saw a toshiba RD-XS35 at BB today... my gf was pretty upset that i drop 4xx for this dvr.

goign to play with it for awhile and see how it goes...if i dont like it back to BB it goes

Congrats on your purchase!

I had my eye on the rd-xs34 for a while until I decided to wait for a more reliable product.

I would be interested in your feedback regarding the fan. Does it run 24/7 (even when the unit is powered off)? Is it quiet?

Also interested in whether the TV Guide is more reliable than in previous models. Many Toshiba users reported that their xs34 periodically missed recordings, especially those that were scheduled to record on a regular basis (daily, weekly, etc.).

Of course, I am interested in the PQ at various modes and also how user friendly the unit is. Owners of the xs34 reported that there was a significant learning curve and a fairly difficult manual to get through. No doubt a complex machine designed for those who like to tweak.

Looking forward to your initial impressions and more detailed reports as you play with your new toy.

Have fun!

I would be interested in your feedback regarding the fan. Does it run 24/7 (even when the unit is powered off)? Is it quiet?

its powered off right now and the fan is still currently running... in terms of DB you can hear it but its not so bad, nothing you cant bare to withstand IMO.


Also interested in whether the TV Guide is more reliable than in previous models. Many Toshiba users reported that their xs34 periodically missed recordings, especially those that were scheduled to record on a regular basis (daily, weekly, etc.).


well i setup TVGO to my zip code; the clock has updated itself to the correct time but still no show listings yet...

im still a noob at this but from what i have gathered is that if the clock has updated itself TVGO is working right?


Of course, I am interested in the PQ at various modes and also how user friendly the unit is. Owners of the xs34 reported that there was a significant learning curve and a fairly difficult manual to get through. No doubt a complex machine designed for those who like to tweak.


well i am pretty tech savy and i love fooling around with new electronics...
the interface to me seems to be pretty easy to work through, not sure how it compares to previous models though.

Congratulations on your purchase! I am also interested in hearing your experience and opinion of this model as I am looking into the 2006 HDD recorders.

Prior Toshibas have been reported to be very prone to false copy protection bugaboos when trying to record from cable or satellite... Please keep us informed as to your recording progress. :rolleyes:

The prior Toshibas also had a lot of nice DVD menu generation options that the Sony/Pioneer/Panasonic don't have.

Does it still have the freaking bright-as-the-sun blue bar thing when you're in hard drive mode (which I am the vast majority of the time)?

I recently purchased this DVR at BB and after using it for a few weeks can share my experiences so far...

I was debating between the XS52 and the XS35, the main difference is the XS52 has HDMI upconversion for DVD connection, but no TVGOS and no DVD-RW recordability, the XS35 does not have HDMI, but does have TVGOS AND DVD-RW recordability. I would love to have all three features, but alas, there is nothing that has everything that I could find so far...

I also bought a Toshiba upconverting DVD player and tested it out on my Sony 50" grand Wega LCD (KDF-E50A10) to see if I was really missing out by not buying the XS52. After testing many DVD's I did not see any appreciable difference between the XS35 and the stand alone upconvert DVD from Toshiba which should use the same technology as the XS52's DVD player, so I am glad I did not buy the XS52 simply for the HDMI because I can't see any difference, AND now my HDMI port is still available for future HDdvd or BLu-Ray use, but I am getting away from the topic.

I brought the XS35 home and plugged it in. I am in Canada, just accross the river from Detroit, Mi. I set up the TVGOS with my postal code and within 24 hours I had all the local channels I am used to. I currently only have an OTA antenna (works beautifully with my built in ATSC tuner) I plan to get sat and this unit should control the Sat box channel by IR blaster feature, but only some boxes are supported so it could be hit and miss.

I was able to schedule timer recordings in the TVGOS and they were reliable for a week. After about 10 days or so of occaisional nightly use I switched it on Saturday morning and found the TVGOS said that "Updated information would be available within 24 hours because of a change I had made to the system setup", but I didn't make any change. I gave it 24 hours and, of course, nothing happened. On Sunday evening I reset the guide and input my info again, but this time by Monday night (24 hours later) it did not populate the guide. I hope to find the guide working tonight when I get home, but I am afraid that this TVGOS system is going the way of all the negative posts and reviews I have read about many of the prior Toshiba DVR models and the TVGOS system. Maybe it would be better if I gave it a US Zip Code instead of my Canadian Postal code ?

I called Tech support yesterday and they said there were troubleshooting steps to take if I were in front of the unit, but I was on lunch at work so I couldn't try anything. I asked them if this was a known problem, of course it was not (never is), and then she said that if she couldn't fix it with the troubleshooting steps, that it would be passed on to a TVGOS specialist, whatever that means...

The other features work as expected. Recording to the HDD is fine, lots of bit rate selections. I use SP and find it to be the same as the original giving me about 70 hours of record time on the 160 GB HDD.

I mainly use this unit to record one show while I am watching the other one live in HD on my TV. Then I go back and chase play the first show while continuing to record another. The instant skip feature of selectable (and when you select one that is the only one you can use) 5s, 10s, 30s or 5 min is nice but there should be a smaller jump between 30s and 5min. The pioneer 533 my dad has is better at this, it skips 30 seconds but if you press it quickly two times in a row it skips 1 min, three times...1:30, four = 2min, five = 3 min, six = 5min and seven times = 10 min. I like this better than only going 30 seconds at a time, but it is definitely bearable. It also has a reverse skip which is good if you go a bit too far.

During playback you can also FF and RW at 4 different speeds. The timebar helps you identify how fast it's going. A cool feature is that in FF1 the audio is still available, everyone sounds like a chipmunk, but you can still hear and understand what is being said. I use the all the time because I hate listening to Howie Mandell on DealorNoDeal with all his banter at full speed, at half speed he is bearable and I can chase through that show faster since it is getting a little boring.

The DVD playback is as good (component video) as the Toshiba upconvert player HDMI was IMHO. I have not yet tried to copy a DVD or any of the editing features, but I probably won't use those much anyway. I did try to copy a DVD-Video to the HDD but of course it does not copy copyrighted content.

Oh, the fan does run all the time, but it isn't really loud and you have to be in a completely silent room to even hear it, so no big deal for me.

To address the lights issue by the previous poster:

When recording to HDD a red circle lights up around the rec button, when on HDD a blue light is on (not terrible and just a small blue circle) when on DVD a green light is on, and when playback is used a green circle lights up around the play button. The On/Off button is either a red or green circle for off and on.

In conclusion this unit does everything I need it to do, except the TVGOS reliability issues, so we will see if I end up returning this or not in the next 15 days...

Oh, the fan does run all the time, but it isn't really loud and you have to be in a completely silent room to even hear it, so no big deal for me.


Why does Toshiba think we need an extra air filter in the house? :confused:

I recently purchased this DVR at BB and after using it for a few weeks can share my experiences so far...

I was debating between the XS52 and the XS35, the main difference is the XS52 has HDMI upconversion for DVD connection, but no TVGOS and no DVD-RW recordability, the XS35 does not have HDMI, but does have TVGOS AND DVD-RW recordability. I would love to have all three features, but alas, there is nothing that has everything that I could find so far...

I also bought a Toshiba upconverting DVD player and tested it out on my Sony 50" grand Wega LCD (KDF-E50A10) to see if I was really missing out by not buying the XS52. After testing many DVD's I did not see any appreciable difference between the XS35 and the stand alone upconvert DVD from Toshiba which should use the same technology as the XS52's DVD player, so I am glad I did not buy the XS52 simply for the HDMI because I can't see any difference, AND now my HDMI port is still available for future HDdvd or BLu-Ray use, but I am getting away from the topic.

I brought the XS35 home and plugged it in. I am in Canada, just accross the river from Detroit, Mi. I set up the TVGOS with my postal code and within 24 hours I had all the local channels I am used to. I currently only have an OTA antenna (works beautifully with my built in ATSC tuner) I plan to get sat and this unit should control the Sat box channel by IR blaster feature, but only some boxes are supported so it could be hit and miss.

I was able to schedule timer recordings in the TVGOS and they were reliable for a week. After about 10 days or so of occaisional nightly use I switched it on Saturday morning and found the TVGOS said that "Updated information would be available within 24 hours because of a change I had made to the system setup", but I didn't make any change. I gave it 24 hours and, of course, nothing happened. On Sunday evening I reset the guide and input my info again, but this time by Monday night (24 hours later) it did not populate the guide. I hope to find the guide working tonight when I get home, but I am afraid that this TVGOS system is going the way of all the negative posts and reviews I have read about many of the prior Toshiba DVR models and the TVGOS system. Maybe it would be better if I gave it a US Zip Code instead of my Canadian Postal code ?

I called Tech support yesterday and they said there were troubleshooting steps to take if I were in front of the unit, but I was on lunch at work so I couldn't try anything. I asked them if this was a known problem, of course it was not (never is), and then she said that if she couldn't fix it with the troubleshooting steps, that it would be passed on to a TVGOS specialist, whatever that means...

The other features work as expected. Recording to the HDD is fine, lots of bit rate selections. I use SP and find it to be the same as the original giving me about 70 hours of record time on the 160 GB HDD.

I mainly use this unit to record one show while I am watching the other one live in HD on my TV. Then I go back and chase play the first show while continuing to record another. The instant skip feature of selectable (and when you select one that is the only one you can use) 5s, 10s, 30s or 5 min is nice but there should be a smaller jump between 30s and 5min. The pioneer 533 my dad has is better at this, it skips 30 seconds but if you press it quickly two times in a row it skips 1 min, three times...1:30, four = 2min, five = 3 min, six = 5min and seven times = 10 min. I like this better than only going 30 seconds at a time, but it is definitely bearable. It also has a reverse skip which is good if you go a bit too far.

During playback you can also FF and RW at 4 different speeds. The timebar helps you identify how fast it's going. A cool feature is that in FF1 the audio is still available, everyone sounds like a chipmunk, but you can still hear and understand what is being said. I use the all the time because I hate listening to Howie Mandell on DealorNoDeal with all his banter at full speed, at half speed he is bearable and I can chase through that show faster since it is getting a little boring.

The DVD playback is as good (component video) as the Toshiba upconvert player HDMI was IMHO. I have not yet tried to copy a DVD or any of the editing features, but I probably won't use those much anyway. I did try to copy a DVD-Video to the HDD but of course it does not copy copyrighted content.

Oh, the fan does run all the time, but it isn't really loud and you have to be in a completely silent room to even hear it, so no big deal for me.

To address the lights issue by the previous poster:

When recording to HDD a red circle lights up around the rec button, when on HDD a blue light is on (not terrible and just a small blue circle) when on DVD a green light is on, and when playback is used a green circle lights up around the play button. The On/Off button is either a red or green circle for off and on.

In conclusion this unit does everything I need it to do, except the TVGOS reliability issues, so we will see if I end up returning this or not in the next 15 days...

Interesting stuff! The 5min jump will remind some people of a chapter skip on finalized DVDs, so that's a nice touch from a playback standpoint. The jump-back sounds also ice from a playback standpoint as well.

Last night the guide had not updated after 24 hours.. it still said "No data for this screen"

I reset it again and am trying it with a local detroit Zip code to see if it will work instead of my canadian postal code. Maybe it is looking for a canadian station that I don't receive well and if I tell it Detroit it will look for PBS detroit which I receive very well...

I will see tonight. Of course last night when I tried to call Toshiba tech support from home I was "not able to reach that number from my calling area" I guess I need to find a Canadian 800 or 866 number for toshiba.

The other features work as expected. Recording to the HDD is fine, lots of bit rate selections. I use SP and find it to be the same as the original giving me about 70 hours of record time on the 160 GB HDD.[

Have you experienced any copy proterction issues when recording from cable?

I don't use cable, only OTA antenna. It does explain in detail in the manual that it won't record "copy never" encoded programs. "Copy once" programs can be copied to the HDD and then to a DVD-RAM, but the HDD copy will be deleted after moving to DVD-RAM. "Copy many" can be copied at will.

I did try to copy a DVD from my collection to the HDD, but as you can imagine this does not work. I think there is a device at CC or BB that allows you to copy a DVD to either another DVD or HDD ? Go-Video ? about 100 bucks.

I just bought a Toshiba XS-34 a couple of weeks ago and until now I have never heard of an XS-35. I see that it has the same 160GB Hard drive.

What are the major (advertised?) differences between an XS-34 and XS35?

tvgo is pretty niffty have all my channels up and running...

recorded a few shows so far in SP MODE and the quality came out just as it would if i was watching it from normal broadcast; i am watching it from a mitsubishi 65" big screen.

also i noticed that if i keep my dvr off and have scheduled a show to record, it will turn itself on and record then back off.

I just bought a Toshiba XS-34 a couple of weeks ago and until now I have never heard of an XS-35. I see that it has the same 160GB Hard drive.

What are the major (advertised?) differences between an XS-34 and XS35?

It was announced at CES 2006 as part of the Toshiba CES announcements, but without a lot of hoopla, because Toshiba's spotlight was taken by their two "affordable" HD-DVD players (compared to BluRay).

As far as the differences between the 34 and 35, I do not know...

Lovley peice of kit!!!

so im really new to dvrs but something cool i found out was this chase play viewing capability.

you can keep recording and rewind to watch some replays, then fast forward to current time and keep watching.

also gotta love that timebar you can tell where ur at through out the recording

finally got my guide back, but i had to give it a US zip code not my current Canadian one and then I lost a few of the canadian channels I was getting with the old setup.... otherwise no other problems.

Can't delete recordings while recording another show... kinda annoying...

finally got my guide back, but i had to give it a US zip code not my current Canadian one and then I lost a few of the canadian channels I was getting with the old setup.... otherwise no other problems.

Can't delete recordings while recording another show... kinda annoying...When you say you're giving it 24 hours does that mean you're leaving the unit off for 24 hours or you're still using it otherwise during that time?

yep... I reset it around 7:30 pm the night before and then switch it off, then watch TV or whatever on the direct input to the TV that night. The next night at the same time I switch it back on again and see if 24 hours is enough time.

From what I have read here and at Highdefforum It sounds like there are 4 different times per day where TVGOS is updated late at night, early morning, mid morning, early afternoon, or something like that and they just say to shut it off for 24 hours so it has a chance to get one of these transmissions.

It has been working now since the last reset on Thursday of last week, but who knows what will happen tomorrow... anyway I don't blame the Toshiba, I blame TVGOS since there are issues with TVGOS with ALL DVR models.

All in all though a great recorder/DVD burner unit with a TV guide when available.

Can anyone provide a picture of the remote for the RD-XS35? Is it a lot different than the RD-XS34?

Thanks

so im really new to dvrs but something cool i found out was this chase play viewing capability.

Don't get me wrong, I use this feature too.. but I think it's really annoying/illogical that they did the UI this way.

In other words, if you are currently recording, you should just be able to rewind (and then FF) without going into the special "chase play" mode.. It should work _closer_ to a Tivo, where there's essentially no distinction between a previously recorded show and the show currently being recorded. (Note, I said CLOSER.. and I said currently recording.. I *don't* want it to always be recording..)

But since some features aren't available in chase play mode (like you can't get to the recording list), maybe that's why they did it this way.

The I don't think the XS34 has reverse skip so that's one difference.

Yes it does.

