HD-A35 Conclusions
The Toshiba HD-A35 is a pretty darn good HD player. It also does a respectable job at upconversion for normal DVDs. With discrete analogue output, 12-bit Deep Color support (is there any content yet?), and 24p, it distinguishes itself from the competition. Unfortunately, the look and sound of perfect isn't quite perfect yet. With downfalls such as the incapability to switch between 30p and 24p automatically, and a few failing jaggie and cadence tests, the A35 can be improved upon. Hopefully, some of these issues can be addressed with firmware updates. It does seem that HD DVD might be on the way out, so this hope may be fleeting. In any case, if you find this player at a good price then you'll be quite pleased at the audio and video output capabilities!
The Score Card
The scoring below is based on each piece of equipment doing the duty it is designed for. The numbers are weighed heavily with respect to the individual cost of each unit, thus giving a rating roughly equal to:
Performance × Price Factor/Value = Rating
Audioholics.com note: The ratings indicated below are based on subjective listening and objective testing of the product in question. The rating scale is based on performance/value ratio. If you notice better performing products in future reviews that have lower numbers in certain areas, be aware that the value factor is most likely the culprit. Other Audioholics reviewers may rate products solely based on performance, and each reviewer has his/her own system for ratings.
Audioholics Rating Scale
— Excellent
- — Very Good
- — Good
- — Fair
- — Poor
| Metric | Rating |
|---|---|
| High Definition Video Performance | |
| Standard Definition Video Performance | |
| High Definition Audio Performance | |
| Analogue Audio Performance | |
| Bass Management | |
| Deinterlacing & Scaling | |
| Build Quality | |
| Ergonomics & Usability | |
| Ease of Setup | |
| Features | |
| Remote Control | |
| Fit and Finish | |
| Performance | |
| Value | |
See also:
Johnd;375847
I think it's defective PENG. My A3 is whisper quiet.
That is strange, I have had the A3 for a few days, it was noisy like my 47LX196 with or without a disc in it. I replaced it with the A30 and it sounds just about the same. Not super noisy but definitely not whisper quiet. Both players played DVD and HDDVD flawlessly. Either I just happened to end up with two defective units (the fan) or you are so lucky to have an exceptionally quiet one.
On another note, I read through everything available on the Toshiba website and the ony differences I noted between the A30 and the A35 are on the audio side. Is that the reason why you are willing to pay more for the A35? I actually think I made a mistake paying $50 more for the A30. The A3 is every bit as good because there is no clear advantage of the 1080p output unless the TV can do 1080p 24.
PENG;373224
I don't know about the A35 but you can hear the A3 and A30 from several feet away. I think it is the fan.
I think it's defective PENG. My A3 is whisper quiet.
PENG;373224
I don't know about the A35 but you can hear the A3 and A30 from several feet away. I think it is the fan.
thanks. was worried mine was defective.
what a crappy fan they put in.
