I had only planned to watch a little bit of the movie (it was about 1 am when I finally got home and hooked it up), but I was sucked in. I could tell the difference immediately. I'm talking about as soon as the Universal logo popped on to the screen. It was so crisp, and the audio really felt like it could breathe, if that makes any sense. Simply put, HD is simply incredible. I thought movies on HBO-HD were awesome, but this was even better, which I assume is due to the higher bit rate.

On that note, I'd just like to say that for all the talk on the video side of things, I was really blown away by the DD+ soundtrack. Tim, I know you're a big fan of the Serenity track, and I promise you will really enjoy it now. Every single effect sounds like it is truly surrounding you, even nuanced background sounds.

I'm eagerly awaiting some of my BB Reward Zone rebates to come soon so I can pick up some more titles.

Meanwhile, I'd also like to rave un the upconversion quality of the A1. I've been using a Panny S97 for a couple of years now, and I find the A1 superior. I watched the first half of ROTS, and it looked spectacular. Going back about 20 years, I also watched "ST III: The Search for Spock," and was very impressed. I'm still keeping the Panny around for a secondary display that I might have someday, but the A1 has taken over as my primary player.
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post #21 of 45
8/23/06 at 11:44pm

Re: Caving in….

With the leak of the firmware that confirms support for TrueHD out today, I also broke down and bought my HD A1. I'm in, boys!
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post #22 of 45
8/24/06 at 2:56am

Re: Caving in….

...hee-hee

Everyone is finally discovering just how great this format is!

Welcome aboard guys!
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post #23 of 45
8/24/06 at 8:15am

Re: Caving in….

Quote:
Originally Posted by BrettGallman
Tim, I know you're a big fan of the Serenity track, and I promise you will really enjoy it now. Every single effect sounds like it is truly surrounding you, even nuanced background sounds.

Hey Brett, haven't popped in Serenity yet...this is planned for tonight though! Can't wait and thanks for that tidbit!
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post #24 of 45
8/24/06 at 8:21am
Thread Starter 

Re: Caving in….

It begins.....

I just ordered my first three HD titles from Amazon: Van Helsing (yes, there are a few people on this planet who liked this -- I'm the other one), Sky Captian (same disclaimer - great eye candy, too!), and Serenity (blind-buy). I will get my player in a couple of weeks (Labor Day sales), but for now, I am gearing up with the cables I need (blue jeans).... I am not quite ready to throw in the towel on SD completely, though... When I was walking through SoundTrack looking at their demos, I noticed that the SD displays looked terrible (and not in contrast to HD, either). On the same size display I have, their picture looked like a blurry mess (if that is what people are basing their optinions of SD on, I can understand). The problem is, I have the titles they were showing, and that is not what I see. I am thinking that when they set up their SD displays, they reduce the sharpness to way below zero (zero being 'nothing added, nothing taken away') to soften the image severly, and accentuate HD. Even in the split-screen demo, the SD image was softened beyond normal. Just my opinion, though. Back to HD, I am still blown-away by my sub upgrade (dual SVS PC+ clinders); I can't wait to hear uncompressed audio over these!

Oh, one last thought on the format war; regardless of which way the pendulum swings (if it ever DOES settle down), the only way that I would end up with an expensive doorstop is if I had not bought any titles. Even if HD-DVD does go under (unlikely, as it looks now), I will still have the player and an HD-DVD library that will still bring me a heck of a lot of entertainment!

Tim, let me know how Serenity is (haven't seen it; not even Firefly)....
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post #25 of 45
8/24/06 at 8:29am

Re: Caving in….

Sure thing Vader, I mean Lord Vader.

Check out Amazon's HD-DVD stuff too. Got my player with their 10% off promotion for only $414 shipped. And get 10% off any HD-DVD movie for a year. They aren't stocking every title it seems yet or just out of it at the moment but with the discounts it's a pretty good deal.

I just have to use some discretion and not use that dang "one click" ordering so much. Might get me broke.
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post #26 of 45
8/25/06 at 5:19am
Thread Starter 

Re: Caving in….

One last minute question, concerning placement. How much heat does this thing put off? Does it put off more heat that a regular DVD player? The place that I have set for it is not real open to ventilation I'm looking at about 1" - 1 1/2" clearance on the top, 2" in the back, and 3 1/2" on the sides in a (more or less) closed back cabinet. I can change that, but it would require playing musical components and getting longer cables, which I would like to avoid if possible (it would work great where I have planned, but am flexible). It would displace my turntable (reference Smithsonian archives under "primitive playback devices"); Yes, I do still listen to true analog now and again....
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post #27 of 45
8/25/06 at 8:16am

Re: Caving in….

It does give off a lot of heat; it has a substantial fan in it. I would be very leery about sticking it in a spot that has no ventilation.
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post #28 of 45
8/25/06 at 9:09am
Thread Starter 

Re: Caving in….

Thanks, Mark. Looks like my turntable will have to take a vacation.... Glad I didn't order the cables yet (I would be about 4' too short)!
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post #29 of 45
8/25/06 at 11:12pm

Re: Caving in….

I agree Doug the upconversion is so underated.. I can't believe how well it performs... It's amazing piece of equipment..
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post #30 of 45
8/29/06 at 7:14am
Thread Starter 

Re: Caving in….

Well, I have my cables ordered from Blue Jeans (should be here by Thursday), several titles ordered from Amazon (site says they won't ship for two more weeks – grrrrr), and will get the player on Friday (Best Buy Labor day sale). Another question about the audio: What does the player downconvert the audio to over optical? I know the player (sans the 2.0 update, which I will have to wait for it to come in the mail) is limited to Dolby TrueHD 2.0, right? So does that mean that it will downconvert Dolby TrueHD to regular Dolby Digital 2.0? What about DTS-HD and Dolby Digital Plus? Are they full 5.1 (over the analog outputs) right now? What do they downconvert to, standard DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1, respectively?

When I got my first Dolby Digital AVR back in 1999, it was because of the terrible down-conversion from DD 5.1 to Pro-logic (it was like listening to the DTS track of WotW, followed by the DD one). How does the Tosh's audio downconversion sound? Thanx, guys!

P.S. Ron, I believe my bank account is writing a pre-emptive contract out on you, Tim, Dave and everyone else here for pushing me over the edge..... fair warning.
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