The D2 and A2 are the same units. Just different names to indicate where the unit was sold. Costco's D2 includes an HDMI cable. Both the D2 and A2 qualify for the five free HD-DVDs offer (D2 is mentioned on the rebate form).
Costco's price is great, but tax hurts a little--$270 in CA. On the other hand you get the great Costco return policy (the new more restrictive policy doesnt apply to DVD players).
I just ordered the A2 from Crutchfield for $259 shipped, but I didn't get the cable.
MasterG650
Member
posted: May. 20, 2007 @ 5:05p
robby818 said: The D2 and A2 are the same units. Just different names to indicate where the unit was sold. Costco's D2 includes an HDMI cable. Both the D2 and A2 qualify for the five free HD-DVDs offer (D2 is mentioned on the rebate form).
Costco's price is great, but tax hurts a little--$270 in CA. On the other hand you get the great Costco return policy (the new more restrictive policy doesnt apply to DVD players).
I just ordered the A2 from Crutchfield for $259 shipped, but I didn't get the cable.
How did you get it for 259? Crutchfield shows 299, unless you got an open box one?
MasterG650 said: robby818 said: The D2 and A2 are the same units. Just different names to indicate where the unit was sold. Costco's D2 includes an HDMI cable. Both the D2 and A2 qualify for the five free HD-DVDs offer (D2 is mentioned on the rebate form).
Costco's price is great, but tax hurts a little--$270 in CA. On the other hand you get the great Costco return policy (the new more restrictive policy doesnt apply to DVD players).
I just ordered the A2 from Crutchfield for $259 shipped, but I didn't get the cable.
How did you get it for 259? Crutchfield shows 299, unless you got an open box one?
I dont think the open box ones qualify for the 5 free movies..if that is imp for you/
ghlu
Member
posted: May. 20, 2007 @ 6:04p
Damn, looks like I should sell my xbox 360 addon and Pioneer 5960 and get this instead.
Both the D2 and A2 qualify for the five free HD-DVDs offer (D2 is mentioned on the rebate form).
On the other hand you get the great Costco return policy (the new more restrictive policy doesnt apply to DVD players)
If you remove the UPC for DVD promotion, would Costco still accept the DVD player for return later?
BlkBimM3r
Addicted Member
posted: May. 20, 2007 @ 7:08p
Just keep your receipt and Costco will be OK w/ it. I returned some speakers that blew out while I was watching a movie. I was afraid I was not going to be able to return them because I threw out the huge boxes and styrofoam that the speakers came in. I explained to them I have the receipt, and the item is still on display at the price I paid, I just don't have the box anymore. The Costco employee said no problem. They accept returns on items w/o boxes all the time. On my way out when I shop at Costco when I am in the line to exit waiting for the guy to look over the items in my basket and check my receipt. The membership services and returns counter is right next to that along the wall. Most of the people returning stuff do not have the boxes.
frenzieddeals said: If you remove the UPC for DVD promotion, would Costco still accept the DVD player for return later?
merrimac1
Member
posted: May. 20, 2007 @ 8:05p
Does not out put 1080p! What kind of HD-DVD player is this?
thegreener
Shopaholic Member
posted: May. 20, 2007 @ 8:21p
merrimac1 said: Does not out put 1080p! What kind of HD-DVD player is this?
a darn good one, i've yet to see anything negative about 1080p not being able to output, in fact most reviews i've read said it wasn't even negligable, it you can find a BR for this price ($249) with 5 HD free discs, please link
I might get one. NetFlix now has HD-DVD and Blueray.
shade45
Senior Member - 2K
posted: May. 20, 2007 @ 8:44p
should i return the HD DVD addon for xbox 360 and get this?
broadwayblue
Charter Member
posted: May. 20, 2007 @ 8:56p
thegreener said: merrimac1 said: Does not out put 1080p! What kind of HD-DVD player is this?
a darn good one, i've yet to see anything negative about 1080p not being able to output, in fact most reviews i've read said it wasn't even negligable, it you can find a BR for this price ($249) with 5 HD free discs, please link
Yeah, the no 1080p argument is nonsense. I have an HD-A1 and it throws the best picture my HD projector has seen, period. This is a great deal on the A2. Anyone on the fence should definitely give it a good look. NetFlix has a decent selection of HD-DVD titles these days, and the Toshiba also does a great job on DVD too. At this price it's worth it to get in the next generation game!
merrimac1
Member
posted: May. 20, 2007 @ 9:11p
broadwayblue said: thegreener said: merrimac1 said: Does not out put 1080p! What kind of HD-DVD player is this?
a darn good one, i've yet to see anything negative about 1080p not being able to output, in fact most reviews i've read said it wasn't even negligable, it you can find a BR for this price ($249) with 5 HD free discs, please link
Yeah, the no 1080p argument is nonsense. I have an HD-A1 and it throws the best picture my HD projector has seen, period. This is a great deal on the A2. Anyone on the fence should definitely give it a good look. NetFlix has a decent selection of HD-DVD titles these days, and the Toshiba also does a great job on DVD too. At this price it's worth it to get in the next generation game!
