Toshiba SD-3980

Toshiba SD-3980 DVD Player Review

The Toshiba SD-3980 single-disc DVD player packs a serious home-theater punch for an amazingly low price. Its progressive-scan ColorStream Pro component-video output produces seamless, flicker-free images for high-definition and HD-ready TVs.

Built-in MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) decoding let you compile music on your PC and listen to it on your stereo or TV, and you can even watch customized digital-photo slideshows using recordable CDs filled with standard JPEG image files.

Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the Toshiba SD-3980 stands ready to deliver the full potential of your DVDs via 10-bit/54 MHz processing. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.

The Toshiba SD-3980 also performs 3:2 pulldown. DVD mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion. Conventional composite- and S-video outputs bring compatibility with nearly any television. The "expanded" mode in the player's black-level setting produces richer, deeper black tones in every image. PLUGE (Picture Line Up Generation Equipment) delivers black as well as below-black signals to a television.

A set of left/right analog-audio outputs channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio outputs (one each coaxial and optical) for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver. The player's internal digital-to-analog converters work at 24-bit, 96 kHz resolution to ensure optimum sonic quality from a range of digital program material. Enhanced Audio Mode (E.A.M.) offers three sound settings: normal (boosts regular digital audio signals), 3-D (virtual surround sound enhancement via Spatializer N-2-2), and dialogue expander (which enhances center-channel frequencies in the range of human voices during playback of Dolby Digital multichannel content).

Other playback options include Power Picture Zoom (which lets you magnify a select area of an image), bookmarking (up to 9 marks), and parental lock.

What's in the Box?

Toshiba SD-3980 DVD player, remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, and a stereo analog audio interconnect/composite-video cable.

What Features Does the Toshiba SD-3980 Have?

� Color: Silver

� Disc capacity: 1

� Region playback: Compatible only with non-region-coded (code-free) discs and with discs coded for Region 1

� Progressive scan: Yes (ColorStream Pro component-video outputs)

� Switchable 480p/480i: Information not available

� 3:2 pulldown detection: Yes (Digital Cinema Progressive)

� Memory card slot: No

� Playback formats: DVD-Video, DVD-R, VCD, CD, audio CD-R, audio CD-RW, MP3 or WMA CD-R/RW, JPEG CD-R/RW

� MP3/JPEG combination playback: No

� Firmware upgradeable: No

� Display: Fluorescent

� Aspect ratio control: Yes

� Dialog enhancer: Yes (for Dolby Digital soundtracks)

� Integrated receiver: No

� Front-panel operation: Information not available

� Quick play: No

� Multi-angle viewing: Yes (with applicable discs)

� Black-level adjustment: Yes (and PLUGE, Picture Line Up Generation Equipment)

� Video DAC: 10-bit/54 MHz

� Audio DAC: 24-bit, 96 kHz

� HDCD decoding: No

� Custom bookmarks: Yes

� Frame advance: Yes

� Still/freeze frame: Yes

� Jog/shuttle dial on unit: No

� Forward/reverse play: Yes

� Speeds: Forward and Reverse - 1/16x, 1/4x, 1/2x normal; scan: x2, x8, x30, x100

� Karaoke: No

� Remote control: Ergonomic

� Picture zoom: Yes (power zoom)

� Recording capability: No

� Reverse-frame step: Yes

� Screen dimmer: Yes

� Screen saver: Yes

� Slow motion: Yes

� Instant replay: No

� VCR capability: No

� Audio outputs: 1 stereo analog (left/right), 2 digital (1 optical, 1 coaxial)

� Headphone jack: No

� Video outputs: 3 (composite-, component-, and S-video)

� Surround-sound output: Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel passthrough

� Simulated surround sound: Yes (Spatializer N-2-2 processing)

� THX-certified: No

� Front-panel inputs: No

� Power input: AC 120V, 60 Hz

� Power consumption: Information not available

� UPC: 022265411056

� Item weight: 6 pounds

� Shipping weight: 8 pounds

� Warranty: 1 year parts and 90 days labor

Conclusion

It's very clear theat DVD is here to stay. So if you haven't bought a DVD player yet, here's your opportunity for a really high quality model.

If you own a DVD player already, this Toshiba SD-3980 will make a great second model for use elsewhere in your home. 1 Pair Analog Audio Outputs Digital Cinema Progressive (3 - 2 Pulldown) Digital Picture Zoom Screen Saver Front LED Display Unit Dimensions - Width - 16.93 x Height - 1.65 x Depth - 7.87 Toshiba USA 90 Days Labor/1 Year Parts Limited Warranty

Best DVD Recorder Reviews Rating

5/10

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Toshiba SD-3980 DVD Player Review
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