Toshiba D-VR4 DVD Recorder/VCR Dual Deck
Different format from D-VR3
I used to have a Toshiba D-VR3. But it keeps switching channels during cable recording when I have more than 3 preset timer recordings. I sent it back to Toshiba for repair. They could not fix the problem, so they replaced it with a D-VR4. <br /> <br />But I found out D-VR4 records DVD discs in a different format as D-VR3. I usually record programs or videos to DVD discs, then extract the mpeg files to my computer and edit them there. I have no problem with those mpeg files generated by D-VR3. But my software does not accept those mpeg files created by D-VR4. With smaller files (like less than 1GB, about 30 minute in SP mode), they may be acceptable. But if it's larger than 1.5GB, they will either crash my software or treated as corrupted files. <br /> <br />I finally found a video encoder software that can take those mpeg files created by D-VR4, and convert them to a more conventional mpeg formet that can be accepted by my editing software. Depending on what encoders you use, some takes minutes and converts to a file about the same size as the original one, some takes hours and doubles the file size. I found TMPGEnc MPEG Editor a good choice for this purpose. <br /> <br />One good thing about D-VR4 is it formats and finializes DVD discs faster than D-VR3. Maybe that is where it compromises the mpeg format.