Toshiba HD-A3

Average user rating from 29 users 7.6/10 Very good Read user opinions >>

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

WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW How would you rate this product?

9/10 Spectacular November 21, 2007

by AWF48 (see profile)

"7 - Free-HD-DVD's--Great Value!!" Read more >>
10/10 Perfect December 3, 2007

by AnthonyNYC (see profile)

"Best Player out there at moment!" Read more >>
10/10 Perfect December 17, 2007

by life_is2 (see profile)

"GREAT PRODUCT!!!!!!!!!!!!" Read more >>
WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW See all 29 user opinions >>