Help on setting for HD DVD player

[Pez]

I just got the Tosh XA2 player and have a couple of questions about setup. The player is connected to TV via HDMI and to pre/pro with digital coax, here are the questions:

Enhanced black level - currently its off, should it be on?
Picture mode - currently is Auto but other choices are Film and Video. I have no idea what the difference is, what should I choose?
Digiatal Out SPDIF - currently is set to PCM, I want that over bitstream correct?
Dynamic Range Control - currently set to Auto but dont I want that off?
Dialog Enhancement - currently set to off which I think is what I want.

I am asking these questions as I am not excatly sure what changing them will do. Normally I would try each out but I am moving soon and want to get in one movie before I pack all my HT gear. Some of these questions I should know that answer but simply cant remember (the PCM vs Bitsteam in particular).

[Kevin D]

I just got the Tosh XA2 player and have a couple of questions about setup. The player is connected to TV via HDMI and to pre/pro with digital coax, here are the questions:

>>Enhanced black level - currently its off, should it be on?

Not sure what what it does on the XA2, but most likely off. I believe it expands the black level (0-7.5 IRE) for sets that don't produce blacks well.

>>Picture mode - currently is Auto but other choices are Film and Video. I >>have no idea what the difference is, what should I choose?

Auto should be fine. The progressive conversion circuit has to act differently for video sources (30FPS) or film sources (24FPS). If any regular DVD ever looks choppy just set it to the appropriate setting for that disc.

>>Digiatal Out SPDIF - currently is set to PCM, I want that over bitstream >>correct?

No, you want bitstream. PCM will be a stereo version of the track, bitstream is the Dolby Digital or DTS version.


>>Dynamic Range Control - currently set to Auto but dont I want that off?

Yes, off.

>>Dialog Enhancement - currently set to off which I think is what I want.

Yes off, otherwise you mess with the center levels and EQ.


Kevin D.

[Pez]

Thanks!

[Azeke]

Sound advice Kevin D.

Peace and blessings,

Azeke

[Kevin D]

You'll have to let us know what you think.

Kevin D.

[Pez]

You'll have to let us know what you think.

Kevin D.

OK, here goes:

First movie was Assualt on Precinct 13. Not what I had in mind for my first HD-DVD experience but thats all Blockbuster had (thier selection stinks). On a side note the movie was a lot better than I expected, in fact I really enjoyed it.

The video quality was amazing. If I didnt know any better I would say the image was better than some of the blu-ray movies I have watched (using the PS3). I dont know if its a function of the movie itself or the player cause I thought the two formats were suppose to be the same on the video side. Sometimes I notice a screen door effect with some of the blu ray movies but didnt see any of that with Assualt on Precinct 13.

For audio I was using the digital coax so I just listened to the DTS track. Audio was excellent, lots of hard-hitting action. To my ears the DD and DTS tracks on next gen DVD formats seem to sound better than the SD-DVD counterparts but I could just be hearing things. Once I get moved into the new house I will use the analog multi-channel outputs to experience the next gen sound. Thats why I got the XA2 vs the A2. Since my pre/pro doesnt have hdmi inputs this is one area where I lose out with the PS3.

All in all a very positive experience. Next up will be The Matrix but first I have to move into the new house and then set up shop. Will probably be a few weeks but at least I can turn the volume up as loud as I want (currently live in an apartment and I tried to be mindfull of neighbors).

One other thing, the XA2 is built like a tank, I couldnt believe how heavy it was. The only negative is start up time - takes way to long for me.

[John Holmes]

Pez,

Glad you are enjoying the new toy! I agree with you that, the HD-DVD players do a good job with processing the DD+ into DTS via coax/toslink. It even seems (to my ear) do a better job with the legacy ones too. However, when you get moved in, and setup with your analog multichannel inputs, DD+ will take you to new heights! :B

A little better channel seperation but, a lot cleaner sound. Which really shocked me to tell the truth. I never thought it could get much better than what I was used to.

Tonight I'm going to watch Batman Begins. It will be my first TrueHD movie. Can't wait! :nos:

Anyway, again, congrats!!!

[Pez]

I watched my first SD DVD on the XA2 and all I can say is WOW! The movie was Star Wars Ep IV and I have never seen it look so good. I could not believe just how sharp the picture was. There have been many occasions where I will see a screen shot online from someones TV/projector and my setup was never near the picture quality of those. But now with the XA2 and my Samsung 1080p DLP RPTV I am in video bliss. I will need to prove this but it seems to upconvert better than the PS3. And truth be told as far as performance the XA2 seems to put out a better pic than the PS3 (I support both formats equally so there is no bias in my statement).

I had fully planned to keep my Denon 2910 for a secondary player just for the sake of a backup and something my wife could use. Not anymore. The 2910 is going up for sale the XA2 is my new reference DVD player. Highly recommended.

[John Holmes]

Pez,

I just watched "The Bernie Mac Show" on my XA1 last night. Like you, I was just amazed how good to picture looked. It's hard to swollow that SD disc are able to produce PQ this good. It has made me really look at this a "Bit is a Bit" and "it's all 1's and 0's" argument. Upconversion on these HD players are very good!