Page 1 of Concerns over Toshiba SD-330...

Hey guys,

I was quite close to putting in an order at Amazon for the Toshiba SD-330, but have noticed that some posters here have had difficulties with their machines. Some of the points have been:

- It will only play VCDs that have been burned on to 650MB discs.
- Many people have issues with their TV being unable to accept pure NTSC signals from the Toshiba (I have a Philips PW-6006 TV).
- The player often seems to be close to overheating when used for a long period.
- On scene changes there seems to be an issue with too much brightness (http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/forums/thread.asp?Forum=211&Thread=271450)

I had originally been looking at getting an LG player, since I`ve always been so happy with my LG 4710. In fact the only reason I`m changing it is so that I can have DVD-R & VCD playback. So please, Toshiba owners allay my fears!


Thanks,

EVH

Quote:
It will only play VCDs that have been burned on to 650MB discs.

Can`t comment as I`ve only ever played VCDs burned to a 650Mb CD.

Quote:
- Many people have issues with their TV being unable to accept pure NTSC signals from the Toshiba (I have a Philips PW-6006 TV).

I have no clue about TVs, but if it`s big and newish (last 4 or 5 years) then I`m sure it can handle NTSC (always best to make sure), but this is not a problem with the Toshiba, you should be playing raw NTSC to get optimal quality anyway!

Quote:
- The player often seems to be close to overheating when used for a long period.

It gets warm, but I`ve had my player on all day a few times and it`s fine.

Quote:
- On scene changes there seems to be an issue with too much brightness

Not on my machine. That sounds like someone got a faulty player.

The Toshiba is a great player imho. I`ve had mine since last summer and I`ve got no complaints with it :)

Chewie,

How did I know you would be the 1st to reply? :)

My main concern is going to be over VCDs. I have a lot of VCDs burned onto 700MB discs, and since VCD is the main reason for changing my player, it is a must!


EVH

I bought this player from Amazon and have been delighted with it. I cannot comment on VCD playback on 80 min discs as all mine are also 650mb but I have no problems with any other of the issues you quote. Our Philips television does not support NTSC but it works fine on RGB input, which should provide the best possible picture quality. Under the distance selling regulations you are entitled to return any purchase you are not happy with for up to 30 days from the date of purchase. Why not try it out?

I posted the thread about the brightness issue and I don`t think its a dodgy player as I bought 2, one as a gift, and they are both the same on my Philips 32" TV. I have been told that this is possibly a problem with my TV and have noticed that if I change the output to video rather than RGB the problem isn`t there (although obviously the picture is rubbish!) Not sure what to do with it at the minute though as it is a great player otherwise.

I have this player and can confirm it will only play 650mb disks. I`ve had no problem with any of the other issues that have been mentioned.

The brightness is most likely an issue with the Philips TV.Its a common effect called blooming when the screen flashes from dark to white.

Hi I have a Toshiba SD330E Multi-region DVD Player which I bought from Amazon,and have not noticed any flashing problems,overheating problems,in fact no problems at all.It is excellent,way better than the Thomson one I had before(which conked out after a month).It loads/displays jpg`s way faster than the Thomson too.

As regards the VCD issue I can confirm 100 million % that it WILL play 700mb discs fine,no problems at all.(as just tested on a Packard Bell CDR,disc created using TMPGenc and Nero 5.5.The fill on the test disc was 599mb though,don`t know about a full one,I don`t have one to hand).
Re. NTSC,no probs here with the above DVD player in conjunction with 6 month old Bush 28" TV

This item was edited on Thursday, 11th March 2004, 02:04

I don`t have this player - but a friend does.

I`ve passed him SVCDs on 700mb discs and they play fine. He does say that the lip sync is slightly out, but nothing major. These are 45 minute files which completely fill the cd (sometimes with a little overburn).

I`ve never passed him a VCD on 700mb.

This item was edited on Thursday, 11th March 2004, 11:00

Hi again,
I created SVCD`s,with the same content as VCDs,(using Robbie Williams mpgs from a P2P site as it happens),and I found the lip synch was well out with the SVCDs but spot on with VCDs.The picture quality was identical with both.I know it`s a bit of topic,but it indicates that this lip synch business is not an issue related to the DVD player itself,but has to do with the choice of disc created.