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Features
192kHz / 24-bit audio conversion.
Compatible with DVD Audio.
Progressive scan video.
10-bit/54MHz video encoder.
540 horizontal line resolution.
Mega Resolution Parallel DAC.
Component video.
S-video output.
PAL and NTSC compatibility.
Pros
Everything.
Cons
Nothing
Ratings
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Toshiba SD-900E
Integrated high end DVD Video-Audio player
Recommended retail price: $3299
(inc. GST)
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Reviewer: Richard Morgan
The SD-900E is a new generation DVD player designed with a co-compromise attitude and with a truckload of Toshiba's resources thrown at it. It resides at the top of the impressive Toshiba range of DVD players and is engineered to provide the best audio and video that your DVD dollar can buy.
This unit replaces the excellent Toshiba SD-9000 and represents a quantum leap in performance and functionality. It's also made in Japan. Not only does it establish a new standard in DVD performance it also hints at the type of technology that could eventually trickle down to other high quality models. For my money the SD-900E is also the best looking player on the market, regardless of price. It's sleek and with a light champagne gold finish is very classy indeed.
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Though they are functional, the copper housing in the chassis cabinet adds a certain, welcome panache to the unit's appearance. The cabinet is actually a very solid design with a reinforced 1.2mm thick steel plate chassis and high mass base - to prevent vibration that could otherwise compromise performance.
Toshiba apparently collaborated extensively with Analogue Devices to develop and enhance its existing Multi-Bit Delta Digital-to-Analogue Converter. The result is a Neo Multi-Bit Delta Sigma Digital-to-Analogue Converter, which combines a multi-bit system for high jitter resistance and low noise levels, and a one-bit system that provides excellent linearity without zero cross distortion - on all channels!
The company has achieved a rated dynamic range for the SD-900E of 120dB and distortion at less than 0.006 percent. This is possible due, in a major way, to the Mega Resolution Parallel Digital-to-Analogue Converter, a Toshiba initiative that uses a system comprising no less than three Multi-Bit Delta Sigma Digital-to-Analogue Converters. The result for end users is a quieter platform and environment from which to transcribe DVD discs and one that introduces truly negligible distortion.
The features in the SD-900E are advanced and each aims to enhance either our viewing or our listing pleasure. To make this strategy as bullet proof as possible the company also uses the best electronic and mechanical components available - chosen for their low noise and audio fidelity characteristics.
High quality electrolytic capacitors (low impedance electrolytic capacitors in digital circuitry and non-polarised capacitors are used throughout. The low pass filter in the signal circuit uses foil capacitors and polypropylene film capacitors as well as metallic membrane surface mount resistors. Signal decay is also minimised by using short signal paths and high-density part packing on a double-sided glass epoxy printed circuit board.
Toshiba says that coaxial digital output offers advantages over optical output in terms of signal jitter characteristics. In this light the company has used a high quality output circuit which employs a balance driven buffer amplifier and a toroidal pulse transformer to maintain signal integrity and bandwidth characteristics. The dual transformer is ultra low noise rated, due to a newly developed high speed switching power source.
So here we have a solid, heavy duty power sully and rectification system. It's one a part of the design process that, bit by bit, eliminates or minimises factors that can impede performance and builds on technologies that can enhance it.
Toshiba has upgraded the video encoder specifications of the SD-900E from 10-bit 27MHz to 54MHz - processing power to spare. The unit converts 8-bit into 10-bit data prior to processing to maximise digital-to-analogue conversion and generate precise image data uninhibited by encoder deterioration.
A specially designed twin wave laser pick up lets the SD-900E cope with DVD Video, DVD Audio, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and Video CD formats equally well. Decoding is provided for Dolby Digital (AC3), DTS Digital Surround, DVD Audio and HDCD (high definition compact disc). You can even turn off the video circuit in the player to stop any potential interference between it and the audio circuitry and in turn improve audio clarity.
Toshiba's enhanced horizontal resolution system is fitted to the SD-900E. This creates 540 lines of information, which is said to improve image clarity and overall quality. The unit also features progressive scan and is one of only a handful to offer this feature - a desirable function for relevant projection television systems. Other systems are used to make sure the picture quality of this player is spot on.
Connection facilities are comprehensive. There's component video output, SCART output terminal, 5.1-channel analog audio output, optical digital output, coaxial digital output, 2-channel digital audio output, S-Video output and the ubiquitous composite video output.
Toshiba's remote control has illumination for easy low light operation and a jog shuttle action to make such operation much easier.
The unit will automatically go to standby after being idle for 20 minutes. There's a bit rate display and a display dimmer. A concealed disk tray reduces contamination and minimises disturbances and Toshiba has fitted its Spatializer N-2-2 Virtual Surround Sound system to the unit.
Other features include a dynamic software and firmware upgrade so the unit can remain contemporary with technology. There's also a 3D dynamic noise reduction system that reduces low-level noise. The unit has 3x picture zoom, a still function (field or frame), step play in forward and reverse and slow motion playback.
Toshiba is backing DVD Audio to be the de facto high definition audio standard (over Sony's SACD performance). It offers incredible definition and dynamic range in music audio replay and if it hadn't made an appearance on this machine I'd want to know why.
This is an elite player. Super DVD player, of which there are only a handful on the market. It's construction is simply superb and helps make the price of entry appealing. Almost everything has been done to ensure that performance is exemplary. Actually, I'd expect nothing less from the inventor of the medium and in a machine of this calibre.
The machine is a sheer pleasure to operate - a clear cut or two above the norm (just lift the unit or open and close the disc drawer and you'll understand what I mean). The remote didn't pose too much of a problem either. I did appreciate the illumination and it was helpful to make adjustments on the fly.
The SD-900E is a high end DVD player that produces outstanding (equally high end) audio as well. What's more, the 'video off' function actually works a treat in music reproduction by taming slight treble hardness and firming up spatial elements in the sound stage illusion.
It's as important as the image quality, which is dazzling. The whites in Snow Falling In Cedars had the best depth and detail I have seen, the alien landscapes in Mission To Mars had exceptional depth and contrast, the greens and blacks in The Matrix were exceptional and the colour and detail of the 5th Element were simply outstanding. Overall the results were crisp and clear and devoid of adverse line structure and unwanted artifacts. So good is the capability of the machine that well made animated movies like Toy Story will more than likely leave you breathless.
The Toshiba SD-900E is a sensational player. It's unlikely you'll get better performance now or in the foreseeable future and it can be upgraded as often as is necessary. It's probably not a question of whether or not you want it as whether or not you can afford it. Simply put, if you can afford it buy it.
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