Toshiba DR-2 DVD Recorder/Player with Simultaneous Play and Record

by Toshiba

Product Details

Product Manual [160kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 17 x 3.2 x 10.5 inches ; 4.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 16 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001WV7EU
• Item model number: D-R2
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,401 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 23, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Note: Toshiba D-R2 Progressive Scan DVD Player/Recorder with 80 GB Hard Drive is no longer being manufactured. You may want to consider purchasing the newer Toshiba D-R4 Multi-Drive DVD Recorder instead.

The D-R2 DVD player/recorder from Toshiba combines a versatile digital video recorder with a high-end DVD player. You'll enjoy a stunningly realistic picture and warm, natural sound from your DVD library as well as programs you record. The D-R2 is a powerful addition to your home theater.

The multidrive recorders on the D-R2 allow you to record onto DVD-R discs or rerecordable DVD-RW and DVD-RAM discs. DVD-R copies of recordings made by the D-R2 will play on almost all DVD players and DVD-compatible computers.

Toshiba's time slip playback feature allows you to watch a program that is being recorded from the beginning while the rest of the show records. You can also use the time slip feature to pause a live broadcast that you are recording, and then resume watching it from where you left it, whenever you want.

Setting up a recording is simple, and will seem comfortably familiar to VCR users. The D-R2 uses Gemstar's VCR Plus technology, which lets you select the programs you want to record by name, without having to worry about setting the right time and channel. You can schedule up to 32 different shows with this timer recording feature.

The programs that you have recorded are logged in to an adjustable menu that displays the date, time, and channel that you recorded. You will also see a still-video image of the show you recorded in the menu. You can rename the listings and create chapters within the recordings that allow you to easily skip to your favorite scenes or to dub a cleaned-up copy of the show you've recorded onto DVD. The easy-to-use menu also features a live action window that lets you monitor the program you are currently recording or playing.

In addition to high-quality recordings, you'll get the most out of your DVD library. The D-R2 utilizes Toshiba's ColorStream Pro progressive-scan video technology to yield vivid colors, clean resolution, and reduced onscreen distortion. Digital cinema progressive scanning, or 3:2 pulldown, reproduces your DVDs in theaterlike clarity. While the D-R2 is compatible with both analog and digital televisions, you will get the optimum effect by linking the player with a high-definition-compatible television.

In addition to playing a full range of DVDs, the D-R2 plays CDs and MP3 audio files, so you can enjoy your favorite music. You can also view digital JPEG photos from CDs created in your computer with the D-R2.

The D-R2 features rear-panel composite audio and video inputs, and RCA inputs on the front panel to connect your camcorder for dubbing onto DVD. An additional digital IEEE1394 FireWire jack is included on the front panel for an instant connection with digital camcorders. The FireWire connection automatically synchs up with your camcorder and creates a customized onscreen menu for dubbing.

What's in the Box
DVD recorder unit, remote control, owner's manual.

Product Description

Toshiba DR2 DVD Recorder and Player is a superb buy if you're looking to record TV and tapes onto DVD discs. With 2 Line Inputs, Front A/V & IEEE1394 DV Input, and RF Input for dubbing content from multiple sources from a camcorder, VCR and even a computer system. The DR2 has a built-in (up to) 181 channel TV tuner to record TV with the convenience of a VCR. Digital Video Noise Reduction Recording 3D-DNR Digital Video Noise Reduction Playback 3 D, Block and Mosquito DNR Time Slip Recording/Playback Dolby Digital / DTS Compatible Offers WMA & MP3 CD Playback 3-D Virtual Surround Sound Auto Clock, Daylight Savings Time Adjust Time Zone Adjust VCR Plus+ recording convenience One-Touch Record Auto Title/Chapter/Thumbnail Creation On-Screen Keyboard EASY NAVI Menu Auto Channel Setup Parental Lock IR Blaster IR Control for DBS and Cable boxes Outputs (rear Panel) - Y/Pr/Pb, S-Video, RCA-Video, L-R Audio (pair), Optical Out, RF Inputs - S-Video 1 front & 2 rear, RCA-Video 1 front & 2 rear, L-R Audio(pair) 1 front & 2 rear, IEEE1394 DVI iLink (front), RF Dimension (WHD) - 17 x 2.7 x 12.6 Inches Remote Control

