About the Toshiba HD-XA2
Underneath its brushed aluminum casing, the HD-XA2 sports cutting-edge technologies designed to please videophiles and audiophiles alike. Featuring the advanced Reon-VX HQV video processor from Silicon Optix, the 'XA2 is able to make the most of HD DVD technology for stunning images with an unparalleled level of depth, detail, and colour accuracy. The processor's sophisticated diagonal filter ensures video that's free from "jaggies" and other digital artifacts. The 'XA2 also offers ultra-high-resolution 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels progressive-scan) output. The number of 1080p televisions and projectors is growing all the time, and owners of these top-end displays can take full advantage of their display's capabilities with the 'XA2.
Next-generation audio
On the audio side, this player is able to decode high-impact Dolby® Digital Plus and DTS-HD soundtracks. These new formats use less compression than their regular DVD counterparts for fuller, richer surround sound. The 'XA2 can even decode 5.1-channel Dolby TrueHD a new format that uses "lossless" compression for a perfect reproduction of the original movie theatre soundtrack. Multichannel audio outputs let you enjoy these advanced soundtracks using any receiver with a 5.1-channel analog input.
High-definition video on a disc
The HD-XA2's impressive performance is largely due to the HD DVD disc. HD DVDs can hold over three times as much information as regular DVDs, allowing for true high-definition video and detailed, multichannel audio. HD DVD also uses a convenient new menu system that lets you call up menus and special features without having to stop the movie first.
Future-ready connectivity
The 'XA2 is one of the first components to offer an HDMI 1.3 interface. The higher bandwidth of this connection offers the potential for even richer, more natural colours and higher-resolution audio.
Enjoy your existing DVD and CD collections
The versatile HD-XA2 is backwards-compatible with regular DVDs, so you can make the most of your existing movie collection. This player enhances the look of regular DVDs by upconverting them to 1080p resolution. Music fans will appreciate the 'XA2's ability to play CDs as well as home-burned CD-Rs and CD-RWs.
Learn about the ins and outs of HDMI connections at CrutchfieldAdvisor.com.
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Shipping Note: Sorry, we can only ship Toshiba products to the 49 continental United States and Washington D.C.; we can't ship them to Hawaii or U.S. Territories. (Solamente es posible enviar productos de la Toshiba dentro los 49 estados unidos continentales y Washington D.C.)
Product highlights:
- plays HD DVD high-definition discs (selectable 720p/1080i/1080p output available through HDMI output; 720p/1080i output also available via component video on discs lacking ICT copy-protection)
- plays DVD-Video, DVD-R & DVD-RW
- plays CD, audio CD-R & CD-RW
- HDMI digital output (combines video and multichannel audio with HDCP copy protection)
- HDMI version 1.3 with Deep Color support
- selectable 720p/1080i/1080p video upconversion for DVD (upconverted video available through HDMI output only)
- built-in audio decoding for Dolby® Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS® and DTS-HD
- 1 set of gold-plated A/V outputs (composite video, S-video, and component video)
- gold-plated stereo and 5.1-channel audio outputs
- optical and coaxial digital audio outputs
- Ethernet port for possible future upgrades
- two front-panel USB ports
- RS-232C port for third party controllers
- brushed aluminum cabinet
- backlit remote control (multibrand for TV)
- Silicon Optix Reon-VX HQV video processor
- 297MHz/12-bit video D/A converter
- 32-bit SHARC® Digital Signal Processor for detailed, next-generation audio
- 17-3/16"W x 2-15/16"H x 15-3/16"D
- warranty: 1 year parts, 90 days labor
- viewing high-definition HD DVD content requires an HDTV or HD-ready TV with HDMI, DVI, or component video input
- DVD movie playback is restricted to "Region 1" coded discs
- MFR # HDXA2
What's in the box:
- Single-disc HD DVD player
- SE-R0251 Wireless remote control
- 4 "AAA" batteries
- 6' Detachable AC power cord
