Toshiba DVR3 DVD Recorder/VCR Combination

Product Description

This DVD recorder is designed to provide the greatest flexibility in recording and playback by supporting DVD-RAM, DVD-R, and DVD-RW recordable disc formats. ColorStream Pro Component Video Outputs allow the highest quality video signal to be sent from the DVD player to a component video equipped progressive scan TV. When this connection is utilized with today's HD-compatible sets, typical NTSC artifacts-like video noise, dot crawl, and flicker-are virtually eliminated, resulting in a low-noise, highly detailed picture with unequaled color purity.Digital Cinema Progressive (3/2 Pulldown) delivers the smoothest, most film-like images to any progressive scan television, such as an HD-compatible one, and ensures maximum resolution. Time Slip Recording/Playback offers the user the ability to begin watching a recording that is already in progress, using DVD-RAM. DVD-R/CD-R/CD-RW Compatible playback ensures discs made with a personal computer can be played back in the home theater system too.

Amazon.com Product Description

Note: Toshiba D-VR3 DVD Recorder/VCR Combination is no longer being manufactured. You may want to consider purchasing the newer Toshiba D-VR4 DVD Recorder/VCR Dual Deck instead.

Delivering great convenience on two fronts, Toshiba's D-VR3 combination DVD recorder and VCR opens a world of video recording and archiving options while saving valuable shelf space. It's a 4-head, hi-fi stereo VCR and a full-featured, progressive-scan DVD player that handles your DVDs, CDs, MP3 music discs, and JPEG-filled digital-photo discs, all wrapped into a component that stands just 3 inches tall. The recorder can store up to 12 hours of audio/video--whether broadcast programming or copies of your home movies to share with loved ones--on a 4.7 GB double-sided DVD-RAM disc and 6 hours on a write-once DVD-R or recordable DVD-RW.

The D-VR3's disc recorder offers the flexibility of recording on both DVD-RAM--perfect for instant chapter access and for multiple rerecordings--as well as DVD-R, the most widely compatible of the many DVD formats (great for sharing camcorder footage with loved ones). DVD-RW compatibility lets you erase and rewrite, though relatively few players and computer drives will play back DVD-RWs. DVD-RAM discs can be read, written, and erased more than 100,000 times.

Time Slip lets you use the device like a digital video recorder, or DVR. Because of DVD-RAM's speedy transfer rate, you can view the recorded portion of an ongoing program from the beginning, while still recording the show in progress.

The D-VR3 features a 181-channel cable-compatible tuner and advance programming accessible to both the VCR and the DVD recorder. Input your own program data or take advantage of built-in Gemstar VCR Plus+ (C3) technology for simplified programming. XDS auto clock set with Daylight Savings adjust ensures that your recorder will always be on time.

In addition to recording new video content, the D-VR3 lets you transfer and even enhance your favorite video recordings to durable, space-saving discs--a terrific way to archive, preserve, and access your movies and family videos. A convenient front-panel IEEE-1394 input is perfect for direct digital transfers of mini DV camcorder footage.

For superlative playback, the D-VR3 is equipped with a 10-bit/54 MHz video digital-to-analog converter capable of great color purity and detail. When connected to a high-definition or HD-ready television through its ColorStream Pro component-video outputs, the D-VR3 delivers a progressive-scan DVD picture. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.

The D-VR3 also features Toshiba's Digital Cinema Progressive (3:2 pulldown reversal) for DVD playback. DVD mastering commonly introduces a distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown reversal digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture.

The deck's abundant connections include 2 composite-video and 1 S-video input, 2 sets of stereo analog (left/right) RCA inputs (with a choice, for DVD recording, of uncompressed, linear PCM or, to conserve disc space, Dolby Digital 2.0 audio encoding). The DVD and VCR sections share a single composite-video output and stereo analog audio output (saving input space on your TV or audio receiver), while the DVD player also offers the component-video outputs mentioned above, an S-video output, and a pair of digital-audio outputs (1 coaxial, 1 optical) for channeling Dolby Digital and DTS multichannel surround signals to a compatible digital surround receiver.

What's in the Box
DVD recorder/VCR combo, remote control, remote batteries, user's manual, stereo analog audio interconnect/composite-video cable, RF coaxial video cable.

