Toshiba 3950 - keep or return?

walk

I need some advice.

I bought this new DVD player on a whim because it was so cheap. I got it for $70(+tax) with a $10 rebate. I later found out that you can pretty much get this player (Toshiba SD-3950) anywhere for $75-80 even though the MSRP is like $130.

I don't really need a new DVD player but since this one is Progressive-scan (and plays CD-R and MP3 discs) and my old one isn't, I figure I will probably get a HDTV later this year and so why not?

BUT - I have 2 problems with it.

First is that it doesn't have an Optical audio out. This is unfortunate because my receiver only has 1 coax input and I have the DVD player plus my computer that only has coax outputs. The Best Buy ad said that it DID have an optical output. This issue, I could live with, but it has another problem too.

I was watching Toy Story 2 and noticed some really bad chroma distortion during certain scenes. At about 1:05:37 when Buzz Lightyear walks toward the camera and off the edge of the frame at the left, the red drawers behind him turn green/discolored for a few frames. It's pretty bad and it's 100% consistant, I can pause the disc and clearly see it.

This is when viewing the component output on my Sony. If I run the S-Video output into the tv, I only see a little luma(brightness) distortion in the same place, but the color is fine. If I use the "zoom" feature it also goes away.

I hooked up my old DVD player (a Toshiba 2109) with the component outputs and played the same scene and there is only a VERY little luma distortion, hardly noticible..

I also tried my computer output (composite) and PS2 (composite) output and I either get a very little luma distortion or none at all.

So, I have 30-odd days to return this player to Best Buy, should I? Considering they said it had Optical outs I could return it right there but with the color problems too...

walk

Of course the dilemma is, if I return it and get another player, what is a good one that will NOT have these color problems?

walk

I think it's pretty plain to see here.

Notice the red drawers in the background, how they change color to a greenish hue as Buzz walks off the frame.



Anyone else getting this on their player?

danger boy

hmmmm? first off.. i didn't think Toshiba made a DVD player without optical output. both mine of optical and coax. strange. but mine are both older models.. maybe they no longer provide both..