Toshiba D-VR3 DVD Recorder/VCR

Do not buy this Toshiba unit

Strengths: NA

Weaknesses: Awful customer support. During playback of recorded video, the picture and audio stops and starts continually.

Summary: I bought this unit from Best Buy and had to send it in for repair after about 5 weeks of use. When I played back DVDs that I had recorded from either my camcorder or VHS, the picture and audio would continually freeze and then restart. Toshiba had me send the unit to their contractor, OECA (Ozark) in Cullman, Al. They said that it would only take about 7 days and if they could not fix it, they would send me a new one. After not hearing anything back from OECA, I called Toshiba and they told me that they had nothing to do with this part of the process and I needed to call OECA. This would be the first of many examples of Toshiba not taking ownership during this problem. Finally I heard back from the company that was repairing the DVD recorder and they said that the unit was damaged and not covered by warranty. I explained that the unit was almost brand new and told her why I had sent it in. She said she would go back to her tech and get more information. She called back and said that the front cover of the DVD tray had been damaged and the warranty was void. I again explained that the unit was sent without any blemishes or damage and that I just needed the DVD recording function fixed. I thought that maybe they had it confused with someone else's DVD/R. I then called Toshiba and spoke with a manager. He looked into the matter and came back and said that he was going with what his certified tech said. OECA sent the unit back to me and when I got it back I was furious. The front cover of the DVD was torn of and completely missing. Also, the upper left front cover was bent and there was a hole that looked like someone had tried to pry the cover off with a screwdriver. This was definetly not something that happened during shipping. So now I have a unit that is worse off than when I sent it in. At least it would play pre-recored DVDs and VHS tapes before. Now it is completely unusable. At least I bought it with my Visa and I am in the process of filing a claim. I have also written to the headquarters of Toshiba and OECA, but I do not expect to hear from them. I also went to Best Buy and they told me I should have called them and even though it was 10 days after the point when I could have returned it to Best Buy, they would have taken care of it. I told the Best Buy manager that I did call and they told me I was on my own, since I didn't buy their extended protection plan. Then the manager at Best Buy back- tracked and said that I should have come into the store in person. So Best Buy was not very helpful either, although it is not their fault that Toshiba will not take ownership for the repair company that they use.

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I bought this to be an easy way to xfer VHS to DVD ...

Strengths: VCR to DVD recording features (in principle)

Weaknesses: These features do not work properly and need work. poor menu offering.

Summary: 2005-02-28 13:44:50 I bought this to be an easy way to xfer VHS to DVD. This system advertises great features like segment recording where all you do is mark the start and end of a VHS recording and it will be burned to the DVD without having to monitor (watch) the session. Unfortunately the first 5-10 seconds of the recorded segments are full of static because the DVD starts recording before the VCR is tracked properly. All Toshiba had to do is make an adjustment to the firmware to rewind and start playing the tape a little more prior to the marked start point. They told me they would suggest this idea to engineering for future models. That does not help me. Since this does not work properly, I had to manually record and stop every segment so I really didn't need the VCR as I could have done this with just a basic recorder and a separate VCR.

Also, when pressing stop during manual recording of VHS to DVD, the DVD actually records about 1 second of live TV at the end of your recording. (the station tuned in when you start recording)

Finally, the front aux line jacks are useless. I tried to use them to record from my 8mm camcorder to DVD but the system stops recording at indeterminate points throughout the session for no apparent reason and updates the disk. Then it starts recording again. You of course do not record while it is updates so you lose about 30 second to 1 minute of your recording while it does this. I have to use the back line jacks as a result.

It has nice editing features but these cannot be used if you plan to make multiple copies of the DVD, as they will only play on a select few players. (VR mode) You cannot edit in V mode.

There really is no menu to speak of after finalizing the disk either.

Knowing all this, I definitely would not buy this unit or recommend it to anyone as is. It’s a shame as on paper this unit had great timesaving features.

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I was real please with the features and performanc ...

Strengths: Safes space being a combo unit. Remote eliminated Tv remote. Plays JEPGs. Dual record DVD and VHS.

Weaknesses: No S input in back of unit only out put. Manual is not that easy to understand.

Summary: I was real please with the features and performance for what I paid.

I would recommend this unit to others looking for the most bang for their buck.

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Good enough, too get the 4 stars...

Strengths: Well, if combo´s exists then this is THE Combo!. -Records both VHS and DVD without any dificulty. -One of THE best prices in the market... with this features -Quality acceptable -Good interface

Weaknesses: -The "on-screen menu" is a little clumbsy -Speed recording "LP" and "EP", to forget -When stop recording or closing a session is Slow updating the information -Could be better the VHS engine

Summary: 2005-09-07 11:16:32 I´m from Portugal, and where Toshiba is not a brand that is very common to find in a Convenience Store or even in many specialized Stores. I´ve 4 VHS Toshiba recorders and they all left me the impression that good engines and electronics are behind it... .

Big prices go to Sony or Pioneer´s, Samsung, Philips, etc etc..., but has a COMBO.. Toshiba get it all because is simple, cheap then other offers.

Regards

David

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