toshiba

I set up for progressive scan, but to my eyes, I don't see
a huge difference between interlaced and the progressive
scan mode. I have a 61h71 hdtv and it may be that the line
doubler is just that good. I haven't witnessed any defects
in the quality of the video. I set up with video esstentials
and for the frist time, I see the blacker than black pluge.
My former dvd player did not show it, only the grey bar, I
have changed several settings using the 9200.
This player has more settings, most of which you will set only once, and features to customize for individual taste. I am very pleased, even though the progressive scan didn't do as much as I thought it would. Then again, I had an appointment set up with Micheal from ISF to fine tune
my set and canceled. I didn't know how much this picture
could be improved from what I was already seeing.
I think the 9200 is amazing in performance. It plays all
my cd's, even those I haven't been able to listen to for
awhile, no skips either. I even think the sound from my videos is better, and my former player also had the ability
to play in 5.1. I do change it from bitstream to 6 channel for playing dvd's and most cd's. As I said lots to choose.
Thanks to the many reviewers here for their reviews. it helped in making my decision to purchase this

Great sound, solid build, DVD-A, Progressive Scan

2nd unit in 4 days, processor freezing, distortion when using Analog 2ch out.

I am on to my second unit in 4 days and the new unit froze while playing R4 Phantom Menace earlier today. My previous unit was the SD-9000, which has never failed me in the 2 years(of constant use!) I've had it. I fear that this unit may be so advanced and feature filled that it has a number of gremlins in it that may take 2 or 3 generations to completely illiminate. As for the picture and sound quality, it can only be described as brilliant and miles ahead of the SD-9000, which is no slouch, even by todays standards.
Buy one if you want one of, if not the best DVD players available, but be prepared to put up with the quirks that come with new technology.

Similar Products Used:

Tosh SD-9000, Yamaha 700, JVC.

Great picture with 16:9 TV, progressive scan is clean and noise free. Incredible sound quality with CDs and DVD-audio. Bass management for DVD-audio. Solid build quality.

Need to manually switch outputs between DVD-videos and DVD-audio. Does not digitally output two channel 96k 24bit PCM signals from Digital Audio Discs (DADs, e.g. Chesky and Classic)

This is an outstanding DVD Video and Audio player. I tried the JVC and Technics DVD-A players. The JVC was far inferior in sound quality and build. The Technics sounded nearly as good as the Toshiba but lacked progressive scan capabilites. The interlaced picture quality of the Toshiba is on par with the SONY 7000, which had been my reference. The progressive scan picture, through a Toshiba 40H80 16:9 rear projection TV, is outstanding. I have not noticed any motion artifacts or noise that I could attribute to the player.

The sound quality with CD is at least equal to any comparably priced (MSRP) CD player I've heard. I've started running back to pull out old discs to listen all over again. The DVD-Audio performance has given me a new respect for the format. Discs that I thought were poorly mixed with the JVC make sense now. More importantly they sound good- much more natural. The unit has a solid, "high end", build quality.

The only real drawback is that one has to manually switch the digital outputs on and off to listen to DVD-Audio. This is a hassle if I listen to a DVD-A and someone comes behind me to watch a movie. If they turn on my TA-E9000ES processor they'll be greeted with sounds of silence. Not a happy state of affairs. So I have to be sure to switch everything back. At least on the plus side there is real bass management for DVD-Audio (and the onboard Dolby Digital decoder).

This unit is highly recommended for music, two channel or multichannel. It is also highly recommended for video. It is worth the full price of admission. If you can get it for less buy it! However if DVD-A is not your thing you may be able to save a buck or two by purchasing the SD-6200. I understand it has the same video chipset.

Similar Products Used:

JVC XV-723GD, Technics DVD A-10, SONY 7000

state-of-the-art picture; state-of-the-art sound; state-of-the art build quality

none glaring

This machine is absolutely first-rate. I have it connected to my Toshiba rptv (40X81) in progressive mode and it is top-notch. I can't comment on how it handles 4:3 conversion cuz I have a 16:9 TV. [But note that professional reviewers have not reported any serious problem in that area.] That's why professional reviewers are unanimous that this is among the best video machines available at any price.

