Toshiba A2 HD-DVD Player
I’ve had considerable time now to review my Toshiba A2 HD-DVD player. The A2 is the successor of the first generation A1 player. The noticeable difference between the 2 is size and weight. The 2nd gen is more in line with standard DVD players of today. While not as small as some DVD players on the market, it doesn’t look out of place in your Home Theater setup.
The other noticeable difference between the 2 generations is that the A2 is much faster and the color is black rather than silver. The A2 is much more reliable in terms of reading HD-DVDs and standard DVDs. This probably was the biggest complaint about the A1. Nothing like having to clean an already clean disc in order for the player to read it. Another difference between the A2 and A1 is that the A2 dropped the 5.1 channel analog outputs. This poses a dilema now for users. In order to take advantage of DD+ or TrueHD audio signals, you are now required to have an audio receiver that is capable of handling multi channel PCM audio via HDMI. This narrows the field down considerably. If the user wants to take advantage of the new audio codecs, but doesn’t want to spend money on a new receiver, they will either have to purchase a 1st gen model or upgrade to the XA2 model.
HD-DVD playback is quite good. My only other experience with HD-DVD players is via the 360 add on. So in the same regards, this player is very reliable and excellent quality player. The video output is “slightly” better from the A2 since it is using a pure digital signal via HDMI rather than the component cables of the 360. The other thing the A2 does well is upconversion of standard DVDs. I previously had a Samsung 860 upconverting player, and the A2 easily produces a better picture.
HD-DVD Audio is also well done by the A2. The only complaint(which I mentioned earlier) was that the new audio codecs are only available via HDMI. So if you already have a receiver that can do LPCM audio via HDMI, this is the player for you.
I purchased mine from Value Electronics. They offer 2 free movies with your purchase and free shipping. If you order before 2/28/07, you can also fill out this form and receive 3 free HD-DVDs making the total of 5 free movies. The best part about owning the A2, is that it is cheaper than any stand alone BD player on the market. I am excluding the PS3 as it is a gaming system and the 360 add on would be a competing component to that.
