Rating: 
Summary: Very nice but a few improvements would have earned 5 stars
Review: I purchased the Toshiba 3109 DVD player about one month ago and it was easy to install and everything works fine. The 3109 only comes with the basic 2 channel audio and video RCA style cables so you will probably have to run to the store and get S-video or composite video cables as well as a digital audio cable for a proper installation. These cables are not cheap and will cost at least $15 each for cheap off-brand stuff.The Matrix played without any problems. Saving Private Ryan played fine except for about a one second pause near the end of the movie. Everything else I have put in it has played ok so far. The forward and reverse scan modes on this player are not as smooth as even the low cost Sony players. My father-in-law received a very low price ($US) Sony DVD player for xmas and I was impressed with the much smoother scanning of the Sony. The Toshiba 3109 scanning is much more jerky. The Sony also included a S-video cable which was a nice touch. The Sony remote was also better and allowed you perform basic TV operations such as volume and channel changing (although the video input selection required the original TV remote). The Toshiba remote only operates the DVD player. I don't even use it anymore since I have a Sony receiver and I can control the DVD player with it. My last gripe is the 2 disc capability of the unit. There is only one disc door and behind that door is some sort of disc swapping mechanism that operates pretty slowly. I think this extra mechanical complexity will only lower the long-term reliability of the unit and that Toshiba should have put 2 disc doors with dedicated trays on this unit. The zoom feature is nice (this is about the only reason I have to dig out the Toshiba remote) and the setup menus are decent - better than the Sony in my opinion. Overall the Toshiba is a decent unit but if you don't need the on-board 5.1 decoding I would consider saving $ and buying a low end Sony.
Rating: 
Summary: Superb, flawless, high quality, inexpensive!
Review: In december I purchased this (Region 1 player) for a reallygood deal and I didn't go wrong. I'm only 16, so this was no smallpurchase for me; and I learned it was well worth the money! I'm not just saying this because I'm blown away by DVD in general, but because I've seen other players, and this one holds strong against others. I use the built in DD (Dolby Digital) decoder because I have no DD decoder in our amp (just 6 channel discrete input). I've heard it when hooked up to a DD amp with a optical digital cable, and it seems better, but mine was still a lot better than VHS, and I also don't have really high end speakers, but still have low-end Infinty. The picture looks great on the 35" JVC TV, but I can't use component video on it, just S-Video, still looks fine though. I've tried 3 CDs with HDCD encoding, but the player didin't realize that they were HDCD compatible, i don't know why, maybe 'cause I've got it hooked up with anolog cables with the 6 CH Discrete. The zooming isn't really necessary, but that doesn't mean this player is a waste of money! The dual disc system is an added bonus, not really an extra cost, so hey why not? All the outputs are gold plated too. I've played at least 25-30 discs, and haven't noticed a flaw in playback at all. The only (MINOR) "hickup" was during "The Bone Collector" where for about 1 or 2 seconds, the picture sort of froze and sound was lost, then it came back, the disc may have been dirty though - rented. As for the remote, i don't know how much better other players' remotes are, but this one is fine, a lot better than the Panasonic A-120s is, easier to use in terms of setting up anyway. The shape is kinda weird of the remote though. One thing that was a real bonus, like mentioned below, is how easy it was to set up. Once hooked up (I don't know what the heck people are talking about when they say they couldn't even get it hooked up) you do about 2 minutes of set up with the easy on screen menu of stting up sound, tv screen size (4:3, 16X9) and a bit others, and then your ready! It would be nice to get a widescreen HDTV though, they say the Widescreen DVDs especially, look better on these TVs, the "compressed" image is supposed (and does!) look even better. The only annoying thing is, is that I haven't gotten my 5 free movies yet, maybe the mail is extremely slow and it didn't get there in time. You can't go wrong, honestly!