- 5' AV cable with a composite video RCA connection and stereo audio RCA connections on both ends
- Owner's Manual (English)
- Owner's Manual (French)
- Product Registration card
- Firmware Update card (USA)
- Firmware Update card (Canada)
- Firmware Update card (French)
- "Important Firmware Update Information" sheet
- "Important Firmware Update Information" sheet (French)
- "Note on description in Owner's Manual" sheet
- "Supplement" booklet (French)
- "Stop Need Help" sheet (English)
- "Stop Need Help" sheet (French)
Customer reviews for Toshiba HD-XA2
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Average review:
4.5 out of 5 starsCustomer photos
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More details on the Toshiba HD-XA2
Features & specs
General | ||
---|---|---|
Surround Sound Decoding | --- | |
4K Ultra HD | ||
3D Capable | ||
Internet Movie Streaming | --- | |
Built-in Wi-Fi | N/A | |
Smartphone App Control | No | |
DVD Video Upconversion | 720p, 1080i, 1080p | |
Multibrand Remote | Yes | |
Parts Warranty | 1 Year | |
Labor Warranty | 90 Days | |
Compatibility | ||
CD-R Capable | Yes | |
CD-R/W Capable | Yes | |
SACD Playback | No | |
DVD-Audio Playback | No | |
Outputs | ||
Digital Optical Output | 1 | |
Digital Coaxial Output | 1 | |
HDMI Outputs | 1 | |
HDMI Version | 1.3 | |
Ethernet Ports | --- | |
Analog Audio Outputs | 5.1ch + 2ch | |
1080p Video Output | Yes | |
Component Video Outputs | 1 | |
RS-232C Port | 1 |
Product Research
Features
Controls
Inputs and Outputs Notes
HD DVD Overview: HD DVD is a new high-definition disc format that is up to six times the resolution of standard DVD-video and is designed from the ground up to maximize the viewing experience available from today's HDTVs. HD DVD discs and players offer several advantages over the standard DVD format:
- Better picture quality: HD DVD is a true high-definition format offering video at 720p, 1080i or 1080p resolution. While standard DVDs look very good on an HDTV, they don't provide a high-definition signal (not even when you use an "upconverting" DVD player). HD DVD delivers an extraordinarily sharp, clean, detailed picture, with deeper, richer colors.
- Better sound quality: HD DVD offers the same multichannel sound formats - Dolby Digital and DTS - you're accustomed to with DVD. But HD DVD goes further, offering advanced new versions of Dolby Digital and DTS formats that will give soundtracks startling clarity and dimensionality.
- Much greater storage capacity: What makes HD DVD's superior picture and sound possible is the much higher storage capacity of HD DVD discs. A single-layer HD DVD can hold 15 gigabytes of data, which is over three times the amount a standard DVD can hold. (Dual-layer HD DVDs hold 30 gigabytes.) This increased storage capacity allows HD DVD to fit several hours of high-definition video and high-resolution multichannel audio, plus the added features and material that require multiple discs with standard DVD.
- Compatibility with your current disc collections: To ensure backward-compatibility with your existing library of discs, HD DVD players actually use a dual-laser mechanism: a blue laser for playing high-definition HD DVD discs, and a conventional red laser for playing DVDs and audio CDs.
- Internet access: HD DVD players include an Ethernet jack for use with a high-speed Internet connection.
Aluminum Chassis Design: The Toshiba HD-XA2 features a black, brushed aluminum chassis with a front-panel manual fold-down door that hides the unit's controls and extension ports when the door is closed to give it a sleek, clean look.
Dolby Digital/DTS Decoder: The HD-DVD player features a built-in Dolby Digital, DTS decoder with bass management which allows you to connect the unit's analog 5.1 channel output connections to the analog 5.1 channel inputs on your receiver.
Supported Surround Sound Formats: The HD-DVD player supports Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD (core only). The HDMI output will transfer all these surround formats while the optical digital output will transfer the Dolby Digital, DTS and a down-converted version of the Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD signals.
