1. Every so often (weeks to months), it will stop reading in clean DVDs, storebought or otherwise. Once this occurs, all discs fail to load. A simple pulling of the plug and replugging corrects this issue, though it takes a few minutes for the unit to reinitialize...no data gets lost (assuming you are not recording at that moment) and it recovers without issue.

Manual recording is available, of course, but the unit is very crippled without TVGOS data since the ease of recording, organizing, etc. are dependent on it. The menu is horribly slow to navigate, but knowing the shortcuts (such as hours/channel jumping) makes it tolerable.

Ross - What shortcuts do you know about hour and channel jumping? Any information you may have would be very helpful. The ability to move ahead by 24 hours on the TVGOS would be great news.

On your issue one, I have the same problem with reading discs. I can normally play with the disc in the drawer before you insert it and it will sometimes fix the problem. My guess is that the disc is not seating properly. If that doesn't fix the problem, you can use the hard reset (hold the power button in for 10 seconds) to solve the problem. That is easier than trying to unplug the unit and has the same results.

I've also noticed that the XS54 will not take some manufactories DVD-R discs. I purchased a 25 pack of blank TDKs and not a single one would the XS54 read properly. I always get a disc failure to read and an error message that the disc is dirty or damaged. However, I can insert the same disc into my Panasonic recorder and they will work every time. I've purchased a cheap pack of 50 DVD-R by NexxTech and EVERY single disc reads just fine. So the XS54 can be touchy on the discs you use.

I've also experienced the HDMI ERR-3c. I'm also using an HDMI to DVI cable but to a Sony TV. My problem seems to occur when the TV is NOT on before the XS54 unit which puts the two machines out of sync on the HDMI. If I turn on the TV before the XS54 so its sees the HDMI -DVI from the TV when it comes up and turn off the XS54 before the TV then I don't seem to have the problem. I've always been able to reset the error using the manual instructions of pressing the DISPLAY button on the remote control.

What shortcuts do you know about hour and channel jumping? Any information you may have would be very helpful. The ability to move ahead by 24 hours on the TVGOS would be great news...

From the TVGOS Listings screen just key in 24 (or any other number) from the remote. You will be prompted to go to a channel or forwards/backwards that number of hours.

Just discovered this machine and started doing research on the 54/55. Two questions:
1. Does anybody know if the Toshiba will play DVD-RAM discs recorded on a Panny DVD recorder?
2. Someone asked earlier whether it was possible to use a wireless network with this machine. It's been a while, and the new 55 is out, so is there any update on that question?
thx

From the TVGOS Listings screen just key in 24 (or any other number) from the remote. You will be prompted to go to a channel or forwards/backwards that number of hours.

Me3 - Great! Thanks for the info.

I see that me3 already answered the jump-ahead...as for the hard reset, I hadn't tried that when the disc issue does crop up, so I will need to give that a try next time. I know it isn't a seating issue, nor a dirty/scratched disc issue since I do check for that first...when it goes into failed disc mode, it occurs with every disc tried until the reset, and then it is perfectly fine once the unit comes back up.

On the HDMI -> DVI, pressing Display does clear the error, but at least in my case, when you switch to DVI and then play a disc, it is not necessarily corrected...whatever combination does fix the err-3c, once that HDMI blue light is back on, everything is good. I had thought at one point that pressing display was also the magic fix but then realized that wasn't the case with my set.

I have yet to decide on the other TV...I really want to give digital a try for the additional channels, but dislike the channel boxes and am doubtful that I would get channel updates with or without hooking up the IR changer. This has kept me from getting another 54 or a 55, since I don't want my dvr/dvd unit to become guideless...it severely reduces functionality without the guide, and the ability to burn to dvd is a HUGE plus.

Decisions, decisions....

Ross

Is anybody using the "Internet Connection" effectively?
I'm considering this unit vs. the Pio 640 and the Panny EH55S.
The only advantage I see to the Toshiba is that you can e-mail the unit to schedule a recording. Is anybody actually doing this? If so - how well does it work? What else can you do with the internet connection?

Also - does anybody have any pros/cons of the XS55 vs the Pio 640 and the Panny EH55S?

Thanks!!!

...Also - does anybody have any pros/cons of the XS55 vs the Pio 640 and the Panny EH55S?

Thanks!!!
I can't compare them but after having the Toshiba RD-XS55 for over two months, I can't find anything negative to say about it. I am truly satisfied with this unit!

I can't compare them but after having the Toshiba RD-XS55 for over two months, I can't find anything negative to say about it. I am truly satisfied with this unit!

Are you using the "internet connection"? Have you e-mailed the unit to schedule a recording? How's that working out?

Also - Have you used TVGOS? If so - how's it working?

Thanks!

Are you using the "internet connection"? Have you e-mailed the unit to schedule a recording? How's that working out?

Also - Have you used TVGOS? If so - how's it working?

Thanks!
No, I have never used the "internet connection" and doubt I would ever have use for it. I have the TVGOS set up via the tuner but I always use manual schedulings via Line Input #1, which is fed from my digital cable box. I prefer manual scheduling as then I know it's correct.

Ok, here's the situation: My Sammy DLP (HLN467) has a single DVI input, currently used by my RD-XS54SU. The Sammy's component inputs are ok, but not great...less than ideal with this DVR, but great via DVI.

However, there is a digital channel I want, along with the ability to edit and record to DVD.

My line of thought...I can get the digital along with the 8300HD (Sci Atl) to provide digital and HD. However, this would require the DVI input as well for best quality, and there is only one input on my set. Output appears to support going from the Sci Atl to standard SD on the RD-XS54SU using one of the three component outputs on the set in conjunction with standard audio out (W/R). Again, a conflict occurs with digital out since my Denon receiver only has one digital input which is already being used by the RD-XS54SU.

Options likely include switch devices to support both but there is no doubt the two DVRs would be highly redundant. The second issue is that since a digital gateway must be used, can the line be divided to give an analog feed to the RD-XS54SU which is the only way I can get the TVGOS data or is that not an option? Cox indicates that the specific jack must be activated and thus I'm not sure where such a device would be placed, but my interpretation is that it may make a split before the box for analog support a non-option. The next closest analog jack is too distant for consideration.

The last option is to relegate the RD-XS54SU to the secondary TV which would remain analog, but that would still not solve the issue of recording, editing, and burning. Even if that option were chosen, I would still need to get a DVD or DVD Recorder for the digital hookup and would still have the single DVI and single digital sound input hookup limitations to deal with.

Finally, if I were able to get the analog cable feed to the RD-XS54SU but digital to the cox box in the same room, I could presumably use the IR device to handle recording from digital feeds using the input, correct? Here again, I still have the issue though of the single DVI and digital sound inputs.

I'm hoping some of you have had to contend with some or all of these issues and have workarounds you can suggest?

Just discovered this machine and started doing research on the 54/55. Two questions:
1. Does anybody know if the Toshiba will play DVD-RAM discs recorded on a Panny DVD recorder?
2. Someone asked earlier whether it was possible to use a wireless network with this machine. It's been a while, and the new 55 is out, so is there any update on that question?
thx

Elgibby - Sorry its taken me awhile to get back to your question (vacation time). I can confirm that a DVD-RAM recorded on a Penny recorder will play on the Toshiba XS54. I've done it using a Panny DMR-ES10. There was not problems moving the recorded RAM over to the XS54. It played just fine. Now I've not check the opposite direct but would assume it would work just a well. I hope that answers your question about compability of the RAM recordings.

Can anybody please help me with this??

I got this RD XS 54 about a month ago, I am able to view the remote control and turn it on/off, change channels, and everything else within my network ( Using a D Link 2 XR router (DI-634M). I forwarded several ports 8000, 8800, 2000, when I try to view contents on DVD from outside my network, I am able to see the menu and the remote on the right, but anywhere I click, nothing happends, the remote does not show the red nor the green light, I also tried a feature that this router has, that allowes one pc to be viewed outside the network, that did not work neither. I'm a technical specialist for Road Runner in the network department, I have 2 IP addresses and my speeds are 15 Megs down and 2 up. I installed a hub and I have now the RD XS 54 going to a Netgear router, changed the port to the default one (80) on the DVD and set the port forwarding to the IP address that I have reserved for it on the router, and I still cannnot use the Net MOnitor feature, I am able to click in all the tabs, but nothing happends, I gave it enough time also to make sure is not a loading issue. Please help!

Thanks

Tico from Tampa FL

Tico, I'd love to be able to help, but might need insight from you to get that far...I have a DI-620 (or 624?) which I may replace. However, I had attempted using a wall insert for wireless connectivity since my unit is nowhere near the location of the router. It failed miserably...couldn't get DHCP and couldn't force an address. Are there any decent wireless options and/or will only the game-type wireless routers work? I do use both wired and wireless connections, the latter with stronger encryption/password protection. I would love to get my 54 online within the house, for email receipt, and/or for viewing. You are one of few I know of who actually got networking features to work...please shed additional insight and/or PM me.

Thanks,
Ross

Can anybody please help me with this??

I am able to see the menu and the remote on the right

Tico from Tampa FL

Tico - Seems you have managed to get the Toshiba to talk with a PC. I've tried both straight connect and with a Wireless Linksys router but I can not get the first Toshiba screen to display. I've got a connection to the recorder, as I can ping it and can see a number of packet received from the Toshiba. But when I launch IE to connect and enter the RD-XS54 as the address, I get a small Micosoft login screen that says "server rd-xs54 at RD-XS54 requires a username and password" then a place to enter your ID and Password. I've put in the ID and Password that I entered on the Toshiba setup screen, but after a few seconds the screen updates and just returns the same request again and again. Its like its rejecting the ID or Password. The manual does not indicate you will get the Microsoft screen but will instead get a Toshiba screen where you can enter the ID and Password. Do you see the same login problem or just go directly to the Toshiba screen? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ken (Ocala, Fl)

I've got a connection to the recorder, as I can ping it and can see a number of packet received from the Toshiba. But when I launch IE to connect and enter the RD-XS54 as the address, I get a small Micosoft login screen that says "server rd-xs54 at RD-XS54 requires a username and password" then a place to enter your ID and Password. I've put in the ID and Password that I entered on the Toshiba setup screen, but after a few seconds the screen updates and just returns the same request again and again. Its like its rejecting the ID or Password.
I don't have your setup, but I get the same "bounce-back" from login sites when I have my IE Security set too high. I run at "Custom" level (High) and often forget to turn Security down to Medium (or list the site as a Trusted Site), which then allows me to log in.

I don't have your setup, but I get the same "bounce-back" from login sites when I have my IE Security set too high. I run at "Custom" level (High) and often forget to turn Security down to Medium (or list the site as a Trusted Site), which then allows me to log in.

Wabjxo - Thanks for the reply! I thought about the security too. It was set at Custom but moved the Local Internet setting down to low but that didn't help. I can supply my setup details if you think it would help. I left the name at RD-XS54, supplied a user name and password and made the group password the same as the user password. Because I can't get the ID and Password to be accepted, I've tried changing them several times but without any change in the results.

I'm using Windows XP home on HP laptop. I used the Toshiba instructions for the setup so here is what I've done:

Direct Connect:
Used the crossconnect cable provided with the following settings;
Address / Proxy - Manual - IP Address=100.100.100.1, Submask=255.255.255.0, Default Gateway=169.254.221.35, DNS=2.2.2.2

I also connected a wireless Linksys router and set everything to Auto. I used 2 straight cables to the router, Toshiba and PC, but still got the same results. I then removed the PC cable and went wirless, all with the same results. So I'm scratching my head on this one. It just looks like the Toshiba is telling MS that it needs a user id and password but will not accept it from MS when you supply it. Is there another way to access the Toshiba without using IE as the interface? Thanks for any help you can provide!!!

Kenni_o, I can't help w/your setup except to suggest a couple of things w/IE and connection to the Toshiba:

1. Try setting the Toshiba's "web" address as a Trusted Site (*.name.com) with Medium or Low Security.

2. If your running Windows Live OneCare or other Firewall app. check its settings. OneCare has "Advanced" settings for its Firewall and one tab for Programs to allow or disallow, and another tab for Ports and Prototcols. Other Firewalls have similar settings. The Ports and Protocols is where you may have a problem and may need to "consult the app. instructions" for a specific port or protocol to run for the Toshiba connection?

You can enter the Toshiba connection as a program that should be allowed and set your Firewall to always prompt you before stopping a connection, which will stop the Firewall from automatically and "silently" blocking a program your connection may need.

P.S. Even if you're running the std Windows Firewall, there are settings and Exceptions you probably need to make to allow you to connect to the Toshiba?

Just for good measure, delete all your Cookies, Temp. Internet Files, and History before trying to log in again.

Toshiba's website is not very clear on what the differences are between the RD-XS54 and the RD-XS55. Can anyone explain this?

Kenni_o, I can't help w/your setup except to suggest a couple of things w/IE and connection to the Toshiba:

Wabjxo – Just a quick note to say I solved my networking problem and its due to your reply message. I started thinking about the Internet Explorer setting as you mentioned and figured I should check different Internet browsers. I do some beta verification with Microsoft software releases and have been using their new Internet browser (IE-7). I have the newly released version on my laptop. So I connected my RD-XS54 to my desktop PC that still has the older Microsoft browser (IE-6) installed. My network problem went away as soon as I connected. So the home networking problem was with the new Microsoft IE-7 browser and not with the Toshiba setting or unit. I continued to check other browsers, Netscape and Foxfire, and both work just fine with the RD-XS54. So to network the RD-XS54 you need to use Microsoft IE-6, Netscape, or Foxfire as your browser.

So in summary, any Toshiba users trying to network their unit with a PC or Home Network, the Microsoft Internet Explorer IE-7 will NOT interface with the Toshiba RD-XS54 recorder. If you are currently networked and plan to switch to the new Microsoft browser, expect your network connect to fail.

