Has any purchased or seen one of the new Toshiba RD-XS54 DVD recorders yet?

I'm intrigued by the 250GB hard drive, the Ethernet port, and the ability to set a recording via e-mail. Also, the feature that allows you to stream recordings to your PC should allow me to watch my recordings anywhere in my house, even wirelessly.

I just wonder if this model can really do everything as well as the features might suggest.

Also, what happened to the Panasonic DMR-EH500S? I can't find it listed anywhere now.

Thanks!

Has any purchased or seen one of the new Toshiba RD-XS54 DVD recorders yet?

I'm intrigued by the 250GB hard drive, the Ethernet port, and the ability to set a recording via e-mail. Also, the feature that allows you to stream recordings to your PC should allow me to watch my recordings anywhere in my house, even wirelessly.

I just wonder if this model can really do everything as well as the features might suggest.

Also, what happened to the Panasonic DMR-EH500S? I can't find it listed anywhere now.

Thanks!

The Toshiba RD-XS54 is too new and not yet available, but it does look interesting.

The Panasonic E-500 has been discontinued.

RG

according to their website, J&R has it.

Wow, Panasonic must have had some quality-control problems with the E500, because it wasn't even out very long.

Hopefully the Toshiba will be the ultimate DVD recorder, with it's networking capabilities. There have been so many times when I was away from home and forgot to set my Panasonic to record something, so being able to send an e-mail to the device is very intriguing.

according to their website, J&R has it.

So it is. Of course Toshiba has nothing on their site.

RG

Wow, Panasonic must have had some quality-control problems with the E500, because it wasn't even out very long.

Hopefully the Toshiba will be the ultimate DVD recorder, with it's networking capabilities. There have been so many times when I was away from home and forgot to set my Panasonic to record something, so being able to send an e-mail to the device is very intriguing.
I was looking for the E500 too and even Panasonic didn't have them and rgazzara's post seems right on target.

I was also very intrigued by the Toshiba. Great to be able to have software updates over the Internet although and especially that neat feature to record a program using email. I wonder whether then Toshiba can also control your DVR with the same concerns some people had about bluray recorders where I read that attempts to play with the region code can also alert the manufacturer and shut you down.

Unfortunately it doesn't have component inputs nor the ability to burn or play dual layer otherwise I'd go for it myself. If you're a DVD-RAM kind of guy though it's your machine. Looks like a very nice piece, especially with the new menu systems they promise and should make someone very happy.

Wow, Panasonic must have had some quality-control problems with the E500, because it wasn't even out very long.

It was out for over a year, about the same as the E-95, which was also discontinued.

It was probably discontinued to emphasize the new line of recorders (EH-50 is just the first) which have the ability to record to more DVD types, and which have the improved LP 4-hour mode.

There are no quality-control issues with the E-500. It's built like a tank. I know because I have one.

Cheers,

RG

Yeah, I love DVD-RAM. I already have a DMR-E100HS and also a portable Panasonic DVD player so that I can dub my favorite TV shows from the hard drive to disc and then play them when I'm not at home.

I could never quite understand what you could do with the Ethernet port on the E500, except hook two of them together. That wasn't documented very well online. But I'm positive you couldn't schedule recording remotely or download firmware updates from the Internet. Nevertheless, I was close to buying one until I noticed that I couldn't find them anymore and then read about the new Toshiba unit. I hope somebody reviews it soon.

One Call shows it to be instock.

Yeah, I love DVD-RAM. I already have a DMR-E100HS and also a portable Panasonic DVD player so that I can dub my favorite TV shows from the hard drive to disc and then play them when I'm not at home.

I could never quite understand what you could do with the Ethernet port on the E500, except hook two of them together. That wasn't documented very well online. But I'm positive you couldn't schedule recording remotely or download firmware updates from the Internet. Nevertheless, I was close to buying one until I noticed that I couldn't find them anymore and then read about the new Toshiba unit. I hope somebody reviews it soon.
Don't quote me on that although someone else mentioned it. It's not listed in the specs at J&R, Crutchfield or on a spec sheet I saw from Toshiba.

I'm not sure if the DVD-RAMs produced in this Toshiba will work in your E100HS. The incompatibilities were my real reason for not pursuing the RAM route otherwise I would have thought about it since it is superior for archiving important video.

Seems kind of strange to me that the specs on the RD-X54 at OneCall and J&R don't mention an ethernet port,intergration with P/C or scheduling recordings via E-mail.

Seems kind of strange to me that the specs on the RD-X54 at OneCall and J&R don't mention an ethernet port,intergration with P/C or scheduling recordings via E-mail.

Yes, makes you wonder... :rolleyes:

Any operating manuals yet? I looked but couldn't find one.

RG

Here are the articles where I first learned of the RD-XS54:

http://www.digital-lifestyles.info/display_page.asp?section=platforms&id=2564

http://www.pcw.co.uk/vnunet/news/2142147/toshiba-first-networked-dvd

Here are the articles where I first learned of the RD-XS54:

http://www.digital-lifestyles.info/display_page.asp?section=platforms&id=2564

http://www.pcw.co.uk/vnunet/news/2142147/toshiba-first-networked-dvd

I just found this on the Toshiba site:

http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/news/newsarticle.asp?newsid=90

RG

Anyone remember if the XS54 will have component inputs? I thought the 52 did. In my quick check of the site rgazzara posted I didn't see anything.

Sounds like this and the Sony 915, when that comes out, will be the most advanced and expensive recorders so far. 250 gb hard drive is sweet--too bad these are still saddled with the TV guide system.

Is the Sony 915 networkable? How do the specs compare to the Toshiba?

I think I read that the Toshiba only has component outputs, no inputs.

Anyone remember if the XS54 will have component inputs? I thought the 52 did. In my quick check of the site rgazzara posted I didn't see anything.

Sounds like this and the Sony 915, when that comes out, will be the most advanced and expensive recorders so far. 250 gb hard drive is sweet--too bad these are still saddled with the TV guide system.
No component inputs on the XS54. That was the one I was targeting until it was confirmed no component inputs...

Does the XS54 record dual layer?

Does the XS54 record dual layer?
That was the other one... no. It records DVD-RAM that works with Toshiba players.

Are you sure that DVD-RAM's recorded on the Toshiba won't work on Panasonic models?

I was looking for the E500 too and even Panasonic didn't have them and rgazzara's post seems right on target.

I was also very intrigued by the Toshiba. Great to be able to have software updates over the Internet although and especially that neat feature to record a program using email. I wonder whether then Toshiba can also control your DVR with the same concerns some people had about bluray recorders where I read that attempts to play with the region code can also alert the manufacturer and shut you down.

Unfortunately it doesn't have component inputs nor the ability to burn or play dual layer otherwise I'd go for it myself. If you're a DVD-RAM kind of guy though it's your machine. Looks like a very nice piece, especially with the new menu systems they promise and should make someone very happy.

slinky,
what you said above (bold font) interests me. Care to share where did you find the note saying that the Tosh.XS54 cannot *play* dual layer DVDs?

Are you sure that DVD-RAM's recorded on the Toshiba won't work on Panasonic models?

Someone on one of the xs-34 threads reported that ram discs made on a Panny recorder could be played on the Toshiba xs-34, even though a toshiba rep said that the toshiba would only play ram discs burned on the toshiba unit. Go figure. Do a search and you'll probably find the thread.

slinky,
what you said above (bold font) interests me. Care to share where did you find the note saying that the Tosh.XS54 cannot *play* dual layer DVDs?
Not a single specification sheet anywhere mentioned the ability to play dual layer DVDs. Like yourself I would find that omission surprising but it seems the XS34's manual doesn't indicate that it will play dual layers either. It's what is holding me back from purchasing the XS54.

slinky, thanks. if that's true, it's very disturbing.
I'd speculate that since it's the default behavior, the XS54 would have to be say explicitly that it doesn't play dual-layer. On the other hand, I cannot find the user's manual for that unit.

slinky, thanks. if that's true, it's very disturbing.
I'd speculate that since it's the default behavior, the XS54 would have to be say explicitly that it doesn't play dual-layer. On the other hand, I cannot find the user's manual for that unit.
Now that is definitely not the approach you want to take. If it isn't in the specifications or manual then you cannot assume ANYTHING. The manufacturer is insulated from liability from such assumptions and it's intentional.

There is no "default" behavior just because you think playing dual layer should be standard. If you want a good example, the Sony HX715 that just came out last week says it automatically will create chapter marks and also allows you to create the manual marks with a mark button that is typical on any recorder. While it does do this on the hard drive it cannot write any of them at all to a DVDR!

Personally I thought component input would be "default" but the new XS54 doesn't have it either.

slinky, we're in the same boat. I'm just speculating, not assuming. I wouldn't spend the $$$ this dvr costs without checking the manual first.

slinky, we're in the same boat. I'm just speculating, not assuming. I wouldn't spend the $$$ this dvr costs without checking the manual first.
Yep... I hear ya. It's a frustrating thing to be a consumer these days. Even basic assumptions cannot be assumed. Was very surprised myself and unfortunately the HX715 didn't have an online manual.. and even if it did, the fact that it wouldn't write chapter marks onto a DVDR was hidden in the fine print somewhere in the middle of the manual... hopefully Panasonic's next entry might have all the basics.

Anyone have one of these yet? I ordered one from J&R and am waiting to see when they'll ship. I can't imagine this box not being able to play DVDs you buy or rent. That would be real strange in my book.

just wondering...
when you guys get your new XS54, could you verify a couple of issues that have been reported with the also new XS34 in this thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=540826

1. There seem to be issues with the XS34's TVGuide feature
2. Some people in that thread mention that the 'black level bug' is fixed on the XS34. Reading it, I wonder if this is an experimental conclusion, or just after an inspection of the user's manual.

It would be useful if any of you guys could test those two with your XS54s

Anyone have one of these yet? I ordered one from J&R and am waiting to see when they'll ship. I can't imagine this box not being able to play DVDs you buy or rent. That would be real strange in my book.
????? Who reported this?

J&R says that they are shipping them and have them in the warehouse.
Thanks for the info Slinky

By the way Slinky(alias ilovehdtv), isn't it interesting how calm and normal things are around here since you've been banned? We know you're reading this.

I had an XS34 at home for a little while and saw the XS54 is coming out, so returned the 34 to get the 54. I had no problems with the TV Guide feature with Cox Cable in San Diego. Compared to Tivo, I prefer the free TV Guide feature of the XS34.

Don't know about black level bug. I recorded a couple DVDs with the XS34 and they came out fine. This is the first DVD recorder I've used and I thought it was cool that the DVD had a title index. I'm sure all DVD recorders do that but I thought it was cool. It was complicated to remove commercials though in my opinion.

I don't definitively remember if the XS34 had any problems with "playing" dual layer DVDs but I'm pretty sure I watched a few purchased DVD movies without any problems.

I'll let you guys know my thoughts on the XS54 when I receive it. I do hope it's faster with menu changes and general operation but I'm guessing it'll be just as slow as an XS34. I found the XS34 slower to remote control responses than Tivo and even Tivo isn't fast.

????? Who reported this?


I saw you guys talking about this player and the XS34 not specifically having the ability to "play" dual layer DVDs. I took this to mean it won't play commercial movie DVDs, as they're all dual layer from my experience, having a layer change about an hour into the movie.

Pretty sure the XS34 had no problems with commercial movie DVDs I played but I don't remember.

I can't imagine any DVD playing device not able to "play" dual layer DVDs.

just wondering...
2. Some people in that thread mention that the 'black level bug' is fixed on the XS34. Reading it, I wonder if this is an experimental conclusion, or just after an inspection of the user's manual.
There is no BLB on the XS34!

I'll let you guys know my thoughts on the XS54 when I receive it. I do hope it's faster with menu changes and general operation but I'm guessing it'll be just as slow as an XS34. I found the XS34 slower to remote control responses than Tivo and even Tivo isn't fast.

Thanks Alan, really looking forward to your opinion!

By the way, the black level bug can be understood like this: if you don't change the default settings on the DVR, whenever recording a DVD on the DVR *and* then playing that disk in a non-Toshiba DVD player, the image will appear brighter ('less-black'). This is the black level bug, which is not noticeable if the recorded DVD is played again in the Toshiba DVR (or a few DVD players).

There is no BLB on the XS34!

shawbros, thanks. Do you say this because you know it's a fact from (your own or anybody else's) experimentation? The reason I'm asking is because in the thread link I pasted above in this thread, people mention that the way to eliminate the black level bug is by setting the 'black level' value in the set of menu options on the DVR. And, by checking the user's manuals, both the XS52 and the XS34 provide the 'black enhancement' feature, by which the black level can be modified. And, for both DVRs, there are two settings (normal/standard & enhanced). And, people report that the XS52 does have the BLB from actual experimentation. I may have missed similar statements about the XS34 (I've only seen things like 'now you can fix the BLB by changing the settings'). So, I'm confused.

Here's my impressions of the XS54 after only 3 days of having it online on my home network. My impression of this is based on a Pioneer 633H and having built my own PVR with SageTV.

Overall, I have to say its a really great functioning device if you can get over some of the fuddly looks and flimsy quality of some parts of the DVD recorder.

When I first saw the exterior of the Toshiba XS54 it was a great disappointment. Personally, it looks like it took a step back from the XS52 in terms of asthetics, BUT when you use the thing you can really over look this cosmetic issue, because functionality-wise its really faster in terms of response and the network access is really cool.

The DVD-ROM tray seems a bit flimsy. When you touch the tray it seems to shake in the rails and oesn't seem as firmly connected, but it glides in and out with a solid momemtum. Since the tray is shaped to hold a DVD-RAM cartridge its rather easy to drop in the DVD without having to touch the tray so that's a good thing. The other flimsy part I didn't like is the door on the front panel that allows access to the hidden firewire port and other navigation button. The black door spans from left to right and if you're a neanderthal it could get busted. You might need to use two hands holding the left and right side simultaneously to prevent the door from jerking.

The remote control is abit on the lite side and the plastic doesn't feel dense. Plus the hinged door at the bottom of the remote that allows access to the editing menu bottons is hard to access. But overall I personally like the layout of the buttons. The remote control action is pretty fast. It really feels like the device responds in real-time, unlike my Pioneer which took a long time to respond to the push of the button.

The networking part is really really cool, though the USA version has less features embedded into this than the Japanese version. Here's what you can do in a nutshell with networking. (haven't got to test all features)

--Turn on or off the DVD recorder
--Watch TV remotely on your PC
--Edit saved shows with details using a keyboard and mouse
--Program timers using email. The device connects to your POP3 account to read through mail with a fixed string in the subject. If it finds that and if the format in the subject is correct, it will set up a timed recording.
--Looks like you can upgrade the DVD via the Web


I'll test more features and keep everyone posted. So far looks like I will keep this and return my Pioneer 633H.

beta-man, thanks!!

curious about something. can you move files from the PC to the DVR?

what do you mean by "Looks like you can upgrade the DVD via the Web"?

would you get a chance to test the "black level bug"?

The networking part is really really cool, though the USA version has less features embedded into this than the Japanese version.
Can you tell us what's missing in the US version compared to the Japanese version?

shawbros, thanks. Do you say this because you know it's a fact from (your own or anybody else's) experimentation? The reason I'm asking is because in the thread link I pasted above in this thread, people mention that the way to eliminate the black level bug is by setting the 'black level' value in the set of menu options on the DVR. And, by checking the user's manuals, both the XS52 and the XS34 provide the 'black enhancement' feature, by which the black level can be modified. And, for both DVRs, there are two settings (normal/standard & enhanced). And, people report that the XS52 does have the BLB from actual experimentation. I may have missed similar statements about the XS34 (I've only seen things like 'now you can fix the BLB by changing the settings'). So, I'm confused.Yes, the XS52 does have BLB but the XS34 does not. The XS34 has black level setting for both recording (input) & playback (output) whereas the XS52 can only set for playback, with recording fixed at "enchanced" which is the BLB. Both settings should be set to "standard".

shawbros, thanks for the clarification. In that case, it's just a matter of getting our hands on the manual. that'd be good enough for me :)

rod_video:

To answer your question....

-The firmware can be upgraded via the Web.
-I haven't found a way to move the files off the DVD recorder to PC.

How can I test the "black level bug"?

beta-man,
thanks!

as far as how to test the Black Level Bug, from what I've read, it would be a matter of recording anything (prefereably something with deep blacks) on a DVD using the XS54, then playing that DVD in a non-Toshiba dvd player. If the BLB is present (which according to the poster above, it's not), then you will see that playing the dvd will show the black levels more like gray-ish.
The caveat in the testing is that not all non-Toshiba dvd players are sensitive to the bug... so don't worry if you cannot.

beta-man,

According to the Toshiba website, this unit has componen tinputs. Can you confirm this?

http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/dvr/product.asp?model=rd-xs54

Thanks!

beta-man,

According to the Toshiba website, this unit has componen tinputs. Can you confirm this?

http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/dvr/product.asp?model=rd-xs54

Thanks!

That's a typo, it should read "component outputs". Read the "printable spec sheet" by clicking on the "Resources" tab.

RG

beta-man, wondering if the fan on this unit stays on 24/7? UPS shows my unit to arrive on Tuesday. Can't wait to get this thing.

That's a typo, it should read "component outputs". Read the "printable spec sheet" by clicking on the "Resources" tab.

RG
You are right man. I asked a sales guy in the store about this thing. I think it looks really great but I dont know why they dont put in inputs and more compatibility with the + format. It makes no sense at all man. Wanna find one already for hockey season.

beta-man, wondering if the fan on this unit stays on 24/7? UPS shows my unit to arrive on Tuesday. Can't wait to get this thing.


The fan does stay on 24/7, but its pretty quiet. The first time you notice it is when you power it on for the first time, but after that, it's quiet enough that you forget it is running wether its on standby or on mode.

beta-man,

According to the Toshiba website, this unit has componen tinputs. Can you confirm this?

http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/dvr/product.asp?model=rd-xs54

Thanks!


Yes, the device does have component inputs.

beta-man, is your unit different from the picture on Crutchfield's site of the back? Their's doesn't show component in. Here's the picture.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-phexhYwkOJw/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=116500&id=morephotos&pi=2&i=052RDXS54&display=XL#Tab

guys, for connectivity, the crutchfield (great store, btw) page has some snapshoots.

nevermind, Alan beat me to it :D

beta-man, is your unit different from the picture on Crutchfield's site of the back? Their's doesn't show component in. Here's the picture.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-phexhYwkOJw/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=116500&id=morephotos&pi=2&i=052RDXS54&display=XL#Tab


Alan:

The photo on Crutchfields page is exactly what you can expect. This is how mine looks like.

BLACK LEVEL BUG - is really not a flaw as much as it is a design limitation in some DVD recorders. Here in North America (and only in North America) our legacy analog video system is based on the NTSC standard. Particular to the North American NTSC standard (but not the Japanese NTSC standard) is our reference black level is 7.5 IRE (very dark gray), while every other analog TV system in the world uses 0 IRE (true video black) as the reference black level. Why? Well, in the very early days of TV, there were some technical and performance issues with the transmission and reception of TV signals with 0 IRE black levels. Of course, that was corrected decades ago and all modern TV sets and broadcast transmitters can handle 0 IRE just fine.

However, because 7.5 IRE black level NTSC is what was implemented here and in Canada, it is what we have been stuck with while the rest of the world has always been on the 0 IRE black level standard.