Playing HD-DVD or blue ray is the only chance to show 1080p signal for the HDTV. I have to say 1080p signal looks much better than 720p or 1080i.
For those who has 720p or 1080i HDTV, this is a good deal. I'll wait for the 1080p player.
broadwayblue
Charter Member
posted: May. 20, 2007 @ 9:19p
merrimac1 said: I have to say 1080p signal looks much better than 720p or 1080i.
For those who has 720p or 1080i HDTV, this is a good deal. I'll wait for the 1080p player.
Interesting, considering most people can't tell the difference between a 1080i or 1080p signal fed to the same display. If you gotta have 1080p check out the HD-A20. The extra $100 should be worth it to you.
Differences: HD-D2 -- includes 6' HDMI cable and says "HD-D2" on the front $50 less
HD-A2 -- no HDMI calbe and says "HD-A2" on the front $50 more
As for 1080p or not, to me it didn't make that much of a difference because the projector I'm using it on is only 720p. I'll probably upgrade my player way before I upgrade my projector. If you have an 1080p set, I would go for the HD-XA2 as it upscales SD DVD's better from what I've read. Reon chip.
The $100 off should apply at most retailers and probably why the $400 price at Amazon exists....you could find it last week for $320 on Amazon.
Amazon price is now $349, but that's NOT Amazon selling it's one of the third parties selling.
Man, paid 2x this for my first progressive scan player. I'm still holding out for a cheap dual HD format player (triplay including sd) before I jump in. Don't like thinking one of these formats will be obsolete in a few years. But, SD DVDs may be be obsolete in another few years....
Come on, you can do better than that, listing MSRP prices on Fatwallet. No one here pays MSRP. Go to Amazon.com and they have the HD-XA2 for $566 and it is almost $250 lower than MSRP. Hopefully will find it with the $100 off and it will be well under $500 for a top of the line HD-DVD player with 1080p and one of the best upconversion DVD players on the planet.
jdmart said: Saw this at Costco in Albuquerque today. Instant rebate expires June 16th.
Update: Includes 5 free HD DVD movies and a free HDMI cable. (Thanks for this update info goes to posters below.) Thanks OP. This is exactly what I am looking for. Costco rocks!
Just curious, but what's the SITREP on Blu-Ray vs HD-DVD? Can someone give me a summary in 5 sentence or less? Thanks!
-d
MizzouFan
Thrifty Member
posted: May. 21, 2007 @ 8:54a
Playing HD-DVD or blue ray is the only chance to show 1080p signal for the HDTV. I have to say 1080p signal looks much better than 720p or 1080i.
For those who has 720p or 1080i HDTV, this is a good deal. I'll wait for the 1080p player.
There Is No Difference Between 1080p and 1080i "My bold-printed, big-lettered breaker above is a little sensationalistic, but, as far as movies are concerned, this is basically true. Here's why. Movies (and most TV shows) are shot at 24 frames per second (either on film or on 24-frame-per-second HD cameras). Every TV sold in the United States has a refresh rate of 60 hertz. This means that the screen refreshes 60 times per second. In order to display 24-frame-per-second content on a display that essentially shows 60 frames per second, you need to make up or create new frames. This is accomplished by a method called 3:2 pulldown (or, more accurately, 2:3 pulldown). It doubles the first frame of film, triples the second frame, doubles the third frame, and so on, creating a 2-3-2-3-2-3 sequence. (Check out Figure 1 for a more colorful depiction.) So, the new frames don't have new information; they are just duplicates of the original film frames. This process converts 24-frame-per-second film to be displayed on a 60-Hz display."
