If not, I am seriously thinking about trying out the Toshiba from a store that will let me return it if not satisfied.

That sounds like a really good plan. I researched a lot before I bought my XS34. It has the features that appealed to me. Unlike the masses that wish they had never heard of TV Guide, I think that it is one of the best features of this recorder. Even some of those who have had some problems with the XS34 still like it. Go read some of the other threads and you will see that ALL of the other brands have their own individual quirks. That's why, to my knowledge, no one has ever declared that they have found the ultimate recorder.

The manual is very well written. Follow it to the letter when your are initially setting it up.

Good luck.

Well, the second xs34 worked just fine after the reset of the TVGOS that the Toshiba tech had me do, so I think I will stick with it and send back this 3rd one. Like I said, still drives me crazy to keep even that one, knowing how buggy these units are. Even the problem you had with not being able to record at midnight so that the listings will update.. that just seems so limiting.

Maybe I should try resetting this 3rd one? Aghhh!

*update* Okay, went and reset the 3rd one..big LOL .. the listing SLOTS are there now (showing the network icons and "No Listing"), so I'll betcha all is fine now..it will probably start updating shortly. How frustrating..

I ended up getting a motorala digital DVR from comcast cable company for my timer recordings, they charge an extra $10 a month for that box but it works great, much better than I expected. I'll use my XS34 for everything else, I wish I could just get rid of the TV Guide part...

Comcast doesn't support the TV Guide for my XS34 so the guide part is worthless to me. I sent back my XS32 to buy the XS34, I hope I didn't make a mistake, I've been so hung up on this TV Guide thing that I haven't had a chance to compare all the other qualities of the 34 vs the 32 which I was happy with and it never failed me for the 3 months I had it and used it like a work horse...

Unlike the masses that wish they had never heard of TV Guide, I think that it is one of the best features of this recorder.

Yeah, I'm one of the few people who actually like the TVGOS system.

Even some of those who have had some problems with the XS34 still like it.

Yup. I'm one of those people.

Go read some of the other threads and you will see that ALL of the other brands have their own individual quirks. That's why, to my knowledge, no one has ever declared that they have found the ultimate recorder.

Also true. There is no perfect recorder, and indeed, this whole field (DVD recording in general) is problematic. The industry obviously hasn't worked out all the bugs yet. But for those who are looking for a DVD recorder with a large hard drive, a broad range of features (including an easily-programmable 3-hour mode), and DVD-RAM capability (very important to me), I think it would be hard to find a better model than the RD-XS34. (Of course, now that I've said that, I'm sure I've jinxed myself and my unit will fail within 24 hours.) :o

There is no perfect recorder, and indeed, this whole field (DVD recording in general) is problematic. The industry obviously hasn't worked out all the bugs yet. But for those who are looking for a DVD recorder with a large hard drive, a broad range of features (including an easily-programmable 3-hour mode), and DVD-RAM capability (very important to me), I think it would be hard to find a better model than the RD-XS34. (Of course, now that I've said that, I'm sure I've jinxed myself and my unit will fail within 24 hours.) :o

Anyone buying a DVR should be aware that these are not mature products. Every brand has bugs and glitches.

I bought a Panasonic E-95 shortly before the XS-34 came out. I ruled out the XS-32 because of the black level bug. The XS-34 fixes that. Were I buying today, I would buy an XS-34. The E-95 and XS-34 probably have similar rates of bugs, but three features of the XS-34 would drive me to buy it over my Panny:

1. More flexible choices in recording rate.
2. The ability to go back to where one stopped on any recorded programs. (The E-95 only remembers the most recent, and even then only until you turn off the unit -- and you must turn off the unit to update the TV Guide.)
3. The ability to dub and finalize in one operation. (I never add more to a DVD after recording it. If I want several shows on a DVD, I accumulate them all on the HD and dub once. On the Panny, I must go through a many-step process to finalize after dubbing.)

I've read all these threads, and I have not seen anything that would displace the XS-34 from first place on my list.

I've had my XS34 for 2 months now and really like it. Once I realized Cablevision was not letting the TVGOS download, I bypassed it and manual record everything, with the cable box "vcr timer record" switching the channels for me. My question is: What kinds of issues are you having with copy protection? I record HBO and Cinemax and I can only move the recordings off the HDD and onto DVD-RAM discs. Doesn't look like I can do "rate conversion" or playlists. Recording directly to DVD-R is forbidden, as is copying to DVD-R from the HDD. Haven't tried DVD-RW discs yet, but I figure it'll be the same as DVD-R.

Mike

Can the XS34 handle 16x blanks, I only tried it 3 times so far, the first one worked fine the second two had some weird results?

Yeah, it can handle 16x speed media. I'm currently using Verbatim 16x DVD-R's and they work great.

However, for some reason, TDK 8x printable DVD-R's don't work in my XS34. Every time I try to high-speed dub anything longer than about an hour, I get an error. :(

All my listings are in.. *sigh* The TVGOS reset code WORKS guys : ) Keep those numbers handy; I will.

Ashley, this reset was on the last one, right? Did they not set this one up correctly at the factory? What is your theory on this?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Thanks

It seems I have misunderstood the purpose of the coaxial connection in the xs34. It, like the Panasonic and Pioneer, will not work like the old VCR/TV toggle button, and requires other connections that are not available on older TV's.

Since I need the same workaround anyway, I am back to considering the EH50s, which plays both DVD-Rs and DVD+Rs (my older recording format).

Any thoughts on comparisons between these 2 models? Differenced in quality in 3-4 hr DVD recordings?

It seems I have misunderstood the purpose of the coaxial connection in the xs34. It, like the Panasonic and Pioneer, will not work like the old VCR/TV toggle button, and requires other connections that are not available on older TV's.

I think that is true if you are connecting through a cable box. However, I think you can toggle from tv viewing to dvd recorder viewing if you run the RF connection directly from the wall to the xs-34.

A while back, I asked the question, "Can you toggle between the tv tuner and the xs-34 tuner" and the answer was yes. My issue, in asking that question, was that I wanted to be able to view a different television channel while the dvd recorder was using its tuner to record another. An xs-34 owner (shawbros I think) said that it was possible to do so.

I think that is true if you are connecting through a cable box. However, I think you can toggle from tv viewing to dvd recorder viewing if you run the RF connection directly from the wall to the xs-34.

A while back, I asked the question, "Can you toggle between the tv tuner and the xs-34 tuner" and the answer was yes. My issue, in asking that question, was that I wanted to be able to view a different television channel while the dvd recorder was using its tuner to record another. An xs-34 owner (shawbros I think) said that it was possible to do so.

I run my antenna signal through a splitter and one side goes to the antenna input on the XS34 and the other side goes to the antenna input on the TV. I then run a video and two audio cables from the XS34 to the TV. When I'm using these cables I put the TV on line input. Also I run a video and two audio cables from the VCR to the input on the XS34 for copying VHS tapes to the XS34.

It's not very complicated but I can record a program from one channel while I'm watching another channel on the TV.

I run my antenna signal through a splitter and one side goes to the antenna input on the XS34 and the other side goes to the antenna input on the TV. I then run a video and two audio cables from the XS34 to the TV. When I'm using these cables I put the TV on line input. Also I run a video and two audio cables from the VCR to the input on the XS34 for copying VHS tapes to the XS34.

It's not very complicated but I can record a program from one channel while I'm watching another channel on the TV.

Yes, the manual I downloaded explains how if you hook the DVR before the cable box, you can watch unscrambled and record other unscrambled channels at the same time. However, it seems all DVR's with hard drives require RCA jacks on the tv's for the DVR signal to play throught the tv. This is different from my Sanyo DVR, and most VCRs.

Back to my original question re the XS34 vs the DMRH50S Panasonic: The panasonic manual says that letterbox movies will be recorded in full screen on DVR disks. The XS34 looks like the format stays the same when transfering to DVRs. That could be one advantage over the Panasonic.

Any other reasons to buy the Toshiba? Other than the extra HD space?

Dan

....The panasonic manual says that letterbox movies will be recorded in full screen on DVR disks. The XS34 looks like the format stays the same when transfering to DVRs....
Dan


I assume you mean "DVD-R", not "DVR".

Yes, the manual I downloaded explains how if you hook the DVR before the cable box, you can watch unscrambled and record other unscrambled channels at the same time. However, it seems all DVR's with hard drives require RCA jacks on the tv's for the DVR signal to play throught the tv. This is different from my Sanyo DVR, and most VCRs.

Back to my original question re the XS34 vs the DMRH50S Panasonic: The panasonic manual says that letterbox movies will be recorded in full screen on DVR disks. The XS34 looks like the format stays the same when transfering to DVRs. That could be one advantage over the Panasonic.

Dan

The XS34 RF input is an RF pass through....like a built in splitter. It does not ouput via the RF. If you need an RF output, go to radio shack and buy an RF modulator for 20 bucks. PS. my regular dvd player does not output RF either.

Regarding the recording, the XS 34 allows you to select 4:3 or 16:9 recording. what the etatment above means is that if you select 16:9 and give the machine a 4:3 signal, it will automatically default to 4:3.

Well, my newest unit seems to be working just fine. I am going to send back the 2nd unit (if you remember, I'm on the 3rd). I've done lots of CD burning:no problem; lots of timer recordings:no problem (I went on vacation for a week, and taped not only the first broadcast class, but the rebroadcast as well, just to make sure the class recorded-didn't even need to-the timer didn't fail all week!)

Oh, and the TVGOS is working perfectly now. That reset code really works guys. My unit is fine now - spread the word. Looks like this thread might be over. Thanks for all your help - I'm sure I'll see some of you again in another thread.

Ashley

That is really great news Ashley. You are now experiencing the great performance of the XS34 that I've experienced from the beginning. I see a lot of threads on Pio, Panny and Philips with lots of complaints and very few threads on Toshiba. I'm still 100% satisfied with mine and am very thankful that I didn't buy one of the other brands. Sure glad you hung in there with yours.

Ken

....Looks like this thread might be over....

Ashley

Don't count on it. :) I got another failure with an "end late by" recording last night. As usual, I tried recording the Simpsons, etc., starting one minute early (7:59 p.m. PDT) and ending 90 minutes late (10:00 p.m.). Should've recorded for two hours and one minute, but the recording stopped one hour and ten minutes after it started. :mad:

This seems to be the one thing that the Toshiba has consistent problems with. Has anyone else tried this? I know rcflyer did, but he only set his to end 30 minutes late. What about 60 or 90 minutes late?

My cable company is comcast (motorala digital cable box) I was told they don't support the TV Guide function, can I do timer recordings like I did with my XS32?

Just to add to this discussion, for future readers, while searching the 'net for info on possible fixes for the TVG not updating on my XS34, I found that there is a known 'bug" in Motorola's digital cable boxes. They don't pass-thru the TVG info.

Supposedly, Motorola has a fix for existing boxes, and all future cable boxes will have the fix too.

I just don't know how one gets the fix for existing cable boxes. Even though I haven't tried, I am sure that I will get a "blank stare" from my cable company's customer rep if I asked about getting firmware updates for their cable box.

That is really great news Ashley. You are now experiencing the great performance of the XS34 that I've experienced from the beginning. I see a lot of threads on Pio, Panny and Philips with lots of complaints and very few threads on Toshiba. I'm still 100% satisfied with mine and am very thankful that I didn't buy one of the other brands. Sure glad you hung in there with yours.

Ken

See Captain Shirk above... :D

Oh, and the TVGOS is working perfectly now. That reset code really works guys. My unit is fine now - spread the word. Looks like this thread might be over. Thanks for all your help - I'm sure I'll see some of you again in another thread.


What's this secret reset code???????

|
| Never mind.
| I have since found the postings from Willie.
| The site's Search function is turned off due to load. So I had to
| manually search for the info, and eventually found it!
|

Just to add to this discussion, for future readers, while searching the 'net for info on possible fixes for the TVG not updating on my XS34, I found that there is a known 'bug" in Motorola's digital cable boxes. They don't pass-thru the TVG info.

Supposedly, Motorola has a fix for existing boxes, and all future cable boxes will have the fix too.

I just don't know how one gets the fix for existing cable boxes. Even though I haven't tried, I am sure that I will get a "blank stare" from my cable company's customer rep if I asked about getting firmware updates for their cable box.

Yep, good luck... :rolleyes:

Do you have any unscrambled analog channels on your RF cable input? If so, you could try connecting the RF in directly to the XS34 and see if that gets you the EPG data.

RG

Yep, good luck... :rolleyes:

Do you have any unscrambled analog channels on your RF cable input? If so, you could try connecting the RF in directly to the XS34 and see if that gets you the EPG data.


Thanks, but after reading about the known bug with the Motorola boxes, and having a Motorola box, I set up my XS34 with the cable running directly into it (as you suggested). I still never get any TVG/EPG data other than the clock successfully auto setting.

I just thought I would share the info about the known Motorola bug here just in case it is of use to others.

You do have to have an antenna or cable connected for the TVG to update and the XS34 has to be in standby mode. Obviously you have a faulty unit.


Are you being sarcastic, or is there a true, common, problem of units having a defective TVG circuit ? In other words, is the lack of TVG data a sign of a defective unit, or is it simply bad luck due to cable company limitations or lack of supporting local broadcasters?

My XS34 is working fine, except for the lack of it getting any TVG data at all.

Are you being sarcastic, or is there a true, common, problem of units having a defective TVG circuit ? In other words, is the lack of TVG data a sign of a defective unit, or is it simply bad luck due to cable company limitations or lack of supporting local broadcasters?

My XS34 is working fine, except for the lack of it getting any TVG data at all.
"Are you being sarcastic" Absolutely not Walt. Living in a large metroplex where the TVG works fine, I am prone to forget that some communities may not have TVG on their local stations. I did not mean to offend you.

Ken

Thanks, but after reading about the known bug with the Motorola boxes, and having a Motorola box, I set up my XS34 with the cable running directly into it (as you suggested). I still never get any TVG/EPG data other than the clock successfully auto setting.

I just thought I would share the info about the known Motorola bug here just in case it is of use to others.

How did the TV Guide setup go? Was everything you entered accepted? Did you set it for "cable yes". "cable box no"? And was it off for at least 24 hrs?

If the setup went OK, the last thing I can suggest is, if you get over-the-air (OTA) stations, that you go back into the TV Guide setup and change it to "cable no", and hook up an antenna to try to get the EPG data OTA. Maybe that would work?

Other than that, I'm fresh out of suggestions.

RG

"Are you being sarcastic" Absolutely not Walt. Living in a large metroplex where the TVG works fine, I am prone to forget that some communities may not have TVG on their local stations. I did not mean to offend you.


Oh, no apology needed! I wasn't offended.

I was just jumping into the middle of a very long conversation here, and the intent of your post wasn't clear.

I was just trying to clear up if there was indeed a known defect in the TVG circuits/software which affects many units. You cleared that up.

How did the TV Guide setup go? Was everything you entered accepted? Did you set it for "cable yes". "cable box no"? And was it off for at least 24 hrs?


Yep, to all of that. ;)

As others have noted, it is pretty difficult to not play with such a brand new toy for a full 24 hours after getting it. Kind of reminds me of back in HS when the coach would tell us to not play with 'it' the night before a game. :D

I did leave it 'off' the first night, but just had to check it the first thing in the morning (no data). For the second day, I did leave it off for the full 24 hours (still no data). I used the unit to record, manually, and play back a few times on the second and third days.

It has now been 3 more days. Do I dare power it on to check? :eek:

It has now been 3 more days. Do I dare power it on to check? :eek:

Yes, at your own risk... :D

Don't count on it. :) I got another failure with an "end late by" recording last night. As usual, I tried recording the Simpsons, etc., starting one minute early (7:59 p.m. PDT) and ending 90 minutes late (10:00 p.m.). Should've recorded for two hours and one minute, but the recording stopped one hour and ten minutes after it started. :mad:

This seems to be the one thing that the Toshiba has consistent problems with. Has anyone else tried this? I know rcflyer did, but he only set his to end 30 minutes late. What about 60 or 90 minutes late?
Ok, here is what I found this time. This afternoon I picked out a program that started at 3 pm and ended at 4 pm. Through TVG I set it to start 1 minute early and end 90 minutes late for a total of 2 hours and 31 minutes. It started on time but finished after 2 hours and 7 minutes. No error was indicated other than it just wasn't long enough. The program was recorded on SP to HDD. 2 hours and 7 minutes is suspiciously like the length of a 4.7 DVD-R recorded at SP or 2 hours and 5 minutes max. This may only be a coincidence.

