Second-gen HD DVD XA2 player reviewed
By Erik Hanson 
posted Mar 5th 2007 2:50PM
posted Mar 5th 2007 2:50PM
HighDefDigest has another review of Toshiba's second-generation HD DVD player, the HD-XA2, which they recommend as a capable competitor to the rival Blu-ray players, and an improvement to the first generation of Toshiba's devices. One of the main improvements their reviewer found was the stability of the player compared to the older model, with fewer lockups on playback, in addition to 1080p support and good support for upscaling standard-def content. They did find some issues with the revision, with some audio sync and bass volume problems, as well as frame drops on certain titles. When compared to another review of the same player, it appears this reviewer came to the same conclusion, that this is a good unit for playing back high definition content, with a few things to look forward to in generation three. The question is, will dual-format players put these standalone units away before that even happens?
I still think dual-format players will only make the hi def adoption rate slower. they're more confusing for the average consumer and will make the format war last longer.
I disagree. By having single format players, it forces consumers to remain aware of formats and requires them to either forgo a studio's releases or buy 2 players to ensure everything they want to watch will work. Studios will no longer need to release movies in both formats, and whether they opt for 1 or the other becomes irrelevent because any disc plays anywhere.
It really pisses me off that these companies are releasing G2 machines and they still have problems. That is B.S. And no fanboy Dave, it is NOT just a problem with Toshiba and HD DVD players.
That is nothing, current DVD players still have problems with chroma problem and macroblocking and we are on what generation for them?
I know several people that compared the A2 to the A1 and took the G1 unit. Of course, this is the 'X' version, meaning Xtra Xpensive and Xtremely difficult to see the value in it. Why tout 1080p when it was Xpected before the first HD DVD player hit the street? The f-ing disks are master in 1080p! Oh, but we're not gonna go there.