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Reviews
Amazon.com
The Toshiba SD-3109 combines extraordinary audio options with state-of-the-art digital video playback to give you an experience equal to--or better than--the cinema. The Toshiba SD-3109 was easy to set up--it automatically detected our type of audio output (two-channel) and video format (4:3). Its rear video and audio connections were clearly labeled. The manual is easy to follow; lots of graphics make it simple to figure out how to connect in any possible configuration. Also, the front-panel button layout is simple, leaving more complicated functions to the full-featured, glow-in-the-dark remote. The Toshiba SD-3109's most unique feature is its dual-disc loader, which lets you put in two DVDs for a double feature (or two audio CDs for a longer listening experience). The Toshiba SD-3109 let us program tracks and chapters from both discs, although it wouldn't allow us to randomize playback across discs. We were pleased, however, to be able to load one disc while the other one was playing. The Toshiba SD-3109 offers traditional DVD features such as camera-angle selection, subtitling, and language preference, but it also has a good selection of more-advanced features. The Toshiba SD-3109 lets you zoom in (up to 3x on our test disc) and features reverse- and forward-play speeds of from 1/8x to 30x normal. The Toshiba SD-3109 also does a great job of finding specific sections on a disc--it even lets you locate scenes by their time into the disc. The SD-3109's audio options impressed us; not only does this DVD player offer high-resolution digital-to-analog converters and a wide variety of audio-out selections (including linear PCM as well as DTS and Dolby Digital surround options), but it also lets you adjust the outputs to the center/surround speakers to mimic an ideally spaced home-theater system. Users with stereo-only playback will appreciate the Spatializer 3D sound-enhancement feature, which creates expansive surround-like audio using just two speakers. In addition to playing audio CDs and digital video CDs, the Toshiba SD-3109's circuitry also lets you play High Definition Compatible Digital-encoded CDs, which increase the audio resolution from 16 to 20 bits for improved sound staging and greater dynamic range--improvements that carry over in a more limited way to the playback of standard CDs. Pros:
- Handy two-disc loader
- Extensive audio options
- Wide range of fast-forward and reverse-play options
- Easy-to-use remote
- Component video outputs
Cons:
- Can't randomize audio tracks across both loaded discs
- No headphone jack
Customer Comments
Average Customer Review: 
Number of Reviews: 32
Jae-Kwon Yang (jaekwon@jps.net) from Seattle, WA , October 10, 1999 
Very Good Cost/Performance! I Love it!
I was thinking between Panasonic A120 and this, but decided to spend some more money. And no regret now. I love this one. It has zoom feature so that you can zoom pictures if your monitor is small (Especially good for if you are watching wide screen DVD software.) Only bad thing is that FF/REW button is tricky, if you don't hold button for at least 2-3 seconds, it skips the whole chapter. (pretty pain...) One more last one - couldn't play music CDR from my CD burner. Other than that very very good, highly recommend this. Mike Duplantier (miked586@hotmail.com) from New Orleans, LA , October 9, 1999
Very sweet DVD player
I bought this unit in June, and I have been very pleased with the player overall, from it's dual tray design to its internal AC3 decoding. The selling point for me was its virtual surround capabilities, despite the fact that I own a dolby digital ready audio system, it's an attractive touch since its not always convenient to set up for surround sound. And with this feature in mind, shopping for a DVD player was made MUCH easier due to the fact that I could eliminate so many other possibilities. Also, the unit is incredibly light and easily transportable from location to location, and with extras like a DTS output and HDCD support make it all the more worth the price tag. Why not five stars? I hate the access times and the fact that its almost impossible not to overshoot when fast-forwarding and rewinding; the image that appears on screen when doing this can be many seconds behind (takes some real getting used to). But, being an early generation device, this is certainly negligable. An electronics enthusiast from Minneapolis, MN , October 9, 1999 
Tremendous improvement over videotape!
I did a lot of research both online and at the store and the 3109 came out on top. I was overwhelmed with the sound quality of the 5.1 digital even though I first connected it to some inexpensive speakers. Use an S-Video cable to connect it to your TV for a great picture. I agree with the other comments about the remote but you have to realize it still does what it is supposed to and you spend more time watching or listening than holding the remote. If you have a digital 5.1 "ready" receiver, this is the unit to buy! But don't pay $399. The other reviews on this site directed me to dmart2.com and I paid only $326.88 including shipping. Sorry Amazon. An electronics enthusiast from Seattle, Washington , October 4, 1999
a good product, but not perfect
Don't believe the bit about an "easy-to-use" remote. Clearly a diseased mind designed the remote for this unit. The numeric keypad, zoom, A->B repeat buttons and a few others are hidden by the same sliding panel that serves as the cover for the battery compartment. Button placement on the other part of the remote seems to defy logic. Instead of having separate rew/ff and chapter skip buttons, the chapter skip buttons are overloaded and you have to hold them down for a second to get rew/ff. The forward/reverse play buttons are not directly under the forward/reverse slow play buttons. The other buttons are scattered across the face of this huge remote, usually far away from your thumb, meaning you usually need to operate the remote with two hands. Yuck. Other than the remote, the unit is quite good. An electronics enthusiast from New yORK , October 4, 1999
Just works fine
I have been using this player for about 2 months. The dual tray feaure is good for watching two movies one afer other or watching VideoCD's which usually in multipole disks without have to get up and changing disks. The remote is different from other units and could have made much smaller An electronics enthusiast from Naperville, IL , September 11, 1999
A bargain at the price!
We've had our 3109 for about 3 months, and we bought it primarily for audio performance. I love the HDCD decoding: the lifelike fidelity is absolutely astounding. Having trouble with playing green and gold CD-Rs, which is really annoying, but I'll try blue ones before I give up. Just a few little things I don't like about its interface: it takes 5-10 seconds to "boot up" before any control buttons respond, the LEDs which indicate which tray is playing seems backwards to me (red for playing and green for not playing: I now think red for 'stop, don't open' and green for 'go ahead and open'). No trck shuffle between disks,and no continuous play from end of one disk to beginning of another. I'm a picky guy when it comes to interface design, so take my complaints with a grain of salt. This machine really performs. I use Audioquest Tuquoise cables for the audio signal to my amp, and it sounds like the musicians are in my living room. You shouldn't have to pay more than $350 for this player; shop around. An electronics enthusiast from Newport Beach, CA , September 9, 1999 
You STILL need an amplifier for Surround Sound/Dolby/etc.
All the reviews implied that enough of the Surround Sound/Dolby/etc. circuitry existed onboard so I could simply plug in my speakers and enjoy. Not so! I think I could have gotten the 2109 and enjoyed most of the features here at $100 less. Other than that, the unit is just fine. An electronics enthusiast from Pompano, FL , August 30, 1999 
Not a good experience
I just want to say that I bought the product in may 99 and it broke down in Aug 99. I dont think it has been working properly since I got it. Maybe I just got an unlucky, defective one. Besides for it breaking so quickly, I think it worked all right for the time it was alive.
Click here for all 32 customer comments...
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