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Toshiba SD-1600 DVD Player

Toshiba SD-1600 DVD Player

List Price: $249.95
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Withheld the test of time!
Review: I am usually hesitant about rating optical laser equipment because one day they work fine and then the next day they'll break on you. I have to say though, I have had this particular DVD player for over a year now and it is performing like the day I bought it. I have friends that have purchased more expensive brands and models and have seen them constantly having to replace them because they break down. Not this puppy! I intend to watch 100s more movies with this until I'm ready to move up to a progressive scan DVD player. Importantly, this DVD player for this price has Composite Colorstream outputs which provide superb resolution and clarity. Yes, this model does not have an optical output, but it does have DTS/Dolby digital composite output. In terms of video, S-video is less than Colorstream, but in terms of audio, composite is equivalent to optical. One eensy weensy detail though...when watching dual layer DVDs, there is a slight pause on the change up. I don't really care because they usually put the change up right at a scene change. Also, the remote is a little busy with the buttons and not backlit. Other than that, this DVD is a solid winner!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Almost a dream come true for first time DVD experiencers
Review: I decided on this player based on the great reviews I found on the Web and how it looked in the store (I also wanted it to match my 27" Toshiba TV). It was very simple to set up, just make sure you use the Monster cable instead of the "temporary hook-up" cables that come with it. I like the fact that it has component-video outputs; although my TV is 3 years old and wasn't a top model, so these were absent. I instead used the S-Video input that I was very suprised to have found on the TV's back, and I know my next TV will have component inputs, so I can easily upgrade. As for the audio, I was able to hook the player to the TV and use the TV outs to connect to my Yamaha Dolby Pro-Logic Surround mini-stereo. This gave me the ability to hear cable in surround (only certain programs), and get intense audio from the DVDs. And again the next stereo I buy will have Dolby Digital decoders and a coaxial digital audio input.

I must say this player is super simple to use and enjoy. Yes, the remote is small and unlit, but this isn't a progressive-scan player, so what do you want? The picture is great and I can't imagine it being any better; and the audio is crisp and energetic to say the least. I like the PLUGE black-level expansion which really works great, and the zoom is a neat feature. The 3D Spatializer is a good feature to have if you want or have to use only your TV's speakers. Another good inclusion is the FL dimmer which really helps when you don't want to be distracted by the bright display in a dark room.

Overall, if you're on a budget or don't want or need to spend over $250 or so on a DVD player, I demand you check this Toshiba out. You will find no other better players out there, guranteed.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Long time owner
Review: I have had the Toshiba SD-1600 for a few years now. We have never had any trouble playing dvd's on it. I'm looking for another dvd player. (This one for my daughter.) I was going to get one with a little newer technology, but after reading reviews on so many different brands I think I might buy another one of these. I was disappointed with how many brands seemed to die in the first year. If you are looking for a dependable dvd player this one would be a good choice.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A fantastic player
Review: The Toshiba SD-1600 is an excellent entry level DVD player. For the price, it can't be beat, and it bests other models out there costing twice as much.

The SD-1200 was an acclaimed success for Toshiba, and the SD-1600 has a few refinements over that one.

The picture and sound quality are excellent. Though lacking an optical audio out, there is PCM/bitstream and analog outs, as well as a composite video out, an S-Video out, and component video outs. I'm using the analog audio and component video hookups (all with Monster Cables) to my 27" Sony Wega TV and it's brilliant.

Many people have complained about the remote, but I like it. It's not too awkward to get around, and the player responds to it well (as long as you're within a reasonable range). The menu system is good, if not spectacular, and all the options you'd expect from a standard player are there. The SD-1600 also features a Spatializer 3-2-2 3D sound option which provides an excellent surround effect with only two speakers.

Right now I have the player thinking it's connected to a 16:9 television (I'm using the 16:9 anamorphic squeeze option most Wegas have), and the picture quality is nothing short of amazing. I haven't found a disc yet that gives the player any problems, and it's also very quiet when playing.

It's a light machine, weighing only about ten pounds, but don't think it's underpowered because of it. Outside of a progressive scan DVD player (which really is of no benefit until HDTV is popular), this is one of the finest units widely available. Grab it up today.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Very Good DVD Player. Well Worth The Price.
Review: I made the mistake of purchasing a Samsung player, which basically died within 2 months. While doing research on Amazon for a replacement, I noticed that lots of people had wonderful things to say about the Toshiba brands. So I decided to purchase one and hope for the best. Well I've got nothing but good things to say.

This little player is really light, but don't let that fool you. It has played all my DVDs with perfection, and hasn't failed me yet. The picture is wonderful, and the sound is pretty good as well. A couple of my discs that would freeze or skip on the Samsung player, work just fine on the Toshiba. That was when I realized that I made a good choice. I love the on-screen setup menus, which allow you to see the picture on the movie that you're watching while adjusting the settings. It's a nice little drop down menu from the top of the screen, with very nice icons that are easy to understand. Other players just blank out the picture while the setup menu takes up the entire screen. You can imagine how frustrating it can be when going back and forth repeatedly from the picture and setup screen, while fine tuning the settings.