None of this affects digital video at all. Regardless of the format (MiniDV, Digital8, DVD, Digital cable and OTA broadcast, etc.) the black level standard is 0 IRE. This is where the "black level bug" comes into play for those of us in North America. If you want to convert North American NTSC broadcasts, VHS, 8mm, S-VHS, laserdisc (basically any analog NTSC video source) to DVD, the source black level (which is 7.5 IRE) must be "stretched" down to 0 IRE before conversion to digital. If you don't do this, your finished DVD will be encoded with a 7.5 IRE black level instead of 0 IRE. When you play back the disc on another DVD player, it will look a little washed out compared to commercial DVD's, because all DVD's are supposed to be at 0 IRE black level.

So, DVD recorders in North America should have a way to set the video input to adjust 7.5 IRE black level sources down to 0 IRE. Some do, some don't. Pioneer machines all have this feature. Newer Panasonics do (the "darker" input setting), but the older units do not. Toshiba recorders prior to the 4 series (D-R4, XS34, XS54, etc.) did not have this feature. Virtually all the cheaper Chinese units (Lite-On, etc) do not. So, people would record a VHS tape with a Toshiba DVD recorder, watch it on another DVD player, and then would see a washed out picture due to the encoded black level being off.

That's the "black level bug" in a nutshell.

BLACK LEVEL BUG - is really not a flaw as much as it is a design limitation in some DVD recorders. Here in North America (and only in North America) our legacy analog video system is based on the NTSC standard. Particular to the North American NTSC standard (but not the Japanese NTSC standard) is our reference black level is 7.5 IRE (very dark gray), while every other analog TV system in the world uses 0 IRE (true video black) as the reference black level. Why? Well, in the very early days of TV, there were some technical and performance issues with the transmission and reception of TV signals with 0 IRE black levels. Of course, that was corrected decades ago and all modern TV sets and broadcast transmitters can handle 0 IRE just fine.

However, because 7.5 IRE black level NTSC is what was implemented here and in Canada, it is what we have been stuck with while the rest of the world has always been on the 0 IRE black level standard.

None of this affects digital video at all. Regardless of the format (MiniDV, Digital8, DVD, Digital cable and OTA broadcast, etc.) the black level standard is 0 IRE. This is where the "black level bug" comes into play for those of us in North America. If you want to convert North American NTSC broadcasts, VHS, 8mm, S-VHS, laserdisc (basically any analog NTSC video source) to DVD, the source black level (which is 7.5 IRE) must be "stretched" down to 0 IRE before conversion to digital. If you don't do this, your finished DVD will be encoded with a 7.5 IRE black level instead of 0 IRE. When you play back the disc on another DVD player, it will look a little washed out compared to commercial DVD's, because all DVD's are supposed to be at 0 IRE black level.

So, DVD recorders in North America should have a way to set the video input to adjust 7.5 IRE black level sources down to 0 IRE. Some do, some don't. Pioneer machines all have this feature. Newer Panasonics do (the "darker" input setting), but the older units do not. Toshiba recorders prior to the 4 series (D-R4, XS34, XS54, etc.) did not have this feature. Virtually all the cheaper Chinese units (Lite-On, etc) do not. So, people would record a VHS tape with a Toshiba DVD recorder, watch it on another DVD player, and then would see a washed out picture due to the encoded black level being off.

That's the "black level bug" in a nutshell.

Nice!!

With a high-end unit like this, it doesn't make sense not having Components input.

Only Sony has it right now...I would not consider Philips which use to have it from day 1. I have a Yamaha with Components inputs. Too bad Yamaha is a Philips derivative.

rod_video:
-I haven't found a way to move the files off the DVD recorder to PC.
Damn, that sux! I just reviewed the feature list again and it only mentions "streaming" of recorded content or live programming to a PC (presumably for viewing only) but doesn't necessarily mean you can directly "copy" stuff into files that you can use on your PC??? In that case, there's very little value in the xs54 over the xs34 considering the price difference. What a complete waste of the ethernet!

Damn, that sux! I just reviewed the feature list again and it only mentions "streaming" of recorded content or live programming to a PC (presumably for viewing only) but doesn't necessarily mean you can directly "copy" stuff into files that you can use on your PC??? In that case, there's very little value in the xs54 over the xs34 considering the price difference. What a complete waste of the ethernet!

it can probably be hacked to make it work. i'm sure some wiz will figure it out.

Keep in mind that the reason why EPG features or the wider use of Ethernet is are not as robust on DVD recorders in the US is that the entertainment industry and cable industry is trying to hold down a monopoly.

In Japan, the same XS-54 has these feature differences not found in the US.

1)
Allows users to download and upload files to the DVD recorder over the network.
2)
Has a navigatable "library" (ie. /directory/path ) and the ability for multiple libraries
3)
The DVD recorder can obtain multiple sources, including the Internet to generate EPG listings. ie. You can get EPG over cable, satellite, antenna, or Internet and have an EPG listing that are set to different line sources when recording. In the US, most cable companies block EPG data because they want you to use their DVD recorders.

So back to the point of this posting, yes, it can be hacked...

After doing a port scan, I found port 80/TCP, and 21/TCP. Port 80 gets you to the "Network Navi" interface, while port 21 provides FTP service. The FTP service responds, but somehow the user-id and password don't match up with any of the accounts one would know about.

If one could figure out the user-id and password to login via FTP, it should be possible to put or get files to transfer files between the PC and DVD recorder.

With the HTTP portion, if one has the patience, it would be possible to figure out the directory path to the "library". The URLs have been obfuscated, but it shouldn't be that hard to figure out.

Lastly, the network access does make it possible for the device to check you POP3 account and look for email with specific subject identifiers so that it can decide if that mail contains the correct string format to set up a timer recording. I tried this and it worked like a champ. So here too, is an avenue to figure out what commands can be passed.

BLACK LEVEL BUG - is really not a flaw as much as it is a design limitation in some DVD recorders.

etc.etc.etc

That's the "black level bug" in a nutshell.

gshelley61:

Thanks for that detail. Would this explain why the XS54 has an option for "standard or enhanced" for Output black level and for Input black level?

Changing the Output black level does make the black borders for letter box darker.

I don't see a political obstacle why content can't be downloaded to a PC or why EPG can't be downloaded over the Internet. Tivo does this now.

It would actually be a huge competitive advantage for Toshiba to download EPG via Internet, with all the complaints about getting the guide on this forum.

Damn, that sux! I just reviewed the feature list again and it only mentions "streaming" of recorded content or live programming to a PC (presumably for viewing only) but doesn't necessarily mean you can directly "copy" stuff into files that you can use on your PC??? In that case, there's very little value in the xs54 over the xs34 considering the price difference. What a complete waste of the ethernet!


I wouldn't say complete waste. Sling Media has a box which streams media over the Internet for $250. If the XS54 provides this functionality, and you were looking to get a Sling Box, would it mean the XS54 is actually less expensive thant the XS34 for the rest of the unit, as the XS54 is $200 more than the XS34?

Beta-man, have you tested streaming video to a PC yet? Can it stream to the Internet or only local LAN? Since the XS54 can do Internet SW upgrades, there's a default gateway setting. Never imagined that I'd have to break out Ethereal to sniff traffic streams of my living room electronics. :cool:

gshelley61:

Thanks for that detail. Would this explain why the XS54 has an option for "standard or enhanced" for Output black level and for Input black level?

Changing the Output black level does make the black borders for letter box darker.
Yes.

So back to the point of this posting, yes, it can be hacked...That was my next thought. But I certainly won't even consider buying the XS54 until someone comes up with the access passwords. And if the unit automatically downloads firmware updates, Toshiba might decide to change the passwords or just lock out access (or maybe already has!). As for streaming for viewing, that's completely useless as far as I'm concerned. The e-mail thing is cool but more of a gimmick.

Keep in mind that the reason why EPG features or the wider use of Ethernet is are not as robust on DVD recorders in the US is that the entertainment industry and cable industry is trying to hold down a monopoly.

In Japan, the same XS-54 has these feature differences not found in the US.
Haven't some people questioned those of us who put forth these "conspiracy theories?" Unfortunately these issues are commonplace but the consumer doesn't have the money and power to make a real issue out of it and advances occur gradually. I'm hoping that eventually we'll be able to get this "unlocked" via an upgrade. I should have one by the end of the day to review.

Viva La Revolution!

I don't see a political obstacle why content can't be downloaded to a PC or why EPG can't be downloaded over the Internet. Tivo does this now.

It would actually be a huge competitive advantage for Toshiba to download EPG via Internet, with all the complaints about getting the guide on this forum.

With Tivo you pay for access to the programing guide, which ends up in the hands of broadcasting companies. Why you and I want our own DVD recorder is so we have our own freedom to record programs AND archive this in a portable digital format. Otherwise you would be accessing TV indirectly through paid service via Tivo. To take it a step further, Tivo and the likes make it harder to take the recorded materials off the device. In fact now TiVo 7.2 OS adds content protection, blocks transfers, and auto-deletes some shows.

What the entertainment industry wants to prevent is your control over your digital entertainment experience.

--When you want to view shows
--Your discretion to by-pass (skip) paid advertisements
--Your ability to record, archive, transfer digital media
--What language you view the entertainment as it pertains to DVD movies

To take it a step further the FCC has been lobbying the Goverment to get strict legal regulations. Check out the following link.

http://www.eff.org/broadcastflag/

The FCC was trying to make it illegal for HDTV recordings and wanted to put further restrictions on recording, but its been over-turned for now.

Yes, the device does have component inputs.

Looking at the box it does not appear that there are component inputs -- do you mean composite?

. . . To take it a step further the FCC has been lobbying the Goverment to get strict legal regulations. Check out the following link.

http://www.eff.org/broadcastflag/

The FCC was trying to make it illegal for HDTV recordings and wanted to put further restrictions on recording, but its been over-turned for now.Interesting equation.

Given: Digital recording in the US, other than PVRs for time-shift viewing, is completely blocked relegating DVD recorders to the scrap heap.

Query: 1) What US consumer electronics company(s) would lose profits because their DVDR line got wiped out in the US market? Are there any?
2) What US content providing company(s) would increase profits because archive copies of their content would have to be purchased from them as a result.

Do the math and see what you get.

Hint: Follow the money.

Curious...

(1) is there any mention of the ability of the RD-XS54 to read or even play dual layer DVDs? This omission seems ill advised although perhaps yet another desire to milk the consumer to make another purchase of a dual layer reader/recorder. If this were the case I'd buy the 54 for recording and transfer large files to a PC for burning to a DL, if need be (and when available)....

(2) Is there any "commercial skip" or 30 second skip capability like there is on most other recorders?

EDIT: Found it on the XS34 manual which shows just how incredibly powerful and diverse this machine is. Of note -- I just picked up the last XS54 at J&R for $549. No, it doesn't seem to read/write dual layer in the specs. While that's not so great, it's an issue I can overlook in light of how many other great features it seems to have. I'm hoping to eventually use the Ethernet for this.

Thanks so much for your detailed review of this machine. I was tempted to get the Pioneer 633 again now that I have a compatible cable box but the 250 GB HDD, ethernet potential (emphasis on potential) and some of the other incredible features that you can set just made this the one to buy for me. I'll be using it to transfer DV tapes if anyone is interested.

slinky, I'm still wondering about your statement of the XS54 not being able to *play* dual layers. If you have it, just pop in a Lord of the Rings dvd, that should tell. As far as burning dual layers, I particularly could live without that feature. Not being able to play them, that will be discouraging.
If you cannot, that's allright. I'm awaiting my own. Hopefully I'll receive it next week :) :) :)

2) Is there any "commercial skip" or 30 second skip capability like there is on most other recorders?

Thanks so much for your detailed review of this machine. I was tempted to get the Pioneer 633 again now that I have a compatible cable box but the 250 GB HDD, ethernet potential (emphasis on potential) and some of the other incredible features that you can set just made this the one to buy for me. I'll be using it to transfer DV tapes if anyone is interested.

The device does have skip capabilities, I think you have the ability to set the default skip intervals, though I did find the Pioneer 633 to have a better skip feature. With the Pioneer, depending on how many times you tapped the skip button, it would increasingly add more skip time 5sec, 10sec, 30sec, 3min. (forgot the exact intervals).

With the Toshiba, the forward skip interval is greater than the reverse skip interval which starts at around 5 seconds.

rod_video -- are you talking about *double* layers? I think the dual layer - DVD+R DL technology is different. I'll say this much about the XS54 -- it is INSANELY laid out and is not for the weak of heart. It's almost a dizzying madness, even the just to exit screens. But if you're a real geek and love to have loads of options, it is incredible. There is nothing in its price range that has so much versatility.

One other thing -- the TVGOS loaded for me in 5 hours, maybe less. I'm talking the digital lineup. The Sony HX715 was flipping through channels for at least double that and much more... with no results.

Screw the MPAA. I have no doubt they are responsible for this given the Japanese model. Viva la revolution and bless the hackers.

slinky, it seems that I have my concepts mixed up. In which case, I guess I'm happy with the XS54 if it allows double layers. Not sure yet if I'm fine without playing dual layers. Once I figure that out, I'll know :)

*recording* is the issue! :D Toshiba seems to have been the only manufacturer to leave this off the machine, probably not being happy that consumers can record programs at a high bit rate and save movies in high quality - same as DVDs -- on dual layer discs. This way they cripped it both using ethernet and using the recorder. #@#@ the MPAA... bless the hackers who hopefully will find the key. :D

beta-man - can you get the quicktime streaming to work? Mine still doesn't seem to do that properly and I'm not sure what I'm missing. Instructions are not made for amateurs, that's for sure. Downloaded quicktime 7, sun's JVM and if I can login then my connections should be right. How about yourself?


Yes, my quicktime streaming works between my DVD recorder and PC. You seem to have all of the software applications that should make it possible. It maybe semantics, but if you're not a Java programmer you should have the Java JRE (Java Runtime Environment). I'm running 1.4.2_04, on my wife's XP system I loaded the latest JRE and that worked too (don't have this version on hand).

Most of my network is GIG, however, the DVD recorder connects at 100FDX and the particular PC I use from the 3rd floor is 10M.

Here are some quick setup checks:

1. Ping the IP address you assigned to the DVD player, does it respond?
2. Access http://your.toshiba.XS54, does the Network Navi appear?
3. Do you see the main screen with the remote control on the right window pane and HDD, timeslip, DVD on the bottom window?
4. Did you turn on the DVD recorder? Can be done by the red button on the remote.
5. Does the Quicktime logo appear when you select Net Monitor?
6. Did you select the right "input line", L1, L2, L3, RF etc?

You have to select Net Monitor. It maybe possible that there is something on the screen that needs to be exited. I usually hit "enter" when I can't exactly see or tell when a menu item doesn't work. This usually clears what might be left on the screen.

EDIT: Found it on the XS34 manual which shows just how incredibly powerful and diverse this machine is. Of note -- I just picked up the last XS54 at J&R for $549. No, it doesn't seem to read/write dual layer in the specs. While that's not so great, it's an issue I can overlook in light of how many other great features it seems to have. I'm hoping to eventually use the Ethernet for this.

Thanks so much for your detailed review of this machine. I was tempted to get the Pioneer 633 again now that I have a compatible cable box but the 250 GB HDD, ethernet potential (emphasis on potential) and some of the other incredible features that you can set just made this the one to buy for me. I'll be using it to transfer DV tapes if anyone is interested.


So,what is this, recorder #3? Are you going to keep this for more than 1 week? The early line out of Vegas says 10 days.

So,what is this, recorder #3? Are you going to keep this for more than 1 week? The early line out of Vegas says 10 days.


Why don't you get off his ass. Got nothing better to do?

Curious...

(1) is there any mention of the ability of the RD-XS54 to read or even play dual layer DVDs? This omission seems ill advised although perhaps yet another desire to milk the consumer to make another purchase of a dual layer reader/recorder. If this were the case I'd buy the 54 for recording and transfer large files to a PC for burning to a DL, if need be (and when available)....

(2) Is there any "commercial skip" or 30 second skip capability like there is on most other recorders?

EDIT: Found it on the XS34 manual which shows just how incredibly powerful and diverse this machine is. Of note -- I just picked up the last XS54 at J&R for $549. No, it doesn't seem to read/write dual layer in the specs. While that's not so great, it's an issue I can overlook in light of how many other great features it seems to have. I'm hoping to eventually use the Ethernet for this.

Thanks so much for your detailed review of this machine. I was tempted to get the Pioneer 633 again now that I have a compatible cable box but the 250 GB HDD, ethernet potential (emphasis on potential) and some of the other incredible features that you can set just made this the one to buy for me. I'll be using it to transfer DV tapes if anyone is interested.You don't need the ethernet to transfer large video files to a PC. Just split the title in the middle at some convenient point and burn it off to 2 RAMs (or whatever) and sneaker-net them. I do this 2-3 times a week for football games. An ethernet connection may ultimately be faster (except I don't have a network port in my family room) but it certainly isn't required.

beta-man - Thanks much. I discovered that, as suspected, my firewall was the issue. I changed the setting in Quicktime to "http" and the port changed to 80 and it worked perfectly. Damn scary I tell you, it looks like. I think that if you can set up getting beyond the router it is possible to login to your machine and view videos at any location. Rather remarkable.
Oh, red flag.
You get this thing beyond your firewall onto the open net and you won't think it so remarkable after the first hacker nails you and takes over your DVDR. You'll be recording porn forever.

You don't need the ethernet to transfer large video files to a PC. Just split the title in the middle at some convenient point and burn it off to 2 RAMs (or whatever) and sneaker-net them. I do this 2-3 times a week for football games. An ethernet connection may ultimately be faster (except I don't have a network port in my family room) but it certainly isn't required.

I agree, the ability to transfer files from DVDR to PC is not required, and IMHO I see no real advantage. But right now the question is academic anyway since it can't be done on the XS-54, correct?

I agree, the ability to transfer files from DVDR to PC is not required, and IMHO I see no real advantage. But right now the question is academic anyway since it can't be done on the XS-54, correct?
Not YET in the USA. ;) It does transfer both ways apparently in the Japanese version and it's a software issue. The question was raised because it is uncertain (and very unlikely) that the burner inside can do dual layer. Right now SP mode is downright amazing at 4.6-5 rate.

Kelson -- I haven't opened the opened the firewall at this point. But if what you say is true... then perhaps the recorder could pay for itself? LOL. :D Yeah, the old sneakernet will work and right now and even later it's rather rare because it's so good with standard DVDs... thanks for the suggestion.

I'll say this much about the XS54 -- it is INSANELY laid out and is not for the weak of heart. It's almost a dizzying madness, even the just to exit screens. But if you're a real geek and love to have loads of options, it is incredible. There is nothing in its price range that has so much versatility.


I have to agree that the Toshiba has a steep learning curve. I'm basing my opinion on the XS34, as my XS54 from J&R is supposed to arrive middle of this week. But the thing is pretty powerful. I'll get to learn how to get the Ethernet functions to work as well with the XS54 and wonder how long it's going to take to figure out those functions. Good thing we have this forum of users!

beta-man - Thanks much. I discovered that, as suspected, my firewall was the issue. I changed the setting in Quicktime to "http" and the port changed to 80 and it worked perfectly. Damn scary I tell you, it looks like. I think that if you can set up getting beyond the router it is possible to login to your machine and view videos at any location. Rather remarkable.


