Recording in HD... is it possible I have some (HD) programs saved on my cable box that I want to record to my DVD recorder, however, I'm having trouble with the quality b/c (I've found out) that it's not taping in HD. Is there a way to do this? I recently purchased a Toshiba DVD Recorder Toshiba DR420 DVD Recorder, Black and it's distorting the picture (black bar at top and bottom of screen and a smushed up picture). Should I consider returning this DVD burner and purchasing one that will burn in HD... seems a waste to have the top quality HDTV Samsung LN46A550 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV but the low quality copied programs. Or am I missing some trick?? Recording in HD... is it possible I have some (HD) programs saved on my cable box that I want to record to my DVD recorder, however, I'm having trouble with the quality b/c (I've found out)... » Read More Recording in HD... is it possible I have some (HD) programs saved on my cable box that I want to record to my DVD recorder, however, I'm having trouble with the quality b/c (I've found out) that it's not taping in HD. Is there a way to do this? I recently purchased a Toshiba DVD Recorder Toshiba DR420 DVD Recorder, Black and it's distorting the picture (black bar at top and bottom of screen and a smushed up picture). Should I consider returning this DVD burner and purchasing one that will burn in HD... seems a waste to have the top quality HDTV Samsung LN46A550 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV but the low quality copied programs. Or am I missing some trick?? « Show Less
1051303
Is the display set to 16:9 in the recorders menu setup. Also, when recording shows on DVD+ media, it only records in full screen. you'll have to manually stretch the image with your TV's format button, to un squish it. Make sure your TV isn't zooming in, to simulate wide screen. Also, when a fullscreen show is broadcast in wide screen, the black bars are applied to the sides. So don't adjust the frame to fullscreen.
1051304
I'm not completely sure, but I believe the current DVD Recorders are not capable of recording HD content to regular DVDs using a regular laser. I think the reason is because you are trying to copy HD content to a SD medium. Remember that 1 hour HD content is about 4 GB worth of space, so regular discs will only fit one hour of content. It has to do with the red laser being used, instead of Blu-ray's blue laser, and that you are not using HDMI or component video. Blu-ray DVD Recorders won't be available in the US until middle or later this of year. They are currently available in Japan only. Those will allow you to transfer your DVR HD content to recordable Blu-ray discs easily. I'm not completely sure, but I believe the current DVD Recorders are not capable of recording HD content to regular DVDs using a regular laser. I think the reason is because you are trying to copy HD content to a SD medium. Remember that 1 hour HD content is about 4 GB worth of space, so regular discs will only fit one hour of content. It has to do with the red laser being used, instead of Blu-ray's blue laser, and that you are not using HDMI or component video. Blu-ray DVD Recorders won't be available in the US until middle or later this of year. They are currently available in Japan only.... » Read More I'm not completely sure, but I believe the current DVD Recorders are not capable of recording HD content to regular DVDs using a regular laser. I think the reason is because you are trying to copy HD content to a SD medium. Remember that 1 hour HD content is about 4 GB worth of space, so regular discs will only fit one hour of content. It has to do with the red laser being used, instead of Blu-ray's blue laser, and that you are not using HDMI or component video. Blu-ray DVD Recorders won't be available in the US until middle or later this of year. They are currently available in Japan only. Those will allow you to transfer your DVR HD content to recordable Blu-ray discs easily. « Show Less
1051305
Do you experience "copy-protected error messages", while trying to record a movie from the T. V. ? If Toshiba's are famous for this, can you reccomend a recorder that will let you record movies on thr T. V.Tom
453936
DVD's are not HD resolution. They have always been in 480p only. So you can't record HD programs, at HD res. It will be down scaled. To record in Wide screen. Make sure you have the DVD recorder set into wide screen mode. Or it's gonna record a show in letter box. Also, if the show is in letter box, sides cropped off, at the source. it's gonna record it like that regardless.
2158341
I have a digital cable box and it only records to the channel that I select. On my Toshiba, there is no choice to choose which station to record. Whatever station is selected on the TV, it records. Hope this helps. roger
1000524
Does this record cable tv programs like from HBO that normally would be blocked (copy protected) if trying to record to a dvd recorder (external dvd player recorder). Some cable channels will record if that channel allows it (very few do). "Copy protected" or similar message would normally be seen and no recording would take place.Have you tried to record cable tv with it?
