HD-A2 or HD-A3?

Just wanted to ask those who have experienced both of these machines ... which one is better?

Just wanted to ask those who have experienced both of these machines ... which one is better?
I have both..the A-3 is a little better with loading. No PQ difference.

I have the A20 and A30, the 2nd generation appears and feels like it is better built to me so my guess without owning either is the A2 is to be preferred.

Chris

The HD-A2 defaults to DTS audio while the HD-A3 defaults to Dolby Digital, to some that's an important point (me included) I prefer the A2:2cents

Actually from all of the reviews, the A2 has better video processing then the A3.

As far as HD DVDs go the A2 and A3 are virtually identical, but the A2 has a much better SD DVD upscaling chip than the A3. So if you have a lot of SD DVDs I'd go with the A2 for that very reason.

thanks for all the info! I have an A2 already but picked up an A3 today for $25! and the thing is like brand new. So I am trying to decide, throw it up in the bedroom and leave the A2 in my main system ... or switch .. if the A3 was better. Until I get my new reciever, sound is not a big issue, so maybe I will switch for now and switch back when I get it.

As was said, I think the A2 is better than the A3. One thing is when you get a receiver, the A2 converts DtHD to DTS@ 1.5mbps over optical, so you get far better sound with this compared to having it scale down to only standard DD @640kbps.

I like the 2G players better than the 3G players because they seem to have better build quality and a better upscaling chip in them.

I am glad, because I like the look and feel of the A2 much better :)

Do these things have a habit of freezing up once in a while? My A2 froze once after a web update, I had to unplug it and plug it back in again to un-freeze it. I just hooked up the A3, I turned it on and walked away, so it may have done an update too, not sure, but it just froze as well, exactly like the A2 did. My A2 has only done that once so far though. Anyone else have this?

Do these things have a habit of freezing up once in a while? My A2 froze once after a web update, I had to unplug it and plug it back in again to un-freeze it. I just hooked up the A3, I turned it on and walked away, so it may have done an update too, not sure, but it just froze as well, exactly like the A2 did. My A2 has only done that once so far though. Anyone else have this?

I never have had an issue like that with either of my A2s. I did have trouble playing the HD sidef of I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (combo disc) because my FW was not updated, but once I updated the FW I never had a problem. I have both of my A2s at 2.8 FW and I will probably leave them right there.

so it could just be what I am playing causing it if the firmware does not like it. Both players froze on Hero's ... so far, have not froze on anything else.
I guess I should learn more about the firmware updates ... I just let them do it auto and I dont even know how to check which one it is running.

so it could just be what I am playing causing it if the firmware does not like it. Both players froze on Hero's ... so far, have not froze on anything else.
I guess I should learn more about the firmware updates ... I just let them do it auto and I dont even know how to check which one it is running.
I'm not sure how you are updating automatically, it's something I did'nt if you could or not...I have the A-2 and A-3 and I've only updated the A-2..I do want to update the A-3 until it gives me problems...but I've had it about 4 mos. and it runs like a champ...the only time I ever update any electronics is when they are a problem..otherwise I leave well enough alone...On neither player have I had any freeze ups nor crashes.....so what you said about reading what the update is about is a wise thing to do before you update, if it has an update for the problem you're experiencing, then I believe an update should be had....if the problem is not in the update I would contact Toshiba....all in all the two players enable you to watch HD DVD's that's all that matters. Good Luck.:hithere:

Thanks :) ... and what i mean by auto is that I have ethernet plugged into them, once in a while when I turn them on, it just says "WEB UPDATE" across the screen ... I am guessing that is when an update is released. The players do this on thier own. Then when it is done it just goes to the normal screen

Thanks :) ... and what i mean by auto is that I have ethernet plugged into them, once in a while when I turn them on, it just says "WEB UPDATE" across the screen ... I am guessing that is when an update is released. The players do this on thier own. Then when it is done it just goes to the normal screen

As far as I know 4.0 was the last update and it was for the generation 3 players (A3, A30, & A35).

Thanks, well I know the A-3 I just got has not been used for a while, so if it is like my A2 it probably updated itself and froze the first time putting in a disc just after .... hopefully they wont freeze anymore.

ALWAYS ALWAYS make sure there is no disc in the players when doing a web update on these players.

I remember back with the A1, that i noticed a pattern that people had issues with updates when they had a disc in the players while doing the Ethernet update and at another troubleshooting site/forum I had noted this. I also contacted Toshiba eventually and they ended up adding this as part of the instructions to updating over Ethernet with all the models now. ;)

hmm thanks for letting me know as I usually leave discs inside, and when I turn on the machines they update automatically. I think for now I will just disconnect the ethernet cable and only connect it if I need to do an update. Thanks for all the info!

I have an opportunity to pick up an A2 and have a question. Does it do 1080p? I think the A3 that I have, only does 1080i.

I have an opportunity to pick up an A2 and have a question. Does it do 1080p? I think the A3 that I have, only does 1080i.

It does 1080i only.

I have an opportunity to pick up an A2 and have a question. Does it do 1080p? I think the A3 that I have, only does 1080i.

No, 1080i output, same as the HD-A1 and HD-A3. My recommendation is to grab a 1080p player, the firmware 4.0 update got those players working really well. I have the HD-A20 and HD-A30 and can recommend either but the HD-A20 appears to be the better player in terms of build quality. Of course the HD-A35, HD-XA2 and Onkyo DV-HD805 are even better but more expensive.

Chris

I have an opportunity to pick up an A2 and have a question. Does it do 1080p? I think the A3 that I have, only does 1080i.

Also, I noticed you are in Belleville. I am selling an A2, A3 and 29 HD DVDs inlcuding planet earth collection. If you are interested I am close by, just msg me.

Thanks

any one know about about the HD-D3 is it the same as HD-A3

any one know about about the HD-D3 is it the same as HD-A3

If I am not mistaken, the D3 is 1080p and that is the only difference.

If I am not mistaken, the D3 is 1080p and that is the only difference.The D3 is only 1080i. It just has a similar build to the Ventura player that Walmart sold, near the end.

any one know about about the HD-D3 is it the same as HD-A3

As far as I know, identical as far as player, the package and accessories might be slightly different.

Chris

As far as I know, identical as far as player, the package and accessories might be slightly different.

ChrisThanks for the reply I bought an A-20 instead paid 60.00 its like new Ill use for standard dvd and HD in my bedroom Have A-35 in livingroom and put my original A-30 back in box for future use...

This is a stupid question and off topic to this thread, but I have not had my A2 for very long. When I turn off the power to the unit, should there be a red standby light on? For some reason I have not really noticed it until last night for some reason. Just curious if this is normal since I recently upgraded the firmware to 4.0.

This is a stupid question and off topic to this thread, but I have not had my A2 for very long. When I turn off the power to the unit, should there be a red standby light on? For some reason I have not really noticed it until last night for some reason. Just curious if this is normal since I recently upgraded the firmware to 4.0.

Yeap.. Red for standby and blue for on.. That is normal.

Ok thanks. I figured it was normal.

Just wanted to throw this out there for feedback I have older DLP hence no HDMI my A-20 plays fine thru components but I thought it could be cool to see what the pq would be with HDMI to DVI but when hooked this way TV says no available signal Whats up am I missing something here...I tried my A-30 and get same message.

It's a HDCP issue. The HD DVD player is compliant but the DVI input on the TV is not. In any case you will get just as good of a picture over component.

It's a HDCP issue. The HD DVD player is compliant but the DVI input on the TV is not. In any case you will get just as good of a picture over component.
Thanks for the reply.