Toshiba's website is not very clear on what the differences are between the RD-XS54 and the RD-XS55. Can anyone explain this?


I own the RD-XS55 and never had the 54.But it appears that the 55 firmware is the latest. The 55 is able to connect with Satellite box, network connections are more stable, fan is quieter and all black color.

Wabjxo – Just a quick note to say I solved my networking problem and its due to your reply message. I started thinking about the Internet Explorer setting as you mentioned and figured I should check different Internet browsers. I do some beta verification with Microsoft software releases and have been using their new Internet browser (IE-7). I have the newly released version on my laptop. So I connected my RD-XS54 to my desktop PC that still has the older Microsoft browser (IE-6) installed. My network problem went away as soon as I connected. So the home networking problem was with the new Microsoft IE-7 browser and not with the Toshiba setting or unit. I continued to check other browsers, Netscape and Foxfire, and both work just fine with the RD-XS54. So to network the RD-XS54 you need to use Microsoft IE-6, Netscape, or Foxfire as your browser.

So in summary, any Toshiba users trying to network their unit with a PC or Home Network, the Microsoft Internet Explorer IE-7 will NOT interface with the Toshiba RD-XS54 recorder. If you are currently networked and plan to switch to the new Microsoft browser, expect your network connect to fail.

Is there an update firmware for the RD-XS54?I own the RD-XS55,using IE6,connected to my PC without any problems(after disabling Nortons Anti program).

Wabjxo – Just a quick note to say I solved my networking problem and its due to your reply message.
Glad I could help in a small way! Your finding on IE7 will probably help other XS54 users who are thinking of upgrading to Vista and IE7.

Did you hear that MS has delayed the release of Vista (and IE7) to January... maybe the problem you ran into w/IE7 will be one of the things they fix by then?

Willypinhead,
Yes, there is a firmware update for the RD-XS54. I was made aware of this when I called Toshiba to complain about the unit locking up. They sent me a DVD with the new firmware on it, but would not say that it would solve the lock-up problem. However, after installing the new firmware, there have been no more lock-ups. I haven't tried to use the PC interface, so I don't know if this new firmware addresses any of those issues.

rpgoldberg ,

Sorry I could not get back to you right away. Basically what I had to do because my RD XS54 is not near my routers was to get a swicth and install it half way ( in the garage). I do recommend you to get the D link DI634M router is great, specially if you have vOIP. Ok this is where I am at with the issue I had, I mentioned that I have 2 public ip's with my modem so I ran the modem to a switch, connected my router to it, it got one of the ip's. then I connected the line coming from the RD XS-54 to the switch, checked the settings on the actual DVD to make sure it was set for auto. I was able to get the public IP from the modem and guess what, I am able to see everything that way, however a friend on mine that lives in Boston and another one that lives here in Tampa they are unable to do so. I think I am able to see the streaming because I have similar IP's ( same subnet). Another this is that I have not been able to get the email feature to work, I set up the box with my email info, pop3 and smtp and it does not program the time when I send an email as the manual says.

Kenni_o ,

You have to types of settings in the configuration of the box, you have to enter a user name an a password to get into remotely and another one for files transfer ( from another RD XS-54 located in the same network), just try to set the 2 of them with the same info, just go to Easy NAVI, SET UP, Network Setting and move to the first tap on the left ( Network NAVI) and use the same user name and password for both options there, hopefully that would help.

So basically I am unable to view the programming when the machine is behind a router and when connected directly to my modem only people with similar IP's can see it. I called the Toshiba help line and of course they were totally lost and did not even know what I was talking about ( FRUSTRATION GRRRRRRRRR). Anyway, at this point I think it has something to do with ports ( outgoing) or the RD-XS54 can only be viewed from inside a local network, PLEASE HELPPPPPPP!

thanks guys and once again I am sorry it took so long to get back to you.

Tico

******UPDATE******

I placed the RD-XS54 behind a router so I can also have network capabilities for my playstation 2. Originally I had user the port forward feature and forward port 80 to the static IP being used by the RD-XS54. Well as you know I was able to get to the main menu but no video, I went back to the port forward feature and routed from port 1 to port 65534 (basically all ports) to the RD-XS54 and guess what, I am able to see the streaming like that, I am using a port analyzer right now to see what are the remote ports connected to the PC where I have the streaming video being received. Several ports are open at the remote source, I will start blocking one at the time while the stream is on to see which one it is or which ones (they may be using a long range of ports), I'll let you know.

Tico from Tampa

you may have solved this already, but the default access port is 1048.
However, on my netgear router, I did not use any port forwarding and can use the streaming video.
Do you know of any hacks for this device?

I have tried for a year now to use the online firmware updater via Network NAV.
Never works.
thanks for the info on the firmware DVD. do you remember what dept you contacted for the update?

I just called the customer service number supplied by Toshiba with the RD-XS54 unit and talked to the customer service person that answered.

tico01,

Another this is that I have not been able to get the email feature to work, I set up the box with my email info, pop3 and smtp and it does not program the time when I send an email as the manual says.

Try sending the e-mail as text instead of HTML. Although I have been unable to actually record a program via e-mail on my rd-xs55, I was able to get an e-mail response back (a day later) from the unit about an incorrect date format from the e-mail that I originally sent.

bolkstofffump

I am able to see the streaming video as long as I am inside my network or in the same subnet, I cannot watch it from anywhere else and my friends cannot do so neither from their locations. I even have all the ports forward to the toshiba right now to test and see if it is a port issue, and nothing. I do not have any hack for this device, if I get any I will let you know, hopefully you'll do the same. :)

tipat56 ,

I am in the same boat, I have not been able to get this email stuff to work and trust me I am using plain text and following everything the manual explains. I need help, thanks guys

Tico

I was never able to get the email setup to work. I tried for weeks to figure it out.
Finally gave up.
I have not seen a hack anywhere for this. I actually called Toshiba and asked for the root user and password so I could setup a true network share with it, but was
DENIED!! by the man. crap.
It seems a shame that Toshiba limited the potential on this otherwise awesome device.
My one true complaint is, for some reason if I record a TV show, it always stops recording before the end. So I continually miss the last 2min or so.
Very frustrating when you are hooked on Heroes like I am. :(

I haven't tried the e-mail function yet, I'd just be happy to get the Net Monitor to work.

Assuming the RD-XS54 has similar functions to the RD-XS55 Does Anyone have experience of successfully setting up The Net Monitor function of the RD-XS55 ?

I can connect to the recorder through my wireless LAN to Network Navi and edit titles etc. But hitting Net Monitor just launches 2 new empty browser windows titled
rd-xs55/mainmenu/1

The same thing happens in both IE 6.0 and Netscape 7.2. I am also running Quick Time 7.1.3 although the Toshiba manual says that Net Monitor is not guaranteed to work for versions above 7.0.2 Is this just a disclaimer or would obtaining that version worthwhile?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Hello,

As a RD-XS55 owner,I gotten the net monitor to work by disabling the anti-virus program,Nortons 2006.Follow the instructions to the "t" but before you actually connect from your PC to the unit,turn off all of your anti-virus programs.I won't use the "email" stuff cause of it.And trufully,I just don't need it.Give it a try.Different set-up(direct cable),same problem as yours and now net monitor works.

I also running the latest Quick Time without any mishaps.

Hope it works,Willy P.

Thanks very much Willy. It worked. I do not seem to have the option of turning off Norton Anti Virus individually But turning off the whole Norton Internet Security is what did it.
And now of course the inevitable next question. How do you allow your LAN access whilst blocking others. I assume it's a matter of allowing certain ports, but how do I find which port my LAN is using.

Alan

Well I solved that problem by dumping Norton and installing Zone Alarm, much more user friendly and intuitive.

Hello all, Ive had the XS54 for a little while now and had a few questions about the HDMI output. I have it hooked up to my HLS6188 and right now the HLS flashes a quick picture then goes to "weak signal" if I hook the XS54anyother way just fine. Also when I siwth to the HDMI output on my TV it shows 48-0I which I am guessing means 480I output, how would I change this to 720P or 1080I? I didnt see the selection available in the menu to switch it so that it upconverts the signal. I also see the HDMI light as "blue" on the front when I switched to the HDMI output Thank you for any help or information you can give me on this I really appreciate it. :)

Hello,

As a RD-XS55 owner,I gotten the net monitor to work by disabling the anti-virus program,Nortons 2006.Follow the instructions to the "t" but before you actually connect from your PC to the unit,turn off all of your anti-virus programs.I won't use the "email" stuff cause of it.And trufully,I just don't need it.Give it a try.Different set-up(direct cable),same problem as yours and now net monitor works.

I also running the latest Quick Time without any mishaps.

Hope it works,Willy P.
I am considering buy and RD-XS 55, could you tell me how the PQ compares to a Sony. I am not Happy with Pioneer or Panny PQ.

Hello all, Ive had the XS54 for a little while now and had a few questions about the HDMI output. I have it hooked up to my HLS6188 and right now the HLS flashes a quick picture then goes to "weak signal" if I hook the XS54anyother way just fine. Also when I siwth to the HDMI output on my TV it shows 48-0I which I am guessing means 480I output, how would I change this to 720P or 1080I? I didnt see the selection available in the menu to switch it so that it upconverts the signal. I also see the HDMI light as "blue" on the front when I switched to the HDMI output Thank you for any help or information you can give me on this I really appreciate it. :)

Hi Ph8te, have you found your answers yet? I don't see any responses so here is some of your answers 1) "Weak Signal" this is a new one for me. I have my HDMI working just fine but have not see this message. My question would be how long is your HDMI cable? I do know there is a limit on the length of the cable run but not sure what it is. 2) Yes you are seeing the output of the XS54 at 480I - to change that open up the cover of your remote control, second row of button from the right starting with Audio, the next button down is labeled PROG/HDMI. Everytime you press that button, you will change the output resulation. On your HDMI connection, you will cycle from 480I to 480P to 720P to 1080I then back to 480I. If you also connect your XS54 using componet cables, using that button will cycle from 480I to 480p to 480p to 480P then back to 480I. There are 4 positions on the output so componet only goes from 480I to 480P. By the way, you can use both connections (HDMI and Componet) at the same time as the XS54 will output both simultaneously, so you can switch back and forth using your input selector on your HLS6188.

I am considering buy and RD-XS 55, could you tell me how the PQ compares to a Sony. I am not Happy with Pioneer or Panny PQ.

HI goots1 - I have the XS54 (I believe they are the same hardware but the 55 has new upgraded firmware) and I also have a Panny recorder (P-scan only). Of course the HDMI - upscan is much better in picture quality and color. I've compared both on the componet output side and the XS54 will win that one too. That being said, I have an old Denon 2800II player that IMO blows both away with its P-Scan output. But that just my opinion and you know what they say about those.

Hi Ph8te, have you found your answers yet? I don't see any responses so here is some of your answers 1) "Weak Signal" this is a new one for me. I have my HDMI working just fine but have not see this message. My question would be how long is your HDMI cable? I do know there is a limit on the length of the cable run but not sure what it is. 2) Yes you are seeing the output of the XS54 at 480I - to change that open up the cover of your remote control, second row of button from the right starting with Audio, the next button down is labeled PROG/HDMI. Everytime you press that button, you will change the output resulation. On your HDMI connection, you will cycle from 480I to 480P to 720P to 1080I then back to 480I. If you also connect your XS54 using componet cables, using that button will cycle from 480I to 480p to 480p to 480P then back to 480I. There are 4 positions on the output so componet only goes from 480I to 480P. By the way, you can use both connections (HDMI and Componet) at the same time as the XS54 will output both simultaneously, so you can switch back and forth using your input selector on your HLS6188.


Thank you for the response never quite got an answer, but I did figure out about the 480I thing and switching it, but that made little difference. It seems as if the Toshiba is having handshake issues with my Sammy and that could be the cause. Since I get a "Flash" of picture and sound then to "no signal" via the HDMI. I called Toshiba Support and was walked through all the steps they do, but nothing worked so they are going to send me the new Firmware (I have an ooold version which also could be the cause) So when the New Firmware gets here hopefully that will solve my problems.

For now I have it hooked up through component and that will suffice until I can figure out the HDMI issue.

THank you again for the response, it is much appreciated.

Thank you for the response never quite got an answer, but I did figure out about the 480I thing and switching it, but that made little difference. It seems as if the Toshiba is having handshake issues with my Sammy and that could be the cause. Since I get a "Flash" of picture and sound then to "no signal" via the HDMI. I called Toshiba Support and was walked through all the steps they do, but nothing worked so they are going to send me the new Firmware (I have an ooold version which also could be the cause) So when the New Firmware gets here hopefully that will solve my problems.

For now I have it hooked up through component and that will suffice until I can figure out the HDMI issue.

THank you again for the response, it is much appreciated.

Ph8te - You are welcome .... will try to help anytime. I've already upgraded to the new firmware but I did not have many issues with the HDMI connection to my Sony before the firmware upgrade. The new firmware did stop the XS54 from hanging and having to do a hard reset via the power button. I did have a couple of sync issues when I first got the machine but there were only 2 times when the HDMI went south. When I would restart the machine the HDMI would come back. I haven't had that problem in months. Good luck with the new firmware, be carefull to follow their instructions completely and I remember it taking much longer for the XS to load and restart than they indicated so just be patient when installing it.

Hey everyone... I was thinking about buying a DVD Recorder/HDD combo and was curious about the Toshiba RD-XS55. Not sure if the Toshiba RD-XS54 is the same as the Toshiba RD-XS55 but I seen some people posting about it here. This will be my first DVD Recorder/HDD Combo unit. I wanted to know if the Toshiba RD-XS55 was a good unit to go with or is there something better for this price range? Also not really sure but can the Toshiba RD-XS55 read/record DVD-DL? Thanks! :D

Ph8te - You are welcome .... will try to help anytime. I've already upgraded to the new firmware but I did not have many issues with the HDMI connection to my Sony before the firmware upgrade. The new firmware did stop the XS54 from hanging and having to do a hard reset via the power button. I did have a couple of sync issues when I first got the machine but there were only 2 times when the HDMI went south. When I would restart the machine the HDMI would come back. I haven't had that problem in months. Good luck with the new firmware, be carefull to follow their instructions completely and I remember it taking much longer for the XS to load and restart than they indicated so just be patient when installing it.

