Toshiba SD3750 DVD Players Reviews

Price Paid:  $170.00 from Future Shop

Summary:
To start off, my current setup is this: Kenwood HTB-505, Sony 51HW40 (51" widescreen HDTV comp.) and XBOX for DVD playing. The XBOX isn't pro-scan, and once you lose the remote you either replace it, or go and buy a real DVD player. (and replace the couch you tore up looking for the goddamned thing). I headed out to Futureshop with the following requirements: 1 - quality DVD player 2 - has to be pro-scan 3 - has coaxial out (my xbox is optical only, and using the only port in the reciever) 4 - low cost; as I I purchased a JVC progressive, and took it back after a day (the laser was visible beneath the DVD door from my couch). note: only the Kenwood remote could be programmed for it. I then picked up a Samsung DVD player (same basic features toshiba and JVC) and found it to be the worst. In pro-scan the frames jumped around.On top of which the remote control was worse than the XBOX remote, and unsupported by both sony and kenwood. I picked up the Toshiba (and paid the extra 10 bux), thinking that at least the brand is a "middle of the road". It was supported by my other two remotes, and I wanted a decent picture. The only downside was that the other two players play SVCD (although the Samsung only indicated VCD, we tested it at the store) I get it home, set it up (component video, S/PDIF Coaxial) and I was VERY happy with the results. The DVD player looks amazing, and you can CLEARLY see the quality difference in the playing of movies, and the onscreen setup. The MP3 playing was fine (although I do agree that more effort could have been put into it). I didn't purchase it for anything other than DVD though. Both DTS and Dolby 5.1 sound amazing, and the remote is fine (don't compare it to a $1500 DVD player; they aren't the same class). Considering the XBOX remote is an RCA (3rd party) remote, the JVC remote was poorly laid out, and the Samsung remote feels like a promotional calculator given away for visiting a car dealership (and they're all in the same price range), the toshiba remote is great. Plus, the onscreen remote is a nice touch. (neither JVC or Samsung had that) Also, both the Sony flipup remote and the Kenwood audio remote work with this DVD player, so I get my pick of which to use. (whichever is closer)

Strengths:
Onscreen setup is a breeze, more options than other players of the same class. The "beeping" is a remote control button confirmation, and can be disabled from the setup. It's nice to have the choice. Toshiba remote signal is widely supported DVD playback is amazing VCD playback is great MP3 playback is acceptable Audio is crisp, clean sound. The extra features like screen capture(wallpaper), and the full menu system are a really nice touch. Speed in switching MP3 tracks is faster than both JVC and Samsung.

Weaknesses:
Doesn't play SVCDs, so re-encoding SVCDs to VCD is kind of a pain. I've found a couple VCDs that studder a bit, but that may be related to the encoding (they're not mine). MP3 playback is fine, but has no real enhancements. Remote control layout could be better, changing the shape of the freq. used buttons or adding glowing keys.

Similar Products Used:
JVC Progressive Scan DVD Samsung Progressive Scan DVD ( can't find model numbers)

Price Paid:  $318.00 from Future Shop

Summary:
This unit replaced my Wife's Sony S360 (yes! another one bites the dust!) after less than a year! My biggest compliment about this player is that it has Progressive Scan capability, and even though I don't own a HDTV or projector, its nice to know that if this player lasts long enough, I might be able to see what the fuss is about when we DO get an HDTV (main set is only two years old, so here's to waiting it out!) The overall picture is great. The Sony (I can think of another 4 letter "S" word right now!) looked washed out and blurry in conparison (from memory of course), and the menues are WAY easier to access on this unit! I have two small quibbles (that actually bug my wife more than me). 1. The unit, although touted as beign MP-3 compatable, only is able to read 85 out of 147 songs on one of my MP-3 discs, and even though the manual says it is also V-CD capable, it continuously reads V-CDs as "disc error". Yet it will read EVERY CD-r I have without a glitch! Interesting. Maybe there are firmware updates out there?

Strengths:
Great picture and Prog. scan for the price! Easy menu screens!

Weaknesses:
Not a great MP-3 or V-CD player even though it is sold as one.

Similar Products Used:
Sony DVP-S360

Price Paid:  $330.00 from London Drugs

Summary:
Great product right out of the box. Took no time at all to hook it up and have it running. Lots of features that require a lot of reading to utilize properly. Great outputs, that unfortunately won't be used by myself, yet. The picture quality, under interlaced, is great. A big improvement over the last DVD player I had. Beware of the MP3 claim. ALL of my MP3 discs played with pops and skips. I tried several, and all played the same. The menu for playing the MP3's is also poor, especially for rooted MP3 files. Fails to read file names properly. Then again, this is a DVD player, and not an MP3 player.

Strengths:
Features, price, quality.

Weaknesses:
Remote is hard to get used to. MP3 CD's play HORRIBLY

Similar Products Used:
Electrohome EH 8181

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I bought the SD3750 about 4 months ago based on cost and features mainly. The first thing that impressed me about it is that I hooked it up, popped in a DVD and watched a movie. There was no setup other than plugging it in. There are plenty of setups if you want to fiddle with it. I find that the picture is very good but since I don''''''''''''''''t have an HDTV I have not fully tested the progressive scan ability. Dolby DTS and 5.1 sound is VERY good especially with a good home theater receiver. The Star Wars Episode I DVD really rocks the house. This unit has lots of connectors including optical, composite, coax, RCA jacks etc. Had no problem hooking it up. If you are looking for DVD Audio as well, have a look at the Toshiba 4700, one step up from this model. I would recommend this DVD based on low cost, reliability and simplicity.

Strengths:
Simplicity.

Weaknesses:
None that I know of.

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Local Audio Store

Summary:
I purchased this model after much research into a new A/V receiver purchase (My Choice was the Denon 1802). The original goal was to get a DVD player, which I originally felt the Panasonic was the best option for myself. The research into my next audio purchase changed direction, as I was more interested in getting a quality receiver to build a system on, rather than a killer DVD player. So with my choice of the Denon and the retailer, my only choice was to get the Toshiba DVD player, as any other DVD player that they sold would have been out of my budget. Originally the SD-2800 was to be my choice but I went with the SD-3750 that was about $80 more, and progressive ready. After about two months of use I am happy with the player, the set-up was a snap. To this day I don''''t think I have really checked out the manually. I been watching a ton of movies and the unit just keep going. I been listing to allot of music CD''''s with it and it hasn''''t missed a beat. I did get a programmable remote, as the remote for the receiver is terrible. I haven''''t used the stock remote that much, but when used it seems fine. I believe this would be a compliment to any home theatre set-up or if you just want a DVD to watch movies on. I am happy with my purchase and after what the other reviewer had to say I''''m happy that the store I was dealing with didn''''t sell any of the other 3 players he mentioned (Sony, Panasonic, or JVC).

Strengths:
Value and features.

Similar Products Used:
First DVD.