http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/ Engadget HD Comments for Toshiba HD-A30 review http://hd.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://hd.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
http://www.pcrichard.com/catalog/product.jsp?modelNo=HDA30&AFC-PriceGrabber&srccode=cii_5784816&cpncode=10-60420201-2#moreinfo]]>Dec 19th 2007 12:07PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
A30 - $232
A43 - 198.50!

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-HD-A3-720p-1080i-Player/dp/B000U62N1S/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1198084788&sr=8-1
]]>Dec 19th 2007 12:22PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/

Also, the DHCP enable being off be default is stoopid. I had the same complaint.

Boot sequence needs to be re-ordered badly. When you hit eject, the tray should eject and then the player should boot. That way, you can put the disc in, and go about your business while the disc loads. Waiting for the tray to open is dumb.


Native disc format; another problem with software settings.



You know, it sounds like they have an update list for the next firmware iteration.

My only big complaint is the RCA digital connection. It's what my receiver takes, and I hate having to open up a new device and splice the SPDIF data from the TOSLINK input to one of the analog RCA outputs (audio or composite).]]>Dec 19th 2007 12:28PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 12:54PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10423&cs_id=1042302&p_id=2948&seq=1&format=2]]>Dec 20th 2007 8:48AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 12:39PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
IMO the analogue outputs are worth every penny (I don't have to upgrade my receiver thanks to them but I can still enjoy the new audio standards - and all i can say is 'wow, they really are something').

SD DVD upscaling on 'ordinary DVD' is superb and I've found the HD DVD playback to be flawless.

They are a little slower than my regular DVD player but they are so much more complex (you don't expect you PC to instantly come on, do you?).
I just don't care about that, I knew to expect it and it is only a few seconds.
]]>Dec 19th 2007 12:34PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
The A/EP30 only gets a tiddler with no TV functionality.]]>Dec 19th 2007 12:51PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/The very first thing I did was switch to DHCP and run the firmware update. It got it on the first try. Maybe you have a firewall issue of some sort?

Either way, I've already watched 3 movies on the A35 and love it. The remote is EXACTLY the same as the A2. It's not an upgrade, but it's not a downgrade either. I think you meant to say the remote is a downgrade from the A1?]]>Dec 19th 2007 12:53PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 12:54PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 1:31PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
I found they reduced the audio quality a little.]]>Dec 19th 2007 1:10PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 1:20PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 1:14PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
There wasn't an A10, was there? There was an A1 and an XA1

=====================================================================

We got an HD E10 in Europe
(it was our version of the HD A20, the E1 was our HD A2).

But I think that's been it as far as the '10' designation goes with HD DVD.

We're not getting the HD A3 either - the field is being left clear for the coming Chinese brands that use the HD A3 as their reference design.

]]>Dec 19th 2007 1:27PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 1:31PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 1:17PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
LOL well, it was only a suggestion.

Worked for me.

Just goes to show we are all different in our own ways! ;)]]>Dec 19th 2007 1:24PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 2:26PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/]]>Dec 19th 2007 1:52PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadgethd.com/media/2007/12/dsc_1258.jpg

Maybe it's the lighting ... but that thing looks circa 1975!

Going by this review, I can see why the PS3 is the best Hi Def player out there.

WTF is with these boot times LOL? Guess I've just been spoiled by my premium PS3 LOL!

The future is Blue :)]]>Dec 19th 2007 1:55PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 2:04PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 2:27PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
Why don't you go play some games and learn new 1337 speek somewhere else instead of trolling HD DVD topics.]]>Dec 19th 2007 2:32PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
Right because how the player looks is what people are going to be paying attention to in the dark during a movie. Also you say this player looks hilarious, yet you apparently don't have an issue with the PS3s ridiculous size and George Foreman Grill design.]]>Dec 19th 2007 2:43PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 2:25PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
The player is currently in my den setup, and when my wife and new baby are sleeping on the couch while I'm doing some work with a movie in the background, a constant level of noise is good.

In my basement theatre, obviously I'm going for the best (i.e., totally unprocessed) picture and sound, and the dynamic range is good.

