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 Toshiba SD2108 DVD Player Sleek, simple and top quality from Toshiba. I like the Toshiba family, and I like this player.  Very easy to use. Quick set up, easy remote and very little headache once you learn how to use it. Value/Overall Rating: A/A For $389 dollars, this is the player to buy. It's not as tricked out as the SD-3108, but for what you get on this one, it can't be beat. Toshiba SD2108 DVD Player Specs and Features:
Just in case you're reading this before or after the Toshiba SD-3108 player review, I'll, right up front let you know that, this player is very, very similar to the 3108. Frankly, aside for a few options, this player is exact in quality to the 3108. So basically, what you'll find is that the 3108 has a headphone jack, the 2108 doesn't. The 3108 had DNR Noise reduction and picture enhancement, the 2108 lacks this. The 2108 also doesn't have a Dolby Digital encoder equipped (although it has DD 5.1 out). But, never fear -- it DOES have the DTS and component out equipped like the 3108 -- and both work as well as the other. Setting up a 2108 is as easy and unassuming as the 3108. The back of the player is just as clean and very clear on what is going on. You have all of your video choices on one side of the player. If you choose, you have component, S-Video (which I recommend if you don't have component on you TV), or just a straight video out. The audio choices are in the direct center of the back of the player. You have the standard mixed sound out, which sounds great if you don't have all the other equipment to exploit Dolby Digital or DTS. The remote on the 2108 is even more clean than the 3108, and just as easy to use. All the buttons you will regularly use are right there and very ergonomic. You won't have to look at it very long before you'll know your way around the pad. The one thing that this remote (and the 3108 for that matter) won't do is operate the new Dragon's Lair DVD. There's a slight delay in the operation that keeps getting you killed if you play the game. It's quite annoying, and therefore, if you buy either of these players, forget about buying Dragon's Lair. Other features on this particular player are: Finding a specific location on your disc by entering the time you wish to go to. This function is located under the sliding trap on the remote. There's a "T" button on the bottom line, that when pressed, a time signal pops up on your screen. Just enter the exact time of the scene using the number keys, and there you go. Repeating a title, chapter or track. Press the repeat button, depending on what you want repeated. Once for Chapter, twice for Title and three times for turning it off. You can also repeat a segment by pressing the A-B RPT button. Press it once and an "A" pops up on your screen. Then when you get to the end of what you want repeated press it gain and a "B" pops up. The player will automatically return to the spot where you pressed the A-B RPT button the first time. The 2108 also allows you to play your favorite disc in your favorite order. As I ask in the review for the 3108: why anyone would want to do this for DVD? is lost on me. Needless to say, I didn't play with this function too much. It works, and when it does it's quite annoying. On a CD, it's great -- just program you CD in a new order and go to town. It works like this, while in stop mode press memory and a chart for about 10 choices will pop up the screen. Follow the simple instructions in your manual and you can load up all your favorite tracks on your CD in any order you wish. There's a Random order feature, which is, again, basically a CD option. The 3-D (N-2-2) Sound Enhancement feature is also available on the 2108. Although the 2108 doesn't have a phone jack and volume control, this feature is a nice addition to this player. The Sound enhancement does improve the sound on a few discs. Overall, it's not very usefully, but it is a fun little feature. Zooming is also a huge feature included here, and as fun as it is, I find that it pretty pointless. There are only two zooms, as compared to the 3108s three zooms. The zooms go in tighter on single fixed point. Like the 3108, that's my main complaint. It would be a much better function if you were allowed to choose the point. It's not like you'll be able to zoom in on some secret message scrawled out on a note. It's a fun but pointless extra. Most of your standard features are here, and all work nicely. You get the ol' Alternate camera angles, when discs allow, of course. Language and subtitle selections are here and very easy to use. Even the remote is universal, but as I always say, I wouldn't use the Toshiba remotes as your overall remote. Everything you need for all your other equipment is under the bottom trap, and that's just too inconvenient. These remotes work great as a DVD remote, but for a TV, it's useless. The picture and sound quality are top-notch, especially for a bottom priced player. Toshiba recently pulled this player off the market, so if you're looking for a value, pick this one up -- you'll be happy you did. It does a lot of fun little things, plus the picture and sound you get in the bargain will keep you ahead of the game. Bottom Line: I really like this player, too bad it's discontinued. The quality of picture and sound is wonderful. Crystal clear on both fronts. I look forward to whatever players Toshiba has coming out to replace this one. As good as this one is, I can't wait to see what is better. Todd Doogan January 1999 (Tood Doogan also reviews DVD movies for The Digital Bits, if you have any questions regarding this review please e-mail todd.doogan@dvdbuyingguide.com. For sales enquiries please visit http://www.dvdcity.com 
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