Toshiba SD-1200 DVD Player
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- Number of Discs: 1
- Progressive Scan: Without Progressive Scan
- Playable Disk Types: DVD Video VCD CD (Audio)
- DVD Type: DVD Player
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Toshiba SD-1200 She may be inexpensive but she ain't cheap!
Pros
Inexpensive, lots of features, awesome picture and sound
Cons
you will have to replace your Jerry Lewis VCR tapes collection
Recommended it?
Yes
A funny thing happened on my way to our local electronic/appliance superstore to replace our 19" RCA TV and VCR--I got two of the best devices ever in the electronics area. I won't get into the TV story here (a JVC 27") but will discuss the awesome Toshiba SD1200.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
A few questions I asked myself before buying the DVD:
1. Are the picture and sound really that much better than a VCR tape?
2. Is the cost of rental on DVD's the same as VCR tapes?
3. Do DVD's last longer than VCR tapes?
4. Do DVD's offer more viewing choices than VCR tapes?
The answers to questions 1-4 is a resounding yes! Once you agree that you like the advantages of a DVD over VCR, it simply becomes a question of whether you are willing to pay the extra $100-$500 required to set one up. I only paid $243 for this Toshiba. That is exactly $114 more than the VCR I had picked out from JVC. IT IS WORTH IT!
SOUND AND AUDIO
This Toshiba is a great buy because it has top of the line output available at a reasonable cost. You can choose to have video output in three formats: 1)standard (think VCR quality) 2)S video or 3) component video. Your TV determines which one you can use. I would recommend that you not buy a DVD unless you can use the S video (like I did with my JVC) or the component video. The component video usually requires an additional $150 to $250 for the TV and cable required. The audio output offers two outputs: analog and bitstream. Analog is used when connected to a TV or Dolby Pro Logic or to the stereo system with analog audio jacks. The bitstream is used for connections to an amplifier with Dolby Digital, DTS, MPEG1 or 2 decoder. In addition, the SD-1200 has a dynamic range control which allows you to hear the more faint sounds when you are watching that R rated movie and want to turn down the volume so the kids can't hear it--but you can.
THE EXPERIENCE
The experience of watching a DVD is similar to the difference between 8-tracks and audio CDs. When you turn on the player, most DVDs have intro pages similar to the table of contents of a book. You have the option of watching such things as production out-takes, producer notes, alternative endings and more. Because the DVD discs can hold so much information, the best DVDs include lots of extras.
THE TOSHIBA'S FEATURES
When watching the movie itself, the Toshiba can be switched between Letterbox (the same aspect as the theatre and uncropped) or normal (cropped to fit the TV). In addition, you can choose the on-screen language, the disc menu language, the audio language and the subtitle language. Some DVDs allow alternative views to be shown. In addition, parental lock is available.
The remote is laid out well. I like that it offers the ability to open the tray by remote. Pretty much everything can be controlled by the remote. You may find yourself laying in bed late at night and unable to sleep. First you hit the zoom button to get a closer view of that good looking actress. Then you change the angle to get a better view of the missing clue. Next you want to help the cat learn to read so you turn on the subtitles-in French! Finally your wife walks in so you have to restart the movie. You want to rub it in that it took her forever to get home from that cookware party so you press the REV button once or twice and it goes back through the entire part she missed-backwards (choose 2x, 8x or 30x speed-front or backwards).
Overall, this seems to be a great buy and I highly recommend it. I hope you enjoy shopping for yourself.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
A few questions I asked myself before buying the DVD:
1. Are the picture and sound really that much better than a VCR tape?
2. Is the cost of rental on DVD's the same as VCR tapes?
3. Do DVD's last longer than VCR tapes?
4. Do DVD's offer more viewing choices than VCR tapes?
The answers to questions 1-4 is a resounding yes! Once you agree that you like the advantages of a DVD over VCR, it simply becomes a question of whether you are willing to pay the extra $100-$500 required to set one up. I only paid $243 for this Toshiba. That is exactly $114 more than the VCR I had picked out from JVC. IT IS WORTH IT!
SOUND AND AUDIO
This Toshiba is a great buy because it has top of the line output available at a reasonable cost. You can choose to have video output in three formats: 1)standard (think VCR quality) 2)S video or 3) component video. Your TV determines which one you can use. I would recommend that you not buy a DVD unless you can use the S video (like I did with my JVC) or the component video. The component video usually requires an additional $150 to $250 for the TV and cable required. The audio output offers two outputs: analog and bitstream. Analog is used when connected to a TV or Dolby Pro Logic or to the stereo system with analog audio jacks. The bitstream is used for connections to an amplifier with Dolby Digital, DTS, MPEG1 or 2 decoder. In addition, the SD-1200 has a dynamic range control which allows you to hear the more faint sounds when you are watching that R rated movie and want to turn down the volume so the kids can't hear it--but you can.
THE EXPERIENCE
The experience of watching a DVD is similar to the difference between 8-tracks and audio CDs. When you turn on the player, most DVDs have intro pages similar to the table of contents of a book. You have the option of watching such things as production out-takes, producer notes, alternative endings and more. Because the DVD discs can hold so much information, the best DVDs include lots of extras.
THE TOSHIBA'S FEATURES
When watching the movie itself, the Toshiba can be switched between Letterbox (the same aspect as the theatre and uncropped) or normal (cropped to fit the TV). In addition, you can choose the on-screen language, the disc menu language, the audio language and the subtitle language. Some DVDs allow alternative views to be shown. In addition, parental lock is available.
The remote is laid out well. I like that it offers the ability to open the tray by remote. Pretty much everything can be controlled by the remote. You may find yourself laying in bed late at night and unable to sleep. First you hit the zoom button to get a closer view of that good looking actress. Then you change the angle to get a better view of the missing clue. Next you want to help the cat learn to read so you turn on the subtitles-in French! Finally your wife walks in so you have to restart the movie. You want to rub it in that it took her forever to get home from that cookware party so you press the REV button once or twice and it goes back through the entire part she missed-backwards (choose 2x, 8x or 30x speed-front or backwards).
Overall, this seems to be a great buy and I highly recommend it. I hope you enjoy shopping for yourself.
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