The XDE (eXtended Detail Enhancement) upconfirts from 480i/p to 1080p and also offers several picture enhancement modes that allow for greater detail, more vivid colors and stronger contrast, according to the Fort Wayne, N.J.-based subsidiary of Toshiba.

"Consumers have embraced the DVD format like no other technology and invested in large libraries of their favorite movies. As the market moves towards high definition, XDE lets them experience their existing DVD library and the tens of thousands of DVD titles in a whole new way," said Louis Masses, director of product planning, in a statement. "XDE offers consumers a simple solution to add on to their HDTV purchase. XDE works with existing DVDs to deliver a near HD experience with enhanced detail and richer colors. Toshiba is delivering to consumers what they want " a high quality experience at an affordable price."

The move comes just a few months after Toshiba, along with other manufacturers, threw in the towel with its HD-DVD format against Blu-ray technology, backed by Sony and others.

Toshiba notes that the new XD-E500 players do not play HD-DVD or Blu-ray discs. It also does not output native HD video content.

To display upconverted 720p, 1080i or 1080p video content, an HDTV or monitor must be used along with an HDMI or DVI input.

"The effect of enhancements may vary depending upon disc content quality and display device capability/functionality/settings," according to Toshiba in a release.

The company said some DVD-R/DVD-RW discs may be incompatible due to laser pick up and disc design, Toshiba said.