NON-SRT DVD Player from Toshiba coming NEXT WEEK for $149!!!!

vikingfan · 09-13-2008, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobY

Overall, it would make a great $99 upscaling DVD player.

Still too much for J6P. He'll be sticking to these:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=10050628

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=8113191

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=6486442

bmore · 09-13-2008, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

OK. So where is the BUY button on this page?

From what I see on that page you cannot actually BUY IT from Toshiba online even right now so HOW could they buy it for weeks?

Ah, I see there is not a buy button. But I tell you what...since Canada uses the same power system as the US, well, heck, they could have bought from:

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-XD-E50...1370394&sr=8-1

Couldn't they? I mean, if they really, really wanted one, the means were there, no???

PFC5 · 09-14-2008, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmore

Ah, I see there is not a buy button. But I tell you what...since Canada uses the same power system as the US, well, heck, they could have bought from:

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-XD-E50...1370394&sr=8-1

Couldn't they? I mean, if they really, really wanted one, the means were there, no???

Since this player has had mixed reviews, I think most people would want to buy locally for the easier return if it isn't what they hoped for. But to be fair most bad reviews have been BD zealots, which are not to be confused with BD fans.

I am a BD fan, but I don't feel threatened by this player (like some are) nor is it likely a reason BD might die. I think BD might not be as successful as it could be because of the studios. We are making progress because the CEs are stepping up to the plate with prices, but the studios are not budging.

It really is a shame when people come to forums to get info and still get people taking a position on a SD DVD player based on where they stood in the HDM format war that is over.

I think the player looks interesting, but I am swamped with work and cannot even look at it to see what it looks like. Right now I am working until 3am many nights, but to be honest I likely would not buy this as I like what the A20 does for upscaling and i also have a PS3 that does a little lower quality upscaling compared to the A20 as a backup.

My next disc playing device will be a profile 2.0 BD player that has all the decoders in it and are very fast loading, and not a SD player. I have about ONE year to replace the PS3 with such a player.

Super XP · 09-14-2008, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatt

Do you have anything to show this? Once again, the images you posted have absolutely nothing to do with XDE. I've examined most of the XDE comparison images and have yet to see any with a great deal of difference.

OK then, take some pics of the displayed images of your A35 and XDE player and post the results.

I have yet to see someone post side by side images of an upscaler and the XDE where the results have been very dramatic(other than the color enhancement that looks terrible on the XDE IMO). "If you look real hard" means little to me.

How can I when the XDE is still not available here in Canada? The Sharp is the key feature which makes the XDE stand out from other up-scalers according to personal reviews by people that purchased the XDE.

hatt · 09-14-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super XP

How can I when the XDE is still not available here in Canada? The Sharp is the key feature which makes the XDE stand out from other up-scalers according to personal reviews by people that purchased the XDE.

Oh, so you are saying that you really don't know if the XDE is any better than your A35. You should have said that first instead of:

Quote:

Even my A35 being the best up-scaler I have does not produce such great PQ

Super XP · 09-14-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmore

Ah, I see there is not a buy button. But I tell you what...since Canada uses the same power system as the US, well, heck, they could have bought from:

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-XD-E50...1370394&sr=8-1

Couldn't they? I mean, if they really, really wanted one, the means were there, no???

Canadian's cannot order Electronics or any other physical item from Amazon.com because Amazon.com does not ship them to Canada only USA. And Amazon.ca does not offer anything but DVD's & Books.

The only things Canadians can order off Amazon.com is books and movies unless you have a USA home address. This is why Canadians cannot buy the XDE just yet because its not available just yet.

Also Canadian stores like Wal-Mart, Best Buy & Future Shop are doing a Wonderful JOB promoting Blu-Ray players and movies into the GROUND!!!! That is right, they are not selling at all, they've got BD movie stocked up and don't plan on updating there stock due to Extremely HIGH PRICES!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatt

Oh, so you are saying that you really don't know if the XDE is any better than your A35. You should have said that first instead of:

Yes that is correct, according to many people that have already compared the A35, XA2, A3, A2, A20, A30 and several Blu-Ray players including regular up-converting DVD players along with up-scalers that cost a lot more than the XDE, its plastered all over the internet with personal reviews. Many like the XDE improvement and some do not.

