Toshiba SD-5980

Toshiba SD-5980 DVD Player Review

The Toshiba SD-5980 A treasure trove for videophiles and techno-mavens, Toshiba's feature-loaded and amazingly affordable SD-5980 single-disc DVD player upconverts standard DVD-Video content to full high-definition resolution--either progressive-scan 720p or interlaced 1080i.

Further, the sleek, silvery player offers a cutting-edge High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) to foster a direct digital hookup between the Toshiba SD-5980 and a compatible HDTV or HD-ready TV/monitor. The player spins DVD-Video movies, of course, and also handles recordable CDs loaded with MP3 or WMA music files and discs filled with JPEG digital photos, letting you make the most of your digital media. The unit's 9-in-2 flash-media card slot supports Secure Digital, Mini Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Duo Pro, XD Picture Card, Compact Flash, and Multimedia Card. By taking advantage of these different media formats, the player lets you enjoy JPEG images and music files in both the MP3 and WMA and formats. Even better: Thanks to the Toshiba SD-5980's specialized chipset (MPEG decoder and scaler) and its HDMI interface, you'll see megapixel JPEG images with enhanced resolution.

The Toshiba SD-5980 is outfitted with 10-bit/54 MHz video DACs (digital-to-analog converters) and ColorStream Pro progressive-scan component-video outputs for seamless, flicker-free images when viewed through high-definition and HD-ready TVs.

Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p/720p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using a minimum of twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. For compatibility with traditional SD (standard-definition) televisions, the SD-5980 sports composite- and S-video outputs.

HDMI is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface supporting standard-definition (SD), enhanced definition (ED), or high-definition (HD) video, plus multi-channel digital audio--all using a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports up to 8-channel digital audio, with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements. The Toshiba SD-5980 also performs 3:2 pulldown reversal. DVD mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion.

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.

Digital picture zoom is an interactive DVD feature that lets you select and magnify an area of a picture you want to zoom in on. Enhanced digital processing during moving video or freeze-frame playback produces high color fidelity and resolution, even when you're zoomed in. You can also use this feature to expand letterbox-only films to full-screen (4:3 aspect ratio) dimension.

For audio, choose from 2-channel analog audio outs (which benefit from 24-bit/192 kHz digital-to-analog audio converters) or either of 2 forms of digital-audio output, optical or coaxial, for transmitting discrete, multichannel surround signals--either Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1--to a compatible audio/video receiver and speaker system. (Both Dolby and DTS signals can be transmitted via HDMI as well.) Listening in surround sound puts you right in the middle of the action, whether you're playing an action movie, a concert video, or a period drama. Not set up for surround yet? A special 3-D Surround circuit simulates surround sound from any 2 speakers.

What's in the Box?

Toshiba SD-5980 DVD player, remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, a stereo analog audio interconnect/composite-video cable, a 2-meter HDMI cable, and warranty information.

What Features Does the Toshiba SD-5980 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)

� Image enhancements: Video upconversion to user-selectable high-definition 720p/1080i, including JPEG enhancement (via HDMI connections)

� Memory card slot: Yes (playback of JPEG, WMA and MP3 files via Media card playback, will accept Secure Digital, Mini Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Duo Pro, XD Picture Card, Compact Flash and Multimedia Card)

� Playback formats: DVD-Video, DVD-R, DVD-RW, 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, 192 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: Digital 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), 3 digital (1 optical, 1 coaxial, 1 HDMI)

� Headphone jack: No

� Video outputs: HDMI, Composite-video, component-video, and S-video

� Surround-sound output: Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel passthrough through any digital-audio output

� Simulated surround sound: Yes (3D Virtual Surround)

� THX-certified: No

� Front-panel inputs: No

� Power input: AC 120V, 60 Hz

� Power consumption: Information not available

� UPC: 022265411643

� Item width: 17 inches

� Item height: 1.85 inches

� Item depth: 8.1 inches

� Item weight: 4.4 pounds

� Shipping dimensions: 20.5 x 4.7 x 11.4 inches (W x H x D)

� Shipping weight: 6.6 pounds

� Warranty: 1 year parts and 90 days labor

Conclusion

The Toshiba SD-5980 gets the most out of the DVD format by offering the best signal your particular television is capable of. An HDMI connection, video upconversion, progressive scan, the SD5980 is all about delivering absolutely stunning video. And, it includes all of the features that make for simple, enjoyable operation.

Optical and Coaxial TosLink Digital Audio Outputs 10-Bit/54mHz Video Digital-to-Analog Conversion 24-Bit/192kHz Audio Digital-to-Analog Conversion Video Upconversion to 720p/1080i Resolution Digital Cinema Progressive 3 - 2 Pulldown WMA & MP3 Playback, JPEG Viewer Universal Remote Control with TV Controls 3-D Virtual Surround Parental Lock Digital Picture Zoom Fast Scan, Slow Motion Multi-Camera Angle Select, Multi-Language Select, Multi-Subtitle Select Dolby Digital/DTS Compatible Screen Saver Tray Lock

Best DVD Recorder Reviews Rating

8/10

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Toshiba SD-5980 DVD Player Review
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