When someone has time I would like for you to record an hour program with TVG starting 1 minute before the hour and ending 90 minutes after the program end time just to see if this is a common software anomaly.

Ken

Okay here is my problem, I was trying to record some video form my VCR to transfer to dvd so I connected the VCR to the inputs on the front of the XS34. I then proceeded to hit input select on the remote but it will not let me chnage it. It only stays on 1. I then tried and connected the VCR into input 2 and same result. I put it into input 1 and it worked fine. What am I doing wrong?

Just to add to this discussion, for future readers, while searching the 'net for info on possible fixes for the TVG not updating on my XS34, I found that there is a known 'bug" in Motorola's digital cable boxes. They don't pass-thru the TVG info.

Supposedly, Motorola has a fix for existing boxes, and all future cable boxes will have the fix too.

I just don't know how one gets the fix for existing cable boxes. Even though I haven't tried, I am sure that I will get a "blank stare" from my cable company's customer rep if I asked about getting firmware updates for their cable box.
Just a suggestion Walt, I don't know how far away you are but maybe you can swap your current box for a new one (with the fix) from the cable co. After all, you're paying for it.

Yep, to all of that. ;)

As others have noted, it is pretty difficult to not play with such a brand new toy for a full 24 hours after getting it. Kind of reminds me of back in HS when the coach would tell us to not play with 'it' the night before a game. :D

I did leave it 'off' the first night, but just had to check it the first thing in the morning (no data). For the second day, I did leave it off for the full 24 hours (still no data). I used the unit to record, manually, and play back a few times on the second and third days.

It has now been 3 more days. Do I dare power it on to check? :eek:
Is that a total of 6 days then-the first 3, you peeked or used it to record, and now you've left it off for 3 additional days without any peeking or recording? If so then yeah, turn it on, and if it still hasn't loaded, then go into settings and change the zip code-try using one where the cable company is located in if it's different from the one your home is in.

Then of course, leave it off-with no peeking OR timer recordings set during the 24 downloaed period.

Thank to all for suggestions and comments. I do appreciate them all.

From postings here, private messages, and talking with co-workers who own DVD-recorders, it seems pretty consistent....

Toshiba and Pioneer units don't seem to be able to download EPS info on our cable system, ever. In contrast, Panasonic units are successful in downloading EPS and work just fine.

That conclusion is quite disappointing. :(

Toshiba and Pioneer units don't seem to be able to download EPS info on our cable system, ever. In contrast, Panasonic units are successful in downloading EPS and work just fine.

That conclusion is quite disappointing. :(

That seems very strange because they all use the same basic EPG data. Why do you say that Panasonics can, but Toshibas and Pioneers can't? Have you received confirmation from other users?

RG

Have you received confirmation from other users?


Yes. :(

That is why I wanted to clarify with rcflyer if, possibly, there was a known bug with Toshiba's EPG download implementation (no there isn't).

I will admit it is a small sample size, just 6 people, two of which exchanged units several times. Those with Panasonic had no problems from day one. Those with either Toshiba or Pioneer never got them to work. Maybe that is just coincidence or simple luck?

I could start guessing at reasons.... possibly the Panasonics have more sensitive tuners, or something, that can pick up the EPG data better... adding another guess upon that that possibly the (mean, bad, money hungry) cable company is trying to filter the EPG data out ???? Who knows???

Walt, just curious, the Panny I had for a short while was a 2004 model. Do the other people have the new Panasonic models or previous year models. I just wonder if there the TVGOS on the Toshiba and new Pioneer models is a new operating system that is buggy.

Walt, just curious, the Panny I had for a short while was a 2004 model. Do the other people have the new Panasonic models or previous year models. I just wonder if there the TVGOS on the Toshiba and new Pioneer models is a new operating system that is buggy.


Just bought the EH50S Panasonic over the weekend. No problems so far with TVGOS or anything else. The TVGOS is my favorite feature.

Walt, just curious, the Panny I had for a short while was a 2004 model. Do the other people have the new Panasonic models or previous year models. I just wonder if there the TVGOS on the Toshiba and new Pioneer models is a new operating system that is buggy.

The EPG on the Panasonics came out a year earlier than the EPG on the Pioneers and Toshibas.

Walt, just curious, the Panny I had for a short while was a 2004 model. Do the other people have the new Panasonic models or previous year models. I just wonder if there the TVGOS on the Toshiba and new Pioneer models is a new operating system that is buggy.

The guy at work I found with the Panasonic, got it about 6 months ago. I didn't bother to ask the model since all I was interested in, was if the EPG worked or not.

It isn't easy finding people who have a DVD-Recorder, one with TV Guide, and are on the same cable system I am. :D

I continue to search around the 'net looking for some, hopefully helpful, info dealing with Toshiba and TVG. Here are two things I found in product reviews ...


"TV guide on screen per Toshiba will not work if you have VCR connected via cable. "

Does this make any sense to anyone? Now, I have my cable running into my XS34's RF input, and my VCR just happens to be connected up my XS34's RF output. I wonder if I should just unplug, temporarily, the VCR's RF cable and see what happens?



"Toshiba and TV Guide both told us that they’re aware of the problem and are working to develop a solution as soon as possible."

If true, would Toshiba offer some sort of free upgrade/update to us? Would Toshiba even let us know, or only admit they have a fix if you really press them?

"TV guide on screen per Toshiba will not work if you have VCR connected via cable. "

This is very interesting. If my memory serves me correctly, when I had the Panny, I ran the cable straight into it. When I had the Pioneer, I was running the cable first into a Toshiba VCR and the RF out from it into the RF in on the Pioneer. Wish I still had the Pioneer to do a test of that theory. I can tell you this much, the VCR does get the program information ( network and show title ) for whatever channel is on. So, the information was getting that far. Also, on my TV, I usually get the same info and sometimes the time remaining on each of the non-HD channels.( well at least most of the time)

By the way, where did you get your XS34 - - local ?

By the way, where did you get your XS34 - - local ?

New Jersey...

http://www.digital1234.com/product.jsp?x=RDXS34

I spoke to Toshiba today. My main problem is that the clock cannot be set, and since I have DirectTv, TVGOS will never work. They offered to exchange my unit for a Toshiba SX-52. They claim its the same unit, but without TVGOS. I dunno, but I guess that is what the officials have decided to do. Sounds to me like a very harsh damage control measure. I don't think I'm going to take them up on the offer though, since I bought this unit from Costco. I will lose the ability to return it back to Costo in 2 or 3 years when it starts burning coasters. I'm ready to go back to VHS.

Well, to top that last post off.. guess what you guys.. my TVGOS listings is empty again. It said it will download the info in the next 24 hours due to my setup change. There was no change. I have not even touched settings. Big Ugh.. the other day I shipped the *second* replacement unit back to Amazon...doesn't matter though 'cause that one would've done the same thing.

Oh, and same thing.. when I go do a search, everything's in there.. stuff for tomorrow, etc. - so why is the listings area empty? So.. do I reset again.. and in one week again.. and just keep resetting? Or maybe I should go the xs52 route also (though I sure do like the TVGOS when it works) - mine is not a cable box problem either, it's OTA that I receive.

Okay.. one more thing.. a theory.. PBS stations have been fuzzy for the last day. Maybe when it went to update, the info didn't come through correctly..so instead of it just not updating later listings, it messed up the whole thing??

I spoke to Toshiba today. They offered to exchange my unit for a Toshiba SX-52. They claim its the same unit, but without TVGOS.

Per Toshiba's spec sheets, the XS52 is a bit of an upgrade. It doesn't have TGOS, but it also does not record to dvd-rw. But, it does have HDMI, 181 channel tuner instead of 125 channels, and one more audio output, one more s-video input, RCA video input and one more audio input. Don't know if that helps or confuses the issue more for you.
http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/dvd/product.asp?model=rd-xs52

Rosalie

I don't know if I would call the XS52 an upgrade. It's last year's model. The additional channels and inputs may or may not useful to Ashley and ak199, but one thing it does have is the Black Level Bug. This bug is an error in recording the correct black level (brightness) of a video signal that results in the picture being recorded somewhat lighter than normal, which is visible to some viewers when burned to a DVD and played back on another DVD player. (It doesn't appear when played back on the XS52 itself.)

OK, why is it better to have a unit with no TGOS, than to have a unit with TGOS and simply ignore(not use) it?

With TGOS not working at all on my XS34, I simply manual set up record times. I don't know about the XS52, but setting up record times manually on the XS34 is a LOT more easier than on my old DR-1. So, I don't mind (though I do mind paying for TGOS on the XS34 and having it not work).

I don't know if I would call the XS52 an upgrade. It's last year's model. The additional channels and inputs may or may not useful to Ashley and ak199, but one thing it does have is the Black Level Bug. This bug is an error in recording the correct black level (brightness) of a video signal that results in the picture being recorded somewhat lighter than normal, which is visible to some viewers when burned to a DVD and played back on another DVD player. (It doesn't appear when played back on the XS52 itself.)

Capt Shirk, Thanks for the addtional input on the information I posted. Rosalie

Is there a quality Non-Hard Drive DVD recorder available without a hard drive and fan that sucks 17w of power all day and night? Basically, I want a DVD version of my VHS VCR.

The hard drive is NOT running all of the time (unlike Tivos). You can have it shut down..

I don't think he was saying the hard drive runs all the time -- he was talking about the fan.

Still, for what it's worth, I would strongly suggest getting a hard-disk-drive-based DVD recorder. You can do things with it that you just can't do without a hard drive.

(P.S. -- You're welcome, Rosalie! :) )

Well..did the reset.. waited.. nothing..did it again days later.. nothing..my TVGOS just doesn't work now. Oh well. Only wanted to let you know that the reset code is not the save-all I thought it was.

^^There are 11 pages in this thread, could you refresh our memories by telling us again what unit you have?

Ashley, somehow I don't think the problem is in your XS34. I am more inclined to think that the station that carried TVG has dropped it or that there is some other reason that you are not receiving it. Could you call all of the TV stations in your area to find out which one carries TVG? They might have a suggestion.

I was gone for 5 days last week and my XS34 didn't miss recording all of the TVG programs that I had selected.

Ken

Here is an interesting thread and phone number for TVG support. Ashley you may need to hook up with this guy at TVG.

Ken

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=583874

Here is an interesting thread and phone number for TVG support. Ashley you may need to hook up with this guy at TVG.

Ken

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=583874
Yeah, sounds interesting - I am going to PM him. Definitely makes me want to contact TVG and figure this problem out.

I don't know if you remember, but there was one point where I wasn't getting any listings (or even a channel lineup at all) for like..weeks, this was after it had already been working. One day I had been fiddling around and just for the heck of it, I did a search and alll listings were in there - weeks worth. But they weren't showing up in listings. It just said in the next 24 hours it would be updating. blah blah blah..

If it hadn't been for that, I truly would think that maybe it was just my local station. I really believe it is buggy software.

BTW, the last resets I've done with this thing never worked. It's been about a week - no listings. I'm definitely going to get a hold of TVG; I think they can help.

Thanks Ken!

Ashley

If it hadn't been for that, I truly would think that maybe it was just my local station. I really believe it is buggy software.



Ashley, if it is truly buggy software, and the software is written by TVGOS, why is it that the software seems to work on some models (e.g., Panasonic) better than others (e.g., Pioneer, Toshiba)? Unless, of course, the EPG software is different for each brand of DVD recorder.

Since some Toshiba and even Pioneer users report that the EPG works well on their recorders, I tend to think that the method that TV Guide uses to download the program listings is at fault. It is not robust and fails frequently. In order for the EPG to work well, I think that they have to come up with a better method to distribute the program info.

However, the possibility still remains that the problem lies with the integration of the software with the OS of the recorder.

RG

Ashley, I received my XS34 on July 20 and you got your 3 probably within a month or two of that date. What is 100% puzzling to me is that the software and hardware in our units should be the same. They probably came in on the same boat. You have had nothing but trouble with TVG and I have had near total success with my TVG. I use it every day without a problem. The big difference is that we live in different parts of the country.

When you do a search, can you set a program recording from a displayed search item? I haven't tried that one yet.

I know that there are many viewers of this thread that have an XS34. I would like to see a show of hands of everyone who has had very good success, like I have, with TV Guide.

Ken

I must say I'm pretty satisfied with my unit. Uh, my RD-XS34, that is. ;) No problems with the TVGOS except with the "end late by" feature, described in more detail in my separate message below. Also had trouble dubbing to TDK 4X speed printable DVD-R's, especially near the outer portions of the discs. Kept getting "DVD disc access" errors. (No such problems with the Verbatim 16X discs recommended by Ashley -- thanks, Ash!)

Well, I've been testing the "end late by" bug....my previous experiences have been when recording starting at the top of the hour. I have learned that the bug also appears when recording a show starting at the bottom of the half hour:

I set a recording one afternoon last week for 4:30 to 5:00 p.m., then modified it to start early by one minute and end late by 90 minutes. Thus, it should've run from 4:29 to 6:30. It quit at 6:09, one hour and 40 minutes after the recording started.

According to rcflyer's Sept. 12 posting (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6181590&&#post6181590), his recording should've gone to 5:30, but quit at 5:07. (He programmed his machine to record a 3:00-4:00 show, starting one minute early and ending 90 minutes late .)

I then ran another test, recording a show from 2:00 to 2:30 (p.m.), then setting it to start one minute early (for consistency of testing), and end 60 minutes late. As I expected, instead of recording until 3:30, it quit recording a few minutes past 3:00 -- in this case at 3:11.

I'm detecting a pattern here. It appears that when a program is set to end [i]60 minutes or more past the regular end time of the original TV show, the RD-XS34 quits recording:

[1] approximately 4 to 11 minutes after the top of the hour which comes

[2] after the TV show's Regularly Scheduled End Time (regardless of start time or the length of the original show). (If the top of the hour is the same as the RegS.E.T., the recorder will quit a few minutes after the top of the next hour.)

So when recording an 8:00-8:30 show, the recorder will stop at around 9:04-9:11. When recording a show that ends at 9:00, the recorder will stop at around 10:04-10:11 (assuming the "end late by" feature is set to record past that time, of course).

In my testing, the early shutdown seems to be occuring later and later. No idea why that happens, or why the bug exists in the first place.

Captain Shirk, I do agree with you that this is a bug that probably is common to all the XS34s. I have rarely found a need for this feature other than when a football game on Sunday skews the programming. You might call the TVGOS toll free support line (800-286-7380) and ask them about the problem since you have done the most testing to date.

Ken

Count me as another mostly-satisfied TVGOS user. Some of the specialty cable channels in my area are not being picked up though (cable provider is Shaw TV - Vancouver, BC). Of course they can be tuned manually but there is no program information. My biggest complaint with the unit is that channel 4 (one of those specialty channels mentioned above) is coming in with audio that is totally (intermittently) messed up by unlistenable static. The tuners on my TV and VCR do not have this problem. Right now I am agonizing over whether to try to exchange the unit over this, while wondering if a replacement would have exactly the same glitch, while not liking the thought of unhooking, rehooking, resetting everything again, etc..

Overall, I am very happy with this machine, but might feel differently if I watched a lot of channel 4.

I hope someone has called up Toshiba and told them about this End Late By bug.

It's also harder with the Tosh to divide a title into two or more titles. (In fact, it's impossible to do directly.) You have to create a playlist for each subtitle you want to create, then dub each playlist to either a DVD or back to the hard drive. This creates a "new" title for each playlist, at which point you can delete the original title. It would be nice if they would allow you to just divide a title the way the Panasonic can.

Nevertheless, once you get used to it, the Toshiba is actually quite easy to use, and in fact, I'm going to retain it as my "primary" recorder, even though I got my Panasonic back from the shop the other day. (Haven't re-installed it yet.) (I wonder if I'm gonna have to re-learn how to use my Panny? :) )

Thanks so much Captain. I just got the XS54 and apparently the process is still the same to divide a title. Obviously your method is not listed in the manual, lol. :D But what is great about the XS series is that there is SO much you can do with this machine that I can overlook the crazy GUI and learn the "Toshiba way" for the occasional instances I need to do this and some other tasks.

