C’est à l’occasion du salon germanique IFA 2006 que Toshiba a confirmé officiellement l’arrivée sur le sol européen de ses deux lecteurs de salon HD-DVD. Voici toutes les informations techniques sur ces deux lecteurs Toshiba HD-E1 et HD-XE1.
Si l’Europe a un peu de retard sur les USA sur la disponibilité de lecteurs HD-DVD c’est tant mieux car les versions qui arrivent épongent de nombreux problèmes et bugs observés sur les premières moutures américaines. Plus fins, plus élégants et donc, plus fiables, ces deux lecteurs seront proposés à un prix équivalent à celui des Etats-Unis soit 599 et 799€, prix qui pourra être variable suivant les pays en considération des écarts de TVA.
Voici ci-dessous un tableau comparatif des caractéristiques techniques de ces deux lecteurs. Vous trouverez par ailleurs en fin de tableau la reproduction du communiqué de presse officiel en anglais.
Caractérisques techniques :
Modèle HD-E1 HD-XE1
Prix (TTC) €599 €899
Disponibilité Novembre 2006 Décembre 2006
HD DVD Video*1 Oui Oui
DVD Video Oui Oui
DVD VR *2 Oui Oui
Compatibilités
CD (CD-DA) Oui Oui
HD DVD Video Oui Oui
Twin format Disc (HD DVD & DVD Video) Oui Oui
DVD-ROM (Video) Oui Oui
DVD-R (Video) Oui Oui
DVD-R DL (Video) Oui Oui
DVD-RW (Video/VR) Oui Oui
CD (CD-DA) Oui Oui
CD-R (CD-DA) Oui Oui
Compatible Discs
CD-RW (CD-DA) Oui Oui
MPEG2 Oui Oui
MPEG4 AVC (H.264) Oui Oui
Codecs VC1 Oui Oui
HD output resolutions
720p, 1080i Oui Oui
1080p Non Oui
DVD PAL, NTSC Oui Oui
SD upscale to HD resolution (via HDMI) Jusqu’au 1080i Jusqu’au 1080p
297MHz/12bit Video DAC (analogue) outputs) Non Oui
Video Specifications
Deep Colour (HDMI output) *3 Non Oui
Codecs
Dolby Digital Oui (Jusqu’au 5.1ch) Oui (Jusqu’au 5.1ch)
Dolby Digital Plus Oui (Jusqu’au 5.1ch) Oui (Jusqu’au 5.1ch)
Dolby TRUE HD Oui (Jusqu’au 5.1ch) Oui (Jusqu’au 5.1ch)
dts Oui (Jusqu’au 5.1ch) Oui (Jusqu’au 5.1ch)
dts-HD (core only) Oui (Jusqu’au 5.1ch) Oui (Jusqu’au 5.1ch)
MPEG Audio Oui Oui
PCM Oui (Jusqu’au 5.1ch) Oui(Jusqu’au 5.1ch)
Connectique
Composite 1 1 (plaqué or)
S-Video 1 1 (plaqué or)
Component 1 1 (plaqué or)
Analogue 2ch 1 1 (plaqué or)
Analogue 5.1ch Non 1 (plaqué or)
Digital coaxial Non 1 (plaqué or)
Digital optical 1 1
HDMI output Ver. 1.2 1 Non
HDMI output Ver. 1.3*3 Non 1
Ethernet (10/100BASE) 1 1
Control (RS-232C) Non 1 (bi-directional)
Dimensions et poids à confirmer
*1. HD DVD discs containing high definition content at a field rate of 50Hz or a frame rate of
25Hz cannot be played on HD-E1 and HD-XE1 without a firmware update. Firmware update
is expected in the future. Should you have any question about the frame rate of your disc,
please contact the disc vendor.
*2. CPRM compatible disc cannot be played.
*3. Requires viewing with TVs or monitors and equipment compliant with Deep Colour feature
based on HDMI 1.3. Some TVs or monitors may not be compatible. If you experience
compatibility problems, please contact Toshiba Customer Service.
Communiqué de presse officiel annonçant l’arrivée des lecteurs HD-DVD sur le sol européen.
Berlin, September 1, 2006. Toshiba today announces the launch of Europe’s first commercially available stand-alone HD DVD players, launching a new era of high definition home entertainment and marking the arrival of the next generation DVD format.
Available from mid-November, the HD-E1 will be the first model to offer HD DVD quality to European videophiles, while the step-up HD-XE1, which will follow early in December, will deliver even more astonishing image and sound thanks to its state-of-the-art audio and video processing1. Representing the very latest in high definition technology and boasting a sleek, slim-line, matt-black design, both players offer exceptional value for money.
The two players support the playback of pre-recorded HD DVD discs, offering consumers stunning, digital, high definition picture quality far surpassing that delivered by standard DVD. HD DVD discs also offer crystal clear sound in three new sound formats1, as well as a whole new range of interactive features far more advanced than those available on the current DVD format2.
Both players are also backwards compatible with existing DVD and CD formats3, and the HD-XE1 can ‘upscale’ and output existing DVD content at 1080p for display on HD Ready LCD, Plasma panels and other HD TVs or monitors4 via HDMI terminals.
Breathtaking Image Quality
The HD-E1 and the HD-XE1 deliver breath-taking visual image quality. The HD DVD format delivers an image with a resolution much greater than standard DVD, giving exceptional levels of image detail and clarity.
Both players will also upscale traditional DVDs via the HDMI output to 720p and 1080i resolutions – with the HD-XE1 also offering 1080p upscaling – enabling consumers to rediscover their existing DVD collections in improved picture quality4.
Next Generation Surround Sound
Clarity of image is only half the story; sound quality is also hugely enhanced with the HDE1 and HD-XE1. On top of the audio formats already used in standard DVD, both models support the clarity and realism of three next generation surround-sound formats. Dolby Digital Plus uses a higher bit rate (up to 3Mbps) to improve fidelity and bring increased realism to movie soundtracks; Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD support very high bit rates and larger sampling rates to produce a stunning audio experience.
A Whole New World of Interactive Content
The HD-E1 and HD-XE1 also open up a whole new world of interactivity available on HD DVD titles2. Advanced Navigation and Content features offer new and exciting ways to interact, for example:
• The ability to browse movie chapters with thumbnails while the movie plays, as well as navigating menu features without pausing playback
• Picture in Picture (PIP) with motion video functions, including the ability to play supplementary video over the main programme. This allows viewers to watch bonus content, such as a superimposed director's commentary or a documentary about the making of the movie, while the movie plays2
• Both players come with Ethernet terminals to take advantage of forthcoming bonus features or new functionalities offered by Advanced Navigation and Content features that require internet connectivity or plug-in accessories.
Olivier Van Wynendaele, Deputy General Manager, HD DVD Products, Toshiba Europe, comments: “Since Toshiba commercialised the world’s first DVD players in Japan in 1996, DVD has become one of the most successful consumer products in history. However, the arrival of HD TVs and HD broadcasts is fuelling demand for a higher quality format that can deliver next generation video and audio. HD DVD is such a format; it builds on consumer familiarity with DVD and is very competitively priced, yet offers an amazing home entertainment experience. It is the natural successor to DVD, and public reaction in Japan and the US indicates that consumers are already falling in love with HD DVD just like they did with its predecessor.”