Can TVGOS be easily disabled if it is ineffective or you simply want to schedule your own recordings? Other than ease of use, are there any other disadvantages to disabling the TVGOS?

Thanks for the reviews.

Can this unitbe used to transfer home movie VHS tapes to DVD? If so, can you create decent menus and insert chapter marks?

Can this unitbe used to transfer home movie VHS tapes to DVD? If so, can you create decent menus and insert chapter marks?

Depends upon what your definition of "decent" is. They're way less sophisticated than you can do on a computer (i.e. compared to commercial DVDs), but they're usable.

yes you can use them to convert home movies to DVD.

Can TVGOS be easily disabled if it is ineffective or you simply want to schedule your own recordings? Other than ease of use, are there any other disadvantages to disabling the TVGOS?

Thanks for the reviews.


Bump.

I don't know about 'disabled' for that particular model, but I'm sure it can be easily ignored.

It is possible to just press REC and it will record. OR For timer recordings you can use the TVGOS OR manual recording by setting up time to start and time to stop. You don't really "disable" TVOGS you just schedule manually through it's interface but not using specific shows. I used the manual record feature when my channel list was AWOL for a few days. It works fine, starts and stops ontime.

One gripe about using TVGOS... sometimes shows run a bit longer than scheduled, if this is the case the recording stops anyway and you may miss the very end or the "next time on blank, blank" clips which can be frustrating. They do have an option to start "on time" or early by "1 min, 2min, 3 min, etc." and also an end "on time" or late by "1 min, 2 min, etc" but if you end late and you wanted to start another show right after the current one you will lose the first few minutes of the next one.

As for this issue it is really out of the hands of the recorder, rather a problem with program timing from the broadcast networks. If everything ran exactly all the time then we would be fine. But it doesn't.

Still haven't used the DVD record feature, probably won't anytime soon...

If you are recording something and want to watch it from the beginning (chase play) you need to press "Timeslip" and then skip to the beginning. You can't go to the content menu and start playing it. It works well and the timebar below when ff or rw is nice to see how close you are to realtime.

the 160 gb hd is proving to be more than enough. On SP mode I can record over 70 hours and that is way more than necessary. SP looks fine to me.

As for the remote, it not nice and easy to hold with one hand and control the main features. It gets fatter near the base and slimmer near the top. There is a flip open lid on the bottom to access further buttons (a pain) and all in all kinda clumsy to operate. Not the best feature. The remote for the panny 533 was much easier to hold and navigate with one hand IMO.

Don't know what else to say about this unit... it does what I want it to do. Things like the remote, fan running always and sparatic TVGOS are issues which can be dealt with.

What I cannot stand is that I watch HD on my TV live, but cannot record in HD and my analog reception is not that great. So watching recorded shows are pretty unattractive and it really defeats the purpose of having my beautiful TV. So for that reason I will probalby be returning this unit and waiting for one with a built in ATSC tuner to come out. in the meantime back to the VCR...when I won't be able to watch live.

Very informative thread.

By the way, this is a historic thread: It is the first thread providing multiple-user feedback for a 2006 HDD-based model :-) This along with the Panasonic EH75V (with VCR) are the only ones from the 2006 HDD-models with user feedback so far.

I have a Toshiba RD-XS35 now myself. I had a Pioneer 533, but returned it mainly due to the grinding noise, which was driving me nuts in my bedroom. Even when using the "fake out" zip codes for TVGOS, it kept coming back on the Pioneer, and eventually I couldn't take it (thankfully I had it less than a month, and got a full refund).

I can vouch for the XS35 being extremely quiet. Whatever the "loud fan" problem was about with the XS34, seems to have been fixed for this unit.

Comparing this with the Pioneer, the picture and sound quality seems to be about the same. I'll have to study this more, and of course the Pioneer quality is largely from memory, so hard to say.

Feature-wise, the Toshiba has more complexity than the Pioneer. I found the Pioneer easier to use, though the Toshiba gives me more control. I'm still figuring out the Toshiba. I don't like that some of the Toshiba functions are on a part of the remote control that you have to open up (clamshell lower half of the remote), but there are a LOT of functions, far more than on the Pioneer. Some of this is confusing, even for someone (me) who is usually pretty good at this. For example there are a huge number of settings for recording via the input jacks (well hidden under the front panel, as well as on the back). I'm not sure why the default mode for recording to the HDD was DVD-compatible = "no", but I changed it to "main". I don't even know if that was necessary, but I bet if someone recorded a bunch of stuff to the HDD without knowing about the DVD-compatible mode, then was unable to transfer to DVD-R, they'd be upset. Much longer learning curve for the Tosh, it appears. And it seems there is a way to adjust the color, brightness, tint, etc. even for recording, but maybe not - this will take more time to figure out.

For my needs, the Tosh seems somewhat better than the Pioneer even when ignoring that the Tosh is much quieter (no grinding, although I assume that when Pioneer comes out with a new model this summer, it won't grind either). A lot of what I have is concert footage on VHS, which I want to convert to DVD-R. The Toshiba allows you to record in the high audio quality LPCM mode even beyond a 60 minute length (DVD) recording. The Pioneer allows LPCM, but only for 60 minutes maximum. So if you'd got a 70 minute concert, the Toshiba enables you to record in the highest audio quality (LPCM) without having to split it on to two DVD-Rs (unless you used a dual layer DVD-R on the Pioneer). Also, the Toshiba allows you to name individual chapters, unlike the Pioneer or any other stand alone that I'm aware of. Normally that's a pretty useless feature, but for concert footage it's nice to be able to name the chapters by song title. Also, the Toshiba has extensive menu-making options, much more than the Pioneer had.

One advantage of the Pioneer (other than being easier to use) was that it could record to dual layer DVD-Rs; the Toshiba does not. However, I am not sure how compatible those are among all players, so I was not so interested in dual layer DVD recording anyway (my PC does record dual layer DVD, so if I really wanted to I suppose I could record to the dual layer DVDs that way).

The Toshiba XS34 apparently had digital "time base correction" for input, but I don't think the XS35 has this. TBC is a feature that may be useful for transferring old, overly dubbed VHS tapes to digital. The Pioneers used to have this feature (such as the 510 and 520) although the 533 & 633 did not have it. Evidently they felt that people who wanted to transfer their old homemade VHS tapes to digital had already done so, and people now mainly just record via the tuner or other non-VHS input. But it would have been nice to have this feature, as the XS34 apparently had. (an outboard TBC can be purchased, but that will run about $200 for something like the AVT 8710).

Overall I'm very happy with this. When watching playback at the SP (2 hour) speed, I might be able to see a fast motion "artifact" at times, but I'm not sure this wasn't just the digital satellite input. Mainly the picture is outstanding. I may test for possible complex artifacting via VHS input, but my guess is that it's not going to be a problem (or even at all in evidence). Bottom line is that this is an extremely flexible unit, very complex. More for "techies" than for "grandmas", but I would guess that most people reading this thread are the former, so if you are ready for a long learning curve, this may be the unit for you. There book is long (it's actually a book, more than just a manual) but pretty well written despite the complexity of this unit. I may have more input on this unit in the future, say a month or so from now as I've gotten to use it.

Overall I'm very happy with this. When watching playback at the SP (2 hour) speed, I might be able to see a fast motion "artifact" at times, but I'm not sure this wasn't just the digital satellite input.

Though I *can* see differences, and is why I use different recording levels for different kinds of recordings, on my XS32 I actually see far fewer MPEG artifacts than I do on my Tivo.

The recordings definitely look different, and I'd probably say overall I like the Tivo's look better for a good input signal.

But basically I'm just trying to say that even at the lowest (1.4) setting, the picture quality with a decent input signal looks good to me. These are usually for things I don't intend to keep.

(I'm experimenting with a 6.0 recording for tonight's 'er', just because I know that will fill the rest of the DVD-R that I have the 2 previous episodes on. I've switched between doing 2 and 3 episodes/DVD a few times. I think one I even have 4 episodes on.. from the past two seasons, some saved from my Tivo from before I had the recorder... 'er' is something I may eventually buy on DVD, but it's fun using a show I'd record anyway to experiment with making DVD-Rs.)

Thanks for the input, Mattack. After observing the Toshiba XS35 some more, I don't even think I saw artifacts. I used the Toshiba to record virtually the entire business day of CNBC, at the SP mode. Since they transmit this via satellite to my cable service, there are occasional digital "jumps" and dropouts, but that's not the recorder's fault - I'd have seen the same if I were watching it live, without a recorder.

The picture on this unit is really outstanding, from all I can tell. The lines are sharp, the colors are beautiful, people look natural, chrome and glass objects have the right "shine", etc. The XS35 has a very good tuner too, so that helps lead to a great picture when recording via the tuner. The picture is so good that sometimes I forget I'm watching a recording and start to wait through the commercials, then realize I can fast forward right through them!

As I said earlier, I want to do some tests with VHS recording, to see how good the picture really is, and if there are actually any artifacts. I know what you mean though at the very low data rates, you can see pixellation when there's fast motion. Actually I haven't seen that on this unit, but I've seen home made DVDs where that's a problem - such as when they try to fit 4 hours of video onto one single layer DVD-R.

Again, this seems to be a great unit, just outstanding. But I don't want to praise it too much and then have someone be disappointed by a problem I have yet to notice, since it's so new to me. About the only things I haven't liked are - the complexity (probably hard to avoid, given all it can do) and the "hidden" buttons on the remote (a very minor "pain" to keep opening and closing the clamshell). And while I like that it can do "time slip", I liked the way that worked better on the Pioneer. With the Pioneer (533), to play back a title being recorded you just selected it from the menu and started playing it, as if it were a completed recording. With the Toshiba, you have to treat a title being recorded differently, using the "time slip" button, skip it back to the beginning of the program, then start watching. And it's not so easy to change from there to one of the other pre-recorded titles. But this is extremely minor, and I wouldn't even have known that there was a slightly easier way to do this, if I hadn't had the Pioneer unit.

Overall though, it's hard for me to imagine a unit with a better picture than this, until we get Blu-Ray or HD-DVD or whatever. And this has all the functionality I want (other than perhaps time base correction, and maybe that's included but not mentioned) - and I'm very demanding about the functionality I want. Plus it's quiet! Still early, but I'm about ready to pronounce this unit a big-time winner. I've been dissatisified with the DVD recorders prior to this year (I know that many people love the Panasonics, but I have to have LPCM audio, and the Panasonics have lacked that), maybe 2006 is finally the year that DVD recorders will be finally "ready for prime time", and this could be the first of several winners.

Thanks for the input, Mattack. After observing the Toshiba XS35 some more, I don't even think I saw artifacts. I used the Toshiba to record virtually the entire business day of CNBC, at the SP mode. Since they transmit this via satellite to my cable service, there are occasional digital "jumps" and dropouts, but that's not the recorder's fault - I'd have seen the same if I were watching it live, without a recorder.


Thanks for the early report on this model! This is the 1st and only 160GB+ HDD-model released for 2006 so far, so that gives it a head-start over the other un-released and un-announced models.

Speaking of CNBC, one place to notice the effects of the recording modes and/or noise reduction is the ticker at the bottom of the screen. Theoretically the lower the recorded resolution, the faster the ticker moves, the smaller the fonts, and the more aggresive the NR, the lower the quality of the ticker.

I know what you mean though at the very low data rates, you can see pixellation when there's fast motion.

No, actually what I was trying to say is that I *haven't* seen pixellation very often..
only with very very very bad signals. (what some would call unwatchable probably)
The picture just seems to get "flatter" a bit. It's just weird that the tuners and encoders in a Tivo and this seem to look so different in the end.. (I think the relative rarity of pixellation is since my XS32's encoder is probably a few years newer than my Tivo's.. but I can't explain why the Tivo recordings generally are more "colorful").

And while I like that it can do "time slip", I liked the way that worked better on the Pioneer. With the Pioneer (533), to play back a title being recorded you just selected it from the menu and started playing it, as if it were a completed recording. With the Toshiba, you have to treat a title being recorded differently, using the "time slip" button, skip it back to the beginning of the program, then start watching. And it's not so easy to change from there to one of the other pre-recorded titles. But this is extremely minor, and I wouldn't even have known that there was a slightly easier way to do this, if I hadn't had the Pioneer unit.

Yeah I made this same complaint, though I never had the Pioneer.

It sounds like the Pioneer works closer to a Tivo in this regard. Basically it doesn't matter if you're watching a currently recorded show or one already recorded.

That actually leads to a slightly off-topic question, only for curiousity's sake..

Do *any* of these "more manual" (for lack of a better term) recorders allow you to DELETE recordings while it is currently recording? Since a Tivo is always recording (for the buffer) of course it needs to.

But it really is a pain (and indirectly is what caused me to hose the hard drive on my XS32 back in October) to not be able to delete recordings while recording.

Currently I change the title to "XXX" if it's currently recording to indicate that I have seen it and I can delete the show at the next opportunity.

That's the strange thing.. It obviously can write to the hard drive while it is currently recording because you can do these things:
rename titles
add chapters to an existing title
do playlist editing (which presumably CREATES a small title that includes the referenced chapters/titles)

There seems to be no real logical reason why it won't let you delete a recording while it's recording (nor why you can't go into the recording list for 5 minutes before a recording).

Well, one logical reason to prevent deletion while recording is that deletion messes with the system's free space data structures, whereas renaming titles and adding chapters does not need to (I'd guess). Recording makes heavy demands of those free space data structures as it is constantly allocating new HDD memory as the recording progresses. It could simply be a matter of concurrency, or lack thereof, such that their allocation/deallocation subsystem cannot (or was not designed to) handle concurrent allocation/deallocation (i.e. happening at the same time). There are ways you can design such systems to be reliable under those conditions (most operating systems do this fine), but they take extra software engineering effort. I't a simpler design to add the restriction that only one "process" may interact with the allocation/deallocation subsystem at any given time, until that process completes, and when recording, that's the one process that has exclusive use of that subsystem, locking out any other potential uses, such as a deletion request.

Just a theory.

I just picked one of these up last week. The TVGOS populated within 24 hours, but the sub search menu locks up on me and I cannot use it at all unless it's a new search and then it will stay on my HDD forever and shows cannot be selected to record. I've tried the guide reset and it initially erased the previous searches. They reappeared after the guide loaded again.

Anyone have any ideas of how to fix this problem? Maybe reformat the HDD and thenreset the guide again or take it back?

I really miss the functionality of the ReplayTV and wish the Toshiba was more user friendly like TiVO or Replay. I wonder if the person who wrote the owners manual has ADD? So much skipping around.

I just picked one of these up last week. The TVGOS populated within 24 hours, but the sub search menu locks up on me and I cannot use it at all unless it's a new search and then it will stay on my HDD forever and shows cannot be selected to record. I've tried the guide reset and it initially erased the previous searches. They reappeared after the guide loaded again.

Anyone have any ideas of how to fix this problem? Maybe reformat the HDD and thenreset the guide again or take it back?

I really miss the functionality of the ReplayTV and wish the Toshiba was more user friendly like TiVO or Replay. I wonder if the person who wrote the owners manual has ADD? So much skipping around.

A reformat of the HDD fixed this problem for me. Hope this helps someone else!

I never tried "sub search" myself. I've actually been a little timid about using TVGOS at all, since I hated it with the Pioneer 533 (constantly grinding away). I guess when I search for a tv show, I do it online on my PC. So I don't know if mine would lock up as well, on sub search. I have used TVGOS though to record, just highlight the show and hit the "record" button once, and a little red dot appears on the listing. Quite easy.

