Customer Reviews

Toshiba SD-780 All Region Upscaling DVD Player Plays PAL / NTSC DVDs from Any Country

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The region-free hack is poorly executed. Item arrives with a manual in English and, I guess, Russian (not the usual English/Spanish/French). From the start it was incapable of playing from the point stopped after being put on standby. All I could do was write down the minutes and fastforward from the start each time. Later, with no input from me, it set itself to the strictest child setting, so refused to play a rental DVD of the Lost series, instead asking for a password I couldn't possibly guess. Trying anything to get around this, I hit "reset defaults." This done, my HDTV refused to recognize the machine, pleading "Mode unknown." So I left it in my condo lobby with a "free" sign.

The bright side? It's picture output was superb, much better than the 1080p Samsung player I bought to replace it. If only I could find a region hack for the Samsung.

This DVD player upconverts DVD's to 720p or 1080i. It also plays any DVD in the world. The upconversion capabilities create a far better picture on a 720p VIZIO TV. This player can be set to PAL or NTSC, and converts any DVD to either format, but it's only necessary for standard TV's. If you have an HDTV, then you can set the DVD player to AUTO.
This thing is a cheap DVD player, so don't expect any extra features. For one thing, there's no STANDBY mode, so you always have to start the disc over when you turn the player back on. If you have a PAL TV, then avoid this player completely. NTSC converted to PAL on this player is jotty, horendous, and completely uncomfortable to watch. However, the other way around does wonderful things that I really like. It's most noticable on videotaped shows (like sitcoms). PAL converted to NTSC on this player actually makes videotaped shows look like they're on film. Some people don't like that because it alters the original picture quality, but I do because it makes cheezy soap opera video look like it was shot on film. Filmed shows (like any movie that has ever been in the cinemas) are not affected by the PAL to NTSC conversion. I don't know how it does it, but it does and I like it.
If you have an HDTV, then you can play around with all the settings and see which works the best for you. If you're getting this player, then I'd recommend setting it to AUTO because the picture will not be altered. If you do not have an HDTV yet, then you shouldn't get this player at all.

This is a very good DVD player. It plays everything - DVD, DVD DL (dual layer), DIVX, XVID, MP3 and other file formats. Plus, it plays these formats on CD, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-DL, etc. Quality is very good. It has HDMI output. I have region free version and it played DVDs from all regions without problems. It has dual voltage and PAL/NTCS automatic switch. I am multilingual, and I needed such player to play DVDs from both my country and North America.

One previous reviewer noticed that Toshiba US won't help if a player is not coded to region 1. Of course, Toshiba won't render service, if DVD is region free. It should be coded to specific region to be entitled to the service. This is general problem with all manufacturers and there is no suggested solution to people with different ethnic backgrounds who want, for example, to be able to play DVD from their countries in North America. (I mean, that the only solution is to buy region free player but then you can't apply for service, if something happens.)

I agree with another reviewer that DVD looks fragile and you should handle it with care. But it is not portable DVD, so you won't really move it back and forth.

The only problematic thing I found is that there is no online support such as manual and firmware for this unit (at least, I could not find it even at other Toshiba regions' website).

Overall, it is a very good player.

I bought a Toshiba SD-780KR from VCT Electronics through Amazon. It stopped working after only four uses. I contacted VCT's but their warranty is 3 months and they told me to contact the distributor. I then contacted Toshiba, but Toshiba won't work on all-region converted players. So know I have a player that doesn't work and two companies who are not even lifting a finger to help a customer. I will not buy anything from this company again! Way to run a business guys…

In the first place, the aspect is wrong. You have to play everything on 4:3 Zoom 1.

But that is moot because the player died after about ten playings. Dead.

Always buy Panasonic for DVD players. But they didn't have one, except Blu-Ray, so I bought a Philips (somewhere above) with a lousy picture, and then this piece of -- well, you know.

Toshiba SD-780KR purchased from VCT Electronics through Amazon. The first one quit after 6 months. The second one just quit after 5 months.
VCT's warranty is 3 months, then they refer you to Toshiba, but Toshiba won't work on all-region converted players. Local electronics shop quoted
(tongue in cheek?)$1,000 to repair but wouldn't guarantee it would work. Being a glutton for punishment I ordered a third one which arrived today. Doesn't work! I give up and will try to return it. Wish me luck.

Great video and sound. Played a DVD from a tiny independent film company didn't understand DRM and therefore didn't code regions properly. Plugged it into the TV HDMI port and it played perfectly. This player even has a "subtitles" button on the remote, so you can choose if & how you want subtitles displayed. The only fault I found so far is that the DVD holder is flimsy, so you have to be careful.

If a fault occurs with the player Toshiba US will not replace it as they only deal with Region 1 players - for film copyright reasons.

I am very happy with this unit and especially with the after sales service by VCT Electronics who helped me with technical advice.