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The Toshiba HD-A35 HD DVD Player stands less than two-and-a-half inches tall but packs a long list of cutting edge features that will help you get the most out of your home theater system. With support for 1080p/24-frame video, Deep Color, and HDMI pass-through audio, this player makes it possible to achieve a viewing experience that's as much like being in a theater as you can get without going to one. 
The Toshiba HD-A35 HD DVD Player has support for 1080p/24-frame video and HDMI pass-through audio. View larger. | 
The HD-A35 upconverts standard DVDs for display on an 1080p HD screen. View larger. | A Refined, Slimmer Look
The HD-A35's refined design--with rounded edges, a slim chassis, and a high-gloss black face plate--looks sleek and elegant in your home theater system without taking up too much real estate. Outstanding Performance
All of Toshiba's HD DVD players support the enhanced features of the HD DVD format, including picture-in-picture video, audio commentary, and Web-enabled network capabilities. With an Ethernet port, the A35 can connect to the Internet for firmware updates to keep the player up to date on new features, and to support the growing number of HD DVD titles with interactive online features and bonus content. The HD-A35 uses the latest HDMI 1.3 interface to connect to your HD television, providing large bandwidth to eliminate any data bottlenecks and to support new technologies for the utmost in viewing experience. The HD-A35 can output video at 1080p, the highest resolution available, and includes support for 24-frame video, which maintains the native 24-frames-per-second rate of films, thereby delivering an experience more similar to one in theaters. It also supports Deep Color, a new standard that breaks through the 8-bit color depth limitation of existing HD video and allows a wider range of color than ever before. Of course, the HD-A35 upconverts from other resolutions so all your standard-definition DVDs display in near-HD quality on your HD television. In addition to 1080p, the HD-A35 also outputs at 720p and 1080i if desired. High-Definition Audio
Audiophiles rejoice! The A35 has HDMI pass-through audio: The audio signal can bypass the HD DVD player's internal audio processor and feed directly into an A/V receiver. The HD-A35 can output 5.1 channel analog audio and, with HDMITM, High Bit Rate Audio (up to 7.1 channels). With a capable receiver, the lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio standards are then decoded externally and audiophiles will be rewarded with the highest fidelity surround sound possible, adding a new dimension of enjoyment to the home theater experience. The HD-A35 also supports other surround sound audio standards including Dolby Digital Plus, DTS 5.1, and DTS HD (core only). One-Touch Convenience
You can use the CE-Link (HDMI-CEC) to connect the HD-A35 with other CEC-capable devices for unsurpassed simplicity and convenience. For example, if the HD-A35 is connected to a compatible HDTV, you can turn on both the HD DVD player and the TV and start playing a movie with a single touch of a button on the remote. The HD-A35 is backed by a limited 1-year warranty.
Six times the resolution of regular DVD (up to 1080p). | 
Upconverts standard DVDs to the output resolution. | 
Tons of new interactive features and bonus content. | What's in the Box
HD-A35 HD DVD player, remote control, and power cable.
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 Excellant HD-DVD player |
| Review Date: October 26, 2007 |
| Reviewer: D. Pauley, Charleston, WV |
| When I first hooked this up, I thought I was going to have the same problem I had with my HD-A2 player-it wouldn't boot up. However, this player booted up just fine and I am very impressed with the picture. The sound on Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby True HD soundtracks is terrific when played through my Onkyo 805 receiver. I do have a quibble with the Dolby True HD on some discs, though. I put in one and every time I went to a different track or tracked forward, there was about a minute that the picture was silent. I found that the set up on the machine was very easy and the instruction manual is well written and informative. The remote is the same as the one for my HD-A2, so if I lose this one, I can use the other one. The machine is smaller than the HD-A2 and is very easy to move around. It's quite light, but feels sturdy when you pick it up. All in all this is an attractive unit, performs very well, and will blow your ears off when it kicks in full tilt on a good sound track. Can't wait to watch 300 on it. 300 and The Bourne Identity both are included in the package. |
An Awesome Player for High-Def Audio
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| Review Date: October 8, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Chris, Chicago, IL USA |
The main advantage of this player is the ability to pass audio directly to the receiver. If you have a HDMI receiver capable of processing TrueHD or DTS-Master audio, then the A35 is right for you. I have my A35 hooked up to an ONKYO 605 receiver and the sound is phenomenal. If you don't have or plan to get an HDMI receiver, you're probably better off going with the A30 and saving a few bucks.
