Toshiba D-R4 Multi-Drive DVD Recorder
Can't use just any DVD in this recorder.
I just purchased the Toshiba D-R4, it is my first foray into DVD recording.  I like the Toshiba brand and I liked the price, I purchased Sony DVD-RW media with it so I could start recording, this is going to replace my VCR.  Well first you have to format the RW media in the recorder, reminded of 1984 when we had to format 1.44 diskettes.  Well once I got the box opened and read the manual they, Toshiba, recommend you use JVC DVD-RW 2X version 1.2.  Well I had my Sony DVDs so I started formating, it was a no go three DVDs later every one of them failed could not format.  The next day I called support and they recommended I try JVC or Memorex brand.  So I had to run around to 4 stores before I found Memorex DVD-RW, I never saw JVC brand.  The Memorex worked fine and I am recording now but why oh why don't they have a label on the box or include one of the DVD brands that work with the machine in the box, the store I bought the recorder at only carried Sony brand DVD-RW.  So be aware if you want to use the machine after you buy it get JVC or Memorex brand DVD-RW discs, of course you can use DVD-R or DVD-RAM I have not tryed those yet.  Also watch the + and - signs, the Toshiba only uses DVD- not DVD+.  It seems to work fine, it is more complicated than a VCR, way more options.  Hope this helps.    Update: This was a lovely recorder however it was unreliable, there were often times I would find it had not recorded a timed recording I had setup, it got very frustrating and I ended up replacing it with a Panasonic.  The new one was not as easy to use as the Toshiba but was way more reliable.  Also, I setup the Toshiba as a spare and got the firmware update DVD from Toshiba, BAD IDEA, ruined the unit.  It never worked after the update.  Now have Philips DVD recorder with hard drive it is the only way to go,  I don't need DVD copies so this works perfect for me.  Still miss that Toshiba D-R4 though.