Digital Audio Processing: The Toshiba HD-XA2 features an advanced high-performance 32-bit SHARC Digital Signal Processor to provide you with incredible audio detail.
Dolby TrueHD: The HD DVD player supports Dolby TrueHD which provides you with surround sound that is equal to the original studio master.
Video Processing: The HD-XA2 uses a 297MHz / 12-bit video DAC with high quality 4 times video oversampling for superior HD picture quality.
HDMI Version 1.3: The HD-XA2 features HDMI version 1.3 which supports Deep Color enabling 36-bit (RGB or YcbCr) color depths, up from the 24-bit depths in previous versions. This allows for even greater HD video quality with compatible Deep Color display devices.
HDMI Upconversion: The HD-XA2 has the ability to upconvert a standard DVD signal to HD-compatible 720p, 1080i or 1080p and pass it through its HDMI output. Because this conversion is performed inside the player, the signal remains free from excessive digital to analog artifacts.
ColorSteam Pro Component Video: The player's component video outputs allow the video signal to be sent from the DVD player to a component video equipped interlaced or progressive scan TV. When this connection is utilized with today's HD-compatible sets, typical NTSC artifacts-like video noise, dot crawl, and flicker-are virtually eliminated, resulting in a low-noise, highly detailed picture with color purity.
Resolution Setting: The HD-XA2 allows you to select the video resolution output for the HDMI and Component video outputs. You can choose from 480i, 480p, 720p, or 1080i for component video and 480p, 720p, 1080i or 1080p for HDMI. The following video modes are available.
- Mode 1: Mode 1 allows for output of component video, S-video and composite video at 480i. HDMI will not output in Mode 1.
- Mode 2: Mode 2 allows for output of
HDMI and Component video in the following resolutions. S-video and composite
video will not output in Mode 2.
- HDMI: select between either 480p, 720p, 1080i or 1080p
- Component: select between either 480p, 720p, or 1080i (The component video output will only display 480i or 480p resolution on copy protected discs)
Note: The On-screen menu will only display if the Mode has been selected properly to match the connection between the HD DVD player and your TV.
Simultaneous Video Output: The HD DVD player supports simultaneous output of video on its HDMI and component video ports. However, when both are connected the HDMI will only output the maximum resolution of the component video cable when watching a copy protected disc.
Auto Video Adjust: The HDMI output can be set to change automatically to match the maximum available resolution of your display. If you have the HDMI and component video cables both connected the resolution on the component output will also change when the HDMI output auto-adjusts.
Compatible Discs: The HD-XA2 is capable of playing back the following disc formats.
- HD DVD
- DVD
- DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW
- Audio CD
- CD-R, CD-RW
Note: This unit is not capable of MP3 or WMA playback and does not support Blu-ray discs.
Twin Format Discs: This feature allows you to select a layer to play; HD DVD or DVD of an HD DVD Twin Formatted disc.
Playback Speeds: The HD-XA2 offers the following playback speeds when viewing your disc.
- Skip: allows you to skip to the beginning of the previous or next chapter or track
- Frame by Frame: while the picture is "Paused" you can playback the video frame by frame
- Fast Forward/Reverse: allows you to fast forward or fast rewind through a scene or track at 2x, 3x, 4x or 5x speed.
- Slow Motion: allows you to play a video forward in slow-motion at a 1/4x, 1/2x or 1/8x of normal speed
Resume Play: Resume play allows you to resume playback of a disc from the point where you last stopped. The stopping point is cleared when the Stop button is pressed more than once or the disc tray is opened.
Title Search: Title Search allows you enter the number of the Title, Chapter and/or elapsed time of a scene you want to view on a disc and then directly go to that spot on the disc.
Repeat Mode: The Toshiba HD-XA2 features the following repeat functions - All Repeat, Title Repeat, Chapter Repeat, Track Repeat, Disc Repeat, and A-B repeat.
