Toshiba HD-A2 + 8 Movies for $211 at Amazon
#26
DVD Talk Hero
Is the 360 add-on reliable as an HD player? I remember reading some issues, specifically with combo discs.
I've wanted to get a stand-alone HD player, but now that I have an HDMI-360 and all the rear HDMI inputs on my TV are spoken for, I'm thinking the convenience of piggy-backing the one connection vs buying a switch box or having a cable stick out the side of the display is worth something.
I'm just asking because the add-on with 9 movies for $180 seems ridiculous to pass up but I'm still thinking a stand-alone is a better long-term investment.
I've wanted to get a stand-alone HD player, but now that I have an HDMI-360 and all the rear HDMI inputs on my TV are spoken for, I'm thinking the convenience of piggy-backing the one connection vs buying a switch box or having a cable stick out the side of the display is worth something.
I'm just asking because the add-on with 9 movies for $180 seems ridiculous to pass up but I'm still thinking a stand-alone is a better long-term investment.
#27
pinata, I was in the same boat. If I bought a standalone I'd have to get an HDMI switcher so I went the 360 add on. The 360 does have a certain noise level to it but I never found it to be intrusive.
Stand alone is probably a better long term investment, however, if I was looking at long term I would be looking at a top of the line player.
Stand alone is probably a better long term investment, however, if I was looking at long term I would be looking at a top of the line player.
#29
DVD Talk Legend
I couldn't help it. I took the plunge. You can now put me in the format neutral category. A high def dvd player and 8 movies for less than I payed for my first dvd player in 99...awesome.
#30
Originally Posted by pinata242
Cool. Any problems with it?
#31
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One thing I noticed about this player is that it is only 1080i. Right now that is not a problem, because I have a 5 year old WS television that only does 1080i. But next year I want to upgrade to a 1080p LCD.
I know it's been discussed before, but at the time I didn't need to pay attention to what was said, but is 1080p much better than 1080i?
I'm seriously considering getting this player and I have a component video spot waiting for it.
Chris
I know it's been discussed before, but at the time I didn't need to pay attention to what was said, but is 1080p much better than 1080i?
I'm seriously considering getting this player and I have a component video spot waiting for it.
Chris
#32
Originally Posted by mrpayroll
One thing I noticed about this player is that it is only 1080i. Right now that is not a problem, because I have a 5 year old WS television that only does 1080i. But next year I want to upgrade to a 1080p LCD.
I know it's been discussed before, but at the time I didn't need to pay attention to what was said, but is 1080p much better than 1080i?
I'm seriously considering getting this player and I have a component video spot waiting for it.
Chris
I know it's been discussed before, but at the time I didn't need to pay attention to what was said, but is 1080p much better than 1080i?
I'm seriously considering getting this player and I have a component video spot waiting for it.
Chris
#33
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally Posted by JackBurton
From what I understand, any decent 1080p television will de-interlace the 1080i signal so that the difference is negligible. Perhaps someone with more technical knowledge can chime in.
#34
DVD Talk Hero
Well, I just bit. 360 add-on with 300, TMNT, and The Fountain for $179.99. Also the 5 free rebate, King Kong, and the 360 remote are all pluses for me and not having to get a switch box.
Also, I couldn't go without Transformers in HD! God, my wife is going to go apeshit, but it is far less than I paid for our first DVD player in 2000 and that didn't have any free movies, let alone 9!
Also, I couldn't go without Transformers in HD! God, my wife is going to go apeshit, but it is far less than I paid for our first DVD player in 2000 and that didn't have any free movies, let alone 9!
#35
DVD Talk Legend
Shipping Method: FREE Super Saver Shipping
Shipping Preference: Group my items into as few shipments as possible
Subtotal of Items: $322.73
Shipping & Handling: $17.62
Super Saver Discount -$17.62
Promotion Applied -$83.85
Promotion Applied -$27.95
------
Total for this Order: $210.93
Shipping estimate for these items: September 4, 2007
Delivery estimate: September 11, 2007 - September 17, 2007 1 "Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD Player"
Electronics; $238.88
Sold by: Amazon.com
Shipping estimate for these items: September 4, 2007
Delivery estimate: September 11, 2007 - September 17, 2007 1 "The Fountain (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]"
Lorne Brass; HD DVD; $27.95
Sold by: Amazon.com
1 "300 (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]"
Gerard Butler; HD DVD; $27.95
Sold by: Amazon.com
1 "TMNT (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]"
Laurence Fishburne; HD DVD; $27.95
Sold by: Amazon.com
Shipping Preference: Group my items into as few shipments as possible
Subtotal of Items: $322.73
Shipping & Handling: $17.62
Super Saver Discount -$17.62
Promotion Applied -$83.85
Promotion Applied -$27.95
------
Total for this Order: $210.93
Shipping estimate for these items: September 4, 2007
Delivery estimate: September 11, 2007 - September 17, 2007 1 "Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD Player"
Electronics; $238.88
Sold by: Amazon.com
Shipping estimate for these items: September 4, 2007
Delivery estimate: September 11, 2007 - September 17, 2007 1 "The Fountain (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]"
Lorne Brass; HD DVD; $27.95
Sold by: Amazon.com
1 "300 (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]"
Gerard Butler; HD DVD; $27.95
Sold by: Amazon.com
1 "TMNT (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]"
Laurence Fishburne; HD DVD; $27.95
Sold by: Amazon.com
I saw this deal in the DVD Bargains forum before I left for work this morning and pulled the trigger...dammit!
I had all these great plans of waiting until the format war was over (or at least 2 more years). But $210 for a player with The Fountain (one of my favorite movies of the last few years) and 300 did it for me. I also got TMNT for my son. I love that it is a HD/dvd combo as he can either watch in my home theater or watch it upstairs.
