Big Picture Big Sound

As we reported in our CES coverage earlier this year, Toshiba shocked the consumer electronics world not only by announcing that they would beat rival format Blu-Ray Disc to the punch, delivering hardware a full month or more before the Blu-Ray Disc (BD) camp, but also in lowering the pricing of their first generation players to approximately half the price of competitive BD players. Toshiba's line includes the bare-bones, but functional HD-A1 ($499), and the more elegant high-end HD-XA1 ($799). The HD-XA1 is now in stock and available with free shipping and a $25 HD-DVD bonus from OneCall.com.

Note: You'll get an additional $25 off plus free FedEx shipping, from now until 5/30. Use coupon code SUMMER06 at check out for $25 instant savings.


The HD-XA1 features beefy construction, illuminated motion-sensitive remote, motorized door that hides the disc drawer, and other touches of elegance. In addition to HD-DVDs mastered in 720p or 1080i resolution, the player also supports playback of standard DVDs and CDs. Via its HDMI output, it upconverts standard DVDs to "near HD" quality, with 720p or 1080i output to match your HDTV-enabled display.

And since there are virtually no receivers or processors available yet that fully support the new Dolby True HD or DTS-HD surround formats via a digital connection, the HD-XA1 also includes multi-channel analog audio outputs to support these new ultra-high resolution audio formats.

Toshiba HD-XA1 Manufacturer's Specifications/Features:

General Features
° Surround Modes: DTS-HD, DTS, Dolby Pure HD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital / AC-3
° Compatible Formats WMA, MP3, HD DVD-R, HD DVD, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD, CD-RW, CD-R, CD
° Inputs / Outputs
° 5.1 Channel Outputs (1) Rear Output
° Coaxial (1) Rear Output
° HDMI (1) Rear Output
° Optical (1) Rear Output
° RJ45 Ethernet (1) Rear Output (10/100)
° Analog Audio / Video (1) Rear Output
° Component Video (1) Rear Output
° RS-232C (1) Rear Output
° S-Video (1) Rear Output
° USB Port Connection (2) Front Input
° Dimensions (W x H x D): 17.72 x 4.33 x 13.39 inches

Detailed Specifications:

Video
° Disc Playback: HD DVD, HD DVD-R, DVD, DVD-R/-RW/-RAM, CD, CD-R/-RW
° HD Content Output via HDMI (Disc Native Resolution)
° 11-bit / 216MHz Video DAC
° Video Up-Conversion for SD DVD (720p/0180i)
° Enhanced Black Level (0IRE / 7.5IRE Selection)
° Letterbox / Pan & Scan Support
° 3-D Digital Noise Reduction (SD DVD)

Audio
° Built-in Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS and DTS-HD Decoders
° Dolby Pure HD Compatible (2 Channel)
° Four 32-bit Floating Point Signal Processors
° Multi-Channel 24-bit/192kHz Audio DAC's
° HDMI Audio support up to 5.1 L-PCM
° 5.1 Channel Bass Management
° Dynamic Range Control
° MP3 and WMA Playback

Convenience
° Motion Activated Backlight Remote Control
° Tri-Lingual OSD (English, French/Japanese)
° Bit Rate Display
° FL Dimmer
° Fast Forward
° Fast Reverse
° Slow Play
° Step Play
° Time Search
° A-B Repeat
° Screen Saver
° Parental Lock

Inputs/Outputs
° Front Panel:
° 2 USB Terminals
° Rear Panel:
° 1 High Definition Multimedia Interface (ver. 1.1)
° 1 ColorStream Pro Component Video
° 1 S-Video (gold plated)
° 1 Composite Video (gold plated)
° 1 Stereo Analog Audio (gold plated)
° 5.1 Multi-Channel Analog Audio (gold plated)
° 1 Coaxial Digital Output (gold plated)
° 1 TosLink Optical Digital Output
° 1 Ethernet 10/100 Port
° 1 RS-232C

HD DVD with high definition content required. Viewing some high definition content may require an HDMI or HDCP capable DVI input on your display device.