MikeRox · 09-14-2008, 12:23 PM

The people I know who have used an XDE say it's a disappointment and that you might as well stick to existing upscalers.

It's a shame really, as I really want something to handle my low bitrate TV series better on HD displays.

Super XP · 09-14-2008, 01:30 PM

Engadget HD is Positive about XDE!
Eyes-on Toshiba's new XD-E500 upconverting DVD player
by Paul Miller, posted Aug 19th 2008 at 2:44PM
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/19...ng-dvd-player/

XDE is getting a lot of positive feedback. This is one review out of many more!!!!

Quote:

Um, not quite...
by Slikkster - 21/08/08 3:06 AM
In reply to: Engadget HD thinks its an overpriced dud by minimalist
Looks like you missed Engadget's follow up article:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/19...ng-dvd-player/

And now, here's the first actual hands-on review from a hobbyist who runs an HD Yahoo Groups forum (he's named Bill Cortner). You will see he has an absolutely positive review of this machine, while admitting it's no Blu-Ray Killer in the process. But he says it totally blows away any upconverter he's seen, including the Oppo. His comments:

"Well my Toshiba SuperUpConverter, re-named "XDE" came in yesterday [Fedex Next-Day], and needless to say, I wasted no time getting into some very extensive evaluations.

HARDWARE USED:
Sony KDL-46XBR5, 1080P, 120hz, 24fps, HD Display
Monster Cable 1000HD, 1-meter 10.2 Gbps HDMI cables
Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD + UpConverting DVD player [Silicon Optix]
Oppo DV-981HD UpConverting DVD player {Faroudja DCDi]
Toshiba HD-A35 HD DVD + UpConverting DVD player [Anchor Bay]
Toshiba XD-E500 Upconverting DVD player [Cel processor]

WIRING:
All devices were wired with identical HDMi cables,and the signal path was direct-to-monitor [no switchers]

SOFTWARE:
Identical/twin-copies of the following HD DVD/SD DVD Combi discs...
American Gangster
Bourne Ultimatum
Hot Fuzz
Smokin' Aces

TESTING:
Identical discs were placed in competing players, cued up to the exact same frame, and then started simultaneously. Switching between opponents could be conducted at will, and I frequently chapter-backed to watch a key element, color, edge, texture, color, or pan/tilt/motion sequence over and over again [ad nauseum].

I did not conduct these tests by myself. I dragged my poor brother into this mind-bending, eye-marathon, and he graciously sat there making his own observations, with the intention being, that a 2nd opinion would be rendered/posted for the group's consideration. Special thanks also to Bruce [my brother] for providing the 2nd identical/twin combi-discs that were needed to conduct fair SD DVD to SD DVD as well as HD DVD to SD DVD
hardware performance evaluations.

FRAMING THE RESULTS:
I gave some thought to how I would go about putting into words precisely what was revealed during this marathon session. In the end, I decided that a 1-10 scale would be used. Additionally, I'm going to frame the scale by defining what a "1" and what a "10" represents, in a way that you can relate to.

1= VHS Tape
3= DVD at 480P, not Upconverted
10= HD DVD or Blu-ray at full 1080P on a full 1080P display

RESULTS:
Oppo DV-981HD UpConverting DVD to 1080P = 5
Toshiba HD-A30 UpConvert DVD to 1080P = 5
Onkyo DV-HD805 UpConvert DVD to 1080P [Reon Edge OFF] = 5.5
Onkyo DV-HD805 UpConvert DVD to 1080P [Reon Edge ON] = 6
Toshiba HD-E500 UpConvert DVD to 1080P = 8 [XDE ON]
Toshiba HD-E500 UpConvert DVD to 1080P = 7.8 [XDE + CONTRAST ON]
Toshiba HD-E500 UpConvert DVD to 1080P = 8.2 [XDE + COLOR MAPPING ON]
Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD at 1080P = 9.7 [Reon Edge OFF]
Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD at 1080P = 10 [Reon Edge ON]

VERBS, ADVERBS, ADJECTIVES AND WHATNOT:
This industry is so ripe with exaggerated claims, creative interpretation of the numbers, and outright lies, that I'm almost afraid to put into words what the preceding numerical test results [clearly] reveal/indicate. Almost afraid, not... afraid. [subtle but important difference, as with the numerical ratings].