Overall though, I'm still very happy with the quality and functionality. And I agree that it could be more user friendly. As I said, prying open the "clamshell" lower part of the remote gets old, and there are a lot of necessary functions there (such as "delete" and "clear"). One other thing that would be nice - seeing how much time is left on the hard drive. The Pioneer always listed that on the title menu, while if it's on the Toshiba, I don't yet know how to find it (I bet they have it, somewhere). But the bottom line for me is that this is very quiet, does what I want it to do, in the quality that I want. So being easier to use would be icing on the cake, but the cake for my needs is just fine (so far, still may find a problem eventually).

I...One other thing that would be nice - seeing how much time is left on the hard drive...

Quick Menu->Disc Information

Thanks Me3, that disc information works great. And it's very thorough information, showing the time remaining for 5 different (user favorite) modes. Overall I still like this unit, still somewhat frustrated by minor user unfriendliness (the lower "clamshell" also hides the chapter markers).

The only real negative (maybe) I've had so far is that when playing back a DVD (home made by someone else), I saw some lingering "ghosting" at times. Such as when there was fast motion, or one scene changed to the next. It could be the DVD itself, but I watched it on my PC and didn't notice the ghosting effect. Maybe I'll figure out a way to get rid of this on playback (Play DNR? Interlacing/Noninterlacing?), but if it's only on this DVD then no big deal, I didn't get the machine for much playing of other people's DVDs anyway, more for recording my own. But it is bothersome to see something unexpected like that.

Also, when I was first using the DVD recorder, at times I thought I heard some playback noise "clicking", almost like the sound of a geiger counter. I eventually switched the sound output to "2 channel analog" and that may have fixed it. Or maybe it was never a problem in the first place, possibly was some cable tv input noise. But I'm a little surprised that 2 channel analog wasn't the default setting. In fact that's been a surprise on this unit for a few other things as well, the default settings aren't what I would have expected, or wanted. With the Pioneer, it seemed like the defaults were mostly what I would have chosen myself. However, as long as I can find and choose the proper settings (eventually), that's ok. Still learning this thing, but so far I'm pretty happy with what it can do.

I'm just about ready to return mine.

One major complaint is the TGOS! I don't understand why they list the channels alpha instead of numeric order, although you can change the order, it's a pain. I was doing just that tonight and realized there were a few channels missing. Scrolling through the guide there were digital channels listed (set to off and none for channel) even though I don't have a cable box attached. There was another selection for my town, but the channels weren't correct.

The functionality and it not being user friendly is another drawback. You should be able to rewind or pause at anytime without having to press a seperate button to set this feature up and should be able to do other things at the same time.

Compared to my two ReplayTV's and a HTPC the Toshiba sounds like a small jet engine when it's on.

I want my ReplayTV funtionality combined with a DVD recorder that I can edit with.

The Toshiba does have an excellent tuner.

Can't justify $400 for old, slow technology. Seems the only new feature might be the component connections.

I'm just about ready to return mine.

I want my ReplayTV funtionality combined with a DVD recorder that I can edit with.

You will not find this on any of the highly recommended DVD HDD recorders on this forum. They all use the TVGOS, which has a similar "look and feel" regardless of recorder brand. Some brands integrate the TVGOS better than others (I think the Panasonics do the best job), however they are all similar.

We have all learned either to live with the TVGOS, or to disable it and do manual programming. Here again the Panasonics shine, as it is very easy to disable the TVGOS if it is not wanted.

...They all use the TVGOS, which has a similar "look and feel" regardless of recorder brand. Some brands integrate the TVGOS better than others (I think the Panasonics do the best job), however they are all similar...

Hi rgazzara,

Out of curiousity, how does a Panny implement the TVGOS better? (Not a challenge, just genuine curiousity.)

I was under the impression that Gemstar develops the software that all developers using TVGOS just add to the ROM of a particular unit. Gemstar maintains the channel listings and provides those listings to participating broadcasters for insertion into their data stream. Some do it well, some do it poorly, some are just plain screw-ups and don't do it at all.

Once I press the "TV Guide" button on my Toshiba's remote, I have left 'Toshiba Land' and entered 'Gemstar Land.' How does the Panny differ?

Thanks Me3, that disc information works great. And it's very thorough information, showing the time remaining for 5 different (user favorite) modes. Overall I still like this unit, still somewhat frustrated by minor user unfriendliness (the lower "clamshell" also hides the chapter markers)...

You are welcome. Yeah the 'Chapter Divide' being hidden is poor design. Other than that I've found that the Content Menu and Quick Menu give me most of the things I use daily.

We all find our way of doing things best for ourselves. I liken it to Microsoft Windows in the sense that there are many ways to "skin a cat" in the UI. For example, if I want to copy something (in virtually any program), I can select something and then use the Edit->Copy menu, or the Toolbar icon, or right-click for a context menu, or use Crtl+C. All methods work. All methods are correct. All methods will have users agrue as to why one method is better that the other. They are not better. They are just different approaches to get the same results. Toshiba has done the same thing (to some extent) in their UI. There are a lot of ways to do the same thing using different menus.

On a given day I will typically uses the TVGOS to select things for recording. However, I never use the TVGOS to access or delete recorded content. It's not that I can't, I just find it faster to use the Content Menu. When I delete content, I use the Content Menu, highlight the program, and use the Quick Menu. (By the way, these menus go 'round robin' and you can go up to get to the bottom.)

Play around with it, or read the manual. You will find that there are many ways to "skin a cat."

By the way, in Windows, I use Ctrl+C. :)

Hi rgazzara,

Out of curiousity, how does a Panny implement the TVGOS better? (Not a challenge, just genuine curiousity.)

I was under the impression that Gemstar develops the software that all developers using TVGOS just add to the ROM of a particular unit. Gemstar maintains the channel listings and provides those listings to participating broadcasters for insertion into their data stream. Some do it well, some do it poorly, some are just plain screw-ups and don't do it at all.

Once I press the "TV Guide" button on my Toshiba's remote, I have left 'Toshiba Land' and entered 'Gemstar Land.' How does the Panny differ?

For example, it appears that the Pioneers save the TVGOS EPG on the HDD instead of flash memory (as is the case with the Panasonics). The result is that Pioneer owners complain of a constant "HDD thrashing" while EPG data is being downloaded (the Panasonic is whisper quiet).

The TVGOS on the Pioneers requires a workaround (which doesn't always work) to disable it, where as disabling the TVGOS on the Panasonics is very simple and straightforward.

The Pioneers seems to lose TVGOS EPG data far more frequently than the Panasonics (not sure about the Toshibas).

This is why I think the TVGOS EPG is better integrated into the Panasonic recorders. They have had it longer than other brands, and I think that they do a better job of incorporating it.

Yes the basic software is written by TVGOS, but it is up to the individual manufacturers to incorporate it properly.

For example, it appears that the Pioneers save the TVGOS EPG on the HDD instead of flash memory (as is the case with the Panasonics). The result is that Pioneer owners complain of a constant "HDD thrashing" while EPG data is being downloaded (the Panasonic is whisper quiet).

The TVGOS on the Pioneers requires a workaround (which doesn't always work) to disable it, where as disabling the TVGOS on the Panasonics is very simple and straightforward.

The Pioneers seems to lose TVGOS EPG data far more frequently than the Pioneers (not sure about the Toshibas).

This is why I think the TVGOS EPG is better integrated into the Panasonic recorders. They have had it longer than other brands, and I think that they do a better job of incorporating it.

Yes the basic software is written by TVGOS, but it is up to the individual manufacturers to incorporate it properly.

Thanks for the response. I had heard that about the Pioneers. Toshiba uses flash memory and is also quiet in that regard. Mine has been reliable (for the most part). I can't speak to the disabling the EPG issue as mine has works pretty well from day two.

I have a question that relates to the TVGOS. On my Panny it can take as much as 5 days to populate the listings completely.

Is this a function of the area that I am in or the model that I have? I see in this thread that some of members are saying that 24 hours and it's there. Never had that. Hoops and Kart I think have the E85H like mine.

Is Tosh better in this reguard? I have no other complaint or problem with the Guide on the panny, it seems to be better than the system setup with the Tosh.

Yes, I have the Panasonic E85H. But I don't use the TVGOS, I program it manually.

From reading discussions about the Pioneer 633 TVGOS, it seems to load two day's worth of programming each day (while it's rebuilding the schedule), taking up to a week to fill in the whole schedule such that there is information about the whole next upcoming week. Don't know if that holds for the Panasonic's as well.

...some of members are saying that 24 hours and it's there...

Actually 24 hours and it begins populating. It does something like today (Day 1) and Day 2, and Day 7. Since you are populating it with a today, tomorrow and one week from today scheme, it takes several days to fully populate.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it... unless someone else has the correct information. ;)

I have a question that relates to the TVGOS. On my Panny it can take as much as 5 days to populate the listings completely.

Is this a function of the area that I am in or the model that I have? I see in this thread that some of members are saying that 24 hours and it's there. Never had that. Hoops and Kart I think have the E85H like mine.

Is Tosh better in this reguard? I have no other complaint or problem with the Guide on the panny, it seems to be better than the system setup with the Tosh.

This is a function of the way the TVGOS EPG is downloaded. At any given download period (day), the EPG data for today, tomorrow, and 7 days from today are downloaded. That's why it can take 5 days to download an entire week. Those who say the TVGOS completely downloads in 24 hours are mistaken -- it can't download that fast. What is true, however, is that it is recommended that the recorder be left off (in standby) for 24 hours before checking the EPG. That's because the EPG will only download while the recorder is off (on standby).

This is the case with all recorders with the TVGOS EPG.

Me3, I see your point about their being many ways to use the various functions. For the chapter divide button, example. Actually on the Pioneer, there was no chapter divide button - it was all accomplished with various "generic" center buttons and menus. So maybe on the Toshiba it's essentially optional. And I suppose some of the buttons are hidden under the "clamshell" for a reason, so you don't accidently push them. Just for the record, when copying on Windows I tend to click "edit" near the top, drag the lines to be copied, and then use cntrl+V to paste. Weird, huh?

I think I may have found the first geniune "drawback" (for me) to the Toshiba. I had the unit set to record a show at 11pm, while I was watching another one being played back from the hard drive. I forgot all about the 11pm show set for recording. But as I was watching the playback of the other show, at 11pm the recorder froze the playback and asked me if it was ok to start recording the other show. Huh? If I hadn't been there and had just left the played back show running, would it have failed to record the 11pm show? What if I'd gotten a phone call during the playback, or fallen asleep, or whatever. Kind of bothersome, when you think you've scheduled a recording and it still needs your "ok" to start. Or maybe there's a workaround. This will take more experimentation.

I still like the thing so far, maybe because I expected a few imperfections, as complicated as these things are. The unit seems dead silent to me at about 5 feet or more, but maybe my hearing is going.

I...If I hadn't been there and had just left the played back show running, would it have failed to record the 11pm show?

If you had not responded it would have done it automatically. It WOULD change the channel and RECORD the show and playback would restart on what you had been watching. I let it run it routine once for grins. I'm sure that there was some logic to taking this approach... probably to let the user know that it was doing it's job.

Thanks Steve (Me3), that's good to know. I did wonder what would happen if I wasn't there to "answer" it via the remote, but hadn't tested it out myself. So I have yet to find a real problem with this machine, I continue to be very happy with it.

Thanks Steve (Me3), that's good to know. I did wonder what would happen if I wasn't there to "answer" it via the remote, but hadn't tested it out myself. So I have yet to find a real problem with this machine, I continue to be very happy with it.

I don't have any experience with othe recorders but the Comcast Moto 6412 DVR behaves the same way, so it may be an industry-wide convention to do that.

So with this unit you can record HD from your STB on the HDD for later play back, so that I don't have to buy one of their own hd pvr's from the tv company?

And if the show that is recorded on hd in hard drive is burned to dvd ram, does it remain in hd?

Stupid questions but it's not clear to me.

That's true except for the part about High Definition. The DVD Recorders that can record HD signals are not available yet. This is discussed at length in the Sticky Topic at the top of this Forum.

That's true except for the part about High Definition. The DVD Recorders that can record HD signals are not available yet. This is discussed at length in the Sticky Topic at the top of this Forum.

So the true part is that you can record the HD signal on the hdd and play it back in HD from the box, but you cannot put it on any disk. So when you ask the player to burn a dvd from HD stuff in what format does it do it? Reg. digital, 480?


Thanks

Nothing in what you were asking about can be done with High Definition, with a DVD Recorder. There are HD DVR's, that will store HD material for playback from HDD, but they don't burn DVD's.

Repeating: current DVD Recorders do not deal with HD in any way. Not burning to DVDs, not recording to the HDD. You must send them 480i (NTSC). Not even 480p works (the lowest ATSC resolution, so-called Enhanced Definition).

I received my XS35 last Thursday and overall am very pleased with with the features and am convinced that this (my 3rd) DVD recorder actually does almost everything I want it to do, with one exception. I can't figure out how to do a simple timed recording from an external source. I want to record for a a set amount of time from an external source (DVR) for, say, 1 hour and then end the recording. Most VCR's and DVD recorders let you push record multiple times and each time you press it adds 30 minutes to the recording time. Not this one. I'd love to be able to start a transfer and walk away without having to worry about stopping the recording later. Any advice is much appreciated.

Overall I pretty pleased with the unit. It is overly complicated and the remote is terrible but it does have an impressive feature set.

FAN NOISE - I can now hear the fan noise on this unit, from more than 5 feet away. I don't know if it started getting loud after a while, or if my ears hadn't been "tuned" to hear it until now (probably the latter). But I can see how this "whooshing" would bother some people. It's much better than the "grinding" that the Pioneer 533 had, but it's not as silent as I think it should be. I'm keeping the unit (unless there's something worse about it, before my month is up), but I'm willing to say that the fan noise keeps this from being the perfect DVD recorder.

I tired editing and it seems extremely time consuming. Instructions say there's like a 3 second delay after splitting, seems more like 10-15 seconds.

I'm going to look at the Panny's directions online and see if I might like it better. May just wait until the newer models come out. Hopefully they'll at least be able to pause live TV and rewind without having to tell it ahead of time.

I tired editing and it seems extremely time consuming. Instructions say there's like a 3 second delay after splitting, seems more like 10-15 seconds.

Delay in what? Delay playing a title on a DVD-R? It's nowhere near even 3 seconds.

Editing is very simple. Just make chapter stops in the original while playing (you do NOT need to use "editing mode"), and either manually delete chapters, or use a playlist to select the chapters from the original recording.

I've decided that the tuner isn't quite as good as I would have hoped. The pictures are pretty good, but people look a little "flat" compared with the tv's internal tuner. It records the tuner's picture (or external input) very well, but a better tuner would yield a somewhat better picture. Also, the sound quality of the tuner could be better. Again I like the sound from the tv better (it's louder, better separation of the channels, and the highs are cleaner) than on the tuner. It's a very subtle difference, but it's still there if you listen closely with headphones.

So for me this records what it's given very well, but the tuner could be better. Also the fan could be quieter. And of course it's very complex. Also I get some minor "ghosting" when playing back some DVDs made by other people (could be from the progressive scan output, but I see no way to shut this off). So this unit is good in a lot of ways, but it's not quite "there" as the ultimate DVD recorder/player.

