Toshiba D-VR4X Multi-Drive DVD Recorder/VCR Combo
from: Toshiba
|
Electronics : Toshiba D-VR4X Multi-Drive DVD Recorder/VCR Combo |
|
|
see more
Rating:  - * Relatively Expensive Piece of Junk! ... I tried to give this thing no stars, but had to give it one in order to write a review. I bought this on Amazon about 6 months ago. In spite of the backwards messages and displays (described later) and unbelievably tiny red Timed Recording indicator light, it worked fine for the first 3 months. Then one night, while it time-recorded from 9-10PM onto video, it didn't stop recording until it ran out of tape! I didn't know it had done that (duh!), so when I returned home from work the next evening, the daytime recording onto DVD never happened. Seems that, if you schedule timed recordings onto both DVD and VCR, if there is no tape left, no recording occurs at all. Then the error message that was on the screen that must've occurred when it "couldn't" record onto DVD that day wouldn't go away. As a last resort, I unplugged the thing for over 3 hours - It finally went away. Of course, all of the timed recording and system settings were gone and had to be re-input. Unplugging it for 3 or more hours is now the only way to get rid of ANY error message. Now it never stops recording onto tape no matter what the scheduled stop time is. I've resorted to only time-recording onto DVD...what a waste of money for a dual unit, eh? Oh, yes, the indicators and backwards messages. The VCR is on the left and DVR on the right of the unit; but when ejecting, the eject indicator on the screen is on the right when ejecting a tape and the left when ejecting a DVD (that engineer must've been on drugs). The messages are also backwards: If what you actually need to do next is press the time recording button to turn it on, the message tells you to turn it off, and vice versa...perhaps same engineer on the same drugs? I haven't yet tried copying my video tapes onto DVD...from the other reviews here, I anticipate another "fun" experience. I strongly suggest buying a unit like this that is manufactured by ANYONE other than Toshiba. Rating:  - * Works well, but channels are limited ... I followed the manual for the setup and everything works well. Those having problems watching a DVD need to make sure they don't skip the "Finalization" so that you can watch it on other DVD players. The only problem I've encountered so far is that it is limited to 123 channels and only goes up to 123 (so channel 252 is out), which would not be a problem if I could get it to play the channels I manually tried to program (numbered UNDER 123, of course). It won't let me add or delete some channels, and after I've added them, I only get the "blue screen" and no broadcast. I have everything hooked up correctly, so I don't know what's going on with that except I won't be able to record TV programs as I wanted to. I do have some really good VHS tapes I will use it to transfer to DVD so all is not lost. I know. Good luck to me. Rating: - * Glad they don't make this anymore ... This thing is terrible. I don't know where to begin! Anything I burn (if it burns) doesn't play on anything else. The picture quality sucks. Any good features are non-existant. I actually got sunburned from the bright display. It was WAY overpriced. And to top it off, it crapped out on me 14 days after the warranty expired. Thanks Toshiba for a wonderful product. Rating: - * My own experience ... In looking at the other reviews, I felt I needed to base one on my own experience after having the DVD recorder/combo for over 3 months. I have had it freeze up and need to be unplugged twice, usually after I have left the unit turned on for 2-3 weeks without shutting it off. I will agree the VCR/DVD light is bright, but it is easy to tell which you are set to. The light for the clock is very dim when the set is turned off. As for performance, I'm enjoying the DVD burner. It works well, and I have very few issues. (See above). I would recommend reading the manual first though. While not entirely necessary its a good idea when you are trying to record movies that run just over 2 hours (due to the DVD media and picking the type of record XP, SP, LP, SLP). For playback, the movies I burn come in a little dark on my HDTV, while normal DVD's work fine. If I play the burned discs on a computer or other DVD/TV set they look fine. Overall I think the product is a good buy for a mid-range price. Rating: - * Good on paper, poor on execution ... This is a sad machine. I have now tried to copy 5 VHS tapes to DVD's using this machine. Of the 5: 1. Three of them copied fine, but are UNPLAYABLE on any player except THIS ONE. I have tried 2 new computers, and two very recent component DVD players. Also tried different brands of DVD-R's. No luck. 2 The other two totally froze the unit. During the "finalization process". "Processing Please Wait" remained on the screen for over two hours. Had to pull the plug on it to shut it off. Not one button worked. This machine was designed by an idiot. The upwards tilting MIRROR finish across the front panel reflects any sunlight or room lighting right into your face and BLINDS YOU! The VCR and DVD indicator lights are blinding bright enough to guide a plane onto an airport runway on a dark foggy night. On the other hand, the clock digits are so DIM, they are nearly invisible while the machine is off. I believe this model is not available in many places anymore. Too bad I got in at the end of it's life. I think I still have a few days left to return it to Sears. They don't seem to have any more either.I will gladly pay whatever restocking fee they charge me, to put ME out of my misery. What a complete, frustrating waste of time this was. |
