The Debut of Next-Generation HD DVD Players... (Updated - Dec 19)

[North America] Some user reports posted at AV Science Forum suggest that the stocks of HD-A2 had started to trickle down to retail stores since Dec 8, despite some sites having reported that the HD-A2 may arrive at retail stores late December. HD-A2 is priced at $499.99 MSRP. Click here for full specs and information of the HD-A2 from Toshiba (America). Another higher-end model, HD-XA2 priced at $999.99 is also expected soon... A summary of the differences between HD-A2 and HD-XA2 is available at the bottom of this blogpost.

There is also an ongoing promotional offer where any Toshiba HD DVD player (HD-A1, HD-D1, HD-A2, HD-A2W, HD-D2, HD-XA1 and HD-XA2) bought between the period Nov 1, 2006 - Feb 28, 2007 entitles the buyer to a choice any 3 Free HD DVDs from the given list. Full details of this promotion here (for U.S.) and here (for Canada)

[UK] Toshiba is now accepting orders for the HD-E1 [£449.99 (inc VAT) with free delivery, First image below]. HD-XE1 (899 Euros, Second image below) should be available soon although there still has been no confirmation of the release date since the delay.

There is also a special offer for every purchase of HD-E1, where every player sold comes bundled with 8 FREE DVD rentals (fom LoveFilm.com). Full details of this special offer can be accessed here.

Click on the respective weblinks for full specs and information of the HD-E1 and HD-XE1 from Toshiba. A summary of the differences between HD-E1 and HD-XE1 is available at the bottom of this blogpost.

[Australia] The HD-E1 (Aus$1099, First image below) is scheduled to be available at retail from mid-December while the HD-XE1 (Aus$1,599, Second image below) is expected to be available from February 2007. Full specs of HD-E1 and HD-XE1... A summary of the differences between HD-E1 and HD-XE1 is available at the bottom of this blogpost.

[Japan] Toshiba will roll out two new players, HD-XF2 (First image below) and HD-XA2 (Second image below) , in Japan from late December. The HD-XF2 seems to be the renamed HD-A2 and/or HD-E1 due for the North American and European markets respectively. A summary of the differences between HD-XF2 and HD-XA2 is available at the bottom of this blogpost.

Main differences between the 2 models:

• SD (DVD) Upscale to HD resolution via HDMI:
  - HD-E1/A2/XF2 (up to 1080i)
  - HD-XE1/XA2 (up to 1080p)
• HD output resolutions:
  - HD-E1/A2/XF2 (720p, 1080i)
  - HD-XE1/XA2 (720p, 1080i, 1080p)
• 297MHz/12bit Video DAC (HD-XE1/XA2 only)
• HDMI connection supported:
  - HD-E1/A2/XF2 (HDMI 1.2a)
  - HD-XE1/XA2 (HDMI 1.3: Deep Colour feature supported but requires compatible display compliant with this feature)
• Audio connections:
  - HD-E1/A2/XF2 (2-ch analog, Digital Optical)
  - HD-XE1/XA2 (2-ch analog, 5.1-ch analog, Digital Coaxial, Digital Optical)