kefrank

this is debatable (like anything else i suppose). some at AVS have reported issues with the downconverted DTS that are not present in the downconverted DD.

orion1998_1

this for any a3 sold anywhere?
my HTR donesnt have hdmi is it really better?

i've been waiting to get a next gen i'm siding with hddvd, i feel a3 at sears.com is best deal so far on BF is this best plan?

bookcase3

Did you get the two free HD-DVDs they're offering with any Toshiba purchase, or is that available only online?

UPDATE: I called BB and spoke to someone who said they could honor the "Get 2 HD-DVDs immediately with any Toshiba HD player" I found online if I printed the page and brought it in. So I'm going to take in the CC price and try to price match it and get the two movies -- with the high price of movies, I've come to realize this is a better deal than the 10% I saved from CC using an AAA coupon. I'll undoubtedly run into some problems, but it's worth a shot.

aktick

For $170 for an A3, would you recommend it over an A2 at $198? From my limited reading, it appears the A2 might do a little bit better job with non-HDMI audio than the A3?

jonw9

I am a bit confused by all of the models, A2, A3, A20, A30, A35.

I have a 1080P TV with HDMI input, and an older (DD/DTS) receiver with 5.1 analog inputs and no HDMI.

I think the 1080p means I should look at the A20 or A30 models. I think the de-interlacer is a bit weak on my set, which is why I feed it 720p and let it scale.

I think it is the A30 that has analog audio out, which will allow me to use true HD sound, or will I still need a new receiver.

JayDerek

the A35 i believe is the only 3rd gen model w/ analog outs

PerryD

The problem with the $170 price is that we don't know what the availability will be. If you can easily walk into a Sears store at, say, 9am, and buy one, then the A3 price is probably better since it comes with 300 and Bourne Identity in the box, along with qualifying for the same 5 free deal.

As far as audio, 640kbps Dolby Digital is nearly equivalent to 1.5kbps DTS. This issue has been debated for years with DVD audio, and the argument has never been made that DTS is noticably better than DD.

Mr. Cinema

If I had to choose, I think I'd rather have the A2. I like the boxy looks of it over the glossy A3. Plus, it does convert DD+ tracks to DTS at 1.5 mbps, compared to the A3, which converts it at Dolby Digital at 640 kbps. I believe the A2 is the last model to do this, same as the A1 and XA1. And from what I've read on AVS, the reason for this is Dolby got pissed at Toshiba because their players were taking a "Dolby" encode and reproducing it as "DTS" audio. So that explanation makes perfect sense to me.

aktick

Thanks guys...my plan, if the consensus was the A3 would be better than the A2, was to buy the A3 at Sears now, and return it and re-buy it on Black Friday (go in later in the morning, once the crowds died down some).

Well, I stopped at Sears, and they didn't have any A3s in stock, but had a few A2s. So in need of some instant gratification (I've got Sopranos, Heroes, Transformers, and 300 sitting on my shelf, but no player to play them in), I got them to price match Circuit City's website. Sears had them for $280, so I got it for $198-10% of the difference, so it was like $200.XX out the door after tax. Maybe I could've done better if I waited a while (and I would've saved a couple bucks at Amazon), but I think it was still a good deal.

kevin75

i went ahead today and picked up the A2 from amazon. this will look good in a couple of weeks on my new huge screen.

bookcase3

I tried, but failed. In fact, the customer service woman turned NASTY when I presented the offer and told her what they told me when I called earlier. She stopped just short of calling me a thief and I had barely uttered a word. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm proud to have bought it at Circuit City.

On a happier note, I purchased my very first HD-DVD (not at BB): Batman Begins. I hear good things...

Gizmo

Oh my...

Now screw Wal-Mart. Best Buy has the A2 for $179.99!
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1158323325814

aktick

Nice, but the problem is it's sold out online, and only available in stores. No store within 200 miles of me has it in stock. Probably just lowered it to that in store to get rid of the few they do have left. It might be worth trying to price match it though.

Gizmo

If they have less then 3 units, it will show up as "Sold Out" online. Most Best Buys carry less then 3 of the A2s.

Edit:
Showing "Sold Out" at my local BB that I was at yesterday...there were 2 on the shelf and one open box for $249.99

aktick

Oh really? Good to know. Maybe I'll swing by later. Plus, you should still get the 2 free HD-DVDs of our choice.

flashburn

Really? Is that still working with Box Sets?

orion1998_1

if i for sure knew i could get one at sears on BF is that the better deal? my HTR does not have hdmi or is best buy better on the a2 with 2 free movies? at 179.99

aktick

No, just any 2 $34.99 and under...although they may take $34.99 off box sets, since that's what they did w/the 360 HD DVD player once they fixed it. BB.com says that the A2 is only available in select stores, but also says it's included in the deal - "Buy ANY Toshiba HD DVD player." http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olspage...&type=category

So I'd sure hope they'd honor it, even at this lower price.

Sweet Baby James

Posters over at avsforum have reported that Sears will price match the A3 on BF. You can buy it now for $299.99 and take your receipt to the store from 5 am to 12 noon on BF and they will refund the difference.

bookcase3

Thanks to the OP who posted the new BB price. I tried to get them to price match the CC price last night and honor the two HD-DVDs free, but they refused. It actually worked out better: I went to my local BB today, got the lower price, AND the 2 free movies (it came up automatically -- they didn't have to price adjust the free movies, nor the new lower price). For $19.99, I went ahead and got the 2-year warranty -- $20 seems low risk for a relatively new product. Plus, using my BB Rewards Mastercard, I should get another $10 or so in rewards certificates.

dullboy

This happened to me last night at my local Walmart. They said they couldn't override it, and that the sale date is November 3rd. I told them they better take down the damn display, then.

Kocheese99

Rumor

Apparently Wal-mart is doing some pre Black friday stuff on this Friday. Some secret in store specials, they've posted one of the 5 items on their website with the rest being listed Thursday.

Now that's all fact. But the Rumor is that the A2 will be listed on here. And that it will be sold for $99. The rumor also goes on to say that some HD-DVD's will be $14.99.

Take this as a grain a salt, but we'll now for sure shortly.

Bill Geiger

If this is in fact true, I will rebuy the A2 (sold one previously.) For $99, it is a steal, again, if true.

BUT, as I said previously, none of the Walmart near me have any HD's, let alone HD players. Again, they might just be waiting for Nov 3.

Mopower

My Wal-Mart just started selling HD-DVD's and Blu-Rays last week on an end cap. No players though. But they do have some HD-DVD's for $18.96.

Joeboo835

If that rumor is true, will Amazon price match that? I just bought one there for $197