Toshiba DVR620 DVD Recorder / VCR Combo

I have an older DVD Player (Sony) and am very pleased with it. However, I wanted to use the Sony DVD player in my bedroom so I needed to purchase another one. I knew my 15 year old GoldStar VCR is going to break one of these days so I needed to purchase a combo for my primary television set. After doing some research, I came across this Toshiba DVR620. I have always wanted a DVD recorder, but waited until they became less pricey. This DVD Recorder/VCR was only $50 more than my Toshiba SD-V296 DVD/VCR combo that I use for a secondary TV set.

The picture is very good using the S-video and component video cables for DVDs, as expected. What I did not expect was my old 90s VHS tapes having better picture during playback on the Toshiba DVR620. Usually, VHS tapes play best in the VCR that they were recorded on. Not always the case, I guess. That is probably because the GoldStar VCR uses only coaxial RF cables and my new Toshiba is set up to send out video in component. Not everyone will experience improvement. Some recorded VHS tapes I have from the late 80s don't have tracking issues with my GoldStar VCR, but *do* have tracking issues with this Toshiba DVR620.

Dubbing works great. Following the steps was simple. Just don't make the mistake of mixing up "RECORD" and "RECORD MODE" buttons. RECORD is for recording incoming signals (ie: cable) and is not pressed for dubbing.

I have not yet used the DVD recorder to record live tv, so I can't comment on quality for that. But the picture quality of the DVD I dubbed from VHS was as good as the original.

I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the VHS recordings compared to my Toshiba SD-V296 combo. I did a quick test and the picture was ok. Meaning it was rather good for new VCRs. Still not as great as my old GoldStar VCR. New VCRs usually aren't good recorders. This one is probably because my recording input is S-video and playback output is component. But why record "ok" VHS tapes when you can recorder better on DVDs?

I don't care about the remote layout. Other people do, so I'll add the layout makes sense. There was a logical mind behind it.

My main complaint is Toshiba should have made the DVD tray less noisy when opening and closing. Noisy trays are common with Toshiba DVD players. My Sony DVD tray is a bit quieter when ejecting.

I did not use the HDMI outputs, so I can't comment on it. Also, like most new players, there are no RF coaxial inputs/outputs on the unit.