Toshiba SD2710 DVD Player
Good basic unit, but some minor flaws
I previously owned a Panasonic A110 whose laser recently died as those units were prone to do.  During it's three years, the A110 performed very well.  As a replacement, I considered another Panasonic, the RV-31 (not needing progressive scan).  The primary reason I passed was that Panasonic has dropped the coaxial digital output (on at least this unit).  My DVD unit sits at the top of the entertainment cabinet and I wasn't keen on purchasing and re-routing a long optical cable.<br />The Toshiba 2710 looked like a good basic single-play unit and still includes the coaxial digital output.  The unit's video seems fine so far, which is of course the primary concern.  <br />The major nit-pick I have with the unit is the LCD display, primarily when playing CD's; DVD's it's not as big a deal.  In a mystifying design decision, the unit defaults to showing elapsed track time, but not track number.  So, if you hit the skip button to skip tracks, you have no idea what track you are on.  What was Toshiba thinking here?  Personally, I care alot more about the track number, than I do the elapsed track time. <br />Yes, there is a button (but only on the remote) to toggle this to show track number.  Unfortunately, it defaults back to elapsed time when powered up.  This is a nuisance and unlike any unit I've used.  Also, when a disc is stopped, the LCD shows &quot;zeroes&quot;, instead of total disc time like most other players??  It is the same for DVD's; shows elapsed time and only toggles to Chapter number, etc.<br />I also give the 2710 a slight ding for noisy disc spinning, where the A110 was virtually silent.  (you cannot hear it from a seating position, though).<br />I give the 2710 a slight uptick for the zoom function, for those who might want to zoom a letterbox DVD (I personally don't).<br />Overall, if I had it to do over, I would go with the Panasonic and just deal with the hassle of switching to an optical cable.<BR>But, for a basic unit with good video the Toshiba 2710 is okay.