

The HD-XA2, Toshiba’s latest 2nd generation HD DVD high definition disc player, incorporates a number of “firsts†and offers improved performance compared to Toshiba’s previous top player, the HD-AX1. Among the improvements are faster loading time, better upconversion of standard definition sources and 1080p output availability.
The HD-XA2 is more compact and lighter than its predecessor, with a height of just 2.93,†a depth of 13.54″ and weighing in at 13.64 lbs, compared to the older HD-XA1’s 4.53†height and whopping 19.58 pound weight.
While the first generation Toshiba players were little more than “specific-use†PCs, this 2nd generation player utilizes dedicated HD DVD circuitry, resulting in much faster operation. Slow start up was a major complaint of both buyers and reviewers.
The new player’s startup time from power “off†to “on†and “booted up†has been reduced to a tolerable 35 seconds. It takes just 22 additional seconds to load and begin playing an HD DVD disc. If you leave a disc in the player and shut it off, powering back up and playing the HD DVD disc will commence in 45 seconds.
The HD-XA2’s biggest improvement compared to 1st generation HD DVD players as well as competing Blu-ray units is its signal processing abilities, converting native 480i content to enhanced or high definition output (480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p).
While for some reason it’s not mentioned in the literature, on the box or in the owner’s manual, the Silicon Optix Hollywood Quality Video (HQV) Reon scaler/processor chip handles all upconversion and deinterlacing duties in the new player. HQV is widely regarded by many reviewers and manufacturers as one of the best signal processors available.
Previously, the HQV chip has only been included within select HDTVs, external signal processor boxes and the highly rated Denon standard definition (SD) DVD players priced from $849 and up.
Priced at only $999 retail, or $150 more than Denon’s least expensive standard definition DVD player, this Toshiba plays DVDs, HD DVDs and audio CDs, adds Ethernet connectivity (used for firmware updates and additional content), Dolby True HD and DTS HD (lossless audio codexes) . It also includes front mounted “Extension†ports for future options such as game controllers and additional memory (to augment the 256MB built into the player).
The HD-XA2’s backlit remote control, similar to the one supplied with the first generation Toshiba HD-XA1, adds a picture control button function that accesses user controls within the player, such as color, brightness and tint as well as edge and color enhancement. In addition, three types of noise reduction (NR) circuits can be activated, including Mosquito NR ( a compression artifact that produces wispiness around objects), Block NR (another compression artifact found in fast moving images), and Random NR.
I put the HD-XA2 through a series of tests (once I’d familiarized myself with the user controls) using Pioneer’s FHD-1 1920X1080p 50-inch plasma monitor set to “Pure†picture mode. Selecting the Dot-by-Dot aspect ratio bypasses Pioneer’s internal scaler and provides a straight feed from the Toshiba HD DVD player to the monitor.
The evaluations utilized the HD-XA2’s 1080p/60hz output, though its 1080i output was also briefly sampled and evaluated. The Pioneer monitor properly de-interlaces 1080i sources to1080 progressive, providing similar images in either mode.
The HD-XA2’s ability to upconvert standard DVDs was nothing short of spectacular. With the player’s noise reduction circuits engaged, standard definition DVDs looked noticeably smoother, cleaner and more HD DVD-like, thanks to the significant reduction or elimination (depending on the disc) of compression artifacts, though of course they lacked the greater detail delivered by the HD DVD version of the same material.
The Silicon Optix HQV Benchmark test DVD confirmed these findings. As expected, the Toshiba aced all the jaggies, flag and detail tests. Pioneer’s Blu-ray player did not fare as well. For example, the Toshiba player received a perfect 10 score on the color bar test, with no flickering observed, while Pioneer’s HD-BP1 Blu-ray player, set at 1080p output failed this test, producing an image that flickered, and failed the jaggy tests as well.
The HD-XA2’s mosquito noise reduction and edge enhancement circuits, available only when playing standard definition DVDs, worked effectively when put to the test using the HQV Benchmark disc.
Among the new HD DVD titles viewed were “Babel,†“Beerfest†and “Hollywoodland.†Babel, viewed in SD, HD DVD and Blu-ray, produced superb image quality in all three formats, thanks to a high quality transfer.
Digital artifact-free and clean and super sharp in both HD DVD and Blu-ray versions, it was too close to choose a “Babel†winner (using the Pioneer BD-HD1). Both looked fantastic using their respective players. As previously reported, the Pioneer BDP-HD1 performs beautifully with Blu-ray discs.
Only one glitch to report with the HD-XA2: switching inputs on the Pioneer plasma set while watching the HD-XA2, caused the player to stop and restart at the beginning of the disc. This was quite annoying. I asked a Toshiba product manager about a fix and he said he would get back to me. This review will be updated as information becomes available.
The HD-XA2 is marvelous machine. The high definition images it produces, coupled with its 1080p output ability place it on the same performance level as the best Blu-ray machines. The HD-XA2’s standard definition DVD upconversion quality, place its standard definition disc performance ahead of all other high definition players tested to date.
If you plan to use both types of discs (SD DVDs and HD DVDs) in one machine with a large screen HDTV display, the Toshiba HD-XA2 is very fine choice.
The HD Guru awards the Toshiba HD-XA2 its top ♥♥♥♥ rating.
Copyright 2007 hdguru(sm) all rights reserved.

