Toshiba takes the Hi Def movie experience to a whole new level with 24
frames per second support, CE-Link connectivity, High Bit Rate Audio
capabilities and unmatched interactivity functionality
WAYNE, N.J., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Toshiba America Consumer Products,
L.L.C. ("Toshiba"), announced today its third generation of HD DVD players
for the U.S. market. Continuing to outpace the competition in sales of
dedicated high definition players and responding to increased consumer
demand, Toshiba revealed three new sleek and stylish models for an ultimate
HD home movie experience. With all three new models priced under $500
(MSRP), Toshiba is delivering a powerful line-up of HD DVD players designed
to meet the aggressive growth in demand for high definition TVs.
"With a majority market share in unit sales of next generation DVD
players, consumers are speaking loud and clear, and they are adopting HD
DVD as their HD movie format of choice," said Jodi Sally, Vice President of
Marketing, Toshiba's Digital A/V Group. "Because of the proven
manufacturing efficiencies of the HD DVD format, Toshiba can bring this
level of innovation in technology to a new generation of players with
cutting-edge functionality at affordable prices."
Building on the success of its first and second generation players, new
leading enhancements in select models in the third generation line include
an improvement in video performance with 1080p/24 frames per second (24p)
support. Movie films are traditionally captured at 24 frames per second and
select Toshiba third generation HD DVD players will be able to maintain
this frame rate allowing consumers to enjoy movies in their native frame
rate.
Also added to the line is "CE-Link" (HDMI(TM)-CEC) connectivity which
offers the capability to communicate with and control another CE device in
a whole new way. For instance, using "CE-Link" with "One Touch Play"
consumers will be able to turn on a CEC capable HDTV and a Toshiba HD DVD
player, and start playing a movie, with a single touch of a button on the
player remote.
Toshiba Third Generation HD DVD Models
Toshiba's third generation family starts with the entry level HD-A3
player featuring 1080i output capability. The other two new models,
Toshiba's HD-A30 and HD-A35, will output 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080p),
the highest HD signal currently available. Both models are capable of
outputing signals at 1080p/24 frames per second so consumers can enjoy
movies in their native frame rate. The HD-A30 and HD-A35 models also
feature "CE-Link" (HDMI-CEC), allowing two- way control between the HD DVD
player and a TV through an HDMI connection.
The top-of-the-line HD-A35 also adds support for Deep Color via HDMI
allowing compatible display devices to deliver outstanding video quality -
displaying millions of possible colors to billions of possible colors.
Additionally, the HD-A35 offers 5.1 channel analog output and High Bit
Rate Audio (up to 7.1 channel) via HDMI. With content encoded in 7.1ch,
this advanced surround sound is achieved through the HDMI connection
bypassing the player's internal audio processor and sending the signal to a
7.1 capable A/V receiver. High Bit Rate Audio will allow the consumer to
integrate the HD-A35 with the latest multi-channel A/V receivers and enjoy
a whole new dimension of high definition home entertainment.
All of Toshiba's third generation HD DVD players are refined with new
cosmetic designs. Rounded edges, slim chassis (only 59.5 mm - nearly half
as tall as first generation players) and high gloss, black acrylic face
plates create very sleek devices - a perfect complement to Toshiba's award
winning REGZA(R) HD LCD televisions.
Beyond the Hi Def Movie Experience
Starting with 1st generation players, all of Toshiba's HD DVD players
support the enhanced features of the HD DVD format mandated by the DVD
Forum including picture-in-picture video, audio commentary and the ability
to allow web-enabled network capabilities. Using the Ethernet ports found
on all Toshiba HD DVD players, once connected to the network, users can
access bonus features, as available, from a movie studio's server. This
data is then saved in the player's persistent storage and can be accessed
by the user. In addition to accessing new bonus features, some HD DVD discs
may include locked prerecorded content which can be unlocked with a
downloadable key from the studio's online server. Web-enabled capability is
now opening the door to a new entertainment experience beyond hi def video
and audio.
"Consumers will always have a consistent experience with HD DVD as we
have an established platform to keep the players updated to ensure the
ultimate HD movie experience," said Yoshi Uchiyama, Group Vice President,
Toshiba's Digital A/V Group. "A mandatory Ethernet port in all HD DVD
players ensures that consumers can receive updates to their units to
support the latest offerings from the studios and maximizing their
investment in the format."
All of Toshiba's HD DVD models are backward compatible allowing users
to enjoy their libraries of current DVD and CD software while enhancing the
look of regular DVDs by upconverting them to near high definition quality.
For more information on HD DVD, please visit http://www.toshibahddvd.com.
Expected Pricing and Expected Availability:
HD-A3 ($299.99, October 2007)
HD-A30 ($399.99, September 2007)
HD-A35 ($499.99, October 2007)
About Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C.
Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. is owned by Toshiba America,
Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, a world leader in high
technology products with subsidiaries worldwide. Toshiba is a pioneer in HD
DVD, DVD and DVD Recorder technology and a leading manufacturer of a full
line of home entertainment products, including flat panel TV, combination
products and portable devices. Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. is
headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey. For additional information, please
visit http://www.tacp.toshiba.com.
Important Notes:
HD DVD with high-definition content required for HD viewing. DVD with
standard definition content will upconvert to near HD quality. Viewing
high- definition content and up-converting DVD content may require an HDCP
capable DVI or HDMI input on your display device. 1080p capable display
required for viewing content in 1080p. Firmware update may be required for
some interactive features depending on content, which may also require an
always-on broadband internet connection. Some features may require
additional bandwidth. To take advantage of web-enabled network content,
downloading and installing the latest firmware (ver.2.3 for HD DVD player
models HD-XA1, HD-A1, and HD-D1; ver.2.0 for HD DVD player models HD-XA2,
HD-A2, HD-A2W, HD-D2, HD-A2C, and HD- A20; and ver.1.0 for HD-A35, HD-A30,
and HD-A3) is required. Web-enabled features require an always on broadband
connection along with specific movie titles that include this form of
content. MP3/WMA audio files not supported. For 24p output, content that
was created in 1080p/24 frames/sec is required. Viewing 24p output requires
an HD display capable of accepting a 1080p/24Hz signal. Use of CE-Link,
which is a feature based on HDMI-CEC, requires an HDMI-CEC compatible
display device. Depending on the specifications of your TV, some or all
CE-Link functions may not work even if your TV is HDMI-CEC compatible. Use
of High Bit Rate Audio requires High Bit Rate Audio compatible AV receiver.
Deep Color feature as specified in HDMI 1.3a requires compatible Deep Color
capable HD display and/or device. Because HD DVD is a new format that makes
use of new technologies, certain disc, digital connection and other
compatibility and/or performance issues are possible. This may, in rare
cases, include disc freezing while accessing certain disc features or
functions, or certain parts of the disc not playing back or operating as
fully intended. If you experience such issues, please refer to the FAQ
sections of http://www.toshibahddvd.com or http://www.tacp.toshiba.com for information on
possible work-around solutions or the availability of firmware updates that
may resolve your problem, or contact Toshiba Customer Solutions. Some
features subject to delayed availability. While Toshiba has made every
effort at the time of publication to ensure the accuracy of the information
provided herein, product specifications, configurations,
system/component/options availability are all subject to change without
notice. For additional information on Toshiba HD DVD players, please visit
http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/hddvd/
HDMI, the HDMI logo, and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are
trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing, LLC.
HD DVD and DVD are trademarks of DVD Format/Logo Licensing Corporation.
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