Toshiba HD-A2 and Region Encoding

[jspacemunkey]

Hello folks,

Hope I'm putting this in the right place. Here's the situation:

I just purchased a Pioneer plasma TV (model PDP-4271HD) and I'm enamored with it. It's not perfect (no 1080p, but the player I'm looking at can't ouput 1080p), but after fine-tuning the picture quality with Digital Video Essentials I'm quite pleased. Anyway, I'm considering the purchase of a high-def player for this new TV.

I've read that HD-DVD players do not include any form of region encoding. If this is true, does it mean that there's no region encoding for HD-DVDs only, or are HD-DVD players also region-free for standard DVD? (I assume the former, but it can't hurt to ask.) Assuming that it's not region-free for standard DVD, is there a way to make the player region-free in that respect? Finally, can anyone comment on the reliability of the Toshiba HD-A2 in particular? There seems to be little information under the listing for this player, so forgive me if I've missed something.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

[Krispy Kritter]

The regions have changed for HD-DVD, but they are still present. As for the A2, I've read that this player is region free for SD discs.

[jspacemunkey]

Thanks. I must've been looking at some severely out-dated articles. Now, I'm not up on my acronyms. By "SD" do you mean standard definition? If so, that's fantastic. I could potentially retire my current region-free DVD player.

[Krispy Kritter]

Yes, SD is Standard Definition.

I was looking to find the information that I read previously concerning region coding, but I can't seem to find it at the moment. However, like you I have found plenty of other conflicting information.

What I have been able to verify at the moment, is that although there are HD regions, they don't appear to currently be enforced.

They do appear to be enforcing SD regions.

So what we really need is an A2 owner to confirm what does/doesn't work.

[garfinkel]

I just purchased the HD-A2 from Amazon.com on May 17th, 2007. It is a great player that also makes even SDs look and sound improved over my older, non-high def, Toshiba SD-4900.

Needless to say, HD discs look stunning.

The bad news? I tested Region 2 & 3 discs in the HD-A2, and it gives me a Region Error. I guess I will be keeping my SD-4900 after all. The box the HD-A2 comes in clearly states "This DVD player is manufactured for playback of REGION 1."

I still highly recommend the unit. And starting on May 20th thru June 9, Toshiba is offering a $100 rebate! That brings the Amazon cost down to $210. Hard to beat.

Plus, Toshiba is giving away 5 free HD movies with rebate.

After for the 1080i vs 1080p issue, if your HDTV is less than 60" you will barely (if ever) notice the difference. I've seen them side-by-side on the same 50" HDTVs, and neither myself nor my friend could detect any difference.

[donzelli]

Hi Garfinkel

could you please tell me the web site where I could find the Toshiba rebate?
I was looking around but I could not find it.

thanks

[Krispy Kritter]

Last I heard, it was an in-store instant rebate at Best Buy. Considering that they still list the player at $399, it is cheaper to just get it at Amazon ($267 as of this morning).

[donzelli]

Thanks a lot Krispy!

[lander]

Hi,
I did try to change the region code for the Toshiba SD4900 as indicated, running the kpjc19_1.dvd file, but as soon as I try to insert a dvd region 2, it still seems to not have changed the region. Am I missing some step?
lander

[Krispy Kritter]

Read the forum rules. Start your own thread and do not threadjack someone elses post OR dig up old posts. You broke two rules in a single post.

[jman98]

lander's thread also has absolutely nothing to do with HD DVD players, which was what the original post was about.

lander - Some DVD players can't be unlocked or have their region changed. Hacks that worked in the past may not work due to hardware changes by the manufacturer. Maybe someone who knows something about your player will see this - if you are lucky. But since you decided to hijack an unrelated post, it's not likely. Few people care about HD DVD any more so people who might know if you can still change the region on your player aren't likely to read this thread.