Product Description

Toshiba HD-A35 HD DVD Player - (HDA35) Toshiba has announced their third generation of HD DVD players which add to the very impressive and popular HD-A2 range of players. Their latest third generation of players come in three versions, the Toshiba HD-A3, HD-A30 and the HD-A35. -1080p resolution (1920 x 1080p) -Capable of outputing signals at 1080p/24 frames per second -High gloss, black acrylic face plate -HDMI-CEC -Support for Deep Color via HDMI

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9851 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black
• Brand: Toshiba
• Model: HD-A35
• Released on: 2007-10-01
• Dimensions: 2.34" h x 16.90" w x 12.90" l, 7.26 pounds

Features

• HD DVD Playback
• DVD Playback, CD Playback
• 720p/1080i/1080p resolution with upconversion of Standard Def DVDs
• HDMI Out with Deep Color Support and HDMI CEC
• Includes Warner Bros' 300 HD DVD and Universal's The Bourne Identity HD DVD (packaged inside)

Amazon.com Product Description
The Toshiba HD-A35 HD DVD Player stands less than two-and-a-half inches tall but packs a long list of cutting edge features that will help you get the most out of your home theater system. With support for 1080p/24-frame video, Deep Color, and HDMI pass-through audio, this player makes it possible to achieve a viewing experience that's as much like being in a theater as you can get without going to one.

The Toshiba HD-A35 HD DVD Player has support for 1080p/24-frame video and HDMI pass-through audio. View larger.

The HD-A35 upconverts standard DVDs for display on an 1080p HD screen. View larger.

A Refined, Slimmer Look
The HD-A35's refined design--with rounded edges, a slim chassis, and a high-gloss black face plate--looks sleek and elegant in your home theater system without taking up too much real estate.

Outstanding Performance
All of Toshiba's HD DVD players support the enhanced features of the HD DVD format, including picture-in-picture video, audio commentary, and Web-enabled network capabilities. With an Ethernet port, the A35 can connect to the Internet for firmware updates to keep the player up to date on new features, and to support the growing number of HD DVD titles with interactive online features and bonus content.

The HD-A35 uses the latest HDMI 1.3 interface to connect to your HD television, providing large bandwidth to eliminate any data bottlenecks and to support new technologies for the utmost in viewing experience. The HD-A35 can output video at 1080p, the highest resolution available, and includes support for 24-frame video, which maintains the native 24-frames-per-second rate of films, thereby delivering an experience more similar to one in theaters. It also supports Deep Color, a new standard that breaks through the 8-bit color depth limitation of existing HD video and allows a wider range of color than ever before.

Of course, the HD-A35 upconverts from other resolutions so all your standard-definition DVDs display in near-HD quality on your HD television. In addition to 1080p, the HD-A35 also outputs at 720p and 1080i if desired.

High-Definition Audio
Audiophiles rejoice! The A35 has HDMI pass-through audio: The audio signal can bypass the HD DVD player's internal audio processor and feed directly into an A/V receiver. The HD-A35 can output 5.1 channel analog audio and, with HDMITM, High Bit Rate Audio (up to 7.1 channels). With a capable receiver, the lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio standards are then decoded externally and audiophiles will be rewarded with the highest fidelity surround sound possible, adding a new dimension of enjoyment to the home theater experience. The HD-A35 also supports other surround sound audio standards including Dolby Digital Plus, DTS 5.1, and DTS HD (core only).

One-Touch Convenience
You can use the CE-Link (HDMI-CEC) to connect the HD-A35 with other CEC-capable devices for unsurpassed simplicity and convenience. For example, if the HD-A35 is connected to a compatible HDTV, you can turn on both the HD DVD player and the TV and start playing a movie with a single touch of a button on the remote.

The HD-A35 is backed by a limited 1-year warranty.

Six times the resolution of regular DVD (up to 1080p).

Upconverts standard DVDs to the output resolution.

Tons of new interactive features and bonus content.

What's in the Box
HD-A35 HD DVD player, remote control, and power cable.