However, Stereophile magazine has it rated Class A in their Recommended Components...as an AUDIO-only machine! This thing is a fabulous CD player and a stunning DVD-A player--as well as the aforementioned state-of-the-art progessive DVD-V player. I only have a couple of DVD-A discs, but the realism through my all-Magnepan surround setup is incredible. [Of course, there aren't that many DVD-A discs out yet, but this is the one that will become the new standard.] But the real clincher here is that this thing is a wonder to behold in good ole 2-channel music. The DACs are fabulous and sound better than my Audio Research CD2 machine (another perennial Stereophile Class A CD-only player). So...this thing is just superb on video, CD, DVD-V audio discs, and DVD-A (both surround and 2-ch). In other words, this is freakin' bargain compared to the any other comparable machine at any price.

Similar Products Used:

Sony; Pioneer

Fit, finish, overall build quality, features.

Transition to second 'layer' on many DVD films. Picture freezes and 'pixelates'(?).

I was so excited to get this unit from a friend that works for Toshiba. But, alas, my enthusiasm was short lived. After trying TWO units, we gave up and I'm now in the market for a new high-end DVD deck.
The short story is: I loved everything about the deck, it was gorgeous, too! BUT, it hung up around the middle of the film on SEVERAL discs incl. "The Matrix" (Ch. 18/19), "Gladiator" (Ch. 14), "When Harry Met Sally" (Ch. 9), "Erin Brokovich" (Ch. 25) just to give few examples of EIGHT discs that I tried.
The picture would 'freeze', rendering any remote control commands useless, and the picture would break-up digitally (sort of dissolve).
It was terribly disappointing to take those same discs and play them through on my lower end SD-3109 (Toshiba) without a hitch.
Any advice from the 'experts' that frequent this site would be appreciated. Email me direct if you like. TIA
Stan
suddenimpact@mindspring.com

Build Quality, Audio Performance, Video Performance in Widescreen Mode

Extremely Poor Anamorphic Downconversion

This is a fine DVD Player when used in conjunction with a 16:9 widescreen television. It's sturdy and well built, its audio performance is absolutely first rate, and the quality of the images it produces in 4:3 or anamorphic mode is also top notch. Unfortunately, the heavy artifacts produced by this player when downconverting anamorphic DVDs for a 4:3 TV without anamorphic squeeze have really spoiled it for me.

I bought this unit for use with a Toshiba 61HX70 4:3 HD-capable RPTV, which features component inputs with progressive scan capability, and a "16:9 vertical compression mode". The specifications of these units, their common manufacturer, and their similar positions in that manufacturer's product line suggested to me that they'd be a good match, and I was looking to get into DVD-Audio, so the SD9200 was an obvious choice. Bad move.

Unfortunately, and apparently like all Toshiba 4:3 RPTVs, the vertical compression mode of the 61HX70 only extends to HD material, so there is no "anamorphic squeeze" to reproduce the effect of a 16:9 widescreen set. The SD9200 in this application is therefore forced to "downconvert" the anamorphic signal to allow it to display properly on the screen. This involves a 25% reduction in vertical resolution. There are apparently different ways of accomplishing this, all of which involve certain compromises. Toshiba units are at one extreme. They simply drop every 4th line of text. The solution they have chosen preserves a maximum degree of image sharpness, but also introduces a correspondingly large number of line artifacts and other undesirable artifacts into the picture. (Sony DVD players make a different compromise, sacrificing sharpness to minimize artifacts.) On the 61" screen of the 61HX70, these artifacts are really magnified, and the result is a picture which is frequently marred by ugly, obtrusive and annoying problems such as shimmering, moire, and diagonal lines that look like candy canes. The impression is worse with images wider than 1.85:1, where there are even fewer lines of resolution to deal with.

**Rant mode on**

All this, of course, I discovered after buying the unit (the TV is equally "at fault", I suppose), so this review is therefore as much a warning for the unwary; I did a fair bit of research before I bought my equipment (really), yet I had never heard of or considered downconversion artifacts before running out of other explanations for my ugly picture. I guess most of the folks writing about this stuff on the web and in magazines are more interested in the >$6,000 16:9 sets they and another 2% of viewers are fortunate enough to have, so something as mundane as downconversion doesn't register with them. (If you disagree, go over to www.hometheaterhifi.com and see how much bandwidth they dedicate to the topic in their review of the SD9200.)