It's really application dependent, but I like having the option there.]]>Dec 19th 2007 2:34PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 2:33PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
I have always gotten a laugh out of people that "must match" their components, pigeon holing themselves into one brand because they all look the same. That or not buying a product that fits their needs perfectly over one that "looks better."

However, I will admit... their are some damn sexy amps out there. I like the hy-brid Sunfire amps with the windows to show off all the tubes or I am really fond of the Aragon line with their pretty blue light (the silver with the blue light looks the sexiest).

http://www.klipsch.com/products/discontinued/details/3002.aspx]]>Dec 19th 2007 5:14PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 2:52PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
They even had to try & 2-tone it to hide some of it's bloated bulk (and failed, badly, I might add) ]]>Dec 19th 2007 2:54PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
And I like the remote. It's nothing fancy, but it's solid and unobtrusive.

The load times are probably the biggest dissappointment. I figured they would have fixed that bs by now.

Oh, and why can't i stop the movie, and when i press play again have the movie pick up where i left off? Man, that annoys me..

But the picture looks great. As does the 1080/24 mode. The upscaling is superb. Better than my oppo.

Overall a thumbs up. Just wished i'd waited a bit and got it after the price dropped.]]>Dec 19th 2007 3:25PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
As for the laser technology, sorry HD DVD fans but you caught the short end on this one. Your version of the technology is inferior to that of Blu-ray.

The future is Blu :)]]>Dec 19th 2007 3:36PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 3:42PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
If you want to revise that and say the best Blu-ray player out there, I would say close, but second to a HTPC with a Blu-ray player in it]]>Dec 19th 2007 5:06PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
Real cheap on Amazon right now! I think for about $230]]>Dec 19th 2007 3:39PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
Nice review! I did have a couple points to add though.

1) You can configure the player by simply stopping the playback and selecting SETUP on the remote. You don't actually have to eject the disc. I do this all the time on my A30 when switching between DVDs (which I watch in 1080p) and HD DVDs (which I watch in 1080p24)

2) The 1080p24 on the A30 is passthrough. There is no forced 24p feature on any of the third gen Toshiba HD DVD players to my knowledge, so with the player on 1080p24 it is playing the native frame rate on the disc. Stuttering on HD DVD playback at 1080p24 is definetely not typical for the player. This could be an HDMI handshaking issue.

BTW, the set my A30 is connected to is the Toshiba Regza 47HL167 if that helps.]]>Dec 19th 2007 4:26PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
As for the 24p issue.

I saw it on Transformers, the feature on Disc 1 played perfectly without any issues and the special features on disc two (obviously HD Video sourced) had so much judder I almost got sick. I don't see how this could be a HDMI handshake issue, but I will say that my TV doesn't tell me if it's receiving 30hz or 24.]]>Dec 19th 2007 4:10PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=918262

Basically, they don't perform the inverse telecine process properly, and end up not passing the full resolution at any progressive output other than 1080p/24. The XA2 works fine since it's using the HQV for everything instead. With the three mentioned though, it's best to use it at 1080i for upconverted DVDs and let your display handle the deinterlacing/scaling... otherwise you aren't getting a real progressive image with these. This only applies to SD content obviously, but it does bear making note of that these really aren't very good upconverting players (except for the XA2).]]>Dec 19th 2007 7:25PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 7:28PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
The reason I suggest HDMI handshaking is because I have seen significant judder when switching away and back to the HDMI input for my A30 while it's in playback. ]]>Dec 19th 2007 4:37PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
I'll check 300 and Bourne to see if they have some.]]>Dec 19th 2007 4:39PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 7:29PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/
I've particpated in that thread over at AVS, and there are quite a few members who report absolutely no difference in upconversion playback at 1080i or 1080p.

In fact, I watch all SD DVDs at 1080p and have not seen an playback issue yet.

Most who point to this issue have only picked it up on calibration test disc.]]>Dec 19th 2007 6:46PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 19th 2007 7:21PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Dec 21st 2007 3:22PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshiba-hd-a30-review/Jan 15th 2008 10:15PM