Sean_Melb Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 In todays melbourne heraldsun i assume its sydnicated in all papers - for discussion........ Toshiba's new gizmo is a DVD player on steroids Email Printer friendly version Normal font Large font Asher Moses October 13, 2008 - 11:09AM Almost a year after the death of HD DVD, two of the failed format's biggest proponents refuse to get behind Blu-ray - in fact, Toshiba believes it can win the high definition format war with a standard DVD player. Out of the 2.3 million Australian households with a high definition TV set, only 400,000 have a Blu-ray player and, of those, 370,000 are PlayStation 3 games consoles, which feature Blu-ray built in. That means just 30,000 Australian households have picked up a stand-alone Blu-ray player. Blu-ray and HD DVD battled viciously over two years to be the successor to regular DVD but Blu-ray emerged victorious at the beginning of this year. Both formats promised pristine picture quality but Australians have been reluctant to upgrade their DVD players because the benefits aren't anywhere near as pronounced as the jump from VHS to DVD a decade ago. Banking on the fact that consumers just aren't ready for Blu-ray, Toshiba, which was the main backer of HD DVD, has unveiled the XD-E500 DVD Upscaler. It is a regular DVD player capable of "upscaling" regular DVD discs to near high definition quality by adding additional detail to the image. Upscaling means that those with big screen TV sets can make better use of their high definition sets. The resulting image quality isn't as good as a true HD format such as Blu-ray but it makes the already slight difference between DVD and Blu-ray even smaller. The XD-E500 costs $199 whereas the cheapest Blu-ray player now costs $449. Meanwhile, Microsoft, which killed its external HD DVD player for the Xbox 360 console after the format died, has long been rumoured to be working on a Blu-ray version. Those rumours started heating up last week before Microsoft announced it had "no plans to integrate Blu-ray into the Xbox experience". Of all the movies sold on disc in Australia, just 1.9 per cent are Blu-ray, Sony Pictures figures show. The format's market share figure in the US is 5 per cent while in Britain and France Blu-ray has a penetration of under 2 per cent. To drive local awareness of Blu-ray, Sony is running a major advertising campaign on Channel Ten featuring Australian actor Craig McLachlan. The ads stress that those who own an HDTV but not a Blu-ray player aren't getting the complete HD experience. As well, Disney and Panasonic this month began a tour of shopping centres in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, aiming to promote the advantages of upgrading to Blu-ray. But Toshiba Australia general manager Mark Whittard said Blu-ray had yet to deliver and, instead of buying the more expensive Blu-ray player and Blu-ray discs, people should stick with regular DVDs. He said whether the XD-E500 offered the same image quality as Blu-ray was "for the customer to decide" but his impression was that there is "very little discernible difference between them". "One of the continual challenges for any next-generation DVD format is that the current DVD format is pretty good, particularly when you upscale it," he said. But a review of the XD-E500 in British magazine PC Advisor sheds doubt on Whittard's claims. It concludes the XD-E500 "delivers an extremely solid upconverted DVD image, but nothing that rivals the richness of Blu-ray". Whittard said Blu-ray would still be seen as the best quality "in purists' eyes" but the difference didn't justify the cost. He noted that being able to continue enjoying existing DVD collections was a major advantage of holding out on Blu-ray but this is a moot point as all DVD discs can play on Blu-ray players. Sony Australia's technology communications manager Paul Colley said upscaling DVD players had been on sale for around two years and didn't offer anywhere near the HD image quality of Blu-ray movies. "It still is standard definition, just enhanced to be able to fit on your full HD screen," he said.
ELK007 Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 (edited) Already looked into it. It doesn't live up to the hype! Apparently it doesn't even come anywhere near the Oppo's. Review here: http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-and-...7-33224998.html Edited October 13, 2008 by Elijahk
davep Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 Can it upscale the audio too? Whilst im still disappointed HD DVD lost, I'll continue to buy blu-ray given the opportunity between DVD and Blu-Ray.
Shonky* Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 As expected making something out of nothing probably wasn't going to work. Another review: http://ultimateavmag.com/dvdplayers/1008toshdvd/
Chesty Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 Toshiba have no chance of getting any more of my $$, not now not ever.
