|
 Toshiba SD3109 DVD Player If you're looking for a good mid-range player with DTS and a half dozen helpful extras -- the Toshiba SD-3109 is a player that won't let you down. With great picture and super sound, you'd have to go up a few hundred dollars to find a better player. At less than $400 this is the player for you.  The Toshiba SD3109 DVD Player key features include:
The Toshiba SD-3109 is a very cool player. Yes, it's a Toshiba, so it's already a great player in my book -- but there's actually something on this player that makes it very cool. You probably already know what it is, so it doesn't make sense for me to beat around the bush -- it has a dual disc tray. Granted that's not as cool as, say a 5-disc tray -- but in a way it's a bit better. A 5 disc tray denotes a CD player, and DVD really isn't a music audio medium. Sure CDs sound great on DVD, but DVD is all about the video. Being that the Toshiba SD-3109 has two discs, you can drop in two DVDs and if you want to go for a stretch -- you can watch them back to back. That's pretty cool to me, because I'm always pulling a double feature. The Toshiba SD-3109 is a very clean player as well. Everything you need is right in front. Two trays slide out, and for convenience, one drawer can be in play when you switch the other disc out -- uninterrupted play how about that? The "Play" button is nice and big, but the first disc you put into the player automatically starts playing -- so make sure the first disc in is the first disc you want to play. A bright indicator light lets you know which drawer is currently in use, just so you know. The DVD display is informative, well structured and will flash a message to let you know what mode you're in. A scrolling sentence will pop up every time you make a technical change with your remote, and boy, is it polite. The rear panel on the Toshiba SD-3109 is also well set up. All the main audio connection points are dead center, with the video over to the left. The AC inlet is break away for another point of added convenience. Oh, and like most every player coming out it is DTS capable. The Toshiba SD-3109's remote is a nice one, except for one huge pain. There isn't a scanning button, or at least it's hidden. Let's cover the good points before I rant. The remote is level and handy -- fitting right in your hand with nice big, well-placed buttons in all the right placed. The dames call it ergonomically correct. A panel slide out from the bottom allowing you to zoom in (neat), do repeat functions and dim the DVD display on the front of the player for a more theatrical feel. Okay, here's the rant: the skip button doubles as a scanning button, but if you hit it wrong you skip a chapter. It's a huge pain, because if there is something you want to scan to, you may have to chapter back and forth to do it if you screw up. There is a "slow scan" button, but all that does is slow down the picture. If you need to fast forward, good luck -- you better practice. I feel that Toshiba should really fix that and put the fast forward button back on. Other than that -- it's a nice remote in the tradition of Toshiba remotes. Everything about the Toshiba SD-3109 is pretty standard -- all the functions work reasonably well, they're all quick to operate and quick to learn and get used to. I found the Toshiba SD-3109 to be a very capable machine, with only a few function problems -- but no glitches. On an audio/video side -- the Toshiba SD-3109 is on par with the older models. Those of you waiting for a worthy successor to the 08's (2108/3108) should be very happy. Picture quality is prime. It's a very nice mid-range player with strong colors and even blacks. I didn't see any problems at all. The fast forward/reverse -- when you can get it to work right -- both look great. They capture the image nicely. Pause looks just as nice. Anybody looking to spend in the Toshiba SD-3109 price range will be happy with the picture. Those with component televisions will also be happy to find Toshiba's Colorstream outputs onboard. The sound is also nice. The Toshiba SD-3109's sound is natural and on every mode, I was very happy with the performance. Mono discs like Columbia/Tristar's Hard Times sound as good as full-blown Dolby Digital 5.1. The DTS functions well and it's easy to hook up. There is also good ol' Spatializer - Toshiba's brand of virtual surround. As always it adds depth to the discs for those who either choose to watch through the TV or don't have a full blown home audio system to truly experience DVD with. The Toshiba SD-3109 is a mighty fine player, and a worthy player to enter into the Toshiba family. It'll do everything you expect a DVD player to do (if you have patience with the fast forward feature) and then some. At less than 400 bucks, you really can't go wrong - it's a good buy at a great price. Todd Doogan January 1999 If you have any questions regarding this review please e-mail todd.doogan@dvdbuyingguide.com. For sales enquiries please visit http://www.dvdcity.com 
Click here to return to the Hardware Review Index
|
||