This is exatcly what I'm trying to decide right now!!! Someone help. Do I get this player or the samsung at costco, plus other questions:
OK, it started simply with wanting to get my hubby the Planet Earth DVD collection for father's day. Then, they have 3 options: regular DVD, HD DVD, and Blu Ray DVD. From what I've read, people are saying that to get that series on regular DVD is not doing it justice. So, that leaves me with HD DVD and Blu Ray. I have a DVD recorder, but from looking up it's options, I don't think it plays HD DVD's (Toshiba RDXS52). I found an upcoverting DVD player at Costco for $69.99 (Samsung DVD-HD870) - is that enough to play DH DVD's? My TV is HDTV READY, does that mean I need an HDTV Hook Up Kit (WireLogic HDTV Basic Hook-up Kit) to watch this all in HDTV? Do I get this Toshiba instead? Do I need a kit with the Toshiba?
Seems like Blu Ray is the coolest option, but the cheapest Blu Ray DVD player I could get would be a Sony PS3 ($599.99) which is a lot of money and I'd become a playstation widow.
Is all of this pointless unless I upgrade my TV? I feel so out of my depth in this situation, like a technology dinosaur. When did this happen? I used to be versed in all the latest coolest gadgets. I need help!!!
Someone take pity on me and explain it in human terms??? Please!!!
If you have a 1080p TV, it most likely displays all signals at 1080p and will take the 1080i signal and upconvert it (or de-interlace it) to give you a great picture. Most people would hard pressed to tell the difference between a 1080p movie played back at 1080i vs. 1080p in the first place.
radosti said: This is exatcly what I'm trying to decide right now!!! Someone help. Do I get this player or the samsung at costco, plus other questions:
OK, it started simply with wanting to get my hubby the Planet Earth DVD collection for father's day. Then, they have 3 options: regular DVD, HD DVD, and Blu Ray DVD. From what I've read, people are saying that to get that series on regular DVD is not doing it justice. So, that leaves me with HD DVD and Blu Ray. I have a DVD recorder, but from looking up it's options, I don't think it plays HD DVD's (Toshiba RDXS52). I found an upcoverting DVD player at Costco for $69.99 (Samsung DVD-HD870) - is that enough to play DH DVD's? My TV is HDTV READY, does that mean I need an HDTV Hook Up Kit (WireLogic HDTV Basic Hook-up Kit) to watch this all in HDTV? Do I get this Toshiba instead? Do I need a kit with the Toshiba?
Seems like Blu Ray is the coolest option, but the cheapest Blu Ray DVD player I could get would be a Sony PS3 ($599.99) which is a lot of money and I'd become a playstation widow.
Is all of this pointless unless I upgrade my TV? I feel so out of my depth in this situation, like a technology dinosaur. When did this happen? I used to be versed in all the latest coolest gadgets. I need help!!!
Someone take pity on me and explain it in human terms??? Please!!!
No, you cannot just buy an upconverting DVD player to play HD DVDs. HD DVD like BluRay is another format. You need an HD DVD player to play that media format. The cheapest HD DVD player is an add on for the Xbox 360 at $199 retail. But I would suggest getting this Toshiba player from Costco for $250. I have a a first generation Toshiba HD DVD player clone and it works great. You can't go wrong. I won't get into specifics of HD DVD or BluRay, but I prefer HD DVD at the moment (no region coding for HD DVD along with some other specifics). As far as your TV is concerned, if you have an HDTV, you will be fine. HD Ready/Built In just refers to the tuner that the TV comes with. With the player, you just hook up through HDMI or component and you are good to go. Also, with this Toshiba player, you will also get the upconverting bonus. This player will play all your DVDs and upconvert them to 1080i as well through HDMI.
radosti said: This is exatcly what I'm trying to decide right now!!! Someone help. Do I get this player or the samsung at costco, plus other questions:
OK, it started simply with wanting to get my hubby the Planet Earth DVD collection for father's day. Then, they have 3 options: regular DVD, HD DVD, and Blu Ray DVD. From what I've read, people are saying that to get that series on regular DVD is not doing it justice. So, that leaves me with HD DVD and Blu Ray. I have a DVD recorder, but from looking up it's options, I don't think it plays HD DVD's (Toshiba RDXS52). I found an upcoverting DVD player at Costco for $69.99 (Samsung DVD-HD870) - is that enough to play DH DVD's? My TV is HDTV READY, does that mean I need an HDTV Hook Up Kit (WireLogic HDTV Basic Hook-up Kit) to watch this all in HDTV? Do I get this Toshiba instead? Do I need a kit with the Toshiba?
Seems like Blu Ray is the coolest option, but the cheapest Blu Ray DVD player I could get would be a Sony PS3 ($599.99) which is a lot of money and I'd become a playstation widow.
