A35 vs XA2 Upconversion related.

[OnMyOwn Vin0]

Well, the title says it all. Which of the two is the better upscaler? Or the better machine overall? Thanks!

[chris gerhard]

I own the HD-XA2 and the HD-A30, I don't own the HD-A35 but believe the HD-XA2 is the better upscaler and better player. The differences aren't great however.

Chris

[Arkadin]

xa2 is the best HD DVD player for sure.
the end.

[themiz69]

i wish i could c for myself.

[cheezz]

I have owned both. A35 went back. Pic too soft for my taste. Kept the XA2 and never turned back.

[Blacklac]

I own the Onkyo 805 (XA2) and A35. The 805 with Reon is better at upconverting, this is easily noticeable but only after enabling Mosquito NR and EE: +1. HD DVD's, they are both incredible and I need more comparing to tell. (805 is now at my buddies to test for 1080p shut down bug.) I think the 805 may be a little sharper with HD DVD's too...

[The_Doctor]

I have a A35 and Xa2, the a35 does a very, very good job upconverting. However the Xa2 is a better Upconverter, even before adjusting the picture. I compared certain scenes between the two players and the XA2 was the better. But the A35 was no slouch I doubt many would notice the difference.

[BobF]

Originally Posted by Blacklac

I own the Onkyo 805 (XA2) and A35. The 805 with Reon is better at upconverting, this is easily noticeable but only after enabling Mosquito NR and EE: +1. HD DVD's, they are both incredible and I need more comparing to tell. (805 is now at my buddies to test for 1080p shut down bug.) I think the 805 may be a little sharper with HD DVD's too...

Definitely post an update on your 805 shutdown bug test. I'm in the same boat with my 805. I don't have a 1080p display to check for the bug. (Be aware that, even if you hook up to a 1080p display, the bug may not show up for months.)

And thanks for the tips on the 805 image adjustments.

[sniper_the_killer_panda]

At this stage of the game this comparison I'd be happy to have either/or (being a A35 owner myself) but with the price premium the XA2 had and continues to have over the other models, one would be better off allocating the difference to the new XD-E500 which supposedly has 'super-upconversion'.

Honestly, I have not purchased a DVD in over 2 years. I've only reserved purchases to 'keepers' or to movies I'd watch over and over again, but with the mixed blessing of HD DVD's demise - it has made an entrance and over-indulgence into Hi-Def even more bearable and affordable. Even moreso to the fact that I can't see myself heading toward at the current stage of prices, which are still excruciatingly cost-prohibitive to the everyday consumer.

[The Limey]

The big advantage that the XA2 has over the A35 is the Silicon Optrix Reon chip when it comes to upconverting. The A35 is good at upconverting but it is bettered by the sheer ability of the XA2.
As others have already mentioned, adjusting those Reon picture controls can get even better results.
It's also gonna be really interesting to see how the XD-E500 compares against the Reon chip in the XA2 and the Onkyo 805 in the upconversion stakes.

[Josh Z]

As mentioned by others, the XA2 has better DVD upconversion.

HD DVD playback is about the same on both.

[bruceames]

HD DVD looks better on my XA2 vs. the A3. I'm not sure why (the Reon chip?), but it does...

[vinnie97]

Yes, the REON.

Next comparison would be XA2 versus Samsung BD-UP5000. I suspect the differences, if any, are negligible. An even more important comparison for the present, the XA2, BD-UP5000 (or other REON-equipped scaler) verus the new Toshiba upscaler.

[chris gerhard]

Originally Posted by vinnie97

An even more important comparison for the present, the XA2, BD-UP5000 (or other REON-equipped scaler) verus the new Toshiba upscaler.

Yes and to the allegedly upcoming SRT DVD players.

Chris

[chris gerhard]

Originally Posted by sniper_the_killer_panda

Even moreso to the fact that I can't see myself heading toward at the current stage of prices, which are still excruciatingly cost-prohibitive to the everyday consumer.

Wow, either you are given to overstatement when it comes to Blu-ray or I assume you don't even own an HDTV, which must be like being castrated for you to purchase. I purchased a Profile 1.0 Blu-ray player for $92 new and sealed and recent basic players are routinely priced between $280 to $350.

Chris