Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

[backbreaker]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

For PS3 users: if you want to know if your set supports Full Range here's how to check.

Full Range support test

With the option set to limited, adjust the brightness control on your TV until you can see most/all of the boxes. There are 12 boxes there, but you might not be able to see them all. You should hopefully be able to see at least 9/10 of them.

Now switch it over to Full range. Can you still see all the boxes? It's very likely that you will only see a full black screen now if you're using a HDTV rather than a DVI monitor.

If you can turn up the brightness control and see the same number of boxes again, then it seems your display does support the full range. If it stays black, or you can't see as many boxes as before, your TV does not support the full range option and you should be using limited.

Most HDTVs should have it set to limited

Here's the pic. you will not see it if your background is black, save it to your PS3

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

WOW! I just finished watching The Matrix on HD-DVD and this movie is just amazing PQ and SQ. I'm just in disbelief at how nice and detailed this movie looks. I wonder if this will be the franchise to help HD-DVD get some more needed sales since all their stand alone players until next month are $100 off.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

Universal to Unleash 'Shaun of the Dead' on HD DVD

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced it will bring the British cult favorite 'Shaun of the Dead' to HD DVD on July 31.

The zombie spoof, conceived by 'Hot Fuzz' cohorts Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, became a surprise sleeper in the U.S. during its original 2004 theatrical run. But it has since enjoyed an even greater afterlife on video, which should bode well for sales on HD DVD.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

Toshiba (America) Releases v1.6 Firmware Update for 2nd-Gen Players

Toshiba America has released the another firmware update for HD-XA2, HD-A20, HD-A2, HD-A2W and HD-D2 sold in U.S./Canada. This release will update the firmware to version 1.6.

This firmware update addresses certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related problems identified by Toshiba.

If you have broadband internet service, you may obtain the firmware update over the internet using the Ethernet port on the back of your HD DVD Player. Instructions for configuring the Ethernet port and downloading the firmware update can be found in the owner’s manual for your HD DVD Player. BEFORE BEGINNING THE FIRMWARE UPDATE PROCESS, BE SURE TO REMOVE ANY DISCS FROM YOUR HD DVD PLAYER.

If you do not have an Ethernet-based broadband connection for your player or prefer not to use one, you may contact Toshiba Customer Solutions and request that a firmware update disc be sent by mail. You can update the firmware using this update disc by following the instructions provided with the disc. DO NOT UNPLUG, TURN OFF, OR USE ANY OTHER FEATURE OF YOUR PLAYER DURING THE FIRMWARE UPDATE PROCESS.

The current firmware update includes all of the prior firmware updates.

[RockyTop1]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

Box art for Heroes HD DVD

[RockinDaMike]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

I just bought the Toshiba HD-A2 player from Best buy for 299.99. If you buy that and get Matrix trilogy you get 2 free HD movies, and its any of them excluding tv box sets. I snatched up Flags of our Fathers and Letters to Iwo Jima for free. My buddy got Children of Men and The Fountain and there both 35 dollar dvds.

Plus there's still that Toshiba rebate where you can get 5 free dvds, i'm gettting Chronicles of Rid****, Constatine, Four Brothers, The Rundown and Perfect Storm.

I was originally going to pick up another xbox hd dvd for my room, but I couldn't pass this offer up.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

Anyone know what the main difference are between the Toshiba HD-A1 and A2? My local Sears have a A-1 display model (never been used) for $210. Is the A2 worth the $90 difference...

[RockinDaMike]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

Anyone know what the main difference are between the Toshiba HD-A1 and A2? My local Sears have a A-1 display model (never been used) for $210. Is the A2 worth the $90 difference...

I hear the a1 loading time is slower and i'm not sure if you would be able to update the firmware on the a1 with using the internet. If that is true, i would go with the a2, a lot of movies have had trouble loading on certain dvd players and i'm sure an update would solve most cases i've read online with The Children of Men dvd.

[neovsmatrix]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

Anyone know what the main difference are between the Toshiba HD-A1 and A2? My local Sears have a A-1 display model (never been used) for $210. Is the A2 worth the $90 difference...

For me, HD-A1 is actually better, because it has the analog outs for outdated receivers that don't have HDMI. This way, I can still have dolby truehd. If you have a receiver that doesn't have HDMI input, and you want to experience dolby truehd, you really should go with the HD-A1, IMHO.

The HD-A2 lacks analog outs, and only the HD-XA2 has them, which is more expensive.

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

For me, HD-A1 is actually better, because it has the analog outs for outdated receivers that don't have HDMI. This way, I can still have dolby truehd. If you have a receiver that doesn't have HDMI input, and you want to experience dolby truehd, you really should go with the HD-A1, IMHO.

The HD-A2 lacks analog outs, and only the HD-XA2 has them, which is more expensive.

That's exactly correct...

[Mossfan8480]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

You guys have to buy The Fountain on HD-DVD... The movie is amazing and went largely unnoticed... However, if you don't feel like thinking while watching a movie, don't bother. For those who do,

[SportsorDeath]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

Damn it. I might have to pick up another HD-DVD player for the Heroes season set. I had the XBox 360 add on, but sold it because the fact that I would always be limited to using optical out for the audio bothered me. I knew that going in, but I didn't have a PS3 yet and really wanted to test the HD disc waters. I just may have to pick up an A-2 soon since they are down to $299.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

Damn it. I might have to pick up another HD-DVD player for the Heroes season set. I had the XBox 360 add on, but sold it because the fact that I would always be limited to using optical out for the audio bothered me. I knew that going in, but I didn't have a PS3 yet and really wanted to test the HD disc waters. I just may have to pick up an A-2 soon since they are down to $299.

The A2 is excellent, I've had one since March and the thing has worked great. At $299, it is a steal.

[RockyTop1]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

You guys have to buy The Fountain on HD-DVD... The movie is amazing and went largely unnoticed... However, if you don't feel like thinking while watching a movie, don't bother. For those who do,

That movie is next up in my blockbuster q. I've been wanting to see it for some time. I'll get the HD-DVD or Bluray version, whichever version is available.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

The A2 is excellent, I've had one since March and the thing has worked great. At $299, it is a steal.

What options do you have for hooking it up? hdmi, analog, optical??