Ken,

Well I received the Firmware today and installed it successfully. The HDMI problem though still persists :( I have my HDDVR hooked up via HDMI and it works fine (it goes from Weak signal to Picture) The 54 still goes from picture to "Weak Signal") So I think I have ruled that the problem is with the Xs54 not the TV. there is something going on with the handshake that isnt agreeing with each other which really disappointed me as I was looking forward to using this as an upscaling DVD player.

Ken,

Well I received the Firmware today and installed it successfully. The HDMI problem though still persists :( I have my HDDVR hooked up via HDMI and it works fine (it goes from Weak signal to Picture) The 54 still goes from picture to "Weak Signal") So I think I have ruled that the problem is with the Xs54 not the TV. there is something going on with the handshake that isnt agreeing with each other which really disappointed me as I was looking forward to using this as an upscaling DVD player.

Ph8te - Wish I could be of more help. Must be a HDMI interface issue but thats a guess. Have you tried a hard reset of your machine? You can hold down the power button for 10 seconds I believe and the machine will reboot. I would try that if I were you. You can find information on the hard reset in the very back of the manual in the troubleshooting section. Good luck!!!

HI goots1 - I have the XS54 (I believe they are the same hardware but the 55 has new upgraded firmware) and I also have a Panny recorder (P-scan only). Of course the HDMI - upscan is much better in picture quality and color. I've compared both on the componet output side and the XS54 will win that one too. That being said, I have an old Denon 2800II player that IMO blows both away with its P-Scan output. But that just my opinion and you know what they say about those.

I picked up an RD-XS35 and am truly impressed with everything about the machine. I am very happy with it... in fact I ordered an RD-XS55. Looks Like Toshiba has taken over as my favorite machine.

can anyone please tell me if with this toshiba XS35, you can set chapter thumbnails on a recording on the hard drive, and still have them when you copy it to a dvd?? thanks for any help on this?

Ph8te - Wish I could be of more help. Must be a HDMI interface issue but thats a guess. Have you tried a hard reset of your machine? You can hold down the power button for 10 seconds I believe and the machine will reboot. I would try that if I were you. You can find information on the hard reset in the very back of the manual in the troubleshooting section. Good luck!!!

Yeah Hard Reset and all stil not working :( I am about to give up and get soemthign else....It was actually funny yesterday the power got cut off to my Apt (they were doing work) I went back to the TV and tried a couple times to get it to work. Well it went to the "Err-3C" and it would give me a picture off and on through HDMI even though the HDMI light was off, switched inputs and the error went away, but so did the semi handshake that was goign on.

I am guessing that there is something going on with the Toshiba Handshake with my Samsung TV. it is really disappointing as I was looking forward to watching the upscaled DVDs on my new TV. In the End I narrowed it down to the Tosh unit though as I have the HDDVR fromt he Cable Co set up and it is working perfectly through the HDMI connection.

THanks for all of the Help :)

I have an XS-54 that will not connect to a DVI monitor (via hdmi to dvi cable) unless the monitor is hdcp compliant. Unless that compliance is there we had the exact same issue. Very frustrating. I purchased a 17" monitor with DVI for that very reason, then had to take it back and purchase a different one. The goal was to connect the same monitor to a pc via vga and the XS-54 via dvi. Now it works, BUT every time you switch the monitor from dvi input to vga the XS-54 goes nuts and flashes the ERR-3C code until you either unplug the hdmi cable or switch back to dvi input. You'd think somebody at Toshiba would have been smart enough to address a loss of signal and not handcuff the entire machine until the connection was restored.

Tosiba RD XS54 & XS55 owners..........

Can I undelete a title which I deleted from the hdd?

Tosiba RD XS54 & XS55 owners..........

Can I undelete a title which I deleted from the hdd?
No.

I have an XS-54 that will not connect to a DVI monitor (via hdmi to dvi cable) unless the monitor is hdcp compliant. Unless that compliance is there we had the exact same issue. Very frustrating. I purchased a 17" monitor with DVI for that very reason, then had to take it back and purchase a different one. The goal was to connect the same monitor to a pc via vga and the XS-54 via dvi. Now it works, BUT every time you switch the monitor from dvi input to vga the XS-54 goes nuts and flashes the ERR-3C code until you either unplug the hdmi cable or switch back to dvi input. You'd think somebody at Toshiba would have been smart enough to address a loss of signal and not handcuff the entire machine until the connection was restored.

Yeah it does suc that the handshake is not happening, the funny thing is though is that when I get the ERR-3C code the HDMI WORKS lol!!!!!!! then once it reads the connection (blue light turns on) the screen goes "off" again and it looses tis connection. I thnk I am just going to retire it and get something else even though it is going to pain me to do so. Gonna wipe it and sell it, sad as it is :(

About a month ago my TVGOS stopped working. It had worked fine for over 1 year.

Anyone else with Cablevision have a similar issue? I think the PBS station is still analog since a TV without a cablebox can play it.

I saw a post in Sept about someone in FL having this issue.

About a month ago my TVGOS stopped working. It had worked fine for over 1 year.

Anyone else with Cablevision have a similar issue? I think the PBS station is still analog since a TV without a cablebox can play it.

I saw a post in Sept about someone in FL having this issue.

HI wildeklave - I'm the one in Florida with the previous post about the TVGOS. You need to check with Comcast to see if they have changed their PBS feed. Most cable companys are moving off the analog stations and picking up the digital feeds. You may not notice the difference and the digital feeds are placed on the basic cable channels. There maybe a couple of issues you can check. 1- contact the PBS station to see if they may be having technical issues with the TVGOS, 2- call your local Comcast cable rep to see if they are still using analog PBS feed. From my experiences here, you could have either issue. My PBS stations has lost its ability to send the TVGOS out a couple of times due to hardware failures. Both times the guide was lost for 4-5 weeks before the hardware was replaced. Also they may not be aware that guide is not available. My PBS station did NOT monitor the guide output and was un-aware that the signal was gone until a customer called to tell them. Good Luck!

Kenni-O

I thought it was a cablevision problem. I called them yesterday but the customer service knew nothing of TVGOS. I called Toshiba and they were nice. I reset my device again. It started to update last night. This morning it asked which cablebox version I was on (regular cablevision or digital). This may be a software issue with the setup of the RD-XS54 since the question does not come up during the setup. I had no listings for almost a month because of this.

I did see on another forum a workaround of plugging the cable line directly into the RD-XS54 overnight to get the listings and then connecting it to watch. You would have to do this 1 time a week to get listings.

My PBS stations has lost its ability to send the TVGOS out a couple of times due to hardware failures. Both times the guide was lost for 4-5 weeks before the hardware was replaced. Also they may not be aware that guide is not available. My PBS station did NOT monitor the guide output and was un-aware that the signal was gone until a customer called to tell them. Good Luck!
PBS is not allowed to "check" the operation of the Gemstar TVGOS encoder, even tho' they've requested decoders, many times, so they could do some troubleshooting...all denied by Gemstar. So, PBS stations have to rely on people calling to complain so they can at least go see if the encoder is plugged in and on. If not, they have to get a new encoder from Gemstar. Also, many states (~40) have "robotic" stations (unmanned) and only do a physical check once a week or so.

With the recent daylight savings time change, I haven't been able to get the correct time on my RD-XS54.

I've powered it off, done the hard reset with the power button and also reset the TV guide through the menu item, but still the time is wrong.

Any advice?

Buk

With the recent daylight savings time change, I haven't been able to get the correct time on my RD-XS54.

I've powered it off, done the hard reset with the power button and also reset the TV guide through the menu item, but still the time is wrong.

Any advice?

Buk
It must have the old DST instructions/timing, so your only choice is to turn DST off. (If you leave it as is, it will eventually correct the time based on the old (later) schedule, but then be wrong again twice each yearly cycle.)

You "should" be able to use Auto for clock time, w/o DST, if you're used to that mode...the station supplying the time should have an up-to-date DST setting?

Some places don't have a good auto-clock source. If you don't have a reliable source, you'll have to set time manually as well.

With the recent daylight savings time change, I haven't been able to get the correct time on my RD-XS54.

I've powered it off, done the hard reset with the power button and also reset the TV guide through the menu item, but still the time is wrong.

Any advice?

Buk

You might try calling Toshiba and have them send you the newest firmware. They send it free of charge. Go into the setup menu. Under management settings (the icon with the two keys) your version ID should read YR1100 / MT18. Yours probably reads YR1000. I installed the new firmware a couple weeks ago and the time change was no problem.

You might try calling Toshiba and have them send you the newest firmware. They send it free of charge. Go into the setup menu. Under management settings (the icon with the two keys) your version ID should read YR1100 / MT18. Yours probably reads YR1000. I installed the new firmware a couple weeks ago and the time change was no problem.

I've taken your advice. I tried resetting the time multiple times and no go. I've also had all the other problems related to "old" firmware (lock-ups, display not functioning, remote doesn't work), so I finally took the time to call Toshiba. I'll get the disk in 7 to 10 days. The phone call didn't take a long as I expected, I don't know why I put it off for so long!!

Thanks to all,

Buk

Received the DVD for the firmware update yesterday and installed it last night. Everything went fine and DVR reacted as detailed in the directions, so the update appears to have installed correctly.

I've been able to change the time and had it "stick", so that seems to be working.

The TV Guide listings have not downloaded yet, but I'm sure that will take a day or so.

I have noticed a nice new feature. When in the Recordings menu of the TV Guide, all my recordings were preserved and when you highlight a recording, information is shown indicating:
This program uses 30% of total disk space
Episodes: 19
Total run time: 21.2 hrs
Latest episode recorded: 3/25 2:59pm

This is a nice change in the firmware.

So I would say to anyone that hasn't done the firmware update, get it from Toshiba and do the update. You might want to heed the warning about saving your recording, but I had no problems and all of my recordings were intact.

Now I'll just wait for the listings to show up and I'll be back in business.

Thanks to all.

Buk

Greetings,

I decided to clear off the hard drive and burn a bunch of DVDs. I burned a couple, then left the room while another was burning. Upon my return, the display said Error-14.

I couldn't get any buttons on the remote to work or the power button on the front of the unit. So I pulled the unit out of the rack and unplugged it. Put it back in the rack and just for the heck of it did a reset by holding the power button.

Not sure if I have jostled the unit too much or if it had failured before I touched it, but now it will not recognized any DVDs. It tells me they are damaged or need to be cleaned. This includes new blank DVDs and also several commercial DVDs.

I've powered off, reset, unplugged, reset and still no luck.

Has anyone had to return a XS54 for repairs? How long does it take and how much have you paid? Pretty sure I can't get it looked at locally, might to able to take it to another city to a Best Buy or some such. I bought in on the internet.

PS - the time didn't stick and I finally told it I was in a different time zone and now waiting to see if the TV Guide will download.

Any advice will be appreciated,

Buk

Greetings,

I decided to clear off the hard drive and burn a bunch of DVDs. I burned a couple, then left the room while another was burning. Upon my return, the display said Error-14.

I couldn't get any buttons on the remote to work or the power button on the front of the unit. So I pulled the unit out of the rack and unplugged it. Put it back in the rack and just for the heck of it did a reset by holding the power button.

Not sure if I have jostled the unit too much or if it had failured before I touched it, but now it will not recognized any DVDs. It tells me they are damaged or need to be cleaned. This includes new blank DVDs and also several commercial DVDs.

I've powered off, reset, unplugged, reset and still no luck.

Has anyone had to return a XS54 for repairs? How long does it take and how much have you paid? Pretty sure I can't get it looked at locally, might to able to take it to another city to a Best Buy or some such. I bought in on the internet.

PS - the time didn't stick and I finally told it I was in a different time zone and now waiting to see if the TV Guide will download.

Any advice will be appreciated,

Buk

Good news and bad news. First the bad news. Error 14 is a DVD disc access error. So it looks like the DVD burner is bad. The good news is that with the Toshiba XS series you can swap out the old burner for a new one quite easily - do it yourself. And a new replacement DVD burner can be as little as $30 (+ shipping).

Here's a link that lists most of the drives tested to date. Look through the thread and all the info you need is there. I have personally used a LG-GSA-H10N on a Toshiba DKR2 with no real problems.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10171543&&#post10171543

I replaced my XS-54 DVD drive with an LG-GSA4167B. It's worked with all R, RW and RAM media I've thrown at it with three exceptions:

1. The unfinalized Taiyo Yuden 4x R that was in the original drive when that drive went bad can't be read by anything (understandable).

2. If I leave ANY disc in the drive and unplug the XS-54, I get three beeps and an ER7000 display when I plug it back in. Since I still have the LG sitting on top, I can press the LG eject button, then reset the XS-54 and it's fine.

3. A new problem occurred last night. While finalizing a TY 8x, it never got past the first finalizing message, and after about 4 minutes the XS-54 locked up with ER7010 on the display, which isn't in the manual. I ejected the disc, and no amount of resetting, unplugging, etc. worked. I finally hooked up the original DVD drive, the HDD was more active than usual, and the XS-54 powered up fine. After hooking the LG up again, it's been working fine, except for the disc it was finalizing, which is unreadable.

If anyone's considering replacing the XS-54 DVD burner, I'd suggest that you get a newer LG than the 4167B. Look at the thread nextoo linked, and try an H10, H22, etc.

