Toshiba 2108/2109 DVD Player Comparison

Posted by Rob Walker [IP: 152.163.204.194] on September 29, 1999 at 23:45:14
Using Mozilla/2.0 (compatible; MSIE 3.02; Update a; AOL 3.0; Windows 95):

I just bought a Toshiba 2109 dvd player to replace my 2108 (mainly because the price was good and I got 8 free dvds). I had promised my 2108 to a co-worker at an attractive price, so the price of upgrading (when factoring in the dvd's) was negative $25!!

Before swapping I performed a side-by-side test of the 2108 and the 2109 for those interested.

I used two dvd's of "Heat" (I borrowed one from a friend) as the source.

Both dvd players were switched through my Denon 5700 to my Sony projector via s-video. I also run the composite video through the Denon into a For.A color decoder and then into the rgb inputs of the projector. The s-video cables are identical Monster cables. The audio was run through Monster THX wiring to a matched Definitive Technology speaker system.

I'll cut to the chase:

Appearance:
The 2109 is not as attractive as the 2108 (I know this is subjective). The 2109 also looks less robust in construction. The 2108 has four feet. The 2109 has 2 feet and two bumps in the sheet metal base.

Mechanics:
The 2109 loaded the dvd 3.5 seconds faster then the 2108.

The white gears of the door mechanism are easily seen through the door opening of the 2109 and look quite cheesy.

The remote include with the 2109 is horrible in comparison to the excellent remote of the 2108. You need "mini-me" sized fingers to operate. Forget about using it a dark home theater!

Operation:
Both players work quite well. The 2109 has more levels of zoom. And a different menu system.

Be forwarned!! The 2109 has one less set of analog audio outpus and no Toslink digital output.

The remotes are not interchangeable.

Audio:
I could discern no differences.

Video:
The video from these players was very close to identical, with the slight edge going to the 2108 (confirmed by the wife in a double-blind test).

Conclusion:
Unless you have problems with your current 2108 (I have ROM Version of 1.400 - R1, and have had ZERO problems) I recommend keeping it.

That being said, for $249 and 8 free dvd's, the 2109 is a good deal.

I am, however, giving the 2109 to my co-worker.

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