Toshiba BDX3000 3D-Ready Wi-Fi Blu-ray Disc Player
Toshiba BDX3000 3D-Ready Wi-Fi Blu-ray Disc Player
- Full HD 1080p/24 fps video output with DVD upconversion to 1080p, AVCHD playback, and wide format support
- Blu-ray 3D playback (requires compatible TV/receiver and 3D glasses); BD-Live for online features
- Built-in Wi-Fi/Ethernet with streaming content from Netflix, Blockbuster, VUDU, and Pandora
- Decodes Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio | Essential for true high-definition audio
- HDMI-CEC connects the BDX3000 and your compatible HDTV for convenient two-way control with one remote
Toshiba BDX3000 3D-Ready Wi-Fi Blu-ray Disc Player
List Price: $ 249.99
Price: [wpramaprice asin="B0044L6IXY"]
[wpramareviews asin="B0044L6IXY"]
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Extremely poor software …,
(UPDATE Jan 27th, 2011: There is a firmware update available now to fix the freezing issue. I am updating so others can benefit. As I have returned my player I will not be able to post reviews about the new firmware.)
(UPDATE Jan 20th, 2011: I returned the Blu-ray player. Amazon was amazing with their service.)
(UPDATE Jan 5th, 2011: There are still no firmware updates available. I have also updated this review in various sections below according to my experience with this player.)
I think Toshiba should be happy that they get one star out of this unit from me!! This is a very poorly designed 3D blu ray player. The software of this player is in such bad state that if you try and tweak around a little, it will freeze on you. And once frozen nothing will work. (As other reviewers have also stated, not even the power button.) The only way out is to unplug the unit. The freezing issue is so frequent that it makes this unit almost useless. Lets me give you a brief on what my take on this blu ray 3D capable player is:
Remote: (UPDATE Jan 5th, 2011: Forgot to mention before, no backlight on the remote as well. Another thing I have noticed is that the remote has a very short range and sensitivity is poor.)
Little confusing with the menu button. Too many of those are present and you have to kind of remember which one will do what. Apart from that there is no mute button on the remote. Everything else looks fine and easy to use. But again if the unit freezes you have to jump out of you cozy couch and unplug the unit as the remote won’t work in that scenario.
Playback: (UPDATE Jan 5th, 2011: Didn’t encounter playback freezing after that one incident. But 8 out of 10 times the player won’t come back from standby. I have to keep unplugging the power cord to get it started.)
Yes, it will play your DVDs, Blu-ray etc very nicely and won’t freeze during playback. The only freezing issue I faced during playback was after pressing the rewind button while a DVD was playing. (Although, this only happened once out of may be 10-12 times I pressed the rewind button and other buttons during playback.)
WiFi:
This player has a built in WiFi which is nice. And also the setup was easy. But the sad part is it drops signal every now and then. (May be another software issue or a poor hardware) Also, after dropping signal it freezes sometimes.
Net Connected Apps:
…. I had to try at least 3 times to get my Pandora app going. I finally bailed out of it after another freeze on my 4th try. But it was not completely unsuccessful. It does play music from Pandora and has all the things one need (like search and radio stations that you have already created etc). Next, I tried the Netflix app and it freezes right there. That was too much to take and I completely bailed out of the Net Connected apps section!!!!
If you can get around the WiFi issue (May be by placing your WiFi right next to it or using an ethernet cable.) then you can try the net connected apps. There aren’t many but the high hitters are present. I first tried the Pandora app. And yes, it freezes again
Setting Menu:
The setting menu is nice and easy to tool around. But the freezing problem is existent there as well. The player froze at least twice within 5 mins when I was tooling around.
Speed and response to command:
It is slow to respond when you hit a button. But one can live with that if other features are set right.
Load up speed (for DVD and Blu ray):
Not bad. I wouldn’t say it is great but I think it would be hard to find another player with better speed.
3D capability: (UPDATE Jan 5th, 2011: I tested the player’s 3D capability and when it plays it plays well. I do not see any issue with 3D playback from the players end.)
