This purchase started when I could not find a stand-alone VCR. Now, with this machine, I can convert most of my VHS tapes to DVD. This machine does a good job. It's fairly easy to use, but you have to read the instructions and make sure you have the right buttons pushed. The remote is simple to use and laid out in a standard format. It plays DVDs very well and upconverts to HD.

SLW

Springfield, OR

Stand alone DVD recorder's have come down in price but so has much of the workmanship.  The Toshiba D-VR610 is still above the mark.  What is even more disturbing is that many DVD recorder manufacturer's are no longer installing fans to keep the unit cool.  This will surely cut down on the lifespan of your new investment., and if you or others leave the unit on (when inactive or not in use) the lifespan will be considerably shorter even more.  The Toshiba line of Recorder's still have built in fans which cools the laser, the components and will perform for a much longer period.   The Other nice features are that it accepts a good variety of blank discs, either +R , +RW,  -minus R  and -RW.  The unit however does not accept DL, (dual layer discs for recording) but will playback such.   The dubbing also is EZ to setup, and user chooses which direction to record (either to VHS, or DVD) and visa versa. Another KEY point is that the Toshiba line accepts S-Video rather than just your RCA inputs, outputs. Where other DVD recorder's only accept the lowest quality of signal to the unit. Therefore, you have marked improvement of picture quality and playback.   I would clearly recommend this line of DVD recorder over most others.  Now, the things Im not so crazy about :   (1)  The LED screen /panel (that tells you time, date, function, pause and record) is smaller than other manufacturer's.   (2) The final menu the disc creates is not impressive at all and will list more than the item you have recorded with no thumbnail (small picture periodically with choice of chapters) whereas, other competitors do have nicer start up screens.  (3) When the unit is shut off,  there is no pass through of sound and picture.  Some competitors do offer what's called "pass through" technology to allow continuation of sound and picture regardless if the unit is still on, or off .   

mg2018

Colorado Springs, CO

The unit worked fine when I purchased it, but after about a month I began having problems with the VCR deck.  When I load a VHS tape the unit shuts off, and the tape ejects.  You have to  re-load the tape five or six times before the machine accepts it and stops turning off.  And even if you are able to successfully load the tape you cannot use the fast forward and rewind functions.  I have to use another VCR player to rewind tapes.  There have also been instances where the machine has eaten the tape.  This is maddening and I would not recommend this player/recorder to anyone.

Ernie196

Omaha, NE

I thought a Toshiba brand unit would be outstanding. The VCR records and plays as does the DVD. I am still using VCR recording because I want to tape and re tape rather than save. I have had dual VCR/DVD but this is the first one that has stopped the DVD player when the VCR stops. It is really frustrating. Not only does the DVD player stop, it returns the DVD to the original menu so you have to search for where you were when it stopped. Quality of recording is pretty good but I wouldn't buy it again.

thindishops

Vancouver, WA

this vcr and dvd player is a really good player that i have personaly owned, it has a vcr mode and a dvd mode so you can play vhs tapes or dvd movies toshiba player and recorder is the best of both worlds you can watch a movie in vhs mode or dvd mode plus you can copy all your movies that you want to so you will have a back up if something happens to the original

mellissa

Temperance, MI

I thought this was a great concept Toshiba VCR & DVD player and recorder, of course like all technical products they have come out with sometg bigger and better that out does it.  But besides that fact, now my VCR eats my tapes so i can only use the DVD.  Not so great especially considering that was the reason i bought the duo to begin with.  But it wasn't expensive but i think we only had it for like 6 months before this happened.

rbaccomo

Columbia, SC

I have owned many DVD recorders since 2002, and this particular unit is by far, the very best yet.  Toshiba has far exceeded many other recorders out there on the market with offering the sharpest, clear and crisp reproductions I have seen.  The EZ setup and navigation makes this unit and user a success. The only bummer is that they do no offer pass through technology for when you turn off the unit and enable sound and picture to continue (like other models may have developed). The HD pickup and widescreen recognition is a major plus, as well as the upconvert to 1080i and 1080p via HDMI cable or Component into your set. The replay of recordings is far superior to most if not all others. A clear winner !

mg2018

Colorado Springs, CO

This is a far better DVD Combo Recorder than others. The Toshiba D-VR610 offers clear, crisp recordings with widescreen HD clarity.  The Unit receives S-Video and RCA inputs and upconverts this via HDMI or Component outputs which delivers a very good reproduction. Can record from Cable Box,  Digital Converter Box or Satellite.  There is no built in tuner.  When transferring your VHS tapes to DVD it is flawless and does not have issues with voice synch as other recorders have serious delays in sound and picture being synchronized. This unit accepts both -Minus and +Discs,  using name brand media will prevent disc errors.  The setup manual and remote take initial getting use to, but once you get the hang of how it operates and offers a wide variety of choices to the user,  its a great machine. Having a whisper quiet fan built in will prolong this units life,  A must with any DVD recorder due to the intense heat produced by the laser burner. The only disappointment is that when you shut off the recorder,  there is no pass through technology permitting the signal and sound to continue on your television.  This has many high marks in comparison to other DVD recorders and combo units on the market. A great product.  

mg2018

Colorado Springs, CO

I purchased a new Toshiba DVR610 VHS/DVD player/recorder, and was quite upset to have the store bought DVD jam in the DVD player on the first use. It started grinding, and refused to let go of it! When I called Toshiba Help assistance, They were good about telling me to return it to them for a fix or replacement, but it has been three days now, and have not gotten the shipping label, VIA EMAIL, from them so I CAN send it back. Funny note: It was the movie "Left Behind", and my husband said it was Satan's way of not letting us see the Truth!

LaurieFrank105

Coatesville, PA

I recently bought a Toshiba DVR610 machine to transfer VHS tapes to DVD.  While you must read the manual and flip back and forth a number of times to figure out how to complete things the first time, after that it is a breeze. Editing titles and adding chapter points is much easier after the first couple times.  My advice is to use cheapie DVD's the first couple of times, and make up your mnd that those are your practice ones.  Once you figure this machine out, it works well.  Don't forget to "finish" your DVD or you won't be able to play your DVD's on other DVD players.  This is stated somewhere in the manual, but it should be everywhere in bold letters. Overall, a good machine, well worth the money.  I have yet to watch a commercial DVD on this, so can't comment on that.... yet...  The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because the manual stinks, but other than that, a definite recommendation!

pixelcraft5

Centreville, VA