037 EHC 24 Toshiba SD-340E

7/26/04

12:12 pm

Page 61

DVD player
Key Features PAL/NTSC progressive scan output DiVX playback Connections Component output Scart output (RGB/composite) Composite video output Dimensions 430(w) x 50(h) x 200(d)mm MP3/WMA/JPEG playback Enhanced Picture Mode Enhanced Audio Mode Stereo audio output Optical digital audio output Electrical digital audio output

Reviews> >

Toshiba SD-340E
Danny Phillips is blown away by the SD-340Es astounding picture performance for the scandalously low price
S THE POPULARITY OF DIVX GROWS, SO does the number of compatible players, and its no surprise to find DVD pioneer Toshiba getting in on the action. This dinky DVD players main claim to fame is its ability to play this compressed video format, which makes it possible to download entire movies from the internet. The SD-340E is so slim and light, it makes you wonder where all its technology is housed. Its also easy on the eye, with a frosted panel running along the fascia and the customary silver styling elsewhere. Around the back is a healthy if not comprehensive array of sockets. A set of component video phonos delivers PAL and NTSC progressive scan signals to a compatible display, and sit alongside an RGB-capable Scart and optical/electrical digital audio outputs. S-video output is not offered however, even from the Scart. The remote is a curious device. Its much smaller than previous Toshiba zappers, and is very fiddly to use. The playback controls get lost among the other keys, which denies it that intuitive feel. The menu system also seems a bit dated and basic compared to other decks on the market. The SD-340Es picture and sound tweaks are also quite basic, and of limited use. Enhanced Picture Mode is
What we like about this DVD player Awesome pictures Space-saving size DiVX playback Price What we dont like about this DVD player Simplistic menu system Fiddly remote
a rudimentary method of adjusting the brightness and altering the sharpness, while Enhanced Audio Mode is a soundstage widener designed for stereo setups. The deck will also playback WMA, MP3 and JPEG files and theres the usual range of trickplay functions, including a zoom mode that actually mimics a camera zoom. So far so ordinary, but the deck is saved from budget obscurity by a superb picture performance, the kind that youd expect from a machine for twice or even three times the price. A viewing of The Return of the King DVD demonstrates that the SD-340E is a cut above the usual budget fare (and even Sonys impressive deck on page 60), particularly if you take advantage of PAL progressive scan. What grabs you first is the three-dimensionality of the image, which lends it a mesmerising depth and solidity. Study any of the panoramic shots of the New Zealand scenery and marvel in the intense detail, luscious colour rendition and the stunning contrast range that almost make you feel like youre there. RGB pictures share many of these qualities, but lose a little of that delightful cinematic sheen. The quality of DiVX playback depends very much on the resolution, but even at 320 x 240 the results are watchable. The deck also appears to have no problems playing various versions of DiVX technology (3.11, 5.0 and XViD), which is useful if youre a long-time DiVX devotee. Likewise, playback of WMA and MP3 is glitch-free, and the files are presented in basic-but-logical menus. As a CD player, the deck is less accomplished, but music still sounds crisp and uncoloured. The appearance of DiVX playback and PAL prog scan on the SD-340Es spec sheet is an obvious bonus for such a bargain price, but the real star of the show is its picture performance, which is nothing short of astounding.
The SD-340E is saved from budget obscurity by DiVX and PAL progressive scan playback

Verdict

Sales Web www.home-entertainment.toshiba.co.uk
EASE OF USE LOOKS FEATURES PICTURE SOUND VALUE
VERDICT Theres more to the SD-340E than gimmicks namely a superb picture performance that helps this light, slimline deck punch well above its weight.