Let's do this arse-backwards [reviewers always make you read a lot of verbs, adverbs and whatnot before they generally say anything even remotely useful, or God-forbid, controversial... Stated simply, this Toshiba SuperUpConverter, which was renamed "XDE" absolutely eats/annihilates the Silicon Optix HQV Reon, and words can not even describe what it does to [formerly] world-class/award-winning UpConverters like the Oppo DV-981HD and the ABT-equipped 3rd generation Toshiba HD DVD players.

Look, unlike the big review sites... I have absolutely no axe to grind here. This isn't my business, it's my hobby, and I own...

(2) Oppo DV-981HD
(2) Toshiba HD-A35
(4) Onkyo DV-HD805

So it's not like I'm doing what human beings do... Trying to justify their prior decisions/investments and convince themselves/others that whatever they own is the right thing to own... I honestly don't give a crap...
As I said the other day, let the chips fall where they may.

Back to the SuperUpConverter...

How good is it? OMG! This DVD player is a revelation! It greatly increases detail, but does not increase noise/artifacts. It was astonishing, and a little sad to watch this $149 player produce a picture that mas MUCH more detailed AND much cleaner than the Silicon Optix equipped Onkyo DV-HD805. Normally when you increase "sharpness", you increase "noise" But there isn't the slightest hint of that happening with XDE. Yet it's not only the detail/sharpness that leaps ahead of any other UpConverter, it's everything! The color for example looks like you washed tobacco/nicotine off your screen when going from the Oppo DV-981HD, Toshiba HD-A35 or Onkyo DV-HD805 to the SuperUpConverter. That's the thing... True high-definition video isn't just sharper, it's also got much better/more crisp color. But the Toshiba XD-E500 gives you BOTH the sharpness you expect from high-definition AND that crisp/vivid color!

What about side-effects, artifacts or problems? Frankly, I got eye-strain trying to find something, anything that the SuperUpConverter was getting "wrong" that the Silicon Optix HQV Reon was getting "right" The verdict? Nada. Whatever artifacts were visible on the XDE device were also
present and visible on the other conventional UpConverters.

I know- I know- The $64,000 question...
Is the SuperUpConverter a "Blu-ray killer"? Well, since I don't own a Blu-ray player, I can't really say. However, my opinion, based on evaluations of Blu-ray vs HD DVD [using a PS3 and a Toshiba HD-A35 on a 46" Sony XBR5 a few months ago] have left me with the very strong opinion that, assuming the same
transfer/encode/film... There is no visual difference between
Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD. Therefore, extrapolating on that previous
test... I am going to say that, NO, THE TOSHIBA XDE/SuperUpConverter
IS NOT a BLU-RAY [or HD DVD] KILLER.

That being said... The Toshiba XD-E500 at all times looked like TRUE HIGH DEFINITION in terms of sharpness and color. It literally blew me away, and it is without a doubt the very best UpConverter I have ever seen. This player's radical new approach of analyzing 9 frames of video in real time is a quantum leap forward in upscaling mechanics that deserves some kind of major tech/achievement award. I want to repeat something to make sure you caught it... The Toshiba XD-E500 at all times looked like TRUE HIGH DEFINITION in terms of sharpness and color.

The bottom-line?
If you own even 149 DVDs? You would have to be crazy not to invest a paltry $149 in a device that will in fact, raise them to a level of performance that would convince anyone that they were watching true HD video.
What else can I say other than don't wait for DVD 2.0 which any marketing major will tell you is exactly one year away, and won't produce a picture any better than this! It will just have HDi menu's IF the Blu-ray gravy-train
riding studios decide to support it... A very big if guys!

------------end of comments--------------------

I'd have to say that this is pretty positive stuff. I'm looking forward to the actual testing site reviews. But I think the time has come to stop poo-pooing this box without actually seeing what it can do.

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10152_10...sageID=2837767

Super XP · 09-14-2008, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeRox

The people I know who have used an XDE say it's a disappointment and that you might as well stick to existing upscalers.

It's a shame really, as I really want something to handle my low bitrate TV series better on HD displays.