SDL Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 Can it upscale the audio too? Sadly most people won't care. They have a big plasma but the thought of getting a decent surround sound system to them seems like money not well spent as others won't see the wow factor.
CHRIS08 Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 In my city u can get Blu-ray players between 388-399 good price. Also that tv ad with Craig McLachlan is awful. If sony wanna contact me I can do a far better ad than that. For a start he's a nuthin actor what movies of his would u want in bluray hmmmm none. U get people like Russell Crowe & Hugh Jackman for some of there movies. Also Kylie Minogue for here music bluray concerts. There sony far better than Craig McLachlan. Anyone agree with me.
ELK007 Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 Also that tv ad with Craig McLachlan is awful. If sony wanna contact me I can do a far better ad than that. For a start he's a nuthin actor what movies of his would u want in bluray hmmmm none. I think that was the point though! It was suppose to be funny - Craig McLachlan was making fun of himself. But I agree that the ad wasn't great! They really need more explanation of the differences (SQ & PQ)!
ajm1503559545 Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 I really wish Toshiba would leave the whole "HD" idea alone. They lost, time to move on. U get people like Russell Crowe & Hugh Jackman for some of there movies. Also Kylie Minogue for here music bluray concerts. There sony far better than Craig McLachlan. Not only far better but also far more expensive! If you're going to make a rubbish ad that people won't understand then you might as well do it as cheaply as possible.
codey03 Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 In my city u can get Blu-ray players between 388-399 good price.Also that tv ad with Craig McLachlan is awful. If sony wanna contact me I can do a far better ad than that. For a start he's a nuthin actor what movies of his would u want in bluray hmmmm none. U get people like Russell Crowe & Hugh Jackman for some of there movies. Also Kylie Minogue for here music bluray concerts. There sony far better than Craig McLachlan. Anyone agree with me. What was wrong with Hey Mona? That was a great song........ Well maybe not.
50mxe20 Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 Of all the movies sold on disc in Australia, just 1.9 per cent are Blu-ray, Sony Pictures figures show. The format's market share figure in the US is 5 per cent while in Britain and France Blu-ray has a penetration of under 2 per cent. At the rip off prices we pay in Australia it's hard to see that changing much.
tonyjg Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 Can it upscale the audio too? Sadly most people won't care. They have a big plasma but the thought of getting a decent surround sound system to them seems like money not well spent as others won't see the wow factor. sorry... but those Home Theatre in the Box speakers aren't good enough ???? (oh - sarcasim if anyone is interested). ANYWAY... I would assume that this Toshiba DVD player DOESN'T have the same upscaling chip as the XE1 ?? Having the XE1 and using it to view SDDVDs - I've been mighty impressed with the upscaled image (yes yes its not HD !!) The 'trouble' is that consumers aren't buying many DVD players these days. Or if they are - then they are cheaper models replacing older ones. Toshiba should target THAT market.
Chill Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 I really wish Toshiba would leave the whole "HD" idea alone. They lost, time to move on.Not only far better but also far more expensive! If you're going to make a rubbish ad that people won't understand then you might as well do it as cheaply as possible. Sage advice, perhaps Microsoft should have taken note before dropping $10m on Jerry Seinfeld in a (failed) attempt to counter those get a Mac adds ! OT - what ever happened to journalism ! you know were some one trained and with a degree, would research a subject and write an article ! those that read the web on this subject may have noticed, that that article is a direct cut and past from 3 recent web articles by different authors, word for word cut and past (hence the strange flow of positive to negative statements) and how could this be called current "news" when no mention Iron Man is made ! Now to Toshiba and the "new supper" player. What can one say, they had a great product HD DVD which they failed to market or position well, so now why not try an average product and do a bit of "BS" marketing.
