Review on Toshiba SD-3980 DVD Player with Progressive-Scan Technology by Jacob Leon

Note: See updates. I don't quite understand why so many people disparage Toshiba DVD players. For that reason I didn't want to take it. But then I heard that they have unusually good sound quality. And the big boxer sold them at a very low price. In addition, they have the opportunity to play WMA. So I decided to give it a try. I don't see anything wrong with that. The remote is well organized and appears to be jam-packed with features, including some not found on my other DVD players. I connected it to SVHS and I get a very clear picture, even in zoom mode. And finally, I get a DTS signal on my amp, unlike another manufacturer that claims to have DTS. The sound quality on CDs and DVDs via the analog output is excellent, as is the digital output via the coaxial cable (no optical, so what?). In fact, on one particularly tricky recording, Respighi's "Church Windows," I found that the Toshiba analogue output looked significantly better - clearer, smoother and more detailed - than the digital output from my Marantz receiver. We're talking exceptionally good sound here (although I'm not sure which is more precise). I would have no hesitation in recommending connecting it to a Hi-Fi system to play music CDs. WMA playback is good, but some people may be disappointed; It's hard to say what the exact frequency response is with WMA; Some wearable devices appear to artificially reconstruct high frequencies. With classic WMAs, the sound is clear and precise, with plenty of bass. But compared to the excellent audio portion of a CD, the limitations of compressed music files are obvious. However, I find the sound more natural when processed digitally via a Marantz DAC. Needless to say, you need a TV display to navigate WMA. But the setting is great for continuous background music. I've had no freezing issues on all discs including DVD-R, DVD+R, and DVD+RW, as well as music CDs. I tried the CDR with skipping problem on most of my players due to bad burning and it played fine except for 2 short silent jumps but no freeze or pause. The advantage is that it has all the basic controls on the player. The downside is that the display is minimal. The downside is that there is no extension. The upside is that it seems you can exit the copyright warning sooner with the "Skip" button. Fast forward can scan up to 100x. And it can do multiple slow scan steps - 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 - with very precise movement. This gives you the ability to display a variety of information on the screen, including the data rate. this hasn't been seen since Sony's first DVD player. And you can customize the image settings for the output. I've tried pointing the remote away from the device and it worked, pointing it 90 degrees to the wall, 90 degrees to the window, and even 180 degrees to the wall! All I did was put in fresh but cheap non-alkaline batteries. What is the problem? I found it plays MPEG files but is not reliable; Maybe it's the bit rate or something. But then he doesn't even pretend to reproduce them. The player is small, but it doesn't seem to get very hot. I use the button to load the DVD instead of pressing the tray. I also make sure it's on a flat surface and not on a heat source like a TV. Of course, verification will occur over time. I left it on repeat for 48 hours with different media, no problem. But will it keep working? I can't help but wonder if this issue is overblown, as many of the other criticisms are unfounded. I'll let you know when he dies. December. 11 - still works. Dec 16 - it doesn't work anymore. Doesn't read CDR or CD. A shame. December. 17 - back to work. Dec 18 - not working today. Dec. 20 is definitely not possible. December. 23 -- will not read CD or DVD. I think it might be kaput.Dec. 31 - back in the box for a long goodbye. I can't help but wonder if these Toshiba DVD players are made in the same factory as the Apex players that died a few months later. I can't understand why a company would put out a product that is otherwise excellent but, as you know, will most likely die prematurely. Don't they know it will affect their future sales? I've crossed a few brands off my list already because while the specs look great, they're actually crap. Rio/iRiver is one such company and I see Rio has closed. Here's why: bad reputation. I love my Toshiba laptop, but Toshiba's DVD department is a different beast. PS, just before I put the player in the return box, I connected it. He worked like he was begging for his life and a second chance. I didn't give in. But all I see is a hurried person in the store's repair department saying it works and putting it up for sale as an open box. Then some poor guy buys it, brings it home, and it works for a day or two at most.