Toshiba 12x DVD $90

[TatSteeL]

Check out this deal at Buycomp.com, pretty cheap I though. Is this toshiba 12x DVD any good?

Toshiba 12x DVD $90 Deal

 

[zhensel]

It's up to 100, but this is still a good deal. Note on the description that it comes with a decoder board as well! Combine this with some sort of coupon and you are set.

Zach Hensel
zhensel@att.net

 

[jbaj007]

There's a $10 off $100 coup. for returning customers (check out the 'usual coupon suspects') so $91 for a great DVD drive. Toshiba has a very good product and with decoding. Thanks

 

[Nosferatu]

Where would I go to check and see if it is region free?
Thanks

 

[knowlwk1]

What are the odds that the decoder board is one of the Hollywood Plus clones? I called and the CSR said she didn't have that info. The software is listed as "Hollywood Plus S/W".

I just ordered one ($97 and change shipped), and hopefully the decoder is compatible with at least one of the Hollywood Plus macrovision solutions!!

 

[jbaj007]

These (12x Toshiba) are generally not region free, but are easily firmware updated to be region free. Typically Buy.com models have been firmware v. 1010. DAE rate reported at 8-9x. Implies Hollywood+ decoder which means TV out for those who lack this on their vid. card. Hardware decoding a must (in my opinion) for 500mHz. or less proccessors. So a good deal. Toshiba reads everything, also (well, almost everything).

 

[knowlwk1]

PS. I read a review and two folks mentioned that the drive worked well with CDClone for those who like to make "cough" backup copies of various titles

 

[umic]

Sorry, I am kinda confused...

Does "decoding software" mean software? Or it is a Hollywood plus decoder card?

 

[jbaj007]

PowerDVD, DVDExpress and some other software apps. will decode the DVD signal for viewing, or a hardware solution ( Hollywood+) will do it for you. Sort of like hardware modems vs. Winmodems. The CPU does the work in the software solution so you need a chip bigger than a Dorito. These drives are indeed CDClone certified!

 

[knowlwk1]

Sorry about the confusion..

On buy.com, the toshiba DVDRom is listed as a sigle drive, BUT the description says it is bundled with a DVD decoder card. The name of the card is not listed, but the specs for the card mention that the software included is "Hollywood Plus S/W" implying the the DVDrom comes with some form of the Hollywood+ card.... maybe

 

[octav]

I seriously doubt this comes with a decoder card. I know the ad says:

Type Device: DVD-ROM Drive/Decoder Card Bundle

but then:

Kit Components: DVD-ROM Drive

and the manufacturer part is the one for a single drive, not a bundle.
Besides they also have this:

[L]http://www.us.buy.com/retail/product.asp?loc=101&sku=10254521&PageFormat=3[/L]

which is the single drive SCSI, and this:

[L]http://www.us.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10250641&loc=101[/L]

which is clearly the bundle.

 

[Unsickle]

Well I have an image of their page in case it arrives without a decoder. I trust that buy.com will give you a decoder card if it says that in the description.

 

[knowlwk1]

Ahh Octav, just bust my bubble why don't yah


Well, either way, CGeeks has the Holly+ for around $37.00, so I'd still be ahead by about $35 over Buy.com's bundle.

I guess I'll have to team up with Unsickle and pitch a bitch about false advertising and threaten to never use a buy.com coupon again... not even if they promise to let me be a "new customer" for ever and ever....

 

[Quickfingerz]

I'll guarantee you that there is no decoder card that comes with this drive. How do I know? I just bought this exact same drive two weeks ago. It's a great drive for the $104 I paid for it.

 

[Dhendra]

Damn..I just ordered it...i'm trying to decide if I should just cancel it, or *hope* it does (now) come with a decoderc card, and if it doesn't fight with them. Hmmm...I have like 20 minutes left to cancel my order. (30 minutes total, right?)

 

[demenion]

just got this dvd player and logitech optical mouse for $122.81 shipped.

 

[Dhendra]

What i'm probably gonna do is if this does come with a decoder (h+), eGay my Samsung 5x DVDROM from COMPUGEEKS (it's horrible with cd's for me, originals or cd-r/w, but works great with dvd's, even after the firmware upgrade, and compugeeks doesn't reply). I'll probably eGay the decoder board too, i'm more than happy with decoding with my aiw128...

