1080p LCD HDTV Review

• DVD Recorder
• Progressive Scan
• 1080p Upconversion
• With Built-in Digital Tuner
• JPEG Photo Viewer

Record your favorite home movies directly to DVD with the D-R560. 1080p upconversion via HDMI will get the most out of your DVD collection, and the built-in tuner completes this convenient home theater addition.

 

Toshiba DR560 1080p Upconverting DVD Recorder with Built-in Tuner User Review

We bought this DVD recorder/player about 4 months ago. Our dvd/vcr combo unit was getting a little ‘iffy’ so we thought we’d try going dvd only. So far, so good with this player. It records programs well, although there is an ‘overlap’ period if you are recording more than one show. Haven’t run into this yet but apparently it will cut off either the end of the first recording or the first few minutes of the second recording. Programming is relatively easy. Just follow the directions and practice a few times before you record something you REALLY want to watch.

The biggest complaint I see on dvd recorder reviews is that you can no longer record one show while watching another. Some advancement in technology, eh? Well I refused to accept this and completely refuse to pay for some kind of TiVo service. We currently have a Comcast On Demand box in our family room. We also found out that we could get two DTA (digital transport adapters) from Comcast as well. So we got them and found this info in order to be able to watch one show while recording another. The first link will explain why you can’t do this; the second link will explain how you can. The only other purchase I made (besides the dvd recorder) was a [...]A/B Video Switch.

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I utilized one of the DTA’s as a second tuner and now I can now enjoy watching one tv show while recording a movie or other show at the same time. Mind you, what once was a matter of pushing a little tv/vcr button on the remote is now a 15 or so step process that requires you to jump through hoops. And it requires you to hide to stupid Comcast On Demand remote – because if someone changes the channel it will change the channel on your recording – and use the smaller remote that comes with the DTA. Sound confusing? Nah, if I can figure this out anyone can. Just read the links and follow the directions. You will have to change the input on the cable menu (on the tv) from ‘TV’ to ‘Line 1′, then push the ‘B’ switch on the A/B Video switch.

I wrote this review because we lost power last week and the dvd/vcr combo player (that is only 4 years old) now only produces snow. After trying everything I could think of and after talking to the Magnavox customer rep (nice to get an Enlgish speaking/no accent live person within one minute of calling) I believe the machine can’t be fixed. I may try a repair shop (depends on how much they will charge me) but am shopping for a replacement in case. Haven’t used vcr tapes in a long time and am debating getting another dvd recorder instead. I would purchase this Toshiba again as I have no problems with it.

One last thing . . . on this particular Toshiba dvd remote there is NO volume control. Weird, huh? With digital this and that, I wonder if the days of the ‘universal remote’ are over. Anyway, hope the information I provided was helpful to someone.