Wow,that "end late bug' is baffling to me.Maybe I'm showing my stupidity,but how does the recorder "know" when a program ends.In other words if you set the recorder to end an hour after a progam you wanted,how would the recorder make that judgement?Shouldn't it just assume you wanted to record the show following?What happens when you record a film of 2-3 hrs.length? Does it work? Please donj't take me wrong-I'm not doubting it happens-in fact its what held me back from purchasing this unit.It seems to be everything I'd want but if its unreliable like this,,,,,I mean what happens when you do want 2 shows back to back?Do you have to set two start and end times and risk missing something in between?

Wow,that "end late bug' is baffling to me.Maybe I'm showing my stupidity,but how does the recorder "know" when a program ends.In other words if you set the recorder to end an hour after a progam you wanted,how would the recorder make that judgement?Shouldn't it just assume you wanted to record the show following?What happens when you record a film of 2-3 hrs.length? Does it work? Please donj't take me wrong-I'm not doubting it happens-in fact its what held me back from purchasing this unit.It seems to be everything I'd want but if its unreliable like this,,,,,I mean what happens when you do want 2 shows back to back?Do you have to set two start and end times and risk missing something in between?
Let me see if I can clear it up for you. When you select a program from the on screen TV Guide listing to be recorded, there is a definite start and end time for the program that goes into your schedule list. That's how the recorder "knows" when the program ends. There is a feature (rarely used by me) to allow you to start before the scheduled time or end later than the scheduled time. Minutes are added to the front of the scheduled time or after the end of the scheduled time.

You can easily schedule as many shows as you want to record end to end just as long as you don't overlap. If you overlap the recorder will warn you. If a program is scheduled for 3 hours, it records for 3 hours. No problem. The "end late by bug" only shows up when trying to manually add minutes to an existing schedule.

Of all the possible bugs that I can think of that would stop me from buying an XS34 this one doesn't begin to get on the list. The XS34 is such a fine and versatile recorder in so many other ways that this annoyance, to many users, wouldn't be a problem.

Ken

You can easily schedule as many shows as you want to record end to end just as long as you don't overlap. If you overlap the recorder will warn you. If a program is scheduled for 3 hours, it records for 3 hours. No problem. The "end late by bug" only shows up when trying to manually add minutes to an existing schedule.

Of all the possible bugs that I can think of that would stop me from buying an XS34 this one doesn't begin to get on the list. The XS34 is such a fine and versatile recorder in so many other ways that this annoyance, to many users, wouldn't be a problem.
I tried this last night on the RD-XS54, ostensibly exactly the same system as the XS34. I set a recording for the TV Guide to record a 30 minute show 1 minute before and last 90 minutes longer. I ended up with a recording 2 hours and 1 minute long. Either Toshiba knows about this bug, I'm not setting it up correctly, or this is some error by those who have experienced this before. Take your pick.

I'd put my money on user misunderstanding.

I tried this last night on the RD-XS54, ostensibly exactly the same system as the XS34. I set a recording for the TV Guide to record a 30 minute show 1 minute before and last 90 minutes longer. I ended up with a recording 2 hours and 1 minute long. Either Toshiba knows about this bug, I'm not setting it up correctly, or this is some error by those who have experienced this before. Take your pick.
What am I missing here? It seems to me that you got exactly what you asked for. 1 minute plus 30 minutes plus 90 minutes equals 121 minutes or 2 hours and 1 minute.

Seems like Toshiba may have fixed the "end by bug" in the XS54.

Squonk, as far as "user error" is concerned, setting up this simple feature is not brain surgery.

Ken

he stopped my thead about the hx715 when he thought i was slinky. when i called him an idiot because of this i got banned but he didnt. now he is here again. i warn you because more talk with him will stop your thread like he did to mine.

Hey "dukebangalot", this post had nothing to do with you, why are you so concerned with Slinky?

I certainly apologize to you "dukebangalot" if I got you and Slinky confused. You both seem to have the same frothing at the mouth characteristics and the same intellectual capacity level. My "mistake".

Can the owners of this Toshiba tell us if you can divide a title on hard disk to dub to two different DVD blanks????

Can the owners of this Toshiba tell us if you can divide a title on hard disk to dub to two different DVD blanks????

You sure can. Once you have divided the title into chapters you can make as many play lists as you want and use them individually to dub to separate DVD blanks. You can re-arrange chapters as you build a play list. Example: put the first chapter from a title into a play list. Now add chapter 3 and 2 to the play list in that order.

You can make a play list up from different titles. Example: put two chapters in a play list from one title and then put three more chapters from another title into the same play list.

As you can see, editing with the XS34 can be very versatile.

Ken

You can't divide a title directly into two titles (as you can with a Panasonic), but you can indeed divide a title into chapters and then mix-and-match 'em into playlists the way rcflyer described. In fact, I did exactly that last night. Took a three-hour recording and split it into chapters (at the commercial breaks), then put one hour on one disc and the other two hours on a second disc. Pretty easy, in fact.

On another note, I haven't had time yet to notify Toshiba of the End Late By bug yet.....I'll see if I can do that later today.

I just purchased the Tosh XS34 and it is going back. I haven't read all the posts on this tread so maybe this has all been covered.

DVD-RAM's recorded on my E-100 look like crap on the Toshiba. So much for compatability between manufacturers.

The machine was off for 12 hours and I walked in the room. Something was running, and it took me a minute to track the noise down to the Toshiba's cooling fan. This is a large room and my hearing is not that great! Unacceptable.

The non standard remote control took too much effort to learn Toshiba's way of logic.


My 2-cents.

I just purchased the Tosh XS34 and it is going back. I haven't read all the posts on this tread so maybe this has all been covered.

DVD-RAM's recorded on my E-100 look like crap on the Toshiba. So much for compatibility between manufacturers.

The machine was off for 12 hours and I walked in the room. Something was running, and it took me a minute to track the noise down to the Toshiba's cooling fan. This is a large room and my hearing is not that great! Unacceptable.

The non standard remote control took too much effort to learn Toshiba's way of logic.


My 2-cents.
I am curious as to why you bought the XS34 in the first place without reading about all of the warts that it has such as the fan on continuously.

I never read where DVD-RAMs made on another recorder were supposed to be compatible with the XS34. The DVD-RAMs I make on my XS34 work great on my Panny S35 player.

I keep the XS34 out in my media room in the barn and the animals don't seem to mind the fan. I think it puts them to sleep.

What standard is there for a remote control that you mentioned? I didn't know that there was one.

Best of luck to you on your next one.

Ken

Well, in Zeros-and-Ones' defense (sorry, I'm a defense attorney -- that's what I do ;)), the fan is louder than one might normally expect. I've learned to live with it, but it initially surprised even me when I first plugged in my then-new XS34 -- and I knew before I bought it that it had a continuously running fan.

And the remote control -- as with the unit itself -- is a bit complicated. There's quite a learning curve with the XS34. Having said that, though, I think the extra effort is worth it in the long run. Once I got used to it, I have found it to be at least as easy to use as my Panasonic, and definitely more versatile. (User-definable bitrate, ten-second "instant replay" button, and fully adjustable zoom, for examples.)

As for DVD-RAM compatibility, I've had no major problems swapping RAMs back and forth between my Panny and my "Toshi." They record and play just fine either way. Picture quality is great. There is one very minor glitch -- I can't enter a name for a title recorded by the XS34 on a RAM disc if that disc has titles previously recorded onto it by the Panny. I solve that problem by dumping those Panny recordings onto the Toshi's hard drive, then initializing the RAM disc (which erases the disc), then dubbing the Panny recordings back onto the RAM if I wish. I can then use the XS34 to record or dub additional material onto the disc with no limitation on entering title names.

Yes, it's a minor inconvenience, but I don't run into that problem very often, and it in no way prevents me from recording or playing Panny-recorded RAMs on my Tosh, or vice versa.

so i'm a new xs34 owner, i've had it just over a week. a few things i was wondering. can you record to the hdd and dvd ram/r/rw at the same time from the cable input? or can you record 2 things at once from different inputs? like form the cable and then from the front inputs?

also here's a problem i've just run into. i copied a laserdisc to the hdd, i did side 1 as 1 recording and side 2 as another. then made a playlist from the two and burned them to dvd-ram. when i took the dvd ram to my mac and played the file, the ending of each clip had like 2-4 seconds clipped off each. so i tried recording it to a dvd-rw and then played that back and everyhting was fine. anyone know why this is? i did have to finalize the rw but didn't do that to the ram. can you finalize ram? this is my first experience with ram. the dvd-ram i used was the one that came with the recorder too if that helps. and when i played it on my mac, i took it out of the cartridge and then ripped it to the hd with yadex and then also with mac the ripper and both gave me the same results. but ripping the rw with those aps gave me the uncut clips.

can you record to the hdd and dvd ram/r/rw at the same time from the cable input?
Nope.

...or can you record 2 things at once from different inputs? Like from the cable and then from the front inputs?
Nope.

As for DVD-RAM, you can't finalize it, nor do you need to.

I have no idea why you lose the final 2-4 seconds of your material when copying the DVD-RAM data to your Mac's hard drive, while not experiencing that problem when using DVD-RW. Sounds like it must have something to do with the way the ripping software works. I will leave that question to those more knowledgeable in that field than I (which isn't saying much!).

The non standard remote control took too much effort to learn Toshiba's way of logic.

I don't know what you're saying is the 'standard' remote control, but for the most part, I like my XS32's remote. I know that a few buttons were changed around on the 34.

My biggest problem is having to open the door for the delete button (but that tedium is better than the tedium of choosing delete via the contextual menu).

The various buttons, including the 4 'rockers' around the center button, are actually fairly logically laid out, IMHO.

My biggest problem is having to open the door for the delete button (but that tedium is better than the tedium of choosing delete via the contextual menu).

I got to say, that having the delete key inside the door is the one thing about the remote that struck me as being rather odd. That, and having the "Set TV remote code" key, in contrast, on the outside of the door. I mean, just how often does one need to change the code for the TV?

My biggest problem is having to open the door for the delete button...
I got to say, that having the delete key inside the door is the one thing about the remote that struck me as being rather odd....

Yeah, I hafta agree with both of you there. (Maybe it's a safety precaution to avoid accidental deletions?)

....That, and having the "Set TV remote code" key, in contrast, on the outside of the door. I mean, just how often does one need to change the code for the TV?

Good point. Woulda been nice if the engineers had thought that through a little better. Or maybe they did (see above about my safety precaution theory). I suppose some market research from actual users might've helped. [sigh] Well, it's a good machine overall. I guess you can't have everything....

I got to say, that having the delete key inside the door is the one thing about the remote that struck me as being rather odd. That, and having the "Set TV remote code" key, in contrast, on the outside of the door. I mean, just how often does one need to change the code for the TV?
Walt, I 100% agree with you. However, for so many keys, this keyboard is pretty will laid out. Once you learn the XS34 you realize just how much thought and planning went into designing such a versatile unit. I've gotten to the point where I almost never have to refer to the manual.

Ken

All,

I am a newbie on the DVD Recorder stuff, so new that I am stuck on the initial setup of my new machine. I need your advice on whether it was my silly understanding of setup instruction, or I could be in bad luck getting a bad mahcine. Any help will be very much appreciated.

After following the thread on XS34 (and Panny and Pioneer discussions), I have chosen the XS34 as my first DVD Recorder. Following the Quick Reference instructions,I connected the Antnna to the RF IN end of XS34 and the TV on the RFOUT of the XS34. When turning on the unit, the XS34 message never was displayed on the TV screen. The TV screen still shows the TV program I tuned on. None of the "INFO". "MANU", "TV Guide" keys responded to my pressing, nor did the "REC", "ENTER" etc. The box was just like a passing-through box between
the TV and Antenna. What did I do wrong? Did I missing anything important during setup or this machine has a problem? Anyone has any such experiences?

I tried to post with a lot more details of what I did, but since I am new, my first
post attempt failed saying that my post contained too many images or URLs (which I did not understand). I am frustrated.

Thanks,

Yue

yuewang25 wrote
The box was just like a passing-through box between
the TV and Antenna. What did I do wrong? Did I missing anything important during setup or this machine has a problem?

That how the unit was made to work-it passes along the cable/tv signal to the tv, instead of passing the unit's signal.
You must now connect the yellow video, and red & white audio left right cables to the OUTPUT PLUGS on the X34, and feed them to the video, and red & white audio left right INPUT plugs in back of your tv.

To see the unit's signal, just turn your tv to it's line input channel. That's how you view it.

If you have an older model tv with no video/audio plugs, you can buy a small device-drawing a blank on it's name (a signal converter?), that will allow you to connect those cables to it, and then to the silver RCA jack in back of the tv, allowing you to receive the unit's signal...They can be purchased at Walmart, Radio Shack..

Hopefully someone will come along and offer the correct name of that device. It's not exspensive either...

Westly, good explanation. Yue, look on page 14 of your owners manual for more information.

Ken

Thanks Westly for your reply. It is enlightening. If I interpret it correctly, we actually have two video/audio "stream feed" to the TV: the first one being the RFIN/RFOUT (coaxial), it only serves as pass-by for antenna/cable signals to TV. The signals from the the XS34 actually has to be through the video/audio or S-video/Component output, connecting to the Line-in of the TV. Is it correct? If what you said is true, it is different from what I had in my old Toshiba VCR, where there only need to be a RF-IN and a RF-OUT with coaxial cable. I was kind of in that thinking when I setup this box.

Now use the logical in your message to think, the source of the signal (for TV and XS34) is from RF-IN, then the signal that was "processed" by the XS34 (say your recorded program on HDD, and play-back on the DVD) would only be sent to the Line-in (L1 or L2) of the TV. This is how you can achieve the goal of "Record a channel on XS34, while watch another channel on TV". True? I guess I was clueless before. Thanks again Westly!

"RF modulator". That was the name you were looking for, Westly. :) (RF for "Radio Frequency") Takes a regular audio/video signal and modulates it onto a radio frequency carrier (channel 3 or 4) so that older TV's without RCA-type audio/video inputs can accept it.

And yes, I think you understand it correctly, now, yuewang. (I guess it always helps to read the manual carefully. ;) )

Enjoy your XS34!

(P.S. -- Just for the sake of accuracy and clarity, the "silver RCA jack in back of the TV" that Westly mentioned is actually an F-type jack. [Coaxial, radio frequency signal]

"RCA" plugs and jacks are the smaller diameter [than the F-type coaxial] connectors that the XS34 [and most, if not all, other DVD recorders and players] use to send the unmodulated video and audio signals out. [It's the older TV's that don't have the RCA input jacks and require you to get an RF modulator to complete the hookup.])

on pg 89 in the manual it shows how i can take video add chapters to it and then only take certain chapters and combine those chapters into a new playlist. how do i do this? i can go in and make my chapters, then i want to delete the chapters with commercials but can't figure that out. so i've just been doing it on the computer. i couldn't find in the manual where it tell specifically how to do this.

thanks

I got to say, that having the delete key inside the door is the one thing about the remote that struck me as being rather odd. That, and having the "Set TV remote code" key, in contrast, on the outside of the door. I mean, just how often does one need to change the code for the TV?


I have had my XS 34 since the end of July. No problems at all, but I don't use it every day. I bought it for a replacement for my broken VCR and it does a great job.

I finally found out the to delete you can use "EASY NAV" menu. Then you can choose delete without having to open the door to find the delete key.

I thought the learning curve was pretty steep at first, but now everything makes sense.

Hope the rest of you start having your XS 34 perform as well as mine has.

Tim

I have had my XS 34 since the end of July. No problems at all, but I don't use it every day. I bought it for a replacement for my broken VCR and it does a great job.

Tim,

Have you had occasion to use the "end late by" feature that allows you to extend the EPG programmed recording by some period of time? Some have encountered problems with incomplete recordings when using this feature.

Also, do you program using the EPG or manually? Are you routing through a cable box or plugging analog cable directly from the wall to the recorder? Any problems getting regular EPG listings?

I assume the recorder has never missed a recording?

Thanks in advance for providing a little more info on your experience with the xs-34.

Have you had occasion to use the "end late by" feature that allows you to extend the EPG programmed recording by some period of time? Some have encountered problems with incomplete recordings when using this feature.

I thought the problem was only if you tried to record back-to-back programs, and had the extended record option enabled ("end late by"). The unit could not correctly handle the resulting overlap; the "end late by" would cause the first program to overlap the second.

I thought the problem was only if you tried to record back-to-back programs, and had the extended record option enabled ("end late by"). The unit could not correctly handle the resulting overlap; the "end late by" would cause the first program to overlap the second.

