Features:
- Dolby Digital and DTS output
- Component-video output
- Video black-level expansion
- Onscreen bit-rate meter
- Screen dimmer
Description:
Straight from the box, Toshiba's SD-1200 DVD player appears to be a lightweight machine--but appearances are deceiving. After plugging it in and letting it spin, we were overwhelmed by this player's audio-video performance. Although it weighs only 6.5 pounds, the SD-1200 reflects Toshiba's proven track record for building high-quality video components. This is a solid DVD player with sturdy rear-panel inputs and outputs. The SD-1200 provides only a single coaxial digital output and a pair of standard RCA analog-audio outputs (There is no optical digital-audio output.) Although we'd rather see both optical and coaxial, our preference for coaxial digital cables makes it easier to ignore the absence of the optical output--especially since optical connectors have a tendency to pull loose. The SD-1200's back panel accommodates composite- and S-video cables. Toshiba, which has been at the forefront of promoting component video, also offers ColorStream component jacks. Hooking the SD-1200 DVD player up to a TV with component-video inputs should render a decidedly superior picture, with more natural colors and less video noise. We used the SD-1200's S-video output, however, and saw no compromise in color fidelity. Edges were especially well defined, adding depth to the picture on our 54-inch rear-projection television. Toshiba offers a video black-level enhancement mode that you can access from the onscreen menu. Although it's designed to increase contrast and edge definition, we noticed little improvement with the enhancement; however, we didn't see any degradation either. Like most DVD players on the market today, the SD-1200 accommodates Dolby Digital as well as Digital Theater Sound (DTS). Unlike some of the low-end models we've tested, however, the SD-1200 performed flawlessly in both DTS and Dolby Digital. We fed the SD-1200 a hefty stream of DTS-encoded movies, surround-sound concert videos, and demo discs, and the player never missed a beat. Our concert videos sounded superb in 5.1-channel surround sound, and the thundering bass and crackling explosions in our action movies portrayed a realism unmatched by lesser DVD players. For the sake of simplicity, Toshiba opted for a minimalist front-panel design on the SD-1200--but to a fault, as this leaves all but the most basic functions up to the remote control. Although less is certainly more when it comes to front-panel buttons, we would at least like to be able to access the onscreen menu from the player in case the remote is lost or rendered inoperable. The remote is a pleasure to use, and while the buttons may prove too tiny for large fingers, we like the layout. Left/Right and Up/Down buttons are centrally placed, with the Enter button in the middle. The Open/Close and Power buttons are at the very top, where they belong. If you don't like the distraction of LED lights, you'll be happy to know that the SD-1200 allows you to dim or deactivate the panel display. You'll also like the onscreen bit-rate meter, which allows you to gauge the video bit-rate allocation at any given second while you're watching a DVD. The bit-rate bar fluctuates from less than 1 to 10, depending on the complexity of a given scene, with action sequences generally measuring between 8 and 9.5. This isn't a feature you'll want to leave on while you're enjoying a movie, but it's cool and thoughtful, and is the icing on the cake for this DVD player. Performance-wise, the SD-1200 is one of the best DVD-video players we've tested in its price range. --Eric Gill Pros:
- Good build quality
- Easy to use
- Excellent sound quality
Cons:
- No optical digital-audio output
- No front-panel menu access button
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