Toshiba SD-H400 Combination Progressive-Scan DVD Player and TiVo Digital Media Server
Toshiba sd-h400 vs. Panasonic dmr-e80h
This is a dual review, for the Panasonic DVD-R Recorder DMR-E80H and the Toshiba sd-h400.  Hopefully it can help those deciding between the two.  I had done the research and was on my way to collect the Panasonic when the video store I had called told me they were just unloading the new Toshibas.  It was a hundred plus less than the Panasonic and included TIVO. My fiscal side took over and I figured I'd give it whirl.  I have an extended digital cable box and the Sony KP57WV700 57&quot; HDTV that I was going to interface this with, pretty straightforward system.<br />Here is the simple layout of what I wanted to do: 1. cable in to digital cable box, out via component cables [red, green, blue] to HDTV [this produces the best signal and HD channel output on the TV]. 2. cable in to Toshiba/Panasonic for recording basic cable Ch. 1-98. 3. Video [composite?] out from digital cable box to Toshiba/Panasonic to record HDTV or whatever channel is on, on the digital cable box.<br />First off neither the Toshiba or Panasonic boxes has component in, so they couldn't receive the best signal from the component out on the digital cable box.<br />The Toshiba touts and comes with Tivo basic, which gets you 3 days advance programming via their guide, chasing playback, etc.  This was the first experience I had had with a Tivo product.  The setup for the Toshiba took a long time [multiple phone calls and data manipulation], and compounding things it was required that a phone line be utilised for the connection.  A bad thing if you don't have a jack around, so I had to string one across hallways in ungainly fashion.  Not good.  I should say, you can buy a wireless USB adapter if you want, or a USB Ethernet connector to get your updates if you want.<br />Second hit against the Toshiba/Tivo, and this is what bothered me the most: they do not allow recording / timer recording from a second video input source unless you upgrade to the Tivo Plus service.  This bit of info is nestled in the middle of the manual during extended setup.  So for my set up which had cable signal in via RF and composite video in from the digital cable box, it meant I couldn't record as line in from the digital cable box.<br />Finally, the recording quality of the Toshiba ranged between three levels, taking their appropriate chunk of the HD.  The Panasonic offered more flexibility here with more levels and their times.  Tivo also is constantly writing to the HD to maintain their `manipulate live tv' functionality.<br />The DVD playback output between the two was comparable, you can choose between progressive and interlaced if you have a TV that supports it.<br />So I took the Toshiba back and got the Panasonic which I should have done I the first place.  It has a much more professional finish, there are no fourth grader designed graphics/buttons on it like the Tivo.  The Panasonic allowed me to hook up three more video inputs and record against them and do timer recordings on them.  Bingo.  The picture quality is very close to source using the second to top recording mode which gets you 36 hours of record time, 104 for EP, 74 for the next, and 18 for the top of the line.  The Panasonic also has the time slip functions that let you watch a prior recorded item from the HD if you're currently recording, and it lets you watch the beginning of a recorded item *while* it's recording.  Nice if you show up for the program 10 mins. late.  It also records to DVD-RAM and DVD-R if you want to dub your VHS tapes or something you watch on broadcast TV, but that's a secondary feature to me so I didn't get too into it.<br />And so, for my setup, the Panasonic was the superior choice I should have exercised the first go around.  Be alert to the limitations of the Toshiba if interested in it.  I'm definitely enjoying the functions and features of the new Panasonic and can recommend it highly.middle of the manual during extended setup.  So for my set up which had cable signal in via RF and composite video in from the digital cable box, it meant I couldn't record as line in from the digital cable box.<br />Finally, the recording quality of the Toshiba ranged between three levels, taking their appropriate chunk of the HD.  The Panasonic offered more flexibility here with more levels and their times.  Tivo also is constantly writing to the HD to maintain their `manipulate live tv' functionality.<br />The DVD playback output between the two was comparable, you can choose between progressive and interlaced if you have a TV that supports it.<br />So I took the Toshiba back and got the Panasonic which I should have done I the first place.  It has a much more professional finish, there are no fourth grader designed graphics/buttons on it like the Tivo.  The Panasonic allowed me to hook up three more video inputs and record against them and do timer recordings on them.  Bingo.  The picture quality is very close to source using the second to top recording mode which gets you 36 hours of record time, 104 for EP, 74 for the next, and 18 for the top of the line.  The Panasonic also has the time slip functions that let you watch a prior recorded item from the HD if you're currently recording, and it lets you watch the beginning of a recorded item *while* it's recording.  Nice if you show up for the program 10 mins. late.  It also records to DVD-RAM and DVD-R if you want to dub your VHS tapes or something you watch on broadcast TV, but that's a secondary feature to me so I didn't get too into it.<br />And so, for my setup, the Panasonic was the superior choice I should have exercised the first go around.  Be alert to the limitations of the Toshiba if interested in it.  I'm definitely enjoying the functions and features of the new Panasonic and can recommend it highly.