However, when you talk about value, I have to think back to a year ago when you could only get a 1080i player for $500. Now, for under $500, you can get this A35 with 1080p processing and HDMI 1.3 support. On top of that, the movies `300' and `The Bourne Identity" are in the box (a $60 value) and you get 5 more free movies by mail ($150 value). Plus: Universal, Paramount and DreamWorks support HD DVD exclusively, so some of the hottest hit will only be available in HD DVD. |
It's A Shame Toshiba Will No Longer Support HD DVD
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| Review Date: February 23, 2008 |
| Reviewer: James Beeler, Huntington Beach, CA |
It is a shame all the major retailers (Wal Mart, Target...) decided not to support HD DVD giving Toshiba no choice but to stop supporting it.
I bought the Sony BDP-S500 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player for $600 at Circuit City then later bought the Toshiba HD-A35 1080p HD DVD Player for only $228 from Amazon (now down to $196). I actually think the Toshiba HD-A35 1080p HD DVD Player is superior to the Sony BDP-S500 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player because it has the following features that the Sony does not:
1. The ability to select the distance of all surround speakers from the viewer (to compute optimum delay time)
2. The ability to select a dialog enhancing mode
3. The ability to select speaker size of all surround speakers (my Techniques sound processor can do this too)
4. The ability to set the cross over frequency of the sub woofer (both my NHT subwoofer and Pioneer amplifier can also do this).
The first two are the best features.
Other than that the two units are the same: Both are the least expensive units that have the x.v. color and 24 fps feature. But now, no doubt due to Toshiba pulling the plug on HD DVD, the Sony BDP-S500 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player has shot up to $999 at Amazon from $599 at Circuit City (and by the same token, that is probably why the Toshiba HD-A35 1080p HD DVD Player is only $196).
The HD DVDs are half the price of Blue Ray and the same quality picture (1080p) and sound.
My suggestion: Buy the Toshiba HD-A35 1080p HD DVD Player for $196 at Amazon, then buy all the HD movies you think you will want. Since Blue Ray DVD movies go for $30 and HD DVD movies are going for $15, this will save you $15 per disc. You will quickly pay for the $196 spent for the Toshiba HD-A35 1080p HD DVD Player to say nothing of the current $800 price difference between the Toshiba HD-A35 1080p HD DVD Player and Sony BPS-500! You also get 7 free HD discs with the Toshiba HD-A35 1080p HD DVD Player: 2 in the box and five you send in for.
First HD DVD set I am going to buy is the entire first season of Star Trek with the redone, 2006 special effects and remastered soundtrack on HD DVD. It comes out to only $3.36 per episode, half that if you include the fact that this set also has every episode in standard DVD as well. I'll get King Kong and Superman Returns too. |
Demonstrable improvement
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| Review Date: December 29, 2007 |
| Reviewer: David M, Zionsville, IN USA |
My first entry into high definition dvds was precipitated by an impressive performance of a 32" Sony Bravia LCD HDTV. Its resolution was so improved over a Sharp Aquos (purchased 2+ yrs ago) that my standard definition DVDs looked less impressive. For example, an X-Men Last Stand now showed easily visible digital artifacts that made it less enjoyable.
So I plunged with a new Toshiba A35 player. I have now watched 4 HD DVDs and several standard definition DVDs and can say they are awesome. The Last Stand DVD indeed improved in appearance, definition, and, most importantly, enjoyment. While I would not necessarily get this for the SD DVD improvements, they are in fact beautiful. I do not think I would replace my SD DVDs with HD DVDs -- but I've thought about it.