Volunteer Kazz Posted October 13, 2008 Volunteer Posted October 13, 2008 (edited) The 'trouble' is that consumers aren't buying many DVD players these days. Or if they are - then they are cheaper models replacing older ones. Toshiba should target THAT market. The problem is, marketing is not exactly Toshiba's strong suit...........................they proved that withy HD DVD. Edited October 13, 2008 by Kazz
Hydrology Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 For a start he's a nuthin actor what movies of his would u want in bluray hmmmm none. I think thats the point.
ajm1503559545 Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 You notice they don't actually play any of "that" song in the ad? Maybe because HiDef sh!t still sounds like sh!t
Tweet Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 (edited) As much as I loved HD DVD as a format it really is Toshiba's fault that it lost out to Blu-ray. Had Toshiba marketed HD DVD more aggressively and persuaded the Studios that HD DVD was the finalized format to back, Toshiba would now not have to eat sour grapes and we wouldn't have the apathy we have now in the market. Balk consumers early with a format war and you balk them for years thereafter, they will see what they have is already good enough and will set their priorities elsewhere. Pushing DVD to 1080p means that 80% of the image is just rubbish and just 'filler' and simply detracts from the original image quality of a DVD as it would be seen in its native resolution . Though the XE1 and the Oppo do an amazing job in upscaling with what they have to work with, they can in no way equal that presented on a quality HD DVD or a Blu-ray disc. True HD is simply magic to look at whereas DVD is best suited to the low resolution screens for it was originally created for. Now with the current turmoil in the world's monetary system Blu-ray itself may never get beyond what we have today despite Sony's vigorous attempts to get it into general acceptance. C.M Edited October 13, 2008 by Tweet
tonyjg Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 As much as I loved HD DVD as a format it really is Toshiba's fault that it lost out to Blu-ray.Had Toshiba marketed HD DVD more aggressively and persuaded the Studios that HD DVD was the finalized format to back, not wishing to bring up old wounds - but Toshiba didn't have a film studio - whilst SONY does. It's a tad easier when you have that control over player and product. True HD is simply magic to look at whereas DVD is best suited to the low resolution screens it was originally created for a moment I thought you were referring to Dolby and the 'look at' didn't make all that much sense A quick re-read corrected my understanding
cwt Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 Can it upscale the audio too? If that wasnt rhetorical dave ; its only good for the lossy codecs
uneedit5 Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 I lost more money selling my XE1 than this new XD-E500 is worth. Think I'll skip this one from Toshiba.
peterjcat Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 for a moment I thought you were referring to Dolby and the 'look at' didn't make all that much sense A quick re-read corrected my understanding Are you kidding? TrueHD is great to look at -- on the front panel of your AVR. Gives me a warm feeling anyway!
XxDeadlyxX Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 Looking back on the format war and seeing how stupid it all was (HD-DVD really never had a fair chance with the PS3 having a Blu-ray player inbuilt, which made it near-impossible for Blu-rayto "die"), I wish Toshiba would just start producing Blu-ray players and admit they made mistakes instead of this half-assed attempt at making some $$.
SDL Posted October 14, 2008 Posted October 14, 2008 Looking back on the format war and seeing how stupid it all was (HD-DVD really never had a fair chance with the PS3 having a Blu-ray player inbuilt, which made it near-impossible for Blu-rayto "die"), I wish Toshiba would just start producing Blu-ray players and admit they made mistakes instead of this half-assed attempt at making some $$. Why would you want Toshiba to make Blu-ray players? From their perspective why would they want to pay licence fees to be just another supplier losing hand over fist to Sony? Yes they lost the HD war, now they are trying to recoup some money in the short term with DVD players as they probably see the price point for HD as too high for consumers and the margin they would make as a late comer too low. They are most likely working on the next evolution along with other companies. I think they have admitted they made mistakes and moved on with their plans, I think it is only some consumers that seem to caught in the past, or else expecting them to just go down a path they don't need to go down. Be happy Sony won and have the HD disc market, Toshiba don't need to follow if they don't necessarily see it as the best use of their funds.
tonyjg Posted October 14, 2008 Posted October 14, 2008 Are you kidding? TrueHD is great to look at -- on the front panel of your AVR. Gives me a warm feeling anyway! gee.... that 'warm glow' from the front panel of your AVR wouldn't me much to heat up anything (I can see you... winter time.... cuddling up to your AVR trying to get some warmth from the TrueHD logo :) hehehe)
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