HD DVD on the Warpath
By Darryl Wilkinson February 20, 2006 — Come hell, high water, or copy-protection standards updates, Toshiba is bringing HD DVD to the masses.

Stating that two models, the HD-XA1 and HD-A1, will be the first HD DVD players to hit store shelves in the United States, Toshiba says retailers will begin receiving shipments of the newfangled high-definition optical-disc format players in March of this year. To help bring sales people up to speed on - and increase consumer awareness of - the wonders of the new technology, Toshiba personnel are packing their bags, loading demo discs, and frantically buying plane tickets so they can take the HD DVD format to the people in over 40 select cities.

The "HD DVD - I Guess There's No Hope for a Single Format 2006 Tour" begins February 20th and will run through April.

Toshiba says the two new HD DVD players

• include the capability to support Advanced Navigation, also referred to as "iHD"
• are backward compatible and will play current libraries of CDs and DVDs
• include HDMI connections and will output copy-protected HD content (through the unit's HDMI output) in its native format (either 720p or 1080i)
• can upconvert standard-definition DVDs for display at 720p or 1080i through the HDMI output.

Both models are expected to be available in March. The HD-XA1 will retail for $799.99. The suggested price for the HD-A1 is $499.99.

In the press release, Toshiba noted the following:

Design specifications and dimensions are not final and subject to change. Firmware upgrade required for full interactive features. Because HD DVD is a new format, certain disc, digital connection and other compatibility issues are possible. If consumers experience compatibility problems, they should contact Toshiba Customer Service.

Details on Toshiba's HD DVD players and the HD DVD Tour can be found at www.hddvd.toshiba.com.

No word yet on when HD DVD Road Show T-shirts and ball caps will be available.