Toshiba America Consumer Products has introduced its "second generation" HD DVD players, just six months after its first generation was introduced.

While the two new models have the same video and audio capabilities of the earlier generation, there are other improved and new features including sleeker designs. The first generation received mixed reviews with praise for the high definition picture but criticism for bulky packaging and high costs of DVDs.

The new models are the HD-A2 entry-level model, scheduled for availability in October for $500, and the top-of-the-line HD-XA2, slated for availability in December for $1,000, Toshiba said Thursday.

Toshiba listed several advanced features for the HD-XA2 including output of 1920 x 1080p, which the firm said is the highest available. Features of the entry-level model weren't detailed by Toshiba.

The HD DVD format is competing with Blu-ray high definition DVD. The two competing formats are incompatible with each other, leading to fears that users of one or the other could be left holding an unwanted technological device like owners of the Betamax technology several years ago.