Recording from a digital cable set-top box I just purchased this recorder yesterday, and I'm wondering... Even tho this is a tunerless DVD recorder, I do plan on using this for recording TV from my set-top cable box, as well as converting old VHS recordings from years past. However, I'm wondering how well recording from digital cable would be with this unit? Anyone have any trouble recording digital cable TV through S-Video or Composite? Recording from a digital cable set-top box I just purchased this recorder yesterday, and I'm wondering... Even tho this is a tunerless DVD recorder, I do plan on using this for recording TV... » Read More Recording from a digital cable set-top box I just purchased this recorder yesterday, and I'm wondering... Even tho this is a tunerless DVD recorder, I do plan on using this for recording TV from my set-top cable box, as well as converting old VHS recordings from years past. However, I'm wondering how well recording from digital cable would be with this unit? Anyone have any trouble recording digital cable TV through S-Video or Composite? « Show Less
333858
I asked this question in another discussion but this discussion may be more appropriate:Which DVD format is best for recording on the Toshiba D-R400?DVD-R; DVD+R; DVD-RW; or DVD+RW? If there is info in the manual I don't see it.Thank you.
333859
How about OTA over the air digital TV? I have a Samsung set-top box to feed HD signal into my HD ready TV. Do you think the unit will record with component cables as the interface? I don't subscribe to cable or satellite.
333860
I've got a digital cable box (standard definition) hooked up with composite cables and I haven't had any problems recording off TV. HBO, Cinemax, On Demand, and various TV channels; all worked just fine. I've read about others who had problems, but in my area at least everything seems to be recordable. For VHS tapes, if you've got some that are copy-protected, you'll need to get a "digital video stabilizer". Just do a Google search, there are several models available. It's a small black box that you hook up between the VCR and the DVD recorder.
333861
Bud Bundy is right, it is personal preference and also what works best if you intend on playing recorded disks on another player. I use the -R and -RW disks, because this format is more compatible with most DVD players - especially if you have an older one you want to play your recordings on. Eventhough the -R can only be recorded once, I'll use it for things I want to keep and have no intention of recording over. The -RW I use for everyday use and a good quality disk is supposed to allow you at least 2000 recordings. I hear Verbatims are very good quality, but I've been using Maxell & Memorex , because that's what I had on hand. Has worked excellent for me. Bud Bundy is right, it is personal preference and also what works best if you intend on playing recorded disks on another player. I use the -R and -RW disks, because this format is more compatible with most DVD players - especially if you have an older one you want to play your recordings on. Eventhough the -R can only be recorded once, I'll use it for things I want to keep and have no intention of recording over. The -RW I use for everyday use and a good quality disk is supposed to allow you at least 2000 recordings. I hear Verbatims are very good quality, but I've been using Maxell &... » Read More Bud Bundy is right, it is personal preference and also what works best if you intend on playing recorded disks on another player. I use the -R and -RW disks, because this format is more compatible with most DVD players - especially if you have an older one you want to play your recordings on. Eventhough the -R can only be recorded once, I'll use it for things I want to keep and have no intention of recording over. The -RW I use for everyday use and a good quality disk is supposed to allow you at least 2000 recordings. I hear Verbatims are very good quality, but I've been using Maxell & Memorex , because that's what I had on hand. Has worked excellent for me. « Show Less
1794065
Check this out: Magnavox MDR557H/F7 1Terabyte Hard Disc Drive Digital Video Disc Recorder I connected an old vhs player and copied my tapes onto the drive. I could edit them, etc. and then transfer them to DVDs. It is great to have for every day use. You would love it!! You can record tv etc.
1263688
I have not recorded. I hooked up my unit to a separate port. To record, you would need to hook your incoming cable to the VCR. Then hook the VCR to your T.V. The signal would have to feed through the VCR in order to record. I have been told that this can lessen your signal reception, but do not know if this is true. Good luck.
2250234
Hello, I have the same set up as you. With this box I can only record the local stations. If there is a show that cable offers on their basic plan I can not record it unless it is in the area. I was hoping that this unit would pick up the unscrambled channels which are about 75 stations, from the cable line, but it does not do that for me.
