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 :(

[carmaster]

HD Dvd is dead. This should be no more than $50.

[Damed]

HD Dvd is dead. This should be no more than $50.

Lmao.

[ppthomas]

Hw good is this compared to the Toshiba HD player (one that in futureshop)

[Damed]

Hw good is this compared to the Toshiba HD player (one that in futureshop)


Other than the faceplate, it's exactly the same machine.

[Moebiwankenobi]

Other than the faceplate, it's exactly the same machine.

and that this does not qualify for the free 5 movies by mail. I'll still wait for a cheaper A3 before buying again (sold my old A3 when the whole BR thing happened).

[Vasy]

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.

I was at the WM, sales person said the return rate due to not working player was like 35% which is way higher then any other thing they sell.

[fitbrit]

Anyone know if this is region free for regular DVD playback?

[ppthomas]

what walmart got a return rate ????????? oh thts new for me

(never bought any electronics from there)

[Moebiwankenobi]

I was at the WM, sales person said the return rate due to not working player was like 35% which is way higher then any other thing they sell.

I wouldn't trust a wal-mart sales guy's opinion. And there's no way to judge if those "returns" are really defective or just because of the whole HD war thing.

[pizzaguy]

This may be off topic. I have a LG upconvert DVD player and Sony LCD rear projection HDTV and use HDMI cable, but I don't see much difference before and after the upconvert. Are you guys really notice a big difference in the picture quality? How does it compare to the TV programs with HD from cable?

[brunes]

I wouldn't trust a wal-mart sales guy's opinion. And there's no way to judge if those "returns" are really defective or just because of the whole HD war thing.

Not to mention how many people probably bought it then tried to play a "Blu Ray HD!" in it and thought it was broken when it didn't work.

You would be surprised how many people buy HD DVDs and expect them to work in a normal player.

[fitbrit]

what walmart got a return rate ????????? oh thts new for me

(never bought any electronics from there)

Is it possible you're confusing "return rate" with "restocking fee"?

In case you are: the return rate is what percentage of people buying the player return it due to dissatisfaction of some kind or another.

If you're not confusing the two terms, you're certainly confusing me. :)

[KingCreole]

This may be off topic. I have a LG upconvert DVD player and Sony LCD rear projection HDTV and use HDMI cable, but I don't see much difference before and after the upconvert. Are you guys really notice a big difference in the picture quality? How does it compare to the TV programs with HD from cable?

Is your LG the 7832? If it is, you should notice a difference. I have that one and the difference is quite evident.

As far as cable HD...if you mean, playing HD-DVD's....if your TV is HD, you'll notice a significantly better picture quality with HD discs over cable HD.

And to the thread-crappers, grow up. Acting like 9 year olds adds nothing to this thread. And I'm no fan boy...own both formats. Just gets a bit tiring to see these brainless posts in every HD thread.

[andrij]

will it play H.264/MPEG-4 AVC files?

[roar]

I think the deal at sig is better.

http://www.sigelectronics.com/Electronics/Portable-DVD-Communication/Toshiba-HD-DVD-Player-HD-A2;jsessionid=0a0004471f4395519e1f32d74c988a0b8a36 8420adea.e3iKaNePch4Re34Pa38Ta38Rbhn0

[i6s1]

I think the deal at sig is better.

http://www.sigelectronics.com/Electronics/Portable-DVD-Communication/Toshiba-HD-DVD-Player-HD-A2;jsessionid=0a0004471f4395519e1f32d74c988a0b8a36 8420adea.e3iKaNePch4Re34Pa38Ta38Rbhn0

Yup, 5 more movies and better audio for $10 less.

[fitbrit]

Yup, 5 more movies and better audio for $10 less.

Do you get free movies with the refurb?

[Damed]

Do you get free movies with the refurb?

Highly doubtful. You'd have to try, but I wouldn't bet on it.

[Damed]

Yup, 5 more movies and better audio for $10 less.

Audio is only better if you are using optical. HDMI audio is the same.

[pizzaguy]

Is your LG the 7832? If it is, you should notice a difference. I have that one and the difference is quite evident.

As far as cable HD...if you mean, playing HD-DVD's....if your TV is HD, you'll notice a significantly better picture quality with HD discs over cable HD.

And to the thread-crappers, grow up. Acting like 9 year olds adds nothing to this thread. And I'm no fan boy...own both formats. Just gets a bit tiring to see these brainless posts in every HD thread.

KingCreole,

Mine is LG dvd recorder LRA760 with up-conversion. is there any special set up needed to run the up convert? There is a button in the remote to select the resolution for up convert like 760p or 1080i, and this is the only button that i used to do the up convert. I found the TV program with HD from Rogers look a lot better than the upconverted DVD.

[marcopolo85]

At the rate that these HD-DVD players are falling, just wait. These players will be $50 in no time.

[i6s1]

Do you get free movies with the refurb?

I guess not... too bad.

[Angultra]

Big YMMV on this one...just went to Kennedy + Sheppard in Scarborough and both shelf and scanned price was $199.97, so no deal there. Website also confirms $199.97:

http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/storelocator/Canada-FeaturedPage.jsp?selection=eventDetails&tabId=1&lang=&assetId=28184&imageId=39280&suggestedItem=&priceType=null&page=null&&departmentId=63&eventId=222&lang=&pageNum=1&tabId=1

[wildchild22]

maybe Newfoundland only then

[TCB069]

will it play H.264/MPEG-4 AVC files?

