EmailBest Reviewed
DVD Recorders
- Basic DVD recorder Panasonic DMR-EA18K *Est. $180
- No-frills DVD recorder Toshiba D-R410 *Est. $120
- VCR/DVD recorder combo Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK *Est. $280
- Hard drive DVD recorder Philips DVDR3576H/37 *Est. $350
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No-frills DVD recorder
- Inexpensive
- Relatively easy to use
- Good support of multiple disc formats
- Image quality mixed
- No built-in tuners
- No IR blaster
- Not compatible with DVD-RAM
The Toshiba D-R410 is a low-priced DVD recorder that doesn't come with as many bells and whistles as more expensive models, but it's a reliable performer that leaves most users pleased. The Toshiba D-R410 upconverts to 1080p and is compatible with multiple disc formats. However, connectivity is limited and there's no onboard IR blaster or digital tuner, and the recorder isn't compatible with DVD-RAM discs. Image quality is passable, but not outstanding. Many reviews say that in terms of performance and features, the more expensive Panasonic DMR-EA18K (*est. $180) is a better recorder than the Toshiba D-R410. But most experts and users state that the Toshiba D-R410 is easy to use, and that those who are solely interested in basic recording find the Toshiba player a bargain.
CNet.com offers the best professional review of the Toshiba D-R410 to date; editors test this recorder on various aspects of performance, and explain the results of these tests in a comprehensive and detailed article. Retail sites like Amazon.com and BestBuy.com are good sources for user reviews. About.com includes the D-R410 on its expert's list of top DVD recorders, but there's no indication that it was actually tested.
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Our Sources
1. CNET
The Toshiba D-R410 is covered here in a thorough and well-balanced report. Author Matthew Panton is mostly complimentary of the D-R410, but he also notes that buyers who are willing to pay a little extra for a basic DVD recorder will probably be more satisfied with the Panasonic DMR-EA18K.
Review: Toshiba D-R410, Matthew Panton, Aug. 8, 2008
2. Amazon.com
There are fewer reviews here than at CircuitCity.com, and there are no subratings, but many of the write-ups are longer and some are wonderfully detailed. Most are happy with this recorder considering the price, but a few didn't understand the implications of buying a tunerless DVD recorder.
Review: Toshiba D-R410 1080p Upconverting Tunerless DVD Recorder, Contributors to Amazon.com
3. BestBuy.com
BestBuy.com customers seem to have a more negative take on the Toshiba D-R410 than posters elsewhere. Many complain that it's a tunerless recorder. Others have problems with disc playback and recording.
Review: Toshiba - Multiformat DVD-R/-R DL/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder, Contributors to BestBuy.com
4. About.com
The Toshiba D-R410 is included in this list of top DVD recorders as selected by About.com's guide to home theater. The recommendation comes with a lot of caveats, but the brief write-up seems to be based on manufacturer-supplied information rather than actual testing. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Top DVD Recorders, Robert Silva
DVD Recorders Runners Up:
2 picks by top review sites.