Greg Tarr
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I am using Hard disk low level format, and receiving error “Format error occured at offset” on Seagate Momentus 40GB laptop disk.
When I play an SD dvd in the XA2 at my calibrated 0db on my Lexicon, I get significantly louder audio than with the HD version of the same movie. Any idea what’s up?
I have the Panasonic TH-50PZ750U and am now looking for a good HD DVD player to match. Your previous posts recommended the Toshiba HD-XA2 for an HD DVD player and the Samsung 1200 for Blue-Ray. Given any recent products, would you recommend another HD DVD player now over the Toshiba XA2 for an HD DVD player?
what is the difference between 1080i and 1080p, im a little confuse about this?….i have a toshiba regza 1080i…..
I bought this model based on HD Guru’s comment that it could upconvert over the component cable. This turns out to be wrong. After talking with Toshiba customer support, they explained that upconversion is only possible over an HDMI connection. I am disappointed that this information by HD Guru was misleading.
Hey Gerald Goldberger, you better check out the bit about component video and upconversion. It is the security of the HDMI standard that allows the upconversion. No where is there anything about getting upconversion using nonHDMI cable and standard. Mitsubishi/Toshiba and others have agreed upon this standard to stop HD recording. HDMI security stops this.
I have an older Mitsubishi WS-55807 display which does not have an HDMI input port. Will the upconvert on the HD-XA2 work with the component cables [DTV(YPrPb/GRBHV)480i/480p/1080i] high resolution input or the S-video cable on the display?
Thanks
Yes up to 1080i via component video. It will produce a terrific picture. This (1080i) is the highest frequency your display accepts.ÂÂ
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I have experienced the same issue of “the player stops and restarts when you switch video inputs”
I worked around this problem by setting the output of the player to 1080i vs. 1080P.
Not the best solution, but it has isolated the problem to 1080P output.
“The Toshiba plays HD DVD, DVD and CD, not Blu-ray. There is a new LG unit that will play both HD formats. I plan a review soon, probably next week.
The HD Guru”
I’m looking forward to your review of the LG dual unit.
I heard that it does a good job with Blu-ray, but a pretty bad job with HDDVD.
That would be very clever and evil of the Blu-ray team to intentionally sabotage the performance of HDDVD and have owners and reviewers of this LG box convinced that Blu-ray was better.
The comment “Priced at only $999 retail, or $150 more than Denon’s least expensive standard definition DVD player” is incorrect or there are constraints you did not mention the following Denon standard definition DVD players are MSRP
The Denon and Toshibia prices are manufacturer’s suggested retail.ÂÂ
The HD GuruÂÂ
I have both the pioneer BD-HD1 and the Toshiba HD-XA2. Both have extraordinary video. I have lipsync issues with the Toshiba but not the Pioneer. There are also volume issues using the built in test tones and issues with the subwoffer channel on the Toshiba. Is this just my unit?
Hard to say.  I suggest you contact Toshiba customer service and provide them all the relevent information. Some audoi systems have variable delay for sync issues.
The HD GuruÂÂ
So am I to understand that with the Toshiba HD-XA2 we now have one player to play both HD formats? HD-DVD and Blu-ray?
The Toshiba plays HD DVD, DVD and CD, not Blu-ray. There is a new LG unit that will play both HD formats. I plan a review soon, probably next week.
The HD GuruÂÂ
not bad. Got some knowledge and info on DVD. Nice post!
Correct me if I’m wrong, but… There’s no such thing as 1080i/30. It’s 1080i/60, which depending on the source material de-interlaces to either 1080p/24 (film source) or 1080p/30 (video source). 1080p/30 could then be played easily enough at 60Hz, although it wouldn’t have 60 discrete frames in a second.
I have seen it wriiten both ways. I prefer 1080i/30 because it is the number of frames every second, and writing it this way is consistant with always expressing frames after the / .
The HD GuruÂÂ
You should review the 1080p upconverting Oppo Digital DV-981. I’d be interested in your opinion on how it’s 1080p upconversion compared to the Toshiba HD-XA2’s.
Great review HDGuru, this is one I was highly anticipating. Now if would you only review the Mitsubishi LT-46131 I would be estatic. It’s all the buzz on avsfofum.com
Great review HDGuru, this is one I was highly anticipating. Now if would you only review the Mitsubishi LT-46131 I would be estatic.
The reason the player stops and restarts when you switch video inputs is because you are probably using HDMI with its HDCP. This has happened with my A1 a couple of times.
It shouldn’t happen regardless of HDCP, it is a design or firmware error that needs to be corrected. It does not occur with any of the Blu-ray players I have tested and they all have HDCP.
The HD GuruÂÂ
Is this model the same as the Toshiba HD-D2?
If not, how are they different?
No. The HD-D2 is a derivitive (meaning same chassis different cosmentics) of the lower end HD-A2 . A2 and Dw lack a number of features including the Silicon Optix HQV processsing and 1080p output.
The HD GuruÂÂ
Can you tell the difference between the 1080p/24 capable Pioneer blue-ray to FHD1 panel combination vs. the Toshiba to fhd1 (1080p/60); namely did you see judder?
The Pioneer FHD-1 uniquely has the ability (for a 1080p plasma) to display at 72Hz but not with 1080p/60 sources. It will with 1080i/30 and 1080p/24fps. Toshiba says they are working on a firmware update to add 1080p/24 output option on the HD-XA2
The HD GuruÂÂ