Toshiba D-R400 Disc Player Review
Our verdict
The Toshiba D-R400 is a DVD recorder from an era when burning discs at home was still practical, and it earns a solid 4.0 stars across 125 reviews for doing that job reliably. At $343, it is priced for collectors and people who genuinely need recording capability, not casual playback.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Home archivists who need to record to DVD-R or DVD-RAM and want an HDMI output to connect to a modern TV
Skip if
You only need playback and are not willing to pay a premium for a recorder you can find cheaper elsewhere
- Resolution 1080P Full Hd
- Disc format Blu-Ray
- Connectivity Hdmi
- Color Black
- Weight 5.3 lb
- Priced 132% above the category median ($147.81 across 100 tracked models)
Pros
- HDMI output makes connecting to modern TVs simple
- 1080p upscaling improves the look of standard DVD content on large screens
- Compact at 5.3 lb for a recording unit
- Solid 4.0-star average from 125 reviewers
Cons
- Premium price for a disc recorder in a shrinking market
- No streaming or network connectivity
- Standard-definition recording only, no HD disc recording
Our scorecard
-
Owner rating4.0/5
4.0 average across 125 owner ratings
-
Popularity1.4/5
125 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other AV receivers and amplifiers, soundbars, home theater speakers, subwoofers, surround sound systems and Blu-ray players we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
['The D-R400 is a standalone DVD recorder, a category that has mostly disappeared from retail shelves. Toshiba built this unit around reliable disc recording with HDMI output for 1080p upscaled playback on HDTVs, which was a selling point when component and composite outputs were the norm.', 'At 5.3 lb the unit is reasonably compact for a recorder. The HDMI connection is the primary output, making hookup to current televisions straightforward. Upscaling standard-definition DVD content to 1080p through HDMI helps the image look better on larger screens than it would over analog connections.', "The 125 reviewers who rated this unit give it 4.0 stars, suggesting it mostly does what it promises. The asking price of around $343 reflects the scarcity of new DVD recorders today more than it reflects the unit's performance ceiling, so shoppers should weigh that carefully."]
Specifications
| Resolution | 1080P Full Hd |
|---|---|
| Disc format | Blu-Ray |
| Connectivity | Hdmi |
| Color | Black |
| Weight | 5.3 lb |
Performance notes
Resolution is listed as 1080p Full HD for upscaled playback via HDMI. The unit weighs 5.3 lb and connects via HDMI. No Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Ethernet is specified, so internet-connected features are not available.
What buyers say
With 125 ratings averaging 4.0 stars, buyers are generally satisfied. The sample size is modest, which limits confidence, but the rating suggests the core recording and playback functions work as expected for most owners.
More from Toshiba
Similar AV receivers and amplifiers, soundbars, home theater speakers, subwoofers, surround sound systems and Blu-ray players to consider
Frequently asked questions
Can the Toshiba D-R400 record TV shows?
Yes, the D-R400 is a DVD recorder, meaning it can record content to blank DVD-R or DVD-RAM discs. You would connect a cable box or antenna signal to it to capture programming. It does not have a built-in tuner for over-the-air ATSC channels in all configurations, so confirm your setup before purchasing.
Does the D-R400 upscale DVDs to 1080p over HDMI?
Yes. The unit connects via HDMI and outputs upscaled video at up to 1080p. This means standard DVD content, which is 480i or 480p natively, is processed to fill a 1080p display more cleanly than analog connections would allow. The source content is still standard definition, so upscaling improves appearance but does not add detail that was not in the original disc.
Is the Toshiba D-R400 still worth buying at its current price?
That depends on your use case. If you need a DVD recorder specifically, options are limited and prices are high across the category. The D-R400 earns 4.0 stars from buyers and has HDMI output, which puts it ahead of older analog-only recorders. If you only need playback, a current Blu-ray or DVD player would cost far less.