 

[wjones]

To get the firmware for region free, go to this site:
http://www.firmware.com.bi/

 

[zhensel]

If this thing doesn't come with a decoder board, whoever buys it has a very legitimate beef... for example:
...
Type Device: DVD-ROM Drive/Decoder Card Bundle
...
Decoder Board Bus Type: PCI 2.1 Compliant
Decoder Board Connections: VGA In, 15-pin VGA Out to Monitor, TV Out (S-Video), 9-Pin DIN VGA In (From VGA Card), NTSC Output, Stereo Audio Out, S/PDIF Output Converter
...
Drive Write Speed Decoder Board Feature Connector Type Decoder Card Memory Media Type: DVD Discs, Recorded CDs
...

Call me crazy, but I think it comes with a decoder board. If I ordered it (and I might tonight), I would be mad as hell if it didn't.

Zach Hensel
zhensel@att.net

 

[Unsickle]

exatamundo, mon a mi

 

[Mr.Mike]

Not a bad deal if it comes with the Decoder card. I think the kit and the single drive descriptions are backwards. It does say there is supposed to be a decoder card with the drive.

Manufacturer: Toshiba
Type Device: DVD-ROM Drive/Decoder Card Bundle
Kit Components: DVD-ROM Drive
Drive Form Factor: 5.25 Internal
Drive Interface: EIDE w/ATAPI
Drive Read Speed: 12X, 40X (CD)
Video Playback: MPEG-2, MPEG-1, 800 x 600
Data Capacity: 17 GB Dual Layer, Double Sided
System Requirements Access Time: 95ms (DVD), 80ms (CD)
Decoder Board Bus Type: PCI 2.1 Compliant
Decoder Board Connections: VGA In, 15-pin VGA Out to Monitor, TV Out (S-Video), 9-Pin DIN VGA In (From VGA Card), NTSC Output, Stereo Audio Out, S/PDIF Output Converter
Audio Playback: 5.1 Channel
DVD Video Formats Supported: Full Frame, Letterbox, Pan & Scan, Wide-Screen
DVD Navigation Features Data Transfer Rate: 16.2 MBps (DVD), 6 MBps (CD)
Software Included: Hollywood Plus S/W
Reliability: 100,000 POH
Power: PC Supplied
Certifications: CAN/CSA-22.2 No.950, EN50024, EN50081-1, EN60825, EN60950, EN61000, FDA CFR21, UL 1950
Misc Features: 4-Pin Audio Output, Digital Audio Out, Front Loading, Eject/Stop Button, Vertical/Horizontal Installation/Operation, Caddyless (Tray Loading)
Drive Write Speed Decoder Board Feature Connector Type Decoder Card Memory Media Type: DVD Discs, Recorded CDs
Data Buffer / Cache Memory: 128 KB
Number of Drives Included: 1
Number of Drive Bays Included: Internal Device
Number of Disc Slots Included: 1
Number of Disc Slots Maximum: 1
Disc/File Standards and Formats: CD-R (Read Only), CD-RW (Read Only), CD Text, CD-MIDI, Multisession CD, CD-I Bridge, DVD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, Photo-CD (Single & Multisession), CD-ROM, CD-I, CD-DA, CD-G

 

[sirsolo]

I don't think this one comes with a decoder since buy.com has a separate SKU for toshiba dvd with hollywood + decoder card for $164.95:

buy.com toshiba dvd + hollywood + decoder card link

 

[IBuyUFO]

Yeah looks like they messed up on that one. The description for the single pack dvd rom should have gone to the dvd rom and decoder card bundle.

 

[ghouldini]

Does this mean they would have to give everyone a decoder with that (false advertisement) or not? I already made a printout of it, and that description definately says it is included.


I just did a search and answered my own question. FYI.....

Typographical Errors
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the event a product is listed at an incorrect price or with incorrect information due to typographical error or error in pricing or product information received from our suppliers, buy.com shall have the right to refuse or cancel any orders placed for product listed at the incorrect price. buy.com shall have the right to refuse or cancel any such orders whether or not the order has been confirmed and your credit card charged. If your credit card has already been charged for the purchase and your order is canceled, buy.com shall immediately issue a credit to your credit card account in the amount of the charge.

 

[Souka]

I have the Toshiba 12X SCSI DVD....nice...tray load.

I don't like the Slot-Load cuz the Pioneer model I've seen would allow dust to get inside the unit from the negative airpressure that exists in most computer cases(from exaust fans).