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: Well I always wanted to try HDCD and this unit was a very inexpensive way for me to do so. I have a pretty high end system and this player really lets through the warmth and low end extension of my HDCD discs. King Crimson In the Wake of Poseidon sounds better than almost anything I've heard recorded today. Tools last album Lateralus is phenomenal!!! I just wish I could get AC/DC re=mastered with HDCD. Hey, is may be simple but is still deserves good quality. They are the best hard rock band in the world you know. I also noted that my regular discs sound . I guess that could be attributed to the superior A/D converter. Not sure and really don't care. This player is able to make my discs sound almost as smooth as my LPs. The remote is too big and isn't very easy to use but the player is worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: Most bang for the buck I could find
Review: I bought this DVD player after searching for what seemed like months for the best price-to-features deal. This player has everything I needed to augment my current system including on-board digital processing that my tuner doesn't. And although you can go straight to your TV via composite or S-Video just like a VCR, DVD really shines as a component in an A/V setup. This player supports running 6 audio channels out to an A/V tuner. In this configuration you really appreciate the benefit of DVD. You just have to see the clarity and crispness of the static free picture coupled with super sound quality to believe it. Another cool thing about this one, which is not something that I was shopping for, is the 2-disc loader. This feature doesn't come in handy that much actually but when you want to have a movie marathon it's there. And you can use it as a CD player as well. Best of all, you don't even need the guide to set it up. Just plug it in, connect the cables (all connectors are clearly labled) and away you go. I'm not an audiofile but I cannot think of a feature that I'm missing out on nor have I yet seen another player on the market that I would buy instead.
Rating:
Summary: The DVD player that could.
Review: I've had my 3109 for about 4 years now. It was my first purchased DVD player, and i've never regretted it. I think back then I paid on Ebay for new - $230 (including shipping). I put in a lot of time watching DVDs, at least 6-8 hours a week. The setup menu is detailed and useful, the image has always been great through s-video, the sound has never let me down. The double-tray has proven useful over time. The zoom has always been fun. The multi-angle was cool for the two movies that had it (6-string Samuarai was one). I've had some noticeable pausing from time to time with double-layer DVDs, and recently it balked at playing a particular disk that it's played before. he recent upgrade of my TV has prompted me to get a replacement DVD player with a DVI port. Aside from that one DVD, I'm still playing movies whilst waiting for the replacement momitsu 880 to arrive. If you're considering getting this now, keep in mind:
1) no progressive-scan
2) no DVD-R, DVD+RW, etc. format disks
3) no MP3, though it does read CD-Rs with wav files You're probably better off buying an 80 dollar new Toshiba or Panny but if it's a hand-me-down the image and sound quality are excellent. I'll be retiring this player to the bedroom.
Rating:
Summary: Simply AWESOME!
Review: I bought this player 4 months ago when it was first released from Japan while on a trip to Asia. I did extensive researches prior to buying this player and I bought it for its value for money, performance, picture/sound quality and ease of use. Now, I'm not a serious audiophille or do I intend to spend huge amount of dollars to get those top of the range DVD player (ie. Onkyo, Yamaha, etc). I want something practical, which I believe most of you do as well. And guess what? Surprise, surprise -- I've got so much more than what I bargained for. The picture is superb, sharp and crisp on my 30 inch Loewe TV. Colour is bright and does not "bleed". Sound is excellent when connected to my Yamaha 795a and no audio-sync problems. In addition, the zoom function, built-in DD5.1, DTS(sounds better than DD!) and HDCD(remarkable audio quality) encoders, component-colourstream and S-video output, dual disc trays and virtual N2-2 surround sound for those with a 2 speaker setup system made this unit complete with features. Mine has got two additional mic inputs for Karaoke and it's gold in colour but are of the same parts and build. It's easy to setup and use as well. Having said this, find me a DVD player that is close in comparison in regards to price, performance and function. About compability issues -- ZIPPO! Now, do bear in mind that my DVD is Region 5, and although it has been multi-zoned, it played Saving Private Ryan (DTS -- Region 1), Haunting, US Marshalls, Deep Blue Sea (all DD -- Reg 1),Matrix, Mummy, Fifth Element, Tomorrow Never Dies(DD -- Reg 4), T2, True Lies (DD -- Reg 5) flawlessly without any lock-ups, freezes, pauses (except for changing layers for dual-layered discs) or audio-sync problems. I guess it is unfortunate that some reviewers have problems with this player. Maybe you should examine your connections properly and call up Toshiba for assistance before jumping the gun about this unit? I have 2 other relatives who bought this unit from here (Reg 4) upon my recommedation and they too did not have any problems with it. Maybe I do agree with some reviewers that the remote is chunky but it serves its purpose very well. Besides, who buys a unit (VCR, amp, tv for that matter) for it's remote anyway? Get a Universal remote and that should solve the problem. In conclusion, I would say this is an awesome purchase. It's definitely worth every dollar spent on it. Have a read in those DVD magazines and you'll find the SD-3109 unit get very good ratings and reviews from professional audiophilles. I would suggest you visit your local electrical outlet to see it for yourself. Get it, you won't regret it! Hope my contribution helps.