1927033
I currently use 3 different models constantly (for hours everyday) and my favourite is Magnavox MDR533H/F7 Hard Disc Drive and DVD Recorder (2013 Model), with it you can record to an internal hard disk drive or onto a dvd ( I use the rerecordable DVDs over and over so I never miss a thing) you can also dub between drives in either direction and watch a drive while recording at the same time. Maybe the most impressive thing to me about this is that one SUNDAY afternoon I had a problem with the unit after a power outage and I called the 800 number which is prominently displayed on the manual and remote, actually expecting to get a recording if anything at all, instead I got a live technician that lived in the USA, spoke perfect English and understood the product enough to perfectly resolve the issue.. ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON!! I'll definitely get another one. The Iview that you apparently are looking at is ok too but rudimentary in odd ways and you must supply your own USB HDD and not sure if you can rig it to record on a DVD Haven't tried that yet, but the tuner is fast when flipping through channels. Good Luck!!
111342
I am looking into this product, also. Do I need a tuner? I have Directv with goes directly into tv. If I want to watch on dvd on my current player, I have to hit source on the tv. Would I be able to record tv this way? Nothing has explained if a tuner only works with cable and not directv.
353790
This means you need to connect to the cable box to record. We only use it to play DVD/CD. We never use it to record from our TV. We have no problems playing DVD/CD.
1686962
I have digital tv so I don't know, but I can't imagine that there is any reason why you shouldn't be able to record analog tv. I think this machine was made in the time when tv was mostly analog. Good luck!
1349821
Will this work for recording dvds off Dishnetwork. Do I need a separate tuner? Would I be better off buying a recorder with a built in tuner? Right now I'm using a Panasonic DMR-EZ47V Up-Converting 1080p DVD-Recorder/VCR Combo with Built In Tuner which works fine.
2199028
Hello-If you want to record a tv show off the air you need a dvd rec/with tuner.This evening I went out to eat and before I left home I programmed my recorder to rec the Natl news....which as you know is at 6:30PM.Mike
1431068
This recorder does not have a built-in tuner, I use an old VCR which no longer records, but does have a tuner in it to tune in the channel I need to get the programs from my TV service to record. Once this is accomplished I can record anything showing up on my TV.I hope this helps. It also gives new use to a machine which is no longer worth keeping.
1430647
Will I be able to record shows that are stored on my cable dvr to this dvd recorder? Has anyone tried this?
462745
The owner's manual definitely covers connecting the VCR to a cable box. It also appears the VCR is an analog system. I don't use mine for recording TV - I use a DVR.
887204
Thanks for your input== The unit died on me so back to the store. I never realized how inefficient these unit are-- I do a lot of recording to DVD-RW discs so this unit wont be of any help-- (I had just purchased another 50 DVD-RW discs)I forgot how much work there is in recording the old fashioned way with all the Start & end times-Ch # . With Fios's guide you only have one button to record for future events. I think I'll wait til they come out with a unit with a guide. Although it seems like these units are near the end and will be replaced soon. thanks again!
1948790
What do you have to hookup in to to record from DVR? Do you hook dvr to dvd player only? Does Cable have to run thru the DVD player and tv? I've tried a couple times and nothing is recording. Also, how do you finalize if you are choosing record without setting it up.
970464
I was wondering if this model has a copyright protect chip, or have folks been successful in recording from Cable Company DVRs? Last night, on my recently-purchased LG model DVD Recorder, I tried to record on DVD-R an episode of The Closer, and got an error "copyright protected -- cannot record" message. I would purchase this Toshiba if I knew it won't have that chip that makes it an expensive doorstop. Thanks.
902935
I believe so; it comes with the wires necessary to hook to the TV or cable box (the input), and the recording/dubbing is done internally. If somebody wanted to get creative and attach additional recorders (which might require additional cords) it would be fairly simple but not at all necessary. I have not had any trouble hooking this up to any of my TVs, cable boxes, or other tuners. It's a fairly low-end machine (you are not going to get studio quality discs or tapes) but it does what it claims to do, which is to make adequate copies of VHS tapes to DVD.