Going Back To HD-DVDS

retrogameman · 21-09-2009, 8:08 PM

Decided to either sell or trade my jvc xv-bp1 bluray player and go back to hd-dvds.Dont get enough of a chance to use the bluray to warrant keeping considering the cost.

So i plan on getting a standalone player to use as the main player downstairs and still have the option of using the 360 hd-dvd drive upstairs.

Looking for opinions on the best machine that can output 1080p,upscale dvds well and hopefully be a good reliable machine.Not too bothered regarding multi region for dvd as i only have a handful of region 1 dvds left and i plan on selling them on.

All recommendations welcome even those regarding 1st gen machines that cant output 1080p if you think they are a better option.

Are the standalone machines able to produce a better quality image than the 360 hd-dvd drive.

mannyjarnail · 21-09-2009, 8:38 PM

The Toshiba EP35 or EP30 are both really good machines.

The best player is a Toshiba XE1

a4lloxo · 22-09-2009, 4:42 PM

depends what you want really,sound wise.if you connect to an amp via optical only id go for a HDEP-10,its one of the second gen machines,does 1080p, can be made region free,upscales well, and is better built than the 35/30.
if your connecting via HDMI to your amp then id go for the XE-1.they still command a premium over other players,however prices have come down of late.it has the reon chip for upscaling duties and can bitstream the audio direct,so your amp can do the decoding,alternatively it will pass LPCM via the analogue outputs,allowing HD sound from a legacy amp.its also built like a tank.

scartlead · 22-09-2009, 7:04 PM

Regarding first gen machines, the A1 I use may well be only 1080i, but dont let that hold you back. 1920 * 1080i looks damn good and has 6 channel out to boot, which means you can use the older non hd amps, which I do, to get hidef audio. Also it's built like a tank, mine have never once failed me and is now cheap as chips. As far as I'm aware only R1 sd. Other than that a great machine and welcome back to the fold.

retrogameman · 22-09-2009, 7:07 PM

Still got an amp to purchase but the plan is to get one that accepts audio over hdmi.

Dont mind paying extra for a quality machine as hopefully i can get around £200 for my blu ray player.That should get me a good machine and a selection of films to start the collection.

retrogameman · 22-09-2009, 7:10 PM

I have seen the A-1 available for good money and it does get good reviews.The only issue is R1 for dvds as i have a collection of R2 Disney dvds for my girl so i might get grief.

scartlead · 22-09-2009, 7:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrogameman

I have seen the A-1 available for good money and it does get good reviews.The only issue is R1 for dvds as i have a collection of R2 Disney dvds for my girl so i might get grief.

Thats the only downside to the A1, maybe an E1 would suit..Good machine, easily made multiregion for SD, but no 6 channel out and again pretty cheap to get a hold of as well.

On this very forum as well.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/dvd-b...-player-2.html

Donnacha · 23-09-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scartlead

Regarding first gen machines, the A1 I use may well be only 1080i, but dont let that hold you back. 1920 * 1080i looks damn good and has 6 channel out to boot, which means you can use the older non hd amps, which I do, to get hidef audio. Also it's built like a tank, mine have never once failed me and is now cheap as chips. As far as I'm aware only R1 sd. Other than that a great machine and welcome back to the fold.

got one of these also. Its since been relegated to the TV room as opposed to the Projector room. In the PJ room I use the 360 add-on connected to a PC that drives the projector.

The HD - A1 sounds and looks great at 1080i. I bought it pretty early into HD DVD. its built like a tank, it has great sound via the analogs (if a little quiet, and no bass management for the sub) and is reasonably quiet.

Downsides are that's it's region 1 only for DVDs (the only HD DVD player from Tosh that can't be unlocked - won't even play region free PAL discs), its slow to boot (like a PC) and slow to load a disc. I'm not sure how the load times compare to the other Tosh players, but its definitely slow!

...still snap one up if you get a bargain.....oh and you'll need a step down transformer to power it as its a US machine!!

retrogameman · 23-09-2009, 1:10 PM

Until i get the jvc blu ray player sold i am stuck for funds.Unless i can get a trade for a player and some films.

The A-1 does seem like a good option.I have a dvd player which i could connect up for the little ones Disney dvds.

Going to keep checking here and ebay to get an idea of prices and hopefully pick up a good machine.

Thanks for all the recommendations.