Rating:
Summary: more then 5 years of use
Review: This was the dvd player of its time. To love this player means you can't compare it to anything of today's standards. I've purchased this player when the price was over 300 and dvd was just making a hit and now, after more then 5 years (lost count) i still love it. I must say that during those 5 years or so, it did everything that i wanted it to do. I watch a lot of movies and have monthly membership and so my movie viewing is over 500 movies i think. Anyway, it plays fine and the zoom feature is realy great. It resembles the EZ view that a lot of dvd players now have. The only thing that i remember about this player is that it didn't have a lot of formats that it can play. For movies all you are stuck with are dvds. NO VCD, no dvd-r nor dvd+r. All it does is play dvds and the cd sound is moderate. I've never used the HDcd option so i can't say for sure. This year, I'm starting to notice that it is starting to show its wear but that is ok because it has exceeded my expectations already. I would say that it gives error messages 1 out of every 10 movies that I load up and it seems to get worst each month. The dual tray isn't used anymore because it has too many moving parts. Most new players gives you 1 or 5 trays but nothing in between. Even I knew from the start that the trays were problematic since it sometimes doen'st switch to other dvds but i never knew if that was the player or the dvd itself. This year, it has been pushed back from the living room to just a sleeping room due to other players with better format and options. Still, it's a good player but i think you will find multiple formats of dvd-r and dvd+r better in the newer players for a few more bucks. It will be better for the far future.
Rating:
Summary: Great Performance
Review: I've owned my SD-3109 since 1999, and it has worked perfectly. I've NEVER had a problem. The quality is great; I'm glad I made the investment. I like being able to put 2 discs in at a time. Also, it plays HDCD CD's for better sound and performance. I'm very pleased with my Toshiba!
Rating: 
Summary: 3 years and out
Review: I feel fortunate after reading some of the other owners misfortunes with their 3109's. At least mine gave me 2 good years of service before it started having problems with freezing up every other time I used it. Now that it just hit the 3 year mark I finally have a serious problem... It ate a dvd and the tray refused to open. I took it apart and pulled the dvd out but it still will not open the tray door. I can see the internal tray sliding with the cover off but I don't have a clue how to fix it. I definetly won't take it in for service since I will probably pay more for repairing it than a newer & higher quality unit will cost. It did have some great features, the zoom was a great feature especially with the letterbox movies. The slow play was also a great feature. If I had to do it all over again I would not have purchased the dual tray system. It was a headache with more moving parts that eventually broke down in 2-3 years forcing a costly repair or a purchase of a new player. Planned obsolence used to be the bread and butter of the automotive industry but it now appears the electronics industry, at least Toshiba, is capitalizing on this concept. I think I'll try another brand this next time around, perhaps one that will last longer than 3 years and comes with a backlit remote, but I still want one with the zoom and slow play features....
Rating: 
Summary: Broken for the second time.
Review: Just after the warrenty period expired the machine froze during playback and subsequently reported "no disk" no matter what disk was inserted. Repaired for a significant percentage of the cost of a new machine. Less than 20 disks later and the problem is back. ... Don't buy it.
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