Toshiba SD-3205 5-Disc DVD Player

Other products by Toshiba

Product Details

Product Manual [1.39mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 17.2 x 17.2 x 5.1 inches ; 15.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 27 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004TZHN
• Item model number: SD3206
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #120,157 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)

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  Electronics > Televisions & Video > Disc Players & Recorders > DVD Changers

• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

One reason DVD changers are beginning to win converts is that the machines serve double duty as full-featured CD players. This holds especially true for changers like Toshiba's SD-3205, which boasts accommodations for five discs of either stripe on its rotating lazy-Susan style turntable.

Load her up with music, and this beauty goes on auto-pilot for a whole night. It even automatically detects and decodes High Definition Compatible Discs (HDCD) for added enjoyment when you're listening through the stereo jacks. You can also program it to play favorite tracks from the onboard music discs, do a random play of the loaded lot, and even add or swap out as many as four other discs on the turntable while one remains in play.

DVD changing is a little stickier. With several DVDs installed, this changer went through the motions of ejecting one and starting up the next before we had a chance to load a new title. Most of the time, we had to enter some commands on the remote to get the next feature going.

Rather than trying to load one DVD while another is still in play, a better idea might be to preload a music CD into the changer along with the first DVD. That way the music title will start up automatically when the feature film ends, to keep the atmosphere charged while you're chatting with the gang about the movie you've all just watched.

There is a lot to like about this DVD/CD player. Video performance is quite good, which is to be expected from Toshiba, one of the DVD format's primary architects. You can expect realistic-looking color tones and strong blacks. The picture looked especially clear and crisp through the S-video and component (interlaced) outputs. Naturally, you'll need to have a TV display with S-video or component inputs to enjoy the advantages these formats bring.

Sound is full-bodied from a wide variety of sources. For example, you can tap into both optical and coaxial outputs that carry the pure digital version of the soundtrack for decoding through your audio-video receiver.

A pair of analog jacks carry conventional stereo signals and encoded Dolby Pro-Logic surround tracks. The analog audio jacks also distribute specially decoded versions of stereo discs mastered with the higher-resolution HDCD process. (As a point of reference, HDCD used to be available only in CD players selling for three times the price of this model.) That same stereo pair can also deliver a more encompassing, got-you-surrounded sound from just two speakers when you click on the Spatializer circuit.

In addition, the SD-3205 boasts six (5.1-channel) output jacks for exporting the Dolby Digital soundtrack, which the SD-3205 has already decoded internally. This output set matches perfectly with an inexpensive Dolby Digital-ready receiver.

It should be pointed out, however, that this changer does not internally decode the less-popular Digital Theater Systems (DTS) surround format. To enjoy films and concert discs with DTS, you'll need to get a more elaborate receiver with its own DTS (and Dolby Digital) decoding.

Front-panel controls are minimalist, but the remote control is an absolute pleasure and well laid out. We especially liked the true, four-directional joystick for getting around a DVD's increasingly deep menu of viewing choices. (Those commentary tracks, popping up on an increasing number of special-edition DVDs of late, are a lot of fun to call up the second time you watch a movie.) Once you've landed on a menu selection, just pressing down on the joystick's button top is all that's needed to issue an "enter" command, expediting the order.

There were a couple of minor annoyances that we learned to live with. For one thing, the SD-3205 has a peculiar habit of not letting go of a just-played-disc. When the tray drawer is open and you tap the stop button, then either of the disc-skip buttons (in forward or reverse direction), nothing happens. To get a previously played disc out, we had to first close the drawer, then press stop or one of the other disc select buttons. Then, and only then would the stashed disc be released.

Disc-position numbering on the tray is also illogical. The numbers are embossed in the black plastic material close to the center of the tray, in the shadows, rather than at the perimeter. This makes reading the slot position difficult unless you've got a light shining down directly on the platter.

Aside from these annoyances, the SD-3205 is a worthy entertainer. You can expect good audio-video performance and a lot of flexibility for a modest price.

Pros:

• 5-disc DVD/CD capacity
• First-rate joystick remote
• Full array of outputs for your video and audio needs
• Solid image and audio performance

Cons:

• Extracting discs is difficult
• Slot position numbers are hard to read
• Doesn't play CD-R or CD-RW discs

Product Description

The Toshiba SD3205 five-disc DVD changer offers HDCD technology for deeper bass and clearer, more detailed highs and vocals, while its PLUGE technology creates blacker blacks for more richness. The SD3205's Spatializer N-2-2 Virtual Surround Sound creates realistic surround in two-channel stereo systems and its ColorStream component video outputs make for a better picture with compatible televisions. Convenient features include DVD/VCD/CD playback, DVD/CD text compatibility, remote confirmation, picture zoom and parental lock.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Happy to have it!, October 30, 2000

By	"davidsafe" (Richmond, VA United States) - See all my reviews

I did a lot of research before buying, and I'm very happy with my decision. I was going to try to get a PS2, but decided to get this instead (since there was no way I would get the PS2!). The set up is simple, and the playback is great! The audio is incredible, and the features live up to the reputation. I've only had a couple of glitches, like trying to skip tracks and the machine won't respond unless the button is pressed several times. Other than that, most of the little things are fixed by reading the manual and learning the machine. I would recommend this to a friend or family member, it's a great deal, works great playing multiple discs, and has made me want to get a new reciever and speakers which can keep up with it!

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great first DVD Player, August 6, 2000

By	E. Crabtree (Louisiana) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just recieved this player in three days ago from a ebay auction and im completely spoiled! I have already watched 10 movies and im hooked! I have done a lot of research before buying and im glad that I picked this unit. It is my first DVD player and I couldnt be more satisfied. Its easy to use and a cinch to hook up. The component outputs makes a GIANT difference over the S-Video! I dont have any digital audio gear so I couldnt tell you the difference on that part but the video playback is flawless. The remote control is also very nice and intuitive. A bit on the large size for my hands but no problems. Audio CDs really do sound better as well. Im not sure how it can improve them but it does have a brighter more open sound to them than on my all Pioneer set up. Which BTW, the Toshiba blends in nicely with the other gear. The construction is very sturdy with no sign of cheapness. If you are planning on buying a first DVD player, go the extra mile and buy a 5 or 6 disc changer and if you want a no brainer buy, go with Toshiba.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Ate first disk, Wouldn't release second, September 15, 2000

By A Customer

Opened my brand new unit, put in two DVDs, opened the unit to see which DVD was in slot 1; nothing was there! Nothing was in slot 2; eventually took cover off, removed circuit boards and retrieved disk 1, from back corner of machine where the platter had slung it. After repeated efforts pushing buttons, a good five minutes, it disgorged disk 2. Find this same problem in reviews of other Toshiba units, wish I had read first.