Is it possible to fix the layer change pause?

[phaedrus_001]

After having a horrible headache with Panasonic's 5-disc F65K (pixelation and jitters on almost everything I put in after only a month), I found an older Toshiba DVD player (SD-3750) on clearance at my local Tweeter. Compared to my older Toshiba and the P.O.C. Pan, I love the feel and picture quality, but there's a 1/2 sec. to full second pause during the layer change on most discs. It struck me as odd since my older Tosh. model didn't have the more modern features that this one had (prog. scan, cd-rs & mp3 support) but had no noticible pauses during the layer change & even though my ex-girlfriend made off with it so I can't remember the model #, I'm positive it was made earlier that same year (2001). The layout of the machine is perfect for me (I LOVE the joystick on the player, just in case I lose the remote...), & I just love the general feel of the thing, so I'm a little torn as to whether I should upgrade to something else like the sd-3900 or a pioneer, or try & fix it...

Which brings me to my question. Since I just bought it, the warranty is still good & I'm thinking of bringing it in to a Toshiba service center to see if there's anything they can do for it. Is it possible to fix something as specific as a layer change within the hardware or firmware of a player, or is just inherent in certain players? Are there any options or am I just living in a fool's paradise... Can I trust the authorized service centers listed on Tosh.'s website?

It's not too big a deal right now, but I know it'll get on my nerves later on if I don't try & do something...

[downhuman]

Originally Posted by phaedrus_001

After having a horrible headache with Panasonic's 5-disc F65K (pixelation and jitters on almost everything I put in after only a month), I found an older Toshiba DVD player (SD-3750) on clearance at my local Tweeter. Compared to my older Toshiba and the P.O.C. Pan, I love the feel and picture quality, but there's a 1/2 sec. to full second pause during the layer change on most discs. It struck me as odd since my older Tosh. model didn't have the more modern features that this one had (prog. scan, cd-rs & mp3 support) but had no noticible pauses during the layer change & even though my ex-girlfriend made off with it so I can't remember the model #, I'm positive it was made earlier that same year (2001). The layout of the machine is perfect for me (I LOVE the joystick on the player, just in case I lose the remote...), & I just love the general feel of the thing, so I'm a little torn as to whether I should upgrade to something else like the sd-3900 or a pioneer, or try & fix it...

Which brings me to my question. Since I just bought it, the warranty is still good & I'm thinking of bringing it in to a Toshiba service center to see if there's anything they can do for it. Is it possible to fix something as specific as a layer change within the hardware or firmware of a player, or is just inherent in certain players? Are there any options or am I just living in a fool's paradise... Can I trust the authorized service centers listed on Tosh.'s website?

It's not too big a deal right now, but I know it'll get on my nerves later on if I don't try & do something...

Layer changes, unfortunately, go hand in hand with all standalone players. The only difference being is how noticeable the switch is on each player (on some players they are almost completely invisible unless you are looking for them).

Now there are options to explore here if you looking to rid yourself of the layer change completely. One is to switch to a HTPC. Another is to play Superbit titles only. I'm sure that neither choice appeals to you very much so I suggest that you just keep doing what you're doing by looking for a player with an almost unperceivable layer change. Keep in mind though that you might have to sacrifice other things to find such a player. I guess it all comes down to what's most important to you.

Panasonics are known to have the overall best performance when it comes to affordable players and they are also one of the only brand of players that don't have the CUE. Even after all your trouble with the F65K, I would still give Panasonic a chance. But you can't go wrong with Toshiba or Pioneer either (even though I think both brands suffer the CUE problem). Samsung makes a decent player, too.

[Chromy]

My Dennon 2900 performs seamless layer changes due to the large internal buffer that it uses. I have never seen a layer change on this player.

My HTPC that I used for quite a while would always have (very short) layer changes.

Chromy

[octopus1256]

Why does layer change bother anyone? On some good DVDs you can't even tell went it happens, unless you 'know'.

[phaedrus_001]

I doubt the denon 2900 is still available, but I'd be interested in finding out how to find one if possible... More than anything though, I need something within a cheap price range if the service center can't fix it(which probably limits me considerably), between $100-200, ideally.

Are there any Pioneer's that have a negligible L.C. in that price range? Any easy to find Panasonic models that can play anything, or is there anywhere I can look for discontinued, "classic" models that may be cheaper than current ones?

...I actually DO have a pc-dvd player, but it's really not the same thing to watch a movie on my computer, even though I did splurge & invest in creative's 4-piont surround a few years ago. Like everyone else, I guess I've been spoiled w/ my creative pc-dvd encore & now I'm starting to notice the poor mastering on certain discs (like the skip in chap. 8 in Jurassic Park).

But does anyone know if there's anything a tech. support guy can do to "fix" (i.e. shorten) the pause between layers on RSDL discs? Could they actually add an internal buffer? And more importantly, can I trust that they wouldn't screw up anything else inadvertantly???


...and what is CUE?

[J Greer]

Denon 2900. From the reveiws I've read its worth every penny. I hope to pick one up before Christmas.

[downhuman]

Originally Posted by phaedrus_001

...and what is CUE?

Chroma Upsampling Error. This article explains it best:

Here

As the article says-- if you've never noticed it, you'll probably never notice it. And if you are happy with the performance of your pro-scan player then you probably won't want to read it. Once you notice it as an imperfection, it'll bug the hell out of you.