Good to see you guys got the streaming video feature to work over the LAN. Is it required to use port 80? That's OK for my home LAN use but if I want to get in from the Internet, my ISP Cox Cable, blocks home users from having a port 80 device. I don't think my Linksys has the smarts to take a HTTP request on a different port, say 5000 from the Internet and redirect to port 80 in my home LAN.

I was hoping that Toshiba provided viewing software you load on the PC and stream from the XS54 on a server port above 1024. Wouldn't have any ISP problems that way. Hmm, wonder how Sling Box allows users to view their TV from the Internet? If server port has to be port 80, I guess I'll have to look into a PIX firewall to do port redirection.

A feature that is a complete mystery to me is called "Net Dubbing". Apparently this feature is supposed to allow two devices that speak "Net Dubbing" to have access to each other's video archive for the purposes of creating a dubbing by copying files from one DVD-recorder to another.

The strange caveat here is that only Toshiba's speak "Net Dubbing" and that according to the manual the devices have to be on the same network segment. ie. The two devices have to be in the same IP space on their home network.

It would be cool, if "Net Dubbing" could be done over any network, but I suppose that would open up a can of worms in the DVD recorder space as it would be like enabling some Peer-to-Peer application like Napster. But I'm sure you could all agree, it would be cool to trade recorded programs with others.

If Toshiba is expecting people to have multiple DVD recorders in their home network, that's seems a bit far fetched.

If Toshiba is expecting people to have multiple DVD recorders in their home network, that's seems a bit far fetched.
It's absolutely absurd for a main feature but a nice thought. Perhaps future lower end models may be introduced with HDDs where the feature may eventually come in handy. Since the software can be updated, I hope eventually we see something meaningful. What would be REALLY cool would be to get rid of the need for the email programming and just login to the device and setup your recording right there with the virtual controls.

If I can tell you about one feature that is just wonderful about the XS54 -- the ability to login using your network enables you to name all your titles at one shot without that horrible mousing with the remote all over the place. Just as absurd was Toshiba's making the on screen keyboard a QWERTY!!!! :eek: What the heck was that all about?

If Toshiba is expecting people to have multiple DVD recorders in their home network, that's seems a bit far fetched.

I'm with Slinky on this one. There's no way I'd buy more than a single XS54 for my home. But if Toshiba came out with a $99 box with a small HDD which could store 10-15 hours on it and Ethernet port, I'd pick up 2 of them.

Just thinking about the possibilities Toshiba has with the ability to move stuff around between boxes.

- Have a box with no source input other than Ethernet but with standard output options to TV. You have to have a more expensive main unit such as an XS54 to be the "media center" device to record and store content.

- Save production cost by not even having a HDD on it. Just put a USB port on the box and have the end user attach an external HDD of any size he wants. Wishful thinking.


Being able to stream video recorded from one source in my home to other rooms would be great. Record kid's cartoons, wife's HGTV stuff and of course my manly shows in one place and have the ability to watch all this on 3 different TVs. Priceless!

Check this product out from iodata. A great marriage of DVD recorders would be to add some of the remote file access that the Avelink Player can do. It can connect to your PC to play various types of files on the DVD player.

http://www.iodata.com/products/products.php?cat=HNP&sc=AVEL&pId=AVLP2%2FDVDLA&ts=2&tsc=15

Check it out tell me what you guys think.

Tell your wife that she should make plans with her friends for the weekend, lol. :D

I have a Harmony 880 or whatever the latest one is. We'll see how many different options it has to replace this remote!




Let us know how the Harmony 880 works. That's my next challenge. Also are you able to test out the HDMI interface?

or

Alan do you have equipment to test out the HDMI interface?

I've got one big problem with the Toshiba RD-XS54 and my Pioneer Voyager STB and it's not good. Apparently when it turns the channels on the STB automatically with three digit channels using the IR blaster it takes a while so that half the time it will only have the last number register. For example, channel 705 ends up having the STB go to channel 5, 702 sometimes gets there but other times is at 2. Is there some control for this? Workaround?

EDIT: Problem was the location of the IR Blaster. Apparently after relocating it to the left side of the Pioneer Voyager it works perfectly. It still takes a longer time than normal for those numbers to appear but it works.
please, spare us every excruciating detail as you fumble through the instruction manual on yet another recorder. No one cares or wants hour by hour updates on your attempt to set up yet another recorder properly
Why don't you at least try working with the recorder for a few weeks before you start with the sky is falling alerts?

Squonk, c'mon. That's a HUGE issue if the IR is too slow to change channels accurately. How can you record shows if that's the case. Hopefully there's something in the manual to help or Slinky can get some help from Toshiba. Otherwise, if I had this unit do this, it's pretty worthless.

Let us know how the Harmony 880 works. That's my next challenge. Also are you able to test out the HDMI interface?

or

Alan do you have equipment to test out the HDMI interface?


This looks like the same remote as the XS34 and when I had that unit, I wondered how many remotes I'd go through before the box died, especially opening and closing the flap all the time.

I thought about trying out the upconversion capability of this box but I'll have to either buy a cable or adapter. I've got a Mitsubishi CRT RPTV with DVI, so I'll have to get a DVI to HDMI cable for $45 or a DVI to HDMI adapter for $25.

I was going to order a cable last week but wondered if it'd make any difference upscaling analog TV on a CRT RPTV which scales 480i to 480p on its own. I thought I could play with the other features before venturing into the HDMI upconversion trial/test.

If anyone reading this would really like to know if there's a difference and have a cable or adapter laying around and don't mind lending it to me to test, let me know. I'll test and post results by next weekend.

Damn, beta-man, you've got me wondering now. Would analog TV look better by the XS54 scaling to 1080i or does my Mits 55813 (Diamond model) do as much as can be done at 480p?

Squonk, c'mon. That's a HUGE issue if the IR is too slow to change channels accurately. How can you record shows if that's the case. Hopefully there's something in the manual to help or Slinky can get some help from Toshiba. Otherwise, if I had this unit do this, it's pretty worthless.
I am not saying its not an important issue. I am simply saying why not spend a few hours with the thing before posting minute by minute accounts of snags, which are then quickly resolved by spending a few more minutes or by reading the manual. Do we really need to hear of every set up problem, updated virtually minute by minute with edited comments on how the user realized he had it set up wrong? This was not a malfunction with the machine, he simply had the IR blaster set up wrong. User error (you'll find this to be a common theme with this user). The next thing you know he'll be updating us on his trips to the can.

Haven't some people questioned those of us who put forth these "conspiracy theories?" Unfortunately these issues are commonplace but the consumer doesn't have the money and power to make a real issue out of it and advances occur gradually. I'm hoping that eventually we'll be able to get this "unlocked" via an upgrade. I should have one by the end of the day to review.

Viva La Revolution!

Consumers do have the power. The power of the collective pocketbook. Don't buy crap, crap won't be made eventually.

Consumers do have the power. The power of the collective pocketbook. Don't buy crap, crap won't be made eventually.
Not if there aren't substitute goods. People will simply choose the "least inferior" because there are no other choices... they also won't have much of a basis for comparison unless they are well educated.

If you want a good example, how about what's been coming out of Hollywood the past few years? It's gotten so back that Kangaroo Jack made over $65 million!!! LOL.

Not if there aren't substitute goods. People will simply choose the "least inferior" because there are no other choices... they also won't have much of a basis for comparison unless they are well educated.

If you want a good example, how about what's been coming out of Hollywood the past few years? It's gotten so back that Kangaroo Jack made over $65 million!!! LOL.

There's some truth in what you say. And don't even get me going on Hollywood. I just watched (for the first and last time) the remake of Flight of the Phoenix last night, and I shook my head sadly after the film ended. Not quite as sadly as I shook my head after viewing You've Got Mail, but almost as sadly.

I just don't know what to say anymore re the quality of product coming out of Hollywood these days, and for some time now, but in this instance my recommended method of abstinence would work perfectly: if the public doesn't pay to view poor films, poor films will eventually no longer be made. And there's no reason for the public to "go without," as both the original Flight of the Phoenix and The Shop Around the Corner are readily available lots of places--available to be seen periodically on both FOX Movie Channel and Turner Classic Movies if nothing else. Also, how "well educated" must one be to tune to either of those channels, or to tell the difference once you do?

No, the problem in the main is that society dumbs itself down. Does society have that right? Yes it does. But please, let's not make excuses for idiocy.

Does the Fan stay on all the time? How much does it weigh?

Does anybody have this recorder? I was wondering whether it can play Cd or DVD's with Divx files.

I used the HDMI interface tonight. Very, very crisp.

Slinky, it should be documented in the manual how to advance or reverse in time by inputing number of hours. I think in the TV Guide listing, you can input 24 and the right arrow to take you 24 hours ahead.

I asked about this on the XS34 and someone here helped me out. I thought it was a hidden feature but found it in the manual's TV Guide section after reading a 2nd or 3rd time.

Yes, you have to read the manual 5 times to understand everything this box does. Is this a positive or negative? Depends on the person I guess. Bad for those who want to turn this thing on and know everything it does in 5 minutes. Good for those who want the ability to do a lot of different things with one box.

The TVGOS works.

Slinky, it should be documented in the manual how to advance or reverse in time by inputing number of hours. I think in the TV Guide listing, you can input 24 and the right arrow to take you 24 hours ahead.

I asked about this on the XS34 and someone here helped me out. I thought it was a hidden feature but found it in the manual's TV Guide section after reading a 2nd or 3rd time.

Yes, you have to read the manual 5 times to understand everything this box does. Is this a positive or negative? Depends on the person I guess. Bad for those who want to turn this thing on and know everything it does in 5 minutes. Good for those who want the ability to do a lot of different things with one box.
Good point about reading the manual Alan. Its amazing how much bandwidth is wasted on posts which would be resolved if people would just spend a few minutes reading the manual and getting to know the functionality. One of the single biggest time wasters on this forum.
By the way Alan, would be very interested in hearing your opinion on the functionality and picture quality of the XS54 after you've had a chance to use it for awhile.

Your paranoia is now reaching epic proportions. I did not respond to your post. I made a very general observation to a different poster. Am I not allowed to voice ANY opinions on ANY topic? Are you irritated that I'd want to hear someone's opinion other than yours? Poor baby. If my comment hits home with you, deal with it. But quit commenting on every post I make. You now have tried to resurrect this all again, even though I wasn't even responding to you nor mentioning your name.

You have a disease which needs treatment. Seek help. Post Traumatic Slinky DVD Recorder Overload Syndrome.

[QUOTE=Alan Wong]
Yes, you have to read the manual 5 times to understand everything this box does. Is this a positive or negative? Depends on the person I guess. Bad for those who want to turn this thing on and know everything it does in 5 minutes. /QUOTE]


From what you have said this sounds like a recorder that wouldn't be good for an impatient person or one who wants to rush it out of the box and tends to give willy nilly knee-jerk assesments. Sounds like it may be more complicated than the Pioneer models. That's probably not good for someone who wants instant gratification or is quick to return things. I am sure there will be users who buy this that will give it a good thorough trial period and be able to give the rest of us who might be interested an intelligent and well thought out review.

SLINKY COMMANDMENT #1

Thou shalt not post in a thread unless ye hath owned (even for a week or two) the recorder that is the subject of the thread. Thou shalt not have any opinions nor maketh any inquiries into a recorder unless ye owneth said recorder. We who have owned multiple recorders are the ONLY ones qualified to comment on said recorder, and are to be considered the SUPREME experts and LAWGIVERS on said recorders, and those who do not owneth and returneth multiple DVD recorders shall be cast out, censored and banished into Hades.
Thus sayeth Lord Slinky

Now I am beginning to understand why this guy has bought 3 different recorders in the last
month or so...
Does this mean I have to take you off my "buddy" list?

Slinky.... Very interested in the information you are providing about the Toshiba. Can you tell me if you can divide a title on the hard disk to record to two dvds?

Thanks Again.

As a newbie I'd like to thank everyone for the insightful and informative posts, I've learned alot in a very short amount of time.

I'd especially like to thank Squonk and Slinky for some seriously entertaining as well as educational posts :) , you boys are two damn funny.
IMHO, I have to take Squonks side though, Slinky is worse than my girlfriend trying to pick out a dress for a dinner party ;)

Anyway, keep up the great posts!

Thanks Slinky,
I am following this thread closely. Currently have a Sony HX-900 and looking at the Toshiba as a possiblility... Looking to see what it has over the 900 other than the ethernet port.
Thanks Again... Keep rollin' with the review..!
Very informative!

"Keep you ears open and you mouth closed... you may be surprised at what you may learn!"

Tryin' to put a signature quote on my messages.. Goofed on the last one.
How do I do it?

Tryin' to put a signature quote on my messages.. Goofed on the last one.
How do I do it?
Choose the "usercp" option in the menu bar at the top of this page.

Thanks Slinky. Keep us informed on the Toshiba. It is interesting...!

Received my XS54. Doesn't seem like the the CPU is any faster than the XS34. To sum it up, I'd say it's an XS34 with a larger HDD and has LAN connectivity.

I'm in a different room right now and streaming video to my PC. I asked earlier if the web server port can be changed from the default of 80. It can which is cool. I tried connecting to the XS54 over the Internet on a non-standard port because my ISP blocks port 80 and that worked. The only thing, I didn't seem to get any feedback. I turned on and off the XS54 online and it responded but there was no feedback on the screen. Wondering if the TTL is set to 1 where I can give commands to the XS54 but responses don't leave the LAN? Will have to fire up Ethereal and sniff.

On a P3-800, with my browser running and the highest res window from TV 1080x720 @ 1.7Mbps rate, my CPU is about 45%. Wish there was an option of 1280x720 and an option for bitrate to be higher, as I've got plenty of LAN bandwidth. Don't know if I'll use this much but I guess if you don't want to spring for additional cable STBs, this is a poor man's substitute.

This is a keeper for me because I liked the XS34 already. Main benefit is larger HDD. I tried getting to Toshiba to check for a SW upgrade. You have to enter your S/N and I did but the XS54 responded that my S/N wasn't valid.

Hoping I'm just hitting their server before it's ready. Hope Toshiba comes out with low end boxes with an Ethernet port where I can stream content from the XS54 to them. I won't own more than one XS54 but I'll pick up streaming media receivers if they're inexpensive.

Just sniffed the video stream. I guess you can stream if you have a router at home but definitely not out to the Internet. TTL is set to 3. Hmm, wondering what the TTL is set to on the Japanese version? The marketing guy in me says the XS74 or whatever the next more expensive model will be next year will have a higher TTL value to allow Internet access for a higher cost.

An interesting thing I noticed is that the TCP Push bit is set. Is this normal with IP video as I haven't seen this bit set normally.

Can you please explain the streaming function better? I don't understand exactly what you can access with it. Can you watch live TV from the tuner that is built into the unit? If so, can you change the channels and use it just as if you had a tuner in your computer? Also, can you see the list of whatever is saved to the hard drive and pick that program to watch? Can you stream to multiple PCs at once, with one PC watching one program and another watching a different one? Can you program new recordings from a PC?

Thanks!

This has been a (mostly) great thread. I've learned a lot about this machine and I'm pretty sure this is the one I want to buy. I'm going to replace an RCA Scenium DRS7000N.

For one of you that already has the machine, I'd like to understand how the "pause live TV" part of this works. I've read that many of the DVD-recorder/DVR machines require you to actually start the recording process in order to pause or rewind "live" TV. Is this the case with the RD-XS54?

For comparison, on my Scenium DRS7000N, as soon as I start watching TV, it starts recording and will keep about 42 minutes of backlog which is deleted when I turn off the machine or switch the menu. I don't have to hit a record button or set up a recording to be able to pause or back up. It records everything I do--if I change channels a couple of times and then rewind, I can watch my channel surfing. Basically, I don't have to think about that function...it's always on.

Thanks for any info you can give me on this function. Keep the other pointers and known issues coming.

Will the XS54 be able to change channel on DirecTV Sat box? I believe that the XS34 willnot change channels on Sat box.

I was wondering whether anybody tried to play Divx file on the machine.. Does it play DivX files?

MaddogMoney...I think it would be safe to assume (although I do not have the 54 yet) that you would actually have to start the recording process then at some point start watching the recording in order to pause and rewind. I have the panasonic E80 and that is the case.

Does anyone know if there is an adapter to connect to the HDMI to component inputs on a television?

To pause live TV, you have to hit the "timeslip" button. I wish the box would just record automatically the current TV station you're watching, like a Tivo or SA8300 which I've used in the past.

One good thing with timeslip is that when you hit the button to stop recording and go back to "live" viewing, the machine give you an option to save the data you timeslipped.

Thanks for the answer Alan.

Does anyone know if this owners manual is found online anywhere?

The manual isn't on Toshiba's website yet. But when I looked through the manual, it's pretty much the same as the XS34 manual which is available on Toshiba's website. The only difference I noticed is that the XS54 has a chapter on network connectivity and its features.

So, if you not looking to read the manual specific to network functions/features, just look at the XS34 manual.

I say, has anyone 'sniffed' the XS54>XS54 option whereas you can 'copy' the video from one XS54 to another one on the network? Would be nice if there was a PC client that could 'spoof' the XS54 and let you pull DVD ready MPEG to the PC HD (saves copying from HD > RAM > PC).

I say, has anyone 'sniffed' the XS54>XS54 option whereas you can 'copy' the video from one XS54 to another one on the network? Would be nice if there was a PC client that could 'spoof' the XS54 and let you pull DVD ready MPEG to the PC HD (saves copying from HD > RAM > PC).

The LG LRM-519 does this:

http://us.lge.com/Product/proddetail.do?actCategory=tv&archivedYn=&actType=search&categoryId=0000000104&prodId=1000000660&parentId=0000000001&parent2levelId=0000000001&category_level=3archivedYn=&totalItem=9&currentPage=1&perPage=10

Pleas see pages 44, 45, 46 and 60 through 66 of the manual.

It was probably discontinued to emphasize the new line of recorders (EH-50 is just the first) which have the ability to record to more DVD types, and which have the improved LP 4-hour mode.

I just bought an ES10 Panny and was reasonably pleased with the 4 HR mode (recording for archive through a D* HR10-250 Tivo unit), but if there is an "improved" 4 HR mode on the EH-50 I'd sure want to know about it. Do you have links to reviews and or discussion of same?

Many thanks and pardon the interruption.

I just bought an ES10 Panny and was reasonably pleased with the 4 HR mode (recording for archive through a D* HR10-250 Tivo unit), but if there is an "improved" 4 HR mode on the EH-50 I'd sure want to know about it. Do you have links to reviews and or discussion of same?

Many thanks and pardon the interruption.

Boy, you sure pulled that post from way back. I was referring to the discontinuation of the E-500 model (which I have), compared to the new EH-50 model. The ES10 is supposed to have the same improved 4-hr LP as the new EH-50.

RG

Boy, you sure pulled that post from way back. I was referring to the discontinuation of the E-500 model (which I have), compared to the new EH-50 model. The ES10 is supposed to have the same improved 4-hr LP as the new EH-50.

RG

Got it. Thanks.

Hi guys, hope you're well. Haven't been here in a long time and this will be a brieft stay. Thanks to many of you for some nice e-mails. Two of you wrote regarding my comprehensive review of the RD-XS54 and also bugs, which is easiest addressed here in this manner for the moment. I will also have answers regarding anomalies, upgrades to the XS54 and other specific details and will post them on my personal web site.

