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Toshiba SD-V391 Progressive Scan DVD-VCR Combo (Silver)

Toshiba SD-V391 Progressive Scan DVD-VCR Combo (Silver)

List Price: $219.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Problem, but Awesom Customer Service
Review: As I noted on 1 or 2 other reviews, when I got the unit the DVD drawer wouldn't open. Normally that would lead me to rate the unit a 1, but the Toshiba customer service was so exceptional and the unit (once working) decent enough that I rate a 3. First, the customer service was astounding. I had to call 4 or 5 times. Every time, they answered the phone on the first ring. The person spoke clearly and well and was knowledgeable - the call never had to be transferred. I was never put on hold. After they had me try a few things, they provided instructions for a return. As promised, the new unit showed up after about 7 days, and worked fine.

Combo units of this type, no matter who the manufacturer, are prone to problems, so it is critical to have that customer support.

I bought from Amazon because they were $20 cheaper than Best Buy or any other retailer. Best Buy wouldn't match the price, which surprised me - it's not like Amazon is generally cheaper. However, if the price is close would recommend buying from a retailer in case you need to return it. If you read reviews for combo players in general you will find lots of problems.

So far, happy with the replaced unit. Setup was easy and the remote is easy to use, which often isn't the case.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great DVD
Review: Awesome DVD player. Personally, I thought Combos are over priced and troublesome, but this unit is GREAT!

Plays all media as described (DVD+/-R, VCD, JPG CD-RW, etc)! Very nice. I have had mine for about 2 months and have played about 200 hours of movies (for my kids) with no problems.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for there first player, or someone looking to upgrade.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: also dead on arrival
Review: Dvd door did not work out of box. Sent back to amazon,maybe replactment will work.I bought this because of toshiba quality.Wrong again.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Piece of junk
Review: DVD player door would not open up. Setup was terrible. Took back to Best Buy. I wish I had read the reviews before buying this product.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: nice unit
Review: I always enjoy writing good reviews...almost as much as I enjoy writing really bad ones. This is a good one. This unit is very nice to look at, it feels nice when you push the remote control buttons, and it even makes very nice recordings. I should have bought an editing VCR years ago, but instead I play with multiple VCR's, my PC, DVD players, phonograph players, cassette players and recorders and whatever I can patch in to my menagerie in genersal. I didn't really need another DVD player but since it came with this machine I figured it never hurts to have another source to throw into the mix. I love this machine. It makes really nice sounds when you fast forward or reverse, the remote control feels nice in my hand and has a good feel when I hit a button. I just completed my latest video creation using this Toshiba SD-V391 as the middle and main recorder for my mind-boggling production, whatever may be at fault with my production is not to be blamed on the Toshiba. To make a long story short....it worked great and after making the original tape at SP speed and playing it in my Sony and copying it back on the Toshiba, it is actually hard to tell which is the original tape.

I guess my only complaint is that they just don't make em like my old RCA Hi-Fi VHS recorder from 1985 which had a VU meter and seperate audio input controls etc etc...but which cost $250. The remote control does have some absolutely illegible red type on a dark grey background in one section that baffles the mind and causes serious eye strain when attempting to make out the letters. I'm used to little hard to see buttons, but when you can't even read the type with your glasses on under a good light you gotta think someone screwed the pooch. It's just one of those things you have to work around and soon you are familiar with the functions of the buttons and don't need to read em anyhow.

The DVD works well and when I tried some CD-R disc's with photos and MP3 files it showed and played them as advertised. I had some trouble with some MP3 files but it may have been a fault of mine when I did something somewhere along the line before they got to the Toshiba. I haven't messed with MP3 files for a couple of years and need to play with them more now that they could actually be usefull to me.

When you insert a tape or DVD and eject one or both of the afformentioned, it makes a nice sound and gives you a feeling of confidence and pride of ownership. These things are important. My Sony is starting to make rough and clunky noises whenever I hit the eject button...just a matter of time before it achieves critical mass and fractures a servo... or worse! I have a JVC Super VHS ET in line too and that has been a good, if not inspiring, machine for a couple of years. Anyhow, I would recommend this machine to anyone looking for a DVD/VHS combo and likes to play with editing sound and images. The input select button on the remote control is nice, once you figure out where it is..haha. I would buy this machine just for the VHS..oh yeah, I did...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Toshiba is sending me a new unit!!
Review: I bought mine in Oct. of 2003. I have the same problem with the DVD player that others have been complaining about. I called Toshiba and a VERY nice lady is sending me a new updated model as soon as I send in my old unit. The trick is to call Toshiba's Customer Service number (800) 631-3811.

This certainly is much better than Panasonic or Sony has treated me in the recent past with my VCR players. I highly recommend anything Toshiba!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Toshiba is sending me a new unit!!
Review: I bought mine in Oct. of 2003. I have the same problem with the DVD player that others have been complaining about. I called Toshiba and a VERY nice lady is sending me a new updated model as soon as I send in my old unit. The trick is to call Toshiba's Customer Service number (800) 631-3811.

This certainly is much better than Panasonic or Sony has treated me in the recent past with my VCR players. I highly recommend anything Toshiba!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: So Far So Good
Review: I bought one of these units a couple of weeks ago. I didn't really do a lot of shopping around, but I had looked at a few DVD/VCR machines in stores. I also looked at several other models here. This one was the best value I saw. DVD/VCR combos in stores were mostly $150 and up. This machine looks nice (not cheap), has more bells and whistles than I will probably use, was easy to hook up, and is pretty easy to use. I will agree with the reviewer who wrote that there are a lot of buttons on the remote, but it doesn't take long to become familiar with it and there are a few that you use most of the time, anyway.

I'm no electronics expert, but I'm completely satisfied with this machine so far. Picure and sound are fine and everything has worked without a hitch. The real test, as far as I'm concerned, will be how long it holds up. The motors on some VCRs I've owned wore out sooner than I thought they should. It will be awhile before I can judge this one on that score. Would I recommend this item to a friend (or another Amazon shopper)? So far, the answer is a definite yes.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great buy (better with Amazon)
Review: I bought the player even though there were problems with its DVD draw. The player I received also had the same problem. The DVD draw wouldn't open up. I wrote to Amazon customer service and got a reply in 24 hours. They shipped me a new one which got to me in 2 days. This one works fine. So if you don't mind the bother of exchanging (in case you have a problem) I would say go for it. Its a great player.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Very good quality in picture and sound
Review: I do not claim to be an expert on DVD player, but in the four players that I have used (two that I've owned and two that I have borrowed), this one has been the most reliable. I bought this unit because my old 10-year-old VCR died, and I only had a 1986 color TV that is still in tip-top shape. With that said, I would say that this model is great. The clarity of both VCR and DVD picture is good for the price. The sound is excellent, even as it pumps through my left-channel, mono-sound speaker in the old TV. Plus, the DVD player has a screen saver when playing CDs, up to 16-character output for picture and audio computer files.

There are two major drawbacks to the system: 1) The remote control is a bit overwhelming. The buttons have dual functions, and if you're a novice like me, it takes a while to get used to it. However, instead of having to rely on the menu screens to operate the VCR or DVD player, the tasks are on each button. 2) The on-screen program is tough to decipher. When I tried setting the timer record function, I felt like I needed an engineering degree. I'm pretty good at programming VCR and such, but this took more time than I was used to.

Otherwise, this is a good product to start with. I've had it for almost two weeks and have not had a problem.


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