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Toshiba HD-A3
Product Summary

CNET has not reviewed the Toshiba HD-A3, but we have reviewed the similar step-up model, the Toshiba HD-A30.

Specs: Sound output mode: Stereo; Weight: 7.3 lbs  See full specs >>

Price range: $134.12 - $249.99

CNET editors' take

  • Reviewed by: Matthew Moskovciak
  • Reviewed on: 10/17/2007

Editors' note: Toshiba officially announced it will stop producing HD DVD products, bringing an end to the format war. For that reason, CNET recommends that people avoid buying this player for high-definition movie playback.

The Toshiba HD-A3 is the entry-level model in Toshiba's line of third-generation HD DVD players. We have not reviewed the Toshiba HD-A3, but we have reviewed the step-up model, the Toshiba HD-A30. These models are very similar, with the major difference being that the HD-A30 adds 1080p output and 1080p at 24 frames per second output (also known as 1080p/24) to the HD-A3's feature set. However, as noted in the review, the disappointing image quality of the HD-A30's 1080p output means that many owners would be better off just using 1080i mode--so there's little reason to pay the extra for the HD-A30 over the HD-A3. And while the HD-A30's 1080p/24 output is excellent, it is of little use to most buyers since the vast majority of HDTVs cannot display 1080p/24 signals properly.

Toshiba also offers the HD-A35, which adds support for bitstream output of the new high-resolution soundtrack formats, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Bitstream output of these soundtracks means that the encoded audio can be sent to a compatible AV receiver with onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding.

Lastly, Toshiba continues to sell the Toshiba HD-XA2 as its flagship model. For more information, please refer to our full review of the HD-XA2.

See more CNET content tagged:
Toshiba,
1080p,
HD-DVD

User opinions

7.6/10 Average user rating from 29 users Very good

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Where to buy

StoreCNET CertifiedIn stockShippingPrice
Amazon.com
5.0 star rating
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See Site $29.95 $249.99
Tech For Less, Inc.
5.0 star rating
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Yes $26.01 $134.12

See Toshiba HD-A3 prices from 2 stores.

Similar products

  • Toshiba HD-A30
  • Toshiba HD-A2
  • Toshiba HD-XA2
  • Toshiba HD-A35
  • Panasonic DMP-BD50
Where to buy

Toshiba HD-A3

$134.12 - $249.99 See prices from 2 stores

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