Overall

BEST RIVALS
CyberHome CH-DVD 412 Pacific DVD1002 LG DVD6193
ESSENTIAL HI-FI & HOME CINEMA

295wv02 Cyberhome CH-DVD

4/5/05

3:58 pm

Page 067
DVD player G Approx price: 60

On test

CyberHome CH-DVD 462

Fact file

I Progressive-scan output I DiVX VOD playback I MP3, WMA, JPEG playback I Slow motion I Zoom

Details

FEATURES
HDMI/DVI output: no/no Prog-scan output: yes DVD-A/SACD: no/no Multiregion from box: no Dimensions: 350(w) x 47(h) x 250(d)mm Weight: 2.1kg Other features: A-B repeat playback; frame advance; high-speed search; picture rotation; playlist creation; onscreen menu

SOCKETS

Component video output; RGB Scart output; S-video output; composite video output; coaxial digital audio output; stereo phono output

CONTACT

www.cyberhome-europe.de
yberHomes latest offering is a remarkably diddy deck (although we are told that an even smaller one is in the pipeline).The CH-DVD 462 also has a diddy price tag just 60. But a slashed price and slashed dimensions do not mean a slashed features count.The CH-DVD 462 is well equipped to stand with the bigger boys. It has progressive scan output via component video outputs, an RGB Scart and coaxial digital audio output. It also has enviable format fluency, playing WMA, MP3 and JPEG files as well as DiVX movie files.The deck is even officially registered with DiVX, meaning you can use it for playing back DiVX video-ondemand discs. The design of the deck is pleasing except for one thing the display panel uses a blue LED, which is very difficult to see in normal daylight. Its not an issue when watching in a darkened room. The remote control is a superslimline design,but the buttons are a tad unresponsive as,indeed,are the buttons on the deck itself.That said,set-up is straightforward,with a plain but effective onscreen display letting you set the usual parameters. For playback you have a nice selection of options, including high-speed picture search, slow motion, frame advance and a zoom. You can also repeat discs, titles, chapters, pictures, folders or a specified section of a disc. A display button on the remote lets you call up information, including a bitrate monitor, on the disc that is currently playing, if you like checking out that sort of thing. Video quality settings are limited to brightness and sharpness and when watching photo files you can rotate the image. This is a perfectly respectable list of features.The only serious item
missing is an HDMI/DVI output and that can hardly be expected to feature on a 60 deck. Even so, at this price the CH-DVD 462 could be seen as a possible second deck for some enthusiasts, especially those whose existing model does not feature DiVX playback.

Also Consider >>

TOSHIBA SD-340E Wonderful picture and satisfying sound from Toshibas budget model also features DiVX playback Reviewed: Oct 04 PANASONIC DVD-S27 Youll get the sort of performance youd expect from Panasonic, but minus DiVX and progressive scan output Reviewed: Jan 05

performance

Using a standard RGB Scart connection the image served up by the CH-DVD 462 is very good. The picture is stable, detailed and features good colour rendition.The frantic battle scene in The Return of the King poses no problems despite the high number of fast-moving objects the only nasty things you see on screen are meant to be there. Taking a look at the progressive scan option, the step up in picture detail and stability is clear. Even if this is not a required feature for most in the budget market, it is good to have it on board for future use.And if the CH-DVD 462 is pressed into service as a specialist DiVX playback deck, the prog scan might fit in well with an upmarket system. Speaking of which, the DiVX performance is very good.We enjoyed The Village very much, with the picture looking like a below-average DVD, but still miles better than VHS or Video CD. The zoom, modest though its magnification is, does an excellent job, with little picture break-up evident, and other trick-play functions work smoothly, overlooking a few issues with the responsiveness of the remote. Audio quality is good on movie soundtracks, less so on audio CDs, but this is not an audiophile model and should not be judged too harshly. As a budget deck this is a very fine performer strong pictures
and decent sound are likely to please most on the lookout for a bargain. However, we think the CH-DVD 462 may win many of its admirers as a specialist second deck, working alongside a higher-spec model and earning its keep as a DiVX playback platform. Whatever it is asked to do, were betting this little box gives value for money I David Smith

Ratings

WHATS GOOD
Good picture; decent sound DiVX playback; price

WHATS BAD

Display panel
Picture Sound Features Ease of use Value
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OVERALL VERDICT

A very tempting budget deck, with DiVX compatibility heading a very useful range of features
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