Like many others it probably do, I also checked the reviews Amazon before buying. Especially the bad reviews have here let me evil ancestors. But there was no rude awakening: Either these buyers have received a Monday device, or the update function is not found. Because, interestingly, came 4 of 6 bad reviews for the latest updates appear (21.2.2014), so the ratings can not be explained otherwise.
I have the power, of course, updated immediately after receipt (as you should actually make it), so I'm of such errors as in the negative reviews never noticed anything.
I tested the unit with a series Blu-ray of "The Big Bang Theroy" which I had undergone the full 2 1/2 hours. A Blu-ray movie with 132min runtime as well as a DVD with 85min duration were tested.
The device has at no time off as long as I would not like it yourself. An HDMI signal was permanently available and everything is going to end in sync.
Drive noise are present but not annoying, they might not hear up to a pitch of half a meter, at a greater distance. Since the Playstation 4 is definitely louder, but also not disturbing.
As a "tough test" the unit had also the first Blu-Ray of the first season of the King of Queens pizza box play. There, many users reported that there are problems with some players Blu-Ray. And also according to the manufacturer it is now: "Please note that there may be problems in playing this article in conjunction with some Blu-ray players." But this device also plays this Blu-ray from any problems. Only the autostart when you insert the Blu-ray was not working here, I had to begin the Blu-Ray autonomously. But after that everything went smoothly.
Let's talk about the positive things:
The device plays all the offline media from any problems. I fed it with Blu-Rays and DVDs, burned and originals, no problems. The DVD upscaling is the best thing I've ever experienced in a Blu-Ray player. Of course, no HD still, but pretty close. Even with media via USB, the device has no problems. All my USB hard drives & Sticks were recognized, play all files. Whether .MKV files with DTS sound track files with DivX codec or other ... the typical problem cases he swallows easily, all files ran without problems.
DLNA: Again, everything works really great and without any problems.
Interesting: From files with 800MB up the unit initially uses exactly 32 seconds for the buffering before the movie starts. I've tested it with up toward 15GB MKV files, this also launched completely smoothly after 32 seconds as well as a 20 minute series is the only 820 MB has. Only files under 800MB the Buffering is usually faster.
Otherwise, of course, the very simple and clear menu navigation should also be mentioned, which is also relatively fast.
So, we are now online, and come thus to the negative things.
To use the online functions, you must first of all register with Toshiba. This I have experienced at any other manufacturer yet. Here you have the choice, a new Toshiba account automatically create, or to do this with Facebook via a QR code to scan with a smartphone.
Once you have the registry behind, even still pass each ~ 40 seconds until the online portal is open at all and you get to see the app launcher. This charging time one has ever again once you leave an app again. The selection is also very thin, whole 6 Apps available. The only Video on Demand service is Netflix. Otherwise there is YouTube, Dailymotion, Picasa Web Album, Facebook and the app Funspot containing (like Candy Crush), Chess, Sudoku and Dacula's Coffin the Games Rockswap.
The app interface runs generally really tough and jerky, and apps have not been fully translated in part. To use YouTube via the app directly is almost unacceptable, so choppy as it is. Fortunately, you can search YouTube videos from external peripheral devices and then can simply play only on the Toshiba YouTube app. The sequence then runs easily and smoothly.
Is also to be mentioned negative, that there is no function for the automatic indication of firmware updates.
You have to check the device manually via the settings for updates, the device automatically not doing this.
The software also seems not yet fully translated were to be. While the menu here is entirely in German, the question of whether I would continued the film at the last position, or want to start from scratch seemed completely in English.
So far everything should have been told about the device be important. Wireless internet is available in the device by buying the USB Wi-Fi dongle to. This I did not do but run the device via LAN cable, so I can not comment on the wireless function. The device is also Miracast-capable, which of course only works via Wi-Fi. Therefore, I can function also not comment. 3D-capable, the device is not, but that should be clear.
Conclusion:
For those who have a non-3D-enabled smart TV or no smart TV functions need, this is a very strong buy recommendation! Because of pure Blu-ray & DVD playback (optimally USB or DLNA) you will hardly find a better device. For occasional use of Smart TV functions of this device ranges even as long as the app selection is sufficient for you.
Who, however, in addition to a Blu-Ray player is looking for a full Smart TV replacement, is out of place here. Since you should take a look at the Sony Blu-ray players either, or buy as a supplement to this unit even a Google Chromecast. Because of regular Smart TV usage, the device is not usable. Therefore, there's also a star for this deduction.