I recall at least two members mentioning that the recorder would simply stop recording 4 or 5 minutes after the top of the hour during a scheduled recording that had been extended by some length of time. Basically the recorder did not complete the recording session. I do not recall anyone mentioning that it had anything to do with overlapping (back-to-back) programmed recordings.

Tim,

Have you had occasion to use the "end late by" feature that allows you to extend the EPG programmed recording by some period of time? Some have encountered problems with incomplete recordings when using this feature.

Also, do you program using the EPG or manually? Are you routing through a cable box or plugging analog cable directly from the wall to the recorder? Any problems getting regular EPG listings?

I assume the recorder has never missed a recording?

Thanks in advance for providing a little more info on your experience with the xs-34.


I have never missed a recording. Among other things, I record NASCAR races and football games. I use the EPG to set my recordings and I usually set them to end late by 90 minutes to make sure I get everything if they go over. As far as I know it has worked every time. I will have to do a test to make sure it records a full 90 minutes after the scheduled end. I have erased all my old recordings that I have ended late so I can't check right now. Remember these are usually 3 hours recordings extended by 90 minutes, so I don't know it that makes a difference.

I have analog cable routed direct to my recorder . I haven't had any issues with downloading my TV listings, but my recorder is off quite a bit. I don't use it at all some days. I usually program by EPG, but have also programmed manually. I also record back to back with no issues. But, they have been on the same channel so I don't know if it would make a difference if the recorder had to tune to another channel.

I am a pretty basic user, so I can't speak for all the issues, but I will set up specific scenarios if someone wants me to test them.

Tim

I'm the guy who initially mentioned the "End Late By" bug. On August 26, I wrote:

"When using the "End late by" feature, it stops recording after [approximately] 1.1 hours, regardless of how long you set the "end late by" period. Not always the exact same elapsed time every time, but close -- it typically stops 1 hour and 4 minutes to 1 hour and 6 minutes after the recording has started. I have no idea why."

It has nothing to do with setting back-to-back recordings. (The confusion may have stemmed from the fact that when I started noticing the problem it was because I was trying to record several back-to-back shows using the "End Late By" feature in order to do it as one single recording. I.e., I wanted to record "The Simpsons" and then the three subsequent FOX Sunday night sitcoms (as one long recording), so I would just set it to record the "The Simpsons" using the TV Guide Onscreen system, then go back and program the recorder to start one minute early and end 90 minutes late. So it should've just recorded straight through from 7:59 to 10:00 p.m. But it would always shutoff at around 9:07.)

After some testing, I submitted a more detailed (I know that's hard to believe) explanation of the problem, which can be found here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6253978&&#post6253978).

So Tim, if you'd be willing to do us a favor, could you set your XS34 to record a half-hour or one-hour show using the TV Guide OnScreen, then adjust it to start one minute early (just for the sake of consistency in testing) and end 90 minutes late? Your recording should then be 2:01 or 2:31 in length (depending on whether you decided to try a half hour or one hour show as your guinea pig). But if your machine is like mine, it will quit recording about five to ten minutes or so after the top of the hour after the original (unadjusted) show was due to finish. (Note that if the regularly scheduled recording is due to end at the top of an hour, then then failure will occur a few minutes after the top of the [b]next hour.)

Sorry to be so long-winded -- it's a rather strange problem that requires a bit of explaining to describe :o

I finally found out the to delete you can use "EASY NAV" menu. Then you can choose delete without having to open the door to find the delete key.

You can also delete via the Quick Menu button.

But both of these choices are slower (to me) than opening the door and hitting the delete button.. So I just grumble and open the door (then close again since I'll need a button like the chapter insert button on the outside).

Yeah, it's too bad Toshiba couldn't have designed the remote control so as not to necessitate constantly opening and closing the door.

Oh well....you can't have it all.

I want to thank you, Westly-C, Captain Shirk and rcflyer again. After the initial confusion, I have got my new XS34 working now. And I like it very much. I have compared among the XS34, the Pany, and the Pioneer, and I believe the XS34 served my need the best. I especially like the fact that EPG did not pose any problem (although I would still think it would be better if the machine could allow manual resetting clock) , if you decide to go with manual timer recording, and the operation on the machine is a lot easier to learn than I thought. I am still learning more on the machine but I really liked this one. I think anyone who plans to buy XS34 needs to read this thread, it helped me tremendously in my purchasing decision.

You're welcome! :)

"Yeah, it's too bad Toshiba couldn't have designed the remote control so as not to necessitate constantly opening and closing the door."

Last night I was using the delete title on the easy nav button that some one mentioned. I like that better than opening the door.

Ken

The audio noise problem on channel 4 did not go away when I exchanged the unit. Toshiba informed me that this is indeed an "issue" and I am getting it fixed. This must not be a problem on all machines, since I am the only one here who seems to have encountered it. As part of the repair they will upgrade the firmware which they say will add the option of manual clock setting.

I'm the guy who initially mentioned the "End Late By" bug. On August 26, I wrote:

"When using the "End late by" feature, it stops recording after [approximately] 1.1 hours, regardless of how long you set the "end late by" period. Not always the exact same elapsed time every time, but close -- it typically stops 1 hour and 4 minutes to 1 hour and 6 minutes after the recording has started. I have no idea why."

It has nothing to do with setting back-to-back recordings. (The confusion may have stemmed from the fact that when I started noticing the problem it was because I was trying to record several back-to-back shows using the "End Late By" feature in order to do it as one single recording. I.e., I wanted to record "The Simpsons" and then the three subsequent FOX Sunday night sitcoms (as one long recording), so I would just set it to record the "The Simpsons" using the TV Guide Onscreen system, then go back and program the recorder to start one minute early and end 90 minutes late. So it should've just recorded straight through from 7:59 to 10:00 p.m. But it would always shutoff at around 9:07.)

After some testing, I submitted a more detailed (I know that's hard to believe) explanation of the problem, which can be found

So Tim, if you'd be willing to do us a favor, could you set your XS34 to record a half-hour or one-hour show using the TV Guide OnScreen, then adjust it to start one minute early (just for the sake of consistency in testing) and end 90 minutes late? Your recording should then be 2:01 or 2:31 in length (depending on whether you decided to try a half hour or one hour show as your guinea pig). But if your machine is like mine, it will quit recording about five to ten minutes or so after the top of the hour after the original (unadjusted) show was due to finish. (Note that if the regularly scheduled recording is due to end at the top of an hour, then then failure will occur a few minutes after the top of the [b]next hour.)

Sorry to be so long-winded -- it's a rather strange problem that requires a bit of explaining to describe :o

Well, I guess ignorance was bliss. I thought my unit worked perfect, but it works the same as your recorder. I did a few tests over the weekend. My 30 minute show set to end 90 minutes late, ended 64 minutes late. My 60 minute show set to end 90 minutes late ended 34 minutes late. My 3.5 hour NASCAR race set to end 90 minutes late ended 34 minutes late. So then I tried 120 minutes late. My 2 hour movie set to end 120 minutes late ended 64 minutes late.

There is definitely and issue with the "end late" function.

Tim

Just thought I would post about my missed manual recordings experience.
Same problem as others have reported, machine turns on but doesn't record the program.

The first time it happened, I intermittently missed 11 recordings. I deleted all of my scheduled programs and reentered them. That fixed it for a couple of weeks.

Then last night it missed another program.

Both times I played a DVD the same day before the scheduled recording.
The last time it happened I had also cancelled a scheduled recording the prior night after it had recorded about 10 seconds. The diagnostic history did not go back far enough to tell if I had done that the first time it started happening.

I mainly do manual timer recordings via a digital TV tuner hooked up to Line 1.

Poking around the Section Recording diagnostic screen I can see No Path and Bad Dev errors and Unknown recording path errors. See attached screen shots.

I still can't get TVGOS to work. :(

Now, with the end of DST, my clock is off by an hour and there is no way to set/correct it! The "set time/date" option is grayed out. :(

I can live with the TVGOS not working since I set timer recordings manually. But I really do need the clock to be somewhat accurate. :mad:

Can anyone tell me how to set the clock on the xs34. I do not use the tvguide feature. After setting the clock during the initial setup, I can no longer set the time as it is greyed out (locked out). I assume this is tied to the tv guide function somehow. My clock is now off becuase of day light savings and I can not figure out how to manually change the clock. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Can anyone tell me how to set the clock on the xs34. I do not use the tvguide feature. After setting the clock during the initial setup, I can no longer set the time as it is greyed out (locked out). I assume this is tied to the tv guide function somehow. My clock is now off becuase of day light savings and I can not figure out how to manually change the clock. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

From another tread, call Toshiba at 1-800-631-3811, pick opt 1, and tell them your problem. They will send you out an update which should unlock the set time/date option (un-grey it).

Thank you for the info. Missed that earlier thread.

No problem. That's the problem we all face sometimes when there are multiple threads on similar problems.

I called Toshiba as soon as I got home. Once I got to the right person, all I had to do was mention that I was having a problem with my XS34 not changing its time (not adjusting to the end of DST), and they quickly offered to send me the free firmware patch.

I am still trying to get TVGOS to work on my unit. :(

Because of that, I went back into Diagnostics to see if there is anything new since I connected my XS34 up to my cable box for the first time last Saturday.

While in Diagnostics, I stumbled upon the screen entitled "Section Other Clocks 1". In that section, I saw these two relevant entries:


Daylight/Standard Daylight
Next DST Trans 10/30/05 6:00:00


Well, obviously, we are now several days past 10/30/05, and my XS34 (as it seems others too) still hasn't set its time back by one hour. It still thinks, wrongly, that we are still in "Daylight" savings time. :mad:

So, apparently, the XS34 is designed to attempt to handle DST. It is just the firmware behind that function just doesn't work. :rolleyes:

Wouldn't it be nice if the latest firmware that Toshiba has for fixing the 'clock' also includes the codes for changing channels on the DirecTV receivers (more specifically, the D10-200 models) using the IR. Then you could use Toshiba's TVGOS to program your recordings....

WaltA, since I get my programming over the air I have had no trouble with TVGOS or the clock or the change back from DST. Only the "end late by bug".

However, I did call Toshiba support and ask for the firmware update on the clock because I don't like the grayed out clock pick. Besides, what if TVGOS should go away? I love TVGOS but...... Anyway, the guy said I should receive it with instructions within 5 days.

I already have the firmware update to unlock (un-grey-out) the manual setting of time and date on its way from Toshiba (I hope). However, I don't think that firmware update addresses that it knows it was suppose to end DST on 10/30/05, but didn't. It knew it was suppose to set the time back by an hour, but just skipped it. While now being able to manually re-set the time twice a year is a help, I really shouldn't have to.

I guess I am just whining here about some really sloppy programming by either Toshiba or TVGOS for having support for DST, but also having an obvious bug in that support. :confused:

I think that mine updated DST because it gets the time update from TVGOS. What I now wonder is if I install the firmware update to my correctly working recorder, will it prevent TVGOS from updating the time? I'll probably just hang on to the firmware update until I need it.

Ken

I think that is a bit different. Your unit might have just updated its time based on current time being sent by your EPG providing station. It didn't just change the hour back by an hour because it knew DST ended. ????

Mine updated over the course of about two days. The time changed some on Sunday and Monday, but still was about 20 mins off. Finally, by Tuesday, the time was correct. I use TVGOS. I did, however, contact Toshiba for the update and will put it in when it comes. Can't imagine that it could harm anything.

Victor

I think that is a bit different. Your unit might have just updated its time based on current time being sent by your EPG providing station. It didn't just change the hour back by an hour because it knew DST ended. ????
What you said is the same thing that I said only a little differently. I said "I think that mine updated DST because it gets the time update from TVGOS." Meaning that TVGOS is the service provided by a local TV station. Mine changed back to CST over night.

Victor let us know how yours works out.

Ken

Ken,

I will be sure to let you know how I make out.

Victor

hi everyone. new guy here. just bought my tosh 34 and am having fun playing with it. I have a couple of questions if that's ok?....I am hooked up to a satellite receiver (expressvu) and was wondering if there was a way to watch one channel while recording another. And does anyone know if tv guide is active in my area? Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)....thanks
:)

Hi,

If you have to use a box (or receiver) to get the channnel, you will not be able to watch one channel and watch another unless you have 2 boxes (the cable box isn't able to output 2 channels at the same time).

I sure hope your Toshiba is able to change channels on your satellite receiver with the supplied IR blaster, otherwise you're not going to be able to use your Toshiba TV Guide on screen.

The Toshiba 34 is a good recorder..but I personally liked the features on the previous model...the XS32.
Vic




hi everyone. new guy here. just bought my tosh 34 and am having fun playing with it. I have a couple of questions if that's ok?....I am hooked up to a satellite receiver (expressvu) and was wondering if there was a way to watch one channel while recording another. And does anyone know if tv guide is active in my area? Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)....thanks
:)

unfortunately i cannot use the guide nor can i watch one channel while recording another. So, sadly i have returned my unit to the store and i will continue to look for other options.

unfortunately i cannot use the guide nor can i watch one channel while recording another. So, sadly i have returned my unit to the store and i will continue to look for other options.

I don't know of any cable system's set-top-box which has, basically, two tuners to allow you to simultaneously feed a DVD recorder (or a VCR) and a TV set with different channels at the same time. That's not really a DVD recorder problem or limitation.

It's still a good unit...... if watching one channel and recording another at the same time is important to you, get two receivers (many satellite TV distributors will throw in another receiver for another room at no additional cost)..otherwise I don't think you'll be able to find any DVD recorder to do what you want.



unfortunately i cannot use the guide nor can i watch one channel while recording another. So, sadly i have returned my unit to the store and i will continue to look for other options.

I am asking (possibly a silly) question: does the XS-34 allow the dubbing from DVD into the HDD? On some occasions, I copied my Camcord home video to the HDD, and made some copies of DVD. Then I deleted the copy from the HDD. Later I found that I want to make some more copies of the DVD. But the XS-34 does not seem to allow me to dub from DVD into HDD. I know I could use a PC (and DVD burner) for such job, but can we do it on the XS34?

hi everyone. new guy here. just bought my tosh 34 and am having fun playing with it. I have a couple of questions if that's ok?....I am hooked up to a satellite receiver (expressvu) and was wondering if there was a way to watch one channel while recording another. And does anyone know if tv guide is active in my area? Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)....thanks
:)


Directivo is the answer. Record 2 different shows at the same time, or watch one while recording the other. You need dual tuners to do what you want--DVD recorders don't generally have dual tuners.

I am asking (possibly a silly) question: does the XS-34 allow the dubbing from DVD into the HDD? On some occasions, I copied my Camcord home video to the HDD, and made some copies of DVD. Then I deleted the copy from the HDD. Later I found that I want to make some more copies of the DVD. But the XS-34 does not seem to allow me to dub from DVD into HDD. I know I could use a PC (and DVD burner) for such job, but can we do it on the XS34?

Yes.

I know you can do a bit-for-bit high-speed dub from DVD-RAM to the XS34's hard drive. And I think you can also do that with DVD-R or DVD-RW. And if you can't do a bit-for-bit high-speed dub from DVD-R or -RW, you certainly should be able to do a real-time dub. (Have you read the manual? I know it's huge, but if you gather up your courage and dig in, it should answer your questions about dubbing.)

I am asking (possibly a silly) question: does the XS-34 allow the dubbing from DVD into the HDD? On some occasions, I copied my Camcord home video to the HDD, and made some copies of DVD. Then I deleted the copy from the HDD. Later I found that I want to make some more copies of the DVD. But the XS-34 does not seem to allow me to dub from DVD into HDD. I know I could use a PC (and DVD burner) for such job, but can we do it on the XS34?

Yes, the XS34 allows dubbing from DVD to HDD (though not high speed dubbing). After copying to HDD, you can use the 'high speed dubbing to dub to DVD.

The XS34 also lets you dub DVD to DVD (in high speed mode both ways!)...which is what it sounds like you would like to do.

Vic

Well, wait a minute. You can't do a direct DVD-to-DVD dub at any speed, because that would require two DVD drives.

You can definitely do a high-speed dub from DVD-RAM to the hard disk drive. I'll take a look at my manual later this evening when I have more time to see if a high-speed dub to the hard drive can also be done from DVD-R or -RW. (But then again, checking the manual is something yuewang25 can do himself, isn't it?) :)

I don't know of any cable system's set-top-box which has, basically, two tuners to allow you to simultaneously feed a DVD recorder (or a VCR) and a TV set with different channels at the same time. That's not really a DVD recorder problem or limitation.