**Rant complete, back to the SD9200.**

Personally, I think Toshiba made the wrong compromise. They should have come up with a downconverted picture which was pleasing as well as sharp, particularly since they chose not to offer anamorphic squeeze on their 4:3 RPTVs. Some reviewers might disagree with this assessment, but they may not have a 61" RPTV which frequently flickers like a disco ball. It's a little disappointing to spend that much on AV equipment and then sit down to watch Lawrence of Arabia on your big screen for the first time only to find that the mirage effect is present both on and off the desert (like, the front of the cathedral at the beginning of the movie). I think I'd be much more satisfied with the softer picture offered by Sony with its reduced artifacts, so I suspect I'll end up buying a cheap Sony unit to supplement the Toshiba for that purpose, but not without a little smoke coming out of my ears when I think of all the money I wasted. Maybe then I'll console myself with another viewing of Citizen Kane or listen to a DVD-A.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer, Sony

Build quality, A/V performance, DVD-A/HDCD

1 Year Warranty

A truly remarkable piece of equipment. Looking past all the awards this unit has recieved world wide, this unit is a must buy. Especially at the price.

Considered one of the best DVD Players ever built, this machine just shines with class the moment the box is opened.
I personally feel that this unit is one of the most attractive pieces of equipment around. Just stunning.

I recently traded my DV-05 for this unit, and the difference is immediately noticable. The picture is stunning on my TW40H80, and the sound is awesome in all formats. Whether it's 2 channel or multi-channel, this unit is right up there with CAL & Theta.

Unfortunately this unit only comes with a 1 year warranty, vs my 3 year Elite warranty. But so what.

Overall, one of the best products of 2000/2001.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Elite DV-38A, Sony DVP-9000ES

Incredible picture and audio, solid construction, superb onscreen interface, excellent remote

None that I can think of!!

I am using this with my Toshiba 65H80 (one of the best HDTVs around!) connected via progressive scan output using a Monster nitrogen injected component video cable. The results are just stunning! I am extremely happy with this player. The audio reproduction is superb - the HDCD precision filtering definately produces noticable sound improvement. The DVD audio compatibility is a good feature.

I love the small navigation button at the side on the remote...it makes it very easy to skip back and forward through the DVD. The onscreen menus allow you to configure some of the 1 billion different options that this player has. This player is quite heavy because it has a solid copper chassis to prevent vibrations.

Definately recommended!

Unbelievable audio reproduction

cheap, tacky-looking remote; flimsy tray

Since I've relied on this site for my last few purchases I figured that it was time I made a contribution...

I bought the SD-9200 as much (or more) for its 24 bit/192kz audio capabilities than for its strengths as a DVD player. I was not disappointed on either score. The sound is extremely rich and lifelike - a huge improvement over my old CD player. In the minus column, the look and build quality of the remote pales in comparison to its predecessor (SD-9100) - and the SD-9200 remote's design is nothing short of tacky. Another small annoyance is the way that the front face plate slides away and the tray comes out - this looks gimmicky and, from a build quality perspective, necessitated the use of a thinner-than-usual plastic tray that looks extremely flimsy. That said, these are small nits in an otherwise exceptional feat of engineering.

System:
Denon 5800 receiver
Toshiba SD-9200
Bohlender Graebener 520s front, 220 center, 420's rear
Klipsch LF10 subwoofer

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba SD-9100

Too many to list

Gimmicky tray, lame remote

This bad boy rocks! It is an all-in-one slice of audio/video heaven (and I don't even have a progressive scan TV yet). Incredibly high-quality sound in 2-channel, terrific picture quality through component video, and Dolby Digital and DTS is mind-blowing. Can't wait to try DVD-audio. If you can get it at the price I did at One Call or anywhere else, jump on it. I got it as an open-box, but so far so good.

System:

Denon Avr-3300 (preamp)
Marantz MA-700 monoblocks
Homegrown Audio interconnects
Denon DCM 370 CD-player
Toshiba Sd-9200 DVD player
PSB Stratus Goldi's & C6i center channel
Klipsch Rs-3 surrounds
Tara Labs RSC Prime Speaker Cable
Toshiba "36 Cinema Series TV CN36H95

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba, Onkyo, Pioneer, etc.