You might want to ask if Toshiba will return your exact unit, if that matters to you. When I sent my XS-32 to Toshiba for service, they sent me another unit that had been refurbished, and it had the black level bug, which mine didn't. :mad: :mad:

The XS-54 will read and finalize discs from the XS-32 that were unfinalized, but the XS-32 won't read unfinalized XS-54 discs.

You might want to ask if Toshiba will return your exact unit, if that matters to you. When I sent my XS-32 to Toshiba for service, they sent me another unit that had been refurbished, and it had the black level bug, which mine didn't. :mad: :mad:


I know this wasn't the main point of your message, but huh? All of the XS32s had the black level problem-- they were miscalibrated on the recording side to not do a -7.5 IRE dropdown. It was a hardware limitation on the encoder, not a fluke in certain models..

Or did you send a different model in and get an XS32 in exchange?

Greetings,

Let me get this straight, I spend $40 or so, remove a few screws, unplug a few cables, swap drives, reconnect cables, put in screws and I have replaced the OEM DVD drive of my XS54 with, shall we say, a LG-GSA-H42N and I'm back in business?

They're the same size, shape, and functionality and the XS54 looks about the same when I'm done except maybe a color difference between the LG-GSA-H42N and the XS54 enclosure?

Is this about right. Fine motor skills and good eye sight required?

PS after reading the other threads, this drive failure appears to be common. What the heck? I've only burned about 10 DVDs and played 20.

Thanks,

Buk

jm - Not to dredge up old issues, but my experience has been that the later XS-32s did not have the BLB. I did a search but I couldn't find Londo's humongous old Toshiba thread, where I thought some others reported a similar result, and where we'd posted mfg date and software version info. Like many, back in 2004 I was unsure of the existence of the BLB. It wasn't until I got the refurbed XS-32 back from Toshiba, that I could clearly see recordings from that unit were lighter (gray and white, not black and white movies, etc.). Since then, I've recorded new airings of some of the same programs and movies I have from my first XS-32, on that second XS-32 and my XS-54. I've done side by side and sequential visual comparisons of these DVDs using different DVD players and different monitors. The DVDs from my first XS-32 are indistinguishable from those from my XS-54, but those from my replacement XS-32 are noticeably lighter. I could tell even in blind tests when I didn't know which was being played.

My first XS-32 was made in June 2004, with software ZL-11, the replacement was March 2004, ZL-10. I don't know about firmware or hardware changes, and I can't believe I had the only XS-32 without the BLB, but I can clearly see the difference between the two units.

Buk -

Yes, it's a very easy swap if you're not all thumbs. Overall, it's similar to changing a CD/DVD drive in a pc. Standard common sense - unplug the unit, don't bash any components, don't leave screws or tools inside, etc. You need to be extra careful not to damage the ide connector/pc board that plugs into the burner, any of the proprietary cables or the front mechanism, as it might be very hard to find replacements.

The Tosh XS-32 burner thread describes doing the switch on an XS-32, and the orientation of the burner and inside front panel look about the same in both units. I've done it on a couple of XS-32s and it was straightforward. You have to remove the front panel on the LG burner, and your XS-54 door stays on, so there's no visible difference from the outside.

I'd recommend getting whichever newer LG drive seems to work best for most people. I'd probably test it with the new drive sitting on top of the old one. Unscrew the cover, pull the power and data cables and connect up the LG. The power and data cables will easily reach, but I had to temporarily pull the power cable from the HDD to get it around another cable. Plug it in and turn it on.

I'm concerned about leaving a DVD in the new burner with the unit unplugged. I'd hate to put it all together and not be able to start it after, say, a power failure, unless I remove the burner to get to the eject button! You might want to try that, too.

My point about checking with Toshiba was that I take really good care of my equipment, and I was't happy to get a refurbished unit of unknown prior history (the few scratches on the case didn't help). Had I known that I wouldn't get my own XS-32 back, and how well the LG drive worked in it, I never would have sent it in for servicing. That's why I haven't sent in my XS-54, and still have the LG burner sitting on top of the open unit. I didn't have any other problems with Toshiba's overall service.

Yeah, the burners seem to be the weakest link in these otherwise great units.

jm - Not to dredge up old issues, but my experience has been that the later XS-32s did not have the BLB. I did a search but I couldn't find Londo's humongous old Toshiba thread, where I thought some others reported a similar result, and where we'd posted mfg date and software version info. Like many, back in 2004 I was unsure of the existence of the BLB. It wasn't until I got the refurbed XS-32 back from Toshiba, that I could clearly see recordings from that unit were lighter (gray and white, not black and white movies, etc.). Since then, I've recorded new airings of some of the same programs and movies I have from my first XS-32, on that second XS-32 and my XS-54. I've done side by side and sequential visual comparisons of these DVDs using different DVD players and different monitors. The DVDs from my first XS-32 are indistinguishable from those from my XS-54, but those from my replacement XS-32 are noticeably lighter. I could tell even in blind tests when I didn't know which was being played.

My first XS-32 was made in June 2004, with software ZL-11, the replacement was March 2004, ZL-10. I don't know about firmware or hardware changes, and I can't believe I had the only XS-32 without the BLB, but I can clearly see the difference between the two units.

Wow, I don't remember anyone mentioning that before, but if you can see a difference there's something going on.. (did you ever happen to use the Mode 1,2,3, etc recording options?)

Learn something new every day. :)

Buk -

Yes, it's a very easy swap if you're not all thumbs. Overall, it's similar to changing a CD/DVD drive in a pc. Standard common sense - unplug the unit, don't bash any components, don't leave screws or tools inside, etc. You need to be extra careful not to damage the ide connector/pc board that plugs into the burner, any of the proprietary cables or the front mechanism, as it might be very hard to find replacements.
<snip>
Yeah, the burners seem to be the weakest link in these otherwise great units.

Thanks for the additional information. I'll get a drive ordered and give the install a whirl.

I'm really upset with myself. I thought I was being a good consumer reading reviews of the XS54 and not once did I read about the premature DVD drive failures. Heck it's only 15 months old and hasn't burned that many DVDs.

Thanks again,

Buk

Greetings All,

Thanks for the advice and help. I purchased a new LG DVD, installed it with a few problems, transferred a TV show from hard drive to DVD, burned, finished and then played the final DVD. Flawless...

Then I turned the XS off, pulled it out of the rack and finished hooking up the coax and optical cables. Slid it back in place and turned it on.

Now the unit gives me an ER 7000. Hard drive error.

I've powered off, reset, powered off, reset and still nothing but the error. I have handled this thing with kid gloves and tender care. I know way much less abuse than UPS or FedEx would have.

Any advice or this one, or is it "Hammer Time". I really like it when it works!

Thanks,

Buk

Did you leave the DVD in the drive when you unplugged the XS54? That's the only problem I've had with this burner switch, as I mentioned in an earlier post. If so, you'll have to eject the DVD using the LG eject button, not the XS54 eject button.

If the drive is empty, you could try reconnecting the old burner, then if it powers up okay, try the LG again.

I still have my LG sitting on top of my XS54, and I've burned over 100 DVDs without a problem or error.

When you say you "installed it with a few problems", what happened?

My guess is the data cable that plugs into the HD is loose. It doesn't seem to fit in very tight, and quite possibly just isn't making a good connection after you changed DVD burners.

You'll have to re-open it (don't you hate it when it only breaks AFTER you hook everything up???) and double check all of the cables, but I seriously doubt anything is really wrong. Probably just a minor thing you overlooked when reconnecting.

What gets me is everything work. The eject button on the remote control and the disk tray went in and out just fine. I burned a disk from a TV show on the hard drive. Everything worked fine.

Not sure I understand how having a disk in the drive when unplugging would cause a hard drive error.

I will take it apart and push the LG's front eject button. Plus I'll check all of the cable.

If this thing works, I'm not gonna touch it again!! You know this all started after the firmware update! Perhaps I should have suffered through occasional minor problems rather than these major ones.

Thanks,

Buk

Greetings,

I guess I don't need to understand, but ejecting the DVD from the LG drive got rid of the hard drive error.

I slid the LG drive back a ways from the front of the XS, so I can push the eject button on the LG drive through the access door on the front of the XS. So it will be a simple task to push the button with a pencil through the access door should I neglect to eject the DVD or there is a power failure with the DVD still in the drive. The drive fits pretty tightly in the sled, so I don't think it should slide around or be pushed backwards/forwards when the tray goes in and out. I guess if I have to take it apart again, I could drill some new mounting holes in the sled to hold the drive absolutely still.

Thanks for your patience and help,

Buk

Greetings,

Now that I'm up and running again, I would like to use some of the "advanced" features of the XS. The goal is to get recorded TV content on to an iPod or Apple TV. I've started to hang out at HTPC-Mac, but you all know the XS and it capabilities.

I've been taking the long way to get to my goal by burning a DVD, then ripping the content off of that DVD, encoding it and putting the end result on an iPod.

I would prefer to try Network Dubbing, is it as simple a hooking up a crossover cable between the XS and a laptop?

Also I haven't tried dubbing from hard drive to disk, what format in the resulting file of a high speed dub?

Again, thanks for your assistance. I have manual in hand, just looking for some experienced advice.

Buk

Greetings,
I guess I don't need to understand, but ejecting the DVD from the LG drive got rid of the hard drive error.
Buk
I don't know why, either. It happens when you unplug the XS54 with any dvd left in the drive - commercial, -R, -RW, RAM, finalized or unfinalized. I've tried just about every combination of button pushing and resetting with no luck. I have to eject the dvd via the burner's eject button. If anyone finds another way, please share.

I slid the LG drive back a ways from the front of the XS, so I can push the eject button on the LG drive through the access door on the front of the XS. So it will be a simple task to push the button with a pencil through the access door should I neglect to eject the DVD or there is a power failure with the DVD still in the drive. The drive fits pretty tightly in the sled, so I don't think it should slide around or be pushed backwards/forwards when the tray goes in and out. I guess if I have to take it apart again, I could drill some new mounting holes in the sled to hold the drive absolutely still.
Buk
I never realized that the XS54 door easily opens from the outside with just a fingernail. My XS32 doesn't. Thanks! The only reason I haven't permanently installed the LG is in case of a power failure, or if I unplug and leave in a DVD. I'll install the LG and leave it back far enough to keep access to the eject button with a tool.

I'm curious about what "few problems" you had on the install.

My few problems were related to removing the plastic face plates of the drive tray and the entire drive case of the LG DVD drive.

There were only four screws on the metal bottom of the LG drive. Once removed, the plastic face plate of the drive would not come off. I saw an actuation lever and moved it and the drive tray opened up allowing me the yank on the face place and get it off.

The drive face plate is then encircling the drive tray like a square donut. I was going to cut that drive face plate off of the drive tray, but face plate on the drive tray just fell off during my gyrations. So then I could just slide the drive face plate right off of the end of the tray. Sort of a "well duh" moment.

Inside of the XS was pretty straightforward. Two ribbon cables needed to be freed from their sockets at one end. I was fearful of damaging these ribbon cables.

Otherwise fairly easy. Not installing the LG drive tight against the front of the XS makes it easy to push the eject button through the flip door of the XS.

Thanks,

Buk

I slid the LG drive back a ways from the front of the XS, so I can push the eject button on the LG drive through the access door on the front of the XS. So it will be a simple task to push the button with a pencil through the access door should I neglect to eject the DVD or there is a power failure with the DVD still in the drive. The drive fits pretty tightly in the sled, so I don't think it should slide around or be pushed backwards/forwards when the tray goes in and out. I guess if I have to take it apart again, I could drill some new mounting holes in the sled to hold the drive absolutely still.


Buk

If you want to secure the drive use duct tape. Sounds crazy but it works fine and does a great job. And it is easy to remove if required.

I'm starting to think we need some sort of "unified" HDD - DVD drive replacement thread for the XS series Toshiba. Too any threads to keep up with! :)

If you want to secure the drive use duct tape. Sounds crazy but it works fine and does a great job. And it is easy to remove if required.

I'm starting to think we need some sort of "unified" HDD - DVD drive replacement thread for the XS series Toshiba. Too any threads to keep up with! :)

Yep, duct tape is what I've used, too.

Since there seems to be so much similarity in HDD and burner swaps across the XS series, I think the ideal would be an XS32, XS54, XS35, etc., HDD thread and a separate thread for burner issues. That's what I was intending to do when I started the XS54 HDD swap thread, but I was so excited that it worked, I messed up on the thread title. :o I find both too many threads and long threads combining too many issues to be equally confusing, and there's enough info about HDDs and burners to muddy up a single thread. I'll try to maintain the XS54 HDD thread with HDD swap info for any XS model.

Yep, duct tape is what I've used, too.

Since there seems to be so much similarity in HDD and burner swaps across the XS series, I think the ideal would be an XS32, XS54, XS35, etc., HDD thread and a separate thread for burner issues. That's what I was intending to do when I started the XS54 HDD swap thread, but I was so excited that it worked, I messed up on the thread title. :o I find both too many threads and long threads combining too many issues to be equally confusing, and there's enough info about HDDs and burners to muddy up a single thread. I'll try to maintain the XS54 HDD thread with HDD swap info for any XS model.

Can you edit the name of the title for the XS54 HDD thread? Not sure if it is possible? Perhaps just change "XS54" to "XS" or something like that?

Can you edit the name of the title for the XS54 HDD thread? Not sure if it is possible? Perhaps just change "XS54" to "XS" or something like that?
I tried, but we can't edit thread titles (that's generally a good thing). I'll PM a moderator and see if it can be changed in the interests of reducing thread pollution and providing easier access to important info to forum users.

I was thinking something like: Toshiba XS32, XS54, XS35, (all XS models) - HDD swap info.

That way, if someone searches titles for the more common model numbers, they'll get a hit.

Does The Lg Drive Capable Of Ram Discs In Cartridge Or Not

Does The Lg Drive Capable Of Ram Discs In Cartridge Or Not


I installed the LG GSA-H42N and it will NOT accept cartridges.