Customer Reviews:

Who wrote this instuction book anyway.......2007-05-27

I purchased this fine item and not being the brightest bulb on the tree, I have had some adventures trying to make things perform. My son, who lives in Las Vegas, and it very computer astute, brought up the instruction manual on his computer and said it was the most inept he had ever seen. Did'nt make a lot of sense to him. I decided to call Toshiba's hotline and guess what, the nice man at Toshiba said the same thing, the instruction manual is a jumble. After several weeks I finally made a tape recording and was able to make a disc recording also.
The manual said all discs must be formatted,after trying to format a DVD-R, I called Tosiba and found out that DVD-R disc are already formatted when you buy them, this was not mentioned in the manual
Also, when trying to set the timer recorder the machine would take off running on record. Now I wait till I have the timer set before putting in the disc or tape. The recordings I have made have been good quality
After attempting to record a disc and play it back, the screen says no TiTle List found. Nowhere does it explain what this means, what's a Title List? I finally figured out that there was nothing recorded on the darn disc, why cound'nt they just say that there is nothing on the disc?
All in all, the machine does work fine and eventually I get it figured out, a more agreeable manual would make life much easier

Toshiba DVR-3 converts cash to trash in less than 6 months.......2007-05-14

We got the unit, and it stopped working within 6 months.

Further investigastion showed that the high frequency switching power
supply (line condtioner with NO transformers) was dead.

Amy engineer will tell you.......... do not purposely make a design
prone to the power surges and irregularities that are going to happen
-------or else the unit will die an early death.

So, toshiba saves $5 on a cheap power supply but assures the customer
that this unit WILL die within 3- 9 months.

I think this is shameful.

Terrible Quality.......2007-01-15

I owned and lightly used this product for about 18 months. The remote control seems to work with every other electronics product programmed into it but the Toshiba DVD player. Unfortunately 99% of the functionality of the product is lost without the remote - I assume the sensor on the DVD Player is dead but will keep you posted.

Great recorder/player; few minor but not "deal breaking" flaws.......2005-10-08

The Toshiba DVR3 is a great DVD recorder. Toshiba VCR's and DVD players have always worked great for me; they have been in working condition after years of use when I decided to upgrade and sell the old model. I purchased this DVD recorder/VCR for $139 from OneCall as a refurb which is a steal. The DVR3 is hard to find new any more as it has been replaced by the DVR4. However, the DVR4 does not have firewire input, like this model has. The DVR3 is packed with features, including firewire input from a camcorder, and other things you can read about in the specs. But it does have its flaws, none of which are deal breakers, but something to be aware of before you plop down your hard earned cash.

First, their is no S-Video input on the back. This was corrected in the DVR4 but I have my HDTV outputting via S-Video to the DVR3, so I need to always have my S-Video and audio cables connected in the front, which is a little unsightly. Recording HDTV via the S-Video produces a very nice picture, and it retains the 16:9 widescreen format and plays back as widescreen.

Another thing is the front display is nice and large, but I wish the display was not in the color orange but the more common neutral/blueish hue used by most electronics.

The remote is horrible! The range is terrible. I can get up to 12 feet where my couch is, but even then, it is spotty. Even at closer range it doesn't always work when you push a button. And the buttons are placed in non-logical places, unlike all my other Toshiba products. But fortunately a universal learning remote I own works well with the DVR3.

The manual lacks a lot of detail, like specifying when you hook up the S-Video out that that output will not work for the VCR but only the DVD player.

If you can find the DVR3, like I did, for under $140, I'd highly recommend it. That beats almost any DVD recorder price, plus this has a VCR and the backing of the Toshiba name. I rarely use a VCR but bought this unit as a DVD recorder and to play an occasional VCR tape, so I could get rid of two stand alone units. I plan to do some VCR to DVD dubbing in the near future.

Lastly, it is interesting that the menu system is different than previous Toshiba DVD players I have owned. The menu on this DVD recorder/VCR is very similar to a Samsung unit my workplace uses. In fact, in the Toshiba manual, one screen shot it shows the disc being recorder as having the name "Samsung disc."

Too many problems..........2005-10-01

I've owned this unit for almost a year. I have two major problems with it. First, DVD's start skipping, sticking, jumping, after about an hour of play. I'm talking pre-recorded movies, not home made stuff. I pull the CD out and play it in my 5 year old TV/VCR/DVD combo unit in the bedroom, (from Walmart), and the DVD plays just fine. I've used the standard DVD cleaners to see if that was the problem...nothing. Secondly, the remote control unit is horrible. The buttons are very small and I have to be, literally, 7-8 feet from the unit, standing up, and pointing it exactly at the unit to get it to work. I've changed the batteries many times just in case that was the problem. Basically, it's a worthless clunker of a unit. I'm shopping for a replacement today. I see that this unit has several nice reviews, but I cannot echo those sentimeents. Caveat emptor!

Average customer rating:

These guys are wrong

Dead from the start

Beware of WD External HDs if You Value Your Data!!!

