Toshiba XD-E500 review coming soon

" Toshiba XD-E500 review coming soon.

Blu-ray and DVD news

By Henning Molbaek
First published Sep 2, 2008

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Wanted to give a heads up on an upcoming hardware review here on DVDTOWN.com. We have just received the much talked about "Toshiba XD-E500KU" 1080p upscaling DVD player.

We will give it a run for its money and see how it holds up against other players like the Toshiba XA2 HD DVD player and Sony's Playstation 3.

Again, we DO NOT see this as a replacement for Blu-ray but as a nice way to enjoy the many standard DVDs that people have in their collection. If indeed it does a good job.

If you have suggestions to disc or scenes we should test you can add your comments below and we will see if we can make it into the test.

The review should be ready early next week.

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Discuss

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Falcon01

Sep 2, 2008 - CDT 8:33 AM

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I'm really looking forward to this.

Can you guys do a comparison of a black and white movie like say Casablanca? Also something where the camera pans a lot like the Planet Earth series, or the Fast and the Furious movies (only ones that come to mind at the moment) to see how it handles panning. As a third suggestion something with lots of CGI like Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith or even Transformers? Just some suggestions.

If possible it would be great to see how this player handles different situations as I'm very interested in one of these. Can't wait to read the results.

[Post edited by Falcon01 on Sep 2, 2008 - CDT 8:34 AM]

StevePro

Sep 2, 2008 - CDT 9:25 AM

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Try something that had an awful transfer also, like the 1982 Director's Cut of Blade Runner. And don't forget pics of both the front and rear panels. This will be interesting.

ReaggieP

Sep 2, 2008 - CDT 9:38 AM

says... is thinking "Brick House"...

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Comparisons between the SD DVD and the Hi Def versions are always a good measure of equipment capabilities. Also Single Layer transfers VS Dual Layer DVD transfers is also a good test. I noticed with my single layer disks tend to create more grain on the XA2 VS the Dual layer disks. Sharpness significantly is lost on the Single layer stuff.

ditcin

Sep 2, 2008 - CDT 1:41 PM

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How about comparing it to the Oppo. That player has always gotten great reviews for upconverting. Personally I have one and people are always fooled that they are watching a HD signal, either cable or DVD. I have the 970 and it goes up to 1080i mix that with an Anthem D2 and the picture quality on standard DVD is stunning. My friends and I did a BLU comparsion and the difference was very little. So try to compare the new Toshiba to an Oppo.
Thanks,
Scott

Falcon01

Sep 2, 2008 - CDT 2:25 PM

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Great idea.

Also, I know this is asking a lot but is it possible to compare the upconversion of this player on a 50" TV and a 100"+ screen from a projector? I'm wondering if the upconversion looks even better on a bigger screen which I assume it would.

[Post edited by Falcon01 on Sep 2, 2008 - CDT 2:28 PM]

StevePro

Sep 2, 2008 - CDT 2:48 PM

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Also a comparison of upconversions from other Toshiba products such as the XA2 and the A35.

Scotsman

Sep 2, 2008 - CDT 5:14 PM

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Can I just point out that that I never started this thread

I think the Oppo comparison would be great.

Just to add that this player is due for release in Europe 1st October.

[Post edited by Scotsman on Sep 2, 2008 - CDT 5:27 PM]

Tim Raynor

Sep 2, 2008 - CDT 6:09 PM

says... It looks fake . . . very fake!

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Hey, can you guys check and see how it handles Pop Tarts?

mikek58

Sep 2, 2008 - CDT 7:05 PM

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Hey Guys,
First let me say I purchased the HD-XA2 because of your review.
I hasn't failed me yet.
I have 1,600+ SDVD'S Almost all of them look great on this player which by the way is going for
$ 1,500 on Amazon now and I got it for $ 560.00
OK A big test for me was the great movie " Never Cry Wolf "
A tremendous flick which has never deserved its due for any kind of " clean-up "
The DVD is deplurable so bad I cound not watch this great flick.
I put in in the HD-XA2 and Viola !!!! It looks damn good.
Lets see what you guys come up with I waiting for your review.

By the way whats the price on this newbie ???