DVD mothership (Toshiba SD 3109)

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Product:	Toshiba SD 3109
Date:	27/04/01 (45 review reads)
Rating:

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Disadvantages: see opinion

The 3109 is one of the first DVD players on the market to caddy two discs. It has great looks, an internal 5.1decoder, DTS out, N-2-2 spatializer and all those little unused gadgets like display dimmer, 3X zoom, slow motion, memory function and much much more.

So Gadgets apart, what is this box really like? Well, at first the two functions that hit you are "hey it caddies two discs" & "5.1 internal decoder, not bad". Well, the dual disc caddy... the answer there is, if you haven't had one, your not going to miss it. But don't be fooled into thinking that it is a gadget that is a waste of money and time. It is surprisingly handy, and the longer you use the machine, the more you find yourself using it. I could list a myriad of situations that I, and other people that own or test this machine have found themselves using. But lets face it you could argue against all of them. The fact of the matter is, if you have it you will use and find yourself congratulating yourself on buying such a system. But at the end of the day no one in their right minds would by a quality DVD player based upon a gadget.

This is where the technical functions of the machine come into their own. An internal 5.1 decoder is a damn good start. Optical outs are a serious consideration. When you buy a DVD player, highest on most peoples agenda is top quality sound and top quality visual. Every thing else normally comes later (such as the dual caddy!!) When you start reviewing the technical specifications and tests completed on this machine you realise that you really are dealing with a quality player. Sound is well separated with good depth and range while the picture can absolutely stun. The digital DVD "Bugs life" is a good example of how vivid the image can impress.

Menu functions are in the form of a windows drop down menu, which are both well presented and easy to use. The only improvement that this review would point out is that
the chapter skip and FF / REW button is the same on the remote control. It is differentiated by the time the button is depressed. This can really be a pain if you don't hold down the button for long enough and find yourself a chapter forward. This one point for improvement seems to have been addressed in the UK released version, along with a jog / shuttle control and the obligatory SCART socket.

In conclusion the Toshiba 3109 is a very good technically based piece of equipment with enough useful gadgets to keep your guest amused.

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