It's not a cable system, but apparently some of the DISH satellite PVRs do have two outputs, so you can watch something in another room. It could be repurposed for sending one to a DVD recorder while watching something else..

Or at least that's what was talked about. Did that functionality ever ship?

Well, wait a minute. You can't do a direct DVD-to-DVD dub at any speed, because that would require two DVD drives.

You can definitely do a high-speed dub from DVD-RAM to the hard disk drive. I'll take a look at my manual later this evening when I have more time to see if a high-speed dub to the hard drive can also be done from DVD-R or -RW. (But then again, checking the manual is something yuewang25 can do himself, isn't it?) :)

Your right...the xs34 can't do direct DVD-->DVD, but according to the manual, it does do a DVD-to-DVD (by caching to the hard drive and then write back to the DVD) all at high speed.
I use to own the XS32, and the high speed dubbing is much quicker on the XS34, but I prefer the XS32 over the XS34 becasue it was simpler to use. You have to push a 'lot more' buttons on the XS34 to do the same thing the XS32 does...

Following a pleasant discussion with Toshiba DVR Representive It is my belief that most people just give up on getting their TVGOS (TV Guide) to work. Of course the ability to obtain instant satisfaction is not design of the TV guide product meaning that it takes several hours (24 +) to obtain data. If one did not get the TV guide to work they just give up, Wrong Rock! If you do not push your manufacture to resolve the issue your product may never work as designed.

If all of TV Guide users with defective marginal systems give up the TV guide program is bound to fail. The system is funded by the manufactures not a fee based approach Like TIVO. Do not let this system fall short call your manufacture support line and get your stuff fixed.

The bottom line is IF you do :rolleyes: not demand high performing support you will not get it! Why not you paid for it. :eek:

I'm a two month XS-34 owner that has yet to get any listings from TVGOS. I had a Liteon 5007 prior with TVGOS that worked awesome, but it died after a year's use like most 5007's have. Toshiba claims it's an issue between TVGOS & Adelphia So-Cal, but I'm having a hard time accepting that as the Liteon TVGOS worked without any issues. I've been lerking here and it seems the answer is not here yet. So I figured I'd drop my tail of woe on you all as a way of saying Hello! :D

Jim

Hi Jim, welcome to the thread. Sorry to hear about your problems. Are you hooked to an antenna or cable box? If not an antenna then set it up for an antenna and try that. Mine works fine with no problems on an antenna in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

If you haven't tried Toshiba then their number is 1-800-631-3811. They are really nice folks to deal with.

Ken

I found a problem with regard to the DVD+R format disk. After I made 2 copies of my home video on my XS-34 (which is of course DVD-R format), I decided I wanted to have the 3-rd copy. And the problem is on this 3-rd copy.

I decided I would take another approach for the purpose. I used the Pioneer DVR-108 on my Windows XP machine, and the Nero 6 (which came with the DVD burner free) to archive/copy the DVD-R disc obtained on the XS-34. I used the DVD+R disc for the copy. Well, the 3-rd copy (in DVD+R format) can be played on of my two DVD players, and on my desktop PCs, but it can not be played on the XS-34 machine. Futhermore, it can not be played on my Dell Inspiron 6000 Laptop (which has CD burner with DVD ROM). In the other words, the 3-rd copy can not be played on certain machines including the XS-34.

This puzzles me and have me concerned. First, is the XS-34 not able to read the any DVD+R format disc? If that was true, then it would be very awkward: the XS-34 would be bad, even as a DVD player, and there would be a big limitation on the use of this machine. What if my friend recorded something in DVD+R format, and want to share it with me? Another concern is, why was my Dell Laptop unable to read a DVD+R format?

I can not remember where I read it from, but I thought once you FINALIZE the DVD-R on the XS-34, it becomes DVD Video format, and the +/- Format is no longer relevant in terms of reading. Is it true? Any one can shed any light on the problem?

I have a DVD+R that a friend made for me on his recorder and it plays fine on my XS-34. I don't know what recorder he used.

Ken

This puzzles me and have me concerned. First, is the XS-34 not able to read the any DVD+R format disc? If that was true, then it would be very awkward: the XS-34 would be bad, even as a DVD player, and there would be a big limitation on the use of this machine. What if my friend recorded something in DVD+R format, and want to share it with me? Another concern is, why was my Dell Laptop unable to read a DVD+R format?The problem might be the way you copied the disc or just bad media. As for the Dell, it might actually not be able to play "+". Also the Pioneer 108's stock firmware does not do bitsetting which would greatly reduce disc compatiblility.

I have a DVD+R that a friend made for me on his recorder and it plays fine on my XS-34. I don't know what recorder he used.
I can confirm that. The XS34 plays "+" format whether bitsetting to DVD-ROM or not. In fact, it also plays +RW no problem too.

I ordered the RD-XS34 update disc from Toshiba. After the update, the clock can be manually changed provided you wipe out all TV Guide information. This will also take out any scheduled programs as well! I am absolutely livid with their so called solution. Afterwards I have to re-enter in all of the scheduled shows again! I want to constantly leave the unit on. If nothing is pressed it will shut off (not really with the fan still going) after three hours, which messes up my time after I get it perfectly set! :mad:

Willie, sounds like the "cure" may be worse than the "disease".

Ken

I ordered the RD-XS34 update disc from Toshiba. After the update, the clock can be manually changed provided you wipe out all TV Guide information. This will also take out any scheduled programs as well! I am absolutely livid with their so called solution. Afterwards I have to re-enter in all of the scheduled shows again!

This was my experience too. :mad:

I posted it over in one of the other threads.

The worse part is, is that even to be able to set up manual timer recordings, you have to re-setup TVGOS. At that point, the "set time and date" option gets grayed back out again.

So, this means, twice a year, if you have to set the time after each switch from and to daylight saving time, you have to suffer through this full reset again. :eek:

I hope Toshiba doesn't think this is a solution! :mad:

I don't know of any cable system's set-top-box which has, basically, two tuners to allow you to simultaneously feed a DVD recorder (or a VCR) and a TV set with different channels at the same time.

My cable company must have read this thread. :D

I just got a notice from them, that they have started to offer a dual-tuner set-top-box for just an additional $3 per month. :rolleyes:

My cable company must have read this thread. :D

I just got a notice from them, that they have started to offer a dual-tuner set-top-box for just an additional $3 per month. :rolleyes:

I think you're misunderstanding the message you replied to.

The original discussion was about *outputting* two different signals at once. Your cable company's "dual-tuner set-top-box" is simply for *recording* two different shows at the same time.

One of the DISH satellite PVRs is the only time I have heard of (I've never seen it, it's only thirdhand info) that supposely has the ability to output different signals at once.

The unit's problems begin whenever editing a program from the hard drive. I have deleted shows from it with no problems, but as soon as I do some chapter editing it crops up. I have to do a hard reset (holding in power button on unit for about 10 seconds) after noticing a scheduled show not being recorded, although it said it would. :mad: :mad: :mad:

Toshiba should send out a REAL update disc!

:cool: Has anybody cracked open the case and pulled out the hard drive to see if it is running Linux? I bet there is a way to change a code to make this stay on continuously! All we need to keep this thing on an even keel is to change some system settings.

Willie, next time I jerk my hard drive out I'll see if it's running Linux. Do I hold it up to the light to tell or whut?

Ken

The original discussion was about *outputting* two different signals at once. Your cable company's "dual-tuner set-top-box" is simply for *recording* two different shows at the same time.


OK, then, please explain how do you *record* anything, if the signals aren't *outputted* from the Set-Top-Box (STB) ?

This is just a STB, and not a DVR. There is no disk drive in it. They charge even more for those. :D

Just thought I would post about my missed manual recordings experience.
Same problem as others have reported, machine turns on but doesn't record the program.

The first time it happened, I intermittently missed 11 recordings. I deleted all of my scheduled programs and reentered them. That fixed it for a couple of weeks.

Then last night it missed another program.

Both times I played a DVD the same day before the scheduled recording.
The last time it happened I had also cancelled a scheduled recording the prior night after it had recorded about 10 seconds. The diagnostic history did not go back far enough to tell if I had done that the first time it started happening.

I mainly do manual timer recordings via a digital TV tuner hooked up to Line 1.

Poking around the Section Recording diagnostic screen I can see No Path and Bad Dev errors and Unknown recording path errors. See attached screen shots.
Hello everyone. Newby here.
There are differences between models sold in various countries. WRT the fan issue, I suspect that is one of the differences. My fan goes off in stand-by mode (thank goodness) and is offensive when the machine is on.
TVGOS is another difference - the UK model has no EPG facility.
I have also missed recordings, but only those where I have indicated PDC (program delivery control). This means that I have to set the timers the old-fashioned way - allow 5 minutes either end of the recording.
Without PDC set, it has behaved OK so far.
I may remove the disk at some point and investigate the filesystem type using Partition Manager - I'll let you know what I find, since even with a 160Gb disk it would be nice to take advantage of newer, bigger, quieter, cooler disks.
Also, there are many PC fans which are designed to be near-silent. I will also try installing one of these and let you know what I find. Apologies if the answer is already here somewhere - this thread is getting rather big.

Hello everyone. Newby here.
There are differences between models sold in various countries. WRT the fan issue, I suspect that is one of the differences. My fan goes off in stand-by mode (thank goodness) and is offensive when the machine is on.
TVGOS is another difference - the UK model has no EPG facility.
I have also missed recordings, but only those where I have indicated PDC (program delivery control). This means that I have to set the timers the old-fashioned way - allow 5 minutes either end of the recording.
Without PDC set, it has behaved OK so far.
I may remove the disk at some point and investigate the filesystem type using Partition Manager - I'll let you know what I find, since even with a 160Gb disk it would be nice to take advantage of newer, bigger, quieter, cooler disks.
Also, there are many PC fans which are designed to be near-silent. I will also try installing one of these and let you know what I find. Apologies if the answer is already here somewhere - this thread is getting rather big.

Jolly nice to have you with us Rudders! Will be interesting to get opinions from the other side of the pond.

Willie, next time I jerk my hard drive out I'll see if it's running Linux. Do I hold it up to the light to tell or whut?

Ken

Ask it if it is! :p

My cable company must have read this thread. :D

I just got a notice from them, that they have started to offer a dual-tuner set-top-box for just an additional $3 per month. :rolleyes:

You are on Comcast right? No doubt it is digital. They want everyone to switch over to those retched unrealible boxes. They call it in the wee hours of the morning to update it and remove your scheduled shows. Similiar to what the XS34 does. Can't win either way!

So I can use PIP on my set without having two boxes hooked up to it? :cool:

As if my cable bill isn't sky-high enough already! :eek:

I'm running into a problem setting up my XS34 where I get no picture. I have a Comcast Motorla DVR, which I output via component video to my Denon 1906 with no problems. I attached the cable box to the Tosh via s-video and RCA audio, and then run the Tosh to the Denon via component video and optical. I get no picture and no sound from the cable. Even unhooking the connection between the cable and the Denon gives me nothing.

Hey guys,

I'd like to start off by thanking everyone here for the invaluable information which steered me away from the logitech machine and towards the Toshiba xs-34.

I seem to be one of the perhaps few who got tvgos working (mostly) right from the git go. All of the channels were in a scrambled up order, but I managed to figure that one out. my problems? well, I have the us networks west coast feed allowing me to see 7:00 shows at 10:00 also (cst). Anyways, only one of these would show up on my guide (the abc feed) and the listing for that channel were wrong, i.e. the identical prime time shows were on at the same times as the east coast feed.

Given this issue and the fact that I didn't even have some other channels, I decided to do a reset of the tvgos using the "653214741" reset. Big mistake, I have now cleared my listings and have had no success getting them back. I have left the machine off for ~36hrs with no sucess. Is there any way to tell whether the unit is updating channels without turning the machine on? or did I get lucky the first time and simply need to try again until lightning strikes once more? any assistance would be appreciated. h...n

Given this issue and the fact that I didn't even have some other channels, I decided to do a reset of the tvgos using the "653214741" reset. Big mistake, I have now cleared my listings and have had no success getting them back. I have left the machine off for ~36hrs with no sucess. Is there any way to tell whether the unit is updating channels without turning the machine on? or did I get lucky the first time and simply need to try again until lightning strikes once more? any assistance would be appreciated. h...n

Call up Toshiba, and get the "setting clock/date" firmware update. They will send you a CD with the update for free. With that update installed, you will get a new option that basically does a full "re-virgin-izing" of the unit, back to the way it comes out of the box (that is how you get to reset the time and date). You loose everything you set, but with that, you should be able to start all over again with TVGOS.

The alternative, is that you loosing your TVGOS was just a coensidence, and that you would have (eventually) experienced the same problem even if you didn't do that "653214741" reset.

Question on the XS34:

Does the Toshiba XS34 enable you to alter the chroma level (color saturation), tint, etc. for RECORDINGS? Looking at the manual (online) it appears that these levels can be altered for playback, but it's unclear that they can be altered for recording (other than brightness levels, which clearly can be altered for recording). Thanks in advance for any info on this.

OK, here is the email response I got from Toshiba:

...There is a Firmware update for the RD-XS34, but it only allows you to manually adjust the clock. It is designed specifically for satellite subcribers who cannot update via TV Guide. The TV Guide feature updates automatically when connected to cable when the recorder is off (standby mode)....

well, obviously the tv Guide feature does not update automatically, a quick scroll through this board has taught me that. But is the information they offered re the firmware update correct? should I request the update even though I am hooked up through cable not sat? thoughts?.....

VICTORY!!!!

well, partial, but progress no less.
after checking every 24 hrs for a week, last night I decided to hook the cable directly to the ant input on the xs-34 (the cable box was still plugged into line 1). This evening, I had checked again and voila! TV listings appeared. After sorting the channels, it turns out that I have a few extra, over the air, channels listed, but at least I have the lion's share of my digital cable channels. I guess I'll stop screwing around with the unit now and watch some tv. But I wonder whether or not the listing were as a result of my cable box
Of course, my tendancy is to continue and tinker. What course of action would you suppose would give the best chance of getting all of my channels? I'm going to try and contact tvgos and see what if anything they can do.
Thanks again, and hopefully my issues help someone else out.

Hi! Just got the XS34 for Christmas, and was reading everyone's helpful comments.

When I called Toshiba support today for the firmware upgrade, the tech had me enter zoom, 195, zoom to show what version of the firmware I had installed (YG1000U_S). Yes, this does require flipping the cover open the closed then open again really fast.

If you happen to be reading this thread and, like me, just got the RD-XS34 but set the time wrong, check your firmware version; if it's not 1100 or higher, (i.e. if it's the "1000" version I had, above), call Toshiba support at 1-800-319-6684 and have them mail you a firmware update disc. It'll let you change the time manually (though you'll lose your TVGOS guide data, and have to wait another 36-48 hours with the machine off to receive again from your local PBS station).

The other interesting thing I learned from the nice Toshiba tech was that, according to their support literature, if you can get closed captioning on your local PBS channel without distortion, then you should be able to receive the TVGOS data as well.

Henry, welcome to the thread. If you are receiving TVGOS data the time will be corrected automatically regardless of how it was set initially. The time on mine is never off. It went through daylight savings time correctly.

Ken

The other interesting thing I learned from the nice Toshiba tech was that, according to their support literature, if you can get closed captioning on your local PBS channel without distortion, then you should be able to receive the TVGOS data as well.

I would take that with a grain of salt. I receive the TVGOS EPG data, over Comcast analog cable, from the CBS station in Philly.

Curiously, leaving the unit off (on standby) overnight managed to reset the clock to the right time (hhoray)... but absolutely no TV Guide data was downloaded. I did the "653214741" reset code from the TVGOS/setup screen for good measure, unplugged the unit for a minute or so, and am giving it another go with the unit off for 24 hrs.

I'm not quite sure when the TV Guide data is going to download... I use RCN cable (not digital) straight out of the wall in NYC (Manhattan). Based on some other forums on the Net, the host channel is probably PBS 13 (WNET).

Interestingly, the same forum (at dslreports) mentioned that some users had called TVGOS support, which had provided alternate zip codes to force TVGOS to use a different "Host Channel" -- this strategy has seen some success for those folks.