Customer Reviews

Excellant HD-DVD player
When I first hooked this up, I thought I was going to have the same problem I had with my HD-A2 player-it wouldn't boot up. However, this player booted up just fine and I am very impressed with the picture. The sound on Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby True HD soundtracks is terrific when played through my Onkyo 805 receiver. I do have a quibble with the Dolby True HD on some discs, though. I put in one and every time I went to a different track or tracked forward, there was about a minute that the picture was silent. I found that the set up on the machine was very easy and the instruction manual is well written and informative. The remote is the same as the one for my HD-A2, so if I lose this one, I can use the other one. The machine is smaller than the HD-A2 and is very easy to move around. It's quite light, but feels sturdy when you pick it up. All in all this is an attractive unit, performs very well, and will blow your ears off when it kicks in full tilt on a good sound track. Can't wait to watch 300 on it. 300 and The Bourne Identity both are included in the package.

Recommended for some, not for others
Audio/video quality is top of the line - I cannot tell the difference between this and the quality of Blu-Ray and standard DVD on my PS3 (running to a 70" 1080P Sony XBR2). The difference between standard DVDs and the quality of HD DVDs on this player is astounding. I would say that you should only get this if you have the set-up to take advantage of the A35 specs - bitstream HD audio, 1080P/24, HDMI 1.3. Otherwise, look for a cheaper model or wait for the next generation of players. If you are looking to make the jump to HD DVD, this is the top of the line player and is highly recommended. You get your money's worth, particularly with the 10 free HD-DVDs Amazon is offering.

BUT, if you are on the fence about making the jump, be aware of the following - (1) You need a firmware update right out of the box which is annoying (use this link for the best description of how to perform the update - http://www.highdefforum.com/showthread.php?t=56607 - believe me you'll thank me for finding this link, the author of that thread should be highly commended...) It is amazing to me that the current generation of HD DVD players/Blu Ray players do not have built in WiFi to make the update process easier and for easier viewing of extras that require an internet hook-up. This is a big reason the Xbox 360/PS3 players are nice. WiFi should be coming in future generations of players. (2) This player is deeper and wider than future players will be - I had to rearrange my setup to make room for it. It is slightly wider and deeper than my HD DVR Directv box. (3) Even with the 1.3 firmware update, the player is sensitive to scratched HD DVDs. The player would not play a nexflix HD DVD that had some scratches. HD DVDs without scratches work perfectly. This should be fixed in future generations of players. (4) The player has a delay when you fast-forward or rewind. It is a slight annoyance that will be fixed in future generations of players. (5) You don't just turn it on and pop in the movie, it takes about a minute to get the DVD menu up. Again, a minor annoyance that will be fixed in future generations of players.

All together, if you want to be on the cutting edge of technology, you have to put up with the growing pains described above. This is the top of the line HD DVD player, and if you want to make the leap I recommend this player. If you are on the fence and are fine watching standard DVDs, you might want to wait. If you don't have a top of the line receiver/tv setup, I would do some research and perhaps go with a cheaper model.

I am very happy with my purchase, and recommend this player to people like me who spent a good amount of money on their audio/video set-up and watch 3+ movies a week (if this is you and you don't have an HD DVD player yet, what are you waiting for!?!). In the end, the best recommendation is to say that I would buy it again if this player were somehow lost.

An Awesome Player for High-Def Audio
The main advantage of this player is the ability to pass audio directly to the receiver. If you have a HDMI receiver capable of processing TrueHD or DTS-Master audio, then the A35 is right for you. I have my A35 hooked up to an ONKYO 605 receiver and the sound is phenomenal. If you don't have or plan to get an HDMI receiver, you're probably better off going with the A30 and saving a few bucks.

However, when you talk about value, I have to think back to a year ago when you could only get a 1080i player for $500. Now, for under $500, you can get this A35 with 1080p processing and HDMI 1.3 support. On top of that, the movies `300' and `The Bourne Identity" are in the box (a $60 value) and you get 5 more free movies by mail ($150 value). Plus: Universal, Paramount and DreamWorks support HD DVD exclusively, so some of the hottest hit will only be available in HD DVD.