http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/02/t...n-october-1st/

It looks like Amazon removed the listings for the HD-A3, HD-A30 and HD-A35. I was browsing it one moment, then 404 the next. If these ARE coming in October, I think I could wait another two months.

I'd like to see the specs on these. I was disappointed at the scalebacks in the A2 line (the XA2 excluded).

The links are back up.. the A3 is still 720p/1080i so I can keep my eyes set on the mid-range A30 model.

no XA3?

I'm wondering if the A35 will be the new flagship player and they discontinue the "X" line. Otherwise, why does Toshiba need 4 different lines of players?

A3 replaces A2, A30 replaces A20, A35 replaces XA2, perhaps?

^ That's what I was thinking, but the HD-A35 is listed as a few hundred cheaper than the XA2 was, right?

It has a $499 price point. Maybe they will have those 3 and the XA3. If that is the case, it just seems unnecessary to me that they are going to have 4 different players with at least 1 feature different from each. I don't see what they would put in the A35 that they couldn't in the A30. Seems like overkill.

Instant on, instant eject, instant playback after I insert the disc, and finally no glitches in picture or sound... that's all I want. Alright, maybe instead of instant, how about less than 10 seconds?

Perhaps the reason Toshiba is releasing so many models is they're trying to increase HDDVD presence on store shelves. I haven't been following the Blu ray camp but they've got what, 2 Sony players, a Pioneer, a Panasonic, maybe other manufacturer. Then there's Toshiba and the Xbox 360 add-on.

Here, here!

Expect them to discontinue the X lineup soon. Tosh doesn't typically make anything that could be called high-end. They have been doing so with HDDVD to get it rolling, but I doubt it will continue.

Didn't Tosh announce some partnership with some high-end manufacturer (Onkyo?) that's going to make an HD DVD player. Maybe the XA3 becomes that player, at least the part of it that Toshiba makes.

I'm definitely betting this is what happens.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/st...4639654&EDATE=

Toshiba to Debut Third Generation HD DVD Players for High Definition Enthusiasts

Toshiba takes the Hi Def movie experience to a whole new level with 24 frames per second support, CE-Link connectivity, High Bit Rate Audio
capabilities and unmatched interactivity functionality

WAYNE, N.J., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Toshiba America Consumer Products,
L.L.C. ("Toshiba"), announced today its third generation of HD DVD players
for the U.S. market. Continuing to outpace the competition in sales of
dedicated high definition players and responding to increased consumer
demand, Toshiba revealed three new sleek and stylish models for an ultimate
HD home movie experience. With all three new models priced under $500
(MSRP), Toshiba is delivering a powerful line-up of HD DVD players designed
to meet the aggressive growth in demand for high definition TVs.

"With a majority market share in unit sales of next generation DVD
players, consumers are speaking loud and clear, and they are adopting HD
DVD as their HD movie format of choice," said Jodi Sally, Vice President of
Marketing, Toshiba's Digital A/V Group. "Because of the proven
manufacturing efficiencies of the HD DVD format, Toshiba can bring this
level of innovation in technology to a new generation of players with
cutting-edge functionality at affordable prices."

Building on the success of its first and second generation players, new
leading enhancements in select models in the third generation line include
an improvement in video performance with 1080p/24 frames per second (24p)
support. Movie films are traditionally captured at 24 frames per second and
select Toshiba third generation HD DVD players will be able to maintain
this frame rate allowing consumers to enjoy movies in their native frame
rate.

Also added to the line is "CE-Link" (HDMI(TM)-CEC) connectivity which
offers the capability to communicate with and control another CE device in
a whole new way. For instance, using "CE-Link" with "One Touch Play"
consumers will be able to turn on a CEC capable HDTV and a Toshiba HD DVD
player, and start playing a movie, with a single touch of a button on the
player remote.

Toshiba Third Generation HD DVD Models

Toshiba's third generation family starts with the entry level HD-A3
player featuring 1080i output capability. The other two new models,
Toshiba's HD-A30 and HD-A35, will output 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080p),
the highest HD signal currently available. Both models are capable of
outputing signals at 1080p/24 frames per second so consumers can enjoy
movies in their native frame rate. The HD-A30 and HD-A35 models also
feature "CE-Link" (HDMI-CEC), allowing two- way control between the HD DVD player and a TV through an HDMI connection.