Making chapters is extremely easy on this, as Mattack points out. Just play back the material and hit the "chapter divide" button (lower half of remote, under the clamshell) to divide it. Much easier to create chapters that way than the more laborious way on the Pioneer. This is one of the few areas that the Toshiba is easier to use than the Pioneer.

I was using the editing mode and it seems to have the delay. I'll check out the chapter divide. Thanks for the tips!

I received my XS35 last Thursday and overall am very pleased with with the features and am convinced that this (my 3rd) DVD recorder actually does almost everything I want it to do, with one exception. I can't figure out how to do a simple timed recording from an external source. I want to record for a a set amount of time from an external source (DVR) for, say, 1 hour and then end the recording. Most VCR's and DVD recorders let you push record multiple times and each time you press it adds 30 minutes to the recording time. Not this one. I'd love to be able to start a transfer and walk away without having to worry about stopping the recording later. Any advice is much appreciated.

Overall I pretty pleased with the unit. It is overly complicated and the remote is terrible but it does have an impressive feature set.
I don't have the XS35 but on my XS52, after hitting the record button click Quick Menu then End Time and set it as you wish. Hope this helps.

I am waiting to populate the TVG.....the DVR is off.

I bought this DVR mainly (only) to record the world cup games without having to deal with Tapes, so ill deal with the noise for now... and if the TVG works for me, Ill really be happy with my World Cup viewing.

The fan is Loud as hell... I do have it "out" on top of a table, till I tweak it, so maybe in a console stand/cabinet it will be quieter, but right now it does seem like a tower pc when the HDD is operating ... this has been the only drawback so far.

Yes the remote is crowded an not so easy to navigate, the manuals are all over the place.. but Im optimistic... these irritations will fade.

One button Recoding to the HDD was easy enough, the playback was good enough,
I did alot of researching before I settled on this one... and this fits all my requirements...

will let you know how the TVG works out...

Yes the remote is crowded an not so easy to navigate, the manuals are all over the place.. but Im optimistic... these irritations will fade.
You think the Toshibas manual is confusing? Try to decypher a Panasonic manual and you'll just love the Toshiba manual. The toshiba just has so much usable features (much more than Pioneer or Panny's) that it takes a thick manual to explain it all. :D

I'm considering replacing my Pioneer DVR-320 with the Toshiba XS35. The XS35 looks prestigious (really nice). My XS52 has much more editing power/flexibility than my Pioneer 302 and the toshibas tuner has a better looking picture than the Pioneer. The only downside I see of the XS35 is no HDMI (this should be standard in all >$150/$200 DVR's by now) but since my Pioneer has no HDMI the XS35 is still a step up from the Pioneer.

BTW: The Pioneer has the best layed out manual I recall ever using in A/V gear.

TVG only have Today and tomorrow (tuesday)
so sofar TVG gets a C-
Plus the view guide screen doesnt use up my whole TV and so the full view is only ofr 2 hours worth???
Though to be fair I have not had the thing off for a full 24 hours. I keep tweeaking and trying new stuff, and Its is helping me learn to know it....(like a first or second date---let the wooing begin)

The World cup games are at specific time so if TVG fails I could just do time record for all the games.

The remote now gets a C- too becuase it has no back lighting.. so in the dark its not very useful... plus its not as intuitive as it could be, especially when naviating through channels and the TVG screen , Ive yet to find a favorites channel button, or "jump" back channel feature... guess i have to hit the manual again...

BUT over all I still really like this thing... And if it lets me watch all my world cup games --ill be even more inclined ot love it..

The manual has a high learning curve, but after reading it a few times I think Im getting what I need out of it... so Ive now upgraded it to a B

Recording quality (by my standards) in defauly normal quality is absoultely fine so I have to give it an A

I recorded a test 45 minutes of "lord of the rings" from standard cable (no box) straight to DVD-R,,,and the quality was great to a standard TV... (though when I tried it on my in-laws Bravia Sony HDTV, the dvd quality looks awful but then unless its HD most else looks bad on this TV. ) Ill have to play with quality settings next.

The simplicity alone of being able to watch something and just hitting record , or time lapse makes this a great buy... The TVG is being tested tomorrow, Ive set 3 shows to record....

The noisy fan still churning alongm but ive grown to ignore itm especially when the Tv is on... so B-

I know my commnets/(review) are not methodical at all but im trying to use and react as the avergae consumer might... though honestly this is not there yet in terms of intuitive for the average consumer .

Im going to try to show my mother in-law how to operate the TVG tomorrow .. basic trianing only

stalyn

Just record the games manually and forget about the TVGOS.

Just record the games manually and forget about the TVGOS.

Why do you say that? He's just had the unit for one day and the TVGOS has already successfully found its host channel and loaded day one, day two, and day seven data exactly as it should. (It takes about five days to fully load the TV Guide schedule.) It sounds as if it is working perfectly (as has mine).

I have not had TVGOS miss a single scheduled recording... ever, and I've done hundreds of them. I have had a situation were I schedule a recording and the BROADCASTER has pre-empted the material so as to cause me to record something other than desired. In such a case, that is not the TVGOS' fault.

For live games, if you are using the TVGOs I am assuming you are going to be adding buffer time at the end for overtime, extra time, delays and post-game interviews?

While the recorded sound quality in any of the sound modes is adequate for tv playback, I find LPCM (or anything below) is not adequate for recording high quality music. This is disappointing as I mainly got this to record concert videos to DVD. The "time slip" feature makes it possible to listen to the original source and then hear the recording a few seconds afterward, and to switch back and forth easily between these. Listening through headphones, I found the the recording was comparatively "harsh" sounding, as well as missing some very subtle sounds (such as the "pick on string" sound of a guitar or "bow on string" of a violin). The lack of the subtlest detail could simply be a factor of the digital (48khz, 16 bit) reduction, but the harsh "tinnyness" could have been avoided with a better encoder.

I wanted to reasonably preserve my analog recordings via DVD, but I find that the sound quality on this unit isn't acceptable for that role. I'll have to hang on to my analog tapes until I find something better. I do find commercially made DVD concerts to be adequate, so it's not like high quality music digitization can't be done; but apparently the coding chipset here isn't the optimum for LPCM audio recording. The same is likely true on other stand-alones doing LPCM (such as Pioneer), in fact they might use the same encoding chip. I might try PC based coding such as Canopus, but that might not be any better. Or I'll have to wait for "Blu Ray/HD DVD" recording (with 96 kHz/24 bit sound?) to adequately preserve the analog sound to perfectionist standards.

I just listened to a DVD I made, via headphones on a different system. I think I was too hard on the sound quality of the Toshiba in my post above. It's still not as good as on the original analog, and lacks some of the finest detail, but on these headphones it isn't as "tinny" as I thought - it's ok, not great. Certainly adequate for anything except highly critical listening. Maybe I'm just an analog sound fan at heart (the "digital distortion" of CDs is well known by now; they tend to lack the warmth and body of analog). At any rate, I still hoped the LPCM sound would have been better, but it's not as bad as I may have implied above - and it's quite detailed compared with DD1 (192kHz) or DD2 (284kHz) sound recording.

Whoops, DD2 audio is 384 kb/second (and DD1 is 192 kb/sec); thought I'd better catch that before someone else did. In case any is curious, LPCM uses 1536 kb/second for audio.

Why do you say that? He's just had the unit for one day and the TVGOS has already successfully found its host channel and loaded day one, day two, and day seven data exactly as it should. (It takes about five days to fully load the TV Guide schedule.) It sounds as if it is working perfectly (as has mine).

I have not had TVGOS miss a single scheduled recording... ever, and I've done hundreds of them. I have had a situation were I schedule a recording and the BROADCASTER has pre-empted the material so as to cause me to record something other than desired. In such a case, that is not the TVGOS' fault.


The TVGOS is quirky and not entirely reliable. I use it myself, but if I wanted to be absolutely sure that something was recorded, I'd set it to record manually, and not use the TVGOS...that's all.

I don't have the XS35 but on my XS52, after hitting the record button click Quick Menu then End Time and set it as you wish. Hope this helps.Sigh. I was excited for a solution, but alas, it didn't work. While recording there is not End Time option on the Quick Menu. I'm still looking for a way to set an end time for a manual recording...

Sigh. I was excited for a solution, but alas, it didn't work. While recording there is not End Time option on the Quick Menu. I'm still looking for a way to set an end time for a manual recording...
Well that sux. There must be a way. Unfortunately the XS35 manual isn't available for download yet. I forgot you got TVGOS and I don't. Maybe the option is in TVGOS's schedule section somewhere even if not scheduling a recording using the guide.

My s35 has now offically been off for over 24 hours and tomorrow Ill chekc if i have a week's of programming. (1am now here)

As for manual time recording... I have yet to try that, Im hoping TVG fulfills its promise though I wonder what if I set both TVG and timed recording for same program...HMMMMM

I did a test on recording the uSA soccer match and some other TV shows last night nad they all were perfect. I was unsure if I could watch one of the tv programs of the HDD while still recording the soccer game (also to HDD) . The manual says I can ... but when I got the balls to try it, the game/recording had eneded... but I think that very very cool... ill definitely put that to the test too...

Yes....Im adding minutes in fornt and at the end of the games.. especially the must win games that may require overtime or the dread penalties..

So far overall Im satisfied, but damn that fan is still loud, It seems like Im just wasting electiric energy... not to mention wear and tear on the fan itself...

well as long as it makes it through July 9th with out missing my games Ill be happy....

stalyn

As for manual time recording... I have yet to try that, Im hoping TVG fulfills its promise though I wonder what if I set both TVG and timed recording for same program...HMMMMM

Regardless of whether the TVGOS is downloaded properly or not, I'd still recommend setting the program timer manually to insure that the program gets recorded. All you have to do is scan this forum to see all the problems people have had with the TVGOS going on again and off again. I use it myself, but if there is a program that I absolutely MUST have, I set the timer manually.

You cannot set both the TVGOS and a manual timer for the same program, as they will conflict and you will get a warning.

Good luck.

So I had the machine off for about 36 hours ( saw live Soccer at Giant stadium)and I still did not have a weeks listings.
I did use the TVG search function (Sports/soccer...) and it listed everything it had on soccer... ad then it was too easy to just set up the resukts to eb recorded.
The search seemed to pull more days then when I just used the TVG in its normal view. Anyway once I did that, I was very pleased with ease of the search.

So then today the good news is that after only another night of "no use"... I have a full weeks schedule...
So now im not sure to hope it works or hope that it doesnt (and tweak) becuase many of you here and in other boards have had mixed results with TVG.

I tested TVG recording a repeat program, (soap opera) and it has been recodring every episode since I set-it up. Im assuming that though I did not have a full weeks progamming in the TVG, when it did populate, the recorder reominded itself that it has this repeat program-and by then the new programming had downloaded... I dont actualy watch the soaps, but I can see thta every day there is another recording of guiding light and the date... again using the TVG interface to record, review and replay.

Im uncertian if having the extra way to acess the HDD is partly confusing or a plus (easy NAV button) this gives you acesss to your recordings again. But you can't hear the TV's audio anymore in this mode until you select a viewing option. I guess when I do say a DV/external recording this proably wont show up in the TVG screen "recordings" ...guess thats why the options- will test it out.

I have watched a few times, pre recorded HDD shows at the same time as Im recording on HDD, this might sound basic to most AV techies, but I was not sure it could do this, but it does and well. (Rememebr when you are in timeslip-there are other functios disabled) So it works very mcuh like a PC hard drive in this respect.

once it starts recording a TVG program its hard to stop (i think) but I just go to the menus (Easy Nav) and I can see all my recorded shows, my recording in progress, and I simply choose to see any other programming.

If I want to watch what is presently being recorded, it will remind you to exit menu & simply hit Timelip, and you can rewind to the begining and start watching the recording in progress and you can also "chase" till the point of recording.


WHile watching HDD recorded soccer game an alert came up that it was scheduled to record another show,and I could stop that recording or say Ok,
It was not intrsuive - it went along and did its thing without bothering me...


In fact its recording right now, proably some MSG soccer show...adn thought it was off.

The remote and options I still find overall clumsy and not well layed ot...
The humming, i have adjusted to..

With practice getting the hang of the machine is easier, and for the average consumer it may be rough at first, but when you cna get the basics set-up and recording as easy as I did, then thtas very rewarding...


Hope this helps someone.

Stalyn

Hey guys! Having only until 6/1/06 I surrendered my XS35 to Best Buy for a refund.

Overall I'd say this machine is a challenge even for those who are somewhat tech savy and hands on. Sometimes it's just nice to be able to press a button and it do what you expect to without having to figure out what do before that button will work.

Hey guys! Having only until 6/1/06 I surrendered my XS35 to Best Buy for a refund.

Overall I'd say this machine is a challenge even for those who are somewhat tech savy and hands on. Sometimes it's just nice to be able to press a button and it do what you expect to without having to figure out what do before that button will work.

Ahh, the "Big Red Button" syndrome. That's what my software enginneering group refers to as the ultimate software solution. The user starts the software and need only press the big red button and the software does exactly what you want. That works well when you only want to do one thing. The real world is somewhat more complex.

While I have the 34 and not the 35, I must say that the more I use this thing, the more impressed I am with it. I've had mine for six months and needed to do something a little different yesterday, sure enough, I ran through the menus and there was my solution. I like the flexibility. Recording is simple and the quality is excellent. Editing after the fact is flexible... works well for me!

hey guys...I've had this thing for about 2 weeks now and everything was fine until I got an error 7061. The manual does not mention anything about this particular error. The closest error code mentioned is error 7000 - error in hard drive. I hope they are not related because I would hate to have to ship this back to the store.

Anyways, does anybody know or have seen error 7061 before (on this model or on older Toshiba models)? Thanks.

Some additonal info might be helpful: Other than displaying the error code, is it obviously malfunctioning in any way? If so, is the malfunction repeatable? If it's a one time thing, sometimes you can safely ignore it. Also, have you tried Toshiba tech support?

Some additonal info might be helpful: Other than displaying the error code, is it obviously malfunctioning in any way? If so, is the malfunction repeatable? If it's a one time thing, sometimes you can safely ignore it. Also, have you tried Toshiba tech support?

After first discovering that something was wrong, the unit was unable to shut down. Unplugging, then replugging the unit led to a dead box - no A/V available and the error code on the front panel. The only thing that allowed me to get out of that state was to perform a compulsory power off (by holding down the power button for a few seconds).

The problem occurred last Friday after business hours so I haven't gotten ahold of Toshiba support.

I can't burn a recorded sports event to a DVD-R. IT says copyrighted program or something. Can I burn this at all and how can I get aroudn this?

Hello
Having just purchased a toshiba rd-xs35 3 weeks ago I am finding myself thoroughly enjoying it. Slowly trying to figure out everything I can do with it though. I have one question I wonder if you could help me with. On a 4.7 gigabite dvd I can only get 120 mins on it. I tried adjusting the record quality to get more time but only seem to get 120 min.
Have you had this problem or can you offer any advice.
Thanks now for any help you can provide,
rdgt2

Can anyone provide a picture of the remote for the RD-XS35? Is it a lot different than the RD-XS34?

Thanks



Still curious what the remote for the XS35 looks like. Can any one provide a picture?