Here's some more interesting info from their group:
"You can use the TVGOS Diag to determine if you have a HOST-CHANNEL or not. This is a basic check you can perform yourself:
- Highlight TVGUIDE -> SETUP -> Change System Settings. Do not "select" it...just highlight it.
- Enter 753 159 852
- Press left/right arrow to move within pages in a SECTION.
- Press up/down arow to move between SECTIONS.
- If HOST-CHANNEL is blank or 0xFFFF in SECTION SYSTEM - STATISTICS, HOST-CHANNEL pre-assigned to your ZIPCODE is either not found or the TVGOS data-stream it carries has some problem.
- Press TVGUIDE to exit."

As it turns out, on my diagnostic screen, the "Host Chan" is blank! (I had to hit the right-button to get to the next screen of info). So I'll be trying another zip code.

(Unfortunately I can't post the link to the original discussion, but I found it by googling "TVGOS Manhattan" and selecting the first hit.)

Sorry if this has already been answered somewhere in this long thread but I didn't find it while browsing....for the Toshiba XS34 at what recording time or recording mode does the resolution drop from full 720x480 to a lesser resolution such as 352x480?Full 720x480 is 4.0 or higher.

Much has been written about this unit being "picky" about which DVDs it'll play. For instance it might not recognize a DVD with the slightest imperfection. Those of you who have owned it for awhile now, what do you think? Will it play most "rented" DVDs like from Blockbuster? As for the blank DVDs you buy for this unit, is there a brand it prefers? Have you become frustrated with this quirk or is it no big deal?

I haven't found a rented DVD that the XS-34 won't play. I've played several DVDs made by friends on their machines. I'm on my second 50 Sony MIJ blanks so I don't have experience with other brands. I've had my unit since July 20 and it meets all of my expectations.

Ken

I haven't found a rented DVD that the XS-34 won't play.

I know that I'm posting in the XS34 thread, and I have an XS32.

While it plays fine, I did notice a problem with Hitch in my XS32. I couldn't use
the skip back button.. The machine would hang and think the DVD was dirty or damaged. But it would play just fine. I could use other normal features (ff, rewind, I think even skip forward) fine.

I sent email to toshiba and of course they give the same retarded "power off for 30 seconds" stuff that is totally irrelevant. I *really* wish there was a way to give actual technical feedback to someone technical.

....I sent email to toshiba and of course they give the same retarded "power off for 30 seconds" stuff that is totally irrelevant. I *really* wish there was a way to give actual technical feedback to someone technical.

Yeah, I know what you mean. That's typical when dealing with big corporations. You can never get in touch with anyone who actually knows anything. It's a real pain in the ass.

As for what brands of DVD-R's the Toshiba likes, I've had good luck with Verbatim, and I've just burned a couple Sony discs without any problems. It doesn't like TDK printables, though. I've had nothing but problems with them.

Does the Toshiba "play" DVD+RW and DVD+R discs?

Does the Toshiba "play" DVD+RW and DVD+R discs?
Yes, it does play DVD+R. I haven't had a chance to try DVD+RW but I assume that it does.

Yeah, I know what you mean. That's typical when dealing with big corporations. You can never get in touch with anyone who actually knows anything. It's a real pain in the ass.

They sent me a link to a feedback page, and I filled that out. I gave one-above the lowest rating on most of the questions, and in the text fields, said that there should be a way I can explain reproducible problems to technical people.. and gave my real name/address/phone #. Probably won't help, but heck, I'm willing to give them free 'testing' even after I paid for the damn thing, if it helps make this or future versions more reliable.

Don't hold your breath too long. From my experience the only thing that sees the feedback is the computer that sent it. I'll be astonished if you get feedback from a real person on your feedback. Let us know if you do.

Signed

Cynical

Question on the XS34:

Does the Toshiba XS34 enable you to alter the chroma level (color saturation), tint, etc. for RECORDINGS? Looking at the manual (online) it appears that these levels can be altered for playback, but it's unclear that they can be altered for recording (other than brightness levels, which clearly can be altered for recording). Thanks in advance for any info on this.


No. Input video black level and noise reduction only.

I have two questions in regard to the TVGos:

1) I know it goes up to 8 days in advance but it takes forever to manually advance the schedule hour by hour if you want to check to see what's on like a week from now. Is there any shortcut to advance the daily schedule to check future days? If you just have to hold the advance arrow and wait for it to go hour by hour for 150-200hours seems a bit primitive.

2) Every channel guide I've ever seen is in the order of the channel number. For instance channel 5 is listed right after channel 4 etc...This guide doesn't do it that way. Is there a way to order it that way or do you have to manually replace each channel? The problem with doing it manually is the channels change. If you place channel 5 at the 5th position it'll no longer hold that position if you move channel 4. It's like calibrating a Rubix Cube.

Thanks XS34 owners...

Ahoy, Sea Ray,

[1] Just punch in the number of hours you want to go forward. A submenu will appear in the box on the left. Click on "hours ahead" and there you are. So to go three days ahead, you would input "72"; five days, "120"; etc.

[2] Yeah, the channels initially appear in some kind of bizarre random order. I have no idea why it does that. Engineers have designed an amazing system that converts -- in real time -- audio and video signals (often received from thousands of miles away) into billions of bits and bytes, and records them for immediate access onto a magnetic disc, and can use a precision laser beam to burn those bytes onto an optically reactive disc surface....and yet they can't put channels in numerical order???? What the f***???

You have to manually move each channel into its correct position and yes, it's a tedious process. You can either drag the channel to its correct position or enter the number of its position (not the channel number) to place it there. [Refer to your manual or onscreen instructions for details.]

If you put a channel into a position that's already occupied by another channel, the original channel will of course have to move, since two channels can't occupy the same position at the same time. But the original channel will just move down one position, so it shouldn't be too hard to keep track of. (Remember to keep channel numbers and position numbers separate in your mind -- that may be a major source of your confusion.)

As I said, it's a very tedious process, and illustrates a serious design weakness of the TVGOS system, but it can be done.

-- The Cap'n

Thanks Captain! Great answer. I just picked this thing up on Friday and most of the stuff I was able to figure out from the manual. I don't mind 175 page manuals. For better or worse I come from a family that reads the owner's manual for "toasters" from cover to cover...

So when the TV schedule screen comes up just hit some numbers and the hours ahead box will appear? I missed that in the manual.

I'll try dragging shows to customize the order. I'll look up how to do that. I didn't come across that over the weekend either.

I'm very pleased with it. I was patient for the guide to load and it did. My old recorder bypassed the STB so I'm fine doing that. If I decide I want this to go through the digital channels I may change it in the future.

I've read a lot about what you folks here and other places have written about this machine and I concluded the major drawbacks were:

1) Complicated. Not meant for those folks who have their VCR blinking midnight 24/7.

2) Constant running fan. Mine is behind glass in my entertainment center and that muffles the sound beautifully.

3) Touchy TVGOs. This seems to be an issue across the board regardless of brands as this is an evolving technology, but it also seemed that it worked most of the time when an STB wasn't involved.

I got this because I was tired of crappy pictures whenever I wanted to tape things two hours or longer. Especially football games when you're watching a relatively small ball and lots of movement. I also have a hangup on monthly payments. Consider it a quirk in my personilty but I'd rather spend a few hundred on a gadget like this and own it, than pay $10 or so a month for Tivo or whatever.


One final thought. I'm not a big extended warranty guy but it is now my policy to always get an extended warranty on anything where a computer is involved. This includes DVRs, High Def TVs, laptops, personal PCs, whatever. I do not trust computers to last 4 years w/o glitches. I plan to hang onto this DVR for 4 years or so and then upgrade when High Def DVD recorders are the rage.

Thanks again.

1) I know it goes up to 8 days in advance but it takes forever to manually advance the schedule hour by hour if you want to check to see what's on like a week from now. Is there any shortcut to advance the daily schedule to check future days? If you just have to hold the advance arrow and wait for it to go hour by hour for 150-200hours seems a bit primitive.

I don't have one, but I thought people have said that one of the direction buttons (probably right/left) move day by day.

I am new to DVD recording. I typically record DVD-Rs like home videos created from VHS or HI-8 tapes to be read by my other DVD players or other people's. Can someone explain in laymen's terms what DVD compatible mode means? I see it mentioned in the manual but it does not compute with me. When should I turn it on and off? What are the advantages/disadvantages. Thanks.

....Can someone explain in laymen's terms what DVD compatible mode means? I see it mentioned in the manual but it does not compute with me.
That's because they don't explain it very well.

When should I turn it on and off? What are the advantages / disadvantages? Thanks.
Here's the deal. Hard drives and DVD-RAM are capable of recording both the regular ("Main") audio signal and the Second Audio Program (SAP) on the same disc. DVD-R's, on the other hand, aren't. They can only carry one audio program. ("Main" or "SAP", but not both.)

This creates a problem if you want to high-speed dub a recording that has both audio programs onto a DVD-R. So before recording onto the hard drive, you have to specify whether you want to record just one audio program (DVD compatible mode ON) or both audio programs (DVD compatible mode OFF). If you choose "ON", you can later high-speed dub the recording onto a DVD-R. You'll also have to tell the recorder which audio signal you want to record: "Main" or "SAP". With DVD compatible mode set to "OFF", you will be recording both audio programs to the hard drive. You then won't be able to high-speed dub the recording to DVD-R (you can still dub it to DVD-RAM, however).

If you inadvertently make a recording with the compatibility mode set to OFF (the default mode for Panasonic and Toshiba recorders), you're not completely out of luck: you can still do a real-time dub to DVD-R. (This of course involves a re-encoding of the audio/video signal and a resulting slight loss in picture quality. In my experience it's not too bad, though.)

So......
DVD compatible mode OFF = both audio programs recorded; not high-speed dubbable to DVD-R. (But can be high-speed dubbed to RAM)

DVD compatible mode ON = only one audio program recorded; can be high-speed dubbed to DVD-R (you have to choose which audio program ["Main" or "SAP"] you want to record.)

Hope that helps.

All was well for a time, but now I am getting some major glitches:

1) My time bar indicator comes up on the screen, but the indicator does not move as a recording is played, although the XS34's front panel display correctly shows the changing time position. Hitting the Time Bar button has no effect other than to turn the onscreen display of the nonfunctioning time bar on and off. The time bar for the Chapter Edit mode is also frozen at zero, although the digital onscreen display works.

2) The progress bar does not appear on screen when dubbing (yes, On Screen Display is set to "On", and hitting the Time Bar button has no effect). I am using the same approach and media as in previously successful dubbing to DVD-R.

3) The message "Disk can not be finalized" appears when I try to finalize the disk. It is playable on the XS34 but of course not on other machines.

How do I restore a functioning time bar and what is with the coasters? Are these problems related?

I just bought a Toshiba RD-XS34. I am using Cox Cable in San Diego. I love my DVR. Well I did until this morning I woke up and my TV-Guide listings were gone! What is going on? What can I do?

Does anyone think it would be possible for me to set up my TV Guide with a cable box configuration using the g-link cable and a non-cable box configuration straight from the wall that I can switch between?

My idea is to have a splitter that would allow the digital cable box and the XS34 to accept the TV signal. If I want to record the "upper" channels I would do so through the cable box and otherwise I would record directly from the TV cable. So the TV signal would come into the XS34 through the tuner input (raw signal) and through line 1 or line 3 from the cable box. But as you know the TV Guide wants to know what configuration you have before it downloads the guide to the XS34. Can I switch between the configurations? I remember someone saying they switched from satellite to cable box or something like that but I could not find the post.

You can't set up the TVGOS with 2 different inputs, 1 from RF input and 1 from the cable box. If you use the RF input for the analog channels for the TVGOS, then you will have to do manual timer recordings for the digital channels.

I am going to start my large project of archiving all my VHS and Hi-8 video tapes to DVD-Rs (about 50 tapes). I want to have good quality backups in case my tapes deteriorate and also want to have DVDs that I can use on the daily level for personal viewing when desired. Here is in summary what I want:

1. One or more archive copies at the best possible quality that will be stored away. I was thinking I would have these recorded at recording quality level 9.2 which would mean one 2 hour original would take 2 DVD-Rs for archiving. I am using Verbatim 16x which I understand have good long term archival quality.

2. DVD-Rs recorded one per VHS/Hi-8 tape for ease of use. I figured the quality level would be typically 4.6 (SP) giving me 2 hours on each DVD-R per 2 hour VHS/Hi-8 tape. If the original tapes went longer like up to 3 hours, could I reduce the rate to 3.0 without much quality loss? Sound is stereo but the quality needed is not so important because almost everything is vocal and not high quality music.


So what I need from you XS34 experts is the process I should follow. I figure I will first record to HDD and then burn my DVD-Rs with either high speed dubbing or rate conversion dubbing. Please tell me the most efficient way for use of my time and also to maintain the quality I want. I do want to auto chapter create as creating my own manual chapters will be too tedius. BTW, if I need to recreate a daily DVD again later, what would be the process? Thanks in advance for any help.

You can't set up the TVGOS with 2 different inputs, 1 from RF input and 1 from the cable box. If you use the RF input for the analog channels for the TVGOS, then you will have to do manual timer recordings for the digital channels.

I did not know you can do manual timer recordings on the XS34. I thought everything had to be done through the guide. How do I do manual recordings that are not in sync with the guide?

What uses have those of you out there found for a DVD-RAM when the XS34 has the HDD that can hold much more?

My media center and XS34 is in the barn with the animals. Many times I'll copy a program to DVD-RAM and take it into the kitchen, bedroom or den to play it. I then recycle the DVD-RAM back to the barn. Besides, it smells better in the house and is less noisy. :)

Ken

I did not know you can do manual timer recordings on the XS34. I thought everything had to be done through the guide. How do I do manual recordings that are not in sync with the guide?
Look on page 26 of your XS34 manual.

Ken

As you might have noticed from my previous posts, I am on an archiving project of my VHS and Hi8 videos. I don't know anything about the XS34 noise reduction capabilities. The manual shows how to set the Rec DNR from Off/On/Expanded but really does not explain what the noise reduction does. There is also not very much explanation about 3D Y/C separation. I understand maybe the manual cannot explain everything in detail but is there anyone out there that has experience with these functions that can explain in laymen's terms what they do, when I should use them, etc.? Are there any other XS34 settings I should consider in trying to clean up the signal? I really don't expect to get better results than what is on the original so I would be satisfied in at least duplicating closely what are on the tapes. I am excited about using the XS34 for this project but I want to make sure I get the best results possible.

My VHS tapes will be recorded through the composite video inputs. My Hi8 tapes are recorded from my Sony Camcorder using the Svideo input. Both use the stereo audio inputs. Some of these tapes are 20 years old and are amazingly still in pretty good video shape. But there is some noise once-in-a-while. For example some strange rainbow colors that move around. From experience I have seen them on tapes that I had re-recorded on after attempted erases from a bulk tape eraser or backed up the portable VCR and re-recorded a segment of action.

I am not sure if this is the same subject or not, but will the record quality setting also affect the noise reduction? Is recording at 9.2 overkill? (i.e. is the quality better than what the original tapes can supply?)

SP recording mode is fine for most VHS and Hi8 transfers to DVD, unless it is primarily hand held camcorder footage. For that type of content I would record at XP (1 hour per disc) to avoid motion artifacts. The Y/C separation filter affects only the composite video input. Composite video must be split into separate Y (luma) and C (chroma) signals to be captured and encoded by the DVD recorder. The recording DNR suppresses grain and chroma noise in the source video. This can be very helpful for your DVD recording because it is hard for the MPEG2 chip to encode video noise, and you may wind up with MPEG artifacts as a result. Streaks, grain and chroma noise are common in VHS, but your Hi8 tapes may not suffer from any of these problems at all. If you are going to use Rec DNR, keep in mind that the picture will be softened... a little bit for the On setting, and very noticeably using the Expanded setting.

So is that what noise reduction all about? It softens the video image? If I do multiple recordings with noise reduction off, on, expanded, will I see a noticeable difference? Can I know ahead of time which mode to choose? Do I turn on the 3D Y/C separation only for VHS? Talk to me... Your post was helpful but I want more detail if possible. Thanks.

The general idea behind Noise Reduction is, like it says, to reduce "noise". Video "noise", like audio noise , is seemingly random, unrelated-to-the-other-content bits of signal, they show up in the picture as flickers of light or other visual anomalies, often they are artifacts of various characteristics of the recording techniques involved, such as MPEG compression, two kind sof "noise" that technique creates are called Block Noise and Mosquito Noise. Think of a TV tuned to a channel that is not broadcasting, that is entirely noise of the random variety (as opposed to the MPEG compression variety).

