|
|
Home Cinema Choice and What Hi Fi both rate this player as the best budget model available.
However, I gave this player a lowly three out five. This was mainly because early versions,
of which I had one, were incapable of playing the Matrix! Yep, you read that right. A major
Japanese manufacturer released a player in 2002 that couldn't play the Matrix. Tits.
Happily they will swap out any affected player for a shiny new one. Unhappily, it will be a region 2
player. Happpily click here and get the multi-region upgrade!
As well as the Matrix fiasco, there is no "repeat last few seconds" button. After using a TiVo, this is
a must on any digital playback device. Ideal for those "What'd'he say?" moments.
I bought an Alba 108 for my parents. Although not in the same class as the Tosh for build quality, asthetics, menus, remote facilities and the like,
picture quality was excellent. Perhaps this is unfair and we are reaching the limitations of DVD media
quality and the playback from more expensive machines cannot still be miles ahead of cheapo players.
Except no substitutes! More details at http://www.toshiba.co.uk Purchased from LE Concepts
With dimensions that are short, shallow and standard rack-width with silver fascia and a
blue-green glass adornment, the SD220E (E is for Europe) can easily make your other kit look
old fashioned. However, into these dimiutive dimensions, some rather nifty kit has been paked.
The 220 produces pictures of stunning clarity, both via RGB and component. Colours are rich, yet natural
and edges are sharp. Pixellation is not a problem and even the deepest blacks are reproduced.
It is a very competent player, now available at an astonishing £99. Well, I am astonished anyway
having paid over £150. Although on reflection astonished is probably not the word.