Thanks.

I just bought a Toshiba XS-34 a couple of weeks ago and until now I have never heard of an XS-35. I see that it has the same 160GB Hard drive.

What are the major (advertised?) differences between an XS-34 and XS35?

The XS-35 has the same guts / features as the XS-34. They just put it in a cheaper case and removed several buttons from the front to cut down on costs. :(

Hello
Having just purchased a toshiba rd-xs35 3 weeks ago I am finding myself thoroughly enjoying it. Slowly trying to figure out everything I can do with it though. I have one question I wonder if you could help me with. On a 4.7 gigabite dvd I can only get 120 mins on it. I tried adjusting the record quality to get more time but only seem to get 120 min.
Have you had this problem or can you offer any advice.
Thanks now for any help you can provide,
rdgt2
You must have the "quality setting" ("speed" in the VCR days) set to "SP," which allows 2 hours of recording on a standard DVD. You can change that setting to LP for 4 hours, plus other better and lower quality settings depending on your unit (check your menus/manual, probably in a "Recording" menu somewhere?).

I can't burn a recorded sports event to a DVD-R. IT says copyrighted program or something. Can I burn this at all and how can I get aroudn this?
Most DVD recorders are hard-set to disallow recording copyrighted material. Check online for "Sima" and Search this forum for that name also.

Does any Toshiba xs34 or xs35 owner know3 if their recorder will respond to Toshiba VCR commands like RECord/Stop RECord?

The Pioneer units will respond to Pioneer VCR record/stop rexcord commands as issued by some cable/sat boxes. This gives an alternative to TVGOS operation.

I can't burn a recorded sports event to a DVD-R. IT says copyrighted program or something. Can I burn this at all and how can I get aroudn this?

The Toshiba DVD recorders are notorious for "seeing" copyright protection where there is none. You might have to resort to a "Sima" filter or something like it.

Also, the Toshiba allows you to name individual chapters, unlike the Pioneer or any other stand alone that I'm aware of. Normally that's a pretty useless feature, but for concert footage it's nice to be able to name the chapters by song title. Also, the Toshiba has extensive menu-making options, much more than the Pioneer had.

This is a feature I've been looking for! I've had an LG, a Pioneer 633 and a Panasonic ES50, and as far as I can tell, even if you create chapters, you can not create a menu that shows those chapters and lets you select one of them.

Am I reading you correctly that this is possible with the Toshiba RD-XS35, to create chapter menus?

Still curious what the remote for the XS35 looks like. Can any one provide a picture?

Thanks.

Found this on Best Buy's US site.

http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/7726/7726632rca.jpg (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=cat13506&type=page&skuId=7726632&productId=1140391906760&viewtype=remoteControl&h=387)

Go ahead, click on it! :cool:

This is a feature I've been looking for! I've had an LG, a Pioneer 633 and a Panasonic ES50, and as far as I can tell, even if you create chapters, you can not create a menu that shows those chapters and lets you select one of them.

Am I reading you correctly that this is possible with the Toshiba RD-XS35, to create chapter menus?

I'm just learning how to use the Toshiba RD-KX50SU (which should be pretty function identical to the XS series), and I have to say the functionality is really mindblowing. Just the DVD menu creation is pretty amazing, imo. You can rename/hide/pick'n'choose chapters/titles/disc name, generate thumbnails, use a favorite scene as a menu background, pick colors for menus/characters/cursors. Insane, eh? I'm not saying it is an easy machine to use, but it is a kitchen sink of options.

Just picked up a Toshiba sx35 w BB 30% off open box coupon. After one evening of comparing it to my 11 months old Pioneer 531H....

Good things for Toshiba:
1: Created DVD menu options are best of DVD recorder breed.
I'm just learning how to use the Toshiba RD-KX50SU (which should be pretty function identical to the XS series), and I have to say the functionality is really mindblowing. Just the DVD menu creation is pretty amazing, imo. You can rename/hide/pick'n'choose chapters/titles/disc name, generate thumbnails, use a favorite scene as a menu background, pick colors for menus/characters/cursors. Insane, eh? I'm not saying it is an easy machine to use, but it is a kitchen sink of options.
Note: the Toshiba XS35 also will show only one choice on created DVD menu (no blank entries) if you have only one title on the DVD, as opposed to required muli-choices on Pany(6+) and Pioneer(3+).
2: Picture quality appears to very good. I judge subjectivily as equal to Pioneer. Good range of input adjustment options.
3: Three manuals, basic (setup), advanced operations(180 pages) and reference.
4: Has DV input, 160Gb disk and looks good(styling).
5: The recorded DVD-RW worked as designed in several players.

Bad (not so good) things compared to Pioneer 531H:
1: Flags almost everything off my TWC digital cable box as copy once.. Can't copy it to a DVD. WTF... I did find a analog advertising channel that it said was ok to copy to DVD. None of my other DVD recorders have this "copy once" problem.
2: Doesn't pick up Recording title info from cable box like Pioneer.
3: Doesn't respond to any cable box generated VCR record/stop commands like the Pioneer. I tried all 8 Toshiba sets and the three xs35 option combinations.
3: Not as easy to use as Pioneer in virually any mode.
4:Title text entry is difficult. Pioneer can use number keypad (aka telephone style) in addition to on-screen matrix.
5: Hate the hidden buttons on remote, understand its similar to new 640 remote.
6: The FAN IS LOUD and keeps running on the Toshiba.

Summary:
Toshiba has a lot of features and with features comes complexity It is capable of creating very good recordings on the hdd... Bad Items 1,2 and 3 are fatal flaws for me and my cable system. I did not try to load the TVGOS.

Soooo it'll be going back to BB. :(

I agree that picking up scheduling and control information through an external cable box can be a hit and miss affair. I pretty much run my Toshiba autonomously (not expecting it to be able to link to other electronic resources).

On #1, I was to understand that when restricted to "copy once" status, you should be able to move the title from hdd to dvd (it will delete the hdd copy after the dvd is created). It's probably buried in some menu to explicitly command a move operation, rather than a copy or dub operation.

The fan issue must be highly variable unit to unit. I often hear of complaints of fan noises on various products, but the unit I have is nearly silent. I have to put my ear right up to the front to sense the fan is running. The hdd is also barely audible- pretty much the turn-on/turn-off click stands out more than when it is running.

Sorry it didn't work out for you, though.

On #1, I was to understand that when restricted to "copy once" status, you should be able to move the title from hdd to dvd (it will delete the hdd copy after the dvd is created). It's probably buried in some menu to explicitly command a move operation, rather than a copy or dub operation.

The "copy once" restriction only allows for recording on the HDD or a DVD-RAM disc (perhaps in some cases DVD-RW[VR]). When the recording is transferred to DVD-RAM, the copy on the HDD is deleted.

"Copy once" will NOT allow recording or transferring to a DVD-R disc.

Ah, ok. It seems strange to allow the DVD-RAM, but not the DVD-R. Why do you suppose that is?

Can you still record direct to dvd-r for copy-once programs? Is the copy-mode of a program indicated somewhere beforehand, or is it only able to detect this after the fact?

The idea is to restrict "copy once" programming to VR recording, but not video recording. This complies with the CPRM (Content Protection for Recordable Media) requirements.

Here's a section from the manual for my Panasonic E-500 DVD recorder.

For recording to the HDD: "You can record digital broadcasts that allow “One time only recording”. You can transfer (dub) a recorded title to a CPRM compatible DVD-RAM; however, the title is erased from the HDD."

For recording to a DVD-RAM: "You can record digital broadcasts that allow “One time only recording” when using CPRM compatible discs (i.e., DVD-RAM). You cannot transfer (dub) a recorded title (to a DVD-R)."

You cannot record copy once programming on a DVD-R.

It's all about copy protection...the wave of the future.

had my cable box on with recorder turned off for 48 hours now and still nothing loaded. i have it wired with rf into cable box, rf cable box out to recorder in, rf recorder out to tv. i can see the channels on my cable box changing indicating it's searching, even with the tv on the channels change. can't even watch tv while this goes on

I'm guessing dvd-r doesn't support the copy-once flag, so that is why they make it so you cannot record the program to dvd-r, even though it still would be "once". They know once the program is on the dvd-r, then it will be open season, which would circumvent the whole objective of "copy-once" mode. Does that make sense, or is it still not quite accurate?

That's the conclusion I came to as well. Although ripping something off DVD-RAM is just about as easy as DVD-R.

I'm guessing dvd-r doesn't support the copy-once flag, so that is why they make it so you cannot record the program to dvd-r, even though it still would be "once". They know once the program is on the dvd-r, then it will be open season, which would circumvent the whole objective of "copy-once" mode. Does that make sense, or is it still not quite accurate?

You are correct. DVD-R is not compliant with CPRM, and therefore "copy once" recording to DVD-R is prohibited.

And yes, programs can be ripped from DVD-RAM to the HDD of a computer and then to DVD-R, but also copy-protected commercial DVDs can also be ripped to HDD on a computer. These prohibitions were developed to prevent easy copying of copyright protected material.

still no tvgos WTF how have you guys connected yours? right now i would like to keep my dvr cable box hooked up to record the programs i have on there. after that i will have just a digital cable box to record directly to the hdd instead of my current dvr cable box

And yes, programs can be ripped from DVD-RAM to the HDD of a computer and then to DVD-R, but also copy-protected commercial DVDs can also be ripped to HDD on a computer.
How do you rip copy protected material off a DVD-RAM? I have no trouble with unprotected material but I don't have any luck with protected. Please help!

Thanks

I don't think a DVD-RAM will be copy-protected, certainly not in the same way as a commercial DVD is protected (with CSS). There may be a "copy-never" flag on associated with the content, but that shouldn't keep a PC-based application from getting at the raw video. Just guessing here though since I've never really dealt with DVD-RAM (I use DVD-RW when I want to move something from DVD Recorder to PC).

How do you rip copy protected material off a DVD-RAM? I have no trouble with unprotected material but I don't have any luck with protected. Please help!

Thanks

There are several programs that will take the video off a DVD-RAM and burn it to DVD-R, but I have not used them. Do a search and you will find many posts about that very subject.

There are several programs that will take the video off a DVD-RAM and burn it to DVD-R, but I have not used them. Do a search and you will find many posts about that very subject.Yeah, I know that. They only work with normal unprotected material, not protected material. Has anyone tried with success?

As I mentioned in my replay, I'm pretty sure those programs don't care if there is some flag set somewhere that says Copy Never on a DVD-RAM, the MPEG files can be easily retrieved. Only DVD Recorders pay attention to such flags. But no I have not tried it personally.

What he said...

Can anyone tell me how the rd-xs35 is better then the xs34? Seems to me all the features are identical. The only thing I can think of is that the 35 supports satellite now, but other then that everything else at least as far as HDD and software options is the same.

Thanks,

Rob

Can anyone tell me how the rd-xs35 is better then the xs34? Seems to me all the features are identical. The only thing I can think of is that the 35 supports satellite now, but other then that everything else at least as far as HDD and software options is the same.

Thanks,

Rob

The RD-XS34 costs less, looks better, has better case construction and more buttons on the front panel. Otherwise they are identical. :)

As I mentioned in my replay, I'm pretty sure those programs don't care if there is some flag set somewhere that says Copy Never on a DVD-RAM, the MPEG files can be easily retrieved. Only DVD Recorders pay attention to such flags. But no I have not tried it personally.Well, I have tried and the flags do affect. Thanks for your input.

So you cannot read the files on a DVD-RAM that is flagged as Copy-Never? Interesting. It would seem you know more about it than me. Sorry I couldn't help you.

I find that hard to believe. Anyone else run into this problem?

Everytime I try to record anything now it says Unexpected Error has Occured. Any ideas?

Recording to HDD or DVD?

- Different media
- Factory Reset
- Format HDD
- Clean DVD laser lense
- Firmware Update

If none of that fixes the problem, I can't think of anything else besides getting it serviced.

I bought a refurbed XS32. I liked it and the features (no TV guide, just VCR +) but It had playback problems. I sent it back to Toshiba for repairs, it came back with more problems!

I sent it back and they declared it a "Dead Unit" and sent me a new XS35.

So far I like the unit but the big issue I have with it is not easily being able to set an end time for a quick record.

My main reason for the unit is to transfer shows from my DVR to the Toshiba and save them off to disk. So basically, say I have a 30 minute show on my DVR. I hit play on the DVR, hit record on the Toshiba , and then set the record time to end 30 minutes later. The XS32 did this with no problem, but I'll be darned if I can find a way to make the XS35 do this simple thing!

Does anyone have a solution?


Thanks!!!!

Dave

This isn't a solution, but I'd say call up Toshiba and tell them that they took away a VERY useful function.

(BTW, all that the quick record does is use one of the regular recording slots..* I have had all 32 slots filled up, and trying to set an end time gives an error like "unable to set end time" because the slots were full.)

I called them and he had no explanation why the feature was left out. I asked him to list it as something I would like to see on a future Firmware update.
(I'm sure that's the last I'll ever hear about it!)

I can't understand why a newer model would be less capable then it's older counterpart!


Dave

I fiqured out a work-around.

In the TV guide menu, go to scheduling, hit 'Menu' then go to 'Set Manual Recording'

The start time will be at or early than the current time so you just set the end time and go to 'Schedule Recording'.

It will start recording immediately.

It's clunky, but it works fine.


Dave

Just picked up a XS35 a couple weeks ago. It's pretty much the same as the XS34 less the buttons for navigation, channels, TV guide and timeslip, but the remote is exactly the same. There's an additional option for "DVD drive speed setting" under the management menu and options for "Guide & clcok reset", "Set top Box Setting" under initial settings. The drive mounts discs faster than on the XS34, is quieter and is supposedly capable of 6X DVD-RW, but it's only 4X on the 6X Ridata's. However, I've found that it's not compatible (ERR-14) with SONY -RW's which werk fine in the X34 and all my PC burners. Other brands of -RW like TDK, Ridata work but have trouble reading on both my PC drives and some DVD players (various brands). I exchanged the XS35 for another and unfortunately the result is exactly the same.

The conclusion:Get the XS34 instead if possible.

update: the TBC on the XS35 is not quite up there with the XS34, doesn't handle bad tapes as well.

What does the DVD drive speed setting do? Is it just to slow it down to work with flakier discs?

What does the DVD drive speed setting do? Is it just to slow it down to work with flakier discs?
On page 156 of the manual it says "The dubbing speed is lowered to reduce the
mechanical noise." Haven't tested that yet to know the speed.

After recording something last night, I went to try and watch something off the HDD. When I initially turned it on, the unit reported "HDD consistency cannot be verified". Shortly thereafter, it reported "HDD Empty", and now I seem to have lost almost 70hrs of recorded programming.

Haven't had time to troubleshoot, but when I pull up the index via Easy Navi, there does not appear to be anything on the drive.

Has anyone else seen this? Are these things known for crashing? Wondering if some kind of system bug may have something to do with it. I think there was only about 14mins of free space left on the drive at the time of the crash.

Had planned to transfer a lot of that stuff to DVD, but hadn't gotten around to it. Somewhat maddening.

After recording something last night, I went to try and watch something off the HDD. When I initially turned it on, the unit reported "HDD consistency cannot be verified". Shortly thereafter, it reported "HDD Empty", and now I seem to have lost almost 70hrs of recorded programming.

