Toshiba SD-H400 Combination Progressive-Scan DVD Player and TiVo Digital Media Server Review
Let me start this review by saying that I ran across this item at a QVC Outlet store and it was EXTREMELY inexpensive - about . I had never had TiVo before so I figured for that price - "what the hell?" That said, since then I've added another Series2 TiVo to my home and just love TiVo...
The Good:
- I've seen other reviews of this product that criticize the remote, but I really like it. It is fairly large, but the layout of the nav and select buttons is very intuitive. That said, there are about 20 buttons that I never use.
- TiVo in general, rules. Not so much specific to this product, but I, like numerous others before me, agree that "TiVo will change your life". The days of scheduling time home for your own "must see TV" are over - watch it when you have time, skip the filler and commercials!
- Wireless TiVo (Home Media Option) is excellent - I had NO PROBLEMS getting this set up on my wireless network (unlike some other reviewers). One key is to follow TiVo's recommendation for wireless adapters TO THE LETTER. Plain-jane USB wireless adapters won't work - buy one of the recommended models. Once set up, you can stream music from your PC and view your digital pictures through the TiVo, two excellent features.
- My unit has worked flawlessly since I got it - no freezes, crashes or other problems.
The Bad:
- I'm really irritated by the DVD copy protection setup on this unit. If you want to watch a DVD, you can't have a VCR inline or the Macrovision copy protection is triggered, brightening and darkening the screen to deter taping of DVD's. Problem is, there's a good chance you might want to tape some shows from your TiVo, which means you need to jury-rig a setup to work around this nasty little problem. It's kind of moronic, which is typical of the Movie industry.
- Switching from TiVo mode to DVD mode takes too long.
- It's a fairly large unit, depthwise, and you may want to measure your cabinets before purchase. Mine was slightly too shallow and I needed to get the drill out for "modifications" in order to make it fit.
- This is one of the few TiVo models that has "Basic TiVo" built-in. Admittedly, Basic TiVo is an extremely hobbled version of the full TiVo service, but if you don't want to spend the money each month, this can be a nice feature. In addition, it gives you time to get used to the TiVo and its main functions before setting up the full service.
All in all, I'm very, very satisfied with the product and service.
Toshiba SD-H400 Combination Progressive-Scan DVD Player and TiVo Digital Media Server Feature
- Progressive-scan DVD player with integrated personal video recorder
- Includes no-fee TiVo Basic service with the ability to pause live TV and store programs to the unit's 80 GB hard drive
- Offers manual recording capability by time and channel
- Compatible with DVD-R, DVD-RW, video CD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3 CDs
- Upgradeable to full TiVo service and TiVo home-networking capabilities (through paid services)
Toshiba SD-H400 Combination Progressive-Scan DVD Player and TiVo Digital Media Server Overview
MODEL- SD-H400 VENDOR- TOSHIBA CONSUMER PRODUCTS FEATURES- Digital Media Server High performance progressive scan DVD player and TiVo Digital Video Recorder for a complete one-box solution. Digitally record up to 80 hours of your favorite programs onto built-in hard drive. Super ColorStream Pro Component Video Output for both DVD and TiVo playback. 10-Bit/54mHz Video digital-to-analog conversion with High Resolution Filter for maximum color purity detail and resolution. Front Panel Menu Control offers full DVD/TiVo menu navigation. TiVo Series 2 Digital Video Recorder basic service included: - Up to 3 days advanced program guide to record your favorite program. - Control live TV-pause rewind instant replay. - Fully upgradeable to TiVo Plus service and TiVo Home Media option. * Super ColorStream Pro Component Video Outputs These outputs allow the highest quality video signal to be sent from the DVD player to a component video equipped progressive scan TV. When this connection is utilized with todays HD-compatible sets typical NTSC artifacts-like video noise dot crawl and flicker-are virtually eliminated resulting in a low-noise highly detailed picture with unequaled color purity. A special digital filter enables four times oversampling of the Y Pr and Pb signals while the 54mHz video clock speed processes the entire video signal extending the resolution to 540 lines.* Digital Cinema Progressive (3:2 Pulldown) Delivers the smoothest most film-like images to any progressive scan television such as an HD-compatible one and ensures maximum resolution.* Video Black Level Expansion and PLUGE Grayscale in video is measured and tracked on a scale of 0 (black) to 100 (white) IRE units. In NTSC video we have traditionally assigned the 7.5 IRE value as being the black cutoff in a picture. The EXPANDED mode in the Video Black Level Setting menu enables Toshiba DVD players to output a 0 IRE signal for richer deeper black tones in every image.* (E.A.M.) Enhanced Audio Mode This...
Toshiba SD-H400 Combination Progressive-Scan DVD Player and TiVo Digital Media Server Specifications
Early Adopters Pick: June 2003. This is the first combination DVD player-TiVo digital video recorder.
Toshiba's SD-H400 digital media server offers the convenience of no-fee PVR service with the option for immediate upgrades alongside high-quality, progressive-scan DVD-Video playback--all from a single, easy-to-use component. The SD-H400 houses an 80 GB TiVo Series2 PVR that comes with TiVo Basic service, providing free, limited TiVo features right out of the box, with no subscription fees.
TiVo Basic service offers the ability to control live TV through features like pause, fast forward, rewind, and slow motion playback of live television; three days of electronic program guide; and manual recording capability by time and channel. The SD-H400 is the first device to offer TiVo Basic service.
The SD-H400's DVD-video section is equipped with a 10-bit/54 MHz video digital-to-analog converter for maximum color purity, detail, and resolution. When connected to a television via the unit's ColorStream Pro component-video outputs, you'll be ready to enjoy Toshiba's Digital Cinema Progressive technology with either DVDs or TiVo PVR playback. The SD-H400 can also play formats such as DVD-R, DVD-RW, video CD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3 CDs.
Because the SD-H400 is built on TiVo Series2 technology, you have the ability to upgrade to full TiVo service to enjoy features such as Season Pass (the ability to record every episode of a program no matter when it airs, automatically), WishList (which finds and records programs that feature your favorite actor, director, or genre), Search by Title (which helps you find any show when all you know is its title), 14 days of program guide data, richer recording options, and an easy-to-use scheduling interface. (Full TiVo service costs .95 a month or 9 for a lifetime subscription; visit www.TiVo.com for detailed information.)
Another upgrade available to the Toshiba SD-H400 is the TiVo Home Media Option, a premium package of networked home entertainment. This configuration takes full advantage of the SD-H400's capabilities as a digital media server. The Home Media Option--an upgrade available via phone or broadband connection--lets you use the SD-H400's USB port to connect the SD-H400 to your wired or wireless home network and PC.
The Home Media Option adds the following features to the SD-H400: streaming MP3 files and digital photo viewing from a PC or Macintosh for playback through your TV or home-entertainment system, remote scheduling (through which you can schedule TiVo recordings from anywhere you can access the Internet), and connection to another TiVo Series2 PVR within your home (so you can share programs between the two units--for, say, viewing a program in the bedroom that was recorded in the family room, and vice versa).
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Feb 25, 2010 02:52:47
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