This is the flagship model in Toshiba's second generation of HD DVD players, which makes it the de facto leader for the blue laser format. The HD-EP35 is currently the best specified player of its kind and this seems set to stay that way in the near future.
So, how does this high-end HD DVD player improve on Toshiba's impressive first-gen range topper, the HD-XE1? Let's find out...
On the looks and build quality front, there's little difference. If anything, the EP35 is slightly less stylish and sturdy than the XE1 and, while the older player felt solid and weighty enough to dampen down any performance-affecting vibrations, the newcomer is more than a kilogram lighter.
While we wouldn't go so far as to call it flimsy (the disc tray action is reassuringly robust), it's certainly not up to the standards of high-end Blu-ray players such as the Pioneer BDP-LX70A or Sony's BDP-S1E - but then it does cost a great deal less.
It's certainly not a bad looking piece of hardware, though; you can't really go wrong with a black and silver colour scheme and its slim frame should slip easily onto most racks or into most TV benches.
It's quite impressive under the bonnet. The player outputs all the hi-def formats under the sun, including 1080p at 24fps.
This mode is as close to real film as you're going to get as it runs at the same speed as the projector at your local multiplex, while regular 720p, 1080i and 1080p modes run at 50Hz, resulting in a slight increase in audio pitch and some juddering during motion. In addition to HD DVD, the player will also upscale standard DVD movies to hi-def resolutions up to 1080p.
It also boasts the best set of connections ever seen on an HD DVD player. First and foremost is the HDMI, which conforms to the latest v1.3 spec and can, therefore, carry lossless bitstream surround sound to a compatible receiver, as well as Deep Color pictures to a compatible TV or projector.
