Toshiba HD-XA1 July 9th, 2006 | by Rebecca Day
Full Review - Conclusion
Conclusion Technology enthusiasts always face the dilemma of when to buy. How long do you wait for features and price to meet the perfect buy point? It's rarely in the first generation. The HD-XA1 is compatible with existing DVDs and CDs so early adopters won't become obsolete any time soon. The player delivers a stunning image and dynamic, enveloping sound. I got used to watching high-res movies in the minute it took the player to boot up, and that's the way I want to watch all movies in the future. If you're the on the front lines of the early adopter crowd, you won't be disappointed in the audio and video performance of the HD-XA1. You may want to save $300 and get the starter model if you can live without backlit remote, stabilizing feet, a motorized door and an RS-232 port. Most people, however, will prefer the safety of a wait-and-see approach. It's not likely that both HD-DVD and Blu-ray will succeed. Blu-ray appears to have more studio support for movie titles, but Blu-ray players thus far are much more expensive. In either case, buyers would be smart to wait until the HDMI 1.3 standard is set in stone and the 1080p landscape is clearer before committing to either next-gen DVD format. A year from now consumers will have more, and more affordable, options. For those who want to remain on the 480 fence--and who believe standard DVD is good enough to carry us forward in the HDTV era--that's not an option. A good look at the HD-XA1 proves that high-def is the future of the DVD. Pros: Cons:
No User Reviews for this product. Be the first to voice your opinion!