Edited PFC5
People are giving XDE positive feedback. But it would be nice if the price dropped to bellow $99.

PFC5 · 09-14-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super XP

XDE is the only up-converting video player that analyzes 9 frames of video in real time. I wonder what a simple firmware update will do to this already great DVD player.

This player does NOT analyze 9 frames and this has already been established. It is NOT a SRT player despite what some CONSUMERS claim. At this point it will take a statement from Toshiba I guess for some people to get this, but that review you posted was while it was still THOUGHT to be a SRT player which it is not.

HD Goofnut · 09-14-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

This player does NOT analyze 9 frames and this has already been established. It is NOT a SRT player despite what some CONSUMERS claim. At this point it will take a statement from Toshiba I guess for some people to get this, but that review you posted was while it was still THOUGHT to be a SRT player which it is not.

Some people still think this is SRT? Has anyone seen the new SRT HDTVs by Toshiba firsthand yet?

BobY · 09-14-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vikingfan

Still too much for J6P. He'll be sticking to these:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=10050628

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=8113191

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=6486442

I'm not sure that matters. TOSHIBA is just trying to extend the life of DVD. At under $100, the XD-E500 looks a whole lot nicer (to me) than the Walmart players (the two Magnavox only appear to be available on-line) and some people might find the XDE features intriguing, especially if they have an HDTV that supports 24Fps.

I never said the XD-E500 would sell well. It's another upscaling DVD player with some interesting features. At $99 it would be in the same ballpark as most Tier 1 upconverters at Best Buy or Circuit City--even cheaper than some.

I can't vouch for the honesty of the reviews, but CC has 14 very positive customer reviews for the XD-E500 and no negative ones.

Dave J · 09-14-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super XP

Engadget HD is Positive about XDE!
Eyes-on Toshiba's new XD-E500 upconverting DVD player
by Paul Miller, posted Aug 19th 2008 at 2:44PM
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/19...ng-dvd-player/

XDE is getting a lot of positive feedback. This is one review out of many more!!!!

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10152_10...sageID=2837767

You posted and linked to this exact same review here which you found at Amazon.

It's the Bill "Bombshelter" Cortner review that has been cut and pasted all over the internet it seems. Viral marketing at it's worst.

bmore · 09-14-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super XP

Canadian's cannot order Electronics or any other physical item from Amazon.com because Amazon.com does not ship them to Canada only USA. And Amazon.ca does not offer anything but DVD's & Books.

The only things Canadians can order off Amazon.com is books and movies unless you have a USA home address. This is why Canadians cannot buy the XDE just yet because its not available just yet.

Really? Then please tell me what this means (from Amazon):

Quote:

Additionally, some consumer electronics, health and personal care, home and garden, jewelry, pet supplies, shoes, software, sporting goods, tools, video games, and watches can be shipped to the following countries: Canada

bmore · 09-14-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super XP

Engadget HD is Positive about XDE!
Eyes-on Toshiba's new XD-E500 upconverting DVD player
by Paul Miller, posted Aug 19th 2008 at 2:44PM
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/19...ng-dvd-player/

XDE is getting a lot of positive feedback. This is one review out of many more!!!!

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10152_10...sageID=2837767

The fact that you keep posting this same review as proof of the XDE getting positive reviews makes me think you are in on the little viral marketing campaign.

We saw this review first, posted weeks ago by bruceames right here at HDF, since he is a member of the bombshelter, where Bill Cortner posted this review. You know this. Yet you choose to post this yet again as if it is a separate review, when the fact is that this same review is being copied and pasted all over the web...Amazon, CNET, etc.

Does it make you feel good to intentionally mislead innocent people? This review is at least fraudulent for the simple fact that it states 9 frame analysis. Which is false.

What a pathetic group of people to post this review over and over on general consumer websites.

09-14-2008, 12:23 PM	#1792
MikeRox Connoisseur of Fine Games Join Date: May 2007 Location: Huddersfield, United Kingdom Posts: 15,756	The people I know who have used an XDE say it's a disappointment and that you might as well stick to existing upscalers. It's a shame really, as I really want something to handle my low bitrate TV series better on HD displays. __________________ Currently Playing: Xenoblade Chronicles, Ridge Racer 3D, DIRT 3

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