What is a dvd recorder? A dvd recorder is similar to a video recorder you can record all kinds of things onto blank dvd`s , without the quality issue sometimes videos can have.
The Unit itself measures W 430mm X H 78mm X D 350mm
The connections are
2 Scart (1 in and 1 out) S-Video Input (Front and Rear) / Output Composite Input / Output 2 Channel Audio Input / Output Digital Co-axial and Optical Audio Output RF Input / Output
But no Dv input for those digital camcorders but this is not really a issue unless you want to record your Dv camcorder clips also no Mp3 playback which would have turned this unit into a media centre.
Ok when i first took this unit out of the box i set it up using the Rf in and the scart sockets for connecting the satellite , I found it simple to set up just a matter of plugging it all in.
Switch it on you see a menu which is very easy to use.
Within
minutes i was messing around with recording various things on the Hard drive a full 60 gb which enables you to record upto 75 hours of tv (low quality(Which is great you won`t have to worry about having a blank vcr tape for your video or Blank Dvd)you simply wipe the recording if you don`t want to keep it or store it onto dvd if you do.
This Dvd recorder as the same sort of features you would expect on any dvd player , forward,rewind play and fast forward etc. Also some great other features included Timeslip Recording: Chase TV, Pause TV.
The Timeslip function allows you to watch a DVD while the machine is also recording onto it. For example this allows you to pause live TV to answer the phone then start watching the programme where you left off.
A picture in picture facility also means whilst you are watching a recording you can also watch something else but to be honest a feature you wouldnt use that much.
Also some of the other features include the ability to select the picture quality of the recording so you can squeeze more programs on to the hd or the dvdr, you can also select the sound quality as well.
There is also a VideoPlus option a simple way of programming the timer Various Tv guides and newspapers carry number codes printed next to a program input this into the dvdr. This code incorporates date, starting and finishing times of the programme.
A 32 Event / 2 month timer so you can record those programs whilst you are out or on your holidays Upto 32 different programs over a 2month period of time.
PDC (Programme delivery control) Ensures that the timer recordings are accurate by means of a signal transmitted by the broadcasters at the beginning of each programme. Useful for when other programs overrun.
Hard disc recording allows you to record TV without the need for tapes or discs
On a whole i found this to be excellent and it looks great next to any decent tv
The Quality of the recordings are great and i love the idea of recording onto Hd so you can either record that program on dvd or simply wipe it copying from hd to dvd can be done at 12 speed so a 30 minute program will record in less than 3minutes also those hd recordings can be edited where you can remove sections ie ads and add titles etc.
The playback and sound are top quality however this machine is Region 2 playback ,So those cheaper dvds inported from Usa, Hongkong etc are a no no which is a shame.
Most dvd`s have special encoding preventing dvd`s being bought in one country and played in another to help piracy multi region dvd players are available)
here is the complete list or regions.
(0 = Can be played anywhere 1 = Dvd`s bought from U.S,Canada 2 = Japan,Europe,South Africa,and Middle East (including Egypt) 3 = Southeast Asia and East Asia (including Hong Kong) 4 = Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean 5 = Eastern Europe (Former Soviet Union), Indian subcontinent, Africa, North Korea, and Mongolia 6 = Peoples Republic of China 7 = Reserved 8 = Special international venues (airplanes, cruise ships, etc.)
You can not also copy a dvd onto the hard drive then copy it back onto dvd.
Please note the media supported CD-R AND CD-RW Not Cd+R and CD+RW which is also available i think toshiba could have made these machine more compatable with this kind of media as well.
Region 2 playback however it will record in Ntsc(Usa)
DVD Video for playing those normal dvd films. CD Audio for playing normal cd`s via the tv
Good review but I disagree about the RAM disks - these are the most robust and versatile of the types available (althought most expensive) ,they usually come in protective cassette, have a quoted reuseability of 100,000 times as oposed to DVD-RW at aound 1000 times.The DVD-R type is for archive RAM is for your day to day recording.
Chemer 18.03.2004 16:03
I fail to see how only one input on a DVD Recorder is a con. To me you can only record from one source at a time. I love the retro feel of this DVD Recorder. It reminds me of the old Ferguson Video Star Series. The chunky buttons and robustness. The unit itself looks like you could drop it and it would still work fine. The amount of inputs/outputs on the unit are great. Would love to have seen +r as well and +rw/-rw. But you can't have it all ways and for the money its a great buy.
ElizaF 20.11.2003 16:16
Good op but it may help if you explain 1 or 2 or the tech terms for ppl unfamiliar with DVD terminology :) xx E.
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