The problem is, there is no way for a circuit to be entirely sure what is or isn't noise, for example, if the video is of a crowd of people at a distance, some of whom are taking pictures using a flash, those little random flashes may look to the circuitry like noise and be eliminated or at least attenuated. But they entirely deserve to be in the video. The circuitry has to just base its decision on characteristics of the video, such as rapid changes in color or brighness. Such rapid changes, while they may be present in actual good video signals, more than likely tend to indicate noise. So the circuitry intervenes and reduces that rapid change, resulting in a softer picture, with less-well-defined edges.

Which NR setting yields the best picture depends on both the specific material and the tastes of the viewer. And maybe even on the display device, in case it has some obvious inherent inaccuracies. Only by trying them all on the material in question can you make that kind of decision. If this were not the case, and one kind of NR always resulted in a better picture, then it probably wouldn't even be a choise you could make, it would just always be in the signal path. But there really is no such signal processing that always yields a better picture regardless of the material being processed.

I sure have lots of XS34 technique questions for all of you out there. If I have a recording that is too long for one DVD-R, what is the best way to break it up into parts? For example, I have a 2 1/2 hour recording on the HDD that I want to break into 3 DVD-Rs, the first two with two full hours of recording. What is the best process to use on the XS34?
My initial idea would be to put chapter marks at the DVD boundaries and then do a high speed dub of each part to a DVD.

So basically what you need to do is play around with some of this stuff and see which picture you like the best. My personal opinion is that most people will not notice a difference at all. These adjustments are for the true video "guy" but if that's you then try them all and see what looks best to you.

Well I thought I would give an update to my tv-guid situation. In case you were wondering I was the guy that bought a RD-XS34 and loved it. I loved it until my TV-guide died. About 2 days after joyfully recording anything it died. So I called Toshiba and they said to unplug it for a few minutes and plug it back in. I did that and 24 hours later TV-still did not work - sort of...

See no channels showed up in the "listings" tab. However I could search and schedule and anything there but there was "no data available" on the listings. There was not even any channels there. Just a message saying "no data". Any ideas?

I am using Verbatim 16x which I understand have good long term archival quality.

Verbatim are generally OK. Beware that even from the same brand and batch, the stock may vary. Buy media that's made in Japan, this marking can be found on the packaging.

2. DVD-Rs recorded one per VHS/Hi-8 tape for ease of use. I figured the quality level would be typically 4.6 (SP) giving me 2 hours on each DVD-R per 2 hour VHS/Hi-8 tape. If the original tapes went longer like up to 3 hours, could I reduce the rate to 3.0 without much quality loss?
For the XS-34, anything less than 4.0 will result in a substantial loss of quality because it will switch to Half-D1 resolution (352x480)

So what I need from you XS34 experts is the process I should follow. I figure I will first record to HDD and then burn my DVD-Rs with either high speed dubbing or rate conversion dubbing.Do not use rate conversion, it results in quality loss. High speed dubbing maintains the same quality.

Do I turn on the 3D Y/C separation only for VHS?
Yes. You may toggle thru the settings and see the difference in real-time. Depending on your eyes and standards, the material, your TV, etc... the differences may not be very noticable.

Well I thought I would give an update to my tv-guid situation. In case you were wondering I was the guy that bought a RD-XS34 and loved it. I loved it until my TV-guide died. About 2 days after joyfully recording anything it died. So I called Toshiba and they said to unplug it for a few minutes and plug it back in. I did that and 24 hours later TV-still did not work - sort of...

See no channels showed up in the "listings" tab. However I could search and schedule and anything there but there was "no data available" on the listings. There was not even any channels there. Just a message saying "no data". Any ideas?

I would give it a few days; more than 24 hours.

I bought my XS34 last week and have yet to get the TVGOS working, that coupled with a incorrect time setting has left me with a $600 paper weight.

I have normal cable running into the tuner on coax and a digital box on input 1. Both are selected in the TV guide setup and the XS34 is using the correct Glink remote codes to control my Scientific Atlanta box. But after 3 days (72 hours!) left off, with the digital box on (it seems to switch/scan channels from 1-999) i still have NO DATA on the TV guide. I've read this entire thread, used the codes, which did not seem to reset anything on my box...

Does Toshiba have a software update that allows setting the time? If the cliche blinking green VCR time of the 80's now something we now yearn to set? I do, this is software design gone bad.

Anyone figuire out a hard reset that might bring us back the the initial setup screen you get once you first power up?

Thanks in advance.

Software YG1000
DVD Drive sofware MT22

I bought my XS34 last week and have yet to get the TVGOS working, that coupled with a incorrect time setting has left me with a $600 paper weight...
Anyone figuire out a hard reset that might bring us back the the initial setup screen you get once you first power up?

Thanks in advance.

Software YG1000
DVD Drive sofware MT22

Call Toshiba support. They will send you the YG1100 software update. It adds a menu option to allow doing a hard reset and set the time manually. A side benefit is that my TVGOS has worked pefectly after about a 36 hour wait for data. I have analog cable connected directly to the unit via coax.

Thanks I 'll call them today. Are you saying that TVGOS started working after you updated and left your unit off for 36 hours?

Never thought I'd look forward to setting the time on my VCR :)

UPDATE
I called Toshiba and they let me in a few things:
- TVGOS listings in Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland are currently having problems. TV Guide, Rogers and other cable operators are aware of this. Service should resume in the next few weeks.
- They are sending me the new software update whihch will allow me to set the time.
- If you set your unit to antenna on TUNER only (no cable box) and then turn the unit off (UNPLUG THIS TIME) for 20 minutes, the unit should compeltely reset and ALLOW YOU TO SET THE TIME! This is without the software update.

[QUOTE=quakeroatz]...Are you saying that TVGOS started working after you updated and left your unit off for 36 hours?...UPDATE

Yes. After one week (you know, the day 1, day 7 TVGOS fill pattern) the data was fully populated. The data has been up-to-date and DVR's operation has been absolutely flawless since that time.

When I purchased the unit in November I could care less about the TV Guide functionality. I just wanted to use it like a HDD "VCR." The operational aspects of TVGOS make it usage so cool that, while I would still be able to record manually, I would miss it terribly. I have not looked at the TV section of my newspaper for a couple of months.

By the way, to all those reading this forum, the answer to SO MANY (but not all) of the questions I see asked here are easily found in the manual. I know that 175 pages is daunting but that also means that there is A LOT of information in there. Please read it.

Tip: if you hate to turn pages, got to Toshiba's website and download the manual. Abobe Acrobat has a powerful search feature that will find anything if it's in there. Just keep your searches 'generic' and you find more information than you'll need.

Steve, I believe that the vast majority of TV Guide problems with the XS34 are due of the program providers wheather over the air or cable. When TVGOS is updating properly, the time problem is a non issue because time updates automatically. I've had my XS34 since last July and TVGOS has been great. I use it every day to record something. I receive programs through the antenna in a large metropolitan area.

Ken

Steve:you know, the day 1, day 7 TVGOS fill pattern
Steve I'm afraid that you may be assuming the TVGOS implementation is uniform across North America, unfortunately it's not. Updates come over different channels, varying times, containing different payloads depending on your area and service provider.

A lot of people in this forum are reading the manual, but just aren't receiving thier EPG data. Glad to hear it's working for you, hopefully the rest of us will get a steady TVGOS feed in the near future.

Steve, I believe that the vast majority of TV Guide problems with the XS34 are due of the program providers wheather over the air or cable. When TVGOS is updating properly, the time problem is a non issue because time updates automatically...n

I agree with that wholeheartedly. Toshiba even puts a disclaimer about this on the top of page 24 of the User Guide.

Steve:
Steve I'm afraid that you may be assuming the TVGOS implementation is uniform across North America, unfortunately it's not. Updates come over different channels, varying times, containing different payloads depending on your area and service provider.

A lot of people in this forum are reading the manual, but just aren't receiving thier EPG data. Glad to hear it's working for you, hopefully the rest of us will get a steady TVGOS feed in the near future.

Hi Oats,

Glad to help. Yes, I hope the 1100 patch helps your situation too.

By the way, I realize there are different host channels and times for data downloads. What I was referring to was the 'pattern' in which the data is downloaded. This is (very roughly) the pattern:

If data FIRST started arriving on a Monday you would receive this Monday's data AND the next Monday's data. Next you would get tomorrow's (Tuesday's) data and the following Tuesday's data. This pattern continues refreshing current data as needed and backfilling the schedule. Within a few days you will have a fully populated set of listings. From that point forward, the schedule fills in from the end and makes updates as there are scheduling changes. This is pretty cool. I've seen situations were some show gets pre-empted by some sporting event and the guide gets updated to match the current listing.

The comment about reading the manual was not specifically addressing you or your situation. Nor was it regarding the EPG as Toshiba provides woefully little information about it since it's a Gemstar product. The comment WAS aimed at those who, after a series of forum messages finally find an answer to something that was easily found on page XXX of the User Guide. That said, about the only place you find real info on TVGOS is on forums like this.

Steve, I re read the top of page 24 and that says it all. :o

You might want to edit your signature line so it says XS34.

Ken

Interesting stuff Steve, sounds like the TVGOS has a fairly advanced sync capacity, very cool. I can't wait for them to fix the feed in my area so I can enjoy the listings.

Has anyone been able to reset their XS34 by leaving the unit unplugged? I mean a complete factory reset so you can set the time again.

I left the unit off for over 4 hours with no luck. The Toshiba rep this morning said it should only take 20 mins to do. Guess I'll wait for the disc.

I wish someone could just seed the update disc to bit torrent

Qucik question, since the TV Guide service is borked in my area I was wondering if the Toshiba lets you name a recording before the recording.

Qucik question, since the TV Guide service is borked in my area I was wondering if the Toshiba lets you name a recording before the recording.
The answer is no but here is a little more information. When you get to where you are able to record using TVGOS then a title will be generated for the program that you are recording. After recording is finished you can modify the title. The same holds true with a recording from VHS or DV input.

Ken

I was told that on the RD-XS54 that you could, maybe that is the one I need to buy.

Thanks

I was told that on the RD-XS54 that you could, maybe that is the one I need to buy.

Thanks

I took a quick look at the XS-54 manual, and I could find nothing that suggests that naming a title before recording is possible. Using the TVGOS EPG automatically names the title, but titles recorded using a manual timer recording can be named only after recording.

Some of the non-US/Canada DVD recorder models, where TVGOS is not available, allow titles to be named before recording, but I have not seen this in a current US/Canada model with TVGOS.

Hi,

I have had my X34 for about 9 months now and it has performed flawlessly. However, I am tired of Time Warner's outrageously expensive bills and am thinking about switching services. The only other services that are available in my area are satellite services.

I have read that satellite services don't work with TVG. So, how do users of satellite handle this? Do you sent up manual recordings? Are there other methods which you use? Is there anything else I should be aware of before switching?

Any tips, tricks or info you can share would be greatly appreciated. Just want to know what I can expect if I switch to a satellite service.

Thank you.

Victor

TVGOS does not work with satellite services. You will have to set a manual timer to record programs.

If your sat stb can switch channels for you, then set up a manual recording on the Tosh. It's an extra step, but from what I've read here re: TVGOS, a lot more reliable. :-)

Qucik question, since the TV Guide service is borked in my area I was wondering if the Toshiba lets you name a recording before the recording.

The XS32 *does* let you name a recording before the recording.. (e.g. name the weeknight 11:35PM-12:37AM recording "Tonight Show").

I found a good deal on a new XS52, and bought it. I guess I will send the other Toshiba back (XS-54) that has the TV Guide for timer recordings.

I found a good deal on a new XS52, and bought it. I guess I will send the other Toshiba back (XS-54) that has the TV Guide for timer recordings.Hope you're aware that the XS52 has the black-level-bug causing your recordings to look washed out on regular DVD players.

Thanks for the heads up, but I hardly ever burn dvd's, I mainly bought it for the hard drive.

For the XS-34, anything less than 4.0 will result in a substantial loss of quality because it will switch to Half-D1 resolution (352x480).

How did you know that? Is it documented anywhere what resolution is being recorded for various record quality modes? This would be very useful.

At least 90% of the time when I am just time shifting programs I use the LP (2.2) recording mode. My wife and I agree that the LP mode has very acceptable resolution.

If I am recording DV from my camcorder I usually opt for SP (4.6).

Ken

Hi,

I have had my X34 for about 9 months now and it has performed flawlessly. However, I am tired of Time Warner's outrageously expensive bills and am thinking about switching services. The only other services that are available in my area are satellite services.

I have read that satellite services don't work with TVG. So, how do users of satellite handle this? Do you sent up manual recordings? Are there other methods which you use? Is there anything else I should be aware of before switching?

Any tips, tricks or info you can share would be greatly appreciated. Just want to know what I can expect if I switch to a satellite service.

Thank you.

Victor


If you call up Time Warner and "cancel", telling them you are switching to dish, they will probably offer you an aggressive two year customer retention deal on your service to keep you as a customer. Give that a try.

For the XS-34, anything less than 4.0 will result in a substantial loss of quality because it will switch to Half-D1 resolution (352x480).
How did you know that? Is it documented anywhere what resolution is being recorded for various record quality modes? This would be very useful.
I couldn't find it documented anywhere. I found out by testing making test recordings. It was clearly evident with the loss of detail, and then I copied it on to my computer to confirm it.


At least 90% of the time when I am just time shifting programs I use the LP (2.2) recording mode. My wife and I agree that the LP mode has very acceptable resolution.Well, everyone has a different standard for "acceptable".


Here are my findings for pre-set modes selectable on scheduled recordings (for XS34):
XP = 9.2, D/M2 (384kbps)
XP-Audio = 8.0, L-PCM
EXP = 6.0, D/M1 (192kbps)
EXP-Audio = 4.8, L-PCM
SP = 4.6, D/M1
SP-Audio = 3.2, L-PCM
MP = 3.0, D/M1
LP = 2.2, D/M1
EP = 1.4, D/M1
SEP = 1.0, D/M1
USER = current selected mode

Here are my findings for pre-set modes selectable on scheduled recordings (for XS34):
XP = 9.2, D/M2 (384kbps)
XP-Audio = 8.0, L-PCM
EXP = 6.0, D/M1 (192kbps)
EXP-Audio = 4.8, L-PCM
SP = 4.6, D/M1
SP-Audio = 3.2, L-PCM
MP = 3.0, D/M1
LP = 2.2, D/M1
EP = 1.4, D/M1
SEP = 1.0, D/M1
USER = current selected mode

Interesting. Now how do the above modes map to pixel resolution, frames per second, etc.? It would be nice to know what is being sacrificed as we move up/down the spectrum of recording rates.

Well, everyone has a different standard for "acceptable".

You are correct. I'm more interested in program content than pixel detail.

Ken

You are correct. I'm more interested in program content than pixel detail.

Ken

I guess it depends what your are recording if you should be concerned. If I am recording TV programs, then program content is more important. If I am recording camcorder tapes for archiving, then I am more concerned about pixel detail to have the best reproduction possible for my archiving.

If anyone has resolution information for the various recording mode rates previously listed, it would be much appreciated.

How about page 49 of the manual!!!
Or 172 if you want to see all the user modes!!

How about page 49 of the manual!!!
Or 172 if you want to see all the user modes!!

I appreciate the post but this is not what I am looking for. I understand the bit rates and how it affects how much recording I can get on a disk. I can get 4.7 GB on a disk no matter what the recording rate. What I want to know is what effect will it have on the picture quality. Will resolution be affected, just the number of frames per second, etc.?

What I want to know is what effect will it have on the picture quality. Will resolution be affected, just the number of frames per second, etc.?
frames per second is always 29.97fps.
As I said above 4.0+ is 720x480, less than 4.0 is 352x480.
I never use less than 4.0 so didn't bother to investigate the lower modes.
I believe EP/1.4 is 352x280.

frames per second is always 29.97fps.
As I said above 4.0+ is 720x480, less than 4.0 is 352x480.
I never use less than 4.0 so didn't bother to investigate the lower modes.
I believe EP/1.4 is 352x280.

To me, it seemed like the lower modes had the same resolution but almost like a slow motion effect. That is why I wondered if the frames per second was different. What happens at the higher rates like 9.2? It doesn't seem the the resolution could get better. It would be nice to see a table of recording modes and resolutions, etc.

One other somewhat related question is: if I record off of VHS, after what point would increasing the record quality mode have no effect?

inieto, I don't know if you have an XS34 but if you do, then why don't you do some testing on your on with it? I don't think numbers can answer your questions, only using using an XS34 with your TV and VHS player can do that. If you don't have one then buy one. I assure you that it is a very high quality recorder.