Operation is pretty standard. The firmware update worked smoothly (via direct ethernet connection into an Airport Express wireless to my DSL). I did need to set dynamic IP settings to ensure no intranet difficulties. I just left it plugged in so when I try out the internet connectivity DVDs I will have easy access. Remote is satisfactory, but not as many options as my Pioneer Elite DVD player. On the other hand, that remote also controls the tv volume, power, channel, and most importantly, the input source on the tv. Are you tired of having four or five different remotes sitting around? This helps a bit.
My connection to the Sony Bravia is via HDMI. Picture is beautiful. The Chronicles of Riddick HD DVD is spectacular. The picture is detailed, crisp, fast responding with no discernible digital artifacts, and otherwise thrilling. Stardust reveals an incredibly horrid Michelle Pfeiffer as the wicked witch, but also dazling special effects. Bourne Identity (one of the box freebies) was also impressive, though with less graphical fanfare than Riddick. Some stress with the other box freebie, 300. At first the graininess was a bit distracting. Several have mentioned this at IMDB, and eventually I accepted it as an artist statement by the director. 300 is so good, that you are drawn into the story and ambience -- closest I felt to being at the movies in a long time.
The HD DVD experience is truly exciting. The choice between Blu-Ray and HD DVD was tough. Ultimately I went with this (which apparently is resonant with the last 2007 upsurge in HD DVD and Player sales). My guess is that the studios aligned with a particular format will just make their content available on both media -- how can you not? If you are skittish about the format war, wait. Or use some of those points you have accumulated... I am looking forward to the release of the Lord of the Rings in HD format. I would like Fifth Element, but that's in the Blu-Ray camp today.
I have read that the VHS-Beta formats was largely settled by the porn industry going VHS. So will that be the case here?
I am completely satisfied with the choice of the A35: it offers a wide variety of enhancements and features. It is a bit slow on start-up, but maybe a firmware update will improve that. Right now the question is which HD DVDs to get next...
PS: I just updated the software (2/17/08). Can't say what impact it has had. I had never had a software hang-up (as some have reported). It did seem snappier in start-up -- but I might have fantasized that. |
Excellent Quality and Price - Better than Blu-Ray
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| Review Date: January 15, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Jeff Chambers, San Ramon, CA USA |
I did a lot of research before purchasing an HD DVD player. My decision to go with HD DVD over Blu-Ray was for the following:
-The HD DVD audio codec is more strict than Blu-Ray, so one could assume that HD DVD will produce higher quality TrueHD audio
-Price: The HD DVD player is ½ the price of a comparable Blu-Ray player
-At the time of purchase, Blu-Ray players didn't yet support TrueHD audio
-HD DVD players were outselling Blu-Ray 3 to 1
-Most of the titles that I wanted were on HD DVD and cheaper (avg. $20 ea)
-The DVD consortium backed HD DVD
-The dual/multi layer support for HD DVD means that it can store more data per disk side than Blu-Ray - interesting that Blu-Ray proponents claim the opposite
-The Amazon reviews on the Toshiba players were far better than the Sony/Panasonic Blu-Ray players
Overall, I'm satisfied with this HD DVD player but I suspect that the days of physical media disks for audio/video content are numbered - I fully expect to be downloading most of my 1080p content in a few years (i.e. AppleTV, Netflix, or TiVo downloads). Here are the A35 pros/cons:
Pros:
-Excellent video/audio
-Support for TrueHD direct to your receiver via HDMI
-1080p, deep color, and CEC support
-Great price $260 - expect to pay 100% more for a comparable Blu-Ray player
-Ethernet support; auto updates
Cons:
-Doesn't remember/bookmark disk location when you turn on/off player
-Startup time is slow - about 30 seconds. It takes 45 seconds to eject a disk
-Warners Bros recently announces exclusive support for Blu-Ray - not sure what this means for HD DVD but at 1/2 the price and better consumer reviews, HD DVD is the clear winner for me
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