Customer Reviews

Toshiba D-VR4 DVD Recorder/VCR Dual Deck

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

We've had our unit 1 year now and haven't had any trouble with it unlike other reviewers. As with ANY electronics, they are very sensitive around moving, bumping, or moisture. I would never buy an "open box unit" from anywhere! This Toshiba is top notch in many ways. I'm impressed with the recording quality when dubbing onto DVR discs, it's a one touch operation and does a very good job. We have noticed that taping on VHS for those shows you don't want to miss doesn't have the best picture quality, the images are grainy. But since we're just viewing those shows once and then recording over them the next time we miss a show, that's acceptable to us. So, for the important stuff, being recorded ontop DVR, this Toshiba gets a standing ovation! DVR finalization is quick and easy and gives you some nice menu options with captions and picture. It organizes your disc menu so you can see and select what order you want to view.

RECOMMENDED!

I used to have a Toshiba D-VR3. But it keeps switching channels during cable recording when I have more than 3 preset timer recordings. I sent it back to Toshiba for repair. They could not fix the problem, so they replaced it with a D-VR4.

But I found out D-VR4 records DVD discs in a different format as D-VR3. I usually record programs or videos to DVD discs, then extract the mpeg files to my computer and edit them there. I have no problem with those mpeg files generated by D-VR3. But my software does not accept those mpeg files created by D-VR4. With smaller files (like less than 1GB, about 30 minute in SP mode), they may be acceptable. But if it's larger than 1.5GB, they will either crash my software or treated as corrupted files.

I finally found a video encoder software that can take those mpeg files created by D-VR4, and convert them to a more conventional mpeg formet that can be accepted by my editing software. Depending on what encoders you use, some takes minutes and converts to a file about the same size as the original one, some takes hours and doubles the file size. I found TMPGEnc MPEG Editor a good choice for this purpose.

One good thing about D-VR4 is it formats and finializes DVD discs faster than D-VR3. Maybe that is where it compromises the mpeg format.

I got this because I wanted to convert VHS tapes to DVD. I also wanted to record shows on DVD RW. The first thing is, this machine only takes DVD-R. The first unit I had, the VHS part did not work, out of the box. Returned it for another one. I discovered the DVD part gave me 90% of the time, disc errors. I switched brands of DVD. No Good. I returned the unit and got credit towards a Sony. Great machine and it plays any DVD -+R/RW, etc.
Toshiba makes great televisions, but stay away from there DVD recorders.

This recorder is friendly operational. One touch button dubbing makes it easy to record in DVD & VHS. It has a good editting features for you to write and delete your recording images. The short fall is it has only 4 recording modes - XP/SP/LSP/EP.

I can't suggest what else to try, but this one probably won't make you happy. I bought this and never really figured out how to make it work. I constantly got disc error messages and spent quite a bit of money on different DVD discs. I think I did record a couple shows/movies, but never got around to watch them. The DVD drawer quit working after approximately 30-40 openings/closings (a couple months). I returned the unit ($15 or so for shipping....my dime). I just got a call that they have to replace the unit (newer d-vr5 model). It's been out of my hands for over a month now and it will take another 2-3 weeks to get a replacement.

I must say I am very happy with the customer service, however it's taken quite a bit longer in the "shop" than I was told. At least they were apologetic about it and the men I've spoken to about getting it returned have both very nice and knowledgeable. I think it's just the service department that is being slow.

I hope the d-vr5 is an upgrade in some way (ease of use, reliabliity, something!)

Buyer beware...

I bought this model's predecessor, the DVR-3 last November. Never worked. sent for repair ($20 mail fee) - still didn't work. Sent back for exchange in May($13 mail fee). Toshiba has had my unit since May 13th (almost 5 weeks) and has not replaced it. In spite of 6 or 7 calls and e-mails, still no replacement. I am starting to think they have no intention of replacing my unit even though they have my cash. Whenever I contact them I get the same line - 'we are looking into other options' (whatever that means), and we will call you - surprisingly, no calls. Obviously I will never buy from Toshiba again and think other (potential) customers might appreciate this tidbit of info...buyer beware!!

I have had this product for 2 months now, and I haven't had any major problems. It works great with Dvd-Ram, Dvd-r, and Dvd-Rw. The vhs side has worked fine for the most part. Twice while going from vhs to dvd, the video quality was severely reduced--the color was almost gone. If I did nothing, it would duplicate that way, but with a restart, it cleared up and was fine.

At first this product was okay. I managed to get past the "wrong DVD" or "No Disk" displays. Now the VCR is not working. Had I read the reviews from Amazon first, I would have not bought this product. I did not get it from Amazon. It is a waste of my money, and I am sorry that I kept it!!!!!

I'd love to figure out how this thing works, but after months of frustration, I'm ready to trash it. I'm not even sure it's worth sending for repair. It doesn't like any DVD that I use, and I can't get the timer to work, not even for VHS. The OTR button works fine, which isn't helpful if I want to record something while I'm out. I've read the manual over and over, but to no avail. The remote has so many buttons on it, it's takes a while to figure out which button you're supposed to press; NOT user friendly. I'll never buy another Toshiba product again. I wish I would have returned the unit so that I could get my money back, but I was determined to make this work. I now see that it's impossible. (BTW, I didn't purchase this through Amazon, and it's too late to return it now. The Manufacturer's Warranty isn't worth the trouble, because I no longer want to own this unit!)

Well, I had this machine for about a year now. Never ever had any technical problems with it. The only problem I had was my own mistake in disc selection. This machine excepts ONLY DVD-R/RW and DVD-RAM. DO NOT TRY any dics with a + symbol, it won't work. Propriatory choices I suppose. In case of DVD-RAM I have nothing but the best to say. Yes they do cost a bit more money but they are good for 100,000 times re-recording.
Dubbing works fine, DVD recording quality is as good as your signal. It never failed to play a commercially recorded disc, and I make a lot of discs on my computer and everyone works like a hod damn LOL.
I guess like any new technology it takes a bit of practise and getting used to to make something work. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is the limitation in disc choice. There are ones out there excepting any format DVD and lets face it, computers have been excepting it for ages now, and DVD/RW is now dirt cheap. I hope this will help some folks out there decidng on the machine. The situation is way better with this one now, lot's of bargain prices out there.