IFA 06 Toshiba will bring its first living room HD DVD player to Europe in November, the company announced late last week. It will follow up the mainstream launch with a higher end model early the following month, the company added.

First out of the door is the HD-E1, capable of handling not only pre-recorded HD DVDs, but DVD and CD media too. It can output at HD resolutions 720p and 1080i over an HDMI 1.2 cable.

The HD-EX1, due December, adds 1080p support and circuitry to upscale standard-definition content to 1080p size - but not picture quality. The higher-end model will also ship with an HDMI 1.3 port.

The HD-E1 will ship mid-November for €599. The HD-EX1 will retail for around €899. ®