Tech Shout!

Toshiba Corporation has started rolling out the world’s first commercially available HD DVD player. Available exclusively in Japan at present, the new player dubbed HD-XA1 delivers high definition images and amazingly clear sound, redefining the term “home entertainment.”

Toshiba’s HD-XA1 is the first player to support the HD DVD format approved by the DVD Forum, the international association that defines and promotes DVD standards. HD-XA1 supports playback of pre-recorded HD DVD, offering consumers unbelievable digital high-definition picture quality beating that of standard DVD2. Sound is also superior. Along with L-PCM 5.1ch audio, HD-XA1 supports the precision and realism of three next generation surround-sound formats, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD, and sound sources can be output to audio systems via the player’s HDMI output or multi-channel audio output. Support for up-conversion of standard DVD to a resolution of 1080i or 720p through HDCP capable HDMI output allows consumers to enjoy current DVD libraries with output resolution scaled to their HDTV or HD displays.

HD-XA1 also goes beyond the capabilities of standard DVD with extensive support for advanced navigation and interactive features offering new and exciting ways to interact with content. The player’s “pop-up menu” displays movie chapters with thumbnails while the movie plays, and allows users to navigate menu features without pausing playback. Picture in Picture (PIP) with motion video functions include the ability to play supplementary video over the main program, allowing viewers to watch bonus content, such as a superimposed director’s commentary or a documentary about the making of the movie, while the movie plays.

Initial shipments of HD-AX1, until April 27, will comprise of two complimentary HD DVD movie discs, “Resident Evil” and a Japanese film, “Moonlight Jellyfish”.

In 2005, Toshiba has marked 130 years of operation. During these festive moments the company selected certain strategic new products as “T130 Products”. HD-XA1 is positioned as a “T130 Product”.

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