Buk

Hello All,
I don't know if this is the right thread for this But here goes;

I have a Toshiba RD-XS54 video recorder.

I'm having a problem with the Network Navi feature.
After following directions and setting up the recorder I went to the PC to try to access the recorder. I typed the addy in and it promts for a user name & pass. But it will not except what I enter. I've changed my name & pass several times to no avail.

Can anyone offer some insight?

Thank You

Hello All,
I don't know if this is the right thread for this But here goes;

I have a Toshiba RD-XS54 video recorder.

I'm having a problem with the Network Navi feature.
After following directions and setting up the recorder I went to the PC to try to access the recorder. I typed the addy in and it promts for a user name & pass. But it will not except what I enter. I've changed my name & pass several times to no avail.

Can anyone offer some insight?

Thank You

My guess is that you are using Internet Explorer as your browser. Use Firefox as the browser to log into the XS54 and you will be fine.

Hello eZaK,

I own the XS55 and it's almost the same unit.Make sure that you have updated "Java" and "Quicktime" first.Then go back to the instruction book under Network Nav and follow it to the T.Remember to input the same user/password on both xs54 and your PC.And disable any anti virus programs before using the unit.

Using internet explorer is a non issue for me and it shouldn't be for you,it will be fine.

Willy

Using internet explorer is a non issue for me and it shouldn't be for you,it will be fine.
I've read about others...a few months ago... having trouble when using IE7, but going back to IE6 worked for them... maybe early issues that have been solved by now?

I'm having a problem with my XS54, if i let the unit sit for a few days 4+ without being turned on the unit just stops responding. I can't access it from the network nor can i even turn it on with the remote or power button. I have to unplug the unit and let it reset itself. I have the latest firmware in it. Has anyone else experienced this problem.

I'm having a problem with my XS54, if i let the unit sit for a few days 4+ without being turned on the unit just stops responding. I can't access it from the network nor can i even turn it on with the remote or power button. I have to unplug the unit and let it reset itself. I have the latest firmware in it. Has anyone else experienced this problem.


Yup but the firmware update stopped mine from doing this.

Hello eZaK,

I own the XS55 and it's almost the same unit.Make sure that you have updated "Java" and "Quicktime" first.Then go back to the instruction book under Network Nav and follow it to the T.Remember to input the same user/password on both xs54 and your PC.And disable any anti virus programs before using the unit.

Using internet explorer is a non issue for me and it shouldn't be for you,it will be fine.

Willy

Are you running IE7? I've had no success with IE7. If I remember correctly there were no problems with IE6 and previous versions though.

Firefox has worked fine for me. I haven't had to disable virus software. I'm using avast.

Are you running IE7? I've had no success with IE7. If I remember correctly there were no problems with IE6 and previous versions though.

Firefox has worked fine for me. I haven't had to disable virus software. I'm using avast.

I have been using Firefox also with no problems. Netscape works good too but IE7 will not work for me at all. I have tried everything but can't get it to work. IE6 worked fine. I called Toshiba and they recommend using firefox, they don't know why IE7 won't work.

Firefox and Netscape work fine with Norton Internet Security 07 running. I don't need to disable it. I've tried shutting down NIS07 with IE7 but it still won't run so i give up on it. Also, Java and Quicktime are updated.

The only problem i have with both is i can't get the keyboard working when renaming a title. It pops up but doesn't work, This worked before Toshiba updated the firmware when it was sent in for HDD repair.

Burnerbum - I've got a XS54 with updated firmware and have not had a problem renaming titles. I've got both an XS55 and a XS54 currently installed on my network. Both perform the same through Network Navi. No idea what is going on with the keyboard. But I don't think it's the firmware.

Let me ponder it a bit and I'll post back.

I've got a XS54 that's about a year and a half old. Recently it has refused to play any DVDs (commercial or ones I've recorded) saying "Check the disk. It may be damaged physically or require cleaning" I've cleaned the disks and they look fine. One of the DVDs is a commercial one that played fine a week ago. Even when I close the tray with no disk in it, it give that message which leads me to suspect that there is something else going on.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I've got a XS54 that's about a year and a half old. Recently it has refused to play any DVDs (commercial or ones I've recorded) saying "Check the disk. It may be damaged physically or require cleaning" I've cleaned the disks and they look fine. One of the DVDs is a commercial one that played fine a week ago. Even when I close the tray with no disk in it, it give that message which leads me to suspect that there is something else going on.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I forgot to mention that I have tried cleaning the player but it says it can't play the cleaning disk so I'm not sure how far it got. I have also rebooted the system.

I forgot to mention that I have tried cleaning the player but it says it can't play the cleaning disk so I'm not sure how far it got. I have also rebooted the system.

I think there should be a thread explaining the DVD drives in these Toshiba's die fairly regularly.

When I got that message folks suggested replacing the drive and sure enough that was the problem.

Sorry this maybe bad news for you.

Buk

I think there should be a thread explaining the DVD drives in these Toshiba's die fairly regularly.Doubt if you'll ever see that, because most of the owners here are so devoted to their Toshiba's, and are not inclined to want to point out their shortcomings.

If these units are made by Funai, like most of their stuff is nowadays, then I can't really say I'm all that surprised.

That's the main thing that always stopped me from seriously considering a Toshiba. Maybe if it was priced cheaper, like the Funai-made Sylvania's, but not for Toshiba's prices.

But these were not. At least the XS series. But most new stuff is being produced in China by the likes of Funai, Sampoo, Shinco for example. I'm not sure who is producing the new Toshiba stuff but it is totally different than previous years models.

The Toshiba optical drive failures discussed seem to be mostly centered around the XS32. There was a design issue with the XS32 in which the laser was always at full power even when the drive was not being used. Bad news. But this was addressed (fixed) in subsequent models.

That being said there will still be optical drive failures. But no where near as many as was seen in the XS32. It is pretty much part of the deal with DVD recorders.

As far as the XS54 posted above. It might be the drive it might not be. The reason I mention this is that the symptoms described can also be caused by a bad DigiPC board. I've pulled "bad" DVD burners out of one machine and they work fine in another. Then taken that same "bad" drive and reinstalled it back with a new DigiPC board and it once again works fine. I'd have Toshiba take a look at it.

The Toshiba optical drive failures discussed seem to be mostly centered around the XS32. There was a design issue with the XS32 in which the laser was always at full power even when the drive was not being used. Bad news. But this was addressed (fixed) in subsequent models.


Interesting, that is the first I've heard of this-- do you know if it's an issue with the XS32 itself, or just the burner in the unit? (i.e., do the burners we're swapping in to replace dead burners get stuck on all the time as well?)

Interesting, that is the first I've heard of this-- do you know if it's an issue with the XS32 itself, or just the burner in the unit? (i.e., do the burners we're swapping in to replace dead burners get stuck on all the time as well?)

I am far from an expert but I picked up on it here (AVS) and saw additional postings in other forums.

"After exhaustive research with this unit, both on forums and Toshiba's website/tech support, as well as in our shop, the DVD-RAM overheats and the IC chips fail. We opened the drive and ran it through its paces. Just being on and empty or not spinning a disc, the laser stays on all the time and generates too much heat."

From this post:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=8024798&postcount=40

On the failed to read issue, I've had simular problems and managed to get the drive to read again by moving the spring unit that holds the DVD disc in place. This will also correct the failure to load issue. I noticed you can fix these issues when I tried to load a Netflix DVD and the machine failed to load it. I tried a blank DVD and got the same problem. Finally I tried loading the cartridge DVD-RAM supplied with the unit and it loaded and read the disc just fine. I removed the DVD-RAM and tried the NetFlix DVD and it worked. I now start every DVD load by pushing in the spring several times before closing the disc draw and that seems to correct the issue. That fix has also worked on the blank disc loading when you get the dirty or corrupted message. Sometimes its the disc itself, but it can also be the drive and for some reason that spring unit affects the drives ability to read a disc. Give it a try if you are having trouble loading and reading your disc, it may help.

You might try calling Toshiba and have them send you the newest firmware. They send it free of charge. Go into the setup menu. Under management settings (the icon with the two keys) your version ID should read YR1100 / MT18. Yours probably reads YR1000. I installed the new firmware a couple weeks ago and the time change was no problem.

I bought my rd-xs54 used and its been working great up until now. Today it decided to be 1 hour off (early). I looked at the manual and looked at this thread. Here is what I found.

My version id is yr1000 / mt18. So I need to get a firmware update. I probably should ask about a firmware update for my rd-xs35 too.

Someone posted to take the clock off auto. I don't see how to do this. To access the clock settings I had to go into setup and under the initial settings I had to use guide and clock reset.

It then lets me set the time manually. But there is no option to shut off DST. am I missing something?

The unit asks for my zipcode and I told it comcast digital. The channel line up is correct, but its just 1 hour early.

I bought my rd-xs54 used and its been working great up until now. Today it decided to be 1 hour off (early). I looked at the manual and looked at this thread. Here is what I found.

My version id is yr1000 / mt18. So I need to get a firmware update. I probably should ask about a firmware update for my rd-xs35 too.

Someone posted to take the clock off auto. I don't see how to do this. To access the clock settings I had to go into setup and under the intial settings I had to use gide and clock reset.

It then lets me set the time manually. But there is no option to shut off DST. am I missing something?

The unit asks for my zipcode and I told it comcast didgital. The channel line up is correct, but its just 1 hour early.
WOW! This gets too confusing to portray well in a post, but I'll leave this mess and hope you can figure something out from this. :o

Here's a section on "Summer Time" (DST) setting from the Toshiba RDXS32 Installation Guide (maybe XS54 is different???):

Start with Setup > Initial Settings > Time and Date Setting.

The Installation Guide shows an "Auto clock setting" item with an instruction:

5 Press L/R to select an item, then press Up/Dn
to select a detailed setting.

Auto clock set
Summer time - - - - - - - - - - -Time Zone
Use - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Auto
(^this needs to be "No Use") - - (^this needs to be "Manual")

1) Set “Summer time (Daylight-Saving time)”.

DST start : Daylight-saving time begins on the first Sunday in April. The
internal clock automatically changes from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM (forward one
hour).

DST end : Daylight-saving time ends on the last Sunday in October. At 2:00
AM the recorder clock automatically changes to 1:00 AM (back one hour).
Auto : The recorder uses clock data Broadcast by the local
(PBS) TV stations.

Use : You want to use the DST function, and you are living
in an area that applies Daylight-saving time.

No Use : You are not living in the area where Daylight-saving
time applies and you do not want to use DST function."

You should select "No Use" since even in the instructions, the dates are per the old rules (now March-November).

2) Set “Time zone”. (Note: SET THIS MANUALLY ALSO.)
If you select “Auto” for your time zone, the recorder sets the clock
using the first Coordinated Universal Time information it finds. If
the auto set time is not correct, select another time zone or use
the “Manual” option."

Press Enter at the end.

Someone posted to take the clock off auto. I don't see how to do this. To access the clock settings I had to go into setup and under the initial settings I had to use guide and clock reset.

It then lets me set the time manually. But there is no option to shut off DST. am I missing something?



No you are not. There is no DST or summer time setting with your model. It is a TVGOS model and handles things differently than the XS32, XS52 and the KX50 which are non TVGOS models.

I currently have two XS55s and one XS54. The XS55s have no firmware updates available and have not had a problem with the correct time. The XS54 has a firmware update applied and also does not have a problem with the correct time.

You need to call Toshiba customer service and ask for the latest firmware. They will mail it to you free of charge.

Someone posted to take the clock off auto. I don't see how to do this. To access the clock settings I had to go into setup and under the initial settings I had to use guide and clock reset.

It then lets me set the time manually. But there is no option to shut off DST. am I missing something?
As Nextoo noted, there's no specific setting for Summer Time (DST) in the 54, but a note in the installation guide for the 55 says:

• When the clock data cannot be downloaded from the TV Guide On Screen® system, set the clock manually. ( page 187, in “OPERATIONS GUIDE”)

NOTE: The fact that your clock auto-reset 1-hour indicates it was just following its internal DST programming, i.e., it set the clock back per the old DST Rules...the old "fall-back" date was the day you wrote your post, Oct 28! So, even tho the 54 and 55 get their time from the TVG system, there's apparently still an internal program setting that is contradictory and *possibly* conflicting.

Apparently, setting the clock manually prevents the unit from getting a clock setting from the TVG download...that's what you need to do: cut off the time setting signal, which uses current DST Rules and may conflict with the unit's time-based FW programming.

If you've already set the clock manually, that's all you can do until you can install a FW upgrade that fixes the Summer Time (DST) rules in the unit so they match the TVG download DST rules.

wabjxo - but you missed the most important point that is included in the manual right after what you quoted:


If the clock is set with TV Guide On Screen, this option is not available.

In the OP's case the option will not be available because the time is being set by TVGOS - but incorrectly. Unless the OP decides to initiate a new installation procedure. Which means wiping out the TVGOS guide and starting over.

So you start a new installation. Set the clock manually as part of the new set up procedure. But as you continue with the new set up procedures and install TVGOS the clock is now controlled by TVGOS. If you decide not to install TVGOS the manual setting remains.

What you are pointing to involves setting the clock manually if the user decides not to use TVGOS. Which I do not believe is the OP's intention. The OP wants the clock to be correct with TVGOS installed. Once you decide to use (install) TVGOS the clock setting becomes the domain of TVGOS. The manual settings no longer apply. The manual settings of the clock are overwritten by the TVGOS installation. It works fine with the right firmware - no DST problems what so ever.

The manual clock setting is designed for those who may choose not to install TVGOS. Once TVGOS is installed the manual option goes away.

Nextoo, thanks for the clarification.

Strange that the OP's unit reset 1-hour on the very day of the OLD DST rules (Oct 28), which would indicate some internal programming that's wrong? You'd think that, if it relies just on the TVGOS time download, it wouldn't be looking internally for a DST clock change??? :confused:

I don't know exactly how everything works behind the scenes but I can relate how it works as a user.