2094861
Hi Dan, Let me try and address each of your questions separately. Question 1: This camcorder has the capability of recording either SD or HD. If its recorded in HD, you can transfer it to varous PC software packages in HD and down convert to SD for burning to DVD. Sony Vegas Movie Studio + DVD, Pinacle Studio Plus 10.5 and Ulead DVD Movie Factory can handle HD and create standard DVDs. No known software products for HD DVD and Blu Ray. Question 2: If you want to record in HD and output to a standard Mini-DV tape in SD format, you should look into one of the software products above to do that for you. I don't know if a firewire connection will work. Question 3: Yes. See the list of software products above. Please note that the software listed does not include professional grade software costing $400 and up. Additional software packages in this price range can handle HD editing. Also note, if you are looking into software for HD, check the system requirements of the software against your PC to see if you have enough horsepower to use it before buying.
1812169
Dear B. Cameron There are at least two reasons why you might want a DVD recorder with a built in tuner. 1. In my case, I don't have a TV with a digital (ATSC) tuner. I have a 2003 HD television with an analog (NTSC) tuner, and I receive my TV signal over-the-air via an outdoor antenna. When the digital transition occurred earlier this year, I had a limited number of choices if I wanted to keep my current TV and free OTA set-up: I could buy a converter box and have the digital signal converted to analog for my TV; I could buy an external digital tuner; or I could buy a DVD player with a built in digital tuner and get the best possible picture with a DVD player/recorder thrown in to boot. I chose the last option and bought the Toshiba DR560. My set-up has some drawbacks... like, if the DVD player breaks I get no TV signal while it's in the shop, and I can't record one program and watch another at the same time; but over all I'm happy with it because it is just what I need and no more. If you have a similar set-up and have questions of a more specific nature, I'd be glad to respond. 2. The QAM tuner should allow you to receive and record unscrambled digital cable channels directly, without renting a set-top box. Cable providers don't advertise this, and some may even insist that it isn't true; but they are required by the FCC to provide rebroadcasts of locally broadcast programs in analog, or in unencrypted HD digital format, so that customers are not forced to rent their digital-to-analog set top boxes. You will only receive unscrambled signals of locally broadcast programs in this way, and these may vary from locale to locale. I do not have any personal experience with this set-up, but if you are interested, there is a more in depth description at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM_tuner. There may be other advantages to having a tuner included in the DVD recorder/player, but I wouldn't know `cause I'm not that well versed in the technology. Hope this was helpful.
2138866
I haven't used a Toshiba DVD recorder before but have been using other brands for several years now and just wanted to chime in on the R vs RW issue. I record a LOT of TV for family that chooses to not carry any actual TV channels. They only watch what I record for them. Pretty quickly, I decided to pay the extra to get RW DVDs because that made sense. It turned out to not make so much sense, at least in my experience. I can only re-record on them 5, maybe 6 times, before the start glitching out so badly that they're unwatchable. Some have gone glitchy in less recordings. At the prices I find, it's actually cheaper for me to use the non-rewritable discs. I've had 3 different DVD recorders that all the same problem so it's not brand specific. Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there. Glad you got your machine working and are enjoying it. :-)
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.
1652627
As there are no dvd recorders (except for extremely expensive ones) that record 1080p (HDMI) onto DVD's anyway, I that might actually answer the questions. If you have a DVD player that has the "upscaling" or "upconverting" feature, that is the best you can get, and you would use it with an HDMI to your TV to playback the DVD you have made.
2092853
Works great with Directv so no problem. No DVD recorder will record in HD, it will record HD programming but the recording will play back in SD.
1419688
Unfortunately, you cannot record off the air with this unit. To use the Toshiba DR430 for that purpose, you need an independent digital tuner. (Digital front end.) They are fairly cheap if you don't have one already. An alternative is to look for a DVD recorder that has an internal tuner but they are more expensive if they make them. I have not looked. Most manufacturers assume that someone with a DVD recorder will probably have satellite or cable access. Another alternative is if you already have a VCR with a digital tuner. It will function as the "front end" and has outputs that the DVD can read. You do not need to record on the VCR for it to pass the signal through. You might be able to find one of these VCRs cheap or even free if the recording function does not work. Obviously, the digital tuner function must work. Good luck.