I don't believe it does. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong though.

[TCB069]

Anyone know if this is region free for regular DVD playback?

Nope, its only region free for HD-DVD's.

[fitbrit]

Nope, its only region free for HD-DVD's.

Thanks for the response.

[BB88]

Do you get free movies with the refurb?

No, according to the requirement from the redemption coupon

BTW, does the Venturer downmix audio to DTS (like A2) or DD (like A3)

[wildchild22]

it outputs DD as its the same as the A3 only gen2 puts out dts as well as xbox add-on

[Vasy]

This may be off topic. I have a LG upconvert DVD player and Sony LCD rear projection HDTV and use HDMI cable, but I don't see much difference before and after the upconvert. Are you guys really notice a big difference in the picture quality? How does it compare to the TV programs with HD from cable?

Yes I do, I have a philips DVD with upconversion and I can really notice a difference.

[Crowbarfoot]

Anyone else see this price at your local store?

[kab122]

maybe Newfoundland only then

Still at $199 in Summerside, PEI (eastern canada)

[dmdsoftware2]

Yes I do, I have a philips DVD with upconversion and I can really notice a difference.

+1 it's like night and day.

[Damed]

No, according to the requirement from the redemption coupon

BTW, does the Venturer downmix audio to DTS (like A2) or DD (like A3)


The Venturer *IS* an A3.

Or more accurately, the A3 is a Venturer.

[markymark]

So is this deal for real or was the OP just very lucky?
Has anyone else confirmed?

[slomo]

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.

We would have to rip our own legitimately purchased DVD's just to be able to see it upscaled over component. :cheesygri

[YLSF]

ha.. all of this discussion about HD DVD and no confirmations from others that they were able to get it at the same price as the OP....

[movieking]

maybe Newfoundland only then

Which Walmart? I'd like to check it out.

[safi1]

Still 199.99 in Scarborough

[Psubs]

Since this doesn't come with 300, I have the HD-DVD / DVD Combo disc of 300 on sale for $20.

[Damed]

still $199 in St. Catharines

[wildchild22]

Corner Book is 99.99

[mabba18]

This may be off topic. I have a LG upconvert DVD player and Sony LCD rear projection HDTV and use HDMI cable, but I don't see much difference before and after the upconvert. Are you guys really notice a big difference in the picture quality? How does it compare to the TV programs with HD from cable?

I have found that upconverting makes a big difference, and is certainly good enough for me for now. However, it is very easy to tell the difference between upconverted material, and true HD. Even the best upconverting DVD players are trying to get something from nothing.

You should make sure that your DVD player is bringing the picture up to the maximum resolution you TV supports, especially if you have a larger screen.

[slicecom]

Wow, this is a GREAT deal! :!:

[Aske001]

Don't get carried away about upconverting. The concensus about it is that the difference you see depends mostly on the quality of the scaler in your HDTV. If you have a cheap LCD TV with a poor scaler, upconverting may make a very noticeable difference. If you have a plasma TV with a good scaler, you may not notice any difference at all. I can readily see this on my own equipment - my LCD TV looks much better with the DVD player upconverting to 1080p, while my Panasonic plasma looks almost exactly the same with the upconverting set to any resolution from 480 to 1080p because the TV's scaler is as good or better than the DVD player's.

[gg49]

anyone can imagine when hd dvd player will be sold for $50. lol

[slicecom]

anyone can imagine when hd dvd player will be sold for $50. lol

At this rate, they should be there by the end of the month! :razz:

[Psubs]

I just found out that my DVD recorder is also an upconverter and my TV deinterlaces 1080i, so I'm holding off on buying any HD player. :D

[tomincanada]

I just found out that my DVD recorder is also an upconverter and my TV deinterlaces 1080i, so I'm holding off on buying any HD player. :D

Even the best upscalers (and there are a lot of mediocre ones out there) don't come close to true HD.

[movieking]

Corner Book is 99.99

I've got to go there for work next week, so I'll check it out then. The St John's stores have it for $199.

[Psubs]

Even the best upscalers (and there are a lot of mediocre ones out there) don't come close to true HD.

With all of these epiphanies, I discovered that my tv was only 1080i. >:(

I got it from the shopping channel 2 years ago. :|

[tomincanada]

With all of these epiphanies, I discovered that my tv was only 1080i. >:(

I got it from the shopping channel 2 years ago. :|

So it is a CRT television then?

1080i really isn't such a bad thing. 1080p is certainly the best but the difference is overrated IMO.

[Sticky23]

$199 at one of the stores in the GVA. :(

[wildchild22]

deal is dead. Price at my local walmart is 160.00 now they said it was a pricing mistake should of bought first day of sale. they will never sell them at this price.

[BB88]

deal is dead. Price at my local walmart is 160.00 now they said it was a pricing mistake should of bought first day of sale. they will never sell them at this price.

"never"? Even the Toshiba is cheaper than this. Why would anyone wanted to buy a Venturer?