Strengths: price, full of features, HDMI connection, 1080i up-converting, variety of readable recordable DVD/CD formats

Weaknesses: long DVD loading time, cheap remote control, menus could be better setup

Summary: When my LG DVD player decided not to give me back my DVDs any more I went to my local big box store to see what was available. I found this Toshiba model I was very pleased. The unit is very simple to setup straight forward. For the same price of my LG I was surprised to get a recorder also. It does take the unit a few moments to read a disc's format, but after it does the unit shines. Up-converting to my 50 inch plasma makes my standard DVD look very sharp rich. It performs well enough that I am not interesting in converting my hundred of DVDs for high resolution Blu Ray discs anytime soon. Recording on to a DVD was a snap.My biggest disappointment is the included remote control. It fells cheap flimsy, plus could be more responsive. The buttons are small I wished they allowed for more functions like changing angles. It also would have been nice if it was able to control functions of other units, like channel changing or volume control. It would have been awesome if it lit up.Overall, I am quite satisfied with my purchase. For the price I did not expect the features that were included.