High definition playback delivers 720p/1080i resolution at a transfer rate higher than DVD or even HDTV, resulting in a more detailed, realistic picture. Advanced audio, including Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS HD (core only), along with legacy formats including Dolby Digital and DTS bring an increased sonic realism to movie soundtracks. Backwards compatibility means you can enjoy your existing library of DVDs and CDs, and through the process of upconversion using HDMI, your movies are scaled to match the resolution of your HD display. An interface suite includes an abundance of audio/video connections as well as an ethernet connection for firmware updates and future internet delivered features.
HD DVD Playback
High Definition video requires a tremendous amount of space on a disc, thus a new Blue laser (versus a Red Laser for DVD) is utilized for HD DVD. The blue laser, with its shorter wave length, allows for information to be stored more densely on the disc, thus improving storage capacity by about over 3 times compared to that of a red laser technology. Additionally, more accurate and efficient video compression like MPEG-4 AVC and VC-1 (based on Microsoft Windows Media) compress information to achieve file sizes that are less than half of those of the current standard DVD's MPEG2.
High Performance Disc Drive
HD DVD not only provides a deliverable HD media format to the home, but does so with the potential of greater performance than experienced with HDTV. The HD-A2 disc drive has an astounding 36.55Mbps transfer rate. To put that in perspective, standard DVD has an average bit rate of less than 10Mbps and HDTV's maximum rate is 24Mbps.
High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
HDMI is the first industry-supported all digital Audio/Video connection providing the transmission of uncompressed digital video and multichannel audio on a single cable. When matched to a compatible HDMI-equipped HDTV, this single cable connection ensures that all signals remain in their pure digital form.
Backward Compatibility
Enjoy backwards compatibility and play your collection of standard DVDs on the player. In addition, via the HDMI interface, the HD-A2 scales the standard definition DVD output to a resolution of 720p or 1080i. Not only does this output the video in HD standard resolution, but because the conversion takes place in the player, the signal remains free from excessive digital-to-analog conversion artifacts.
High-performance SHARC DSP
Realize the benefits of new generation high-definition audio to complement high-definition video with 32-bit floating point SHARC DSP. Designed to perform audio conversion while executing extensive on-board multi-channel signal management, SHARC DSP in HD DVD delivers the stunning audio to complete your total high-definition experience.
Built-in Multi-Channel Decoders
The HD-A2 has built-in processors to handle the multi-channel decodersfor Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS and DTS HD
core only).
Specifications:
HD DVD Video
DVD Video
DVD VR (1.1)
Video Output: 1080i/60Hz/720p/480p/480i
Twin format Disc
Dolby Digital Plus 5.1ch)
Dolby TrueHD (5.1ch)
DTS (5.1ch)
DTS HD (core only)(5.1ch)
DVD-ROM (Video)
DVD-R (Video)
DVD-R DL (Video)
DVD-RW (Video/VR CPRM not supported)
CD, CD-R, CD-RW (CD-DA)
OSD Language English/French/Germany/Japanese
Remote Control Unit
TV Control (preset)
Remote - Glow-in-the-dark bottons
AV Cable (Video/L/R)
Digital / Analog out simultaneously
Dimensions: 16.9" x 13.58" x 2.58"
Video Output
Composite x 1
S-Video x 1
Component x 1
Audio Output
Analog (2ch): x 1
Digital Optical x 1
HDMITM output Ver. 1.2a 1
Ethernet (10/100BASE) 1
EXTENSION Terminal: 2