I'm sure there are locations serviced by TVGOS where times zones border. Where it is 5:00 on one side of the street and 4:00 on the other. Also various locations served by the same TVGOS originating station that send out the data (PBS) where DST is observed and other parts served by the same originating station where it is not observed (logistically). For example in Indiana along the Michigan border. In these cases different channels can be on two different times within the same guide. One observing CST the other observing CDT. In this case TVGOS must have an accurate guide across all channels that appear in the guide.

In these cases, because TVGOS is zip code driven perhaps the rules are determined by zip code. And DST is approached the same way. Regardless TVGOS brings with it a new set of complexities as it relates to DST. It is not a simple DST table in the recorder.

My guess, and it is only a guess, is that the FW upgrade for the XS54 actually impacts how TVGOS handles the time change. Not the machine. Toshiba recorders that have the manual time setting and TVGOS do not have a "summer" setting when setting the clock manually. Meaning they are DST agnostic. There is nothing in the internal (manual) time setting of the machine that could be changed for for how it approaches DST - again it is agnostic. It is TVGOS that has to be adjusted.

If not using TVGOS and relying on the manual clock setting of the recorder when a time change did in fact take place it would have to be adjusted manually.

And then there is of course a much more simple answer - the originating station has the time wrong! Will realize the error and fix it. The whole FW thing fixing the problem has never really been proven. But those that have the FW update have not reported any problems with DST. So it is not a bad chicken soup approach to upgrade the FW.

Indiana passed a law in April 2005 to observe the U.S. standard DST rules.

Welcome to the Union! :)

True enough. But Indiana still is a bit of a mess. Different counties are still trying to horse trade their local time with legislation. Has to be a mess for guide services.

And as far as recent history goes our experience with "hanging chads" wound up educating even the major news networks that Florida's panhandle is on central time not eastern. :eek:

thanks for all the quick responses. I called toshiba and they are sending the update disk. Hopefully it will fix the problem.

Sort of an odd twist, The first time I reset the guide and time. I am pretty sure it repopulated the tv guide fairly quickly(less than 12 hours). the 2nd time I reset it, it has yet to repopulate. Its been more than 24hrs since the last reset. I would try it again, but I had to program all the scheduled events manually and 1 hour early and I don't want to do that again!

Well, I got the update disc today and I followed the update procedure. It appears the update worked as it now says its yr1100/mt18.

But the clock is still an hour off and its still not populating the tv guide. I tried unplugging the rd-xs54 and resetting the clock and guide and still its 1 hour off and no tv guide.

I assume the hour off will fix itself on sunday, but that will be a temporary fix I wll try to call toshiba and see what that have to say.

Well, I got the update disc today and I followed the update procedure. It appears the update worked as it now says its yr1100/mt18.

But the clock is still an hour off and its still not populating the tv guide. I tried unplugging the rd-xs54 and resetting the clock and guide and still its 1 hour off and no tv guide.

I assume the hour off will fix itself on sunday, but that will be a temporary fix I wll try to call toshiba and see what that have to say.

Mrbill2084 - I may be able to help a little, but I need to know how you are getting the TV Guide data. Are you using OTA to reach a local PBS station or are you using a cable channel? If you are using cable to reach the PBS station, do you know if your cable supplier is picking up the Analog or Digital broadcast of the PBS station? With those answers, I maybe know what your problem is.

thanks for the help. I am using comcast digital cable. No cable box.

After entering my zip code the box finds 3 possible choices and I select comcast digital (other options are comcast rebuild, and the gc&c villages).

I called on toshiba saturday they told me to call back on monday to speak with the asg group. Hope that works.

Just to add info, I also have a panasonic dmr-e85h, a toshiba rs-tx20, and a toshiba rd-xs35 and all are functioning fine.

thanks for the help. I am using comcast digital cable. No cable box.

After entering my zip code the box finds 3 possible choices and I select comcast digital (other options are comcast rebuild, and the gc&c villages).

I called on Toshiba saturday they told me to call back on monday to speak with the asg group. Hope that works.

Just to add info, I also have a panasonic dmr-e85h, a toshiba rs-tx20, and a toshiba rd-xs35 and all are functioning fine.

Well that takes care of my theory. I also have a XS54 that didn't get the guide after my first week of ownership. I was getting a clock sync but lost the guide info. With the help of Toshiba going into the firmware captures, we found that Cablevision here had switched all local feeds including PBS from their analog to digital broadcasts. That ended my TV Guide data. The guide data is not transmitted in the digital broadcasts, only the analog. My fix was to pick the guide info using OTA. But if your other units are getting the guide information, you must be still getting analog stations. But come 2009, you will loose that too unless they find a fix for the digital stations carrying the Guide information.

Toshiba should be able to help you read out the infomation captures in the firmware and see if you getting a guide station and collecting any information at all.

Well, I finally go ahold of toshiba. The simple answer was to tell it to accept the comcast rebuild option over the comcast digital option.

As soon as I did that, it had a pretty filled up tv guide. So, I don't know if that means I have a problem with the digital section as ken mentioned. Althogh I would not bet my life, I think it was working before set on the comcast digital option.

Well, now I have to go deal with my toshiba rd-xs35. Last night I was trying to put some data on an dvd-rw disc and it crashed formatting at 28%. I used the xs54 to format the disc and then tried to write to that disc in the xs35 and it gave me an error 14.

I asked toshiba guy abut it and he said just unplug it for 2 min and then plug it back in should fix it. I just don't want to loose tv guide data now, so I think I will try it this weekend.

I have a problem. When the XS-54 sits for a while it looses the network connection and i have to unplug it to reset it to get the connection back. Tonight i unplugged it and plugged it back in and it's just sitting in "Wait" status. The recorder won't boot up at all. I've tried unplugging it a couple of times but no go.
Any suggestions?

Is there anyway to do a factory reset on power up. Like holding the power button (or other buttons) while plugging the unit in. I just can't get this to start up. It just stays in wait mode. No picture on the tv at all. I tried swapping the hard drive but that didn't do anything either. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Holding the power button in for about ten seconds is probably your best shot. There are a few other reset procedures in posts in the Toshiba HDD swap thread, but they all work via the remote, and if the unit is hung on wait, it probably won't respond to the remote. But heck, try them too.

The only XS I've run across that got stuck on wait didn't respond to anything except holding the power button in. The power led blinked and the fan restarted, but it still hung on wait. You could try leaving both the HDD and burner data and power cables unplugged and see if you get any kind of error. If you don't, it's likely a bad pc board, corrupted firmware, etc.

You did unplug everything (network, video, audio, etc.) from the XS54, right?

Has anyone figured out a way to hack into this machine hard drive, perhaps to ftp contents from a PC or a NAS device? If anyone has, I would like to get some feedback. I have tried to sniff to find the open ports on this unit but to no avail.

I'm really getting frustrated with this recent time change. I can not get the clock correct. I have reset, set, powered off, reprogrammed the unit repeatedly and cannot get the correct time to stick. I even tried switching to a different time zone to see if I could "trick" it to the correct time. I would really like this fixed as the writers strike is over and new shows are starting up.

Yes, I have the latest firmware. Cable is plugged straight into the unit and not through the cable box. Cable box has correct time and TV guide and even the TV has the correct time and TV guide.

Advice anyone.

Buk

Do you have it set for "manual set"? Try not letting it set automatically-- I have a JVC VCR that when on "auto" it basically just randomly adjusts the clock (nothing else does that). Must be a glitch of the signal. But try putting it on manual setting, and summer time off.

Perhaps I don't have the latest firmware. After resetting time repeatedly over the last couple of weeks, the unit has finally got the right time on it. Isn't this the usual "spring ahead" weekend?

I'm guessing I have to go through this again at the next time change.

Thanks for the interest.

I spoke too soon. I woke up this morning and the clock is wrong again.

Just keep trying or buy something new....

Thanks,

My God!!!!
How do you get this thing to switch inputs?

Cable Box on L-1
OTA antennae on RF In.

Pressing Input Select or CH/Page changes channels on the cable box instead of changing inputs.

Help me Obi-Wan you're my only hope.

Later, Conrad

Conrad - Input Select cycles thru all the inputs just fine on my XS54. Maybe pop out the remote batteries?

Is there anyway to do a factory reset on power up. Like holding the power button (or other buttons) while plugging the unit in. I just can't get this to start up. It just stays in wait mode. No picture on the tv at all. I tried swapping the hard drive but that didn't do anything either. Any suggestions would be appreciated.


I ended up sending the unit in for repair under the extended warranty i purchased. They told me it would cost too much to repair and offered me a toshiba DVD/VHS recorder. It told them NO WAY. That's not even close. 2 weeks later they called and offered me a Polaroid with 160gb hard drive. I have a polaroid and they might as well smacked me in the face. After a lenghty discussion with them telling them that other than a XS54 or XS55 there isn't another machine ever built that would compare. Finally they offered me my purchase price back and i finally accepted that. So i will get my full price paid back but no longer have the wonderful XS54. Can't even find them on ebay anymore. I guess the $17.99 i paid for the extended warranty paid off but still would rather have my recorder back......

Burnerbum,

Sorry to hear about that. Have you considered building an HTCP?

Rick,

Its the strangest thing. If I hit Input Select 4 or 5 times then hit CH/Page down it will finally switch inputs to the RF In. But if I stop on L-1 it gets stuck again. Called Toshiba this morning for the firmware update before I discovered this problem. Hopefully that will fix it. Kinda doubt it though.

My trusty old SX32 was sure nice but its time for it to retire...it picks up a bit of interference internally I think...got what looks like RF interference like its not shielded well...got tired of it. Its also getting error-14 again. What's interesting is that if I dub the recorded program HDD to HDD then it will burn the dub to DVD every time.

I have to say the techs at Toshiba were very helpful and eager to please. No questions asked when I requested the SX54 firmware update. They immediately switched me to a higher level of support if they didn't know the answer to a question. I really hope Toshiba gets into the BD game with a new DVR.

Later, Conrad

Could there be a new firmware update out? I haven't read much here lately but the firmware disc Toshiba just sent is YR1200. Just finished upgrading...will check it out later. Looks like it saved some of the settings. Network settings are still there and connection check works.

Conrad

Did you leave the DVD in the drive when you unplugged the XS54? That's the only problem I've had with this burner switch, as I mentioned in an earlier post. If so, you'll have to eject the DVD using the LG eject button, not the XS54 eject button.

Brilliant! As always, AVS Forum users help me snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Thanks a billion.

glg

Did you leave the DVD in the drive when you unplugged the XS54? That's the only problem I've had with this burner switch, as I mentioned in an earlier post. If so, you'll have to eject the DVD using the LG eject button, not the XS54 eject button.



Brilliant! As always, AVS Forum users help me snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Thanks a billion.

glg

Might be a dumb question, but just wondering (in case I have a similar problem with my RD-XS34) what is the "LG eject button"?

Might be a dumb question, but just wondering (in case I have a similar problem with my RD-XS34) what is the "LG eject button"?

It's the physical eject button on front of the LG (or any) burner, as opposed to the "soft" eject buttons on the remote or on the XS54/XS34 front panel. I've found that with the XS54 and some(?) LG replacement burners, you'll get a 70xx series error if there is a disc in the burner after the unit has been unplugged. There's no problem unplugging with an empty burner or with normal unit power on/off cycles. This doesn't happen on my XS32 with the identical burner, and doesn't happen in the XS54 with a Memorex burner. Only the LG. I don't know which other XS models or XS/burner combos may react similarly, so keep this in mind if all was well before a power outage, and all of a sudden you get that dreaded beeping and error display.

glgehman2 - You're very welcome.:)

It's the physical eject button on front of the LG (or any) burner, as opposed to the "soft" eject buttons on the remote or on the XS54/XS34 front panel.....

I'm assuming you have to open the (DVD Recorder) case to get at this button?

I'm assuming you have to open the (DVD Recorder) case to get at this button?

I mounted the burner so that there's a 1/4 inch gap between the front of the burner and the XS54 front panel. I can easily use a bent paperclip to press the button. I might drill a very small hole at an angle through the inner plastic panel, equivalent to the paperclip eject hole in a burner faceplate. It would be behind the XS54 door, so it wouldn't normally be visible.

Other than the first time this happpened, when it took lots of headscratching and switching burners to figure out the problem, and twice when the power went out, I haven't forgotten...yet...

Folks, I have a toshiba x32. I want another HDD/DVD as the burner has died after 3 years. It will cose $160 to fix and I can probably get a used for for the same. Long story short: my needs are 1) IR blaster or something so the cable box will change channels while Im away 2) record HDD to DVD and DVD to HDD 3) Can play and record at the same time.

So far only toshiba seems to have these qualities. My question is 1) does indeed the RDXS54 do all these things and what differentiates it (good or bad 0from the X32. 2) if anyone has other suggestions for good products that I missed in spite of my weeks of research, id be happy to hear them.

Hope this isnt well trod material but I tried my best to research this forum before posting.
Best.

Is there a download available anywhere for the latest xs54 firmware? Or must you contact toshiba for it (and consequently await its arrival via snail mail).

Folks, I have a toshiba x32. I want another HDD/DVD as the burner has died after 3 years. It will cose $160 to fix and I can probably get a used for for the same. Long story short: my needs are 1) IR blaster or something so the cable box will change channels while Im away 2) record HDD to DVD and DVD to HDD 3) Can play and record at the same time.

So far only toshiba seems to have these qualities. My question is 1) does indeed the RDXS54 do all these things and what differentiates it (good or bad 0from the X32. 2) if anyone has other suggestions for good products that I missed in spite of my weeks of research, id be happy to hear them.

Hope this isnt well trod material but I tried my best to research this forum before posting.
Best.