The Toshiba XS54 is fun. It is the most capable machine, bar none, to make "polished" DVDs that impress superficially and navigationally. It does have an absurd menu system that makes things overly complicated but the features are incredible, especially the ability to prioritize recording high quality audio over picture for music concerts. There really is a difference between Dolby1 and Dolby2 and PCM - it's not superficial with just a decent HDTV (especially the bass and midrange.) It's lack of dual layer recording is unfortunate but I never use those discs, given price and likely inability of my S77 or many other players to play the dual layer format (which I think is different than double layer, but correct me if I'm mistaken.) One can also transfer recordings to a PC on 2 DVDRWs if you really want to preserve those "special" programs. It's an amazingly versatile machine for those who want to do more than just simply record their programs and make some DVDRs. That said, there are a couple of important issues I have discovered and the severity is uncertain and perhaps XS34 owners have experienced some of these:

(1) An inordinate number of blank DVD-Rs will say they are "unreadable or damages" initially. Taking out the DVDR and putting it in again, maybe wiping a pristine DVD will make this error go away. On occasion I have had to pull the plug out of the XS54 because the recorder got "stuck" when it was beginning to burn a DVDR. I am using TYs virtually every time with occasional Memorex which works no better or worse than TYs. It seems that it might be the writer and I will find out when I get a replacement (I can already hear the useful torrent of abuse coming from you know who.)

(2) More serious is after recording several items, mostly off of cable but NOT HBO or Showtime (which dubs to DVDR perfectly), I'll experience an error when trying to standard dub from HDD to DVDR/DVDRW of "DVD recording was terminated because a title or chapter with non-standard properties was detected" and no error code. Removing all chapters did not work. Per support, an unfortunate omission is any indicator whether a recording is copy protected or write once except when you try to write to DVDR. At that time you will see an error message with an error code that will tell you. So you could waste an hour editing to find out you might not be able to write the program to DVDR.

Now these that programs WILL burn to DVD-RAM. In addition, using rate conversion (which typically sucks) it WILL burn the same program to DVD-R or DVD-RW. This makes me wonder whether it is a software bug and not a copy protection issue. HOWEVER, I did encounter the same error when recording the same program twice, which is either coincidence or there is a format issue.

Regarding my previous ownership of the Pioneer DVR-633, I'll say it was a great machine although it doesn't have near the overall versatility to make great looking DVDs. For many this won't be a big deal. All they want is to see the movie/program and have chapter marks, no need to see the scenes they want to skip to and I can appreciate that. However, if the 2 areas where the 633 has real limitations which are apparent to me in using the XS54 are:

(1) No chapter mark ability while viewing a program in full screen. This is too bad since I really enjoy watching material I have recorded and getting rid of commercials/chaptering as I encounter them. Re-editing later takes a large chunk of time.

(2) Inability to properly format 16:9 material onto DVD due to no manual setting. Yes, when there is a 16:9 signal fed to it the 633 should, in theory, record it in that format and retain it when burning to a DVD. The problem occurs when you record off cable using the s-video from my experience. The boxes I have either didn't work at all or the format comes out actually in 4:3 format which is "squeezed." I don't think any standard recorder does better than 4:3 resolution anyways and with 16:9 recording you get the same number of horizontal and vertical pixels although I could be wrong. If you have a control on your TV to zoom or to do "full" screen format, it will unsqueeze the 4:3 and display it as 16:9. Looks good. However, when you try playing it on TVs that don't have the control or in many 4:3 TVs you end up with a small 4:3 picture that is long and skinny and no way to fix it. Fortunately with the XS54 you can hard set that flag to 16:9 and it will appear properly on all TVs, even though you recorded it in the "long and skinny" 4:3.

So that's the current news guys. Thanks for writing, feel free to contact me or ask questions about the stuff I post on my personal site and I hope you are all enjoying your new equipment.

Thanks for the update Slinky

:)

The Toshiba XS54 is fun. It is the most capable machine, bar none, to make "polished" DVDs that impress superficially and navigationally. It does have an absurd menu system that makes things overly complicated but the features are incredible, especially the ability to prioritize recording high quality audio over picture for music concerts. There really is a difference between Dolby1 and Dolby2 and PCM - it's not superficial with just a decent HDTV (especially the bass and midrange.) It's lack of dual layer recording is unfortunate but I never use those discs, given price and likely inability of my S77 or many other players to play the dual layer format (which I think is different than double layer, but correct me if I'm mistaken.)

I do think dual layer == double layer, it's just that now there are burnable formats rather than simply pressed double layer discs.

Could you expound upon how the menu system is "absurd"? For example, I never use the orange button (I forget, it's NAVI maybe?) on my XS32 remote.

I know that there were a few changes between the XS32 and XS34, possibly more to the XS54.. But the "quick menu" is virtually always useful, IMHO.

Basically -- the system would definitely be complex to a lot of people, but I do think in some ways it's well thought out.

There are bugs like you say too (as I have run into on my XS32.. and hosed my disk).

You don't have to pull the plug btw, you can hold down the power button for ~5 seconds.

I haven't actually tested the audio differences firsthand, but I instinctively use LPCM for music shows or talk shows with music performances I will dub.. D1 for everything else.

BLACK LEVEL BUG - is really not a flaw as much as it is a design limitation in some DVD recorders. Here in North America (and only in North America) our legacy analog video system is based on the NTSC standard. Particular to the North American NTSC standard (but not the Japanese NTSC standard) is our reference black level is 7.5 IRE (very dark gray), while every other analog TV system in the world uses 0 IRE (true video black) as the reference black level. ....

None of this affects digital video at all. ....

....

That's the "black level bug" in a nutshell.

Hi,
Are you certain that digital video will not have this bug? I have been debating between XS34 (no BL bug) and XS52 (with HDMI). My main usage is copying to DVD from my miniDV camcorder. If you are certain, XS52 is the winner. Thx.

Hi guys, hope you're well. Haven't been here in a long time and this will be a brieft stay. Thanks to many of you for some nice e-mails. Two of you wrote regarding my comprehensive review of the RD-XS54 and also bugs, which is easiest addressed here in this manner for the moment. I will also have answers regarding anomalies, upgrades to the XS54 and other specific details and will post them on my personal web site.

The Toshiba XS54 is fun. It is the most capable machine, bar none, to make "polished" DVDs that impress superficially and navigationally. It does have an absurd menu system that makes things overly complicated but the features are incredible, especially the ability to prioritize recording high quality audio over picture for music concerts. There really is a difference between Dolby1 and Dolby2 and PCM - it's not superficial with just a decent HDTV (especially the bass and midrange.) It's lack of dual layer recording is unfortunate but I never use those discs, given price and likely inability of my S77 or many other players to play the dual layer format (which I think is different than double layer, but correct me if I'm mistaken.) One can also transfer recordings to a PC on 2 DVDRWs if you really want to preserve those "special" programs. It's an amazingly versatile machine for those who want to do more than just simply record their programs and make some DVDRs. That said, there are a couple of important issues I have discovered and the severity is uncertain and perhaps XS34 owners have experienced some of these:

(1) An inordinate number of blank DVD-Rs will say they are "unreadable or damages" initially. Taking out the DVDR and putting it in again, maybe wiping a pristine DVD will make this error go away. On occasion I have had to pull the plug out of the XS54 because the recorder got "stuck" when it was beginning to burn a DVDR. I am using TYs virtually every time with occasional Memorex which works no better or worse than TYs. It seems that it might be the writer and I will find out when I get a replacement (I can already hear the useful torrent of abuse coming from you know who.)

(2) More serious is after recording several items, mostly off of cable but NOT HBO or Showtime (which dubs to DVDR perfectly), I'll experience an error when trying to standard dub from HDD to DVDR/DVDRW of "DVD recording was terminated because a title or chapter with non-standard properties was detected" and no error code. Removing all chapters did not work. Per support, an unfortunate omission is any indicator whether a recording is copy protected or write once except when you try to write to DVDR. At that time you will see an error message with an error code that will tell you. So you could waste an hour editing to find out you might not be able to write the program to DVDR.

Now these that programs WILL burn to DVD-RAM. In addition, using rate conversion (which typically sucks) it WILL burn the same program to DVD-R or DVD-RW. This makes me wonder whether it is a software bug and not a copy protection issue. HOWEVER, I did encounter the same error when recording the same program twice, which is either coincidence or there is a format issue.

Regarding my previous ownership of the Pioneer DVR-633, I'll say it was a great machine although it doesn't have near the overall versatility to make great looking DVDs. For many this won't be a big deal. All they want is to see the movie/program and have chapter marks, no need to see the scenes they want to skip to and I can appreciate that. However, if the 2 areas where the 633 has real limitations which are apparent to me in using the XS54 are:

(1) No chapter mark ability while viewing a program in full screen. This is too bad since I really enjoy watching material I have recorded and getting rid of commercials/chaptering as I encounter them. Re-editing later takes a large chunk of time.

(2) Inability to properly format 16:9 material onto DVD due to no manual setting. Yes, when there is a 16:9 signal fed to it the 633 should, in theory, record it in that format and retain it when burning to a DVD. The problem occurs when you record off cable using the s-video from my experience. The boxes I have either didn't work at all or the format comes out actually in 4:3 format which is "squeezed." I don't think any standard recorder does better than 4:3 resolution anyways and with 16:9 recording you get the same number of horizontal and vertical pixels although I could be wrong. If you have a control on your TV to zoom or to do "full" screen format, it will unsqueeze the 4:3 and display it as 16:9. Looks good. However, when you try playing it on TVs that don't have the control or in many 4:3 TVs you end up with a small 4:3 picture that is long and skinny and no way to fix it. Fortunately with the XS54 you can hard set that flag to 16:9 and it will appear properly on all TVs, even though you recorded it in the "long and skinny" 4:3.

So that's the current news guys. Thanks for writing, feel free to contact me or ask questions about the stuff I post on my personal site and I hope you are all enjoying your new equipment.
looks like we're going to view some repeats again

I have only had my RD-XS54 for a bit over two weeks and while there are still many areas I have yet to play with, I do want to share my initial impressions. I figured living in a smaller market, I would probably not get the TV guide functionality via my analog cable on Cox. A day went by with the unit off...then two...eventually 5, on and off. At that point, I decided I would never get the really cool-looking (based on reading) TV Guide (TV-GOS) functionality. Suddenly, just yesterday, it pops up saying that it found several feeds and asked me to select one...sure enough, there was my TV Guide!! After TWO weeks!!! It makes programming incredibly convenient although its interface is extremely slow. The only other negative of the unit as previously described is the incredibly cumbersome/illogical menu structure. Those issues aside, this unit blows away the JVC DR-MX1S DVR/DVD/VCR I had tried prior to it. All other operations are faster and easier, the drive size is 3x as large, dubs are MUCH faster. In fact, I usually write to 1x - 2x Maxell DVD-RW discs...it burns at 6x however! This allows us to watch it on an rw-compatible player in another room when desired. It allows resume on all recorded shows (as opposed to just one) and lets you record while watching something that was recorded or while watching a dvd (if recording to hdd). It would be nice to have two tuners and be able to record two streams, but I can live without that. All in all, I am very impressed with the unit thus far...although I have an HD-ready TV, I have yet to see an HD signal on it so I cannot comment on its 480i (or upsampled to 480p, 720p, 1080i) output...however, I do watch DVDs via HDMI -> DVI upsampled to 720p on my DLP set and am very happy with the quality. Due to pixelation, I tend to watch the analog TV in composite or s-video though...garbage in, garbage out.

The flexible viewing and easy/fast dubbing are excellent features...now, with the TVGOS functionality working, program recording takes seconds to set instead of a minute or two. I have yet to try the ethernet functionality or a number of other functions yet, but of the two DVRs I have used now, this one is easily the clear winner. I'm very happy with the unit.

Suddenly, just yesterday, it pops up saying that it found several feeds and asked me to select one...sure enough, there was my TV Guide!! After TWO weeks!!!

Did you contact Toshiba initially when the tv guide didn't load. I have the same problem with my rd xs54 that I bought 3 days ago. The tvguide is still empty after 48 hours.

I contacted Toshiba they went through diagnoses with me and told me that tv guide will work on this and they will let me know in about a week.

I hope that I would have the same luck as you!

I appreciate all the great info and effort here. Great work...

Does anyone know if this unit will interface well with the Toshiba MX195 cinema line of DLP's? I was looking into the Symbio 160HD4 which interfaces via DTV-Link (I.E 1394 ports of both units) but now I am not sure if I have pasted myself in a corner ordering a TV with a cablecard. The Symbio is limited to recording whatever is being displayed on the TV so the RD-XS54 offers much more functionality with its tuner, depending if I can use its 1394 port with the 56MX195 for the High-Def descrambled video. If not, lack of composite inputs could be a problem.

Thanks in advance,
Andrew

Most DVD recorders have two major limitations that you may not be happy with:

1. All recordings are 480i standard definition TV. Any input to the DVD recorder must be 480i.

2. The IEEE-1394/FireWire/iLink interface on the DVD recorder only supports DV input, such as from a mini-DV digital camcorder. The IEEE-1394 output from your HDTV is likely MPEG-2 and NOT compatible with the digital input of the DVD recorder.

While I don't know the specifics of your HDTV or DVD recorder, the above statements hold true for every example of HDTV and DVD recorder that I have ever seen or heard of.

I don't believe the FireWire output of your TV can be set for 480i always since the digital bit stream received from the broadcast station is passed at its original (source) resolution, which could be 1080i, 720p or 480i depending on the digital broadcast station sub channel being watched.

The tuner in the DVD recorder is most likely NTSC analog and will not receive any digital channels from cable or off the air. Signal-wise, the DVD recorder is much like an S-VHS VCR with digital recording and a program guide in addtion to VCR+ and time-based recording.

Think of FireWire as a shipping container, where the payload/content can vary. Payload compatibility is necessary for successful content transmission between FireWire-equipped devices. Mini-DV is not directly compatible with MPEG-2.

Can this unit be incorporated into a wireless network or does it have to be wired?

First impressions after 1 day. Nice machine..BUT.......Something no one has mentioned in this VERY long thread. I cannot copy HBO, Showtime shows from HDD to DVD-r. I knew other machines had this protection scheme, so I ordered this model as I saw no mention of it. I know I can copy to DVD-Ram, but that's not the point. Anyone else expecting to copy from HDD/SAT/CABLE to DVD-r, it wont happen.

IS THERE A SECRET KEY BUTTON PRESS TO SECRET MENUE TO DISABLE THIS ON THE TOSHIBA XS54 ? I know other (CHEAPER) machines have this option, but imagine this is not available. Any help much appreciated.

TIA

Jim

Why is this an issue if you can copy to DVD-RAM? You can archive for personal use. I would think that all DVD recorders don't allow one to copy the pay channel movies to distributable discs?

Other than the copy protection issue with HBO, Showtime, etc. (which is expected) this thread has been quiet for a while. Has the problem with the recording stopping early when extending the time by 30, 60, 90min been solved? Have any other issues with this unit shown up? The XS54 is on the top of my list, just waiting for the price to come down (with Christmas and recent AV acquisitions the money well is just about dry).

Bryant

Hi All,
Unfortunately my XS54 stopped recording altogether after only a few times (just testing) within a week. I'm in the process of returning and getting another but I also had some problems which I'm not sure were related to having a dud unit or not.
1 - Originally I was using a Cablevision STB (Scientific Atlanta 4200HD) coax output to input to the recorder due to no component inputs. Passing this signal through to the High Def Toshiba 56MX195 for a HD channel was annoyingly grainy and low quality. I have to assume recording from this source would have the same poor quality. I know the coax output of the STB is only a Standard signal but will using the s-video input from the STB make that much of a difference? The component output of the STB to the TV was very crisp. I'd like to be able to record this quality especially if using the timeslip for HD football games etc. Standard TV displayed on the Tv was OK. Any comments?
2 - TVGOS never worked on this unit however it did work on the Toshiba TV using component inputs. Possible bad unit problem here however has anyone got this to work using direct coax? Also when I get to retry this should I set up using V-LR inputs or S-Video for the best quality.
By the way, HDMI output using the DVD player was very crisp and the Home Theater experience using a Denon AVR786 was excellent.
Thanks in advance, Andrew

I've had my XS54 for about 2.5 months. It has worked as expected in every aspect. Any "problems" I've had were solved by consulting the owners manual, quick start, or quick reference cards. I've read them all from cover to cover, but I can't seem to remember everything!

Keep in mind that this is not an HD recorder, it just has the HDMI output from the DVD player. Because of this, I don't see any reason to think that it would timeslip an HD program in HD quality. I don't have any HD source to run to the unit, so I can't comment on the actual results of attempting to do so, but this is not advertised or sold as an HD unit.

TVGOS started displaying info less than 24 hours after the initial setup. It did take a couple of days for the entire schedule to fill in. Since then, it has always been complete. I have analog cable with no cable box. My unit is attached directly to the coax as shown below.

...............................RD-XS54
................................/
coax from wall-->splitter
................................\
...............................VCR-->TV

While a splitter isn't required with this unit, it was with the PVR I was using previously, so I left it in there.

I think I'm one of the first ones to get an XS54. I had an XS34 previously, liked it and upgraded to the XS54. Mine's been running fine since September.

I've also got mine hooked up like MaddogMoney, where I don't use a cable box.

Andrewavs, connecting from your STB to the XS54, do you have the IR transmitter set up where the XS54 can change channels on the STB? It needs this so the XS54 can tune to the channel that receives the TVG info when the XS54 is turned off.

Thanks for the replys guys :) ...
Yes the IR transmitter works fine. However on my cable system (Cablevision) when it gets to the On Demand channels, it is expecting a reply back to a "you have no rentals" question that stops the process until I manually answer it.
There is also a difference here to the Toshiba TV where TVGOS was working in that the TV had a splitter where there is a direct non STB connection to the TV in addition to the STB. I believe this is why it is working. I.E It doesn't work coming through the STB and the direct cable connection would not scan above to the On Demand channels anyway. Also I have no IR transmitter hooked up from the TV to the STB; only from the XS-54 and yet the TV picked up the TVGOS listings.
I will try connecting the non STB cable signal directly into the XS-54 in addition to the STB to see if this resolves the problem when I get my unit returned.
I am not so concerned about recording in High Def as opposed to just getting a picture quality that is good. I will also try the s-video and V-LR inputs and test the quality. Perhaps the original coax connection I was using was damaged. I do wonder though why they allow you a 9mb/sec recording setting which seems higher then the average DVD (or perhaps this equals DVD?) if the machine doesn't support a higher quality recording? In any case DVD quality is excellent on this TV so shouldn't I at least be able to match the DVD recording quality when recording HD broadcasts which are better quality (1080i)?

Hello all, Been a lurker for some time just received my XS54 this past wed. I was kinda worried with all the TVGOS issues that have been reported. But I did solve all the issues as of today.
My First set up was a "normal" setup using the supplied coxial cable to run from my STB to the XS54. I didnt have the GLINK set up correctly going through the codes, BUT when I did attach it to the STB it changed the channel so I accepted the settings. I left it over night. Next day to my dismay no TVGOS. SOOOO I ghanged the setup. NOW I have a splitter that runs one cable to the STB and one cable direct to the TV. I ALSO have some spare cables so I used the "old" cables that I had and screwed them in. Left it off all day and night. THis AM got home and nothing :(.
SO I figured that maybe it was the code I was using and I would ahve to set it up again. (my TV at this point had the TVGOS downloaded) I re did the set up this time I selected the 1st code that worked which was different then the code I orriginally set it up for. Competed the Set up, turned it off for about 10 min. Decided to just see and BAM to my suprise TVGOS through the STB :) .
I have Cox in New England using thier nonHD STB (Motorola), and I am able to access all the channels so far through the STB on the XS54.
Dont know if this will help anyone but I thought I might try to share my good experience.

