Thread: I've joined the Dark Side (HD DVD)

Originally Posted by Unfiltered

The 3 HDMI inputs are the reason I went with the 4306. (At the time, it was the only 3 in available.)

And as far as cost, I fully understand. When I bought the Denon back in 2/06, I paid $1800 for it. The upscaling chip inside is great. I love being able to run only TWO HDMI cables to my 1080p AQUOS: one from the Denon and one from the DirecTV HR-720. The video-only HDMI input on the TV handles the Denon output, while the audio and video HDMI handles the DVR. This way, the wife doesn't need to turn on EVERYTHING to watch Dancing With the Stars.

What were we talking about again?;)

To bring this back on topic.. My HDDVD player still hasn't made to Mass.

Lucky you, my TV only has one HDMI input.

Originally Posted by No One

To bring this back on topic.. My HDDVD player still hasn't made to Mass.

Lucky you, my TV only has one HDMI input.

Yeah, well, not to brag, but I paid a lot more money than I should have for my AQUOS. I had a nice healthy discount from NBC, but still. The money could've been used for more important things like food.

http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/2167.html

Amazon has the $199 A-3 (3rd gen) HD-DVD with 10 movie promo now.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...d_i=B000U62N1S

Anyone looking to get into HD DVD - look around and try and find a second generation (A2, A20, XA2) instead of any of the third generation.

Last night I had some people over and had to witness another audio drop off during Transformers. I was able to update to a new firmware last night, but all indications are that the second generation machines are much more consistent and battle tested compared to the newer models. Over time, this generation will probably be just as reliable, but why pay to be a beta tester?

EDIT - just to clarify, both the PS3 15 movie deal and the HD DVD 10 movie deal aren't quite that simple. The HD DVD offer only allows you to choose three titles when you check out. Two more are included in the box (Bourne Identity and 300.) The other five you have to pick from five groups of three, and some of those titles are ass. It will also taken weeks (I think up to 16 as some have reported) before they arrive.

The PS3 deal is much better, as it's ten movies (under $30) from the entire store selection. The remaining five, like the HD DVD offer, require you to select one each from a group of three five times - and again, some titles are ass. There's also a long wait for these via mail.

Originally Posted by dgrycan

Anyone looking to get into HD DVD - look around and try and fine a second generation (A2, A20, XA2) instead of any of the third generation.

Like my reliable A2???

Which is in Massachusetts now, and will be delivered to the Toshiba Depot Center tomorrow. I hope to see it by the end of next week, or early the 1st week in December.

Originally Posted by No One

Like my reliable A2???

Which is in Massachusetts now, and will be delivered to the Toshiba Depot Center tomorrow. I hope to see it by the end of next week, or early the 1st week in December.

Your problem that you describe seem to be a rarity, at least throughout the forums that I've been reading. Did you have the latest (2.5, at the time) firmware for your player installed? 2.7 just came out, is there any chance that your problems were related to a software issue, or was Toshiba rather certain that it was a hardware malfunction?

Still, with all that said, people who have both a second and third generation are reporting much more reliability with their 2nd generation players than their 3rd. Shorter load times, as well.

Amazon users, go and vote. You know what to do when you get there.

http://promotions.amazon.com/gp/holi...pf_rd_i=507846

Specifically these "elections"

Round 1
Wii for $79
40GB PS3 for $139
360 Arcade for $99

Round 2
Samsung BD-P1400 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player for $149
Toshiba HD-A35 1080p HD DVD Player for $149
TiVo TCD652160 HD Digital Video Recorder for $89

Originally Posted by dgrycan

Shorter load times, as well.

I have to note that I chuckled when I loaded Ratatouille on my PS3 yesterday to see a load time disclaimer from Disney, reminding the user to be sure to have the current firmware. There was virtually no lag, but I thought it was funny.

Originally Posted by dgrycan

Your problem that you describe seem to be a rarity, at least throughout the forums that I've been reading. Did you have the latest (2.5, at the time) firmware for your player installed? 2.7 just came out, is there any chance that your problems were related to a software issue, or was Toshiba rather certain that it was a hardware malfunction?

Still, with all that said, people who have both a second and third generation are reporting much more reliability with their 2nd generation players than their 3rd. Shorter load times, as well.

When I opened the box, I noticed the Oct. 2006 build date, and slapped 2.7 on there.

I did see one other AVS user with my symptom, and it was a bad drive. I am thinking mine was the same.

Once I told Toshiba what I had done, they just told me to send it in. Seems hardware related.