Ken

Inieto: Think of video like sequence of jpegs. Every second contains 29.97 jpegs, and the resolution is constant. Once these variables are constant, the only thing left to change is the amount of data in each jpeg. This is your bitrate. The higher the bitrate, the higher the detail in each frame. There will be no slow motion here, as the framerate is constant. This is oversimplified, but I hope it helps.

For more detailed video info, check out:
www.doom9.org

Inieto: Think of video like sequence of jpegs. Every second contains 29.97 jpegs, and the resolution is constant. Once these variables are constant, the only thing left to change is the amount of data in each jpeg. This is your bitrate. The higher the bitrate, the higher the detail in each frame. There will be no slow motion here, as the framerate is constant. This is oversimplified, but I hope it helps.


That is the kind of explanation that I needed! So it sounds to me since the frame rate and the resolution is the same for all bitrates, the difference in the bitrate is how accurate the MPEG compression makes each frame. This would then compare with the jpeg compression % rate one can choose that determines how good a quality picture you get and the higher the quality, the greater amount of information needed to depict it (and therefore a larger file). Is this a correct conclusion?

You've got it!

One important note is that the resolution is constant for a range of bit rates, but switches to a different resolution beyond a certain point. An earlier poster stated this, and I beleive the Toshiba switches to a lower resolution below 4.0.

This isn't a condition of MPEG compression, just a switch built into the XS34. If you were using a flexible MPEG encoder on your PC, you would be able to choose just about any bitrate and any resolution, but your results would vary.

Personally I set my XS34 to 9.2 DM/1 for uber quality which I edit and dump to DVDR.

Question: Has anyone had luck reading the Toshiba DVD RAM discs on their computers? My revision of burner doesn't support DVD RAM so I can't try it. Id like to be able to transfer all this video to my PC for editing, but the powers that be obviously don't want to facilitate this trasnfer.

Now for someone to do an IDE hack so we can plug our PCs into our XS34s!!!

gshelley61,

Thanks for the suggestion. I will give it a try. I am sure you are right that they will deal to keep customers.

thanks again.

Victor

Question: Has anyone had luck reading the Toshiba DVD RAM discs on their computers? My revision of burner doesn't support DVD RAM so I can't try it. Id like to be able to transfer all this video to my PC for editing, but the powers that be obviously don't want to facilitate this trasnfer.



Use DVD-RW's instead. Problem solved.

The problem is that the XS34 will only copy "copy once" content to DVD RAM or HDD, not DVD-R. So if I ever run into this broadcast flag I wont have problems if i can read dvd ram

Has anyone run into "copy once" limitations?

I can't seem to get my XS34 recorder to recognize my (Samsung) camcorder thru DV. Anybody ever heard of some camcorders which this recorder will not recognize? It works fine thru S-video input.

Question: Has anyone had luck reading the Toshiba DVD RAM discs on their computers? My revision of burner doesn't support DVD RAM so I can't try it. Id like to be able to transfer all this video to my PC for editing, but the powers that be obviously don't want to facilitate this trasnfer.
I've done it, it works. However, I find DVD-RW reads much faster on the PC and also HDD-disc on the toshiba is faster with DVD-RW.

So it sounds to me since the frame rate and the resolution is the same for all bitrates, the difference in the bitrate is how accurate the MPEG compression makes each frame. Is this a correct conclusion?
No, as I said above the resolution changes to half-D1 when less than 4.0 and then changes to VCD resolution somewhere below 2.2.

To me, it seemed like the lower modes had the same resolution but almost like a slow motion effect. That is why I wondered if the frames per second was different. That effect is probably happening when you use EP, which is VCD resolution. At VCD resolution, the interlaced fields are blurred together due to the low resolution resulting in this effect.

What happens at the higher rates like 9.2? It doesn't seem the the resolution could get better. It would be nice to see a table of recording modes and resolutions, etc.The resolution for 4.0-9.2 is the same.

One other somewhat related question is: if I record off of VHS, after what point would increasing the record quality mode have no effect?That would be higher than what DVD is capable of. It's a matter of how much compression artifacts there are and how much you can see and tolerate. Some people even find LP acceptable. Test each mode, compare the results, and use what is acceptable to you. You'll probably trade off somewhere between picture quality and disc capacity.

Totally curiousity-based questions.. I'm not actually going to upgrade.

1) Does the XS34 take a long time to mount discs (like the XS32 does)? Esp DVD-RW and DVD-RAM. It can be ~30 seconds sometimes, even for ones that behave properly.. (i.e. this was true even before the recent DVD drive sounds/weirdness)

2) Does the XS34 do the same 'loading' process after a recording has finished? (for all kinds of media) It's almost like it unmounts the drive while it's recording, then re-mounts it afterwards.

Since I am archiving my Hi8 and VHS tapes unto DVD-R, I want to be able to make copies of them multiple times. Last night I did some test copies and the results were baffling.

My original title had been recorded at 9.2 record quality with a length of 10:05 (10 min 5 secs). I did a high speed dub to DVD-RW and its length was 10:06. I also did a rate conversion dub at 3.0 record quality with resulting length of 10:10. I then copied these back to HDD using high speed dubbing. The length of the 9.2 recording was now 10:07 (was 10:06 on the DVD and 10:05 originally) and the length of the rate conversion dub was 10:10 again (original size before the rate conversion was 10:05 and 10:10 after the rate conversion).

I have been thinking that high speed dubs from HDD to DVD and vice versa are exact duplications of the data. Is this wrong? Can someone explain what might be happening? Is there any way to get an exact duplicate of a DVD-R that I create on the same machine?

The reason for doing these tests is to verify I can archive my recordings to DVD-R and recreate them exactly if ever I need to. I do understand that the manual indicates that the thumbnails could change a bit but I am more concerned with the recording contents.

1) Does the XS34 take a long time to mount discs (like the XS32 does)? Esp DVD-RW and DVD-RAM. It can be ~30 seconds sometimes, even for ones that behave properly.. (i.e. this was true even before the recent DVD drive sounds/weirdness)

2) Does the XS34 do the same 'loading' process after a recording has finished? (for all kinds of media) It's almost like it unmounts the drive while it's recording, then re-mounts it afterwards.
Sounds about right but 30secs is a bit exaggerated.

I have had my XS34 for a couple weeks and have really enjoyed it. I think it is an excellent DVD recorder. I also think the manual is pretty good except it does take a few run-throughs to get what I need to know, probably because how much customization is allowed by this machine (this is good). There are, however, some things that are left quite vague in my opinion.

In a number of places (i.e. rate conversion dubbing), reference is made that chapter positions can move around a bit when dubbing. I am using high speed dubbing and I did not see any reference to chapter marks moving. Does anyone out there have good experience in how a person can minimize chapters being moved very much? I thought if I was in GOP edit mode that when I placed a chapter, it was more likely to be accurate when doing a HDD to DVD-R dub. But I find that sometimes the chapter moves up or back. I understand this is due to MPEG2 issues in which frames are chosen for the chapter mark on the copy. But is there a better likelihood of accuracy if I put the chapter mark at the beginning or end of a sequence of frames for each second? Or is there some other suggested position?

I spend the time determining good places for chapters and when they get moved the thumbnails are sometimes inaccurate or I see a previous scene flash before starting where I wanted it. Am I doing something wrong?

Chapter marks, cutting and joining locations, etc. can only occur at certain frames with MPEG2 video files (unless the edit point is re-encoded). The XS34 is not capable of frame accurate MPEG2 editing.

You can transfer the video files to your computer with DVD-RAM or DVD-RW, then use a frame accurate editor like Womble MPEG Video Wizard. The newly edited MPEG2 file can then be re-authored with a program like TMPGEnc DVD Author and a final disc burned to DVD-R.

visit VideoHelp.com for more thorough information on how this is done

Chapter marks, cutting and joining locations, etc. can only occur at certain frames with MPEG2 video files (unless the edit point is re-encoded). The XS34 is not capable of frame accurate MPEG2 editing.

You can transfer the video files to your computer with DVD-RAM or DVD-RW, then use a frame accurate editor like Womble MPEG Video Wizard. The newly edited MPEG2 file can then be re-authored with a program like TMPGEnc DVD Author and a final disc burned to DVD-R.



Doing an edit on my computer is not an option since I do not have a burner or the software so I will have to live with the limitations of the XS34.

I now understand by poking around the internet that the first frame of a GOP sequence is called an I-frame followed by frames with changes from the first frame. If I mess up the I-frame the machine must wait for the next I-frame to get sync-ed up again. Is there any way to tell when doing a chapter edit what frames are "I-frames"? Maybe they are not obvious but if they follow a pattern then if I edit at the right point then all might be ok.

So what is the purpose of doing GOP chapter mark edits if the machine cannot handle them? I thought the intent is to put chapter marks at the GOP boundaries that would make them safe to copy. Page 93 of the manual shows how to place chapter marks on GOP boundaries and page 115 infers if chapter marks are on GOP boundaries they might not shift on a copy to DVD. Am I missing something?

Is there any way to tell when doing a chapter edit what frames are "I-frames"?

At least on the XS32 -- presumably also on the XS34...

You can go into 'chapter editing mode' and then turn on GOP mode, and use some buttons on the remote (I think the frame advance/back ones) to move the chapter stops to the next GOP. i.e. you'll see exactly where the chapter break will be.

From what I've tried of this, this is WAY too much of a pain to do for multiple chapters, so I just live with sometimes having a bit of extra info at the edits.

I have played around with chapter editing in GOP and understand how to move the chapter marks according to GOP boundaries. However, I was wondering if someone can explain how the XS34 chapter editing large upper display picture window works.

When I go to the lower window and select a frame to work on, I use the frame adjust keys to move the chapter mark forward or backward. That is fine. But when I hit the frame forward or backward key for that adjustment, the large upper window and the lower window thumbnails blank out for a second or so while being processed. The large upper window shows for a moment the point where the chapter mark will now be but then returns to what was previously displayed. What usually is displayed then is the original point where a chapter mark was placed or a chapter mark skipped to by the Skip keys. There does not seem to be correlation with the lower thumbnails except for that one moment. The Location number does not change with any of the chapter frame position movements but appears to remain at the original location.

What is the purpose of the original chapter mark position being displayed again in the large upper window (and having the original Location number)? There must be a reason but I cannot figure it out. Anybody have experience with this that can offer an explanation?

BTW, is it possible to make chapter edits and QUIT without saving the changes?

Toshiba sent me the software update and I was able to reset my clock. I've been doing manual recordings for the past week and the unit has worked flawlessly. Sometime midweek my TVGOS populated with channels (no show info) and just yesterday morning it updated with show info.

A few issues:
1) The channels seem to be sorted randomly, not by channel #!!?!? Some areas are sorted alphabetically by call sign!! Stupid!
2) The TVGOS only goes up to 125 channels, seemingly selected at random from the 400+ channels I hve in my area on digital cable.

Has anyone used the channel edit function? Is it possible to just change a few of the channels and they will automatically update the station name and listings? Or are the call signs/station names fixed to a certain channel?

I know I can record any channel with manual recording but was hoping TVGOS would al least recognize all thge channels im my area.... WRONG! THe crazy thing is that channel 5 in my area is a TV Guide channel, and has listings for every channel I have (all 400!). Why the hell isn't this same info streaming into my PVR!!!

Of course the TVGOS only goes to 125 channels. DVD recorder built-in tuners handle traditional analog cable or over the air analog broadcast stations only. To record digital cable channels, you need to hook up the output of the digital cable box to the DVD recorder and do it manually.

That's not 100% correct. TVGOS goes to channels over 125 and can handle non analog and non OTA shows. In my 125 channel TGOS listing, it tunes into many channels that are over 125 on my digital cable box. For example, channel position 10 in my TVGOS is actually channel 236 on my cable box.

What TVGOS does is has 125 slots for channels of which it populates with a various preset selection of stations, by channel name (Food/WUTV) and assigns a particular OTA channel # OR digital cable box # to a particular slot. It seems to know to use the digital cable source for say channel 28 (WUTV) over the OTA 28 (also WUTV) as the quality is better for recording. What I don't see is why:

1. They limited the slots to 125
2. They don't allow you the change the call sign/channel name in the 125 slots.
3. The order is completely assisnine and seemly random. Why not sort the channel listing my channel #!!!! There's an idea!

How do you add chapter marks when you have the door removed? (or maybe this is one of the differences between the xs32 and xs34 remote.) I have to do that on my xs32 with the door closed. That and changing the front panel display/disk space meter are about the only things I do with the door closed I can think of.

That's not 100% correct. TVGOS goes to channels over 125 and can handle non analog and non OTA shows. In my 125 channel TGOS listing, it tunes into many channels that are over 125 on my digital cable box. For example, channel position 10 in my TVGOS is actually channel 236 on my cable box.

What TVGOS does is has 125 slots for channels of which it populates with a various preset selection of stations, by channel name (Food/WUTV) and assigns a particular OTA channel # OR digital cable box # to a particular slot. It seems to know to use the digital cable source for say channel 28 (WUTV) over the OTA 28 (also WUTV) as the quality is better for recording. What I don't see is why:

1. They limited the slots to 125
2. They don't allow you the change the call sign/channel name in the 125 slots.
3. The order is completely assisnine and seemly random. Why not sort the channel listing my channel #!!!! There's an idea!

I hear you on the random order of the channel guide.

So you have both OTA analog and digital cable connected to your recorder? Do you have them connected to different inputs? I currently have mine connected to analog cable which bypasses my cable box. I notice that the digitalized picture of the analog cable is not quite as good as what my digital cable box outputs to my TV so I'm wondering if I should consider hooking the cable box to the recorder. How has it worked out for you (hooking the digital box up to your recorder)? Which input are you using on your recorder?

Well they have the XS34 on sale for 150 off Cdn. It's between this and the Pioneer 533/633. But the XS34 is the better deal now. 130 less than the 633. What are the Toshiba owners thoughts? Will I not regret getting the 34? Most of my recording will be off satellite using Line1 and from the A/V receiver using Line2 or 3, whatever is on the back panel.
Thanks
Joe

I have had my XS34 for a couple weeks and have really enjoyed it. I think it is an excellent DVD recorder. I also think the manual is pretty good except it does take a few run-throughs to get what I need to know, probably because how much customization is allowed by this machine (this is good). There are, however, some things that are left quite vague in my opinion.

In a number of places (i.e. rate conversion dubbing), reference is made that chapter positions can move around a bit when dubbing. I am using high speed dubbing and I did not see any reference to chapter marks moving. Does anyone out there have good experience in how a person can minimize chapters being moved very much? I thought if I was in GOP edit mode that when I placed a chapter, it was more likely to be accurate when doing a HDD to DVD-R dub. But I find that sometimes the chapter moves up or back. I understand this is due to MPEG2 issues in which frames are chosen for the chapter mark on the copy. But is there a better likelihood of accuracy if I put the chapter mark at the beginning or end of a sequence of frames for each second? Or is there some other suggested position?

I spend the time determining good places for chapters and when they get moved the thumbnails are sometimes inaccurate or I see a previous scene flash before starting where I wanted it. Am I doing something wrong?


I have an xs32 and there are 2 ways to make sure your chapter marks are precise. The first one is to do a rate conversion, and keep the same bit rate. That is time consuming. There is another way. When you make a playlist, before dubbing it into an actual file, go into chapter editing and merge all chapters. After dubbing you should be all set, but it will hang on that set point for about a second. Normally though the screen is black since you in between commercials so it is not an issue. This works on my xs32 so I am assuming it will work on the xs34.

:-)
Rob

Well they have the XS34 on sale for 150 off Cdn. It's between this and the Pioneer 533/633. But the XS34 is the better deal now. 130 less than the 633. What are the Toshiba owners thoughts? Will I not regret getting the 34? Most of my recording will be off satellite using Line1 and from the A/V receiver using Line2 or 3, whatever is on the back panel.
Thanks
Joe
Joe, I don't think that there is anyone around who can tell you if you will regret buying the XS-34. I have had mine since July and like it extremely well. I use the TV Guide feature almost daily with over the air programming.

I believe recording through line1 would eliminate the use of TV Guide. I'm not sure if you can set the manual programming to start and stop at a given time using line1 as the input. Of course you can always manually start and stop the recording of line1 just as if you had a VCR for input.

Ken