|
"The everyday consumer's guide to DVD & home theater" |
try NetFlix "Unlimited" DVD Rental Service - absolutely FREE |
||||
|
Stay current with the world of DVD, sign up for our free e-Newsletter |
|||||
|
General Features: - Home DVD player -
2-disc dual-tray design with -
Plays
DVD-Video, Video CD, and - HDCD® compatibility - Region 1
Video Features: -
27MHz/10-bit video D/A converter - Forward/reverse slow motion effects - Forward frame-by-frame advance - Zoom with 4 magnification levels and 5 left-to-right positions - 540 lines of horizontal resolution -
Video black level expansion - Screen saver - Parallel video output
Audio Features: -
96kHz/24-bit audio D/A converters - Built-in Dolby Digital decoder - DTS digital out -
HDCD decoding and precision -
Dynamic range control - CD attenuation - Parallel audio output
Convenience Features: -
Program, random, and repeat - On-screen menu icons - Parental lock feature - Resume play (while the unit is on) - Remote control audio confirmation - DVD/CD text -
Fluorescent display dimmer -
Screen background colors
Front-Panel Control: -
Play, stop, pause, skip/search - Disc select
Remote Control: - Model #SE-R0031 -
Color-coded buttons and button -
Play, stop, pause/step, skip/search - Zoom - Disc select - 3D virtual surround sound - Subtitle, audio track, and angle - Top menu, menu buttons - Cursor control, enter (joystick) - Setup button for player menus -
Display button (for status, bit-rate - Repeat and random play - Repeat A-B button - Direct access to title / time button -
Numeric buttons for random access - Remote control audio confirmation
- Gold-plated output jacks - Component video (1) - S-video (1) - Composite video (1) - Stereo analog outputs (1) -
5.1-channel audio output (1 set) - Coaxial digital audio output (1)
Specifications: - Audio S/N (CD): 112 dB - Dynamic range: CD audio: 106 dB - THD (CD): 0.001%
Power Requirements: - 120V A/C, 60 Hz - Power consumption: 16 Watts - Energy Star compliant - Auto power-off function
Weights and Dimensions: - Weight/mass: 3.5 kg -
Dimensions:
Included "Accessories": -
Remote control, supplied with - A/C power supply cord -
composite video and stereo audio
Warrantee: - Parts: one year - Labor: 90 days
Dates: Introduction to Market: March 2000 Review date: Sept. 11, 2000
Other: Country of manufacture: Japan
List price: $ 400.00 Avg retail price: $ 350.00 Best
prices: $234.95 at Consumer-Direct.com
$299.99 at CameraWorld.com
Remote
Control
Remote
Control
|
|||||
| Toshiba
SD-2200 Dual-Tray DVD/Video CD/CD Player HDCD® compatible |
|||||
|
Manufacturer: Toshiba Model:
SD-2200 Dual-Tray
Market Introduction: March 2000
MSRP: $400.00 Avg. Retail Price: $350.00 Best Prices: only $199.88 at Amazon.com only $234.95 at Consumer-Direct.com only $259.99 at JandR.com only $299.99 at CameraWorld.com
only $299.99 at Buy.com
|
|||||
|
Performance: A- Video: A- Audio: A Features: A Ease of Use: A- Remote: B+ Build Quality: B+ Value: A+
Summary:
The SD-2200 is Toshiba's year 2000 model entry-level DVD
player with
High
Points: + HDCD compatibility with precision filtering
+ Dual-tray design allows you to load those 2-disc special
edition DVD titles
+ Gold-plated output jacks for better quality connections Low Points: - No reverse frame-by-frame advance - Resume play does not work after power is turned off to the unit
- Red and green LEDs indicating which disc is active/stand-by are not
intuitive
|
|||||
|
The SD-2200 is Toshiba's latest offering of a dual-tray entry-level DVD player. Don't be fooled by the "entry-level" classification of this player, it is packed with many useful features. First, in addition to playing back DVD-Video, Video CD, and audio CDs, this player can playback HDCD enhanced CDs.
On the video side, it performs nicely and outputs up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution (the DVD format only supports 480 lines of horizontal resolution, but Toshiba's proprietary video processing further enhances the picture and outputs effectively up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution), has a zoom feature with 4 levels of magnification, and features video black level expansion which passes the complete PLUGE video test pattern (including the "blacker than black" bar).
On the audio side, the SD-2200 features a built-in Dolby Digital decoder, DTS bitstream output, HDCD decoding and precision filtering, virtual surround sound, and Karaoke capability. Finally, the SD-2200 offers dual-tray convenience. When you watch one of those 2-disc special editions, just put both discs in to enjoy uninterrupted entertainment.
