You're not trying to upscale DVDs over component, are you? While the Toshiba will output 1080i over component for non-ICT discs, to get anything higher than 480i from a DVD you have to be running HDMI — it's a requirement of the DVD Forum.
Really not relevant to the problem, but as a point of information...
The Toshiba HD-A1 will upscale some SD DVD titles via component. I've seen this first hand on my system. While I cannot cite the specifics, I've read on AVS that the presence of Macrovision on the disc is the trigger for limiting Standard Definition DVDs to 480P. ( The Toshiba does not have a 480i output mode.)
Strange. I'm not having this problem at all. I was having a lot of problems with my player skipping, freezing up and losing audio sync on HD titles, but all of these were fixed by the firmware upgrade. It sounds to me as if your player has a more serious issue that needs to be repaired.
Doesn't give you a lot of confidence in Toshiba, does it? My personal feeling is that both HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc are being rushed to market about a year too soon. There are still major bugs that haven't been worked out. HD-DVD isn't going to have its full interactive layer until next year, and I'm now hearing that Sony is having a helluva time getting dual-layer Blu-ray Discs to work properly (to hold longer films like Lawrence of Arabia, et al).
I must have the TV on AND the correct input for the player selected or I will get the HDMI error message. Latest firmware machine too...I just need to remember to get it to video 7...then turn the A1 on...no problems if I do that