HD DVD player recommendation

[tommcd64]

I am looking to get an entry level HD DVD player which means one that is on the cheaper end of the spectrum. I will be using it to view some hd dvd's and to do some testing so I don't need anything fancy. I do need it to be able to play standard avi as well as upconvert standard dvd's. Any recommendations?

[MOVIEGEEK]

Well no HD player supports raw avi's or MPEG files at the moment but a good entry level player is the Sony PS3(Blu Ray) or the MS XBox 360(HD DVD).The cheapest option is the Toshiba A2/A3 HD DVD player but I recommend the A20/A30 because it has a better upscaler.

[gshelley61]

I don't think any of them play AVI files. All HD DVD players upconvert standard DVD's.

The entry level units are the Toshiba HD-A1 (1st generation), the Toshiba HD-A2 (2nd generation) and the Toshiba HD-A3 (3rd generation).

Target has a Venturer HD DVD player, but it costs only a little less than the HD-A2 or HD-A3 at this time.

I have an HD-A2 and it is excellent, a great deal for the money. The A3 is basically a newer version of the A2.

I also have an HD-A20. It has better standard DVD upconversion quality, plus can do 1080p/24 native output.

[tommcd64]

I guess what I meant by avi was divx/xvid support. Do any of the hd players support this playback?

[Krispy Kritter]

Not at this time.

If you want Divx support, you will need a 2nd player.

[MOVIEGEEK]

I guess what I meant by avi was divx/xvid support. Do any of the hd players support this playback?

Get yourself a Philips or Oppo player.

[jman98]

There are ZERO HD-DVD players that play anything except HD-DVD, DVD and CD audio. No VCD support. No SVCD support. No Divx support. No file play support. A few might maybe play MP3 - not sure. I know that none of them will play VCD, SVCD, Divx and raw MPEG/VOBs.

The cheapest HD-DVD player only has 1080i video output at this time. If you want 1080p output, you will pay for it. I don't think anything that costs under $400 at this time supports 1080p.

[pepegot1]

Stick with Standard DVD for now. Wait until the HD domain developes.

[gshelley61]

I've got three players and a three port HDMI switcher. A Toshiba HD-A20, a Samsung BD-P1200 and an Oppo DV-980H. So, I'm totally covered for virtually any type of disc, even for high resolution SACD and DVD-Audio.

The HD-A20 is a $219 refurb, the BD-P1200 was new but a really great eBay deal, and the Oppo was purchased new from them. With the HDMI switcher and cables I've got about $800 into the three player setup.

I mostly rent HD DVD and Blu-ray discs from Netflix. Haven't bought a standard definition DVD in months. Barely watch SD DVD anymore, except for my kids' videos.

BTW, I started out small with a used (and very cheap) HD-A1. Once I got a close look at high def discs on my display, there was no turning back! I had to go format neutral.

[Krispy Kritter]

I've got three players and a three port HDMI switcher. A Toshiba HD-A20, a Samsung BD-P1200 and an Oppo DV-980H. So, I'm totally covered for virtually any type of disc, even for high resolution SACD and DVD-Audio.

The HD-A20 is a $219 refurb, the BD-P1200 was new but a really great eBay deal, and the Oppo was purchased new from them. With the HDMI switcher and cables I've got about $800 into the three player setup.

I mostly rent HD DVD and Blu-ray discs from Netflix. Haven't bought a standard definition DVD in months. Barely watch SD DVD anymore, except for my kids' videos.

BTW, I started out small with a used (and very cheap) HD-A1. Once I got a close look at high def discs on my display, there was no turning back! I had to go format neutral.

That's all any home theater lover can do at this point is get multiple players. If you are serious about HD home theater you need an HD-DVD and a Blu-Ray player. Plus there are many of us here that also want/need Divx support, so that is a third player.