I love my XS54, and it's a better overall unit than my XS32. The downsides to the XS54: TVGOS, which I intensely dislike. I prefer the wider range of manual timer record settings on the XS32. The XS54 fan runs all the time, even when the unit is off, which can be quite noticeable in a bedroom.

Check out the Tosh XS32 burner thread, as many of us have easily replaced the XS32 burner for under $40. If you can change a pc burner, you can probably do this easily.

Is there a download available anywhere for the latest xs54 firmware? Or must you contact toshiba for it (and consequently await its arrival via snail mail).

I haven't found the XS54 firmware anywhere online.

Thanks. Somewhat curious of them. I'll continue to hold (now playing: Enya)

I love my XS54, and it's a better overall unit than my XS32. The downsides to the XS54: TVGOS, which I intensely dislike. I prefer the wider range of manual timer record settings on the XS32. The XS54 fan runs all the time, even when the unit is off, which can be quite noticeable in a bedroom.

Check out the Tosh XS32 burner thread, as many of us have easily replaced the XS32 burner for under $40. If you can change a pc burner, you can probably do this easily.
RickC thank you! Toshiba customer service, while helpful, estimated repleacement cos at $165. Two questions
1) Do you have a link to your thread.
2) Also what's different about the xs54? Thanks again!
Steph

Here's the Toshiba XS32 Burner thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7270013#post7270013

It's quite a long thread, buts has tons of info, and a couple of the posts in it have a step-by-step burner swap. To sum up the highlights - You can easily replace the burner with a few quirks. LG burners seem to work the best, and some burners won't work at all. You lose some functionality like the ability to play cds (and possibly DVD-RAM), read older, unfinalized discs, etc. On the upside, dubs and burns are faster and more reliable than with the stock XS32 burner, and 8X -R and 4X -RW media are no problem.

Basically, the XS54 is an XS32 with a 250GB hard drive, TVGOS, and cool networking capabilities. I'll have to double check some of the specific differences before I misspeak, but for my typical record/edit/burn functions they're identical. If the fan and TVGOS aren't an issue to you, definitely get an XS54 - if you can find one at a reasonable price. Downloading the XS54 owner's manual will help you decide. I think there's a link early in my XS54 HDD swap thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10405753#post10405753

thanks again, RickC.5.

Sorry if I missed this elsewhere, but in all the instructions for replacing the DVD drive in my RD-XS54 it wasn't clear to me.

The DVD drive in my RDXS-54 is bad & the unit is outside of the warranty period. I'm looking for a low-cost replacement. Based on some other previous posts, I have likely settled on the LG GSA-H54N. This naturally has an IDE interface. When looking at my RDXS-54, it uses a thin ribbon-like cable interface (very unlike IDE)... what do I need to do to connect the new drive?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Adam

Here's the link to the latest Firmware. (RD-XS54) VER.YR1200U_S
Download and unzip the image file. Use nero to burn the image to cd.

http://tacp.toshiba.com/customersupport/model_firmware.asp?model=rd-xs54

I'm another of the many with a dead RD-XS54 SW-9574-E DVD burner. Mine failed while burning and now won't recognize any DVD of any type. I suspect the laser died. In hindsight, a mistake I probably made was using the XS54 as my predominate player too.

I've read all of the burner replacement threads - for hours.

Helping others distill the replacement options:

Known to work and limited availability:

LG GSA-H22N20 - $29-$31 - Must be 1.00! 1.01 doesn't work! http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9674897#post9674897

LG GSA-H22L20 - Ditto

LG GSA-4163B - $70-$100 http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10306381#post10306381

Known to work but not available or refurbs/pulls only:

LG H54LK - $29-$30 - http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14643142#post14643142

LG GSA-H54N - http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12949879#post12949879 and http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12124210#post12124210

LG GSA-H55LK - $29-$30 - works but some features are lost: www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13762856#post13762856

LG GSA-4167B - $29-$30 - works but some features are lost: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14422500#post14422500 http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7370965#post7370965

Not available / Not working:

LG GH22NP20 - Don't confuse this and the next with the GSA models - these are different and do NOT work.

LG GH22LP20

Pan SW-9574-E (original drive) - Not available.

Pan SW-9576-C is the Panasonic update to this drive but it does NOT work, however, I did not check if the Region Code was set! It's interesting in that it did recognize and write DVD-RAM but will not recognize a prerecorded DVD. It might if the region code is set.

Has anyone tried:

Pan SW-9574-C - Not available but may be found in pulls or surplus soon.

LG GSA-H55N - about $30

I find it disturbing that Toshiba is not updating firmware to allow later models of the OEM drive they installed to operate.

Since the RD-XS54 is discontinued, why not open source or license the firmware source code? As a firmware engineer I'd love a crack at updating it - for more DVD Drive support and to extend the HDD to 500MB or 1TB.

Bill

So at this point in time, which is the best replacement burner overall (if you can get one) for the RD-XS34, RD-XS52, and RD-XS54/55?

LG GSA 4167B
LG GSA H54L
LG GSA-H22N

I use DVD-RAM a lot since that's the main thing the stock unit uses.

Clevor, It doesn't look good, that's for sure. I've just purchased my 6th DVD burner which is why I can confirm the ones above don't work or need the right revision of burner firmware (which not all of the original threads mentioned). I didn't want to give up DVD-RAM but it may be the only choice if it is even a choice - later. I'm getting an LG GSA-H55LK which claims to have DVD-RAM support. I don't need DVD RAM but wanted the unit to be as like-original as possible.

I have found some refurbs of the original 9574 Panasonic drive but I don't trust used or refurbs or want to spend $300+. I tried a 9576 which is available ($135) but it didn't work. I didn't set the region code to 1 as some posts said you have to do, and returned it before I found out that has to be done. So it well might work - I did initialize a DVD-RAM with it and it *did* do that.

The drives that work but only are available with 1.01 or 1.02 firmware show an ERR 7000. My guess is this is a revision error since it's undocumented. Forget contacting LG - they flat out told me there is no way to downgrade the drive to 1.00 and wouldn't provide the firmware they say they don't have (nonsense!). So unless you find a seller who will check the label and confirm 1.00, there are few if any drives available.

What sucks is I thought there were laws about keeping replacement parts available for 7 years. I've had mine just under 3 years and feel like I wasted $520 on it and also have home videos captive on the HDD - it died while I was writing the DVDs. If someone can do a class action suit for the Toshiba DLP HDTV bulbs, why not for all the RD-XS## DVRs that have gone bad.

Let me know if you find a solution.

Bill

The GSA-H55LK did not work but I didn't set it to region code 1 yet. I don't think it matters since I got an ERR-7000. Maybe if we knew more about ERR-7000 we could resolve this.

I'm really unhappy with Toshiba and will never purchase anything Toshiba branded again.

Bill

BillAintCT, I've arrived at the same conclusion: you can try an aftermarket burner to at least get one of those old RD-XS units back into limited service, but it's no substitute for the original drive. I'm heavily invested in DVD-RAM and it looks like they won't work right with these LG burners. I decided to pass at chasing down a substitute, and they are hard enough to find right now anyway.

Some of the direct replacement drives aren't too bad at $200 but some are around $315 depending on the model. And $822 for a replacement HDD??? Fortunately I just picked up a bunch of 160 and 250 GB drives which are known to work as spares.

Meritline.com has the Panasonic 9576 and it is the only drive I used that didn't do an ERR-7000. It wouldn't play a commercial DVD but it did initialize a DVD-RAM. I wish I had set it to region 1 since it might have worked. For $135 it's not bad and they shipped quickly. I've spent almost $200 on drives (one I found in Canada). I guess I need to try the 9576 again. I see people say the GSA-4163 and GSA-H42BK work but I'm tired of trying drives if I can even find them.

It was really a good product - I don't know why they won't update it. There's very little else on the market. I looked at the HTPC threads here but I don't want another PC - I want a DVR where I can use the remote and do things on the TV.

I wish they would release the source code or license it. I for one have the background to update the RD-XS's firmware and make it work with more drives and larger HDDs. I'd love the chance to do this and I'd *give* it back to Toshiba.

You're right about spares. I guess if I find a DVD burner that works, I'll get another if I can. Hopefully the HDD will last. Unfortunately I've still got stuff on it. Fortunately though I can play the HDD titles if I put the bad 9574 DVD back in the unit. I don't really want to get a DVD writer without HDD just to record the RD-XS content.

I'll let you know what I do next. I wish I could figure out the ERR-7000.

I've found a place that sells a 9574-c. $325. I don't know about the firmware version.:

bigestock.com/searchres.php?partno=SW9574C

put "www." before "bigestock.com"

has anyone found other places? what cost?

Don't go to EsBuy.com (they advertise a 9574-c) they are not legit.

Yeah, I found 2 sites with 9574-C and when I ordered I was "notified" they didn't have any by simply canceling my order. What I'd like to know is would a 9574-E work? I still think the 9576 has a chance since it did initialize a DVD-RAM.

$325 is a lot. Of course I've spend over $200 on drives that didn't work. Be careful - one of the 9574's I found had somewhere else fine print reading "refurbished". If it's the lasers on these things burning out, you don't want a used one. In fact, because of this I don't think it's necessarily a good thing to replace the 9574-C with the same model.

Good luck! Looks like a few of us are the second wave of failures but with much less available to repair our drives.

Bill

I've found LG GSA-4163B which have been said to work well with DVD-RAM.

https://www.esaitech.com/commerce/catalog/product.jsp?product_id=49945&czuid=1231560993389

Bill

I'm happy to report that the 4163B works fine. I didn't even set the region code. Just plugged it in as others say they have with some drives and my RD-XS54 is running again.

Now I'm off to eBay the 4 other MultiDVD burners that I tested in trying to fix this DVR. I spent $160 on these 4 drives and the 4163B was $75.

I'm happy to report that the 4163B works fine . I didn't even set the region code. Just plugged it in as others say they have with some drives and my RD-XS54 is running again.

Now I'm off to eBay the 4 other MultiDVD burners that I tested in trying to fix this DVR. I spent $160 on these 4 drives and the 4163B was $75.

I apologize if this is already noted earlier in the thread but do you have any idea whether this drive (4163B) will work in an RD-XS34?

I think you said you have a XS54 and I'm hoping the DVD Drives are very similar (if not the exactly the same :))

I apologize if this is already noted earlier in the thread but do you have any idea whether this drive (4163B) will work in an RD-XS34?

I think you said you have a XS54 and I'm hoping the DVD Drives are very similar (if not the exactly the same :))

Well, this is not the long thread about DVD burner replacement. It can take several hours to read. It sounds like the XS54 and XS32 use basically the same design and I saw nothing to indicate something working in one wouldn't work in the other. In fact the threads I post mentioning replacements were for the XS32. However I tried some of those drives only to find out firmware versions in the DVD burners (and possible the XS32/54) make a difference.

So a 4163B (and 4167B as also mentioned) would work in your XS32 if the drive is the same as mine and others' who reported it to work. So your odds are good but since you have no control over the DVD burner's version nothing can be guaranteed. If you buy from the link I posted I would expect the same version, but there is no guarantee. Unfortunately I was so happy it worked I buttoned it up and didn't check the firmware version. Even if I knew I don't know how you can order and ask for that version. It worked for me and I didn't know what I was getting so I expect the same for you. Good luck!

Bill

Well, this is not the long thread about DVD burner replacement. It can take several hours to read. It sounds like the XS54 and XS32 use basically the same design and I saw nothing to indicate something working in one wouldn't work in the other. In fact the threads I post mentioning replacements were for the XS32. However I tried some of those drives only to find out firmware versions in the DVD burners (and possible the XS32/54) make a difference.

So a 4163B (and 4167B as also mentioned) would work in your XS32 if the drive is the same as mine and others' who reported it to work. So your odds are good but since you have no control over the DVD burner's version nothing can be guaranteed. If you buy from the link I posted I would expect the same version, but there is no guarantee. Unfortunately I was so happy it worked I buttoned it up and didn't check the firmware version. Even if I knew I don't know how you can order and ask for that version. It worked for me and I didn't know what I was getting so I expect the same for you. Good luck!

Bill

Thanks for the quick response!

I realize there is no guarantee but I appreciate you sharing all the info/experience on this. I know very little about it all. I'm not even sure what is involved with the DVD "firmware". I'm assuming this something that comes already installed with the physical drive and you can't update/change it. Or is this more like the "driver" software in the DVD Recorder?

FWIW I have an RD-XS34 (not 32 as you mentioned) but I'm thinking that I may have even more in common with your XS54, so more likely this replacement drive will work.

I apologize if this is already noted earlier in the thread but do you have any idea whether this drive (4163B) will work in an RD-XS34?

I think you said you have a XS54 and I'm hoping the DVD Drives are very similar (if not the exactly the same :))

I didn't see this at first, but for the XS32 and probably 54, this sounds like the LG GSA H54N is the best drive and it supports CD play (if you care). Again, maybe only the firmware version in his drive works. From what I read, GSA H54L is probably OK since L is the lightscribe version (which doesn't matter). I don't know if you'll be able to find one.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12949879#post12949879

Bill

My cable provider has made a change that seems to prevent my receiving the TV Guide information.

I'm not sure, but I'm assuming an analog channel sending the TV Guide info has been made digital and no matter what I try on the XS54 nothing gets the guide.

A real pain as everything must then be programmed manually.

Has anyone else experienced this and are there work-arounds?

Thanks,

Buk

My cable provider has made a change that seems to prevent my receiving the TV Guide information.

I'm not sure, but I'm assuming an analog channel sending the TV Guide info has been made digital and no matter what I try on the XS54 nothing gets the guide.

A real pain as everything must then be programmed manually.

Has anyone else experienced this and are there work-arounds?

Thanks,

Buk

Since you no longer have TV Guide, how are you picking up channels, by having the tuner find them itself? Do you have a lot of garbage channels with your good ones, e.g. partially scrambled channels? And when you go to TV Guide and look in the Listings section, is it blank?

