Toshiba HD-A1

Toshiba HD-A1 DVD Player Review

The Toshiba HD-A1 up-converting HD DVD player delivers outstanding resolution, bright, vivid colors, and stunning sound using the next-generation high-definition DVD technology. The Toshiba HD-A1 connects via HDMI to provide 720p/1080i resolution in the native format of HD-DVD disc content. Learn about HD DVD.

Backward compatibility & up-converting Enjoy backward-compatibility and play your collection of standard DVDs on the HD-A1. In addition, the standard-definition DVD picture resolution can be up-converted via the HDMI interface to near-HD quality, with output resolution of 720p or 1080i to match your HDTV's performance. Because the conversion takes place in the player, the signal remains free from excessive digital-to-analog conversion artifacts.

Built-in multichannel decoders The Toshiba HD-A1 employs four 32-bit floating-point DSPs to decode Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD (2ch), DTS, and DTS-HD, offering improved fidelity and sonic realism to DVD soundtracks. The DSPs are world renowned for their high accuracy and are used in many high-quality audio solutions in the home theater market.

Transfer rate The Toshiba HD-A1 disc drive has an astounding 36.55 Mbps transfer rate. By comparison, standard DVD has an average transfer rate of less than 10 Mbps, and HDTV has a rate of 24 Mbps.

Notes Design specifications and dimensions are not final and may be subject to change. HD DVD is a new format that makes use of new technologies. Therefore, certain disc, digital connection, and other compatibility issues are possible.

If you have compatibility problems, please contact customer service. To get a high-definition picture, you must use an HD DVD disc with high-definition content. DVDs that don't have high-definition content will not necessarily display in high definition. Viewing some high-definition content may require an HDMI-capable input or HDCP-capable DVI input on your display device.

What Features Does the Toshiba HD-A1 Have?

� Disc playback: HD-DVD, DVD, DVD-R/-RW/-RAM, CD, CD-R/-RW

� HD output: Yes, using HDMI at disc native resolution

� Video DAC: 11-bit/216-MHz

� Video up-conversion for DVD: 720p/1080i

� Enhanced black level: 0IRE/7.5IRE selection

� Letterbox and pan-and-scan support: Yes

� Built-in audio decoders: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, and DTS-HD

� Dolby TrueHD compatible: Yes (2 channel)

� Signal processors: Four 32-bit floating-point

� Audio DACs: Multichannel 24-bit/192-kHz

� HDMI audio support: Yes, up to 5.1 L-PCM

� 5.1 channel bass management: Speaker size, speaker distance, user-selectable crossover (80Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz), channel level adjustment

� Dynamic range control: Yes

� MP3 and WMA playback: Yes

� Remote control: Yes, motion-activated, backlit

� On-screen display: Yes, trilingual: English, French, Japanese

� Bit-rate display: Yes

� FL dimmer: Yes

� Fast forward: Yes

� Fast reverse: Yes

� Slow play: Yes

� Step play: Yes

� Time search: Yes

� A-B repeat: Yes

� Screen saver: Yes

� Parental lock: Yes

� USB: 2

� HDMI (ver. 1.1): 1

� ColorStream Pro component video: 1

� S-Video: 1

� Composite video: 1

� Stereo analog audio: 1

� Analog audio: 5.1 multichannel

� Coaxial digital output: 1

� TosLink optical digital output: 1

� Ethernet 10/100 port: 1

� Width: 17"

� Height: 4"

� Depth: 14"

Conclusion

High Definition DVD video recordings are becoming available. Until now pre-recorded DVD were widescreen but not HD. The Toshiba HD-A1 is among the first to be capable of playing these at resolutions of 720p or 1080i on compatible HDTV TV monitors.

HD DVD not only provides a deliverable HD media format to the home, but does so with the potential of greater performance than you have experienced with HDTV. The HD-A1 disc drive has an astounding 36.55Mb per second transfer rate. To put that in perspective, standard DVD has an average bit rate of less than 10Mbps and HDTV's maximum rate is 24Mbps. HDMI is the first industry-supported all digital Audio/video connection providing the transmission of uncompressed digital video and multichannel audio on a single cable.

When matched with a compatible HDTV, this single cable connection ensures that all signals remain in their pure digital form. The HD-A1 will output HD content through the HDMI interface in the native format of the HD DVD disc content of either 720p or 1080i.

It is backward compatible to virtually all DVD formats in non-HD mode CD including MP3 file CDR. Built-in multichannel decoders for a range of sound formats ensures improved fidelity and sonic realism Four 32-bit floating-point signal processors deliver a soundstage with incredible depth and detail Onboard Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD (2-ch), DTS and DTS-HD Decoding with 5.1 Analog Audio outputs Multi-Channel 24-Bit/192kHz audio DACs Preprogrammed remote control with TV functions centralizes remote operation Parental lock mode Other connections - 1 set of A/V outputs (composite, S-video, component video); Stereo and 5.1-channel audio out; coax and optical digital out; RJ45 Ethernet and 2 front USB Unit Size 17W x 4H x 14D

Best DVD Recorder Reviews Rating

9/10

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Toshiba HD-A1 DVD Player Review
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