Very easy to use. Remote is simple but full of options.

Remote should be back-lit.

Toshiba's SD2109 is the best value DVD player for the money. For under $300, you can expect the picture to look just as nice as it's more expensive counterparts. I have watched over 100 movies on this player (granted, not as many as some of the hardcores) and have only had one disc give me a problem. The Evil Dead disc outtake extras did not have audio. That's it. This player has taken everything I've thrown at it, including movies like Alien and the Criterion Robocop which have been know to lock up on certain players. There are manufacturers offering DVD players for under $200, but they are lower tier brands. Go with performance and reputation. Pick Toshiba!

Do the research. I spent 3 months deciding when and what I was going to buy. I picked the Toshiba because of quality, price and definitely performance!

Doug Miller

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Have played with Sony 300, 330; Toshiba SD2108, Panasonic A110, A120

good picture, good sound, easy to use.

Strange bounce of some frames. Remote not as easy to use as old model. Fast Forward and Rewind skips.

Great machine with one major flaw. The response to returning from fast forward or rewind to play skips beyond the desired spot by several seconds, sometimes as much as half a minute. Have 2 2109s and a 2008. Both 2109s have exactly the same performance. 2008 is less smooth while skipping ahead or back, but plays at the point when the play button is pressed. Not a worth while trade off. I do like the component video out on the 2109 though. subtle but worth while picture improvement over s-video.

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Toshiba 2008

product reliability

slow to load menu, change chapters

overall very pleased with player so far.

good all around player

had to get a firmware upgrade

Had it for 3 months then it started dancing around like it had its own mind. Shipped it to Toshiba, got back a new one.
Plays everything but CDRs.

$ Value and performance

remote control

I have had this unit for 6 months now, and I am extremely happy with it. The picture is great, and it has played all DVDs I have thrown at it without a problem. Even The Matrix was no problem. I bought this unit without doing much research, and have never regretted my decision.

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none

Fabulous picture

None found so far

I have used the 2109 since last April. I have had no trouble at all with it and have played about 100 discs on it. I also had a Toshiba 3109 for awhile and strange enough - I think the 2109 has a better picture. I would recommend this player to anyone looking for a top notch entry level machine. I have been really pleased with it so far.

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Also used a Tosbiba 3109 for awhile.

very crisp picture. enhanced black mode gives better contrast. compared to the sony s300, produced a more detailed image.

built quality and the remote

as mentioned above, for its price(i bought it for $299 last oct. 98. now(11/19/99) you can get it for $199), it is an amazing piece. very crisp and detailed picture.

however, the built quality is rather poor and the remote is unsuable with its small keys. i use the remote of the 2108 instead.

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sony dvp-s300

Excellent Picture, Zoom, Price

Anamorphic Downconversion

If you have a 16:9 aspect ratio TV, I wholeheartedly recommend this player. However, if you are like me, and all you have is a 4:3 TV, I would recommend looking elsewhere. I loved the sharpness of the picture, but I was extremely disappointed with the way Toshiba handles downconversion. I noticed it some on Austin Powers, pretty bad in a scene in Star Trek Generations, but when I watched Shakespeare in Love, I decided that the player had to go back. Any time the camera panned across a pattern of lines (vertical or horizontal) the lines shimmered, waved, and blurred. I noticed it first from in the opening scene when the posts on the railing seemed to bend as the camera spirals in. It was most noticeable though on the costumes -- especially Mr. Fennyman's and the Tailor's. It was like watching a poor TV broadcast. If you have a 16:9 TV, you won't have to deal with this problem. The Pioneer and the Proscan both do a better job with the downconversion and because of the disc spinning noise with the Pioneer, I went with the Proscan. The picture is not as sharp, but at least the lines don't wave.

I would give this player a 4 and a 4 if I had a 16:9 TV, but I don't, so it gets two 3's.

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Pioneer Dv-525
Proscan PS8680

This DVD player has had no compatibility problems with any discs, and allows many options for the configuration of options such as black level.

Sound from the internal DAC's on audio CD's is mediocre, and the designer of the remote should be shot. All buttons are the same size.

My system is a:

Yamaha DSP-A1
Paradigm Reference Studio/60 + Studio/CC
Pioneer CLD-D606 LD Player
Yamaha TX-492 Tuner
DH Labs T-14 Biwire
Philips Pronto

Basically, the Toshiba 2109 makes a great add-on to the above system. Thus far, I have had *NO* compatibility issues with this player, unlike its brethren from Pioneer and RCA. The black level is configurable, which is a nice option. It has component video outputs, but only a coaxial digital audio output. The remote is hideous, but I use a Philips Pronto so that point is moot.

You can find this player for $229, and it's worth every penny.

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RCA 5220

This DVD play has been flawless with every video we have played.

The remote is poorly designed with very small buttons and difficult yo see and navigate.

I recommend this player for its ease of use and its great play and price.