Toshiba D-R4 Multi-Drive DVD Recorder
Things you need to know first
I bought this recorder to replace my VCR and to transfer 8 mm home movies to DVD.  I bought a Toshiba certified refurbished unit.  It did not work right out of the box.  Sent in for repair, it was returned and different problem.  Sent back a second time and this time they got it right.  While frustrating the Toshiba service center worked hard in making it right.  They paid postage both ways and even arrange for UPS pickup.  And kept me inform by phone messages as to what was going on.  Normally I don't buy the extend warranties by for this kind of unit that I expect to use a lot I did. <br /> <br />What I learned I would think will apply to any brand of DVD recorder.  They are more complex then the typical VCR.  More setup features and steps needed to do anything.  But the more you work with it the better and easier it becomes. <br /> <br />First, I would recommend downloading the instruction manual and find out what brand of disk the devices will use.  Next if you have a computer make sure you computer can read these disks.  Transfer from 8 mm to DVD is time consuming.  You have to do it in real time.  If you plan to make copies to send to grandma etc.  Then duplicating and editing on your computer is a lot faster. <br /> <br />Next I would suggest sacrificing a DVD R disk in experimenting with the features.  I took one and tried recording in formats and times.  Set up overnight recording to make sure the system would work.  That was one of the problems I had.  It did not remember the recording setups.  But I kept it short.  Set the timer to record 2 minutes on one channel, 2 on another etc.  This helps me get familiar with the menus and what it could do.  Plus help me adjust times on the clock.  Nothing is worst then having the recorder stop a minute before the show is over.  At least every disk has a two minute cushion on it.  So it can record 2 hours and 2 minutes. <br /> <br />Did find the longer recording time per disk, did lower the picture quality.  Not badif you just want to catch that late movie later on, but not good if it is something you want to keep.  But source signal also plays a part I am on an analog cable feed.  Haven't gone digital yet.   <br /> <br />As for the comments of no automatic finalization by other users, it is there to allow you to go back and edit menus, chapter titles and in some cases delete sections before closing. <br /> <br />For myself, DVD R is great for stuff you are going to keep and share.  Copies of the home movies or your favorite TV show.  Simple straight forward recording. <br /> <br />DVD RW gives you more capability.  Record a show and gives you the option to keep it or erase and reuse. <br /> <br />DVD RAM same as DVD RW with more editing features to use.  But found you have to use a DVD player or computer that can read the DVD RAM.  Otherwise you are stuck with your machine only.  And you won't be able to duplicate it easily.  Other thing I found, it doesn't create the chapters automatically as the DVD R and DVD RW does. <br /> <br />The machine is slow at start up and each time you change the disk.  It takes a moment to change channels.  Have to keep in mind it is basically a dedicate computer to record TV signals and convert to digital formats.  So it has to boot up.  I do wish they had a provision for a keyboard so you could type in chapter titles instead of using the arrow keys and enter on the remote control.  That can be time consuming when you are doing lots of chapters.  Found that out when I did the kids' baby tapes.  We shot a lot of stuff 5 minutes here 5 minutes there.  So lots of different titles. <br /> <br />Oh yes, if you want separate chapters with titles you have to create them in real time.  Play your source and monitor it.  Stop the recorder where you want it.  And restart at the next segment.  Not bad for the school plays.  Tough on little bits and pieces.  I don't have the time for that.  So generally I turn on both the source (my camcorder) and recorderlet them go and come back after 2 hours.  Then do my edits.  What I found is the system creates one large file.  The automatic chaptering does work, but only the DVD recorder will recognize and find the chapters.  After I finalize the disk it will play on any other DVD player.  You can skip to the next chapters but the chapter break downs don't appear in the menus. <br /> <br />I am disappointed that Toshiba's quality checks did not catch the problems with the unit.  But they did work hard on making it right.  Now that I learned the little things about the unit, I am quite satisfied with its performance and would recommend this unit to anyone. <br /> <br />