Thinking of buying a Toshiba HD-DVD player - Blu-ray Forum

Bullseye · 10-10-2006, 08:34 PM

I'm thinking of picking up the Toshiba A1 to keep me going until Pioneer release their Elite over here (probably in the new year). Going to have it shipped from the USA to Ireland and will require a voltage convertor.

Has anyone else done this from Europe? Also picking up a Sony Bravia 32" for the bedroom. Is there any possible issues which might arise?

Dave · 10-10-2006, 08:43 PM

.

PurpleAardvark · 10-10-2006, 09:11 PM

just a bit of friendly advise, don't bother, The HD A1 has more issues and defects then I can to comment on. I would wait for the A2 or just wait and get a Blu ray.

zombie · 10-10-2006, 09:33 PM

If you can tolerate a glitch here and there then by all means grab the A1. However since the A2 is soon to be released perhaps you should wait to hear the reviews for it before deciding which one to get. My A1 has been like a rollercoaster, highs and lows. One firmware works good, the next one comes along and messes everything up again.

Bullseye · 10-10-2006, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyg

If you can tolerate a glitch here and there then by all means grab the A1. However since the A2 is soon to be released perhaps you should wait to hear the reviews for it before deciding which one to get. My A1 has been like a rollercoaster, highs and lows. One firmware works good, the next one comes along and messes everything up again.

Why have you needed to upgrade with firmware. Not familar with this process.

zombie · 10-10-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullseye

Why have you needed to upgrade with firmware. Not familar with this process.

Well originally the players had audio dropouts and picture freezes occasionally. A firmware update helped correct these problems. Then a couple more firmware updates helped correct HDMI and DVI>HDMI connection problems. The latest firmware 2.0 added the ability to hear TrueHD soundtracks. Unfortunately some players have some of old glitches still. None of the firmware upgrades has been perfect but many have reported success with them. With my player it's been hit and miss. With 2.0 I'm getting a brief audio dropout on every 2nd or 3rd movie I watch. Some movies playback flawlessly. There's no guarantees with these things.

hmurchison · 10-10-2006, 10:39 PM

Bullseye

I also recommend that you wait for the next version coming next month. The HD-E1 for Euro or the HD-A1 for North America. We're talking about a new generation of hardware with newer supporting chipsets which generally have fewer components and likely fewer issues.

I'd certainly recommend that you take advantage of low cost HD DVD and that way you have access to plenty of Universal titles.

Bullseye · 10-10-2006, 10:42 PM

Guys thanks for the great feedback. I will be heading to the US just after Christmas so maybe I will wait. I was reading in T3 that the A1 was going to retail at something like £600 (British Pounds) which is expensive when compared to the prices in the US that is why I was thinking of picking this up in the first place.

hmurchison · 10-10-2006, 10:47 PM

Oh yea

the nextgen E1/A2 does NOT have analog 5.1 outputs. You have to mixdown and send the uncompressed audio through HDMI. Not a problem if your receiver has HDMI but a problem if your receiver does not. Just a heads up.

zombie · 10-10-2006, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmurchison

Oh yea

the nextgen E1/A2 does NOT have analog 5.1 outputs. You have to mixdown and send the uncompressed audio through HDMI. Not a problem if your receiver has HDMI but a problem if your receiver does not. Just a heads up.

Yeah I was just going to add that too.

hmurchison · 10-10-2006, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyg

Yeah I was just going to add that too.

Naturally Chad! You're always up on things.

I'm pretty torn right now. I'd love to get a PS3 for Blu-Ray support and light gaming but man oh man I played Halo yesterday and got demolished. I need a mouse and keyboard option and I don't think Microsoft or Sony will have any for these latest consoles.

I may have to just wait for a nice lower end BD player. grumble.

10-10-2006, 08:34 PM	#1
Bullseye Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Sep 2006 Location:Ireland Home Theater Gallery:24 4K collection:70 Blu-ray collection:760 Blu-ray reviews: 44	Thinking of buying a Toshiba HD-DVD player I'm thinking of picking up the Toshiba A1 to keep me going until Pioneer release their Elite over here (probably in the new year). Going to have it shipped from the USA to Ireland and will require a voltage convertor. Has anyone else done this from Europe? Also picking up a Sony Bravia 32" for the bedroom. Is there any possible issues which might arise?

10-10-2006, 08:43 PM	#2
Dave Expert Member Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Somewhere	. Last edited by nyg; 10-10-2006 at 08:49 PM. Reason: Removed threadcrap

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10-10-2006, 09:11 PM	#3
PurpleAardvark Active Member Member since:Jul 2006 Location:Cross Plains, WI	just a bit of friendly advise, don't bother, The HD A1 has more issues and defects then I can to comment on. I would wait for the A2 or just wait and get a Blu ray.

10-10-2006, 09:33 PM	#4
zombie Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:May 2004 Trading Score:864	If you can tolerate a glitch here and there then by all means grab the A1. However since the A2 is soon to be released perhaps you should wait to hear the reviews for it before deciding which one to get. My A1 has been like a rollercoaster, highs and lows. One firmware works good, the next one comes along and messes everything up again.

10-10-2006, 10:39 PM	#7
hmurchison Banned Member since:Aug 2004 Location:Seaattle	Bullseye I also recommend that you wait for the next version coming next month. The HD-E1 for Euro or the HD-A1 for North America. We're talking about a new generation of hardware with newer supporting chipsets which generally have fewer components and likely fewer issues. I'd certainly recommend that you take advantage of low cost HD DVD and that way you have access to plenty of Universal titles.

10-10-2006, 10:42 PM	#8
Bullseye Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Sep 2006 Location:Ireland Home Theater Gallery:24 4K collection:70 Blu-ray collection:760 Blu-ray reviews: 44	Guys thanks for the great feedback. I will be heading to the US just after Christmas so maybe I will wait. I was reading in T3 that the A1 was going to retail at something like £600 (British Pounds) which is expensive when compared to the prices in the US that is why I was thinking of picking this up in the first place.

10-10-2006, 10:47 PM	#9
hmurchison Banned Member since:Aug 2004 Location:Seaattle	Oh yea the nextgen E1/A2 does NOT have analog 5.1 outputs. You have to mixdown and send the uncompressed audio through HDMI. Not a problem if your receiver has HDMI but a problem if your receiver does not. Just a heads up.

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