Congrats on getting the TVG to show up. I don't think getting TVG to work on Toshiba players is any harder/easier than another manufacturer from reading on this forum. Hopefully people aren't worried about this recorder for that reason.

Keep in mind that this is not an HD recorder, it just has the HDMI output from the DVD player. Because of this, I don't see any reason to think that it would timeslip an HD program in HD quality. I don't have any HD source to run to the unit, so I can't comment on the actual results of attempting to do so, but this is not advertised or sold as an HD unit.


No current standalone DVD recorders can record a hgh def signal in anything but downconverted resolution, ie 480i. Period. There are no Hi def recorders yet. There aren't even any hi def players yet.

Congrats on getting the TVG to show up. I don't think getting TVG to work on Toshiba players is any harder/easier than another manufacturer from reading on this forum. Hopefully people aren't worried about this recorder for that reason.
Alan, I hope so as well as so far so good, there is only ONE issue that I ahve so far, and that is while the unit is off throughout the day it will cycle through the channels on the STB. I dont know if it is "looking" for new channels. channels will be changing and as soon as it tunes the channel it will go to the next ie..it will go to channel 9 if 9 tunes it goes to 10 ect....Not sure what it is exactly doing but it makes watching TV with it off sometimes difficult. Just wondering if anyone had seen this problem before on any recorder and if there is a FIX for it. THis happens on and off. THanks for any help anyone can give.

It is looking for the TVGOS EPG host channel.

It is looking for the TVGOS EPG host channel.....

THanks for the reply.....SO I guess the only way to stop the cycle is to have it on all the time.....Not sure what my host channel is but it has allready downloaded the info....Does this mean that it keeps "loosing" the TVG host channel???O thought once the info was downloaded it had allready found the host channel...Ah well at least it works and has recorded succesfully :o)

My understanding is that it will look for the host channel each time it begins to download the EPG data. And you are correct, the only way to prevent this is to have the recorder on while you are watching TV using the cable box. While it is on, the recorder will not try to download the EPG data.

RG,
just a question was going through the "service" menus and when I saw the listing for Host Chan. it was blank....THis could be the problem I think that it continues to "loose" the host channel. It was able to find info BUT it only downloaded a few days in front then JUMPS to later in the week the middle of the week is missing. I am thinking I may have to reset it just to see if that works but I think I am going to wait untill tomorrow to do it. THank you for the info.

If the listing for the host channel is blank, that means that the last time it tried to download the EPG data, it could not find a host channel.

Having a "hole" in the middle of the 8-day EPG is normal at the initial download since the EPG download "today", "tomorrow" and 8 days from now. If you have "holes" in the middle of the schedule after the EPG has been downloading for a while, that means that on one or more days the TVGOS could not find a suitable host channel and the EPG could not be downloaded.

thank you for all the Help RG really appreciate it. I am guessing then that this is the same reason that the "info" for the shows is also not showin we have like 3 PBS channels so I left it on for a couple hours on one of them will try a different one tonight hopefully I will be able to find the "sweet spot" and get this guide working perfectly, cant complain though as it looks like I am faring better then some others.

When you're not watching TV, leave the STB on and turn the XS54 off. Don't worry about the XS54 changing channels. It will "seek" channels until it knows what channel to get the TV listings from. After it's found the channel, it won't scroll through all the channels anymore. It'll just tune to the specific channel.

When you're not watching TV, leave the STB on and turn the XS54 off. Don't worry about the XS54 changing channels. It will "seek" channels until it knows what channel to get the TV listings from. After it's found the channel, it won't scroll through all the channels anymore. It'll just tune to the specific channel.
THanks for the Reply, THats what I was doing, BUT recently I tried something out whenever I dont leave it on channel 2 when the XS54 is off it will "search"... if I leave it on 2 or I change it to 2 while it is searching the searching stops. Seems like it is not "holding" the Host channel ID for some reason. Hey no complaints at least I know how to fix it now if it would just "fill in" the guide I would be happy I have Mon Tues Wed (skips THurs) and the various hits from Friday On... Weid But it doesnt really effect me too much as I am still able to set up recordings the day off. Hopefully after sometime it will fill in and everything will be ok (using patience) Thanks for all the help......BTW the Info problem was MY fault I had turned that feature off for some reason.

Bringing this up from the past, but since the TV Guide feature is pretty much usless where I am now, can you name a timer recording before you record?

I had made a mistake in resetting my TVGOS settings at one point about a month or so ago when it lost all programming (from being on without auto-shut-off). As a result, it again took forever....over two weeks this time vs. two weeks last time, before any programming came back...during that time, I had to do the manual record which is a pain by comparison. The TVGOS functionality is really quite critical to its usage and when functioning (which is not a problem once it finds the update information provided you do shut off the unit at night), it is absolutely SPECTACULAR! I do not have HD so I cannot comment in that regard, but record, burn, watch on other TVs in the house, play back, merge, etc. I did try once to get the networking programming to function (where you can send an email) but my router could not issue it an address for some reason....but otherwise, it is awesome. The only complaint still is the poor navigation and button location (ie. delete), but many times I have wished I had several of these units! Prior to it, I had tried the JVC DVR/DVD burner/VCR (only triple-combo, at least at that time) and it was flat-out horrible. This unit is everything the other one was not and I LOVE my RD-SX54.

Ross

I've had this box since September and it's worked great. It's locked up 2 or 3 times and it loses programming for shows I want to record sometimes but all in all it's a good box to archive shows to DVD.

I've owned a Sony HD recorder using the same TV Guide feature but without DVD archiving capability. The Sony software is much, much better than the Toshiba. The picture quality of SD programming is a bit better too.

I've been happy with both. Toshiba is used to record shows I'll archive onto DVD. Sony is more intuitive for the family to use and it records HD as well.

That is one thing I did neglect to mention...the tvgos software on the Toshiba is horribly slow...but like you said and as I mentioned, it is quite awesome as compared to anything else I'm familiar with...haven't used the sony since I can't win getting the HD battle even via cable (don't ask....). <sigh>

Ross

I am a newbie to DVD/HDD recording and have been using an XS52 for a few days. I presume the unit is defective as every time I dubb to HDD, on playback I see a few missing pixels, block lines, or distortion every 10-15 seconds or so. I only use Taiyo Yuden DVD-RAM and DVD-R. I'm simply recording to DVD-RAM at SP4.6 and high speed dubbing to HDD. I presume you can normally dubb innumerable times to HDD, DVD-RAM, and DVD-R with a flawless image?

I do see the problem someone mentioned where I dubbed from a DVD-R disc (made on a Toshiba VCR/DVD recorder!) to HDD, yet when I dub to DVD-R I get the the error message "DVD recording was terminated because a title or chapter with non-standard properties was detected". So I can only play the recording back on the original DVD-R, the HDD, or DVD-RAM. Yet the recording was made on plain TV!

If Toshiba is listening, one improvement I'd like to see while editing: when you chop up a recording into chapters and are deleting segments, you can quickly view the segment to be sure, then go back to the delete screen interface again. As far as I can tell, the only way to do this is exit out and view the chapter, than go back into the delete interface again. What a bear!

the model is now on clearance at $315 on amazon.com and officedepot.com

Can this unit be incorporated into a wireless network or does it have to be wired?


Hello, I am just curious on this. Someone posted this question a while back and I have not seen a response for it yet. I am have been looking at this unit and comparing to other DVD Recorders with Hard Drives that are out there. This is the only one that I have seen, as of yet, that has ethernet connection. It is an interest feature if can be used in conjunction with a wireless network. So if someone does know if this unit can or can not be hooked up to a wireless network and work normally, please post or email me. Plus I also would like to know what would be needed to hook this up to a wireless network if it does work, like a wireless ethernet bridge or wireless ethernet media adapter or something else. Please post or email me.

With copy once material, like HBO etc, can you take the dvd-ram copy and rip it to your computer and reburn on dvdr? Assuming you have a ram drive in the pc, of course.

The only reference to a wireless network that I've found in the manual so far, is that delays and/or errors due to bandwith and connection quality, "if any, may be more pronounced when the recorder is connected via a wireless LAN."

Also, the manual says that the unit can be connected either directly to a pc, or through a router or hub.

My previous post was jumping the gun maybe a little bit. The bigger question I have is does anyone use this toshiba with dishnetwork's 510 dvr and have problems with copy protection? I understand toshiba's are more prone to this from other posts.

Has anyone used this to archive SD material from the HD Tivo?

Are there any advantages to DVD-RAM vs. DVD-RW?

Not an answer to your exact question, but I've archived from my standalone Tivos (series 1, obviously not HD) to my XS32.. so older generation in both cases, but still might be informative.

Check out the tons of other threads about DVD-RAM vs DVD-RW.

In short -- DVD-RW, after finalization, is compatible with many "regular" DVD players. (Not with my very early generation Sony DVD player.. and the first el cheapo DVD player I bought for my mom that supposedly had DVD-RW compatibility, it was basically 100% blocky.. The one I bought her afterwards works, though she mentioned recently it does go blocky once in a while.)

DVD-RAM is far closer to just being a small hard drive, since you can randomly delete shows and reclaim the space. You only reclaim space on DVD-RW if you delete the LAST recording.

Though it may be my DVD drive going bad, DVD-RAMs have been *unreliable* for me in the past few months.. after I record a few shows (to even NEW DVD-RAMs) they go "corrupted" and I lose everything on them. I have never seen this with DVD-Rs nor DVD-RWs..

If Toshiba is listening, one improvement I'd like to see while editing: when you chop up a recording into chapters and are deleting segments, you can quickly view the segment to be sure, then go back to the delete screen interface again. As far as I can tell, the only way to do this is exit out and view the chapter, than go back into the delete interface again. What a bear!

I'm surprised nobody chimed in, but I found you CAN preview chapters before deleting (while in the Del selection screen) by pressing the 'Quick Menu' button. You can preview highlighted chapters or preview all of them in succession. It shows the first and last couple seconds of each chapter.

It seems the unit has so many features, some of the stuff was not put in the manual. If you need to do something and can't find it, try pressing the 'Quick Menu' button and the option might be there.

I currently have a Panasonic DMR-E100HS recorder. I was thinking of purchasing an RD-XS54, but I thought I heard somewhere that you can't edit out stuff you don't want easily like you can on the Panasonic (by marking a start and end point and then pressing a button to remove that segment). Is that true? That's a requirement for me, to have a way to easily cut out parts of a recording that I don't need.

Though it may be my DVD drive going bad, DVD-RAMs have been *unreliable* for me in the past few months.. after I record a few shows (to even NEW DVD-RAMs) they go "corrupted" and I lose everything on them.

It must be your DVD drive. I have rerecorded DVD-RAM discs on my Panasonic E-500 and E-65 recorders numerous times, and I have had no problems.

I don't use -ram at all...just -rw for things I want to watch in the bedroom or -r if I want to keep it or waste a disc since they're cheap now anyway...but I get 6x on the -ram burning so 2 hrs of material will burn in about 20 minutes.

I like to edit out commercials from cartoons before putting them on a -r for my children to watch in the car (where -rw doesn't work btw). Here's the basic pattern.
Hit the Edit Settings (or Edit) button (underneath, near the top right of the "hidden buttons". Oh wait....that's for deletion.....roll back here....

Go to content menu and find the show you want to get commercials out of. Hit one of the two obscure keys to get to chapter mode...think it is the yellow one...the screen guides you. Now you can see and edit chapters. I fast forward through and create chapter points...takes about 10 minutes for a 30 minute show and I'll typically have 8 chapters or so when done (a lot more the first time due to messing up). You can also hit one of the hidden buttons during playback to create chapter points...I forget that button's name though. Anyway, once done, I hit the yellow button again to get back to show mode vs. chapter mode for a show. If you forget, you'll wonder where your shows went!

Now go to edit settings and you can delete the chapters.....know which ones you want to delete and delete them from HIGHEST chapter first since the subsequent numbering changes....this way, you can get them in one fell swoop....actually, in edit settings, I think you can choose multiple ones for deletion and back in the chapter mode above you can do the other deletion technique I just described...either way, it takes about a minute once you pass the learning curve...but if you do it one at a time, you have to keep going back into the content menu after each deletion. Anyway, one of these two techniques will get you there and as long as you haven't mistakenly deleted a "real" chapter, you will now have a commercial-free show to burn. Ben 10, for example, will typically be about 22 1/2 minutes when chopped. Of course, I'm speaking hypothetically, as I would never remove commercials or my children could not be hypnotized by them over and over again in the car.

:)

Hope this helps with some basic editing which is about all I've done and all I've needed to do save perhaps an occasional change in the quality so that more could be put on a disc.

I really do LOVE this device....only negatives are the poor menu layouts (finding the function you want) and the horrible but very useful tv guide navigation.

my xs54 is making me depressed, I've posted the problem on a new thread, if anyone could help me, I'd be utterly appreciative, thanks,

Sami.

I just checked other posts by you and saw that rgazarra (sp?) responded already...I would have to concur...that unit is definitely meant for its defined geographic areas (us and canada apparently...us to be sure). Without the tv guide function, the unit is practically useless...without pal capability, and I don't seem to recall it having it, but am not certain, you're very much out of luck.

Even if you did have the channels, setting up a manual recording is a definite pain....and while it seems to take 1 - 3 days for most people in the US to get their initial update, it takes a good two weeks here...in fact at one point we left ours on too much and I made the mistake of reprogramming the zip code thinking that would make it get updated once again more quickly...and so, about 2 to 2.5 weeks later, it finally had the guide again and life was good.

The unit really is remarkable, but that tv guide functionality is critical (and I think NTSC is also required w/r to the signal). It isn't the unit for those who can record HD either (which I don't have so it isn't a problem)...but on regular non-pay cable channels (that is, not HBO, etc.) I have yet to find a program that will not archive to a cd-r or cd-rw...perhaps because we are on analog cable.

Anyway, if you can live with the slow tv guide and the navigation shortcomings (and are in a unit-compatible area that gets reception whether by cable, satellite, antenna, etc.), I hope you find as I have that this is an awesome unit (that puts the jvc dvd-r/w, hd, vcr to shame, as one example). And on my sammy widescreen, the dvi looks great (important to note, as most dvd players look less than stellar in s-video or component mode when using that set).

Ross

yeah, it's pretty depressing, I've finally realized that it ain't gonna work - is it possible to convert pal tv signal to ntsc??

thanks very much for your help mate,

Sami.

Go to content menu and find the show you want to get commercials out of. Hit one of the two obscure keys to get to chapter mode...think it is the yellow one...the screen guides you. Now you can see and edit chapters. I fast forward through and create chapter points...takes about 10 minutes for a 30 minute show and I'll typically have 8 chapters or so when done (a lot more the first time due to messing up). You can also hit one of the hidden buttons during playback to create chapter points...I forget that button's name though. Anyway, once done, I hit the yellow button again to get back to show mode vs. chapter mode for a show. If you forget, you'll wonder where your shows went!
I really do LOVE this device....only negatives are the poor menu layouts (finding the function you want) and the horrible but very useful tv guide navigation.

On the XS32, there's a 'chapter create' button on the top of the remote. I just do that while normal playing.. Also, I can go through an hour episode of 'er' and add chapters in way less than 10 minutes for a full show -- and I don't even spoil the episode much if at all.. I usually 30 second skip through it to find commercials.. then use a playlist to remove the commercials when I dub to DVD.

I'm not sure _which_ menus you think are layed out poorly, but again on the XS32, I think that the contextual menus are actually fairly decently well done. (I have OTHER probs with this unit, just not that.)

I really wish it had a keyboard input though.

Yes, the chapter create is what I meant w/r to the button to mark chapter points....the problem is that I usually do it after the fact which means scanning through the program (and I like to position it perfectly...pretty anal and slows down the process, but I do it anyway). Anyway, agree with Mattack...do it that way and it'll take you about 1 or 2 minutes to do a bulk delete...in fact, skip the playlist.

Then again, I cannot get playlist to work correctly or I don't understand it...seems like you can have only one? What am I doing wrong?

I forget the major difference(s) between the 32/52 and 34/54...I know there was something...maybe the DVI out or the capacity? I don't remember to be honest...but I love the seldom mentioned 54. Maybe it was the TV guide stuff??

W/r to the poorly laid out menus, it is not that menus give poor guidance....rather it is the seemingly sporadic layout. Examples:
To delete, go to content menu, then use the button underneath toward the bottom...or use easi-navi on that show and hit delete. Of course, if recording, you cannot delete.
To manual program, go to tv guide, then hit menu, then get to the applicable menu where you can choose manual, then key in the appropriate info.
To merge or separate multiple programs, you have to go to different menus such as edit settings...easi navi has some of this stuff but I find it to be so limited that I almost never go there.
To find title detail on recordings, go to content menu, then quick button, then title information.

And so on...again, the unit has tremendous capabilities and I love it, but you really have to learn where the functions you use are....the layout is far from intuitive though I will say the quick menu quite often has appropriate choices. It is usually how to do deletes, burns, merges, splits, etc. I don't keep anything on the dvd-ram library since that is my only dvd-ram player. I use RW only for shows we want to watch in the bedroom as the car cannot play RW discs even though all of my 10+ dvd players on my numerous computers do. Of course, RW is great for the watch once elsewhere, delete, and reuse purpose. -R is great for archiving where you want to watch the show on any player.

Ross

Hello everyone,

I am considering buying this recorder, and I also need to purchase another DVD player.

My question, how good is the HDMI upconverting on this dvd recorder, is it good enough to become a primary DVD player?

Thanks,

I use mine against a panny DLP with DVI. As such, I use the HDMI to DVI interface. I do not have HD. So DVD is the highest quality I have seen (that and MiniDV).

I use 720p upconversion and it seems to work well with my 720p capable TV. When I first bought the player, I had expected it to play a secondary role given how bad the JVC had looked on mine with component out...I do believe though that the component jacks in my TV simply are not too good...however, DVI (HDMI converted) looks great on my Sammy. Since the 54 has the HDMI output, I gave it a try and found that it was indeed good enough to become my main player. There are a few quirks I could write about, but the same goes for any unit. My opinion is a qualified yes.

Then again, I cannot get playlist to work correctly or I don't understand it...seems like you can have only one? What am I doing wrong?

No, you can't only have one.

Though I'm not sure what you're trying to do.

Just hit the edit button, choose playlist editing, and make the playlist that way.

MAYBE you're going to the content list and choosing "playlist re-edit". That means edit THAT playlist, not another one.

If you go to the edit menu and choose playlist editing again, you'll have another playlist. I've definitely had more than 1 at a time (on an XS32).

Thx...will have to give that a try again...I recall when I was doing it a while back I had used the function to combine several titles together...probably just didn't know what I was doing and have avoided playlists since then, so will need to give it another try. Would be better than combining titles explicitly for the way I use them (combine various episodes of our kids' cartoons for longer continual viewing, etc.)

