Question about the Tosh. SD2705

[Deech]

Hello all.
I searched and didn't find anything..

I just got a Toshiba sd2705. Anyone else have this model? what do you think of it overall? What are my odds on vcd and burned movies?

I'd like to hear the opinion of some of the informed on this forum. I read some rather favorable reviews on it, but none in direct relation to burned x/s/vcd..

I picked it up as an open box special from Best Buy ($150), so I'm trying to figure out if I want to keep it as quickly as I can (30 day return)..

Did I do well to pick it up? Or should I try for another brand?

[Polamnus]

I just checked the Amazon.com page for the SD2705, because I just bought the 2715 and wanted to see how they compare. Now, I wouldn't trust Amazon as the definitive guide to what it will and wont play, I've seen several inacuracies on their technical pages. However, it looks to me like your 2705 is almost the exact same as the 2715, except yours wont read MP3 discs and mine will(no big loss, IMO). Other than that I would expect it to behave as my 2715. That means it will read CD-R and some CD-RW, and it will recognize and play VCDs. However, again assuming it's like mine, it will not recognize SVCDs of any kind. However, I've been very happy with how well this player can play VCDs and DVDs alike. I've not had it long enough to have tried many different types of media, so there's a chance it might play SVCDs on different media. But afaik, SVCDs need additional decoding hardware(MPEG-2) so it's likely there's no way to make it play SVCDs.

Hope that was helpful,
Pol

[fireman71]

I have the same problem with a Toshiba 3109 I got as a wedding present a few years back. The compatiblity charts on this site says it works only with silver media, WHERE DO YOU GET SILVER MEDIA?!!?! I have tried several brands od cd-r and cd-rw, the black looking media gives the best result so far but is garbled. Does anyone know what brand of media will work in this DVD player?

[Polamnus]

Fireman, sorry, I just sold my SD3109 for that reason. It seems there's just no way to make these play VCDs. I've heard reports that it will sometimes play VCDs recorded on CD-RWs but the quality of the picture is not worth the trouble. I'm no authority, but I've heard that the laser isn't tuned anywhere near the proper wavelengths to read CD-R/CD-RWs. It'll play any kind of pressed commercial disc, S/VCD's included. I hated to do it, because the 3109 was such a good player in all other aspects, but it's still valuable and could be an easy sale, I got a quick $100 for it(bought it for $200 1.5 years ago). Sorry to disapoint, good luck though.

Best,
Pol

[thxkid]

Well I picked up a Toshida 2050 at sams for $67 and I can play VCD's on frys brand of CD-R's - GQ, they look exactly like a CD-RW in Dye color. Also some 8x or 12x Sony Cd-R's will also play in them and don't let them fool ya I have a APEX 660 and the VCD's I play in the Toshiba blow the APEX away in quality.

[next]

The Toshiba 2050 is a good box. It can't do SVCD well and nothing over 2.5mps but if you're still into vcd or xvcd up to 2.5mps its not a bad way to go.

I'd wait for new improved models as it relates to Toshiba though. I'd get an el cheepo player that can play all formats right now and then upgrade when the higher quality players can do the same and are more consistant. Plus I don't ever see a macrovision hack for a Toshiba. Many of the play everything cheap DVD players have marcovision hacks that may come in handy down the road.