Toshiba RD-XS34 DVD Recorder with 160-GB Hard Drive
Great recorder with lots of useful features
This is the first DVD recorder I've ever bought and it's amazing how it changed the way how I watch TV. I am watching and recording a lot more movies/programs than I ever would if I didn't have this box.   <br /> <br />I was considering the Panasonic E50, Pioneer 633, Lite-on 5045 at the time. Lite-on apparently is unstable and cannot record and play at the same time so it's eliminated.   E50 has a smaller disk and doesn't have firewire so it's a non starter. Pioneer  came late and it's a bit more expensive, and there seem to be some disk noise issue. I chose the XS34 for its powerful features and the price is good. <br /> <br />Originally I was planning to purchase from Amazon, at that time the image was showing a black DVD recorder(early July 05). Email to their support for confirmation on whether the product is black or silver (I prefer silver) has gone no where. Their first respond was very prompt (within 24hr) and stated they'll research and get back to me in 2 business day. 2 days later I received no response and I emailed them again, but never heard from them again. I can't believe they couldn't even answer such as simple question, especially to a potential buyer/customer. I ended up buying from another on-line outfit. Ordered on Sunday and received the box on Wednesday, Amazon can never beat that on their super saver, not to mention the total price I paid was $40 less than Amazon's price. <br /> <br />This Toshiba XS34 box works really well for me since I have analog cable and don't have any cable box. <br /> <br />TV Guide works but the set up is tricky.  Following the instructions - leave the recorder off for 24 hours and hope for the channels to show up just won't do the magic. First time I waited for 15 hours, no channels, 2nd times waited for over 24 hours, still no channels. Finally I did one of the reviewers did, unplug the box and then plug it back to have a cold reboot. <br />After that the set up screen is slightly different, and is asking what kind of cable feed I have. (comcast in my case). After that the channels finally show up but still no listings yet, the next morning the listings are downloaded and I never had problem with TV Guide since. <br /> <br /> <br />Positive <br />- TV Guide is not the greatest UI but once you get it working, it does simplify recording a lot. You can do keyword search, or category search, I frequently search for movies and recording them is just a matter of pressing one button. No more entering time/date/channel etc. <br /> <br />- Really enjoy multi-threaded OS. i.e. Could watch programs on DVD or HDD during recording. Time slip/chase play also works without problem. <br /> <br />-Picture quality is very good. I find that MP ( between SP and LP)  is sufficient for most stuff I record. LP is acceptable but is noticeably less clear. <br /> <br />- Making DVD is quite simple. ( I have had DVD burners and movie editing software for years on my PC but it's nothing link using this box) <br /> <br />- MP3, JPEG CD work, it could be picky on certain disc though. They do not recommend putting MP3s on CD-RW, sure enough, my old CD-RW MP3 won't load, but a newer memorex CD-RW with MP3 works without problem. <br /> <br />- So far I've tried TDK 8x DVD-R, velocity 8x DVD-R and both work <br /> <br /> <br />Things could improve on: <br /> <br />- Fan noise can definitely be lowered or eliminated when the recorder is in standby <br />- Navigation is somewhat slow, and it would be nice if we could select a few programs to delete all at once instead of deleting them one by one <br />- Remote control is cheap, doesn't glow at night and the lower compartment that conceal extra buttons need to be kept open almost all time since the functions are not partitioned logical enough <br />- There are multiple video out but only 1 analog audio out. I have a wireless transmitter broadcasting  video to my kitchen TV , having another analog out could save me all the trouble of routing the audio to a digital receiver and then have the audio out from there. (the analog audio out is connected to the TV directly in my case)     <br />- The remote has limited control on TV, only power, volume, channel and video/input, would be nice to add the  mute button at least <br /> <br />- In making DVDs, keyboard and mouse interface would be extremely useful for entering chapter/title names <br /> <br />- Would be nice if I could copy mp3s to HDD and play from the HDD to make it a audio jukebox.  As far as I know only lite-on 5045 has this feature. <br />