The picture quality from the SD-2200 is top rate. The picture is detailed and sharp. The colors are accurate and saturated, while shadow details are excellent. On our 27-inch TV, the picture is fantastic. On our 61-inch rear projection TV, the picture remains good, but we started to notice slight motion artifacts when an object moves across the screen. A good example of what we're talking about is in "Men In Black" Chapter 8 (at about 29:20), when Agents Jay and Kay walk down the hall, and the white circular light fixtures on the ceiling moves down the screen behind them as they walk forward. Watch for the "staircase" jagged edge effect around the outline of the light fixtures. That's called motion artifact.
The picture remains clear and steady during fast scans and slow motion. Fast scan has three speeds in either direction (2x, 8x, and 30x), as does slow motion in each direction (1/2x, 1/4x, and 1/8x). Unfortunately, this player can only accommodate forward frame-by-frame advance (there is no reverse frame-by-frame advance), although this feature isn't terribly important.
One of the many nice video qualities of the SD-2200 is its video black level expansion feature that passes the "blacker than black" bar in the PLUGE video test pattern. What this means to the everyday consumer is that shadow detail is exceptional, as it passes the subtle shades of gray going to complete black. There's even a bit-rate meter that displays the instantaneous data transfer rate from the DVD, a nice-to-have feature in DVD players at this price range. Unfortunately, this model does not feature a video noise reduction filter, which can be useful on poorly mastered DVDs.
Using the bonus features in the "Men In Black" Collector's Edition DVD, we were able to verify that the DVD angle change feature performs smoothly with a delay time of about two seconds before actually changing to the desired angle. One second is the typical delay for switching angles.
The SD-2200 includes a built-in decoder for Dolby Digital, with full 5.1-channel adjustments for speaker type (large/small), loudness, and delay time. If you don't have a surround sound system, the Spatializer N-2-2 feature will simulate a surround sound environment with just two speakers. We're not big fans of virtual surround sound but it's an interesting alternative to just stereo, and the Spatializer N-2-2 virtual surround sound feature is about as effective as any simulated surround sound system we've heard to date.
Since this model plays audio CDs, we gave a selected set of CDs a listen and were very pleased with the CD playback quality. The sound has good tonal qualities and is well-balanced with deep bass extension. Another big plus on the audio side is that the SD-2200 can play HDCD enhanced audio CDs.
Complementing its full array of audio features is a complete set of audio outputs (see sidebar at left for the complete list). Unfortunately, CD-Rs and CD-RWs cannot be played back in this model, according to the owner's manual.
This player offers a whole host of the most wanted and practical features. In addition to the video and audio features already mentioned, the SD-2200 includes:
The remote control has color-coded buttons and button groupings, both make the remote easier to read and understand. The buttons themselves are well spaced out, making it easy to operate. We really like the joystick design on this remote control. It makes navigating the player's menus and DVD menus a pleasurable experience. You simply point the joystick up, down, right, or left, and then press down on the joystick to make your selection. Your finger never has to lift from the joystick. A door hides less-often used buttons (e.g., random, repeat, and A-B repeat play buttons, and numerical buttons for direct title and time access) in the lower half of the remote (see pictures).
The remote itself is fairly large in size and the most commonly used disc transport control buttons are located in the middle of the remote. All features of the DVD player can be accessed directly from the remote control buttons or through the player's menu system (by pressing the "Setup" button). Unfortunately, the remote control can't control other audio or video components (such as a receiver or TV)--Toshiba or otherwise. Likewise, the remote control does not have any glow-in-the-dark buttons that would otherwise make it easier to operate in a dark room.
Overall, the SD-2200 is pretty easy to use. The operating instructions are well-written with clear and helpful diagrams. Most common settings have reasonable default factory values, making the set-up process as quick and simple as possible for most consumers.
With dual-trays, you can load up to two discs in the player at the same time. This is a nice feature, particularly when you're watching one of those 2-disc special edition DVD titles. There's an LED status light for each tray, indicating which tray is actively being played and which is in stand-by mode. The status is indicated by two colors, red and green. Guess which color designates the tray that is actively being played?
If you answered "green", then you would agree with us in saying that Toshiba got the color convention backwards. This may seem like a minor point, but it confused us several times before we got it right. Pushing the "open" button for the wrong tray will stop playback of the unintended disc and eject it. Considering that this player allows you to play a disc in one tray, while exchanging the disc in the other tray, this mix-up would certainly be counterproductive. OK, enough of that... time to move on.
Upon powering up the SD-2200 for the first time, its "First Setup Menu" automatically presents itself so you can configure the on-screen language and TV aspect ratio (e.g., 4:3 standard or 16:9 widescreen), which defaults to English and 4:3 aspect ratio, respectively.
