Is there adual device that plays dvds and records dvd at the same time?

I have located a machine that will do precisely what you describe. The
Samsung DVD-TR520 Dual Tray Recorder/Copier can record on one DVD
while playing another DVD in its other tray.

"Having a dual-deck unit doesn't mean that you can copy any discs
without limitation. The manual details what you can and can't do. For
instance, you can't copy a full DVD-RAM disc to a DVD-R disc, since
DVD-R media can't hold as much data as DVD-RAM discs can. You also
have to be careful to convert discs to compatible formats. The
recorder won't copy double-layer discs, and of course it won't
duplicate copy protected discs.

But you can record on one deck while simultaneously playing back
another video on the other."

Samsung DVD-TR520 Dual Tray DVD Recorder/Copier
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,123754-page,1-c,dvdrdvdrwdvdrw/article.html

Stores are no longer selling this unit new, but refurbs are plentiful
and inexpensive.

Froogle Product Search: samsung DVD-TR520
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=samsung+DVD-TR520&hl=en&btnG=Search+Froogle

Here's a good price from Refurb Depot:

Samsung DVD-TR520
http://www.refurbdepot.com/productdetails2.cfm?Product_ID=4369

Several Amazon merchants are also selling refurbished units:

Samsung DVD-TR520 Dual Drive DVD Recorder 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0009A2LQC/ref=dp_olp_2/103-3160816-5163033?ie=UTF8

My Google search strategy:

Google Web Search: "twin OR dual tray" dvd recorder
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22twin+OR+dual+tray%22+dvd+recorder

I hope this is exactly what you're looking for. If anything is unclear
or incomplete, or if a link doesn't work for you, please request
clarification; I'll be glad to offer further assistance before you
rate my answer.

Best regards,
pinkfreud

Hi gfraz,

After several hours research, I was able to find the first ever Dual
DVD Player Recorder. Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate any
where this device is available.

Samsung SV-TR5550 Dual DVD player
"Samsung Korea has launched the SV-TR5550 a dual deck DVD
burner/player. The player supports DVD-R/RW and RAM and will be
compatible with Divx and MP3 formats. DVD can be played on one drive
and record on the other drive at the same time. It also a IEEE-1394
slot (Firewire) for connecting a digital video camera for direct
recording."
http://www.newlaunches.com/archives/samsung_sv-tr5550_dual_dvd_player.php


"Samsung Electronics has come out with the first ever Twintray DVD
recorder. The SV-TR5550 is a combination of DVD player and DVD
recorder, the movie studios will have a heart attack once they see
this.
It?s capable of playing any DVD, MP3, DivX and is also equipped with a
DVD recorder to record on DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM formats.
It will be able to make a direct duplication of various DVD formats
from the original disc by just pushing one button.
When you make a disc copy, it retains the high quality picture and
sound just like the original disc, it will copy a 2 hour film from DVD
in 20 minutes. You can also connect a camcorder directly to stream and
record to DVD disc through a DV input terminal (IEEE1394) located in
the front."
No price or North American availability was announced.
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/313/C4804/#

I also searched the Samsung website. Although the device is not
available there, a downloadable manual in Korean is.

I wish I could have been of more help.

Best of luck,
Rainbow