Perfect for catastrophic data loss

Western Digital 200 GB External USB 2.0 Hard Drive with Dual Option Backup

Manufacturer: Western Digital
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Drives & Storage | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics | CD-ROM Drives | CD-RW Drives | DVD Recordable Drives | DVD-ROM Drives | Floppy Drives | Hard Drives | Host Bus Adaptors | RAID Array | SCSI Disk Storage | Tape Backup Devices | USB Flash Drives | Zip Drives
Western Digital | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

Tripp Lite Omni Smart 500Va Line-Inter DB9 17Min-Half 6Outlet Tel Sw 50K-Ins

IO Card, PCMCIA, Firewire, 2 Port, 6 Pin, w/ Cable, I/O Flex

Cables to Go 29554 Port Authority 6-Port USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Adapter Card

Snap Server 1100

7 outlet 1250 Joule Surge

Product Features:

??Dual-option Backup – choose how and when to back up your data, automatically or on-the-spot

??USB 2.0 interface – high-speed connection for maximum throughput

??Front-mounted power button – equipped with WD's exclusive Safe Shutdown™ feature that ensures all data has been safely transferred before shutting down the drive

??7200 RPM rotational speed

??Preformatted*; simply plug it in and go

ASIN: B0006HDEG4

Product Description

The WD Dual-option external USB hard drive provides automatic or on-demand backup for a PC or Macintosh. It's preformatted and ready to go.Instantly increase storage capacity to save or easily back up valuable data, music, photos, and movies.

Customer Reviews:

These guys are wrong.......2006-05-04

I dont know how the other 3 reviewers treat thier computer accessories, but I have never had an issue with my drive. I have used my external every day for 2 years now and it has never once given me any trouble. It gets carried back and forth from college to home, it gets plugged into multiple computers, and its been hit by surges before, and it still has not died. If this one did die for whatever reason, I'd buy another one.

Dead from the start.......2005-12-16

I agree with the other reviewers, this drive does not work at all. I returned my drive the day after I bought it -- it simply didn't work.

I bought it to back up some MP3s and photos, but although my computer "recognized" it immediately, I could not write to the drive at all. The operating system showed that the files were writing to the drive, but they were actually writing to a temp file on my C: drive.

After several attempts, I just gave up and returned it. Considering the other problems people are having with reliability, I just could not consider giving it another chance. This isn't a great product and I recommend that you wait for better USB drives before getting into this category.

I just plan to wait for something better, although the IDEA of a USB drive, where data will be easily transferrable to another computer and ease the current congestion on my current drive is a great one. This product just didn't work at all.

Beware of WD External HDs if You Value Your Data!!!.......2005-07-16

This review is for a different HD by Western Digital, but the customer service and product warranty are exactly the same...

My 250GB Western Digital hard drive died after only a month & took with it over 150GB worth of data that wasn't backed up anywhere else (for obvious reasons - who really "backs up" their backup drive anyway?). At first the drive worked very well: it supported plug-and-play, had a large amount of space, was competitively priced and was made by WD, a brand I thought to be trustworthy.

However, a company who boasts for you to "Put Your Life On It" (their external hard drives) should at least try to ensure data reliability & take accountability for their products. When I called customer service about my failed drive I obtained this list of information:

1. If you wish to recover your data, you must use one of their partners or risk voiding your warranty. There are only 8 in North America.
2. You are responsible for the cost incurred in using their data recovery partners.
3. Western Digital doesn't issue any refunds. If you purchased your drive from a store such as BestBuy you could return your faulty product. However, at online retailers such as Buy.com you are left without options.
4. You can obtain a replacement drive (what they call re-certified) but it'll be devoid of your precious data.
5. You are responsible for the shipping costs associated with returning the faulty drive back to WD. They pay for shipping of the replacement drive to you. This is apparently called "fair shipping".
6. According to the CSR, Western Digital is not responsible for your data. They are only a supplier of hard drives.
7. On a different note, the CSR never actually apologized for my failed drive but only used words such as "unfortunate" and "let's explore your options".

In summary, this product is fine if you happen to receive a unit that doesn't fail. However, I would not be willing to take that risk and I don't recommend anyone buying this product for any amount of money. It's acceptable that a device such as this is prone to failure. However, Western Digital's "it's not my problem" attitude is not.