I don't remember how you can combine titles except for playlists.

Create playlist with various titles/chapters.
Then use high speed dubbing to dub that playlist TO THE HARD DRIVE..
After that, you can delete the original recordings (which will automatically delete the playlist).

I have an i3Micro/Myrio set top box that runs on a code of 10073. Does anyone know how to program this code into the box? I did not see i3Micro or Myrio listed in the TV Guide set up.

Thanks
Charles

I don't remember how you can combine titles except for playlists.

Create playlist with various titles/chapters.
Then use high speed dubbing to dub that playlist TO THE HARD DRIVE..
After that, you can delete the original recordings (which will automatically delete the playlist).
At least on the 54, you can dub two titles together as a new show. I believe there is an option for more than two, but if recalling correctly, the latter is the playlist function (which you can tell I don't use presently). What I used to do was dub two together on the HDD and then delete the originals, then dub that to another and delete the originals. I *THINK* it did not retain chapter points when combining, but that may have been when going to DVD...I changed my process a loooong time ago.

For example, nowadays, I will take content the kids like and create chapter points (usually with the quick divide), and then muti-delete various chapters. Then I can usually transfer nearly 90 minutes of content. I have not experimented too much with settins and would be curious to know what you use...I usually record at 4.6 bit rate and I think M1 (possibly M2).

This disc will then play in the other rooms or in the car. If it is a show we want to see on the other tv, we use a -rw, such as for Wednesday's World Poker Tour. I put that on a -RW (which will not play in the car) and each night, we watch part of it while the kids drift off to sleep. Early traning. :)

I would be curious to know if anyone has found a reliable device that enables the dubbing of OWNED VCR tapes to that unit (whether on the HDD or to DVD) or perhaps even to the computer. Even the old go-video dual deck units failed in that regard...you could dub to another tape, but even that tape contained signals prohibiting transfer. It would have been nice if they allowed the copy once to hdd or dvd-ram so it could at least be archived for watching specifically on this dvr.

Incidentally, a while back I had mentioned reinitializing the zip code...it did indeed take another 2 weeks to lock on. Then, just a couple of months ago, the TV guide channel was changed...our listings began falling off. I finally found where they moved it to (outside the normal channel range) and added that channel. A few days later, updates then resumed...I had always wondered if the feed came across that channel...while I cannot be certain, that certainly seems to lend credibility to this theory.

Note: I do want to clarify this is NOT in any way an endorsement of copying, dubbing, etc., for illicit uses or reasons. The information above solely relates to techniques and questions about making discs from aired content that is not locked from copying for self-use with other devices owned by the same person. The tape to DVR portion refers to the inability to backup and/or transfer purchased content to current technologies. Our VCR tapes are falling apart and unless a backup can eventually be made to existing technologies (HDD/DVD-RAM/DVD-R), those tapes will either snap or end up in the trash as has already occurred. Thus, I want to make it clear that in no way am I endorsing or attempting to facilitate any prohibited activities.

Could some of you please comment on the quality of the playback of commercial DVD's? I have a Sony SXRD TV, and when playing commerical DVD's on the Toshiba rdxs54 through HDMI (into a Denon receiver into the TV), I see some fine noise which is slightly noticeable at normal viewing distances. It also seems to vary at different times in the movie, at times not being noticeable, but I can't quantify it. Is this fine noise normal? Does the Toshiba, in your opinion, have high enough playback quality? Would a very high high quality (i. e. expensive) stand-alone player show this video noise as well, or could I expect a noticeable improvement. Or could there be other remedies? Thanks for you help.

Could some of you please comment on the quality of the playback of commercial DVD's? I have a Sony SXRD TV, and when playing commerical DVD's on the Toshiba rdxs54 through HDMI (into a Denon receiver into the TV), I see some fine noise which is slightly noticeable at normal viewing distances. It also seems to vary at different times in the movie, at times not being noticeable, but I can't quantify it. Is this fine noise normal? Does the Toshiba, in your opinion, have high enough playback quality? Would a very high high quality (i. e. expensive) stand-alone player show this video noise as well, or could I expect a noticeable improvement. Or could there be other remedies? Thanks for you help.
IF your recorder/player has the ability to select output level via the HDMI connection, and you're using 1080i output, maybe you could try using the 720p output, which will probably give a better result. Some people think starting with 1080i will produce a "better" PQ, but doing so requires a "deinterlacing" before it reaches a progressive TV/monitor.

In an ES25 thread, kilroyc switched from 1080i to 720p and got better results...he was about to take his recorder back because he had bad edges on objects that moved. You might be seeing similar artifacts when you say the "noise" varies during a movie?

Here is a Wikipedia excerpt on 720p vs. 1080i:
"The main tradeoff between the two is that 1080i may show more detail than 720p for a stationary shot of a subject at the expense of introducing interlace artifacts from a motion of the camera (such as a pan) or motion of the subject. 720p is used by ABC and ESPN because the smoother image is desirable for fast-action sports telecasts. Fox Broadcasting Company uses the tagline "the nation's finest high-definition standard" in advertising its 720p programming."

If interested, the whole Wikipedia entry on "720p" can be found here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/720p).

I am using that DVR with the HDMI to DVI cable adapter to a Sammy HLN467W (46" DLP widescreen that has 720p resolution) and also have the DVR set for 720p output. I'm very satisfied with the output.

You might be seeing similar artifacts when you say the "noise" varies during a movie?

This video noise is not around edges. It is most noticeable on light backgrounds and might better described as a graininess, and not really noticeable unless you focus on it. I'll try the 720p idea that both of you suggested. However, from your experience and knowledge, do you think that a high-quality stand-alone player would offer an improvement? Thanks again for your help.

I do not truly consider myself a videophile/audiophile even though I have quite a bit of experience with what I would consider prosumer to entry-level pro equipment at best. As such, I can say this...other than the fact that it could not play anything, the Bravo D1 was the first DVD player to make me actually unhook a Pioneer Elite player using component video (long-since forgotten the model number, but it was well up there...nevertheless, that model was quite impressive, IMHO). Since the D1, I could not find a player under $1k that had equivalent PQ until this one. Given that I could never get many discs to play on the D1 that still sits in the corner collecting dust, I never did get to do a detailed comparison, but for DVI-based 720p upsampled output (which both units offer), I have not seen anything better on my 720p DLP set. That being said, the component video looks so bad from every unit I have tried now (including this same DVR) that I can only assume my component inputs to be faulty or I've become terribly spoiled.

I do not see the graininess you speak of with DVDs, but I do see it with TV material which is output on S-Video (for the reason mentioned above) and whose signal is simply analog cable.

It's very fine and not objectionable. it could also be the SXRD has resolution that is showing this. It is VERY minor, and can barely be seen at normal viewing distances on certain backgrounds, and only if I focus. Reviews I have read of the xs-34 have described the playback of maufactured (i.e. commercial) and home-made discs as superb, and the specs for the xs-54 I believe are identical except for the addition of the HDMI. It could be me being overly critical. I'd consider buying a dedicated, top-end unit (Denon 3910?) if I though it would remove it but I don't know for sure that it is the Toshiba. It could be the way the discs are printed or the SXRD resolution, or a cable, or maybe this is just how DVD is - i.e. great, but not perfect. If anyone else has a view, I'd appreciate it, and thanks for the repsonses so far.

Try turning sharpness all the way down and use a calibration disk to reduce contrast and brightness.

You might find better pic quality through component cable (Perfect Vision found only 1 very expensive Denon upscaling DVD player did better through HDMI).

You might also try the 480p setting.

I purchased the RD-XS54 about 2 months ago and have been very impressed with all its features with the exception of the menus not being that intuitive.

The only problem I have experienced is connecting an HDMI cable to my TV would lock the RD-XS54 and require a hard reset. After experimenting for a while I noticed that the problem did not occur when I actually made the connection, but actually when I switch the video input of my TV to HDMI. It seems like when the Toshiba is trying to communicate with the television it just locks up.

An online check did not reveal any software upgrades, and when I called tech support (btw - excellent support) they indicated that there was new firmware available via mail only, or send the unit back for repair. I opted to test out the new firmware, which did not help.

I am now waiting to get all my recording off the HD in order to send it in for repair.

Has anyone experienced any similar problem with HDMI? I am wondering how many users are using HDMI.

PH.

The only problem I have experienced is connecting an HDMI cable to my TV would lock the RD-XS54 and require a hard reset. After experimenting for a while I noticed that the problem did not occur when I actually made the connection, but actually when I switch the video input of my TV to HDMI. It seems like when the Toshiba is trying to communicate with the television it just locks up.
If you haven't tried this, turn the TV to HDMI input, then turn both units off. Hook up the HDMI, then turn both units on. (Most all DVRs and TVs advise making connections with power off and maybe yours are the "sensitive" types?)

If you haven't tried this, turn the TV to HDMI input, then turn both units off. Hook up the HDMI, then turn both units on. (Most all DVRs and TVs advise making connections with power off and maybe yours are the "sensitive" types?)

I have tried every combination I could think of and went over them all again with Toshiba support. The DVR seems to just lock up and not respond to any commands either from the remote or the front panel. The only way to get it operational again is to either disconnect the HDMI cable or change the TV input to something other than HDMI and then depress the power switch for about 10 seconds or unplug the power.

I am wondering if this was one of the reasons Toshiba discontinued the product soon after it was released. They may have had a bad batch of HDMI hardware?

I just love this unit and am willing to live without the HDMI output. Its best feature is the ability to control and view tv/dvds on any computer around my home over my home network using a java enabled browser. I also tried it remotely from my work but did not get any video, all I could do was turn the unit on and off. I think it has to do with my firewall at home and will investigate this further at a later time.

The only issue I have with this recorder is the timeslip function is always about 10 seconds behind live tv. It is very frustrating when you are flipping channels and not being able to see them in real time. It does however have a small PIP function that allows you to see live tv during timeslip but without any audio.

phussary,
I am curious about your statement that Toshiba has discontinued the RD-XS54. This unit is still being promoted as a feature item on the Toshiba web site and is still available from most retailers. What is the source of this information?

phussary,
I am curious about your statement that Toshiba has discontinued the RD-XS54. This unit is still being promoted as a feature item on the Toshiba web site and is still available from most retailers. What is the source of this information?

The "discontinued" term was my own opinion based upon the fact that when I purchased the XS54 two months ago when it was heavily discounted (~$300 US). At that time the unit was not on the Toshiba website, they were promoting the RD-XS55 which is the newer model.

Today they have both the XS54 and XS55 featured on their website with the same MSRP. I believe the XS55 is the replacement model with maybe some minor improvements. You can be the judge as to how long the XS54 will continue to be a current product.

The "discontinued" term was my own opinion based upon the fact that when I purchased the XS54 two months ago when it was heavily discounted (~$300 US). At that time the unit was not on the Toshiba website, they were promoting the RD-XS55 which is the newer model.

Today they have both the XS54 and XS55 featured on their website with the same MSRP. I believe the XS55 is the replacement model with maybe some minor improvements. You can be the judge as to how long the XS54 will continue to be a current product.

I am upset that I did not have the money to purchase this model when I had the chance to pick it up at $315 shipped or so.

If anyone finds a good deal on this model, let me know.

Thanks,

I am upset that I did not have the money to purchase this model when I had the chance to pick it up at $315 shipped or so.

If anyone finds a good deal on this model, let me know.

Thanks,

It was a great bargain especially when, in addition to an HD recorder I was considering purchasing a Slingbox for $200.

This unit provides all the functionality of a Slingbox and much more. I like it even better because in order to watch tv on the internet it does not require a special client like the Sony LocationFree player or the Slingbox, all you need is a browser which supports JVM and a Quicktime plugin and you are all set to watch your favourite shows/recording anywhere in the world.

It was a great bargain especially when, in addition to an HD recorder I was considering purchasing a Slingbox for $200.

This unit provides all the functionality of a Slingbox and much more. I like it even better because in order to watch tv on the internet it does not require a special client like the Sony LocationFree player or the Slingbox, all you need is a browser which supports JVM and a Quicktime plugin and you are all set to watch your favourite shows/recording anywhere in the world.


Update, I just saw one on eBay for $269 + 30 shipping. $300 out the door for this product is great, especially since I was in the market for an upconverting player.

I have a problem with audio volume. I set the volume of my amplifier to a comfortable level to listen to TV shows recorded to the HDD of my RD-XS54, however when the recording has ended and the RD-XS54 switches to live TV the audio volume nearly doubles to an uncomfortable level.

Is there some adjustment in the RD-XS54 setup that I have overlooked so that live audio and recorded audio are output to my amplifier at the same level?

Searching the web I haven't see anyone else complain about this, only problems with TV Guide.

I have the RD-XS54 connected to my ampllifier via TosLink optical.

Thanks

I have a problem with audio volume. I set the volume of my amplifier to a comfortable level to listen to TV shows recorded to the HDD of my RD-XS54, however when the recording has ended and the RD-XS54 switches to live TV the audio volume nearly doubles to an uncomfortable level.

Is there some adjustment in the RD-XS54 setup that I have overlooked so that live audio and recorded audio are output to my amplifier at the same level?

Searching the web I haven't see anyone else complain about this, only problems with TV Guide.

I have the RD-XS54 connected to my ampllifier via TosLink optical.

Thanks
Here's some advice from Joseph Dubin to JakeN re: a possibly similar problem (it worked for JakeN)...I hope he doesn't mind me pasting his post here for you:

"Jake,

Adjust the audio output on your cable box to "other" (rather than HDMI or Dolby Digital) then the audio range to "narrow" (instead of wide or normal). This will increase the analog input going into your DVD recorder either directly or though a recording saved on DVR. When set to HDMI or Dolby (both digital) the volume is lower on non-digital sources like a DVD recorder.

When you don't want to record a program onto DVD re-adjust your settings back to the above for 5.1 sound from a live broadcast or DVR (just remember it will be lower should you decide you want to keep in on DVD).

- Joe"

Here's a link to the page his Post #367 is on (in case you want to go there also). (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=586960&page=13&pp=30&highlight=narrow)

Here's some advice from Joseph Dubin to JakeN re: a possibly similar problem (it worked for JakeN)...I hope he doesn't mind me pasting his post here for you:

"Jake,

Adjust the audio output on your cable box to "other" (rather than HDMI or Dolby Digital) then the audio range to "narrow" (instead of wide or normal). This will increase the analog input going into your DVD recorder either directly or though a recording saved on DVR. When set to HDMI or Dolby (both digital) the volume is lower on non-digital sources like a DVD recorder.

When you don't want to record a program onto DVD re-adjust your settings back to the above for 5.1 sound from a live broadcast or DVR (just remember it will be lower should you decide you want to keep in on DVD).

- Joe"




Thanks for the info and the link.

However I didn't explain, and should have, that I'm not using a cable box. I'm feeding cable in to the RD-XS54 without a box and using the tuner in the RD-XS54. So I don't think the cable box settings will help me out.

What I haven't tried and should, is recording to a DVD and see if audio play back of the DVD versus HDD versus live TV all vary in volume output. Then perhaps you could help me understand this problem.

Thanks,

Thanks for the info and the link.

However I didn't explain, and should have, that I'm not using a cable box. I'm feeding cable in to the RD-XS54 without a box and using the tuner in the RD-XS54. So I don't think the cable box settings will help me out.
Since you said you had an amplifier in your setup, the notation on analog audio might be a clue? Maybe your DVD setting on the amp should be the "type" that better suits an analog input vs. digital?

Since you said you had an amplifier in your setup, the notation on analog audio might be a clue? Maybe your DVD setting on the amp should be the "type" that better suits an analog input vs. digital?


This is where I'm getting confused or not understanding my problem and in turn not explaining it very well. The RD-XS54 is connected to my amplified using a TosLink optical connection for audio and S-video for video. When I play a recorded TV show from the HDD of the RD-XS54, I set the volume on the amplifier. All is well. Then when the recording stops on the RD-XS54 and it automatically switches to live TV, the volume get much louder and I have changed NOTHING.

Stated another way, the "gain or output level" from the RD-XS54 changes between a recording and live TV.

Stated yet another way, I'm watching a recorded TV show and fall asleep. The recording ends and the RD-XS54 automatically switches to live TV and the audio jumps up many decibels and I am startled awake by the loud audio!!

Stated in the reverse, I'm watching live TV through the RD-XS54 and then decide to watch a recording I have to turn the volume up on the amplifier because the volume from a recording is "lower" than live TV.

Would how I have the compression (data rate?) set on recordings cause low volume recordings?

Your comment seems to imply to me that I would need to set my amplifier one way when watching a recording and alter that setting when watching live TV. But either way the signal is going through a TosLink connection. I wouldn't think I would change anything at the amplifier, because recorded or live it's going optical digital from the RD-XS54 to the amp.

Thanks,

buk,

As a test, have you tried using analog (left + right) audio connection from your recorder to your amplifier? Just wondering if you would get the same problem this way.

FWIW, since I use a separate DVD player for commercial movies and playing back my own recordings, I did not bother to hook up the digital audio output from my recorder to my A/V receiver (amplifier). Since none of the recordings made on the DVD recorder are anything more than stereo, there is little, if any, benefit to using a digital audio connection. Besides, I had already used up all of the digital audio inputs (coax and optical both) on my A/V receiver.

My Pioneer DVD recorder has some user-controlled options for adjusting audio input levels for recording. Each input can be set separately. Perhaps your unit has similar adjustments in a setup menu.

buk,

As a test, have you tried using analog (left + right) audio connection from your recorder to your amplifier? Just wondering if you would get the same problem this way.

FWIW, since I use a separate DVD player for commercial movies and playing back my own recordings, I did not bother to hook up the digital audio output from my recorder to my A/V receiver (amplifier). Since none of the recordings made on the DVD recorder are anything more than stereo, there is little, if any, benefit to using a digital audio connection. Besides, I had already used up all of the digital audio inputs (coax and optical both) on my A/V receiver.

My Pioneer DVD recorder has some user-controlled options for adjusting audio input levels for recording. Each input can be set separately. Perhaps your unit has similar adjustments in a setup menu.


Your last paragraph sums up my problem....the RD-XS54 is plugged into a single input on the amplifier. The input on the amplifier is set up optical digital and it works, however the volume varies depending if the RD-XS54 is playing a recording or passing thru live TV.

Your comment about the quality of the audio hit home, but sometimes aren't some TV shows broadcast in other formats than simple stereo?

I have a diagram of my set up on the web, but have to post a few more times before I can post it. Ahhhh...being a newbie..

Thanks

Your last paragraph sums up my problem....the RD-XS54 is plugged into a single input on the amplifier. The input on the amplifier is set up optical digital and it works, however the volume varies depending if the RD-XS54 is playing a recording or passing thru live TV.
I think Budget_HT's on to something. In audio, there are many options and settings that can cause an "imbalance" and your equipment has to have the proper decoders for your settings, etc.

In your setup, the "raw" signal from the cable must be passing thru the RDXS54 more "purely" than the player can produce on its own. This may be the diff. between one using the Toslink connection better than the other.

As BudgetHT suggested, it would be a simple test to eliminate the Toslink and switch to a purely analog stereo connection from the RDXS54 to the amp. and see how that sounds? Odds are, both sources will sound the same, at least???

P.S. Re: broadcast audio, the FCC mandated 4-channel audio in 1984: the original mono channel, one "difference" channel to produce "stereo" sound, and two SAP/special data channels. That's all we can receive.