Extension Ports: The two USB extension ports may be used in the future for additional control options and firmware updates. Future control options include extra storage for downloadable content off of HD DVD discs.
Note: The USB ports are simply "gateway" interfaces for the player and its movies so their potential is limited to downloadable disc content.
Cursor Function: Future HD DVD discs may include game software and drawing software. If they do, this function lets you use the Cursor button on the remote to move the onscreen cursor, allowing you to interact with the software.
Internet Connection: By utilizing the rear-panel Ethernet port, you connect the player to the Internet via an always-on broadband connection. Future HD DVD discs will enable you to access special HD DVD sites. If an HD DVD site includes content such as movie trailers, you can watch the content on the player via the Internet if your internet connection provides sufficient bandwidth. You may also use the Internet connection feature to update the player's firmware.
Camera Angle: If a scene has been recorded with multiple angles, you can change the camera angle of the scene you are watching on the disc.
TV Settings: The Toshiba HD-XA2 offers the following picture adjustments through its Picture Setting screen.
- TV Shape: select between 16:9, 4:3 or 4:3 letter box
- Enhanced Black Level: select this feature "On" to adjust the black level to a deep richer black
- Picture Mode: select between Film, Video or Auto
- Resolution: select between up to 480p, 720p, 1080i or 1080p
Picture Settings: The HD DVD player allows you to adjust the picture quality and store 3 custom preset settings. You can adjust the Contrast, Brightness, Color, Tint, Color Enhancement, Edge Enhancement, Mosquito NR, Block NR and Random NR.
Audio Settings: The HD DVD player provides the following audio adjustments within its Audio settings screen.
- Digital out SPDIF: This
allows you to choose the digital audio format that is passed through the
optical and coaxial outputs. You can choose from the following:
- Bitstream: Select this when an amplifier equipped with built-in Dolby Digital, DTS or MPEG decoder is connected to this player. When you play a standard DVD recorded in Dolby Digital or DTS format, digital audio signal (bitstream audio) is output. When you play an HD DVD, the player decodes the Dolby Digital off the disc, then re-encodes it as DTS 5.1.
- PCM: Select this when a 2 channel digital stereo amplifier is connected to this player. When you play an HD DVD or DVD video disc recorded in Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS or DTS-HD format, sound is converted into PCM (2 channel) format and then passed through the optical and coaxial digital outputs.
- Digital out HDMI: This
allows you to choose the digital audio format that is passed through the
HDMI output. You can choose from the following:
- Auto: Select this when an HDMI device equipped with built-in Dolby Digital, DTS, MPEG or linear PCM decoder is connected to this player. When you play a standard DVD recorded in Dolby Digital or DTS format, digital audio signal (bitstream audio) is output. When you play an HD DVD, the player decodes the Dolby Digital off the disc, then re-encodes it as DTS 5.1. If a connected HDMI device does not support Dolby Digital, DTS or MPEG, sound is converted into linear PCM to output.
- PCM: Select this when an HDMI device that has multi-channel output is connected to this player. When you play an HD DVD or DVD video disc recorded in multi-channel in Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS or DTS-HD format, the sound is decoded and output in multi-channel in linear PCM format.
- Downmixed PCM: Select this when a 2 channel digital stereo amplifier is connected to this player. When you play a disc recorded in Dolby Digital, DTS, MPEG1 or MPEG2 format, sound is converted into PCM (2 channel) format to output.
- Dynamic Range Control: The DRC function makes faint sounds easier to hear even if you lower the volume during late-hour playback. You can choose from On, Off or Auto. This function is only available for HD DVD and DVD video discs recorded in Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus or Dolby Digital TrueHD format.
- Dialogue Enhancement: This feature increases the dialog volume of a DVD video disc during playback. You can turn this feature On or Off. This function is only available for Dolby Digital recorded HD DVD or DVD video discs.
- Speaker Setting: This setting selects
between either a 2 channel output or 5.1 channel output.
