Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player Review
We reported on Toshiba's entry level gen 2 system yesterday and today we have a review of their pro-line. The huge leap ahead here is that the XA2 is able to output 1080p and much quicker load times. On the audio side of things, the new player supports HDMI 1.3 which passes the new audio CODECS to a AVR or you can use the multi-channel analogs.
From the review:
On the audio side, the XA2 employs a high-performance
SHARC DSP offering 192 kHz/24-bit DAC audio processing, enabling it to
reproduce superior multi-channel sound. The HD-XA2 also plays back CDs,
CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-Video, and DVD-R. These signals can be passed thorough
HDMI, TosLink optical and/or digital coax digital outputs, and 5.1
analog outputs. All standard Dolby Digital and DTS signals can be
passed via TosLink optical and/or digital coax digital outputs.
SHARC DSP offering 192 kHz/24-bit DAC audio processing, enabling it to
reproduce superior multi-channel sound. The HD-XA2 also plays back CDs,
CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-Video, and DVD-R. These signals can be passed thorough
HDMI, TosLink optical and/or digital coax digital outputs, and 5.1
analog outputs. All standard Dolby Digital and DTS signals can be
passed via TosLink optical and/or digital coax digital outputs.
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As previously stated, to obtain the best possible aural and visual signals, HDMI must be
employed. Standard-definition DVDs will be upconverted to near-HD
quality via HDMI only. HDMI 1.3 also passes Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital
Plus, and DTS-HD. In addition to all the standard features found on any
DVD players, Toshiba's HD-XA2 adds an Ethernet connector. If the
Ethernet port is enabled, you will be able to access additional content
or firmware upgrades via the web.
employed. Standard-definition DVDs will be upconverted to near-HD
quality via HDMI only. HDMI 1.3 also passes Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital
Plus, and DTS-HD. In addition to all the standard features found on any
DVD players, Toshiba's HD-XA2 adds an Ethernet connector. If the
Ethernet port is enabled, you will be able to access additional content
or firmware upgrades via the web.