Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD player is available for pre-order for $499 with free shipping at amazon.com

Here are the specs:


Multichannel 24-bit/192-kHz audio DACs
High-definition DVD playback via HDMI interface at 720p/1080i resolution
Standard DVD up-conversion to 720p or 1080i through HDMI interface
Multiformat compatibility: HD-DVD, DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD-RAM, CD, CD-R/-RW
Onboard Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby TrueHD (2 channel); DTS and DTS-HD decoding with 5.1 analog audio outputs


Link

Strange, even with this new model Toshiba doesn't like +R media? That's why I bought an LG upconverting player last year. You would think that they would support it by now.

I am pretty sure +R is supported, I think the mistake is from Amazon.com. We are talking about 2006 here and why would they only support -R, that would be pretty stupid not to have the player support +R. I have 5:1 -R to +R blanks, but still, I want to see +R supported

Their last HD upconverting DVD player didn't support +R, this less than a year ago. I contacted Toshiba at the time to make sure. As I said, that's why I went with the LG. I looked at the Toshiba 1st because I had a very good Toshiba progressive scan unit. I would definitely make sure before I bought.

Any1 have any news on the computer HD-DVD drive??? I am hoping NVIDIA will launch their driver for 7800 series video card supporting H.0264 HD.

no more early adoptering for me
did my share with $1200 sony dvd7000S and +300 sony dvd burner (510U)

Now I will wait for Hd blanks to fall to the $1 range and a dual HD/BD home player in $200 and pc burner in the less than $100 range
or there abouts

I feel you bro, but I dont think you will wait that long
waiting for the pc burner to be sub $100 is like waiting at least a year. I dont think you have the patience. I know I that dont have the patience, but I will wait no longer than a year

Can you record back the data or video that was recorded in hard drive in to DVD disc by this Toshiba Recorder?.

Here is a reply from Toshiba:

Dear Sir/Madam,



Thanks for writing!



We appreciate your interest in Toshiba.



None of our units are compatible with + format discs.



Rick

Toshiba Customer Service



This electronic transmission message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The information in this transmission may be proprietary, confidential, privileged and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this Notice is not the intended recipient (or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient), you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify us by telephone (at our expense) or by e-mail and destroy the material transmitted to you in error. Thank you for your cooperation.


--Original Message--
From: aarango@brodeur.com
Date: 1/30/2006 8:19:06 AM
To: customer_support@tacp.com
Subject: FW: Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD Player







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2006 5:15 PM
To: Alejandro Arango
Subject: Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD Player


Does this unit support +R dvd media?

Supported or not supported my Toshiba SD-2800 [yes I realize its kinda irrelevant to this thread ] plays back -R, +R, +R DL etc WITHOUT setting the booktype to DVD-ROM. I guess I either just got a unit that isn't picky or something. Anyhow just wanted to pop that bit of info in here for the hell of it.

C ya,
Chad

I wouldn't buy this. For one, All I have is +r. Second, it is only 720p or 1080i which is not the highest resolution for hd. The max resolution is something like 1366 by 768. If you want a resolution of 1920 by 1080 then you need 1080p (especially if you have a DVI out on your computer and want to plug it into the tv). DVI and HDMI are compatable with a simple converter (like a DVI to VGA converter).

Not many monitor/tvs out there support 1080p. I have a 4 yrs old sony XBR 34" widescreen tube, it supports up to 1080i. As for monitor, the newest dell 30" LCD only supports up to 1080i. And if you want 1080P, you have to upgrade not just the player, you also have to upgrade your TV

I plan on getting this soon. I have DVI output on one of my computers.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...opnav=&browse=

This is a 37" LCD with res up to 1920x1080. And:

Signals:

Built in NTSC & ATSC tuners
HDTV 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i (ATSC + NTSC)

Inputs:

HDMI/ DVI Support HDCP
HD Component (Y, Pb, Pr): x 1
S-Video 4-pin DIN: x 2
Composite RCA A/V: x 2
RGB 15-pin D-Sub: x 1

If I am going to spend $500 on a standalone player, it better be full HD and not just a step in between.

Benq also makes a 37" 1080p LCD w/res up to 1920x1080. It's about $2000.