The top-of-the-line HD-A35 also adds support for Deep Color via HDMI
allowing compatible display devices to deliver outstanding video quality -
displaying millions of possible colors to billions of possible colors.

Additionally, the HD-A35 offers 5.1 channel analog output and High Bit
Rate Audio (up to 7.1 channel) via HDMI. With content encoded in 7.1ch,
this advanced surround sound is achieved through the HDMI connection
bypassing the player's internal audio processor and sending the signal to a
7.1 capable A/V receiver. High Bit Rate Audio will allow the consumer to
integrate the HD-A35 with the latest multi-channel A/V receivers and enjoy
a whole new dimension of high definition home entertainment.

All of Toshiba's third generation HD DVD players are refined with new
cosmetic designs. Rounded edges, slim chassis (only 59.5 mm - nearly half
as tall as first generation players) and high gloss, black acrylic face
plates create very sleek devices - a perfect complement to Toshiba's award
winning REGZA(R) HD LCD televisions.

Beyond the Hi Def Movie Experience

Starting with 1st generation players, all of Toshiba's HD DVD players
support the enhanced features of the HD DVD format mandated by the DVD
Forum including picture-in-picture video, audio commentary and the ability
to allow web-enabled network capabilities. Using the Ethernet ports found
on all Toshiba HD DVD players, once connected to the network, users can
access bonus features, as available, from a movie studio's server. This
data is then saved in the player's persistent storage and can be accessed
by the user. In addition to accessing new bonus features, some HD DVD discs
may include locked prerecorded content which can be unlocked with a
downloadable key from the studio's online server. Web-enabled capability is
now opening the door to a new entertainment experience beyond hi def video
and audio.

"Consumers will always have a consistent experience with HD DVD as we
have an established platform to keep the players updated to ensure the
ultimate HD movie experience," said Yoshi Uchiyama, Group Vice President,
Toshiba's Digital A/V Group. "A mandatory Ethernet port in all HD DVD
players ensures that consumers can receive updates to their units to
support the latest offerings from the studios and maximizing their
investment in the format."

All of Toshiba's HD DVD models are backward compatible allowing users
to enjoy their libraries of current DVD and CD software while enhancing the
look of regular DVDs by upconverting them to near high definition quality.

For more information on HD DVD, please visit http://www.toshibahddvd.com.

Expected Pricing and Expected Availability:
HD-A3 ($299.99, October 2007)
HD-A30 ($399.99, September 2007)
HD-A35 ($499.99, October 2007)

HD DVD is so dead

So the A35 would be XA3? Or are they saving that moniker for another player?

I still think the Onkyo player will replace the XA3.

How so?

...Sarcasm my friend. Most Blu-Boys claim HD DVD is dead because their format with 10x the amount of players on the market sold 1,000 more discs each week then HD DVD. They call it a dead format. However a dead format wouldn't release new players....would they?

I'll be interested in see what difference, if any, there will be passing the True-HD audio directly to the receiver vs having the player uncompress it to PCM. At worst, we'll get to see the True-HD symbol light up on the new receivers.

I wish they would have said something about the boot time on the new machines. I think they cut the time in half between 1st and 2nd gen machines, so if they can do that again, it might actually be tolerable.

Oh yeah I forgot about that one. Guess I am going to need a new TV.

Here's the pic of the A35 pulled from AVS:

Anybody know how much OLED displays run these days? That player would look fantastic if it weren't for the ghosted digits. I'd guess an extra $50-100 per player? Obviously not needed, especially on the low end, but asthetically I think it would look better.

Glad to see the price trend moving down so quickly on these, but I'm still holding out for a dual format player.

I doubt the unit will actually show like that. I would be willing to bet it's just the ad showing what it "can" display.

I'm more curious what the remote looks like.

So...this player supports Deep Color, but...from what I've read the actual discs themselves don't support it. Unless I'm missing something, that's just a marketing thing that we won't be able to see with either format.

However, if the A35 proves not to have the hiccups the A2 line had, I may grab it to replace my A1, especially since I just bought the Onkyo 605 and can take advantage of the HDMI features.