Your last paragraph sums up my problem....the RD-XS54 is plugged into a single input on the amplifier. The input on the amplifier is set up optical digital and it works, however the volume varies depending if the RD-XS54 is playing a recording or passing thru live TV.

Your comment about the quality of the audio hit home, but sometimes aren't some TV shows broadcast in other formats than simple stereo?

I have a diagram of my set up on the web, but have to post a few more times before I can post it. Ahhhh...being a newbie..

Thanks
The DVD recorder only accepts 2-channel stereo audio for recording. Standard analog TV is broadcast also with 2-channel stereo. In both cases, you can have matrixed surround contained within the 2-channel stereo. It can be decoded by a receiver/amplifier that has a Dolby Pro Logic II decoder and provide an added center (front) channel and a rear surround channel (heard through both rear speakers).

Most network and other prime-time TV programs have matrixed surround sound with their 2-channel stereo audio. Your DVD recorder will record that, and the playback of the recording will still have the surround and center channel IF the Dolby decoder is enabled on your A/V receiver/amplifier.

Everything discussed above is accomplished with 2-channel analog audio, i.e., the traditional red and white left and right stereo audio connections with RCA plugs and jacks.

Beyond all of that, a commercially-produced DVD often comes with Dolby Digital 5.1 and sometimes DTS (also a 5.1-channel system). To hear that, you need a digital coax or optical (Toslink) audio connection from the DVD player output to the amplifier input. In my case, I have my DVD 5-disc player set up like this for DD and DTS audio.

The only way to get better than 2-channel (with matrixed surround) stereo audio from broadcast TV (or analog cable) is with a digital TV broadcast and a digital TV tuner. Both HDTV and SDTV, when digital, can offer one of several Dolby-standard audio channel combinations The two most common are DD 2.0, which is identical to analog stereo audio, including matrixed surround when available, and DD 5.1 which is identical to the Dolby Digital audio from a commercial DVD.

Satellite TV and Cable TV set top boxes also provide digital audio outputs, which allow them to pass through DD audio provided on some channels and programs they offer.

Most DVD recorders actually record DD 2.0 audio, with some also offering an option to record using digital PCM stereo audio. Still 2 channels only, with optional matrixed surround when provided by the source.

I hope this explains the somewhat confusing TV audio scenario adequately. The bottom line is your DVD recorder recording function and its live TV reception function are strictly 2-channel stereo audio. The DVD playback function supports DD 5.1 digital audio output (and most likely DTS as well) over coax and/or optical connections to your receiver/amplifier that includes a Dolby Digital (and perhaps a DTS) digital decoder.

Good luck with your audio levels problem. I am interested in hearing the outcome.

The DVD recorder only accepts 2-channel stereo audio for recording. Standard analog TV is broadcast also with 2-channel stereo. In both cases, you can have matrixed surround contained within the 2-channel stereo. It can be decoded by a receiver/amplifier that has a Dolby Pro Logic II decoder and provide an added center (front) channel and a rear surround channel (heard through both rear speakers).

Most network and other prime-time TV programs have matrixed surround sound with their 2-channel stereo audio. Your DVD recorder will record that, and the playback of the recording will still have the surround and center channel IF the Dolby decoder is enabled on your A/V receiver/amplifier.

Everything discussed above is accomplished with 2-channel analog audio, i.e., the traditional red and white left and right stereo audio connections with RCA plugs and jacks.

Beyond all of that, a commercially-produced DVD often comes with Dolby Digital 5.1 and sometimes DTS (also a 5.1-channel system). To hear that, you need a digital coax or optical (Toslink) audio connection from the DVD player output to the amplifier input. In my case, I have my DVD 5-disc player set up like this for DD and DTS audio.

The only way to get better than 2-channel (with matrixed surround) stereo audio from broadcast TV (or analog cable) is with a digital TV broadcast and a digital TV tuner. Both HDTV and SDTV, when digital, can offer one of several Dolby-standard audio channel combinations The two most common are DD 2.0, which is identical to analog stereo audio, including matrixed surround when available, and DD 5.1 which is identical to the Dolby Digital audio from a commercial DVD.

Satellite TV and Cable TV set top boxes also provide digital audio outputs, which allow them to pass through DD audio provided on some channels and programs they offer.

Most DVD recorders actually record DD 2.0 audio, with some also offering an option to record using digital PCM stereo audio. Still 2 channels only, with optional matrixed surround when provided by the source.

I hope this explains the somewhat confusing TV audio scenario adequately. The bottom line is your DVD recorder recording function and its live TV reception function are strictly 2-channel stereo audio. The DVD playback function supports DD 5.1 digital audio output (and most likely DTS as well) over coax and/or optical connections to your receiver/amplifier that includes a Dolby Digital (and perhaps a DTS) digital decoder.

Good luck with your audio levels problem. I am interested in hearing the outcome.

Thank you for the informative information. I can verify most of what you say by what my amplifier tells me.

When I watch live TV my amplifier indicates it is receiving PCM [48kHz] from the RD-XS45. When I switch to a recording of an episode of Battlestar Galactic, for example, it says it is receiving a Dolby Digital 2/0 signal.

And I take it from the discussions so far, none of the rest of you notice a volume difference between recorded versus live? Most of you using RCA connections for audio?

This is where I need to mimic your settings and connections.

Plus I'll get out the flashlight and the mirror and try to connect the RD-XS54 using RCA rather than Toslink.

Thanks for bearing with me.

Buk,

The live-TV PCM audio is digital, but different from Dolby Digital 2.0 audio.

Now we are down to determining whether the PCM audio is encoded at a higher volume level than the D 2.0 audio within the DVD recorder, which would account for the differences you hear from your amplifier.

Or, perhaps the DVD recorder encodes them at equivalent volume levels, but your amplifier
may convert PCM to a higher volume level than comparable DD 2.0.

Are there any user setup adjustments in your amplifier for setting/attenuating volume levels by input and by PCM vs. DD vs. analog? My Kenwood A/V receiver allows individual analog audio adjustments by input, but I don't recall any digital volume settings by input.

Buk,

The live-TV PCM audio is digital, but different from Dolby Digital 2.0 audio.

Now we are down to determining whether the PCM audio is encoded at a higher volume level than the D 2.0 audio within the DVD recorder, which would account for the differences you hear from your amplifier.

Or, perhaps the DVD recorder encodes them at equivalent volume levels, but your amplifier
may convert PCM to a higher volume level than comparable DD 2.0.

Are there any user setup adjustments in your amplifier for setting/attenuating volume levels by input and by PCM vs. DD vs. analog? My Kenwood A/V receiver allows individual analog audio adjustments by input, but I don't recall any digital volume settings by input.


Thanks to all who have expressed interest in my problem. Your combined comments may have gotten me to where I wanted to be.

I grabbed a decibel meter from work, which may have not really helped me as my sample material from each source (and recorded versus live) was not identical.

I added an audio connection from the RD-XS54 to my amplifier to include RCA. With both optical and analog connected and switching back and forth, my wife and I could bearly detect a difference between optical and analog. AND the difference between recorded versus live was the same, with live being louder.

Then I dug through the PDF of the amplifier's manual and found the "dynamic range compressor" setting. According to the manual, "Dynamic range compression is available with Dolby Digital sources only". The setting was on "Maximum" and I changed it to "Standard".

I'm guessing, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that by changing this the dynamic range of a DD 2/0 signal is similar in perceived volume of a PCM 48kHz signal.

I say perceived, because I'm no audiophile and what may have actually happened had nothing to do with volume.


Thanks to all and please stay tuned for more newbie questions,

Buk

Buk, I think you may have found your "holy grail!"

Those amp settings are similar to the settings from that other post for a STB, except the setting that worked best was called "Narrow." If your "Standard" setting doesn't work, look for another setting that sounds equivalent to "Narrow"???

Now you've solved my volume problem. Let's discuss picture quality rates and audio settings.

With hard drive space not being a concern for me with the RD-XS54 and you're implications that audio quality is limited by the signal sent by cable companies (and broadcast TV), I previously thought I should record at a picture quality rate of 8.0 and audio at D/M2.

With a total disregard for hard drive space, what are the highest quality A/V settings to use where recorded quality tops out?

Thanks,

Now you've solved my volume problem. Let's discuss picture quality rates and audio settings.

With hard drive space not being a concern for me with the RD-XS54 and you're implications that audio quality is limited by the signal sent by cable companies (and broadcast TV), I previously thought I should record at a picture quality rate of 8.0 and audio at D/M2.

With a total disregard for hard drive space, what are the highest quality A/V settings to use where recorded quality tops out?

Thanks,
Here are some smart people who may have already answered this question. (http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab/tutorial/bitrate.html)

The link above was posted by nx211 in this thread, Post #25. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=684880&page=1&pp=30)

For those who have documented various problems with the RD-SX54, I too experienced a major problem in which the unit "froze" and would not respond to any input from the remote or the front panel. This happened once shortly after receiving the unit and while I was unsuccessufully trying to download the TV Guide listings. A hard reset (hold the power on/off button down for 10 sec.) cured both problems. After consulting with a Toshiba tech, he volunteered to send me a firmware update CD that supposedly had some fixes for 16X media but nothing for the lockup problem. This firmware update is not on the Toshiba web site. Since the update supposedly did not address my specific problem, I did not install it.

I went out of town for two weeks with the unit set to record approximately 12 programs in my absence. It recorded the first program and then locked up again and never recorded any of the remaining programs. It also stopped receiving the TV Guide listings so there were no listings when I returned. Again, a hard reset brought the unit out of lock-up and a new set of TV Guide listing were downloaded.

I then installed the firmware update that Toshiba had sent me. Since then there have been no further problems. Even after more time with no problems, there will be no guarantee that there was any connection between the update and no more problems. However, if you want the update, you apparently have to ask Toshiba for it, since it is not on the web site.

My RD-XS54 locked up at first too. The red record icon would disappear in the unit's display. I tried unplugging it and plugging it back in. It worked sometimes. I didn't find that obscure paragraph about the hard reset in the manual. I called tech support and they didn't know about the problem I was having and suggested I call them if it happened again. Well it happened again and I stumbled on to the hard reset when in frustration I held the power button too long.

Since then no lock ups, but now the channels and stop, play, record and fast forward/reverse icons don't show up on the TV. I've tried turning the display on and off in the setup menu, but to no available.

I could try a hard reset, but I wonder if this is something I'm doing wrong or if the firmware update would fix this?

Buk

The machine works fine but often cannot get into the web browser page. I can ping the machine. Any suggestions???

Has any purchased or seen one of the new Toshiba RD-XS54 DVD recorders yet?

I'm intrigued by the 250GB hard drive, the Ethernet port, and the ability to set a recording via e-mail.

I remember Panasonic had a VCR that you could call by phone and program remotely. Hopefully this will be less clunky than that setup was.

I don't know if the firmware update would fix your display problem or not. As you have discovered, Toshiba tech support is pretty poor. I have not experienced the display problem you described either before or after doing two hard resets using the power on/off button. So, I don't know if the firmware update would help or not. All I can say at this point is that it does not seem to have had any negative effects, and I have not had any further lock-ups. It is probably safe to say that Toshiba would not have gone to the trouble of creating a firmware update (with a production disc and installation instructions) if it wasn't fairly important. I think installing the update is a good thing to do.

Is it necessary to reformat the hard drive and if so what criteria do you use do determine how often?

Does the hard drive become so fragmented playback is affected?

Thanks,

Buk

Well I just did a hard restart and lo and behold all the display items (fast-reverse, play, pause, fast-forward, channel numbers and that progress bar on the bottom) all showed up.

I searched the Toshiba web site and didn't find a means to download the firmware upgrade. Is the only way to get it is to call tech support? Or can you email them and ask for it?

Thanks,

Buk

Buk,
As I said before, the RDXS-54 firmware update is not available on the Toshiba web site. My update was sent to me by a Toshiba tech after I called in about a TV Guide Online problem. Also, I don't know if an e-mail will get the update sent to you.

As far as reformatting the hardfile is concerned, if you keep it empty by periodically removing all recordings, as I do, there should not be a fragmenting problem, and there would be no need to reformat it.

Buk,
As I said before, the RDXS-54 firmware update is not available on the Toshiba web site. My update was sent to me by a Toshiba tech after I called in about a TV Guide Online problem. Also, I don't know if an e-mail will get the update sent to you.

As far as reformatting the hardfile is concerned, if you keep it empty by periodically removing all recordings, as I do, there should not be a fragmenting problem, and there would be no need to reformat it.

Thanks for the info.

Tonight I went to the "contact us" on the Toshiba support web page and sent a message requesting the firmware update. We'll see if I get a response.

I guess I'll need to remove some recordings to avoid the potential fragmentation problem. I just had a few episodes parked on the drive until I learn how to burn them to a disc.

Thanks again.

Tonight I went to the "contact us" on the Toshiba support web page and sent a message requesting the firmware update. We'll see if I get a response.




Well I got a reply to my email inquiry, no surprise to all of you I'm sure. The reply was "Call Us". So I guess I'll give them a call.

Buk

Well I got a reply to my email inquiry, no surprise to all of you I'm sure. The reply was "Call Us". So I guess I'll give them a call.

Buk

I've done the same routine and did contact them using the number provided in the Toshiba response. They were very nice and without any questions, agreed to send me the new firmware. You should have no problems with Toshiba.

I just updated my Toshiba RD-XS54 with the latest firmware V110 because of my machine getting locked up. The update went as described in the procedure provided by Toshiba and the new firmware seems to make the machine more responsive to commands. Everything is working as before, except for the TV Guide. After the new firmware was installed, the TV Guide screen has a message saying please wait 24 hours for the guide to be re-built. Well, the 24 hours became 48, which then went to 72 with the same message. I finally decided to do a reset of the guide and clock from the Setup menu. After 24 hours, I expected to see the list of cable provides and the Guide to start loading. The only thing that happened after the 24 hours was the clock got set correctly. Can anyone let me know if they are having the same issue with the new firmware? Or is there a possibility I have a loading issue with the new firmware that is blocking the TV Guide from working? Any help would be appreciated.

As best I can recall, when I installed the firmware update, the TV Guide listings were not wiped out, and I did not get any messages about repopulating the listings. The unit displayed a message indicating the update was successful, exited the update process and returned to normal operation. If you, in fact, have lost or did not have TV Guide listings at the time of the update, it may be necessary to do a hard reset (press and hold power on/off button for 10 seconds). I had to do this after I initially powered the unit on to get it to download listings. When I performed the hard reset, I had to go through the setup process again, but then everything worked properly. I don't know if a hard reset wipes out the listings since I did not have any listings the two times I have done a hard reset, but my guess would be that it does.

As best I can recall, when I installed the firmware update, the TV Guide listings were not wiped out, and I did not get any messages about repopulating the listings. The unit displayed a message indicating the update was successful, exited the update process and returned to normal operation. If you, in fact, have lost or did not have TV Guide listings at the time of the update, it may be necessary to do a hard reset (press and hold power on/off button for 10 seconds). I had to do this after I initially powered the unit on to get it to download listings. When I performed the hard reset, I had to go through the setup process again, but then everything worked properly. I don't know if a hard reset wipes out the listings since I did not have any listings the two times I have done a hard reset, but my guess would be that it does.

Thanks for the response. Doesn't look like you have any of the problems I'm experiencing. To my surprise on Tuesday, I received a return call from Toshiba. I called on Monday to see if I maybe had a bad install of the new firmware. The Toshiba Rep spent about half an hour looking at the register information stored in the machine. An interesting fact that was found is the clock is really not set properly. It appears to display the correct time on screen but clock register does not indicate the correct time set from a station according to Toshiba. After all the research, Toshiba had me do a hard reset but using a remote code. They are scheduled to call back today to look again at the registers after the machine has been off all night. They were a little surprised by the TV Guide not reloading after installing the new firmware and are trying hard to understand what may have happened. I'll provide an update with any information they provide me.

Wow, do you have a special person to call or something? I have a couple of readily reproducible bugs on my XS32, and I'd LOVE to be able to explain them (even in email) to someone beyond the first level contacts.. (one of them caused my hard drive to corrupt last Oct.)

Wow, do you have a special person to call or something? I have a couple of readily reproducible bugs on my XS32, and I'd LOVE to be able to explain them (even in email) to someone beyond the first level contacts.. (one of them caused my hard drive to corrupt last Oct.)

I've done nothing special here, trust me! I called Toshiba's normal CS phone line, they took my message and passed it on to a TV Guide specialist.

Got my return call from Toshiba right on time Thursday (1pm). I've been dealing with Jan, Toshiba - Specializing in TV Guide issues. We again went through all the registers after the master reset 24 hours earlier. Jan took the time to walk me thought what all the register data indicated. Interest stuff on how this all works. Anyway, we found that the clock was properly set this time. The internal registers use military time and are set to Greenwich Mean Time then use the zip code to set local time. But the TV station where the time was set from was not my local PBS station. I live in Central Florida and should be getting my TV Guide data from a Orlando PBS station but the clock was set by a Tampa station (I'm using an OTA for TV Guide data cause the local Cablevision company has gone to all digital locals which can't sent out TV Guide data). All the data registers indicated very little usable guide information found but lots of errors packets and attempts, which all make sense if it got a very weak signal. All this register data indicated that my local PBS station had stopped transmitting the TV Guide data and the XS54 had somehow got enough signal from a wayward PBS station in Tampa to get clock data and was trying to get the rest of the guide info from that signal. Toshiba was contacting the TV Guide folks on the stations failure in Orlando. Bottom line, the new firmware had nothing to do with the loss of TV Guide data. Just happen my loading of new firmware uncovered the lost of Guide data from the station. I hope this helps anyone thinking about upgrading their firmware on the XS54.

Kenni_o

I've been following this thread since I recently purchased a RD-XS55. During this problem with the TVGOS, did you ever lose the ability to schedule manual recordings?

I don't use the TVGOS, but do have it programmed through my straight cable to the recorder's tuner. I record everything via my digital cable box via Line 1 input. I don't trust the TVGOS scheduling as I never trusted the old VCR+ on VCR's. I also found out that using the G-Link for the box, presented the inability to schedule recordings manually via the tuner.

Kenni_o

I've been following this thread since I recently purchased a RD-XS55. During this problem with the TVGOS, did you ever lose the ability to schedule manual recordings?

I don't use the TVGOS, but do have it programmed through my straight cable to the recorder's tuner. I record everything via my digital cable box via Line 1 input. I don't trust the TVGOS scheduling as I never trusted the old VCR+ on VCR's. I also found out that using the G-Link for the box, presented the inability to schedule recordings manually via the tuner.


Hello Everone,

I too own a RD-XS55(nice unit,right wdsnls ;) ) and my TVGOS has never up loaded since I received it on 06/21/06 as a Father's Day gift.So I've turned to manual recordings.No,you should not have lost the ability to do schedule manual recordings.This is what I do:

Unit is on.With the remote,press "TV Guide".Your service bar is highlighted by seeing "listings" in yellow.Press x2 the left arrow to "schedule".Then press"Menu"(left from TV guide button) and you'll see on the left panel "Schedule Options".Scroll down the list until you see "new manual recording".Press enter and fill in the blanks.Make sure your "input",as in your setup and mine,is 'line 1".Hope this helps.

