Toshiba DVR610 DVD Recorder / VCR Combo

This was my first DVD/VCR combo recorder purchase and it was an "open box" item. It's light and it's attractive and fits well with my other audio video units. I thought I had researched all I needed to know but that wasn't the case. Overall, the unit does what it's supposed to do and recording broadcast is easy on either DVD or VCR. I haven't tried recording from one to the other yet (dubbing).

What I don't like is that it doesn't have its own tuner which, of course, I knew before I bought it. I figured it wouldn't be a problem but, it would be much better if it did. One other feature I use (that most people don't) is "Closed Caption". Even though it has the CC feature for normal DVD Video, so far it doesn't seem possible to "record" that feature on a DVD-RW or +RW. It's funny that the VCR does but the DVD doesn't. I really don't like that but, like I said, most people probably wouldn't use that feature on record anyway. Also, the recorded video seems to be on the darker side than the original broadcast. Maybe a little twiking is needed.

I mainly bought it because I needed a new VCR but figured having a DVD that I could reuse the disc over and over had to be better than a VCR tape, not to mention better quality. I thought the price was good considering it was under $100 including shipping. Except for the CC feature, I think it's a decent unit for the price. I guess you get what you pay for. Next time I'll buy one with a tuner and make sure it will record CC. We'll see if it holds up to much use. I'll be back.