Since this thread has been resurrected I recently tried an LG GSA-H40N burner on my RD-XS32. It would read it's own unfinalized DVD-R fine (unlike the LG GSA-4167B). But it was totally unacceptable since you could not access contents on finalized DVD-Rs from any of the Toshiba RD-XS units. When you go to CONTENT MENU you get some sort of message like 'Cannot read pre-recorded content'. You can play back titles on the disc by pressing PLAY but you cannot see them as thumbnails so you can't dub them to HDD.

Clarkbar had the same problem and said sometimes the CONTENT MENU would pop up after playing a title or by going into QUICK NAVI but not so on this LG unit. You absolutely cannot access any titles on finalized DVD-Rs except to play them back. The GSA-H40N I have is made in Sept. 2007 with firmware 1.0. Being my RD-XS32 was made in 2004 I guess this is not surprising.

Since you no longer have TV Guide, how are you picking up channels, by having the tuner find them itself? Do you have a lot of garbage channels with your good ones, e.g. partially scrambled channels? And when you go to TV Guide and look in the Listings section, is it blank?

The TV Guide is blank. So I use another source for the channel and time information. Either by referring to the TV Guide on my cable box or the internet, such as Zap2It or TV Forecast on my iPhone.

Using the XS54's remote I push the "TV Guide" button, go to the "Schedule" tab and push the "Menu" button on the remote. This brings up the "new manual recording" box and I enter all the information manually.

Cable tech came to the house and said they couldn't help, but would rent me a second cable box DVR for $5/month. Already got one, plus the XS54.

I'm miss the ease of the TV Guide on the XS54.

Buk

I wish these things worked for more than 3 years so this thread wouldn't have to exist in the first place. :mad:

Note that you said 4167B while I found a 4163B. I did not do a lot of testing - I simply wanted to be able to record captive home movies and as long as they play (which they do) I didn't care too much about features I'd given up. I do seem to recall when I chose a title menu, it doesn't come up when I play. I get no error but the DVD simply plays. If that means I cannot copy back to the DVR, I guess I'm not too happy about that. OTOH, it's relative since I was very unhappy with no DVD burner at all.

Bill

The TV Guide is blank. So I use another source for the channel and time information. Either by referring to the TV Guide on my cable box or the internet, such as Zap2It or TV Forecast on my iPhone.

Using the XS54's remote I push the "TV Guide" button, go to the "Schedule" tab and push the "Menu" button on the remote. This brings up the "new manual recording" box and I enter all the information manually.

Cable tech came to the house and said they couldn't help, but would rent me a second cable box DVR for $5/month. Already got one, plus the XS54.

I'm miss the ease of the TV Guide on the XS54.

Buk

So I take it you don't have a problem with a lot of garbage or partially scrambled channels passing through your RD-XS54? If the channels do not show up in the LISTING section of TVGOS, you can't hide or erase the channel. My unit is hooked up to OTA and I have to scroll through 25 channels of which only 5-6 are clear or use the keypad on my remote to dial in the channel.

Are your manual recordings on time? Because my RD-XS55 misses them with random regularity. I have tried every trick in the book to determine what causes the missed recordings and have tried all the reset methods but nothing works. Pulling the plug for 3' helps to get it back on track but it eventually will miss manually scheduled recordings after a few days.

I don't know if this is a bug with the TVGOS units in general, or just the RD-XS55 model, or just my particular unit. It's hard to tell because I presume most people are using TVGOS to program recordings (until they lose TVGOS like you :o).

I have an RD-XS35 which is reliable at manual recording even though it has TVGOS, but it is a refurb from Toshiba so I suspect they fixed this issue on my unit. Tops Electronics said they can fix my RD-XS55 so it's probably a known issue.

I wish these things worked for more than 3 years so this thread wouldn't have to exist in the first place. :mad:

Note that you said 4167B while I found a 4163B. I did not do a lot of testing - I simply wanted to be able to record captive home movies and as long as they play (which they do) I didn't care too much about features I'd given up. I do seem to recall when I chose a title menu, it doesn't come up when I play. I get no error but the DVD simply plays. If that means I cannot copy back to the DVR, I guess I'm not too happy about that. OTOH, it's relative since I was very unhappy with no DVD burner at all.

Bill

There were a lot of refurb LG GSA-4167Bs on the web the last two months or so for around $20, so snooze, you lose :). I'm using one now. It was made in 2004 with firmware 1.2 but it could have been updated when it was refurbished. All features of the original burner is supported except it cannot read it's own unfinalized DVD-Rs, much less those from other burners. Not that big a deal; I just make sure I have enough stuff to fill up a disk when I do want to archive. If not I finalize it when it's partially full. But once you copy anything to a DVD-R and eject it from the burner without finalizing it you got a coaster. On finalized DVD-Rs you can see all the content (thumbnails and all) and dub them to HDD. Same with DVD-RAM.

The LG GSA-H40N will work fine if you just bought an RD-XS32/34/54 off Ebay and expect to use only that unit for playback/transfer of archived files. Just don't finalize the DVD-Rs when they are full and you can retrieve the files and see the content. But of course the disk won't be read on other burners or recorders or on your PC. Since I have several RD-XS units this is not feasible so I returned the burners.

So I take it you don't have a problem with a lot of garbage or partially scrambled channels passing through your RD-XS54? If the channels do not show up in the LISTING section of TVGOS, you can't hide or erase the channel. My unit is hooked up to OTA and I have to scroll through 25 channels of which only 5-6 are clear or use the keypad on my remote to dial in the channel.

Are your manual recordings on time? Because my RD-XS55 misses them with random regularity. I have tried every trick in the book to determine what causes the missed recordings and have tried all the reset methods but nothing works. Pulling the plug for 3' helps to get it back on track but it eventually will miss manually scheduled recordings after a few days.

I don't know if this is a bug with the TVGOS units in general, or just the RD-XS55 model, or just my particular unit. It's hard to tell because I presume most people are using TVGOS to program recordings (until they lose TVGOS like you :o).

I have an RD-XS35 which is reliable at manual recording even though it has TVGOS, but it is a refurb from Toshiba so I suspect they fixed this issue on my unit. Tops Electronics said they can fix my RD-XS55 so it's probably a known issue.
I've had some problems with my digital cable box, so I've had cable techs in my home and we discussed my TV Guide problem. Apparently, I'm the only one in this small town that has DVR other than the cable box provided by the cable company. So, I'm also the only one with this "no TV Guide" problem.

They have switched some of the customers to full digital already. So the RD-XS gets it's TV Guide from an analog channel, a local public television channel. That channel is now digital for me, so I no longer get the listings.

So the RD-XS must have a digital tuner and I get the channels that are not encrypted and the RD-XS does not understand the channel carrying the TV Guide info.

Don't know if this makes sense, but I think this is a warning to RD-XS owners that if you still have the RD-XS after the nationwide digital switch you may not get the TV Guide listings anymore unless Toshiba offers a fix. Although I haven't contacted Toshiba, so they may already have something available.

Thanks for the interest.

The DVD drive in my RD-XS34 is beginning to make more noises than before. I have also been getting a few failures dubbing to a disk. It is always an "Error 14" and happens at the very end of dubbing or finalizing.

I suspect my DVD drive is on it way out. For those who own similar Toshiba machines, are these symptoms consistent with a soon-to-be-dead DVD drive? If so, any suggestion on a replacement are greatly appreciated!

Hello Forum!!

i just recently got a toshiba rd-xs35 free from work!! only thing is, the remote control is missing.

has anyone captured the IR from this thing yet?

would be so grateful if someone hooked it up with some Hex!!

thanks all!!

-D

Lucky you, getting a free RD-XS35!

FYI, the remote part number is SE-R0144. Fortunately, some still seem to be available.

http://www.dvdremotecontrols.com/Mfrs/Toshiba/ToshibaDVD/SE-R0144.htm

http://www.remotecontrolwarehouse.com/TOSHIBA/SE-R0144.html

http://www.remotecontrolscenter.com/toshiba/se-r0144.html

http://www.remotehound.com/toshiba-se-r0144-p38507.html

http://www.electronicadventure.us/Merchant2/merchant.mv?screen=prod&store_code=EA&product_code=SE-R0144

plplplpl,

thanks on the remote links!! i just really didn't want to have to buy one since i have a touch panel.

looks like ill have to do the old buy and capture!!

cheers

so...no one has the IRs captured for this thing??

They have switched some of the customers to full digital already. So the RD-XS gets it's TV Guide from an analog channel, a local public television channel. That channel is now digital for me, so I no longer get the listings.

So the RD-XS must have a digital tuner and I get the channels that are not encrypted and the RD-XS does not understand the channel carrying the TV Guide info.

Don't know if this makes sense, but I think this is a warning to RD-XS owners that if you still have the RD-XS after the nationwide digital switch you may not get the TV Guide listings anymore unless Toshiba offers a fix. Although I haven't contacted Toshiba, so they may already have something available.

Thanks for the interest.

I just took my xs54 out after returning my sciatlanta box back to cablevision (still resentful about their HD tier shenanigans) and can confirm that I'm not getting tvgos updates (Westchester County NY). I'm assuming there's no firmware fix possible. What's the least ugly way to get tvgos info into the toshiba now?

The error code explanations:

ER7071: DVD drive recognition failure. Check the contact of the cable.
ER7031, ER7061 and other errors: HDD error often. Additional HDD newer.

There are more info available. Translation is sometimes not very clear, but some information are interesting, especially for models RD-XS32 and RD-XS35. It also looks that Japanese model RD-XS57 & RD-XS37 are equivalewnt for RD-XS54 & RD-XS34 (our US models.) The table chart with compatibility of new DVD burners is interesting (especially double-click "OPEN/CLOSE" button on the remote) to get work Panasonic SW-958x burner models in XS recorders.

The translation of codes are from this website link - translated from Japanese (using Google translate feature):

y30.net/rdxs-e/rdwiki/wiki.php?DVD%B4%B9%C1%F5

There is also explanation and link with step-by-step procedure and pictures to repair SW-9573-S drive (identical to SW-9574-E in design).

Ran a search but could not find a Tosh DR410 thread thought maybe somebody here could answer this question. When checking out a refurb unit the specs say that DVD Ram is one of it's formats. Then I hear that it is not compatible with ram.

This looks like the largest 410 thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1014246&highlight=toshiba) at AVS.

Hello, all—

Am looking for an in-op SE-R0199 remote control. I need a case in good condition to replace one that's been thoroughly chewed.

If you have one that's not functional, please PM—maybe we can do each other some good.

Thx.

Shenzie

About six months ago I stopped receiving updates for TVGOS. Upon inquiring at the local PBS station, I was informed that they would not do this anymore. Toshiba tech support verified this and said that CBS had taken over this support. After many months and three readings of special data from the RD-XS54 to the tech rep over the phone, I started receiving TVGOS updates again.

Hi I am new to this site, have been doing a lot of reading about the Toshiba RD XS54 model but don't think I found an answer, if anyone could help me out in figuring out the problem of my Toshiba player. I have never used if for recording the DVDs, only used it for recording on the memory, then watched and deleted the titles. I can only watch the titles, it doesn't function any more. the content menu loads very long and some files don't show up. Can not record anything or even delete the titles that I have. Can someone please let me know if there is anything that I can do to fix this problem. If there is anything that I can buy and replace or is my unit now completely useless. Thank you for the help. Oh and when the unit is powered on here is the message that I get on the TV screen. "There is a problem with HDD. Playback is the only option available. Contact service center."

If your HDD "died", there is a thread with HDD swapping for all RD-XS models.

I have RD-XS55 and it worked on the home network fine until recently. When I last time edited title names through the PC on the same network, connection was crashing frequently, and suddenly never returned back.

I am using Firefox 3.0.19 under Windows XP, and RD-XS55 is connected to the Linksys WRT54GS wireless router with always-on Internet connection. I can see RD-XS55 through McAfee Security Center being on the home network, but it is impossible to connect RD-XS55 to computer anymore and be able to use Network Navi feature. I even tried crossover cable connection directly to the laptop, no luck either.

I did exactly the same network setting for RD-XS55 (as I did with RD-XS54 when it was present on the network), but nothing worked to get the network connection back for XS55.

While it bothers me, I can still live without network connection with XS55. Atr least, my RD-XS54 has no problem with a direct connection to PC for easy title name editing using a laptop keyboard. It is a mystery why RD-XS55 does not work, both models have the exactly same features.

Could it be in FW? I have FW version XH1000 on RD-XS55. Or did the network connector became bad on RDXS55? Or does FW got corrupted somehow?

It bothers me for one reason - I cannot edit tiltle names on RD-XS55 anymore. Everytime when I choose "edit title name" using a remote control, a message "NET KEYBOARD IS STARTING" pops up on the screen with a green highlighted option to "Cancel" only. There is only one way to get rid of it, by pressing "Enter", however, the menu for title name editing closes as well. And when I to repeat the process, and it's the same message again.

In conclusion, I am stuck, I cannot connect RD-XS55 to the network, and I cannot edit title names using a remote control. I tried to burn video files to DVD-R hoping to finish title name editing and finalizing the DVD in RD-XS54; however, to my surprise, RD-XS54 cannot recognize not finalized DVD-R from RD-XS55 (quite strange, too.)

Did anyone experienced anything similar? If yes, is there any solution to re-new title names editing feature using a remote control?

Is there any way to do a factory reset (without deleting contents of the HDD)? I looked throught the whole manual, but it does seem that Toshiba has not anything like that.

I solved both problems by unplugging the Linksys router, the cable modem and the dvd recorder from the AC outlet for 5 minutes. Then I plugged everything back and I made all network settings configuration on RD-XS55 again.
I have RD-XS55 back on the network, Network Navi works great, and I can edit title names using a remote control. Very few times, there are very simple solutions to our "big" problems.