Toshiba HD-XE1-how do they do it for the price?

[SATM]

Having returned a Samsung Blueray BD1000 after only a day,due to the PQ being extremely disappointing,and the fan making itself heard at the other end of a large lounge,I thought I would try the cheaper Toshiba HD-XE1.
The first impression on removing it from the box was how solid,and well built it was.
I connected the player to a Panasonic 42PX700 via an Ixos HDMI cable,with the XE1 outputting 1080p.
Not yet having an HD disc,I played the standard DVD of Pitch Black,and,in a word,the PQ was stunning.
I cannot wait to play an HD disc!
Hence my question--how does Toshiba make a player of this quality for such a low price?

[ijd]

Chinese sweat shops where children as young as four are exploited

[Gold Feet]

Toshiba had a good rep for the first sub £100 DVD players, I still prefer mine for CD playback.

[TrevorS]

Originally Posted by SATM

Having returned a Samsung Blueray BD1000 after only a day,due to the PQ being extremely disappointing,and the fan making itself heard at the other end of a large lounge,I thought I would try the cheaper Toshiba HD-XE1.
The first impression on removing it from the box was how solid,and well built it was.
I connected the player to a Panasonic 42PX700 via an Ixos HDMI cable,with the XE1 outputting 1080p.
Not yet having an HD disc,I played the standard DVD of Pitch Black,and,in a word,the PQ was stunning.
I cannot wait to play an HD disc!
Hence my question--how does Toshiba make a player of this quality for such a low price?

I believe the XE-1 is actually made in Japanese sweat shops , but yes, Toshiba is clearly emphasizing high value with their players. I suppose it's the best counter to the Sony/BDA marketing blitz and PR program.

I'm curious, what do you feel is the problem with the BD-P1000 picture relative to the XE1?

Thanks -- Trevor

[Nic Rhodes]

Toshiba have been doing this throughout the life of DVD, whether at the cheap end, 2109, 200, 210, 220 etc or the quality end, 9000, 900, 9500. All have elicited similar remarks.

The BD P1000 is just a poor DVD player but Samsung has always been good at thoses!

[SATM]

Originally Posted by TrevorS

I'm curious, what do you feel is the problem with the BD-P1000 picture relative to the XE1?

Thanks -- Trevor

The BD-P1000 is delivered with 2 Blueray discs,and even outputting at 1080p the picture was not sharp.
Playing standard DVDs upscaled to the same resolution,images were not sharp,and,in fact,I could see no difference in image quality between the standard,and the Blueray DVDs.
I have subsequently discovered that image softness is a failing of this player which Samsung appear to be in no hurry to address by way of a firmware update.
On the other hand,on the HD-XE1,upscaled standard DVDs are stunning.
Given that the Samsung was originally £1000,which is now substantially reduced, it's build,and image,quality is not commensurate with such a price,and is markedly inferior to the much cheaper Toshiba.

[CarbonToe]

Originally Posted by SATM

On the other hand,on the HD-XE1,upscaled standard DVDs are stunning.

If you think SD-DVD is stunning you wait until you pop your first HD-DVD disk in the slot!!!!!

Sony/Samsung/etc all use sweat shops to produce their products, it's just that they have a larger profit margin on their players.

But at least that means they have a budget for marketing.....Toshiba don't seem to advertise at all. I work with a load of techies and I'm the only one who has a HD-DVD player or talks about the format

If you talk to them the only 'true' Hi-Def format is Blu-Ray. Saying that they don't own any players!! They are just waiting for Blu-Ray to win (and as far as they are concerned this is a done deal) and for the players to drop to the £150 - £200 level.

I tried to point out that the E1 is that sort of budget and all they say is "No studio support" and "Blu-Ray is superior".

I do think Toshiba have left it too late and quite a lot of damage has been done. They shold have taken advantage of the poor reception of the PS3 and the inital quality issues with the Samsung player.

[rooster-x]

Originally Posted by SATM

I have subsequently discovered that image softness is a failing of this player which Samsung appear to be in no hurry to address by way of a firmware update.

I thought they did release a firmware update that turned off the softpicture processor or whatever it was, Badass will tell you all about it. Of course you would have had to get hold of a firmware update disc as it has no ethernet connection.

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by CarbonToe

I work with a load of techies and I'm the only one who has a HD-DVD player or talks about the format

If you talk to them the only 'true' Hi-Def format is Blu-Ray. Saying that they don't own any players!!

I wouldnt worr about it, they obviously dont watch enough Porn...............
BLu-Ray decided not to carry Adult material a huge market so while the kiddies watch disney on Blu-Ray all the dirty old men and lots others beside will be clutching brown paper bags full of HD-DVD's the fact is the XE1 is a good player and cheap enough to buy use and enjoy and if one format wins well it will be time for a new machine anyway (by then likely free with cornflakes tokens and £3.95 P&P)

[_Belial]

Originally Posted by hornydragon

I wouldnt worr about it, they obviously dont watch enough Porn...............
BLu-Ray decided not to carry Adult material a huge market so while the kiddies watch disney on Blu-Ray all the dirty old men and lots others beside will be clutching brown paper bags full of HD-DVD's the fact is the XE1 is a good player and cheap enough to buy use and enjoy and if one format wins well it will be time for a new machine anyway (by then likely free with cornflakes tokens and £3.95 P&P)

Adult movies are to be released on both HD-DVD and BluRay format now so there'll be plenty of "dirty old men" on both camps

http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainm...8052007-1.html

[TrevorS]

Originally Posted by SATM

The BD-P1000 is delivered with 2 Blueray discs,and even outputting at 1080p the picture was not sharp.
Playing standard DVDs upscaled to the same resolution,images were not sharp,and,in fact,I could see no difference in image quality between the standard,and the Blueray DVDs.
I have subsequently discovered that image softness is a failing of this player which Samsung appear to be in no hurry to address by way of a firmware update.
On the other hand,on the HD-XE1,upscaled standard DVDs are stunning.
Given that the Samsung was originally £1000,which is now substantially reduced, it's build,and image,quality is not commensurate with such a price,and is markedly inferior to the much cheaper Toshiba.

I knew there was an original softness problem that was addressed in a September firmware update (hardware filter stuck on), but didn't realize softness remained an issue. That's too bad -- thanks!

PS. I wonder if that update had ever been applied to that player? Doesn't really sound like it!

[TrevorS]

Originally Posted by CarbonToe

But at least that means they have a budget for marketing.....Toshiba don't seem to advertise at all. I work with a load of techies and I'm the only one who has a HD-DVD player or talks about the format

If you talk to them the only 'true' Hi-Def format is Blu-Ray. Saying that they don't own any players!! They are just waiting for Blu-Ray to win (and as far as they are concerned this is a done deal) and for the players to drop to the £150 - £200 level.

I tried to point out that the E1 is that sort of budget and all they say is "No studio support" and "Blu-Ray is superior".

I do think Toshiba have left it too late and quite a lot of damage has been done. They shold have taken advantage of the poor reception of the PS3 and the inital quality issues with the Samsung player.

It sounds like they are just reciting the capacity (as in 200MB) and mantra. That doesn't require any tech knowledge, a parrot could do as well . Far more movie fans (thinking of AVSforums) in the U.S. moved from BR to HD DVD than moved the other way, and initially, virtually all were pro-BR (specs and mantra secure in both fists ).