Is all of this pointless unless I upgrade my TV? I feel so out of my depth in this situation, like a technology dinosaur. When did this happen? I used to be versed in all the latest coolest gadgets. I need help!!!
Someone take pity on me and explain it in human terms??? Please!!!
You will need a HD-DVD player to play HD-DVD movies like Planet Earth HD-DVD. Your TV is HDTV READY so it WILL accept a HD-DVD player and display HD content and movies. You will need to just buy a component cable (RED,BLUE, and GREEN cable) like Monoprice Component or if you TV has HDMI (Digital) then this cable Monoprice HDMI. Your best bet is to buy the component cable since you are unsure about whether your tv has HDMI input or not. If you do find out it does have HDMI, then get that one because it will give you a sharper picture and sound will be all in one cable. You have to use 1 of the 2 cables I listed above to see high definition from your HD-DVD player. The cheapest blu-ray player new is the PS3 at $599, however it is almost 2x the price, but not 2x the picture quality. You do get to play games however and watch the Blu-Ray movies, which is comparable to HD-DVD sharpness. Buy from Costco, they have a generous return policy if it doesn't work out for you. The 5 free movies help as well because they usually cost $20 per movie. If your husband is a Matrix fan, tomorrow, the 3 disc Matrix HD-DVD comes out and will be only on HD-DVD for the next few months or so. Hope this helps.
The upconversion dvd player will not play any HiDefinition HD-DVD or Blu-Ray. It will only take regular DVD's and try to make it sharper like HD-DVD and Blu-Ray, but it will not look anywhere as sharp as HD-DVD or Blu-Ray.
HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are the 2 new HiDef DVD formats fighting to see who will be the next HiDefinition DVD.
radosti
Member
posted: May. 21, 2007 @ 10:28a
Thanks! I am going to run out to Costco now and get the HD-DVD player. This is the TV I have: http://www.epinions.com/pr-Panasonic_PT-47WX42_47_in_Rear_Projection_Television/display_~full_specs
Hopefully, it has an HDMI connector. Thanks for all the help!
jignesh
Senior Member
posted: May. 21, 2007 @ 10:35a
radosti said: Thanks! I am going to run out to Costco now and get the HD-DVD player. This is the TV I have: http://www.epinions.com/pr-Panasonic_PT-47WX42_47_in_Rear_Projection_Television/display_~full_specs
Hopefully, it has an HDMI connector. Thanks for all the help!
according to a couple of websites i looked up on panasonic model PT-47WX42, your set does NOT have an HDMI connection.
MizzouFan said: Playing HD-DVD or blue ray is the only chance to show 1080p signal for the HDTV. I have to say 1080p signal looks much better than 720p or 1080i.
For those who has 720p or 1080i HDTV, this is a good deal. I'll wait for the 1080p player.
There Is No Difference Between 1080p and 1080i "My bold-printed, big-lettered breaker above is a little sensationalistic, but, as far as movies are concerned, this is basically true. Here's why. Movies (and most TV shows) are shot at 24 frames per second (either on film or on 24-frame-per-second HD cameras). Every TV sold in the United States has a refresh rate of 60 hertz. This means that the screen refreshes 60 times per second. In order to display 24-frame-per-second content on a display that essentially shows 60 frames per second, you need to make up or create new frames. This is accomplished by a method called 3:2 pulldown (or, more accurately, 2:3 pulldown). It doubles the first frame of film, triples the second frame, doubles the third frame, and so on, creating a 2-3-2-3-2-3 sequence. (Check out Figure 1 for a more colorful depiction.) So, the new frames don't have new information; they are just duplicates of the original film frames. This process converts 24-frame-per-second film to be displayed on a 60-Hz display."
This is true for about 98%+ of all movies. As I understand it, some movies like the newer Star Wars (I,II,III) have been filmed digitally which would allow for the full 60fps. But essentially, 1080p for movies is 98% gimmick, and always will be. 1080p is mostly good for digitally animated movies (DisneyPixar stuff?), and stuff shot with fancy digital cameras.
justair
Happy Member
posted: May. 21, 2007 @ 10:54a
I picked this up. I have a Panasonic 50" 720p plasma. The Toshiba D2 upconvert picture is in the middle of HD broadcast and my old upconvert player, a noticeable improvement. I read on AVS that this is one of the better upconvert out there, comparable to the OPPO players. Only the Toshiba XA2 is a better upconvert player. I haven't played an HD movie on it yet, but got them in my Blockbuster queue. HD DVD/Blu Ray is suppose to be better than broadcast HD in quality. I can't wait to see it my home.
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