Toshiba Introduces First HD DVD Players for the U.S.

[Dominus Atheos]

Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. (”Toshiba”) unveiled today the market launch details for its line-up of the first High Definition DVD players for the U.S. market. The new HD DVD players, models HD-XA1 and HD-A1, will take advantage of the superior capabilities of the HD DVD format, including outstanding visual quality supported by leading-edge video compression technologies, the high resolution audio specifications and the capability for enhanced functionality including, Advanced Navigation, also referred to as “iHD.”

As a logical evolution of the DVD market to high definition, the HD-XA1 and HD-A1 have backward compatibility, allowing users to continue to enjoy their libraries of current DVD and CD software*. Supporting the leading-edge efficient video compression standards of MPEG-4 AVC and VC-1, as well as MPEG2, both models will utilize the new video decoder chip developed by Broadcom. To meet the latest advancements in Audio/Video interfaces, both models connect to HDTV sets via a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI(TM)). HDMI is the first industry-supported all digital A/V connection providing the transmission of uncompressed digital video and multi-channel audio on a single cable. The new HD DVD players will output copy-protected HD content through the HDMI interface in the native format of the HD DVD disc content of either 720p or 1080i. Through the HDMI interface, standard definition DVDs can be upconverted to output resolution of 720p or 1080i to complement the performance of a HDTV. As the conversion takes place in the player, the signal remains free from excessive digital-to-analog conversion artifacts.

Toshiba’s HD-XA1 and HD-A1 support a variety of HD audio options to complement HD video offerings. The mandatory audio formats for HD DVD include both lossy and lossless formats from Dolby Labs and DTS(R) — including the newly developed Dolby(R) Digital Plus and DTS-HD.

The lossless mandatory formats include Linear PCM and Dolby TrueHD (only 2 Channel support is mandatory). The TrueHD format is bit-for-bit identical to the high resolution studio masters and can support up to eight discrete full range channels of 24-bit/96k Hz audio. Another lossless format (specified as an optional format) is DTS-HD. This employs high sampling rates of up to 192k Hz.

Both models feature built-in multi-channel decoders for Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD (2 channel), DTS and DTS-HD. The HD-XA1 employs the use of four high performance DSP engines to decode the multi-channel streams of the wide array of audio formats. These high performance processors will perform the required conversion process, as well as the extensive on-board Multi-Channel Signal Management including: User Selectable Crossovers, Delay Management and Channel Level Management.

The new HD DVD players can pass digital information to a Surround Sound Processor/Receiver via S/PDIF or HDMI. For Dolby Digital and DTS, the bitstream will be passed through both connections just as in a standard DVD player with the same interfaces. Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD content will be converted to a standard bitstream format that is compatible with any processor equipped with decoders of the respective formats and output through S/PDIF and HDMI. Additionally, all the audio formats for either DVD or HD DVD will be decoded to PCM and output via HDMI in either stereo or multi-channel.

The HD-XA1 will cost $799.99, while the HD-A1 will “only” cost you $499.99. Both will be available in March 2006

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Am I the only one who thinks it looks ugly?

[Zac Naloen]

its kinda retro looking..


But why do they always make the first generation of these things so damned big??

There is no need, most of that is probably empty space.

[phongn]

But why do they always make the first generation of these things so damned big??

High-end optical players are typically heavy to damp any vibrations and have considerable amounts of circuitry in them for more advanced deinterlacing and whatnot. As this product is intended for early-adopters with more money than sense, they probably did that.

Wait some years and you'll get tiny ones like you see nowadays.

[Arrow]

Given the amount of decoders they have in that box, they probably need the extra space for air cooling. However, I'd prefer it if the box didn't do all that audio decoding - I'd rather have my 5.1 receiver do it. Speaking of which, it looks like its getting on time to replace my receiver for the new audio formats.

I think I'll wait a couple of years before I get any HD-DVD/Blu-ray player.

[phongn]

Given the amount of decoders they have in that box, they probably need the extra space for air cooling. However, I'd prefer it if the box didn't do all that audio decoding - I'd rather have my 5.1 receiver do it. Speaking of which, it looks like its getting on time to replace my receiver for the new audio formats.

Thanks to our friends in the MPAA/RIAA, you often need to use the line-out ports for surround sound, IIRC, rather than SPIDF.

[InnocentBystander]

Am I the only one who thinks it looks ugly?

I guess, I don't really see anything wrong with it. Do you dislike the color black? Do sharp edges make you cry? Maybe the hand is ruining it for you?
I wouldn't frame the picture or anything, but I don't see anything really "wrong" with it, though it is a tad big.

[Arrow]

Given the amount of decoders they have in that box, they probably need the extra space for air cooling. However, I'd prefer it if the box didn't do all that audio decoding - I'd rather have my 5.1 receiver do it. Speaking of which, it looks like its getting on time to replace my receiver for the new audio formats.

Thanks to our friends in the MPAA/RIAA, you often need to use the line-out ports for surround sound, IIRC, rather than SPIDF.

I'm not up-to-date on HDMI's audio data rates, but shouldn't any HDMI capable receiver be able to pull the multilchannel audio stream off for decoding before passing the data stream on to the TV? Or is HDMI audio limited to stereo?

[aerius]

But why do they always make the first generation of these things so damned big??

To leave room for future generations to shrink down to in the name of progress.

First generation players are always overbuilt for a couple reasons. The manufacturers haven't yet figured out which corners they can cut and they need to give a perception of quality to the consumer. A flimsy 5 pound player does not inspire much confidence in quality, while a solidly built 30 pound box does. It also lets them add extra features such as better power supply regulation, better quality outputs, and various other things which say "quality".

Or in visual terms, Flimsy tin can or Solid hunk of metal