Haven't had time to troubleshoot, but when I pull up the index via Easy Navi, there does not appear to be anything on the drive.

Has anyone else seen this? Are these things known for crashing? Wondering if some kind of system bug may have something to do with it. I think there was only about 14mins of free space left on the drive at the time of the crash.

Had planned to transfer a lot of that stuff to DVD, but hadn't gotten around to it. Somewhat maddening.

I owned a Tos xs35 for a few days and had some disk fragmentation problems with it after editing a few movies from cable. I don't think its disk management software is as robust as Pioneer or Pansonic, but the DVD menu creation options and picture quality were great. I 've used a Pioneer 531 for 17 months and haven't experienced any HDD problems with it. Close to 850 DVD's burned on it.

ymmv :o

Haven't had time to troubleshoot, but when I pull up the index via Easy Navi, there does not appear to be anything on the drive.

Has anyone else seen this? Are these things known for crashing? Wondering if some kind of system bug may have something to do with it. I think there was only about 14mins of free space left on the drive at the time of the crash.
Try holding the power button to do a reboot. I've used an XS34 for 18months and an XS35 for about a month. I've experienced this once on the XS35 but got my titles back after a reboot. If you've recorded new stuff since the incident then your old stuff may be lost forever.

[QUOTE=tedmacwpg]After recording something last night, I went to try and watch something off the HDD. When I initially turned it on, the unit reported "HDD consistency cannot be verified". Shortly thereafter, it reported "HDD Empty", and now I seem to have lost almost 70hrs of recorded programming.

Did you initialize your disc before you recorded? I've heard that disc initialization can cause any previous contents to be deleted. I've read that different types of dvd's are more susceptible for deletion. The DVD R/RW seems to be less prone to having its contents deleted.

Does anyone know the maximum number of Scheduled (Timer) Recordings allowed in the RD-XS35? I've been poring through the manual but can't seem to find it.

(Someone, I think, previously mentioned 32 ... can anyone confirm this? Where is it stated in the manual?)

TIA!
David

thanks

The XS32 has a 32 item limit, I would suspect that the 35 has the same.

32 items is USUALLY far more than I have needed, except for a few times when I tried to make manual tues-sat recordings (late night shows). But the great ability to turn-off-but-not-delete recordings has caused me to let it get full a few times.

What is the consensus of the board as to the preferred media to "off-load" content on to? DVD+R, -R, +RW, -RW, or DVD-ROM?

Thanks!

The XS32 has a 32 item limit, I would suspect that the 35 has the same.

Thanks, Mattack - much appreciated!! :)

I've had this XS35 since July but over the summer we were at the cottage a lot, so didn't use it that much. Now I'm starting to use it more and to like it more.

FYI, I also had a Philips HDRW720 that would intermittently lose its programming, OSTVG, etc (same complaints many have had on this board). It could work fine for a couple of months, then go Poof! Aside from that, it was great (... when it worked). Anyway, I got sick of fussing with it so I bought the Toshiba.

Well, three weeks ago (just before its Birthday - a.k.a. warranty expiry), I decided, what the heck, and brought it into the shop. To my dismay, they were able to recreate some of my problems and have now asked Philips to replace it. I haven't got it yet, but I'm hoping they'll give me a newer model - OK, one can hope, right?! :p

Thanks again - I'll keep you posted.

IMO the XS32 was the best model in terms of flexibility. I wanted to get a newer version with a larger hard drive, but found to my surprise they put in that horrible TVguide system!

They also took away many useful buttons on the remote such as the end time, and chapter divide, time location, from the 1st row.

Also the fans runs constantly so I returned the XS34 modle.

I wonder if they fixed any of these problems in the XS35 model?

I tried out a Pioneer 640H and though it is good, it doesn't have anywhere near the editing capabilties of the Toshibas. I am going to see if I can get a Panny EH50 to try as a 2nd DVDR.

The Panasonic EH-50 is last year's model and is discontinued. This year's model is the EH-55.

What is the consensus of the board as to the preferred media to "off-load" content on to? DVD+R, -R, +RW, -RW, or DVD-ROM?

Thanks!

I have an XS34 and have no problem recording to the HDD. I find it doesn't recognize low quality DVD-R and DVD-RW so I have several 50 stacks that can't be used but Panasonic seem to work.
The only problem I have is a colour change in the off-loaded content. CSI on the HDD still looks great but the dubbed version on the DVD has a green tinge, especially on faces. I haven't found a fix yet so my HDD is filling up rapidly.

Thanks for the info, jtmm -- I was afraid of the color change...glad you warned me!

OK, so they replaced my unit with a newer model ...

Some improvements, like:
- 160 GB HD (120 GB in the old one)
- ability to burn all types of discs (old one could only do DVD-R and -RW)
- can play DivX (but I already have a Panasonic up-converting DVD player to do this, or I just hook my laptop up via S-video/sound and it works perfectly)

BUT, it's missing some key features:
- no On-screen TV Guide (my wife insists on this)
- no Flextime (a.k.a. Chase Play, timeslip, etc) ... this is critical; one of my key reasons for buying a hard drive recorder is so that I can start watching a 1 hr show 15 minutes after the recording has started, zip past all the commercials and catch up to it at the end

(I realize this is the wrong thread, but ...) Any thoughts on this? Has anyone dealt with Philips before in such a situation? What are my options?

TIA!

The Toshiba does not have dual layer recording a major miss!

I've had a xs32 for maybe 3 years now and once learned how to use it, loved it! Then switched from cable to Directv and it was not compatible. The brand code was not listed so I think I have to accept that they won't work together. I found the brand codes listed for Directv in the xs35 manual, not the 34 so may have to go with the the 35. Back to the 32, the only way I can record to the HDD is to have the channel on I want to record. If I flip channels it records whatever I am watching. So I recorded a pay-per-view movie to the HD. When I went to copy it to DVD it told me I could only record to a DVD-RAM. So I did that. It did not delete it from the HD, so guess I can record again to another DVD-RAM. So questions:
Would the XS34 or XS35 only allow me to record once to a DVD-RAM and then delete it from the hard drive?
Will this increased copywrite protection prevent me from copying shows I record from, say, the Discovery Channel to multiple DVD-Rs?
Does anyone know if the XS34 is compatible with Directv?
Is the fan just as loud on the 34 as it is on the 35? It's not loud on my 32.
Thanks!

I was watching a show on one of the music channels (CMT) yesterday and decided to record it. Everything seemed normal until a few minutes into the show when a message showed on-screen, saying something like "This program is copy protected. Recording paused."

I couldn't un-pause it, even though the red light remained on, showing that it was in "record" mode. After a couple more minutes, the red "record" light went out.

Try as I might, I can't find anything in the user manual explaining this.

Questions:
1. Has anyone had this happen before?
2. Where is it described in the manual?
3. How do I know a program is so-protected? (I'd rather know ahead of time, rather than program a recording only to find out it didn't record past the first few minutes.)
4. Is there any way around it?

Thanks to one and all for any info and/or input! :)

David

I just went out and bought the XS35. It doesn't seem to be compatible with Directv either. The manual lists one code (106) for Directv. Tried it and still can't change channels. Are there any DVD HDD recorders (with at least 80GB hard drive) that works with Directv? Directv makes one, but it doesn't record to DVD and it has the worst reviews I've ever seen, AND I'd have to pay $5.99/month to use the "service." I want cable back! Hope BestBuy takes it back.

I just got one of these as a gift for my folks, but they use DirectTV. Can anybody confirm or deny wether this will work with DirectTV?

I can't absolutely confirm it, because I don't have a satellite service, but the connections and diagrams, as well as the text in the owners manaul, all suggest that you should have no problem.

My only warning would be that the manuals are very detailed but I have a hell of a time deciphering some of the directions, especially where editing some of the content is concerned. But that's just me, I think the others on this board probably don't feel the same way.

Well, since several in this thread say it doesn't work well with DirectTV. So I'm taking it back to BB today. I just ordered the Pioneer 640H-S instead. A little more than the Toshiba which was on sale, but since it's much more popular on this forum, it should be easier to use and more reliable. Either that or the thread has over 2000 posts because of a lot of problems...

Can this unit be used to record 5c content as I heard people saying it can to a dvd-ram disc is this correct? Does it have a firewire connection on the back also?

Well, since several in this thread say it doesn't work well with DirectTV. So I'm taking it back to BB today. I just ordered the Pioneer 640H-S instead. A little more than the Toshiba which was on sale, but since it's much more popular on this forum, it should be easier to use and more reliable. Either that or the thread has over 2000 posts because of a lot of problems...
I think you're going to love your Pio 640! Both easy to use and very reliable, with enhanced recording quality compared to last year's models.

Like others, you might really enjoy the Manual (MN) record modes, which allow you to get really close to a show's running time so you can maximize quality. These are especially useful if you like to remove commercials before archiving...you can record at the expected commercial-less show time, which is usually an "odd" show length, then remove them.

The only real "problem" discussed in those 2000 posts is the inability to transfer your timer rec. program show titles, which you can enter when setting up a program, to the actual recorded show. The recorded show gets the normal date, time, channel, etc.

I think Pioneer had intended for the 640 to have a TVGOS, which would have supplied the title, but removed it at the last minute. I say this 'cause, even after it was first released, I saw many websites that said it had TVGOS...my theory only.

wondering if anyone can help me, i just picked up the toshiba rd - xs35 everything is working except for the tv guide. I live in edmonton and have telus cable. During set up it can't find the proper code. wondering if anyone has had this problem or know a tech support number for canada.
thanks

wondering if anyone can help me, i just picked up the toshiba rd - xs35 everything is working except for the tv guide. I live in edmonton and have telus cable. During set up it can't find the proper code. wondering if anyone has had this problem or know a tech support number for canada.
thanks

I guessing you picked up your new XS35 on the boxing Day sale. I bought mine today from future shop for $250 CODEN.
I feel your frustration on the TV guide set up. I have the Bell Express View (Satellite box). I cannot find the proper code either. I must admit, the instruction book did test my demeanor. I went from telling myself what a great deal :) to I cannot wait to return it :( back to what a great deal :DA . After many hours of reading and trial and in error, I started to understand how to work the remote control. Then I had a break through in understanding the manual.
Here is how I will solve my TV guide problem. I will just set my timers manually on the satellite box and the recorder. It works great and finally can start recorder our favorite programs again.
Cannot wait to try recording direct from my Sony camcorder. OK, I need to read that chapter next :rallyes:

Dec. 28
Bell Express View satellite user - box code is 100 ---- now waiting for it to populate the guide ---I will keep you posted. I found this out by seeing who manufactured my satellite box = Echostar. Its on the back of satellite box in VERY small print! I am not 100% confident that its going to populate my TV guide. But it gave me a ray of hope. :D Reading some posts , it may take up to a week. :confused:
Other learnings. Be very careful to read the instructions on hooking the wires. :o ...otherwise you do what I did and my quality of pictures wasn't as crisp as before. Thinking it was the recorder, it was my mistake. Now my picture looks great. :) I did have problems with the sound when the recorder played it backed. It could of been my previous wire mistake...OR...Is it my imatiation or am I just hearing voices from the Toshiba team who wrote the manual...Lucky I am on holidays to try to figure all this out. Todays goal is to fine tune the sound ,learn more about the remote adjustments and see if the TV guide will work. ;) PS: I did notice a BIG difference in my picture quality when I used the S-connection for both my TV and Satellite box. The component connection doesn't work unless you have a separate AVI receiver for the auto out put. I used the the component connection and pluged the auto out put into to my TV. Thats why my sound and picture start having problems. Now that I got that off my chest but to the manual. :rolleyes:

Dec 29
Manual says that the TV guide dosen't work with sattelite box , must use manual timer. No big deal. Great picture on the recordered hard drive, just like watching the orginal. Really happy with the quailty of picture on the DVD out put.

Toshiba is always terrible with their instruction books. I had thought about being a technical writer and they were one of the companies I noticed sure could sue some. lol

Hi everyone!

I just got mine yesterday.

Anyone try hooking it up to an FTA satellite box?
I have the satellite going into the DVR using INPUT3 but I get nothing but static in the TV Guide (it has been only 12 hours streaming though).

Also, does the XS35 play DivX? I assumed it would but so far I'm guessing I ASSuMEd incorrectly.

Any and all advice is welcome.

Thanks.

Got mine at FutureShop at a boxing day sale. I already own a Citizen DVD recorder without a hard drive. Picture quality is much better on the Toshiba but it is way more complicated to use. Problems are:

I have Bell Express Vu. I am assuming that the TV Guide funtion won't work with the sattellite box.

When I record Movies (from satellite movie channel) to the Hard Drive, I can't burn them to a DVD. It gives me a warning message that "This operation was terminated because copy protection data was detected". However, it seems to work when I record direct to a DVD-R disk. It does not work when I set the timer to record to a DVD-R disk.

The other problem I encountered was that even though I set the player to turn the Hard Disk off after 5 minutes of "power off", the fan keeps whirring which makes me think the hard drive is still spinning.

I just got the XS35 on Boxing Day as well. I have managed to record from FTA Receiver (Pansat 2500A) into input 1 and Expressvu 3100 into input 3. I did not configure the XS35 to try pull in the TV Guide...etc. I just record programs using the "Scheduled Timer". Quality is excellent, as good as live TV. HDD->DVD-R burning rocks, no problem with copyright protection. You can even create chapters...etc. The manual is complex, but once you get use to it is great. Only drawbacks are the fan keeps staying ON, and does not like DVD+RW media.

Good job Toshiba

A point of clarification. The DVD recorder won't record direct to DVD-R from the movie channel. It will pause after a few minutes and state "Recording paused. Copy protected material". I have the Bell ExpressVu 3100 going into input 2. I tried both composite connections and a S-VHS cable.

Recording from the channels that are not the Bell ExpressVu movie channels (MovieCentral in western Canada) is no problem.

I just got the XS35 on Boxing Day as well. I have managed to record from FTA Receiver (Pansat 2500A) into input 1 and Expressvu 3100 into input 3. I did not configure the XS35 to try pull in the TV Guide...etc. I just record programs using the "Scheduled Timer". Quality is excellent, as good as live TV. HDD->DVD-R burning rocks, no problem with copyright protection. You can even create chapters...etc. The manual is complex, but once you get use to it is great. Only drawbacks are the fan keeps staying ON, and does not like DVD+RW media.

Good job Toshiba

Hi, Did you try to record from the Express Vu movie channels to a DVD-R. My two posts describe the problems I have been having with "copy Protected Programs". First I heard of it and it was never mentiined in Consumer reports.

A point of clarification. The DVD recorder won't record direct to DVD-R from the movie channel. It will pause after a few minutes and state "Recording paused. Copy protected material". I have the Bell ExpressVu 3100 going into input 2. I tried both composite connections and a S-VHS cable.

Recording from the channels that are not the Bell ExpressVu movie channels (MovieCentral in western Canada) is no problem.

I just read on another forum that in Canada, Bell ExpressVu send a blocking signal on thier pay movie channels. This goes over analog connections and the Toshiba DVD won't allow recording to DVD-R. Only to the Hard Drive. Well that sucks. I wanted to burn movies to watch while in my RV in the summer.

I just read on another forum that in Canada, Bell ExpressVu send a blocking signal on thier pay movie channels. This goes over analog connections and the Toshiba DVD won't allow recording to DVD-R. Only to the Hard Drive. Well that sucks. I wanted to burn movies to watch while in my RV in the summer.