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YOU MUST USE THE RECOMMENDED DISCS, December 14, 2004

By 

A. Marks (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Toshiba DR-2 DVD Recorder/Player with Simultaneous Play and Record (Electronics)

TOSHIBA D-R2 - TAKE 3 (note: trying to change stars to a 3 or 4)

It's been quite the epic saga with this machine, however now that I've figured it all out, I'm happy to share the information so if you buy one, you'll know how to make it work for you w/o wasting time & money.

When I first got it, I loved it - great interface, really easy, all the inputs & outputs I need - everything was better than I'd hoped, especially for the low price. I burned many discs only to find most were unreadable, even though they'd recorded & finalized just fine. So I was furious & hated it.

I called Toshiba & they said that they can only guarantee the thing works with the brand of discs they list in small print on p. 9 of the customer manual: Panasonic, which are not available on a spindle & are not cheap, and a brand I'd never heard of or seen in a store called Taiyo Yuden... there might be a third, but I don't think so. I was outraged by my limited options & ranted & railed, until I did a searched for Taiyo Yuden & found a company called "Meritline" where I could buy them super cheap - actually cheaper than anything in the big box stores. I ordered 100 and they arrived the next day (I'm in same state as company). They work great! Hooray!

CONCLUSION: I think it's irresponsible and disrespectful of consumers for Toshiba to make and sell a product without making it's limitations MUCH MORE CLEAR - burried on p.9 doesn't cut it. This info should be presented so YOU CAN'T MISS IT... and frankly selling a product that only works with a tiny handful of brands is pretty uncool. By burning to the "wrong" discs (some minor brands called, uh - Memorex & Verbatim), I wasted a lot of time and $ on blank media. I've lost respect for the company on those grounds. However, now that it's working, I'm very impressed with the machine itself. Toshiba needs to get it's packaging & consumer info department up to the same standard as their engineering dept... and the engineers need to make this thing work for more brands.

IF YOU BUY THE DISCS THEY RECOMMEND, YOU'LL BE FINE.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Professional Quality DVD Recorder, August 24, 2004

By 

Digital Dreams (New York , NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toshiba DR-2 DVD Recorder/Player with Simultaneous Play and Record (Electronics)

This DVD recorder works better than any of the others. It is built sturdy unlike those new slim models. Videophiles should really like the all the professional features and the great recording quality. This DVD Recorder has some very advanced features. So, it is really not for those who are used to plug and play VCR's. The initial setup process is very simple. But to really learn how to use all the features is not as simple. But once you do learn, your recordings look like they are professional quality.

Many companies have just produced their first home DVD Recorder for home use. The TOSHIBA DR2 is Toshibas second one, and much better than their first DVD recorder. However when it comes to ease and speed of use, there is still need for improvement. It comes with three manuals. The main one being 150 pages. This should give you a clue on how much there is to learn about making high quality DVD Recordings.The manuals are well written. Every section is bookmarked by the recorders specific feature.

The TOSHIBA records on DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM disks. To use the Toshiba(or any DVD recorder)it first has to recognize the type of disk you just inserted. On screen you see the word LOADING, until the type of blank disk is recognized. This process takes approximately one minute. One unusual feature is that during TIMER recordings, the unit turns on ten minutes early. This gives you time to adjust the settings. Because once the record process begins ,you are not able to adjust any settings.It has advanced timer recording using VCR Plus + C3 programming.The VCR + C3 feature works with an included cable eye adaptor. Also known as an "IR Blaster". This device automatically changes cable channels, and sets the unit to record your programs.

