Nice feature set

Playback Problems / Freeze of some DVDs

I like the Toshiba for its feature set and all the positive reviews. However, the first DVD I bought was "Enemy of the state". It switches in chapter 18 to french and then freezes at 1:13:42. Returned the unit 2 times already, same on all Toshibas the dealer had in stock. However, the SD-3109 on display in the store does not have the problem.
I'm not willing to switch to Sony for all the lipsync problems reported here. Any advice? Anybody having the same problems? Currently a 3 - if there is a unit that works on all DVDs it'll be a 5.

Zoom, Multi angle, twin tray.

glow in the dark remote is weak.

I have only viewed 2 movies on this puppy and so far so good. I get excellent picture quality and great sound. I will play Matrix and the Mummy next week and see what happens.

This thing even shuts itself off if you leave it on. Pretty cool.

I would definately recommend. Paid $325 including shipping through eBay from Vanns.com. They are an excellent store with great customer service. They also sell tons of these through eBay.

i am seriously considering the sd3109 based on the reviews i have read...however, i am still holding back due to the sd5109 which is due to come out ina few weeks.....is it worth the wait,,,or should i just go for the sd3109....
also, where do i purchased HDCD's on the web....

thanks

I picked up the l-o-n-g awaited Toshiba 3109 last week and I have been in love ever since. When I first opened the box and removed the contents I noticed the promotion materials and accessories weighed more than the unit itself! Not to worry though, this unit has all the features and quality design you could want in a dvd player - who said weight had anything to do with it anyways? Oh, that's right, those who love the vaccumn tube;).
After hooking up the unit, which is very simple (the instruction manual is one of the most explanative manuals I have ever read and very easy to understand), I went right for the remote to see if it had been improved from the previous monster - it kinda was. Before looking at the instruction manual I wanted to install the batteries. I frantically looked for the battery compartment to no avail then, I looked at the manual and there it was. You have to continue sliding the lower portion of the remote until it cover comes off and there you will find the place for the batteries. This is how, I believe, they shortend the remote. Other controls have been also impoved, most notably the i.r. sensor was enlarged from the led looking one. It gives a greater range of usability.

Overall, the unit performs extemely well, picture is great and so is the sound. I waited for this unit specifically for the digital optical outs. I also was considering the 5709 model but learned the difference between them was a better quality video output for specific TV's on the 5709-that I don't have. Everything else between the two are the same. Plus so many functions that YOU have control over - other players lack these extensive choices.

The dual drawers a very kewl, I am wondering what the Sony, able of storing 200 dvd's, deck will be like?

I would recommend this unit to anyone looking for a great buy with LOTS of features and needs a setup process as easy as 1-2-3 in a quality player.

My reason to purchase this player is because of Toshiba's reliability record. Second, this player is loaded with a lot of features. Third, it has 2 trays. As this player can play DVD/CD/VCD, 2 trays comes in handy because 90% of VCD movies contain 2 discs. I hooked up with my new Yamaha RV1105, I really enjoyed all the movies I watched so far, in "Jackal" which comes in DTS format, the sound quality is just a little bite better that AC-3. On remote, all the useful bottoms are too small, besides, loading the disc takes longer time than my old Panasonic A110, but these are just a minor complaints. I recommend this player to all the HOME THEATER fans.

Well, just ordered the 3109 from OneCall for $367.50 (2 day shipping included). No, it's not the best deal on the 'net but I bought it from them because:1) They have decent prices. All of their prices include 2-day shipping.
2) They actually have this thing in stock. Not a lot of people do at this time.
3) They are a Toshiba authorized dealers.
4) They are a reputable company. That is very important to me.

So there you have it. I'll be enjoying this purchase in a couple of days.

And now for the first negative review of the 3109.My DVD player had 2 subtle yet irritating defects.
First there was noticeable hiss coming from the rear
speakers. I use the onboard DD decoder with 6 channel
output; this problem wouldn't be noticed with the digital
signal. I compared side by side to a Sony 530 with exactly the
same system and interconnects, and the Sony had virtually
no hiss.