I have called customer service for 4 weeks straight with no assistance on TVGOS.And Iam always told that someone will call me back. Still waiting :(

Willy

Kenni_o

I've been following this thread since I recently purchased a RD-XS55. During this problem with the TVGOS, did you ever lose the ability to schedule manual recordings?

I don't use the TVGOS, but do have it programmed through my straight cable to the recorder's tuner. I record everything via my digital cable box via Line 1 input. I don't trust the TVGOS scheduling as I never trusted the old VCR+ on VCR's. I also found out that using the G-Link for the box, presented the inability to schedule recordings manually via the tuner.

HI WDSLNS,

To answer your question, NO problems using the manual recording option. I've always been able to do manual recordings. I use the manual option a lot because I'm using the HBO / Cinemax internet online guide to schedule recordings for all the movies I want watch, a month at a time - TV Guide only has an 8 day schedule. I have a problem with my cable company, as they currently are using a very old Motorola Digital cablebox that is not supported by the XS54. So I can't change the cable box stations using the XS54. I do manual recordings to the Line 1 input and then I have set the cable box timers to match. I currently have the month of August movies already scheduled.

Besides the OLD cable box problem, the cable company has already converted all the local stations from analog over to digital channels. They are running new fiber optic cables now and are planning to go to an all Digital Service by the end of the year. That's when I'll get a new cable box that will work correctly with my recorder. According to Toshiba and Cablevision, the Digital stations currently can not support the TV Guide format. So I'm currently using an OTA, connected to the XS54 tuner to pick up the TV Guide data from the analog PBS station. Or should I say, I was using it to get the data. Hopefully, the PBS station will fix their problem real soon. This Digital station issue with TV Guide maybe the reason a lot of users are NOT getting their listings. And as more cable companies convert to just receiving digital stations, more and more will loose their guide listings.

The basic difference between the listing services provided by TV Guide and TiVo are that one is free while the other costs money. In addition, listing updates for TiVo are provided over a telephone or network connection that is not required for TVGOS listing updates. The old adage that says you get what you pay for is applicable in this case. If you have a DVR connected to a system that does not provide the required downloads, TVGOS is not going to work. One perspective is that since there is no subscription fee for TVGOS, you have not lost anything if it doesn't work. This, of course, assumes that you can manually schedule recordings on the DVR as required with VCRs before VCR+. Others will argue that the presence of the software and hardware in the DVR to support TVGOS adds to the cost of the unit and you actually paid for something that you cannot use. Some would say that even though you might have paid an extra cost one time for TVGOS, that is preferrable to paying a monthly fee.

If you want to be guaranteed of having a TVGOS/TiVo kind of scheduling, it would appear that you must pay the monthly subscription fee for TiVo and be able to connect the unit to a telephone line or a network. Obviously, TVGOS has significant cost and convenience advantages over TiVo, but TVGOS might not work in your environment. It would be to the consume's advantage to determine the viablilty of TVGOS in their environment before making a purchase. However, even if it is determined that TVGOS works where you are now, you must hope that you are not forced to move to an area where it does not.

Choices, choices.

Hello Everone,

I too own a RD-XS55(nice unit,right wdsnls ;) ) and my TVGOS has never up loaded since I received it on 06/21/06 as a Father's Day gift.So I've turned to manual recordings.No,you should not have lost the ability to do schedule manual recordings.This is what I do:

Unit is on.With the remote,press "TV Guide".Your service bar is highlighted by seeing "listings" in yellow.Press x2 the left arrow to "schedule".Then press"Menu"(left from TV guide button) and you'll see on the left panel "Schedule Options".Scroll down the list until you see "new manual recording".Press enter and fill in the blanks.Make sure your "input",as in your setup and mine,is 'line 1".Hope this helps.

I have called customer service for 4 weeks straight with no assistance on TVGOS.And Iam always told that someone will call me back. Still waiting :(

Willy

I don't understand the difference in support from Toshiba. Maybe they have different CS centers, I've been talking with one in the midwest (Michigan or Illinois I believe) They have been absolutely great in working with me. The first time I called to report my problem with the TV Guide, it took maybe 5 days before their specialist call me back. Since then, I've been in communications with their techs maybe 6-7 times. Toshiba contacted TV Guide directly and I've received a call back from a TV Guide rep. The TV Guide rep is the one who found that my local cable company switched from analog to digital stations and using the Digital PBS station as the reason I was not getting my guide data. I called the cable company and they confirmed the switch. Just a thought, since you have not received any TV Guide data, you may be dealing with the same issue of only getting digital stations that I have.

Toshiba always scheduled a return call time to gather more information and they have been within 5 minutes of that time. As I said before, they have taken the time to try and explain what the registers do and the data collected. Sorry your experience has been different, I'm very impressed in the support I've received from Toshiba!

The basic difference between the listing services provided by TV Guide and TiVo are that one is free while the other costs money. In addition, listing updates for TiVo are provided over a telephone or network connection that is not required for TVGOS listing updates. The old adage that says you get what you pay for is applicable in this case. If you have a DVR connected to a system that does not provide the required downloads, TVGOS is not going to work. One perspective is that since there is no subscription fee for TVGOS, you have not lost anything if it doesn't work. This, of course, assumes that you can manually schedule recordings on the DVR as required with VCRs before VCR+. Others will argue that the presence of the software and hardware in the DVR to support TVGOS adds to the cost of the unit and you actually paid for something that you cannot use. Some would say that even though you might have paid an extra cost one time for TVGOS, that is preferrable to paying a monthly fee.

If you want to be guaranteed of having a TVGOS/TiVo kind of scheduling, it would appear that you must pay the monthly subscription fee for TiVo and be able to connect the unit to a telephone line or a network. Obviously, TVGOS has significant cost and convenience advantages over TiVo, but TVGOS might not work in your environment. It would be to the consume's advantage to determine the viablilty of TVGOS in their environment before making a purchase. However, even if it is determined that TVGOS works where you are now, you must hope that you are not forced to move to an area where it does not.

Choices, choices.


You are correct. I did check with others that have units, TV and Recorders, that receive the TV Guide and was assured it worked locally. But by the time I purchased the XS54, the cable company had made the conversion from putting out the analog stations over to digital stations, which kills the guide. This problem will only continue unless TVGOS finds a way to get their data out over digital stations. There will be lots of unhappy people that wake one morning to find their TV Guide data gone as the cable companies move to all digital stations.

You are correct. I did check with others that have units, TV and Recorders, that receive the TV Guide and was assured it worked locally. But by the time I purchased the XS54, the cable company had made the conversion from putting out the analog stations over to digital stations, which kills the guide. This problem will only continue unless TVGOS finds a way to get their data out over digital stations. There will be lots of unhappy people that wake one morning to find their TV Guide data gone as the cable companies move to all digital stations.
One user of a diff. machine solved a "similar" problem. His cable co., Rogers in Canada, went all-digital, but they moved some needed analog channels up to high channel numbers (his previous analog Host station was moved from 8 to 808).

He called the cable co. to find this out. Then he just edited his channels to make the analog channel (808) tune to channel 8, the new digital channel for his Host station.

You should call your cable co. and see if they retained some analog channels and where they moved them, then make the "tune channel" switch??? You can probably assume you're looking for an analog PBS channel that they hopefully retained and moved up or down their channel listing?

Here's the thread he started on his digital/analog solution for TVG. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=649571)

The basic difference between the listing services provided by TV Guide and TiVo are that one is free while the other costs money.

Disclaimer: I have not used any TV Guide On Screen devices.

However, I think that's a gross oversimplification of it, though it is analogous to the people who say that their cable DVR "does everything a Tivo does", when there's clearly evidence to the contrary.

Discussion on this forum has shown that the TGOS data is not as full featured as Tivo's guide data (which comes originally from Tribune Media Services). According to other people here -- TGOS does not have new/rerun indication that the Tivo guide data (usually(*)) has.

Also, TGOS cannot carry every single channel that everyone needs in every market. This is technologically impossible due to bandwidth limitations. Tivo's data will have all channels (and will make new lineups for people, for example if an apartment complex gets their own special cable setup).

(*) There are some shows, such as the Daily Show, that routinely do not have guide data, and thus Tivo will record duplicate episodes. This can be worked around, but admittedly the workarounds are similar to 'manual recording' on these DVDRs. However, for the vast vast vast majority of shows, the data is accurate.

BTW, I have 2 Tivos and a Toshiba XS32. I have a lifetime subscription on my Tivos.. I am one of those who does NOT like a monthly fee for more services.. though special deals I've seen on the dual tuner Tivo have slightly worn down my dislike for more monthly fees, since it would be $6.95/month for me since I already have Tivos. In other words, that would be somewhat palatable to me, though I'd prefer the return of lifetime subscriptions.

Disclaimer: I have not used any TV Guide On Screen devices.

TGOS does not have new/rerun indication that the Tivo guide data (usually(*)) has.



The TVGOS on my Panasonic E-500 and E-65 has a repeat indicator, and has a very decent description of each program that can be used to decide whether to record or not.

I agree that TIVO has more features than TVGOS, but TVGOS is free and very handy for recording. Besides, the TVGOS in my Panasonics doesn't report back to headquarters what I record, unlike TIVO.

Different choices for different folks.

TGOS does not have new/rerun indication...
FYI - New programming in TVGOS has a "New" icon with the show's title. It is informational only in that, unlike Tivo, you cannot have automatically record or not record depending on the icon.

One user of a diff. machine solved a "similar" problem. His cable co., Rogers in Canada, went all-digital, but they moved some needed analog channels up to high channel numbers (his previous analog Host station was moved from 8 to 808).

He called the cable co. to find this out. Then he just edited his channels to make the analog channel (808) tune to channel 8, the new digital channel for his Host station.

You should call your cable co. and see if they retained some analog channels and where they moved them, then make the "tune channel" switch??? You can probably assume you're looking for an analog PBS channel that they hopefully retained and moved up or down their channel listing?

Here's the thread he started on his digital/analog solution for TVG. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=649571)

Thanks for the information. I'll give it a shot and see if my cable company can do something simular.

I can log on via web page very sporadically. I have to constantly reboot the machine. I log on once or twice then i get a blank web page then i have to reboot the machine.?? Any assitance??

'm thinking about buying the RD-XS54 and have a few questions about it's network functionality. I searched the Toshiba website for the manual but it's not posted so I thought I'd ask the experts.

I have a Dish Network Vi622 and I want to connect the XS54 to the output of the Vi622 and use it to back up my recordings like a VCR. I then want to have the capability of being able to extract the video from the hard drive on the XS54 via the network and editing it on my PC.

Will this work or should I try a different approach?

Thanks!!

'm thinking about buying the RD-XS54 and have a few questions about it's network functionality. I searched the Toshiba website for the manual but it's not posted so I thought I'd ask the experts.

I have a Dish Network Vi622 and I want to connect the XS54 to the output of the Vi622 and use it to back up my recordings like a VCR. I then want to have the capability of being able to extract the video from the hard drive on the XS54 via the network and editing it on my PC.

Will this work or should I try a different approach?

Thanks!!

Hello,
From my understanding,the RD-XS54 doesn't record from dish/sat.But the new model,RD-XS55 does(as per manual).And with network on PC-excellent.If you have Norton's anti program,make sure you allow all the time.It loves to block RD-XS55.I'm still on the learning stage and the Toshiba RD-XS55 is awsome(minus TVGOS)!

Willy

I wish I could afford something that fancy :D

I have new updated information from Toshiba on the XS54. I’ve been working with Chad at Toshiba on several TVGOS issues. I’ve been using an OTA to get the Guide listings because my cable company has moved to all digital stations including my PBS station, which carries the TVGOS. I recently started loosing my guide information, which on the surface, seemed to be the result of a problem with my analog PBS station. What we have uncovered is the listings were actually lost as a result of my changing the channel information for the guide. Toshiba uncovered that if you have duplicate PBS stations (OTA - Analog and Cable - Digital) using the same call letters turned on in your guide you can loose your guide information completely. In my case, I had the OTA PBS station on and the same station on the cable channel also on. The TVGOS was looking for the PBS station on both the cable (digital station with not guide data) and OTA (analog station with data). The results were NO TVGOS data was downloaded. As soon as I removed the duplicate cable PBS station from my channel list, all the guide listings stated to populate. I hope this information helps anyone trying to get TVGOS working using an OTA.

Does having the TVGOS data source channel (usually PBS) moved to a digital channel always result in the TVGOS data no longer coming in on the cable? Also, I was under the impression that the RD-XS54 would not tune or receive digital channels. If a cable system switches to all-digital and no longer provides any analog service, it would seem that all DVRs with analog-only tuners would become useless.

No, that's not correct because the cable system's STB will output an analog signal, just like it does now.

The tuners in those DVD Recorders would become useless in the absense of any analog channels to tune. But the recorders themselves would continue to be useful, as RG says, for example from STB analog outputs, or from VCRs or video game consoles, depending on what kinds of things you record, there will be plenty of analog video sources that can still be recorded.

Does having the TVGOS data source channel (usually PBS) moved to a digital channel always result in the TVGOS data no longer coming in on the cable? Also, I was under the impression that the RD-XS54 would not tune or receive digital channels. If a cable system switches to all-digital and no longer provides any analog service, it would seem that all DVRs with analog-only tuners would become useless.

The issue is what local channel feed your cable company is using, digit or analog. Most of the TVGOS data comes from the local analog PBS channels but other network stations may also provided this data. It all depending what stations signup with TV Guide. The information I received from TV Guide and Toshiba is that a digital station can NOT pass through the TVGOS data. So as long as your cable company is using the analog feed from your local PBS (or other TVGOS provider) station you should be getting TVGOS data from your cable. But as soon as your cable changes over to using the digital PBS feed on their lineup, you will loose your data. The TV Guide rep I talked to said they are working with some cable companies to get them to carry both the analog and digital stations so the guide data remains available. The only other solution you would have is to use an OTA to get your local analog PBS station using the XS54 tuner and set up your cable box for input 1 or 3. This way you get the guide info off the air and use it for your cable box. That is the current configuration I'm using.

First, let me say that I am using my RD-XS54 with analog-only cable and have no problems with the TVGOS operation. My concern is for the future when my cable company decides to make changes.

If I understand correctly, without an analog source (cable or OTA), there is no TVGOS data. The answer to the second question is that the RD-XS54 does not tune digital channels and you must have a digital capable cable box feeding the DVR to record digital channels.

I assume this mean that if you answer YES (I answered NO since I do not subscribe to digital service on my cable system) to the question regarding the presence of a cable box during the setup procedure, the channel line up will include the digital channels along with the analog channels. If this is correct, then you should be able to schedule recordings on a digital channel and then, using the infrared device provided, the DVR will set the cable box to the correct channel for recording. However, unless an analog source for TVGOS data is available, all recording would have to be scheduled manually.

How much of the above is correct? Since I do not have digital service or a cable box, I can't really test any of these assumptions.

First, let me say that I am using my RD-XS54 with analog-only cable and have no problems with the TVGOS operation. My concern is for the future when my cable company decides to make changes.

If I understand correctly, without an analog source (cable or OTA), there is no TVGOS data. The answer to the second question is that the RD-XS54 does not tune digital channels and you must have a digital capable cable box feeding the DVR to record digital channels.

I assume this mean that if you answer YES (I answered NO since I do not subscribe to digital service on my cable system) to the question regarding the presence of a cable box during the setup procedure, the channel line up will include the digital channels along with the analog channels. If this is correct, then you should be able to schedule recordings on a digital channel and then, using the infrared device provided, the DVR will set the cable box to the correct channel for recording. However, unless an analog source for TVGOS data is available, all recording would have to be scheduled manually.

How much of the above is correct? Since I do not have digital service or a cable box, I can't really test any of these assumptions.

You have it down, that is how it works. In the setup for the TVGOS you have several options after you enter your ZIP code. In my case, I select I have cable service, then I say I have a cable box, then you have options of where the box is connected (Tuner, Input 1 or Input 3). If you select Input 1 or 3 for the cable box, the next option is do you have a OTA connected. But that option is only provided as long as you do not select the tuner option for the cable box. Its the same as setting your tv tuner to cable or antenna. When you get the guide data to download using the OTA station, I only got my basic cable stations loaded with their correct channel locations. You then still need to use the TVGOS setup option to set up all of the digital cable stations and where to tune them on your box. All digital stations (Movie Channels East and West and most Digital Channels) are all listed but you need to turn on the ones you actually receive and where to tune them on your box. Once that is complete, you can use the guide to schedule and record any of your stations from your cable box.

I would like to post an update to my previous post where when using the HDMI output the player would lock up.

After replacing my 37" Sceptre TV (PS failure) the HDMI output works perfect with my older Panasonic 32" LCD TV. I just realized that my Panasonic had an HDMI input otherwise I would have tested this configuration a long time ago.

What threw me off was the fact that my Sceptre worked with other HDMI player devices and I was convinced the problem was with the Toshiba player.

At least I can verify that the Toshiba player and the Sceptre 37" LCD tv are definitely not compatible with each other using HDMI.

I have the HDMI ERR-3C occur fairly regularly. My xs54 is connected via HDMI -> DVI cable into the DVI input on my Sammy HLN467 DLP. If there is a momentary power outage or if someone switches the TV input to Component (antenna/video/DVI are all fine), the ERR-3C message will display and the HDMI/DVI output will not work. Usually, I can correct it by some combination of switching from HDD/DVD, playing a DVD, and switching between DVI and video.

On this set, digital signals into s-video and component are very substandard...this appears to be an issue with the Sammy and not with the xs54 as based on numerous units over the past few years...that being said, the 720p upsampled output to DVI matches very nicely with the Sammy. Since we only have analog cable, which looks better in Video mode than S-Video/DVI on that TV, the HDMI/DVI output is used mainly for prerecorded DVDs.

There are two other issues I experience from time to time.
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.

2. On Cox (FL Gulf Coast), both times I reset the unit it took approximately two weeks before TVGOS data appeared. Since the second time, I have not had the data dropoff, but typically only have 2 to 5 days of shows. We keep the 3 hr shutdown enabled to ensure power is off most nights/days for at least 6 - 12 hrs.

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.

I am debating presently whether or not to get a second xs54 unit for another room. On one hand, we are now quite familiar and are overall very happy with the unit. On the flip side, the TVGOS issues and inability to record HD are shortfalls. That being said, I do not like cable boxes and much prefer being able to choose a DVR unit of my liking, but the tradeoff is not being able to get HD, HD recording, and Cox's integrated guide. Since digital cable would likely result in loss of the TVGOS functionality, straddling these choices is not too likely.

I had hoped by now that Toshiba would have put out a unit which did bridge these gaps, but the 55 doesn't seem a significant enough improvement. OTA reception is also not an option.

I have the 55, and I use OTA signals only, and I feed my HDMI input to an HP LC3200N (32" LCD). I have never had any issues with the HDMI input getting into an error condition. So I suspect the Samsung more than the Toshiba is your problem, especially with what you have said about the Samsung.

TVGOS pulls in my guide reliably, overnight. And my PBS station which provides the TVGOS data doesn't even have good reception, although it *is* watchable.

Maybe the cable signal is too noisy to get good TVGOS data. Do you have an OTA TVGOS signal you could try for a test?

Nope...local channels are very limited without antennas (which aren't allowed since cable and dish are). I know of one room with noise that required correction, but in that room, the signal is very good across virtually all channels. In the analog lineup, PBS is 9, but I did not see how I could "influence" it to sync up with TVGOS.

Ross