Great Combo Unit!
Written: Jul 26 '02 (Updated Jun 22 '05)
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Pros: Nice DVD with TV. Solid playback with no skips. Nice remote. Video inputs everywhere!
Cons: Well, it's a 13 inch screen... (or 14 ?)
(see review) NO MP3.
The Bottom Line: You want a small compact DVD player with TV? You got it! Nice touch: still usable without the remote if broken or lost (some units aren't!)
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| larryw76's Full Review: Toshiba MD13M1 13 inch TV/DVD Combo TV |
If you want a nice, compact DVD unit, this is it! It's not the big screen (there is a 20 (model MD20FM1) inch version too, for not that much more money) but this unit HAD to fit in a certain space in my bedroom, so the 13 inch to the rescue. I suspect this model has been replaced by the MD13N1, but my examination of that unit seems to indicate only minor differences (for example, the remote is silver, not black. Same buttons though)
I measured, and I suspect every other TV maker would report 14 or 15 inch as the size, as the viewable area measures about 14 inches, so it is quite conservative to say 13 inch.
The DVD player feels "solid" to me, and has been flawless with every CD or DVD I have fed it. The stereo (small) speakers will not invoke fury, but as I said, this is for a bedroom, and you can feed the "audio out" elsewhere. (includes DTS out, but I suspect DTS home stereo out with this small a screen is probably not going to happen, :-) the DTS will be hooked up to the 43 inch TV in the family room, but nice to know it's there)
The remote control commands respect, with nice, well laid out big buttons that make sense. (At least I think they are nice and big) The unit IS completely usable if the remote is lost, damaged, etc. LOTS of button fumbling, but at least you can use it (hmmm... this might be in the "kids" room? We all know remotes hold up well there (* wink * wink * nudge *)
Inputs all over the place (front, back, game on front) and the video signal can be routed elsewhere (turning it into just "kind of a DVD player") but the unit is kind of big for a DVD player, but it's nice to know you can send your DVD to a different TV if you want to later (better than just throwing out the DVD!)
I have no idea what the unit does with various copyguard protections, as since the TV is integrated, obviously no Copyguard issues are going to arise with the TV "bolted on", so to speak.
The thing is not a PC, and not confused by it's role. You want DVD? Fine. You want CD (or CD-R)? Fine. Other formats not welcome. Area 1 (or "any") DVDs only. (CD-RW not supported)
Nice bright screen, the DVDs look great. By all means, if you have the room for a bigger TV, go for it, but this works well for me.
I did buy an extended service plan for $50 for 4 year "bumper to bumper" coverage as this rather complicated device IS a DVD AND a TV -- (and one doesn't work well with the other if it is broken) if they get the $50, so be it, but 4 years is quite a while! (I remember my first CD player, they ended up regretting the day they sold me the extended plan!!!! :-) )
I do suggest a service plan, just because so much stuff is complicated, although I expect to NOT need it, as it does feel "solid", but who knows...? (Jan 6, 2005: no service needed yet!)
The playback looks very nice, I really like this unit. This is a winner, at least at the moment I'm at. I really like the fact that Toshiba didn't "greed out" on screen size as actually FTC rules could allow for a bigger size mentioned and advertised...
I suspect someone who is clever, might be able to make some sort of housing to put this in a car or minivan. Lots of power converters can convert Car 12VDC ---> 120VAC house current. (Of course you would need to check to follow all rules, laws, etc, regarding a TV in a car, and I would certainly suspect you would want it well secured so it wouldn't fly around if you had an accident)
*** Small update *** I just noticed the Epinions specs say no audio/video in front. How about the RCA jacks in the front thay say "Video L/Mono R/Audio"? Huh? Kind of looks like Video Audio jacks in the front to me...
Update: Jan 10, 2003... Still like this item a lot, was able to play a DVD that a friend had trouble playing!
Update: Oct 23, 2003... Still rocking along! Use every day!
Update: May 12, 2004... Just like gold, looks like the extended warranty people probably will get to keep the money :-)
Update: Jun 20, 2005 - Still perfect, works/looks like the day I got it!
Larry Williams
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 249
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Epinions.com ID:
larryw76
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Member: Larry Williams
Location: Warrenville, IL USA
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 1 member
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