I've heard that you can get around this by "moving" the content to a DVD-RAM disk, then ising your computer to copy to DVD-R ... a pain ... but free movies


-TG

Hi, Did you try to record from the Express Vu movie channels to a DVD-R. My two posts describe the problems I have been having with "copy Protected Programs". First I heard of it and it was never mentiined in Consumer reports.

Hi,

I did not record the program directly onto the DVD-R. I did the HDD first, then create chapters then send it to the DVD-R.

For the 3100 expressvu unit I connected it to input 3 with RCA cable. I did not use s-video.

Here's what I have success in recording: Movie Channels and PPV.

My XS35 is not programmed to change channels on expressvu. I just have to be on the channel when recording. So it records whatever comes into input3.

re: XS35
OK, maybe I been pressing to many buttons. cannot find the answer in the book. Maybe someone can help.
Everthing is working except the Line section is lock on #3. I want to use line 2 to record my camcorder. But the button will not switch to Line#2 or #3.
Any ideas what I am doing wrong?
Thx

re: XS35
OK, maybe I been pressing to many buttons. cannot find the answer in the book. Maybe someone can help.
Everthing is working except the Line section is lock on #3. I want to use line 2 to record my camcorder. But the button will not switch to Line#2 or #3.
Any ideas what I am doing wrong?
Thx

I don't why it locked...but I reset the unit back to manufacture settings and now works again.

I live in Calgary, Ab and selected Shaw Cable as my provider, however when the channels download, they are in totally the wrong order. I re-ordered the stations to the correct lineup, but now want to reset the thing to set the time (I was off by a minute) and dont want to redo all those channels... any way to get it to order the channels correctly??!??!

Hi,

I did not record the program directly onto the DVD-R. I did the HDD first, then create chapters then send it to the DVD-R.

For the 3100 expressvu unit I connected it to input 3 with RCA cable. I did not use s-video.

Here's what I have success in recording: Movie Channels and PPV.

My XS35 is not programmed to change channels on expressvu. I just have to be on the channel when recording. So it records whatever comes into input3.

I tried switching to Input 3. Same problem arises on the movie channels only. I recorded a pay per view hockey game and there was no problem transferring to DVD-R. I am in British Columbia but I suppose there is only one feed for Bell ExpressVu. I found this post on another forum: "Bell ExpressVu Tech Support more or less admitted that they were blocking recording. Specifically I was advised that new movies shown on Movie Central would be blocked for 1 year. After that period of time blocking would cease. E.g., 1 year after "King Kong" premiered on Movie Central, blocking would be removed." However, even older movies will still give me the "can;t copy" message.

I live in BC and have the Bell Express View. I try the same thing as Tech Boss and got the same results as yourself. Switching cables to RCA from S-Video connection did not make a different and I already had it plugged into input 3. I did not think that would work. It was worth a try.
Their are other programs that are block beside the movie channels from Bell Express View. I recordered a Warren Miller ski program on the sports channel and it came up blocked.
But their is hope..... I bought a DVD Ram disk ($7 a disk - ouch!) its rewriteable... You can transfer the block program from your hard drive onto this disk. It will automatically remove it from the hard but al least you have it on a disk to play in another DVD machine as long it plays DVD ram disk.

I am currently testing a record on the specific channel MC1 (Movie Central). I will report sucess/failure on burning on DVD-R after testing later tonight.

I had been searching to find a DVD recorder that was capable of the picture quality delivered by my Sony RDR-HX900. After not being ablle to find another "900", I purchased a Panasonic since Sony no longer makes a DVDR with a Hard Disk. Although the Panasonic has alot of nice features, it just never matched the PQ of the Sony. I purchased a Pioneer a little over a year ago. Returned it due to PQ(guess I am kind of picky). I looked at the Toshiba RD-XS54 and the RD-XS34 and passed on bad recommendations. I often wondered how the Toshibas really were. they were not readily available in my area so, i didn;t try one out. I had been really reading and searching for reviews on the RD-XS55 for that past few weeks. This was due to the fact that I bought a 2006 Panasonic DVDR a few weeks ago after reading that the PQ improved on the 2006 models and really Like Panasonic Products (2 Plasma TVs, Phones, etc...). The fact of the matter is , I was dispointed again. I was out of town for a few days and got the opportunity to locate a Pioneer 640 and a Toshiba RD-XS35. After playing with both units in the stores. I decided to give Tohiba a try. I was concerned that they only warranted for 90 Labor. I returned home today ran init set-up and TV Guide and did a couple test recordings on the Hard Disk Drive. I want to say that I am not sure of the limitations of this machine because I haven't had time to get to know it yet but, I can truly say it seems to be the first DVD R that I have found that can Rival my Sony for PQ. The picture truly looks just as good. Right now I am very happy and if this machine proves versatile and not too limited in tranfering that quality of recording to a DVD-R , I will surely be ordering a Toshiba RD-XS55 for fear they will change these recorders in the future.

I had been searching to find a DVD recorder that was capable of the picture quality delivered by my Sony RDR-HX900. After not being ablle to find another "900", I purchased a Panasonic since Sony no longer makes a DVDR with a Hard Disk. Although the Panasonic has alot of nice features, it just never matched the PQ of the Sony. I purchased a Pioneer a little over a year ago. Returned it due to PQ(guess I am kind of picky). I looked at the Toshiba RD-XS54 and the RD-XS34 and passed on bad recommendations. I often wondered how the Toshibas really were. they were not readily available in my area so, i didn;t try one out. I had been really reading and searching for reviews on the RD-XS55 for that past few weeks. This was due to the fact that I bought a 2006 Panasonic DVDR a few weeks ago after reading that the PQ improved on the 2006 models and really Like Panasonic Products (2 Plasma TVs, Phones, etc...). The fact of the matter is , I was dispointed again. I was out of town for a few days and got the opportunity to locate a Pioneer 640 and a Toshiba RD-XS35. After playing with both units in the stores. I decided to give Tohiba a try. I was concerned that they only warranted for 90 Labor. I returned home today ran init set-up and TV Guide and did a couple test recordings on the Hard Disk Drive. I want to say that I am not sure of the limitations of this machine because I haven't had time to get to know it yet but, I can truly say it seems to be the first DVD R that I have found that can Rival my Sony for PQ. The picture truly looks just as good. Right now I am very happy and if this machine proves versatile and not too limited in tranfering that quality of recording to a DVD-R , I will surely be ordering a Toshiba RD-XS55 for fear they will change these recorders in the future.

I've tried them all I can tell you that Toshiba is hands down the best out there right now for a higher end machine. I made a decision not to shout this from the mountain tops because there are some posters that promote their various brands and may not appreciate this opinion. But after reading your post I thought I would chime in.

It will take weeks if not months to fully understand all that it can do. The typical Toshiba manual is over 200 pages long and I think less than half of what it can do is in there.

For example you can merge video clips down to the chapter level across titles to the HDD. Some higher end recorders do not even have the ability to merge titles - let alone merge indiscriminate chapters from various titles into a new title.

A couple days ago I recorded on a DVD-Ram from three recorders (Samsumg, Panasonic, Toshiba). I dubbed the titles to my Toshibas HDD. Sliced and diced them into one title. And burned this hybrid video to DVD-R.

By the way mine does normal stuff very good too.

I've got to agree. I've tried LG, Pioneer and Panasonic, and while the only perfect machine would be the one that could be made to order to your own specifications, the Toshiba is the one I've been most pleased with.

I've tried them all I can tell you that Toshiba is hands down the best out there right now for a higher end machine. I made a decision not to shout this from the mountain tops because there are some posters that promote their various brands and may not appreciate this opinion. But after reading your post I thought I would chime in.

It will take weeks if not months to fully understand all that it can do. The typical Toshiba manual is over 200 pages long and I think less than half of what it can do is in there.

For example you can merge video clips down to the chapter level across titles to the HDD. Some higher end recorders do not even have the ability to merge titles - let alone merge indiscriminate chapters from various titles into a new title.

A couple days ago I recorded on a DVD-Ram from three recorders (Samsumg, Panasonic, Toshiba). I dubbed the titles to my Toshibas HDD. Sliced and diced them into one title. And burned this hybrid video to DVD-R.

By the way mine does normal stuff very good too.
I have to agree, I was playing a bit and created a DVD SET THE 16:9 Aspect Ratio and selected a menu... (wow! what a selection) and burned it to DVD-R. It played in my Sonys , Pannys and Philips Player without a hitch. And the best part is.... The PQ is truly on Par with my RD-HX900. This is the first machine I have seen, (and I have owned way too many including a H-D Pioneer.) That has PQ like my Sony!!!!!!! The recording bit rates were a bit confusing at first until I realized how I set them up is what options I have when I hit the record mode button. Remote door is not the best but, who cares? PQ is tops for me and with all the other bells and whistles it "Ices it's own cake". This machine will save me alot of editing on my computer! Even if the rest is a struggle( I like techincal challenges) it will stay for the picture quality.. I think I will hang out with Toshiba for a while! As far as the guys supporting the other brand... If we keep this quiet maybe we can get some buys on the year end close-outs in a couple of months!

Question. With the Toshiba TV GUIDE... How do you advance + - 24 hrs? On my Sony and Panny there are two buttons a green and a blue to do this , the Toshiba Doesn;t have this. Can Someone Give me a tip?

Question. With the Toshiba TV GUIDE... How do you advance + - 24 hrs? On my Sony and Panny there are two buttons a green and a blue to do this , the Toshiba Doesn;t have this. Can Someone Give me a tip?

on the TV Guide screen type in 24. Select "Hours Ahead" in the side bar.

TG

Thanks! Work Great!

I'm having the same problem an earlier poster had. I'm trying to record something from a VCR plugged into the front composite inputs (L-2), but I've obviously pressed something (or not) that has disabled input switching. When I press the "Input Select" button, nothing happens. The earlier poster corrected his problem by resetting the unit to factory settings, but I've yet to find the instructions listed to do that. If anyone has the secret key presses to get the input select working or knows how to reset the unit, i would appreciate it.

I'm having the same problem an earlier poster had. I'm trying to record something from a VCR plugged into the front composite inputs (L-2), but I've obviously pressed something (or not) that has disabled input switching. When I press the "Input Select" button, nothing happens. The earlier poster corrected his problem by resetting the unit to factory settings, but I've yet to find the instructions listed to do that. If anyone has the secret key presses to get the input select working or knows how to reset the unit, i would appreciate it.


Did you try a cold reboot? My recorder froze up once, and i had to unplug it. Worked fine after booting up.

TG

PS: The reboot also cured my listings that disappeared one day.

I got a quick question about the Toshiba DVD Recorders. Can you just use any DVD media to record with or does it have to be a specific brand? The reason why I'm asking is because someone said with the RD-XS55 you needed specific media brand.

I got a quick question about the Toshiba DVD Recorders. Can you just use any DVD media to record with or does it have to be a specific brand? The reason why I'm asking is because someone said with the RD-XS55 you needed specific media brand.

It will only record onto -R/-RW media. I've heard Toshiba's are fussy with cheap media. I've used Maxell, Imation, Verbatim with no problems.

TG

EDIT: Also used Fuji and HP

It will only record onto -R/-RW media. I've heard Toshiba's are fussy with cheap media. I've used Maxell, Imation, Verbatim with no problems.

TG
TDK, Sony and Maxell works in mine so far. I have the 35 though.

I purchased the unit on boxing day and love the machine. The only complaint I have is that I currently have my satellite running on input line 3. The issue I have with this is that I now have to turn on the unit to watch the satellite. Is there a way to get around this.

Thanks!!

Get some "Y" adapters?

http://www.daveswebshop.com/rca-y.jpg

I posted this in another thread, but I was wondering if its possible to somehow turn off the fan on the RD-XS35 when its on standby? The noise is kinda annoying especially when I'm trying to sleep and I feel like I'm wasting energy when its still running even on standby.

Otherwise are there any other HDD recorders that do shut off more completely in standby mode?

I posted this in another thread, but I was wondering if its possible to somehow turn off the fan on the RD-XS35 when its on standby? The noise is kinda annoying especially when I'm trying to sleep and I feel like I'm wasting energy when its still running even on standby.

Otherwise are there any other HDD recorders that do shut off more completely in standby mode?

That was the exact reason I didn't buy one. I wanted it for the bedroom so for me that was a deal breaker. I went with the pioneer 640 (no tVGOS) but it's dead silent when off and still pretty quiet when on. I got lucky, got it as an open box for $229 CDN.... so far it's been a great machine.

I posted this with regards to fan noise. Can anybody else post their experience please.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9368351&&#post9368351

I posted this in another thread, but I was wondering if its possible to somehow turn off the fan on the RD-XS35 when its on standby? The noise is kinda annoying especially when I'm trying to sleep and I feel like I'm wasting energy when its still running even on standby.

Otherwise are there any other HDD recorders that do shut off more completely in standby mode?

The XS35 has the fan running on standby mode because it does downloads for the TVGOS while the unit is off. I assume that unite without the TVGOS would be less likely to have a standby fan.

Also the standby power usage is quite high. I love my TVGOS, so I don't mind paying for the power, and my fan is fairly quiet.

TG

The XS35 has the fan running on standby mode because it does downloads for the TVGOS while the unit is off. I assume that unite without the TVGOS would be less likely to have a standby fan.

Also the standby power usage is quite high. I love my TVGOS, so I don't mind paying for the power, and my fan is fairly quiet.

TG

That really sucks. So far I like this unit in terms of recording off the TV. The PQ of the recordings look damn good. :)

But the constant fan on is really annoying at nights. And trying to be as environmentally friendly as I can, its bothersome that this unit has to be running 24/7. I mean does it really have to be on all the time to receive TVGOS info? Is the download that slow and timeconsuming??

I'm pretty torn as to what to do because of this. If this unit turned off when I wasn't using it like all my other machines did, I'd definitely keep this recorder.

That really sucks. So far I like this unit in terms of recording off the TV. The PQ of the recordings look damn good. :)

But the constant fan on is really annoying at nights. And trying to be as environmentally friendly as I can, its bothersome that this unit has to be running 24/7. I mean does it really have to be on all the time to receive TVGOS info? Is the download that slow and timeconsuming??

I'm pretty torn as to what to do because of this. If this unit turned off when I wasn't using it like all my other machines did, I'd definitely keep this recorder.

TVGOS downloads are acheduled for 4 times a day and last for 3 hours. How much heat is created, and if the unit actually needs a fan while in standby are not questions that i can answer. My guess is that the unit has been over engineered, meaning that it will be able to function in closed environments (like some people have their equipment in while in standby).

The fan noise on my unit is fairly low, so its not an issue for me. The only problem i have is how long the fan motor will last. I will have to wait and see on that.

TG

The fan on my RD-KX50 shuts off whenever I power down the unit. I have no guide.

Is your experience the same?

If you have a guide feature. Does the fan on the unit continue to run when you power the unit off?

TVGOS downloads are acheduled for 4 times a day and last for 3 hours. How much heat is created, and if the unit actually needs a fan while in standby are not questions that i can answer. My guess is that the unit has been over engineered, meaning that it will be able to function in closed environments (like some people have their equipment in while in standby).

