Toshiba HD-DVD players still appear as 1080i, even with firmware upgrade

We spoke about the first HD-DVD players possibly outputting 1080i earlier, so we're wondering if Toshiba's new firmware upgrade for the first HD-DVD players will up the ante from 1080i to full 1080p out of the gate. Sadly, we don't think so; the press release indicates that the HD-XA1 and HD-A1 "connect to HDTV sets via a High Definition Multimedia Interface and output copy-protected HD content (through the HDMI output) in the native format of the HD DVD disc content of either 720p or 1080i" [emphasis ours]. Say what?

Word on the street is that the upgrade is for "full interactivity", so you have to wonder: did they program these for "partial passive viewing"? Regardless, we don't see any mention of "1080p" in the news here so in the spirit of "full interactivity" can y'all double-check our reading skills and see if we missed it?

[via Engadget]

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 18th 2006 1:34AM]

I can't wait for the HD era for DVD's...it's been a long wait..i need more high definition content...i'm just wondering what's the difference between Toshiba's two models that are coming out in March...and I'm curious where is the HD DVD recorder..that's basically what i'm really looking forward to so i can record some of my favorite programs...Any word on that?

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 18th 2006 3:31PM]

I thought this was long settled and common knowledge, especially for an HD site. HD-DVD produces a max 1080i output. Blu-Ray is 1080p. That's why HD-DVD and Xbox 360 are considered "transitional technologies" why PS3 and Blu-Ray are true hi-def.

I'm not interested in HD-DVD at all. If I'm going to buy a hi-def format, I'm buying the 1080p one.

Natiahs

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 18th 2006 3:58PM]

Natiahs, where did you see that HD-DVD produces a max 1080i output? We've seen various information that conflicts with that statement. Take a look at: http://www.audioholics.com/ces/CEStechnology/HDDVDCESinterview.phpThanks!

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 20th 2006 9:16AM]

I hadn't seen that article. I was going off the information provided in Bitburner's High Definition DVD FAQ, although they have now updated the FAQ to reflect the information in that interview.

Although I haven't seen the promise of progressive HD-DVDs anywhere other than that one interview...

Natiahs