Perfect for catastrophic data loss.......2005-02-27

This drive worked beutifully in the first 10 months in on of our school research laboratories, regardless of the infrequent unexplained miscommunication with the PC. After they trusted it for work and research data backup, done just once every 2 weeks, it suddenly gave clicking sounds and stopped working. After extended agony with the customer support, they simply got nothing. Surperisingly, when they talked about this subject with some of our collegues in our University, they discovered that many of us, in defferent departments, suffered from the same problem with different models of the Wistern Digital external hard drives (USB/Firewire).
After all the frustration and the torture with this piece of junk, I can say for sure, Buy WD if you are looking for the best machine to lose your data? Beleive me when I say Western Digital Hard Drives are absolutely the worst for your data storage. We've been there before.

Average customer rating:

Expensive but better than Logitech

Good but not for long

Poor Quality and very unstably

Good product, bad price.

Not a durable camera

Sony VAIO USB Visual Communication Camera (PCGA-UVC11A)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Webcams | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics | Videoconferencing | Wired | Wireless
All Sony | Sony | Custom Brands | Custom Stores | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories | Sony | Custom Brands | Custom Stores | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics | Audio & Video Accessories | Digital Camera & Camcorder Accessories | Memory Sticks
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Sony VGP-AMC1 Neoprene Carrying Case for VAIO S Series Notebooks (Includes AC Adapter Case)

Accessories:

Targus PAUH212U 7 Port USB 2.0 Hub

Targus PAUH217U 4 Port Ultra Mini USB 2.0 Hub

Product Features:

Shoot and share pictures and video mails with bundled Network Smart Capture software

New improved lens that offers sharper images, less distortion, larger and deeper focus area

Compatible with all VAIO. notebooks and desktops

Compatible with Windows. Messenger and NetMeeting

Sony original 370,000-pixel CMOS VGA (640x480) sensor and picture control technology for high quality images

ASIN: B00027BSAM

Product Description

Combining convenient compact design with high picture capture quality, the VAIO UVC11 camera features an integrated notebook mount that quickly attached to any notebook to create high-quality images and video where your travels may take you.

Customer Reviews:

Expensive but better than Logitech.......2006-10-12

I have used these cameras for a couple of years. I have 4 of them. I tried them side by side with the Logitech cameras, and I felt that there was no comparison. The quality of the Sony camera was vastly superior, particularly in low-light conditions. This camera also has a manual focus control on it, which some of the cheaper ones don't have. I think this helps the picture quality - when the camera is properly focused, of course.

I wonder about all of the reviews that complain about quality problems. I have not noticed any degradation in the 2-3 years I have owned these cameras.

As far as connecting it to a laptop, it comes with 2 options: a clip and a little stand along with a piece of double-stick tape. To use the stand, you just clip the camera to it, giving the camera a flat base which can be attached to any flat surface with the double-stick tape. The stand also has a threaded hole so that the camera can be connected to a tripod. Personally, I just use the clip on the top of my laptop. I guess if your laptop is REALLY think it might not attach. I have an lcd monitor where this is the case.

Good but not for long.......2006-08-11

The quality was excellent "while it worked". It got sick and no picture. Forget about dealing with Sony Customer Serv. If it last for you enjoy it. It is bound to dye at least for me.

Poor Quality and very unstably.......2006-06-19

what's the point of having a color web cam when the quality is aslmost as black and white, and besides that make sure to hold on to the camera (unless you glue it to ur laptop) it's not stable .

Good product, bad price........2005-08-25

I've had a totally different experience than what the guy above stated. I have had this webcam for a little over 2 years now and have traveled to India and South Korea with it. It has lasted through thick and thin and never stopped functioning. The picture used to come in a little fuzzy when I first bought it, but now that MSN messenger upgraded their program, I have a very clear picture. As good as a CMOS lens gets anyways. The big problem with this is that the technology is out of date and you can probably get the same or better for cheaper or about the same price. If you love Sonys, get this one. I admit I'm a sucker for Sony, but if you want the best deal, search around some more. Good product, but overpriced. (This was posted when the webcam was being sold at $90).

Not a durable camera.......2005-05-29

I am an electronics freak, and I never buy an Item until I'm sure about the manufactures standards. Well Sony has been around for years and their higher standards and customer satisfactions have been proved over this time. So after looking up different web cameras for my laptop I decided to purchase this rather costly camera. This camera had a very sleek design and good quality. It's built in microphone answered most of my needs for a visual communication device. But after 8 months I started receiving a noisy picture, with some fixed dots across the screen, and it started getting worse and worse everyday until the screen became completely dark. I never saw any pictures coming up after that but a few times and those images were of a very poor quality and they disappeared immediately. Since then it was mostly a black screen with horizontal lines across the screen moving up and down. So I decided to call Sony and ask for help. I swear god I spent 3 hours on hold and were switched and shipped from this department to that department, and nobody seemed to be trying to actually help me with my problem. They eventually gave me a repair confirmation number and I sent the camera to Sony Regional Repair Center in San Diego. My camera was repaired and sent back to me in 2 weeks without any charge (because I had a one year warranty on it). The camera worked great after that for about 2 months, but again it started acting in the same way and was driving me crazy. So I called Sony and received a new repair confirmation number. I have just sent my camera back to San Diego to be repaired for the second time.
If you want a durable camera DO NOT buy this camera. I have a Sony VAIO laptop, Sony Digital Camera, Sony Camcorder, Sony Video CD/DVD player, Sony digital sound recorder and a Sony mp3 player, and I have never had any problems with those devices. I have always believed in Sony's capabilities in satisfying the market's needs, but this web camera put a stop sign on my next purchases from Sony.

