- Records -R/-RW, +R/+RW Formats
- Playback:MP3, VCD, JPEG, Kodak Pic
- 1080P Upconversion and DV Input
- Auto-Finalization
- HDMI connection
One option was DVR from Comcast for $10/month (which might or might not allow recording of On-Demand movies and transfer to computer for disc-burning). Another option was using a computer with a video acquisition device and record to hard drive. The third option was this unit for $110, delivered, from Amazon -hands down the most practical choice.
Though this unit doesn't record in true HD resolution, the quality is about the same (in 2 hour mode, 16x9) as regular 16x9 enhanced DVDs. At first I was worried the recorded discs might not play on other DVD players; but they did, no problem at all on any of our equipment (that is, after the recording is finalized). The recording time for a DVD-R disc (on high quality mode) was 2 hours and 8 minutes. (On lower quality modes, it's 4+ hours and 8+ hours.)
Navigating the menu system is easy enough, and each recorded disk is given a simple menu with the various recordings available to choose from (which by default have the date & time of recording as the title, but can be renamed).
Upconversion of commercial DVDs is quite good (enough so that we're not that motivated to get a Blu-Ray player yet ;-).
Our only complaints (which are very minor) are that the tray-eject is a little slow & noisy and that there isn't component video inputs (just composite video & S-Video inputs). But it was easy enough to hook up to our cable box (or TV) to record from their outputs.
This will be a great unit to have until Blu-Ray recorders become less expensive.
Buy Toshiba DR420 DVD Recorder, Black Now
I bought this unit after reveiwing other brands on the Amazon web pages. I wanted to copy from Tivi to DVD.Nice owners guide and physical looks. The tray opens just like other players with a little noise, no big deal! It does take awhile to finallize your dvd copys but, no big deal. Component out only,no cable terninals,no tuner. the recording light on the front is real tiny.On screen menu is good. For my use this recorder is perfect.Read Best Reviews of Toshiba DR420 DVD Recorder, Black Here
If you are an old fart like me who was still clinging to the VCR to record TV shows during the week so you can watch them later, and you want to want to move into the 21st century, the dr420 is perfect (assuming you have a tuner, like a DirecTV box).This machine works perfectly, and the DVD upconversion is very good. I liked it so much I bought two more and replaced all of the VCRs in my home. I am using DVD-RW to record daily shows. After I watch them each day I format the disk. 1000 formats per disk! I have been using the dr420 like this for a couple of weeks only, but so far I could not be happier.
One "warning" though. Unlike what your old VCR might do, the dr420 will not pass through the audio/video when turned off. This was not a problem for me, as my DirecTV box has multiple outputs. So in one of my set-ups, the TV has a direct connection to my DirecTV box and my dr420 has another, separate, connection to my DirecTV box. I use S-video from DirecTV to the dr420 and then again to the TV (two channel audio as well). Then I have a direct coax connection from the DirecTV box to my TV, which is used when the dr420 is powered off.
UPDATE** Pushing 1.5 years of daily use and the dr420 is working as good as from day one. I am very satisfied with this product.
Want Toshiba DR420 DVD Recorder, Black Discount?
I bought this DVD recorder to convert my old VHS home movies into DVD's. I had it up and running in no time. It is extremely easy to use. I had shopped around before buying because I wanted something easy and something that would work well. If you are thinking about getting a DVD recorder, but are unsure... rest assured, this is a great recorder. I'm extremely happy with it.
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