dead

[wildchild22]

Walmart has the venturer on clearance for 99.99. Same as A3 comes with 2 movies in box and it is not eligble for the 5 free. Still an awesome deal.

[sc888888]

Unless they are throwing in the whole HD DVD collection, it is not worth it.

[klover]

Think of it as buying the best upscaling DVD processor available for $100.
These units have stunning upscaling and video processing cpus.

[dmdsoftware2]

Think of it as buying the best upscaling DVD processor available for $100.
These units have stunning upscaling and video processing cpus.

And not to mention that when the shops start liquidating HD DVD movies, they'll be nice to have so that you can cash in some cheap movies.

[Jag]

HOT PRICE!! I really am waiting for the A3 to go down to about 119, as we are seeing it fall to that price in the states.

[sully]

Think of it as buying the best upscaling DVD processor available for $100.
These units have stunning upscaling and video processing cpus.

I wouldn't have believed you, but yesterday I put Lord Of War in my Toshiba HD-D3 HD-DVD player (next of kin to this Venturer) connected to my Toshiba 42" DLP HDTV, and it blew my mind with how well it upscaled the picture.

[dealsoutlook]

do these players upscale only through HDMI or through component as well?? I have a toshiba D3 and connected to my tv with HDMI and I am planning to buy another one..but for the TV that only has component..would it upscale to 1080i for that?

[bryan35]

I know that plasma tv's do their scaling on their own to what the native resolution is. So my tv will scale to 720p whatever signal comes in. A upscaling dvd that puts out 1080i or 1080p is scaled back to 720p on plasmas. Upscaling dvd's for the most part are marketing gimmicks.

[Damed]

do these players upscale only through HDMI or through component as well?? I have a toshiba D3 and connected to my tv with HDMI and I am planning to buy another one..but for the TV that only has component..would it upscale to 1080i for that?

Upscaling through component is disabled in the spec. Not a player limitation.

The restriction has to do with the license hardware and software makers get from the DVD Copy Control Association (DVDCCA). Any maker who wants a license to playback DVDs has to get it from them. As part of the usage contract, upconversion of DVD content over component outs (or any other analog connection) beyond 480p is not allowed. Upconversion to 720p, 1080i, etc over HDMI or DVI is ok, though.

[Formula1]

do these players upscale only through HDMI or through component as well?? I have a toshiba D3 and connected to my tv with HDMI and I am planning to buy another one..but for the TV that only has component..would it upscale to 1080i for that?

I've only tried 300 HD-DVD through component and it ouputed to 1080i and looked as good as HDMI so I don't see why it wouldn't upscale DVD's through component at 1080i. I usually have it hooked up via HDMI. I only tried component once to make sure it worked.

Edit: Just saw Damed post. He's probably got the right answer.

[ZenOps]

Non-copyright material will upscale to 1080 over component.

Its an agreement that Bluray and HD-Dvd both have to abide by.

That said - most movies are copyright.

[guppy98]

Which 2 movies are in the box? I don't currentluy have an upscaling player so have been REALLY considering an HD player for this reason but with the "bonus" of being able to play hd-dvd.

[Damed]

Which 2 movies are in the box? I don't currentluy have an upscaling player so have been REALLY considering an HD player for this reason but with the "bonus" of being able to play hd-dvd.

Either "Firewall" and "The Perfect Storm"

or "Rumour Has It" and "The Perfect Storm"

[crawdaddy]

Which 2 movies are in the box?

If I recall correctly:

Rumour Has It & The Perfect Storm (but the flyer showed Perfect Storm & Firewall so YMMV...)

Anybody that picked one up care to clarify?

Edit: You beat me, Damed. Well played...

[wanton007]

sigh....still no Divx support