I am still waiting on my 3D capable TV to come. This player came within 2 days of my order so I am sitting with this player and my old TV (with no 3D capability). The TV will arrive in next few days. And if I am not utterly frustrated with this player I might give it a try for 3D and update this review accordingly.
To sum it up, if you are only going to put a DVD/Blu ray disc in the player hit the play button sit back and watch the movie then you might be fine. If you intend to press any button other than play, think again before you waste your time with this player, especially those who want the Net Connected Apps and setting to work fine.
Now, all the issues I have mentioned, I believe are because of a very poor software. So there is a slight likelihood that Toshiba might give a firmware update and do away with the freezing problem. Until then this unit is useless. (And yes I did check if there is an update available at this time, but there wasn’t any)
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|how could this of made it to market?,
UPDATE 1/27/11
- Firmware update has appeared to fix the power issues. Menus seem a little speedier too. Image quality is also still great. Changing from 2 stars to 4
Player came bundled with my 3D TV. Nearly every time i want to use the player I have to physically unplug it and plug it back in to even get it to respond! It constantly is freezing and crashing!
When the player actually works, it produces great images, absolutely top-quality. This is the only reason I’m giving this player 2 stars.
hopefully a firmware update fixes the player in the near future, if so I would give it 4.5 stars. Until then, I cannot believe a top of the line player like this actually makes it to market with the serious problems it has.
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|FYI! New buyers!,
FYI!, FYI!, buyers. I received this Toshiba BluRay model BDX3000KU when I ordered my Toshiba 55WX800U 3D HDTV around the first of December. Also received two pair of Tosiba 3D glasses as part of this package. First OF ALL, I cannot say enough good things about ordering from Amazon.com. I got a terrific deal! I had shopped locally, in Nashville and online for several months. The TV is wonderful! HOWEVER, after hooking up the DVD, it would not turn on. It would only stay on standby. No luck with the DVD remote, the TV remote or manually. I contacted Amazon.com customer FYI! Again the same problem when I attempted to turn on the unit the following day. I tried everything and nothing worked until I unplugged the unit electrical cord and plugged it in again. In reading the owner’s manual I learned this allowed the unit to RESET. It worked beautifully and would turn on the remainder of the day. BUT, ANOTHER HOWEVER! When I tried to turn on the unit this morning after it setting overnight, it would not turn on. I again unplugged the unit, waited several seconds for it to reset and AGAIN it then turned on. At this point I called Toshib a customer service and spoke to Don. Don put me on hold and researched the problem. Per Don, this is a “KNOWN PROBLEM” for this model by Toshiba and is called a “POWER FREEZE”. Toshiba is seeking a resolution to this problem with this model. Per Don and Linda, who I spoke to when I called Toshiba a second time to clarify, Toshiba will call me at my home phone when the resolutiion found. I was not given a time-frame for a return call as it is not known when a resolution will be found. I SPECIFICALLY asked both persons whether I should return this unit to Amazon.com a second time and purchase a different model as I really like the feathures of and the functioning of this model except for waiting for a resolution of the “POWER FREEZE” problem. Both assurd me I need not do this. THEREFORE, I am keeping this BDX3000KU unit expecting Toshiba to call with a resolution to the problem or offering me another unit. I am mailing the registration card tomorrow. I am glad as I did not wish to bother Amazon.com again, expecially as this is a problem with this particular Toshiba model and Toshiba is seeking a resolution. I suspected as much when the same problem occurred with the second unit received. LET ME RESTATE this not an Amazon.com problem. I have had nothing but amazing service doing business with Amazon.com at this time. I WILL attempt to contact Amazon.com customer service by e-mail and clarify the problem with this model of BluRay DVD player by Toshiba in case there are any additional customers who have this same problem and contact them. Let me say last that the ONLY reason I feel I cannot give this product a 5 star rating is because of this problem and Toshiba was not able to give me a ballpark timeframe for getting back with me.
UPDATE: I received a call from Toshiba at 4:15 pm and spoke with Justin after missing a call from Amy a few minutes earlier. Justin checked Amy’s notes and transferred me to Advanced Services Group and I spoke with John. Per John, my problem has been referred to the Research Group and I should be receiving a call in just a few days. Let’s hope all turns out okay for my unit.
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