The TOSHIBA has five preset one-touch record speeds. These include your standard SP ,LP EP(6hr) record speeds. Along with two manual presets. You may set the manual presets to record anywhere from one to six and one half hours. The record speed button on the remote control is hidden under a flip up latch. Along with the controls for SET-UP and VCR Plus. If you make a mistake and pressed the wrong speed. You have to press STOP. Then wait a minute until the on screen loading icon stops flashing. Now the DVD Recorder allows you to change recording speeds. Pressing record automatically creates a new title on your DVD. When you play the DVD back, you could choose which title you want played from the menu.

After your DVD recording is finished. You have to go the main menu and press FINALIZE.It takes about three minutes to finalize a DVD. There is an on screen message that alerts you that the disk is finalized. You only have to finalize the disks to play them back in another DVD player. This process is the same for any DVD recorder that uses the DVD-RW format.

DVD-RW disks are the disks you will use most often. Because they are erasable. But DVD-RW disks must be formatted before use, and formatted to erase it. Unlike a VHS tape,you can not just erase a section of a DVD-RW. The entire disk needs to be erased (formatted) before reusing. Formatting takes about two minutes. You have to go into the Toshibas main menu and press format. An on screen message tells you when formatting is complete. Then it's ready to record. All these steps to FINALIZE and FORMAT the disks have to be done with all home DVD-RW DVD Recorders. Once the DVD is finalized. You may name your recording, and create a MENU and CHAPTERS on your recorded DVD. There is also an option of spacing the chapters from 5, 10 or 15 minutes apart.

Picture and sound quality looks and sounds even better than the original source. The (LP) four hour record speed comes very close in quality to the two hour record speed. However, like any DVD or VHS Recorder, the six hour record speed video quality was average. But when using any one of the Digital Video Noise Reduction Settings, video quality was excellent. If you playback a six hour recording on a DVD player without any video noise reduction ,you may be disappointed in the quality. You should check and see if your DVD player has the Video Noise Reduction feature. Recordings made using the TOSHIBA DR-2 played back perfectly in several different DVD players.

Using the SIMA CT-2 ($100 at Amazon.com) I was able to make professional looking quality backup copies of all the DVD's I purchased from AMAZON.com. The TOSHIBA DR-2 gives you many ways to adjust the incoming Audio & Video signal. There are four settings to adjust brightness, three for Video Noise Reduction. The Audio input signal is adjustable from minus -8 to plus +6db.

Using any of the Video Noise Reduction controls greatly improves the video quality on recording or playback of a bad source. The TOSHIBA offers professional audio/video quality at a very reasonable price. But all DVD Recorders need to perform all of their basic functions faster and be easier to use. Until then, this is the best DVD recorder to purchase.

If you want to make copies of your DVD RAM Recordings.
I suggest purchasing the PANASONIC DVD Player S-47
It is available on AMAZON.com for about $80.00
It is only one of two DVD Players that offer DVD-RAM playback.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Recorder - Not For Dummies !, July 19, 2004

By 

TechGurue (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toshiba DR-2 DVD Recorder/Player with Simultaneous Play and Record (Electronics)

The Toshiba DVD recorder has too many great features to list in small review.If you are new to DVD Recorders or not willing to learn. Then get one desgined for dummies. But once you learn all its features, you will be rewarded with the finest quality recordings. Yes this unit has a 150 page manual, as well as two smaller ones. That alone should give you a clue as to how many features this has. The remote, does not have the strongest signal. However, you could always replace it with a universal remote. It does have some oddly labeled buttons. But once you learn them , all is fine.

The virtual keyboard that is used to name your DVDs. Is your standard "QWERTY" keyboard. Should you make a mistake there are a delete, backspace, and clear keys on the Keyboard. One odd feature is that you must press the PAUSE button for CAPS LOCK. But once you know that,it's simple to use. Just be sure to press the * key after you named your DVD disk. You are NOT able to edit chapter information on a DVD-R with ANY DVD RECORDER using DVD-R Disks. That's why this unit uses DVD-RW and DVD-RAM disks. Those disks are used for editing. The picture quality is excellent. There are three noise reduction units to prevent blocking and mosquito noise. Unless you record in the six hour speed you will not have to use them. In reply to the person who thinks this unit is difficult to use. He obviously needs a simple plug 'n' play tinker-toy unit like the $200 Gateway.