- DVD Recorder with Video Player, Recorder, DVD Player
- Plays DivX VODs
- CD-R/CD-RW discs must be recorded using CD-DA method for CD audio playback
- Dolby Digital
- Features Progressive Scan
- Additional Features: DVD recorder
- Display Features: Built-In Tuner
- Includes Remote Control
- Inputs: HDMI
- Modes: Program/Repeat/Random Play Modes
This unit has been an excellent performer for me. DVD recordings are sharp and have good contrast and color, even at the SP and LP (greater compression) setings. Dubbing from VHS to DVD is simple. The HDMI interface made connection to a LCD television literally a snap.
Not So Good:
It's been 30+ years since the Japanese have been designing remote controls and on-screen menu systems for video gadgets. In that same time the personal computer's user interface has evolved by several orders of magnitude of friendliness and sophistication. Yet this Toshiba's user interface seems like version 1.1, little different from what I would have expected in, say, 1985. The menus are maddeningly awkward to navigate and illogically organized. Making matters just a bit worse is the mushy tactile feeling of the unit's remote control, which must be used for nearly all functions. (I've long suspected that crazy user interface designs such as this represent a form of multi-generational post-WWII retribution against Americans and Europeans.) Be sure to be in a calm, relaxed state before attempting to program this unit.
Still, the effort is worth it if you want a good combo VHS and DVD recorder.
-----------UPDATE----------
Having a bit more actual experience with this unit I feel compelled to amend, and slightly downgrade, my previous review. All of my prior comments remain accurate. The unit really produces terrific-looking DVDs, even in LP compression. Its facility to enable adjustment of black levels really makes a big difference when recording b&w films from the tuner.
BUT beware; the unit's timer recording firmware is a bit buggy. On three occasions I have set the timer to record a DVD only to find a "Failed" message, and no recorded program, when I returned to inspect and finalize the DVD. On the first occasion I figured that user-error must be the problem. Perhaps I had not completely set the Timer-Rec status (which, itself, can drive you nuts as it will deactivate with no provocation). But the other two incidents were definitely the unit's bug. Either the Timer-Rec status turned itself off (which I actually caught it doing once) or the "Source" setting for the material to be recorded reset itself to "Line 1" from my explicit setting of "Tuner". This "Source" reset issue has appeared at least three other times when I returned to triple and quadruple check my timer recording settings.
This unit is still a reasonably good value and good video performer. But its firmware is badly in need of debugging. Be warned before proceeding with its purchase! If I could do so I would downgrade my rating to THREE STARS.I was very disappointed with this product. I did quite a bit of research before buying this unit and I chose the Toshiba DVR650 because it seemed to offer everything I needed: Built-in ATSC tuner, 1080i up-converting feature, recorded DVD to VHS and vice versa, recorded all the various disc formats, and had both HDMI and S-Video connections.
My biggest problems with the unit were as follows:
* There was always a 5-6 second delay between when I pushed a button and
got the desired response.
* Sometimes the unit would "freeze up" and would only work again if I
unplugged and re-plugged the unit.
* Some functions never worked--i.e., the ability to delete specific
chapters, the Delete icon was "grayed out" and never worked.
* The manual was poorly written. I like a manual that assumes the user's
ignorance and takes you step-by-step through each process, and lists
processes in a logical order.
* I was irritated by the loud fan, but could have lived with this if all
the functions worked properly.
I had to return this product, because I can't use a "brand-
new" unit that works "sometimes." I feel it has some bugs that need to be worked out. If this happens, I think this unit would be great for my purposes. Unfortunately, the actuality didn't live up to the promise.First I had a Panasonic DVD recorder and the remote kept on failing. Then I got a Samsung VR-330 with the well-known (and very irritating) audio sync problem. Seeing as I have a Toshiba TV that is more than 20 years old and still going strong, I figured I'd give this a try.
I've had it for about a month and so far so good. Burned about a half dozen discs and all is well, good picture quality and no sound syncing issues. It's a little difficult to use (manual is thick, remote and menus could be a little more intuitive) but everything is there and after awhile it all makes sense. My only other complaint is that the styling looks a little "dated" compared to other boxes, but who cares as long as it works!I was having trouble with the Samsung DVD-R145 DVD Recorder. It was becoming very unreliable. It did no record sporting events very well. Which I usually set for about 3 to 4 hours, which on a single layer DVD +/R has to be set to SLP quality. My previous recorders did a good job at this lower quality, but the Samsung did not. Since the Samsung was capable of recording on Dual layer DVD +/R disc, I tried some dual layer DVD DISC so I could record sporting events at a higher quality. The Samsung did record the sporting events at the higher quality, but did not handle recording items when crossing over between layer 1 & layer 2. Also the Samsung DVD recorder was worse then any computer I ever had and would freeze up and crash on a regular basis. So I started researching other DVD Recorders for a replacement to the Samsung DVD Recorder. I was looking for a DVD recorder that had all of the Outputs I wanted (particularly Digital Optic Audio and HDMI) and had to have a TV Tuner (you'ld be surprised how many DVD recorders don't have a tuner). I came across a Toshiba Combo VCR and DVD Recorder (D-VR650) with up to 1080i HD upconvergance, TV Tuner, and all of the Outputs I was looking for, so I ordered it.
It came on Tuesday, 12 June 2007 and I hooked it up. The Toshiba automatically set the date and time, I didn't have to configure the time. Then I configured the Toshiba to set the cable channels. At first I was a little concerned because it took a long time to tune in all the channels, but I let it finish. After it was done tuning, then I tested the channels. Then I discovered something a little different, as I was going through the channels; I noticed that I was getting channels with dashes (like 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8-1, 8-2, 8-2,....21, 21-1.....27, 27-1, etc.). Turns out that these were the HD broadcast of the local TV network affiliates, Like WGAL-8 (NBC), WHP-21 (CBS), WHTM-27 (ABC). It turns out that the Toshiba VCR/DVD Recorder was not just a TV Tuner, it is a ATSC/NTSC/QAM digital/analog tuner.
Awesome, I just watched the NBA Finals game that night in High Definition on 27-1 (WHTM-HD)......WOW!!!!!
I didn't really know what High Definition was really about until I saw a High Definition program with my Digital Tuner Toshiba and HD DLP TV.
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