Great while it works
Pros:
When working, should satisfy the consumer. Tremendous flexibility for the price and good performance.
Cons:
Failed.
Warranty totally off radar as a practical way of resolving problems.
The Bottom Line:
My experience may be atypical as to it's durability but the 'marketing and abandoning mind set' of Toshiba will last a lot longer than anything that they produce.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
Setup was easy, I've sold the stuff and was a tech.
This unit is feature packed. Plays everything and had the desired outputs.
Until I put a co-ax cable on it, the outputs worked fine. The on-board decoder worked, the picture was fine through
the S-video hook up, the optical output was read by the Yamaha RX-Z1 beautifully. (I currently have a make-do TV.)
I then put the co-ax on and the digital outputs died. This was about three weeks after taking delivery of my on-line purchase.
I went to the Toshiba web site and there I learned that a repair station is only a few miles away. I took it there. When I got home the shop called and informed me that Toshiba did replacement only, no local repairs. I then called Toshiba and after being put on hold for several C+W songs (The Horror!) was informed that I hadn't read my warranty carefully.
They were correct-It says that it's their option as to how to deal with this and they opted that I get a box, all of the associated accessories and send it to them. Since I am in an apartment, I am no longer able to store boxes.
The warranty actually insists on the original box and that it be re-boxed (double) with proper packing materials. They would allow me to slide on the original container.
Considering the time it takes to box up, seal, re-box with packing materials, going to a shipping point and waiting for the package to be delivered, opened, replaced or re-shipped and the associated costs involving money and time......PHOOEY!
This piece while working was well worth it's insignificant price. Now it's not worth the hassle of dealing with it.
I am going to give it away to my son to put on my old 60" Mitsubishi.The analog decoded audio still works.
The funny thing was the person at Toshiba tried to assist by asking me if my receiver had died. I explained that the receiver was still decoding the digital outputs from my cable box. It had been decoding the optical out from the DVD. It was when I put the co-ax on the party came to a halt.Then I was asked if I had a friend that would allow me to use their receiver/decoder to check and be sure that it was the player. If this piece of crap blew out my $2800 receiver, I should go to friends and do this?
Lessons
1. Cheap components need to be looked at as expendable, if purchased on-line. They are not worth repairing even by the manufacturer.
2. If you want service you must pay for it. A retail outlet is for me.
3. Read the warranty BEFORE you buy. (I went to Pioneer's web site and you have to register to read their manuals.)
4. Toshiba has hidden any way of directing complaints by email within their site. I wonder if this will get any attention?
Ta ta Toshiba.
