Toshiba RD-XS34 DVD Recorder with 160-GB Hard Drive
Looks Good On Paper
Toshiba should be given an A for effort and a C for achievement. After struggling to get the TV Guide software to work (display a menu of my local listings), Toshiba admitted that there's a glitch in the TV Guide software in a random selection of the units. There is a long and complicated process to update it by having TV Guide generate a coded signal via your cable company, but it became too much and I reluctantly returned the unit.<br /><br />As one reviewer said, the fan is noticeable not unlike an old computer. It won't play CD-Rs, CD-RWs, JPEG or any other audio-video besides DVD and perhaps commercial CDs. Otherwise, it does have a beautiful design and performance capability. It's as good as TIVO without the monthly payment. If they can only work out that glitch...