Picture & sound quality, zoom feature

Remote-control, may not play CD-R's, disappointing Video-CD playback

Based largely on what others had to say about the SD-2109, I decided to go for this entry-level 5th generation replacement. I've watched only 2 movies: 'For The Love of the Game' and 'Random Hearts'. 'The Matrix' is on-order.

The first play of F.T.L.O.T.G. was flawless, but the second time, it choked at the airport terminal scene near the end of the movie. I restarted the movie, then skipped forward to that chapter. Same result: the video scrambled, the audio muted, and the playback froze again. At that point, I hit Stop again, then power-cycled the 1200, which solved the problem. Random Hearts played-back 3 times with no problem.

Fidelity of my audio CD's through the digital coax-out is damn good; maybe the best I've heard them sound. I know some have griped about the lack of an optical-out, but considering the price of optical vs. coax cable, it's a minor omission if you have a coax input.

I do have a few "serious" gripes, though.

One thing I found annoying when playing audio CD's: The >> button works as I think it should, by skipping forward to the next track. However, the << button does not play the previous track. It simply returns you to the beginning of the current track. To play a prior track, I have to start over from the beginning and skip forward. I need to look into this more; I may be doing something wrong.

Next, playback of my Philips Video-CD movies is not impressive. On those that I've tried, the video playback is NOT smooth. The picture seems to "jerk" along, particularly when the picture pans from side-to-side. My old Philips CD-i player performs -much- better with VCD's... but of course, it can't play DVD's!

Finally, I was under the impression that the 1200 would play CD-R audio CD's. I have two such discs, but the 1200 didn't recognize either one. I found that disappointing. Looks like I'll need to hang-on to my CD-i to play the old stuff.

Without these limitations, I'd give an extra star for each rating. My player has a January 2000 manufacture date; maybe Toshiba will address these problems in later productions.

Overall, though, I'd rate this a great machine for the buck, but ONLY if DVD and commercial audio CD's are all you intend to use it with.

Similar Products Used:

None.. my 1st DVD player

Simplicity in design and does what is suppossed to do flawlessly and as good as it gets. Price

If I was going to ntpick the remote has small buttons

Wat a fine unit. this 5th generation is like they finally hit it right. The disc drive is smooth and operates with smoothness and authority. The picture resolution is as good as it gets depending on the dvd. The digital coaxial signal in both dolby digital and dts is flawless and doesn't miss a thing. I like equipment that does what it is suppossed to and doesn't need extra bells and whistles that serve no purpose. This unit has all one needs to enjoy DVD, DVD audio. and CD. The great thing is it can be purchased on line for less than $200. My receiver is Sony 777es. If I could give this baby 6 stars I would.

Similar Products Used:

toshiba 3108, panasonic 120

DD/DTS capable, 4x zoom, picture and sound quality, Value for money

remote, no optical output (no big deal since coaxial has better bass and isn't fragile like an optical cable)

This is an excellent unit for anyone interested in getting a DVD player! It has a lot of features for the money; the best of which is the 4x zoom. Most DVD movies are in Widescreen and if you don't like to watch them that way, you have the option to fill your TV screen with a picture. This is especially useful for smaller TV sets where a Widescreen movie looks like a Band-Aid running across the screen. I personally like the WS versions but a lot of people don't. When DVD players were first coming out, they promised that movies would have both WS & Pan and Scan versions on the DVD. Only a few DVD's have that feature. A lot of people didn't buy LD players for that very reason but all Toshiba DVD players have a zoom feature to give you a choice.

This is my first DVD player and I am very satisfied with everything except that the remote needs to be pointed directly at the unit. It,s a good thing that there is a confirmation beep otherwise you would'nt be sure if it received the signal.

If you have older speakers and are using a receiver with DD/DTS and this player hooked up with the digital coaxial cable for sound, be careful when playing a movie with DD 5.1 or DTS. The sound is much more powerful than playing CD's or Hi-Fi VHS VCR recordings. The woofers in my old Advent Legacy couldn't stand the strain and the speaker surrounds and voice coils blew out! Check out the JBL S series speakers which are another excellent value for the money if you buy them on the web. They are my new HT speakers and they sound awesome with the SD1200!

