Toshiba introduces the 2nd generation HD DVD player in Japan. The company will roll out two new HD DVD players: the HD-XF2 and HD-XA2.

The new HD-XF2 and HD-XA2 are smaller, faster and than the first HD DVD players from Toshiba.
The new high-end HD-XA2 supports Deep Color technology, an optional standard under HDMI that improves representation of color tones and achieves finer color gradation.

Other features of the HD-XA2 include 1080p output and upsampling and 12bit 297Mhz video DAC.

The lower end HD-XF2 (photo below) is supposed to sell for 49,800 Yen (~$421). The new Toshiba HD-XF2 and HD-XA2 will be available from late December. This week Toshiba said that the European launch of the HD DVD players HD-E1 and HD-XE1 have been delayed reports Pocket-lint.

More details in this Toshiba press-release.