Toshiba RD-XS54 DVD Recorder with 250 GB Hard Drive
Not for the tech-challenged
Knowing what I know now, I would purchase the RD-XS54 again. This DVR/DVD recorder will do everything you would expect from such a device. There is room for improvement though. My gripes, in no particular order, are listed below. <br /> <br />- As others have mentioned the fan runs 24/7. I can't hear it when I'm watching TV, but I can definitely hear it in a quiet room. After a while the sound blends into the background and you don't notice it. The RD-XS54 has a setting that will turn off the hard drive after a period of inactivity. As I understand it, the fan is meant to cool the hard drive. Toshiba should modify the unit so the fan shuts off when the hard drive shuts off. <br /> <br />- The built-in TV guide has a few \\"issues\\". First the positive. It's great for searching upcoming movies. It's also nice to be able to program a recording without having to enter start/finish/channel info. The RD-XS54 has a setting that allows you to have all programmed recordings start a little early and/or end a little late so the show doesn't get clipped. Now the downside. The TV guide needs a long time to update itself. I read that it takes about 3 hours for a complete update. The unit needs to be powered off without interruption during the update. Unfortunately, there is no way to know what time the update starts or ends. The RD-XS54 has an ethernet connection to connect to your computer network. It seems like that would be a faster way to update the TV guide, but it doesn't work that way. Navigating the TV guide is a slow tedious process. That seems odd to me since the information is stored in the unit and access should be almost instantaneous. It's great for movie searches, but for everything else I use my computer and the Yahoo TV guide. <br /> <br />- As with so many gadgets these days, the user interface WILL require you to crack open the operating manual. There is no way you will be able to figure out the RD-XS54 just by trial and error. Tech-challenged people who hate operating manuals should look elsewhere. For example, there are SIX buttons on the remote that say \\"MENU\\". All of them have different functions. In my opinion, if a device requires a person to read an operating manual then the design of the user interface is flawed. Want to be a billionaire? Start a company that does nothing but design good user interfaces for gadgets. There is no shortage of work. Gadget manufacturers could advertise the fact that their user interface is designed by (insert your company name here). I think it's one of the last great untapped opportunities out there. I'm waiting with my credit card in hand...