Second, the scan button didn't work all the time.
It's designed like cheap CD players--you have to press and
hold the skip chapter button to activate scan. Problem
was, the first time I tried to scan after starting up the
disc, it wouldn't work--it automatically skipped chapter.
From then on it would work fine. But the problem came back
every time I restarted the disc (both the "pause" stop
and complete stop)--it woudln't work the first
time, then it would work after that.

On a positive note the enhanced black picture was
great and the zoom was cool. The dual tray would be
great if this is your only player. However,
the regular picture seemed duller than other
players, and the remote and interface design I was not
thrilled with. Overall, 3 stars. Would be lower
except I realize I might have a lemon.

Irving Lee

This is an excellent product. I observed no artifacts that I have noticed on my DSS or my friend's older generation Denon DVD. Excellent sound quality for audio listening also. It is also one of the few DVD players that allows you to zoom in on a portion of the screen. My only complaint: the unit feels very light coming out of the box. All in all, an excellent unit.

So what do I think?
Well let me start with the bad news -- The build construction of this player is laughable, it weighs only a few pounds and feels like a toy. If you want a comparison feel the sony 7700 or onkyo dvd. The twin-disk drawer will no doubt be the first thing to go, it even strains while placing a disk gently in it. A poorly designed remote, but don't lose it since there are very few buttons on the deck. As others have mentioned, the same button is used for chapter advance and search which can really drive you nuts. Also the search function sets a speed (2X, 8X, 30X) and sticks with it until you press play, this is very different than most CD player search functions, and bothers me since I will be using the player equally for DVD and CD. The glow-in-the-dark remote buttons only work if you recharge them with light halfway through the movie. Digital
audio output is limited to 16/44.

The Good news -- Features, Features, Features! This player has everything -- Picture Zoom, HDCD, Virtual Surround, Sound Compression (for late night viewing, increases dialog and decreases explosions), good onscreen menus, dolby 5.1 decoder, DTS pass, optical out, coax out, component video, S-video. One big selling point for me was the audio end of this player-- HDCD is not a huge improvement over standard CDs but it is noticeable and HDCD disks are fairly
common (I had several more than I thought I had) this was great for me since I needed a new CD player anyway. The bass response is not as good as similarly priced CD decks, but the bass is well controlled and the mid-range/high-end response is great. Overall, the sound quality is excellent and probably equal to most cd players below $500. The twin disk feature is nice for CD listening, but I can't get the deck to play them sequentially. Video quality is excellent as well, but I never saw a huge difference between the newer players (10bit video). The on-screen menus are clear and are easy to navigate with the
remote's joy-pad (the only positive about the remote).

Summary: I would advise anyone thinking about this player to play with the remote awhile since it may really annoy you. Also, the controls for CD playback are not up to the standard of dedicated CD players so if you do a lot of track searching or track programing this may not be the player for you. The 3109 offers a great collection of features for the dollar, but this comes at the cost of build construction so if you are rough on equipment beware. (the twin disk tray is one party away from disaster) I was a little nervous to mail order this player since I've had the hassle of returning DOA equipment recently, but some web sellers have this player for $350 which is tempting. My thought is that for under $400 this player is a best buy concidering you get a good CD Player and a great DVD player. CD Player Sound= 4 stars CD Functions and remote=2 Stars DVD player=5 Stars Total=4 Star

Well, I moved from Canada to the US and can finally afford some goodies and not just paying taxes over taxes ...A DVD player was on my wish-list long time ago and I did a serious research on that matter. I was looking for a good DVD player as well as for an outstanding CD player to replace my dying 12 year-old Sony player. The 3109 does both very well with sharp picture, HDCD and is packed with features. I did a AB comparo using the decoder in my HK AVR75 with toslink against 3109's analog output for music and there is virtually no difference. The 3109's CD reproduction is superbe, much better then my old Sony. Have no HDCDs yet so couldn't test it. I only watched one movie so far (Blade) and have only one word: AMAZING. I got my unit from electronicexpress (1800-226-2800 ask for Todd) for $369 delivered double-boxed in 3 days.
Highly recommended !