The Toshiba SD-1600 is a great player to buy if you're new to DVD, or are looking to add a low-cost, reliable system to another room in your home. Toshiba is known for great picture and sound, so you can't go wrong with them. As an added bonus, they've got a good warranty for it. It's good to know that I can get my player repaired for free at a local Toshiba certified service center if anything happens.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Thank Goodness for Amazon Reviews!
Review: My purchase of the Toshiba SD1600 was my first outing in the world of DVD. I purchased the player based SOLELY on the reviews it received here at Amazon. Needless to say, I have not been disappointed. First of all...this thing is as silent as a Stealth Bomber. My computer makes more noise than the SD1600. Another thing is the output options. It has both component and S-Video coupled with RCA's to best suit your needs. I'm using the S-Video and RCA-audios both with Monster Cables. One suggestion--spend the extra money and get Monster Cables. You can get them right here at Amazon. You won't be sorry! NEVER use the cheap factory cables that come with your player...using these will downgrade your picture and sound.

The remote is fairly easy to use. After the horror stories I've heard of some players being too small with miniscule buttons, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to use.

Oh, when plugging in the outputs, don't be afraid to PUSH HARD, as to tightly secure the cable to the unit. It's a tight fit, but that's the way it is supposed to be.

Another reason I am so happy with my DVD player is the transparent display menu, allowing you to make adjustments while playing a movie. I bought this DVD player primarily because I wanted to watch The X-Files Season 1 and 2 boxed sets. With its quick response time, three-speed fastfowarding, effortless chapter skip and three level zoom, watching is truly a pleasure. The best part is, if I decide to upgrade my television a little later on (I just bought a new 27" Sanyo, and I'm happy with it), the DVD player will be an easy transition.

There are many other amenities this player offers, but there is no way I can list them all. Bottom line: This player is an excellent player at an unbelievable price. I'll buy Toshiba again!

The remote is fairly easy to use. After the horror stories I've heard of some players being too small with miniscule buttons, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to use.

Oh, when plugging in the outputs, don't be afraid to PUSH HARD, as to tightly secure the cable to the unit. It's a tight fit, but that's the way it is supposed to be.

Another reason I am so happy with my DVD player is the transparent display menu, allowing you to make adjustments while playing a movie. I bought this DVD player primarily because I wanted to watch The X-Files Season 1 and 2 boxed sets. With it's quick response time, three-speed fastfowarding, effortless chapter skip and three level zoom, watching is truly a pleasure. The best part is, if I decide to upgrade my television a little later on (I just bought a new 27" Sanyo, and I'm happy with it), the DVD player will be an easy transition.

There are many other ammenities this player offers, but there is no way I can list them all. Bottom line: The SD1600 is an excellent player at an ubelievable price. I'll buy Toshiba again!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great player for a great price!
Review: Our first DVD player, we decided to keep it simple and go with a lesser expensive 'starter' model. Considering that I got a great deal on my Toshiba set with which I've been very happy, we went with this low-end Toshiba model. Set-up was a bit confusing since the manual does not indicate which order multiple components (VCR, stereo, cable box) should be connected. Additionally, if you don't have component video inputs and only 1 audio input on your TV, you'll need additional cables or adapters not included (or jury-rig it which may effect video/sound quality). If you don't have component video inputs on your TV, the ColorStream technology of this player is useless to you. Also, watching wide-screen formatted DVDs on a 19" TV stinks. If you don't have a DVD yet and you've only got a 19" set with composite inputs, consider the cost of buying a new 27" (at least) with component video inputs - at least another $300. All this aside, the picture is much more crisp and colorful. No doubt a home theatre system would truly enhance the sound capabilities of DVD. But with that kind of money, I would have splurged on a player with a backlit remote control!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Solid piece of equipment
Review: I don't know much about electronics, but I bought this machine over a year ago and it works great. I bought a television with component video on a friend's recommendation (he does know something about electronics) and the picture is UNBELIEVABLY BEAUTIFUL :-) I do know a lot about movies and I LOVE watching letterboxed DVDs on this machine.

I gave it 4 stars because I mean, it's only a DVD player. I don't know what it would have to do to get a fifth star, but it's a ... good machine and that this price, ridiculously cheap. Why waste hundreds of dollars when this perfectly fine machine is only 80 (it was 120 when I bought it).

I'm buying my sister one for Christmas

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good for some, not for others
Review: I've had this player for the better part of a year.

Pros:
Good picture quality
Great fast forward speed
Some nice features
Decent price

Cons:
Will not play anything on recorded media DVD +-R or +-RW
Will not play VCD or SVCD's

Overall, I loved the basic features of this player, but had to retire it as I was recording movies from a mini DV camera and could not get them to play at all. Toshiba says that there is no fix for this and that you need to get a new player.

If you do not care at all about media that you record yourself, this is an excellent player.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Excellent when it works...
Review: I've had this DVD player for about a year, and perhaps 3-4 months ago, it suddenly started showing letterboxed or pan-n-scan format video apparently at will, regardless of the settings in the DVD player or in the disc's software. It developed a similar problem with languages, both audio and subtitles, shortly thereafter. It's currently so confused that I don't touch the settings as long as I get English and "a picture." I find it exceedingly frustrating to use the player, since it seems to basically ignore the settings I've selected.

Having said that, when the player works like it's supposed to, I love it. Other than the settings problems I've had, the DVD player has comported itself quite well, and has excellent playback, both audio and video. The settings menus are not laid out with perfect clarity, but I'm generally able to find what I need without having to resort to the manual.


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