Toshiba SD-3900 DVD Player Reviewed

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Performance
3 Stars
Value
4 Stars
Overall
3.5 Stars

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Several years ago, when Toshiba introduced the first DVD player, my staff and I (from my former publication) were among the first to review it. We pulled that player from its packaging and quickly moved it into our audition room, and placed it atop of one of the larger laser disc players. After hooking it up, we poked at it for a while, like cavemen around a fire. Indeed, it was the dawn of a new era...

Since the beginning of DVD technology, I have seen many features come and go. I have seen price points shoot up and hit rock bottom. And I have seen outrageous players perform miserably while entry-level players stick around to fight it out with the best.

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The truth is I hate reviewing DVD players. Often times I am disappointed by the performance after being wowed by the press release and very rarely do I find myself surprised by an outstanding performance from an entry-level player. On the other hand, my expectations are often too high for the performance I seek from a higher-end player.

The Toshiba SD-3900 arrived on my doorstep just in time to make the cut for this
issue. And it sat anxiously in a stack of gear awaiting review until yesterday.

At $149, it didn't seem to have much of a chance next to my mountain of reference equipment, but seemed eager for the chance nonetheless.

Unique Features - There really isn't anything unique about the Toshiba SD-3900 except perhaps its wealth of features at an entry level price point.

In fact, it seems impossible to imagine that, for under one hundred and fifty bucks, I can buy a DVD player with MP3 playback, that decodes both Dolby Digital and DTS, and that offers progressive scan.

Let me retract for a moment. It seems impossible to find a quality player capable of the above for under one hundred and fifty bucks.

The Toshiba SD-3900 has built-in 3D Surround Sound--a simulated surround mode. This is ideal for those of you who don't quite have your systems together yet (particularly a speaker ensemble) or who plan to use the unit in a bedroom or other smaller location or for those of you who plan to connect the unit directly to your television. While this may not apply to many, it is a thoughtful and useful feature for those who will use it and I applaud Toshiba on the inclusion of this Surround mode.

The back panel of the SD-3900 features everything one can expect from a quality player: Component, composite and S-Video outputs, along with digital optical, coaxial and analog audio outputs.

Again, what may not be unique, except at this offering, is the inclusion of jpeg image playback via CD-ROM. This allows users to catalogue images onto a CD and share them on their television screen.

The SD-3900 may be designed for the entry-level system and budget minded, but certainly allows ample room to grow.

Click to Page 2 for Installation, Evaluation, and the Final Take.

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