WHV303.07_toshiba_dr150

9/12/05

2:58 pm

Page 054

On test

DVD recorder G Approx price: 300

Toshiba D-R150

Details

FEATURES

Recording formats: DVD-R, videomode DVD-RW, DVD-RAM Hard disk capacity: n/a Recording modes: 5 Max. recording time: 6hr. Non-linear editing: Yes TV tuner: Analogue Timer: 32-event/2-month, PDC Guide Plus/Video Plus: No/No Set-top box control: No Dimensions: 430(w)x69(h)x316mm Weight: 3.5kg Other features: PAL-only recording, DVD-RAM high-speed dubbing, specify one of 10 programme genres to each recording, virtual-surround, live/playback picture zoom, functiondependent quick menu button

DISC PLAYBACK

DVD; CD; DualDisc (CD/DVD sides); MP3; JPEG; CD-R; CD-RW; VCD: SVCD; DVD+R; DVD-R; DVD-RW (VR and video mode); DVD-RAM

SOCKETS

TV Scart (RGB/composite/S-video); External input Scart (composite/Svideo); aerial in/out; component video out (progressive/interlaced); 2x analogue stereo audio outputs; composite video out; S-video out; electrical digital output; composite video and stereo audio

CONTACT

www.toshiba.co.uk

TEST DATA

For a full explanation of test data, please see page 118
RECORDING Test Reading Rating Chroma AM -58.2dB Good Chroma PM -56.5dB Good Frequency response at 4MHz XP mode -1.4dB Good SP mode -1.4dB Good Frequency response at 2MHz MP mode -5.2dB Poor LP mode -5.2dB Poor EP mode -6.3dB Poor
espite its lowish cost,Toshibas latest DVD-only recorder manages to include some interesting features, like a progressive-scan capable component output for the latest TVs, a zoom that works with TV/AV sources as well as DVDs and multiformat recording. The D-R150 is quite attractive by virtue of a slimline design. Its front panel sports a basic LED display and the bare minimum of controls. One of the operations that is possible from the front-panel controls timeslip lets you play the recording currently in progress, providing youre using DVD-RAM. The flap-concealed front-panel AV inputs only cater for composite video analogue sources. Rear-panel connectivity fares little better.We thought that Toshiba had learnt from its past mistakes as far as RGB Scart inputs are concerned.The D-R150, alas, demonstrates otherwise; the input Scart accepts composite or S-video only.Thankfully, the output Scart delivers RGB, composite or S-video to a component-unfriendly display. Alongside these are discrete composite/S-video and analogue phono audio outputs. Digital-audio feeds to an external decoder are coaxial-only. Key to using the D-R150 is the navigator, a collection of onscreen menus that cater for various tasks including timer-programming, disc formatting/finalisation, access to recordings, editing, titling and setup. As far as the latter is concerned, the D-R150 will automatically find (analogue) TV channels and set the clock.These tasks can also be conducted manually. Recordings cannot be made if the clock isnt set! The navigators first option sets the 32-event timer, which incredibly! lacks VideoPlus, although PDC is supported.

Accessing self-made recordings, an operation that relies on the navigator, is not as quick as it could be ridiculously, the remotes DVD menu buttons only work with commercial and finalised DVDRWs/-Rs! It has to be said that the menus are tremendously slow, and as a result its easy to shoot past the option youre after. Loading discs is also slow.Theres a choice of five fixed recording modes offering between 1 and 6 hr per disc. Recordings appear in the play contents menu alongside a (changeable) thumbnail. If youre working with videomode discs, the only editing options available are rename, thumbnail changes and delete. Chapters cant be changed here, and so youre best off using automatic-chaptering to start with. DVD-RAMs, in contrast, benefit from user chapter definition, partial delete and playlist editing.An unexpected high-speed dubbing facility losslessly copies a playlist to another section of a DVD-RAM. The original contents can then be deleted. Disappointingly, you cant downconvert to a lower mode.

Also Consider >>

PANASONIC DMR-ES10 This multiformat recorder offers an RGB input, up to 4hr of full-res recording (8hr otherwise) and an intuitive user interface. Reviewed: Issue 293 SANYO DVR-V100E A basic DVD+RW/+R recorder. It may not have RGB input, but analogue videotape users will appreciate the VHS deck. Reviewed: Issue 299 programming. In terms of playback, the D-R150 is suggestive of a decent budget DVD player. Overall, the D-R150 disappoints. The lack of RGB output is a step backwards for Toshiba and the user interface needs some work. But it is fairly affordable, better specified than unknown brand supermarket recorders and makes acceptable recordings Martin Pipe

Ratings

WHATS GOOD
DVD-RAM dubbing; finalised DVD menus; live TV zoom

performance

The D-R150s top two recording modes retain much of the original sources detail which includes the edge shimmer of composite-video sources. Ironically, the lower resolution of the three lowest-quality modes help to mask such artefacts. Indeed, quite acceptable visuals were achieved in the 3 and 4hr modes; detail is sacrificed, but colour rendition and contrast range are left largely intact. But the quality conscious should forget the 6hr mode, which is spoilt by noise and obvious blurring Audio quality is also fair, the Dolby Digital soundtrack certainly doing justice to regular TV

WHATS BAD

No RGB input; unresponsive user interface; no DVD+RW playback
Picture Sound Features Ease of use Value
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OVERALL VERDICT

Although not without its charms, Toshiba could have done a better job here
054 I What Video and Widescreen TV I Issue 298