1266494
My Toshiba DR560 only plays DVDs, it doesn't record. I have 2 older DVD recorders with digital tuners that can be programmed to record on DVDs for any time, day or night, whether I am home or not home. Once programmed, they are turned off and they start and stop automatically based on the start & stop times you programmed them for, recording quality, channel, etc. Please note: I have only "antenna TV". I don't have cable, dish, etc. TV. I use my recorders to record programs that I receive with my antenna from local TV stations. I don't know how a DVD recorder with a digital tuner would work on a cable, dish, etc., setup. Hope that helps...?
2281136
i have been using this camcorder for many years now, its not 1080p recorder, but its amazing cam, easy to use.and regarding the dvd burning ? the package contains pinnacle studio for dvd burning. but i didnt use it, i am not saying its not good, but i used windows movie maker and sony vegas for burning my dvds. which is all good for my taste.hope this helps
1895961
I have two DVD recorders. One is the Sony RDR-GX315 which seems to reject discs at random ("This disc can neither be recorded or played") and will not record premium channels from the DirecTV DVR. The other DVD recorder is the Toshiba D-R410. I have had it for about a month and it has not rejected and discs and records successfully any program from my DirecTV DVR. If you have an HH Gregg store in your area, you might be able to pick up the 410 new in a box for under $100.
233953
Karen, I cannot find anything in any descriptions that say it records in HD, but it sure looks like it does to me. The only reference I can find about it's HD is it "supports full hd 1080p upconversion". I tape HD shows onto the hard drive, edit out segments that I don't want, then I burn them to a DVD. I never record directly to the DVD, because I like to edit first, but I'm sure it would work beautifully. The quality of the DVDs cut from the hard drive is, in my opinion, excellent but I can't absolutely swear they're technically HD. I would recommend the product, it's the best recorder I've ever had. I hope my comments have helped a little. Larry Karen, I cannot find anything in any descriptions that say it records in HD, but it sure looks like it does to me. The only reference I can find about it's HD is it "supports full hd 1080p upconversion". I tape HD shows onto the hard drive, edit out segments that I don't want, then I burn them to a DVD. I never record directly to the DVD, because I like to edit first, but I'm sure it would work beautifully. The quality of the DVDs cut from the hard drive is, in my opinion, excellent but I can't absolutely swear they're technically HD. I would recommend the product, it's the best... » Read More Karen, I cannot find anything in any descriptions that say it records in HD, but it sure looks like it does to me. The only reference I can find about it's HD is it "supports full hd 1080p upconversion". I tape HD shows onto the hard drive, edit out segments that I don't want, then I burn them to a DVD. I never record directly to the DVD, because I like to edit first, but I'm sure it would work beautifully. The quality of the DVDs cut from the hard drive is, in my opinion, excellent but I can't absolutely swear they're technically HD. I would recommend the product, it's the best recorder I've ever had. I hope my comments have helped a little. Larry « Show Less
2263683
I just put files on my hard drive and use nero to make the dvd's they play much better than my dv recorder, and if I want to save and wait to get a blueray recorder I could always burn in hd, but they are a bit expensive the price will come down
1940178
If you wish to record 'live' TV, you must be hooked into a cable box with the 3-wire output (Video + R&L Audio). This cable (3-wire) IS supplied. You can also use the S-Video input if your cable box has an S-Video out port. (S-Video cable is NOT included) The screw-on standard RF connector on the cable has no input on this machine - it has NO tuner. I had to upgrade my cable box to use the signal through this machine. This is the NEW standard. You 'should' connect the DVD machine to the TV with an HDMI connector (NOT included) for best picture quality.
354037
I looked up the Toshiba product that you mentioned. I don't see a problem at all. Let me break it down by what I can tell from the product description. "One Touch Recording makes recording your favorite show simple. Just connect the DR430 to your cable or satellite box and you are set to record with the push of one button." Simple enough. Do what it says then connect your cable or satellite box to the receiver with an HDMI cable to the SAT/Cable in slot. Run another HDMI cable from the receiver to your HDTV. "With the DR430, converting and archiving your favorite home movies to DVD is simple. You can also experience your DVD movie collection in near HD quality with the DR430's 1080p up conversion via HDMI. Video up conversion up to 1080p resolution via HDMI takes your current DVDs to a new level, for an amazing viewing experience on today's HDTVs." If you were going to just use the DVD recorder like a DVD or Blu-ray player to take advantage of the up conversion you'd connect the DVD recorder to the DVD input on the receiver with another HDMI cable. You could also connect it by an HDMI cable to one of the available video slots. Either way would work. Hope that helps.