We had finally decided to enter the new millennium with the rest of the world and purchased the Toshiba SDV-280 DVD/VCR, our first DVD player. We actually purchased the unit in October of 2002 and had I decided to write a review prematurely, I would have raved over the quality picture and sound we received from the unit. I also would have explained the many features included and how they made the price at least a fair value for the money. Unfortunately, the honeymoon ended and the player was eventually returned back to the retailer.

We were excited to pick up this player since it had the advantage of the recording and playback options of a videocassette recorder along with the sound and picture quality of a DVD player all housed in the same unit.

DVD Player

The Toshiba SDV-280 DVD/VCR is capable of DVD-Video, CD and Video CD playback. This unit is also DVD-R, CD-R and CD-RW compatible. Discs created with personal computers may be played back unless the DVD disc has been encoded with the macrovision copy protection scheme. One may also record VHS from the DVD player without the common problem of color distortion.

Several features which are probably common to most DVD players yet still nice to have are picture zoom and bookmark functions. The zoom feature allows magnify a selected area of the picture and zoom in. The bookmark feature allows up to 5 digital bookmarks to save favorite scenes on the discs loaded inside the player. These bookmarks help provide quick access to those scenes the viewer may care to re-view.

With thousands of MP3 files downloaded, the entire family used the MP3 playback function almost as much as DVD video. MP3 Playback is compatible with CD-R or CD-RW from our experience.

The set-up functions may be entered via on-screen icon-based displays. On the few instances I played with the set-up features, I found use easy and fairly intuitive.

VHS Player

The performance of the VHS video portion of the unit is enhanced with a 4 head/19 micron head system. The 4 head system offers consumers a higher quality slow motion or still picture. Additionally, the 19 micron heads significantly enhance SLP and EP performance to near an SP quality picture.

The VHS portion of the Toshiba SDV-280 DVD/VCR delivers Hi-Fi Stereo sound and may be used along with a surround sound receiver to duplicate signature Dolby Surround or Dolby ProLogic® Surround sound.

Once a program has been recorded, the Toshiba SDV-280 DVD/VCR allows the viewer to automatically advance the tape 30 seconds forward by depressing the Commercial Skip button. This feature helps bypass recorded commercials. By continuing to press the skip button, the tape will advance another 30 seconds each time.

With the XDS Auto Clock Set will feature, Toshiba promises that you never have to stare at that annoying blinking "12:00" again. The SDV-280 receives a special data stream in your local broadcast source (check availability) and automatically sets the clock display and verifies for accuracy. This feature will also provide an on-screen display of channel call letters and IDs.


Below is a complete list of specs and features as shown on the Toshiba site:

DVD SPECIFICATIONS

1 Disc Quantity
DVD/VCD/CD-r/CD/DVD-R/CD-RW Disc Play
10bit/27mHz D/A Converter
ColorStream Component Video Output
500 Lines Resolution
Bookmark
24bit/96kHz D/A Converter
Dolby Digital/DTS Output
MP3 Audio
Icon-Based OSD
Picture Zoom
Front Ops.
Unified Remote
Terminals:
1 set Y/Pr/Pb out
1 S-Video
1 RCA-Video
1 Optical Out
1 Coaxial Out
1 pair L-R Audio
x2/x8/x30/x100 Scan
1/8, 1/4, 1/2, Slo-Motion
Parental Lock
Multi-Camera Angle Select
Multi-Language Select
Multi-Subtitle Select
VCR SPECIFICATIONS

4 Video Heads, 19 Micron Head Gap
240 Lines VHS Resolution
SQPB
Hi Fi VHS Stereo
MTS/SAP Audio Tuner
Icon Based OSD
VHS-HQ
Digital Tracking
181 Channel Tuner
XDS Auto Clock Set
30-Minute Memory Backup
Commercial Skip
8 Event/1 Year Programming
Unified Remote
Terminals:
1 RCA-Video Output
1 RCA-Video Input
1 pair L-R Audio Output
1 pair L-R Audio Input
x3/x5/x9/x15 Cue & Review
SP/SLP Record Speeds, SP/EP/SLP
Playback
Speeds
Auto Head Cleaner, Auto Play

It would appear from the long list of quality specifications and helpful features, as well as my good experience with the DVD and MP3 portions of this player, I would have placed a 5 star recommendation on this unit. Unfortunately, the first time we decided to play a VHS tape in the player, we were sorely disappointed. The picture we were treated to reminded me of days gone past watching Leave It To Beaver or The Lone Ranger and having a problem with the horizontal hold on our ancient black and white TV. It first appeared to be a simple tracking issue or possibly, as the folks at ABC Warehouse suggested, dirty heads. A head cleaning and continual adjustment of the tracking only resulted in a picture ranging from a Buffalo NY blizzard to a 3" tall Michael Douglas whizzing across the screen from top to bottom.

We returned the unit back to the retailer in exchange for a new Sony SLV-D100 combo player. Toshiba was one of the manufacturers that was recommended to me when I began my search, and they may very well be one of the leaders in quality DVD players. But from my experience, the Toshiba SDV-280 DVD/VCR is one I may suggest you pass on if the manufacturer can't get it right out of the box.




To contact Toshiba:

Toshiba America Consumer Products, Inc.
82 Totowa Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-628-8000

Email your service questions to Customer_Support@tacp.com or call 800-631-3811


Recommended: No

Amount Paid (US$): 229.00