- 5.1 CH: use when a 5.1 channel surround system is connected to this player
- 2 CH: use when a 2 channel stereo system is connected to this player
Speaker Setup: If you select the 5.1 channel mode you can set the sizes, distances and crossover frequencies of each speaker in your Home Theater.
- Size: You can select between Small or Large for the front speakers, Small, Large or None for the center and surround speakers and Yes or No for the Subwoofer.
- Distance: You can select between 0 to 20 feet in 0.25 feet increments from the speaker or subwoofer to your central listening position.
- Crossover: You can select the low frequency crossover point for the subwoofer to be 80, 100, or 120 Hz.
Language Settings: The HD-XA2 allows you to make the following language adjustments to your player and disc.
- Disc Menu Language: select between English, French, Japanese or German for your disc's menu if applicable
- Subtitle Language: select between None, English, French, Japanese or German for the subtitle language if applicable
- Audio Language: select between English, French, Japanese or German for the disc's sound track audio if applicable
- On Screen Language: select between English, French, Japanese or German for the player's on-screen menu display
Parental Lock: The Parental Lock feature allows you to use to activate an 8-level ratings system protected by a 4-digit password to limit what discs can be played back on your player.
Screen Saver: When activated a Screen Saver will appear if a picture is paused continuously for about 20 minutes.
Auto Power Off: When activated the Auto Power Off feature will turn the player off if picture pausing continues for about 20 minutes.
Dimmer: From the remote control you can dim the display of the unit or turn the display completely off.
Front Panel Controls: The following controls are located on the front panel of the unit behind a fold down door accept for the Open/Close button.
- Open/Close: opens and closes player
- Skip: skips to previous or next chapter or track
- Pause: stops playback momentarily
- Stop: stops playback
- Play: starts playback
- Mode: selects between Mode 1 or Mode 2. Use Mode 2 if you are connecting the HD DVD player via HDMI or Component video or use Mode 1 if you are connecting the unit via the S-video or composite video connection.
Multibrand Remote Control: The supplied full-function IR wireless remote control is pre-programmed to operate this unit and a number of functions on other brands of TVs. The remote features a black brushed aluminum finish with chrome buttons similar to the unit itself. The remote also features a backlight that is activated by a single button. The backlight will illuminate an amber color around the controls for about 10 seconds before turning off. You must activate this feature first by holding down the backlight button for 3 seconds until the backlight comes on; then you only need to tap the button to turn on the backlight. If the batteries are replaced this procedure will have to be repeated. There is also a menu setting which allows you turn on a confirmation beep to sound when each remote command is received.
Rear Panel Connections:
- HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface): The unit's HDMI simplifies A/V connections by carrying video and digital audio all in one cable. This unit features HDCP copyright protection technology, and must be connected to an HDCP-compliant device. If your TV has a DVI input instead of an HDMI input, you can connect this unit to your TV using an HDMI-to-DVI adapter. You will also need to connect audio cables to the player because DVI is a video only cable.
- LAN: The rear-panel Ethernet port gives you access to Internet-based content on some HD DVDs.
- Audio Out: The HD-XA2 features a single optical and coaxial digital output for transferring Dolby Digital and DTS information as well as a stereo analog output.
- Video Output: The HD DVD player is equipped with one component video output, one S-video output and one composite video output.
- 5.1 CH Output: The HD DVD player features an analog 5.1 channel surround audio output to connect to your amplifier if equipped with a 5.1 channel audio input.
- RS-232C: The HD-XA2 is equipped with a RS-232C jack for custom control devices.
Front Panel Connections:
- Extension Ports: The HD-XA2 has two front-panel USB Extension ports hidden behind a fold-down door.
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Customer Q&A
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Great machine. Picture quality is outstanding and it up-converts standard DVD’s to near HD quality. Add in the 5.1 sound capability and the 1.3 HDMI and it’s well worth the cost.
Michael from Greenville, NC