Toshiba HD-A3 720p/1080i HD DVD Player by Toshiba
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Digital camera reviews of Toshiba HD-A3 720p/1080i HD DVD Player
Digital camera Review: found this causing dvd defect
Summary: 3 Stars
I loved the product, but I figured as I started using it more and more..
For example, I checked that there's a certain breakpoint marker that the HD DVD will mark after playing over a certain period of time.
To make this sound clearer, for example my DVD Life as a House did not come with any scratches or defect. But at 1:20:23 I tested with my old player after experiencing a sudden drastic pause for 0.05sec before going to 1:20:24. I've had instances of this occurrence on several other DVDs I had but I had not had that before I used the HD DVD player. I think it has marked a certain breakpoint so that the machine can read the disc.
I hope this is not just me, it is not really bad but it just devalues my DVD collection because of this small defect it has caused my DVDs that I have used to watch. I only took down this particular DVD's record time for the sudden break point marker defect to the playing video.
Thank you for your kind attention.
*Edit: I just retracked another of my DVD played on this player.
At 1:14:21 to 1:14:22 for the DVD Saved!, there's another break point marker that was previously not existent. To further define break point marker, it means that the scene suddenly jerks to either another scene or is like the disc needed a "scratch on the leg because there is an itch" before continuing to play. I have never really observed that it was the HD DVD player until I realized that it has been occurring on several of my DVDs that have been produced in different years, I doubt it has anything to do with the DVD, it must have been the player affecting the DVD at some point.
If anyone notices this too, please comment on it too with specificity. It is frustrating because now it is not even a smooth DVD anymore. shrug.
Digital camera Review: incredible value
Summary: 5 Stars
I was so impressed with this player I bought another one while the deals were flying. Both are hooked up to 1080i Visios via HDMI. The upconverting feature does make a noticeable albeit not earth shattering difference on regular DVD's and the HD-DVD's are nothing short of breathless. Based on the feedback I had read I did painlessly install the new firmware as a precaution (via Toshiba supplied disc) but I honestly did not have any problems before hand.
"Planet Earth" is nothing short of spectacular with this set up, however I do recommend turning on the dialog enhancement feature under the custom audio features menu if you expect to separate David Attenborough's voice from the music and natural background sounds. I feel that I can leisurely look into Blu-Ray now and buy when the timing is right with no pressure while we enjoy the A3's. With the 2 free HD-DVD's that came with each unit I'll file this purchase under "no-brainers".
Digital camera Review: Disappointment
Summary: 1 Stars
Toshiba HD-A3 720p/1080i HD DVD Player
Not only was shipping delayed but the item was not packed properly. So when the item was left by Federal Express driver, there was obvious water damage and the shipping carton was mutilated. Irresponsibly, the Federal Express drive did everything he could to avoid my son. we returned the player immediately without using.
This was simply a bad transaction. I will not buy electronics from a third party merchant again. The merchant did credit my account immediately.
John
Digital camera Review: This is a terrific player
Summary: 5 Stars
I found this for $[...] and it came with 2 DVD's and couple fore 5 more. I wanted to compare formats. I also have a Sony 301 bought at Costco.
From what I can see, this player gives up nothing in the way of picture and sound quality to anything in the BD world.
I pretty much bought this player for Serenity, and the Eagles Farewell tour. But now love the format and it doesn't take half the frakking night to start up and load.
I plan to get one more to keep as a backup since my HD DVD collection is larger than my BD collection, mainly due to price. BD at $[...] HD at $[...]? Plus I got Serenity, the Bourne trilogy and all the Mummy movies for about $[...].
I suspect the HDDVD's will be around for a while.
Digital camera Review: Good picture, slow response, update a problem
Summary: 3 Stars
I used the HDMI connection to my HDTV and the picture quality was excellent, however the player is slow to start and to begin play. My bigger issue however was that I tried to update the firmware with a download from the Toshiba website. It seemed to go okay, but once it was complete the player wouldn't work anymore. It would turn on but would only beep after that. It wouldn't open the tray and would only turn off by holding the power button 10 seconds. I had to pay the shipping to send it in for repair from Toshiba. I have received notification from them that they were unable to fix it and are sending me a new unit, which I am still waiting to receive. Now I'm worried about trying to update the firmware again. I wasn't having any problems before the update, but I was hoping for better performance from the new version. I'll probably avoid the update on the new one unless I find a disc that won't work. By the time I send it back 4 times I'll have spent more on shipping than the price I paid for the player.