To configure the DVD player's other settings, press the "Setup" button on the remote control when playback is stopped and the graphical, icon-based menu helps guide you through the myriad of settings. The menu is organized as follows: language settings (on-screen language, disc menu language, audio language, and subtitle language), picture settings (TV aspect ratio, black level), audio settings (audio out select, dynamic range control, Karaoke vocal, CD attenuation), display settings (on-screen displays, on-screen display background color, screen saver), and operation settings (pause/still picture resolution, parental lock, remote confirmation beep, title stop, and playback control). If you're using this DVD player's built-in Dolby Digital decoder, the audio settings allow you to configure the speaker size (small/large), enable/disable the center, surround, or subwoofer speakers, and adjust the delay time for each speaker.
As noted in the Video and Audio sections above, the A/V performance of the SD-2200 is very good. The disc navigation delays (that is, the time from when a button is first pushed until the action is completed) are relatively quick as you press "skip chapter" or navigate the various DVD menus. In our layer switch tests, this model exhibits good performance. Most layer switches are only slightly noticeable, momentarily pausing the picture for a fraction of a second as the laser re-focuses on the second layer.
The SD-2200 comes with a complete set of outputs--one set of component video output, S-video output, composite video output, optical digital audio output (Toslink), coaxial digital audio output, stereo analog output, and 5.1-channel analog output for 5.1-channel (Dolby Digital) ready receivers. It has all of the different kinds of connections you could possibly want. And, the jacks are gold-plated for better connectivity and performance. Gold-plated output jacks are unusual for models at this price range, but is definitely considered a plus.
The build quality appears to be above average. The video and audio processing circuitry perform very well, as did the drive and laser pickup mechanism, providing quick responses during menu navigation tests. The output jacks are gold-plated for better quality connections (which is a rare and welcomed feature for a player at this price range).
The entry-level DVD player market is very competitive, and Toshiba should hold its own very well thanks to the new single-disc SD-1600 model and this dual-tray SD-2200 model. Few other DVD players in this price range offer more features. In the area of remote control features, some other models include buttons for controlling your TV and/or receiver.
Besides Toshiba, JVC is also known to make multi-tray DVD players. JVC just introduced their XV-M567GB (champagne gold color chassis) and XV-M565BK (black color chassis) 3-tray front loading models for the retail price of $300 (the only difference between these models are their chassis color). At the retail price of $350, the SD-2200 is a fair value. However, prices from our affiliated on-line merchants are much more competitive and are closer to $250-$260, which make this model an excellent value considering its host of features.
The Toshiba SD-2200 is a solid performing DVD player offering dual-tray convenience. It offers first-rate picture quality with good scan search, slow motion, frame-by-frame advance, and video zoom performance, a built-in Dolby Digital decoder, HDCD decoding, three audio D/A converters, N-2-2 Spatializer virtual surround sound, Karaoke support, gold-plated output jacks, and component video output.
Although this model has an MSRP of $400 and retails for about $350, its on-line prices are actually closer to $250-$260. Click here to check the latest sale prices from our affiliated on-line merchants. Considering these on-line prices, the Toshiba SD-2200 is an excellent bargain that is hard to beat.
Buy the Toshiba SD-2200 dual-tray DVD player at: Support
this site: buy through our links. |
|||||
|
only
$199.88
at |
only
$234.95 at |
only $259.99
at JandR.com |
|||
|
|
only
$299.99 |
||||
|
Visit the Toshiba DVD web site. Download the Toshiba SD-2200 owner's manual in PDF format (which requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader).
Did you find this product review helpful? Let us know your thoughts, send an e-mail to us at Feedback@TimeForDVD.com
Used In Testing: The following DVDs were used in testing this DVD player: A Bug's Life, Tarzan, Meet Joe Black, Pleasantville, Tomorrow Never Dies, and Fleetwood Mac: The Dance. The following audio CDs were used: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Titanic: Music from the Motion Picture, The Best of Fourplay, and Celine Dion's The Colour of My Love.
Calibration: Our home theater equipment was calibrated with the Video Essentials DVD.
Be sure to check out our DVD Player Buying Guide, Recommended DVD Players page, Special Savings & Discounts page for the current best prices, DVD Movie Reviews, DVD New Releases and DVD Upcoming Releases.
Support this site: when you buy on-line, please start at this site and click through the links above or through these links: Amazon.com, Buy.com, CameraWorld.com, Crutchfield, 800.com, hifi.com, and JandR.com. For a complete list of our affiliated on-line merchants, click here. |
|||||
|
E-mail: Editor@TimeForDVD.com Copyright © 2000-2001 TimeForDVD.com Web site created by: lama Internet Solutions |
Read our Terms of Use and Disclaimer and Privacy Policy Site optimized for 800x600 screen resolution Print at 85% scale factor |
||||