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer 900 LD/CD player

Value, performance, improved remote over the SV 1200

remote still needs a little work, but hey, don't they all?

This review is for the Toshiba SV 1600 NOT the 1200...
I bought this unit because the SV 1200 ( which I have spent some time researching) was out of stock and the sales person said it was nearly identical to the unit I was looking for. It doesn't appear here or on the Toshiba webpage, so I was a little sceptical about the unit from the start. As it turns out, a brief phone call to Toshiba customer service detailed the specific differences for me, which included : Upgraded remote from the 1200 model (a definite plus)which seems to be more powerful as well as a little more user friendly, The 1600 does NOT have the "beep" confirmation that accompanies use of the remote (another plus), and the 1600 unit will not play video cd's. The 1600 has identical hardware and specs to the 1200 unit, which seems to be a very well regarded unit in the world of entry level dvd players. The only down side to this unit was the $30 extra over the 1200, but if it gets rid of that "beep" confirmation then so be it, I can live without the extra money.
I use this with a Yamaha RX-V596 receiver
Sure home theater front and main speakers
Phase Technology surrounds
(phase tech. makes the sure speaker system)

Similar Products Used:

first dvd

Zoom capability and very sharp picture.

The play button on the remote is quite small so you have to memorize where the button is when you turn off the lights for the ultimate movie experience.

This DVD player rocks !!! Excellent picture quality and tons of features. I specially like the zoom capability which you won't find in any entry-level player. At first I was doubting the Toshiba name but upon days of research, I found out that they are one of the major developers of the DVD format. Therefore, it follows that they make one of the best DVD players around....and it sure is !!!

Similar Products Used:

I've used my friends Panasonic and JVC DVD players

Good quality. Excellent service

So far nothing

I bought this DVD from mobshop.com. For some reason, they sent me two DVD instead of one, so my average price is $90. I would not recommend to any body this one. But the quality is good though.

Similar Products Used:

N/A

Exccellent picture and sound

Poor Remote

My first DVD player and I couldn't be happier. The difference between VHS is amazing. I'd done a lot of research and was sold on Toshiba. If you go to Mercata.com through bizrate, you get $100 or 25% (whichever is less) off your first purchase. Bought it at a 'Powerbuy'. The final price (including shipping) after discount was $149.78 .

They are having another powerbuy this week - if you are interested in Toshiba 1200 - don't pass it up!

Easy to setup, easier to use. Very quiet in operation.

Can't play CD-R discs.

Though I desperately wanted a machine which could play my
CD-Rs, I got scared off by the reports here of the Pioneer
525s noisy operation. This unit is extremely quiet--even
with the speakers muted, you can't hear it from three feet
away. I'll just have to keep playing my CD-Rs on the old
audio CD player for a while longer.
Picture and sound through my Pioneer VSX-D509S receiver are
even better than I'd hoped--the only trouble is, now I need
a new TV! The old GE 25-inch set doesn't quite make the
grade anymore.
I got the SD-1200 through onecall for $199 plus tax and
shipping. One caveat, though: if you see a banner regarding
five free movies with the purchase, ignore it. The offer--
but not the banner--expired on 30 May.
Though I'm very pleased with the unit overall, I give it only four stars for value due to the inability to play
CD-Rs.

Similar Products Used:

Computer DVD player

value, pic quality

none thus far

Thus far no complaints at all. Played the Matrix glitch free. I got mine form ubid.com for 139 bucks plus shipping. Can't imagine beating this value.

Similar Products Used:

none

Good Picture Quality, Good Sound Quality

Remote, Doesn't play cdr's.

Jake who posted before me must of got a defective player.
I have had mine for a year now and have not had any problems
with dual layered disks. They all play fine.

I wish it played cdr's but my marantz cd player works fine
for that.

I had the pioneer dvd525 and traded it in for the toshiba
because i thought the toshiba had better sound quality through the analog outs. The toshiba also has a brighter
picture than the pioneer. The pioneer tended to be a bit
dark and did not have as much detail as the toshiba.

Similar Products Used:

JVC