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Original Message

Oscar, what personal experiences have led you to believe that the Toshiba players are "POS" ...?

Posted by Audiophilander on September 28, 2007 at 13:07:24:
I have one of those Toshiba HD players (HD-A20) and it has been working flawlessly.
BTW, I suggest you click "See what people are saying about this story" and read the dozen or so pages of mixed and contentious responses to the article, unless of course you're the same 'Oscar' who has responded there several times already, in which case you probably already know how meaningless that Home Theater Group endorsement actually is in the overall scheme of things.
>>> "Probably because there are much larger profit margins with blu-ray players than cheap POS Toshiba players. Also helps that the format is also the better format for PQ/SQ." <<<
Blu-ray has yet to deliver in a number of areas in spite of promises and so far the PQ/SQ comparisons have suggested that the formats are almost identical when it comes to real-world viewing.
The bottom line is that Joe Public will buy based on the cheapest way to get to HD which matches the current display device. When it comes right down to a format war it looks more and more like VHS vs Beta back in the early 80's, with Beta offering a marginally better picture from a more expensive delivery system. We all know how that one came out, and we all know where SONY was positioned.
The main difference here is that studios are deeply involved in the process; in fact, movie studios are both key players and reluctant pawns to the outcome. IMHO, this isn't a war that will result in high definition failing to catch on, but rather a chess match that will end in a draw.
As I see it, high definition video content is inevitable because the mandating of change from analog to digital has ushered in broadcast HD television; video sources have to be upgraded to match it wherever possible. The only question is whether one format or the other will prevail before dropping prices on video hardware and the advent of cheaper dual format players make the BrD/HD-DVD war a moot point from a consumer perspective.
I suspect that neither will prevail before Joe Public gets serious about investing in a 'new fangled' video player. The reasons: backwards compatibility isn't an issue with either and the picture quality of both is comparable. In the long run favored hardware/software availability and price will determine that investment, ...but don't expect Joe Public to buy both players unless they're dirt cheap. Note: Exclusivity deals will probably prolong the perceived format war until hardware/software prices drop dramatically.
AuPh
~~~~~~ "No dog in the hunt, but amused by the number of A/V hounds who sniff each other's butts only to end up getting bitch-slapped for barking up the wrong tree." ~~~~~~