I am in the same position as Chris. I have a 1080i HDTV that is 5 years old but I will likely upgrade to a 1080p player when I upgrade the TV in the next year or so. This player can travel to the upstairs where my current TV will go.
I paid $280 for my first dvd player back in 1998 (or maybe 99) and got a few stinkers with it (Lost in Space, Fools Rush In...you old guys remember the promotion). This was too good a deal to pass up and will completely change my dvd buying habits now.
I have a hard time believing there will be a better deal than this come X-mas time.
The five free ones are very ho-hum so I will likely not even open them and just sell them all on Half.com.
Now to change my Netflix account.
So welcome me into the HD-DVD family...dammit.
#37
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by PopcornTreeCt
Casablanca is not "very ho-hum" at all! ![Smilie](/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Maybe it needs a mid-30's review...but I doubt it will change much.
Since you bring it up (since Casablanca will be my choice between Constantine & Dukes of Hazzard of course)...is Casablanca pillar-boxed automatically by the dvd player or is it just transferred that way? Are the bars black? My Denon dvd player pillar-boxes in gray and drives me nuts.
#39
Originally Posted by brianluvdvd
You know, I watched Casablanca when I was a teen, in film class in college, and once in my late 20's. I have never understood the appeal and why it is considered a classic. Citizen Kane & Psycho...yes. Gone With The Wind & Wizard of Oz...of course. Casablanca...eh, not so much.
Maybe it needs a mid-30's review...but I doubt it will change much.
Since you bring it up (since Casablanca will be my choice between Constantine & Dukes of Hazzard of course)...is Casablanca pillar-boxed automatically by the dvd player or is it just transferred that way? Are the bars black? My Denon dvd player pillar-boxes in gray and drives me nuts.
Maybe it needs a mid-30's review...but I doubt it will change much.
Since you bring it up (since Casablanca will be my choice between Constantine & Dukes of Hazzard of course)...is Casablanca pillar-boxed automatically by the dvd player or is it just transferred that way? Are the bars black? My Denon dvd player pillar-boxes in gray and drives me nuts.
I don't know how Casablanca looks on the player I would hope it would be pillar-boxed with black bars on the side.
#41
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Originally Posted by pinata242
Cool. Any problems with it?
#42
DVD Talk Hero
The Add-on has more constant upgrades and supports 1080p, plus you can use it on your PC. The fail rate is nowhere near 20% (which is 1 in 5 and last I read it was about 1 in 50 defective, but that was just returns at the local stores.)
I got the standalone because VGA-input on my projector is somewhat subpar, and I wanted a good standalone upscaler.
I got the standalone because VGA-input on my projector is somewhat subpar, and I wanted a good standalone upscaler.
#43
I'm also curious whether the A20 is a better option than the 360 add-on? $31 more...I'm assuming it's not loud at all? Can't stand the noise out of my 360...
FWIW, currently have a 720p (or 1080i? Sadly, I'm not sure which it is, or if it really makes much of a difference?) 42" plasma, but will be getting a new 1080p LCD (probably 46") within a 6-8 months.
So, A20 or 360 add-on?
FWIW, currently have a 720p (or 1080i? Sadly, I'm not sure which it is, or if it really makes much of a difference?) 42" plasma, but will be getting a new 1080p LCD (probably 46") within a 6-8 months.
So, A20 or 360 add-on?
#44
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Originally Posted by aktick
I'm also curious whether the A20 is a better option than the 360 add-on?
#45
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Is this still working? I can't seem to get the discount with the HD-Dvds added anymore. I saw this discount when I was browsing earlier today, but don't see it now.
Anyone know?
Anyone know?
#46
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally Posted by The Cow
Is this still working? I can't seem to get the discount with the HD-DVDs added anymore. I saw this discount when I was browsing earlier today, but don't see it now.
Anyone know?
Anyone know?
#47
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Originally Posted by BuckNaked2k
It's good thru 9/23. Just make sure you stick to the titles on the list.
I missed that it is out of stock at Amazon and they are now using a 3rd party for the player (that one doesn't get the discount). I guess I will have to wait until the A2 is back in Amazon stock (the one in your link - and that works, thanks!)
Last edited by The Cow; 08-28-07 at 10:39 PM.
#48
Originally Posted by The Cow
I'm using the titles on the list. Same ones I used earlier.
I missed that it is out of stock at Amazon and they are now using a 3rd party for the player (that one doesn't get the discount). I guess I will have to wait until the A2 is back in Amazon stock (the one in your link - and that works, thanks!)
I missed that it is out of stock at Amazon and they are now using a 3rd party for the player (that one doesn't get the discount). I guess I will have to wait until the A2 is back in Amazon stock (the one in your link - and that works, thanks!)
#49
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Originally Posted by Adam Tyner
The audio differences may make the A20 a more compelling purchase. (The 360 add-on can't output lossless audio, and it has to transcode Dolby Digital Plus tracks.)
#50
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Originally Posted by aktick
I'm also curious whether the A20 is a better option than the 360 add-on? $31 more...I'm assuming it's not loud at all? Can't stand the noise out of my 360...
FWIW, currently have a 720p (or 1080i? Sadly, I'm not sure which it is, or if it really makes much of a difference?) 42" plasma, but will be getting a new 1080p LCD (probably 46") within a 6-8 months.
So, A20 or 360 add-on?
FWIW, currently have a 720p (or 1080i? Sadly, I'm not sure which it is, or if it really makes much of a difference?) 42" plasma, but will be getting a new 1080p LCD (probably 46") within a 6-8 months.
So, A20 or 360 add-on?