Sony VAIO USB Visual Communication Camera (PCGA-UVC10)

Average customer rating:

don't waste your money
Must NOT miss this webcam.
Most Overlooked Webcam on the Market
The BEST webcam in the market
GRAINY

Sony VAIO USB Visual Communication Camera (PCGA-UVC10)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Built-in microphone
Compatible with some VAIO notebooks and desktops
Compatible with Windows. Messenger and NetMeeting
Sony original 370,000-pixel CMOS VGA (640x480) sensor and picture control technology for high quality images
Sleek and compact design

ASIN: B000083K0K

Product Description

Combining convenient compact design with high picture capture quality, the VAIO UVC10 camera features an integrated notebook mount that quickly attached to any notebook to create high-quality images and video where your travels may take you.

Customer Reviews:

don't waste your money.......2007-01-02

i bought this web cam new in 2003. used it for about 2 years and really liked it, but then it stopped working altogether. i like to keep my electronics for several years and replace them only when technology improves - not in order to replace faulty or broken equipment. this webcam has consistently been poorly reviewed in most every article i've seen on it since it failed. it's overpriced, and the risk of it shorting out is just too great for me to consider replacing it with another vaio cam. my advice is while this cam may look cool and is very low profile, stick to the more traditional cams and you will be very satisfied. sorry, sony.

Must NOT miss this webcam........2004-05-28

I have been used this webcam almost two years. First of all, I want to say it's much better than Creative Labs' which I had used before. Second of all, it's work perfectly either image or voice. There is a new driver for update built-in microphone. After that it has very nice quality on voice, which saves lots of international phone fee for me. The benefits of image as other people said. I have nice time chat with my family and friends via it. Then, it's very easy to install. No useless and complicated software which Creative usually does. Moreover, it's save the desk space. Just hang on top of the screen, which also good looking for laptop. Finally, I HIGHLY RECOMMAND this for people who going to buy webcam, especially for laptop using. There is already a new model in the market which is PCGA-UVC11.

Most Overlooked Webcam on the Market.......2003-12-24

I just don't understand why stores like Best Buy and CompUSA and even most stores online don't seem to carry this Sony webcam. It's like somebody woke up one day and said that anything that is not shaped like a stupid egg is not worthy of being called a webcam and we should not carry it in our stores. So now stores are are all obsessed with anything made by Logitech, Creative Labs or some brand no one has ever heard of. I am able to use my Sony webcam and I bought one for my dad and mom who live overseas and it is INCREDIBLE! We use it for Netmeeting and Yahoo! and it's great. Especially when we can use Supermode. Anyone who uses any other camera is wasting good money and is not truly experiencing what today's web conferencing technology has to offer. I am also very disappointed in Sony for not promoting their own product more effectively and actually writing on the front of the box "For Sony Vaio Computers Only". I mean how stupid is that? Do you not want more customers to purchase your product?

The BEST webcam in the market.......2003-10-02

I just bought a SONY Visual Communication Camera after trying several more expensive webcams. It works perfectly in low light and daylight conditions thanks to True Color Technology and Flicker Canceling Function.

The lens are very good. If you compare this Sony webcam with other Sony Digital HandyCam camcorders used as webcams, this small webcam does the job better with larger capturing angle and flicker control. Of cause, I do not want you to compare this Sony webcam with other webcams at its price in the market, because this Webcam does far more better. The picture is clear with vivid colors. Its focus system is realy powerful thanks to SONY professional quality lens. Very good Laptop mounting mechanism is a big plus for this webcam.

I do not know why other reviewer gave it such a bad review. May be, he/she used this webcam with slow Pentium II laptops or so. I have a SONY NV190 Pentium IV 1.7Ghz, it works with the webcam perfectly.

Overall, This webcam can give you more than what you ask for.

GRAINY.......2003-08-20

I love my vaio laptop, but this cam is horrible. It is very grainy in any light condition. I am going to return this one.

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