For those of you looking to buy either of the two available Toshiba HD DVD players, you should be aware that these players are not 1080p. 1080p, as some of you know, is the highest possible quality in the HD format. The Toshiba players currently available are only 1080i, even though the HD DVD discs are coded in 1080p.
Although the Toshiba players are less expensive: HD-A1 ($499), HD-A2 (2nd generation player from HD-A1) ($499) and the HD-XA1 ($799), they only output 720p or 1080i.
XA1 Image shown – (no official photos of XA2 released yet)
If you want to wait, the HD-XA2 from Toshiba is due out this month.This player is 1080p native. However there is NO price difference between the Toshiba and Sony Blu-ray Disc player. Both list for $999. In fact, the Sony player has been offered at at discount at many retailers. I’ve seen it as low as $899. You may have to wait until there is any discount on the Toshiba.
Cheers to Sony for sticking to their guns and not degrading their image quality for pricing concerns. Those of you who bought the Toshiba because of it’s lower price will realize soon enough that you get what you pay for.
Source: AllthingsHiDef