The fan noise on my unit is fairly low, so its not an issue for me. The only problem i have is how long the fan motor will last. I will have to wait and see on that.

TG

So its scheduled 4 times a day, does this mean the unit has to hit all 4 of those download times or can it just hit any one of them and get all the TVGOS info? Because if all you need is any one of them, then why can't it just do it once a day for a few hours and then turn off to lessen wear and tear and lower energy usage?

And even if you do have to download the info 4 times a day and it averages 3 hours per download, why can't it powerdown the other 12 hours when it doesn't have to download info? Guess I should ask Toshiba huh? :D

As for the fan noise, in my unit its not terribly loud really, but I can definitely hear it quite clearly when I'm trying to sleep. Maybe its because my ears are sensitive to even minor noises and they always perk up when they detect something out of the ordinary. Who knows? :)

Maybe its because my ears are sensitive to even minor noises and they always perk up when they detect something out of the ordinary. Who knows? :)

Well we are rocking to Jethro Tull live at the Isle of Wight right now. Perhaps.

circa 1970

So its scheduled 4 times a day, does this mean the unit has to hit all 4 of those download times or can it just hit any one of them and get all the TVGOS info? Because if all you need is any one of them, then why can't it just do it once a day for a few hours and then turn off to lessen wear and tear and lower energy usage?

And even if you do have to download the info 4 times a day and it averages 3 hours per download, why can't it powerdown the other 12 hours when it doesn't have to download info? Guess I should ask Toshiba huh? :D

As for the fan noise, in my unit its not terribly loud really, but I can definitely hear it quite clearly when I'm trying to sleep. Maybe its because my ears are sensitive to even minor noises and they always perk up when they detect something out of the ordinary. Who knows? :)

I think it just needs one, except for when initially populating the TVGOS. As for the power down question. How exactly does it know to turn itself on if its "OFF". Yes, it should be possible to have another device that will turn things "ON", but i assume its either beyond the Technology Toshiba has, or its just not worth it.

As for you noise issue, I would suggest one solution would be plugging your device into a power bar and turning off the power bar at night. Now, if you want to record stuff while you are sleeping (which is much more noisy than the fan) or if you will forget to turn it on in the morning, I would have to suggest a good pair of earplugs.

TG

I do have a question, I have the RD-XS35 but I am getting annoyed as everytime i turn it on it flicks my widescreen TV into 4:3 mode, so I need to re-enable the widescreen mode. With the Pioneer 640 does it allow a Bell Expressvu Satellite? Because if it does I may switch over to that one. Any comments would be great! Thanks!

I understand the need to conserve energy, and I realize the power consumption in standby is greater than any other manufacturer reports, but consider the following.

The Toshiba RD-XS35 consumes 35W when operational, 17.1W while in standby with the front display on, 15.1W in standby with the front display off (assuming you don't need the clock display, you could certainly turn this off and save 2W of power).

Now before you decide this is too much power consumption, take a look at the power consumed by the other manufacturer's DVRs

Panasonic DMREH55 (to my knowledge, this is one of the only other DVRs that uses TVGOS). When operational, the DMREH55 consumes 33W and 13.5W in standby.

Pioneer DVR640HS consumes 37W when operational and .29W in standby if the front panel display is off, but with no TVGOS, this explains the low standby power consumption.

Sony RDR-HX730 consumes 40W when operational. Standby power consumption numbers are not available, but you can assume it is low since it has no TVGOS and a thermally activated cooling fan.

LG LRM-519 consumes 65W when operational. Standby power consumption numbers are not available.

Philips DVDR3455H has the lowest operational power consumption at 28W and < 3.0W when in standby. No TVGOS explains the low standby power consumption.


So what are the options? Another DVR? Not so fast!
I've read reviews and personal accounts both here and elsewhere. Add my own experience with the RD-XS35 so far, and I'd say there isn't another unit out there with as many features and with PQ as good, for the mere $250 CAD I paid for a brand new unit.

I was almost certain I wanted the Sony RDR-HX730 until I found out it can't save the timeslipped video. The Pioneer DVR640HS (to my knowledge) can't pause live TV, a deal breaker for me. The Panasonic DMREH55 is out of my price range and the others are reported to have poor picture quality, poor functioning timeslip modes, poor editing features, and bad customer support.

The RD-XS35 is a great unit. It has a steep learning curve, but now that I know how to use it, the features are really worthwhile. Picture quality is excellent, timeslip works better than expected and the price I got was excellent.

Is the fan annoying? Well, yes and no. I don't hear it when watching TV, but I don't care for it when I'm sitting in a quiet room reading. In theory, a firmware update could correct that, so that when the unit is off and the hard drive has spun down, the fan shuts off. If the unit is not receiving updates to TVGOS, this should in theory be possible. However, hardware design could limit the possibilities.

In terms of power consumption, I never turn mine off. My reasoning is that, it is unlikely it is ever consuming more that 20W when I'm not using it. The reason I say this is, I have a Bell ExpressVu satellite receiver connected via S-Video, so TVGOS is never updating anything. I set the HDD to spin down after five minutes of inactivity, so it's unlikely once the HDD is not spinning that very much power is being consumed. It's certainly not consuming 34W at that point.

Fact is, in the greater scheme of things, this unit is not really consuming much power at all, even when on. Lights left on in unoccupied rooms, old and inefficient refrigerators & freezers, and various other appliances running in unoccupied rooms of your house consume a lot more energy than a DVR.

Well put TORES i agree 100%.

TG

PS - That was the best 1st post I've seen on any forum

Thanks.

I'm still within my 30 days with my pioneer 640 so clarification please.

Does the xs35 automatically record the current channel? from the above post it kind of sounded like it but when I read the manual online it sounded like it worked very similar to the pioneer.

With the pioneer you have to begin recording the channel manually, but you can then use 'chase play' to watch the currently recording channel, with full transport capabilities. It's only 1 extra click of the remote, but I wish it worked automatically like the DVR on my other tv.

I thought the toshiba worked he same way, they just call it timeslip.

Was I mistaken, does it have a record buffer that's cleared and a new recording started on a channel change? just like a DVR?

This is the most important issue for me, s hopefully someone can understand my rambling and confirm the functionality of the toshiba xs35.

thanks.

I'm still within my 30 days with my pioneer 640 so clarification please.

Does the xs35 automatically record the current channel? from the above post it kind of sounded like it but when I read the manual online it sounded like it worked very similar to the pioneer.

With the pioneer you have to begin recording the channel manually, but you can then use 'chase play' to watch the currently recording channel, with full transport capabilities. It's only 1 extra click of the remote, but I wish it worked automatically like the DVR on my other tv.

I thought the toshiba worked he same way, they just call it timeslip.

Was I mistaken, does it have a record buffer that's cleared and a new recording started on a channel change? just like a DVR?

This is the most important issue for me, s hopefully someone can understand my rambling and confirm the functionality of the toshiba xs35.

thanks.

When you are watching TV, you can press the "Timeslip" button and pause live TV. No recording needed. Recording stops when you press "Timeslip". Recorder prompts you if you want to save the Timeslipped program.

TG

ok, well that's pretty much the same functionality as the pioneer... just named differently. Just substitute the record button for the timeslip button.

I know a couple other models, such as the phillips do act more like a DVR... you'd think that funcionality would be more common.

ok, well that's pretty much the same functionality as the pioneer... just named differently. Just substitute the record button for the timeslip button.

I know a couple other models, such as the phillips do act more like a DVR... you'd think that funcionality would be more common.

The Phillips DOES NOT have chase play. I did not know how important this was until I returned my LG and got my Toshiba. I will never buy a DVD recorder with out the chase play feature.

In your circumstance you got a great deal. Your Pioneer is pretty much equal to the Toshiba with a couple minor differences (for some TVGOS is minor - I happen to love the thing). I would stick with your Pioneer if I were you (and I'm guessing there are a few people posting in the Pio threads that would say the same thing). As for me, I am still in my 30 days ... and it would take a heck of a deal to get me to part with my XD35.

TG

hedge, I'm in the same position you are. I have an RD-XS35, so I can comment on how it works, but I only read the manual for the Pioneer DVR640HS. Perhaps I don't understand how it really works, so you could help me out with that.

If I press record on the remote or the unit records based on a timer, I can press "Timeslip" on the remote and enter into "Chaseplay" to see the beginning or any prior point of the recording while it is still being recorded. You can also view previously recorded material. This is similar on the Pioneer 640 as is my understanding.

What is different, and do correct me if I'm wrong, is the "Timeslip" function which is similar to "Pause Live TV" on other manufacturers devices. This is not exactly the same as just pressing record and entering "Chaseplay", but similar. The difference is, an automatic time buffer is added when you press "Timeslip". So there is no need to return to the beginning of your recording in order to enter "Chaseplay". When you press pause in Timeslip mode, the image on the screen pauses, but the recording continues until you press Timeslip again. When you press pause, you can scan backward to the point where you pressed the Timeslip button or forward (to within 10 seconds of the live broadcast).

If I were to just press the record button and then the pause button, the recording would pause. However, if I press "Timeslip" instead of record, I can pause what's on TV, but the recording will continue. I do not have to remember to enter "Chaseplay" and I do not have to view from the beginning and scan forward to the current point before pressing pause. Again, if I'm misunderstanding the manual for the 640, please do help me understand how it really works.

The Sony and the Philips start recording immediately when you turn them on. This is more TiVo-like, but has it's own disadvantages. The HDD is always active when these units are powered on, so failure is likely to occur sooner. In addition, paused TV content on these recorders cannot be saved permanently.

I look at it this way. The RD-XS35 essentially can pause live TV from the moment you press the "Timeslip" button, but cannot return to the beginning of a program you did not anticipate a desire to return to the beginning of, if that makes sense. I find this quite acceptable, since the ability to save a "Timeslipped" program is much more worthwhile.

I think you have it nailed. With the Pioneer, once you are recording you have to press play to restart from the beginning (or select it from your recorded list). You can then skip ahead. It does allow you to completely catch up. When you are done though you need to press stop recording and the recording is left in your recorded items so you have to delete it manually.

It sounds like the Toshiba has the functionality more refined. Sounds like the XS35 is a good machine. I think I'd be happy with either.

For me though, I don't think it's worth returning the Pioneer. I missed the boxing day sale on the Toshiba, although I see it at BB for $299CDN now, and I'm using it in a bedroom so I need it quiet. I don't miss the TVGOS, the cable box hooked up to it has a guide system anyway.

I think I'd still rather have it record all the time, I think the extra work for the Hard drive is overstated. My DVR cable box (motorolla 6412) is always recording and I haven't had any issues with the hard drive. I guess best of both worlds would be a configuration option.

Get some "Y" adapters?


Thanks for the suggestion but have a question, is the "Y" adapter meant for audio only. What would happen if I split the video feed.

Also, would I get any degradation in the video quality.

Thanks!!!!!!

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

I am currently testing a record on the specific channel MC1 (Movie Central). I will report sucess/failure on burning on DVD-R after testing later tonight.


Hi, Did you have success ? ANyone else have the blocking problem ?

I'm going to buy one or the other. I've basically read everything I could about both on this forum. Can anyone give me a simplified version (it's ok if you're biased toward one or the other) of what the difference(s) is/are between the two? I have Directv and don't really care about TV Guide functions.

The difference I've noticed are that Toshiba has better editing functions while Pioneer it will play/record in both + and -

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

That's a pretty accurate assessment.

Toshiba has a Timeslip function, Pioneer does not.
Pioneer handles both +R and -R, Toshiba only accepts -R
The fan runs all the time on the Toshiba, it doesn't on the Pioneer

Best way to find out more is to download both PDF manuals and read them as if you have just bought that equipment and you are trying to learn how to use it. That's how I made the decision on the Toshiba XS35. I read 6 manuals in their entirety before I made a decision.

Does the Toshiba work exactly the way I would like it to? No. None of them do (except TiVo which wasn't in my budget range). However, it does do more things that are important to me, better than any other, so I live with the fan noise. It's not horrible. Eventually I'll find a quieter fan and then it will be that much better.

Features I like (a few are common among all the DVRs)
+Timeslip (with an automatic prompt to save or discard recorded content before exiting Timeslip)
+Highspeed dub to HDD from unfinalized DVD/RW disks created on my Samsung DVD Recorder in DVD-Video format
+Easy editing once you learn the fairly complex menu structure
+Chaseplay during timer recording by using the Timeslip feature. This allows you to watch, rw, ff or pause what is currently being recorded from any point up to 10 seconds before real time. You are not forced to go back to the beginning and then scan forward like on the Pioneer and others. Recording stops automatically at the scheduled time and notifies you on-screen, but does not interrupt Chaseplay.
+TOSLINK audio output
+Easy to use content menu (Toshiba's content menu, not the crappy TVGOS "Recordings" menu)
+Individual scheduled recordings can be enabled/disabled (can't do that on my Samsung DVD Recorder)

I've read all pages of this topic and I still have questions. I have problems getting the TV guide to set up. I have left it turned off every night and all day while I am at work for a week, with it only being on in the evenings so I can watch TV. I still get NO Listings. At this point I am able to manually program for a timed recording but I am unable to access my other input lines to record from other devices. Will this correct if the TV guide ever loads? Also, is there a way to manually set a timed recording without the TV Guide being set up. The only instructions I can find say go to the schedule part of the TV Guide screen. If I reset the TV Guide back to nothing where I can record from my VCR I no longer get the TV Guide screen, so I can not get to the schedule recording screen. What am I missing here? My cable is through Comcast and it also has On Demand programing. I have watched the DVR scan through the channels trying to set up the listings and have on 3 different days seen it hang up on one of the On Demand channels and not go forward. It starts watching a movie. What's up with this? Any help would be appreciated.

I've read all pages of this topic and I still have questions. I have problems getting the TV guide to set up. I have left it turned off every night and all day while I am at work for a week, with it only being on in the evenings so I can watch TV. I still get NO Listings. At this point I am able to manually program for a timed recording but I am unable to access my other input lines to record from other devices. Will this correct if the TV guide ever loads? Also, is there a way to manually set a timed recording without the TV Guide being set up. The only instructions I can find say go to the schedule part of the TV Guide screen. If I reset the TV Guide back to nothing where I can record from my VCR I no longer get the TV Guide screen, so I can not get to the schedule recording screen. What am I missing here? My cable is through Comcast and it also has On Demand programing. I have watched the DVR scan through the channels trying to set up the listings and have on 3 different days seen it hang up on one of the On Demand channels and not go forward. It starts watching a movie. What's up with this? Any help would be appreciated.

What is your set up? Are you going through a cable box, or straight to the the wall?

TG

What is your set up? Are you going through a cable box, or straight to the the wall?

TG


I'm going through the cable box. If I don't I won't get all my channels. Cable to box ..box to DVR ...DVR to TV

I'm going through the cable box. If I don't I won't get all my channels. Cable to box ..box to DVR ...DVR to TV

I think its an issue with the cable box then. I have read that TVGOS is a little tricky with digital cable. I believe that there are two different tiers of channels, one analog and one digital. The TVGOS signal travels on the analog one. Your box may be set to download on the digital one. You can pour through the link below to try and find some answers. You also may want to inquire about the "correct code" for your cable box. As I only have basic cable I cannot offer much more help than this.

TVGOS thread link (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=510125&page=1&pp=30)

Good Luck

TG

I am sad to hear that this model is picky about copy protection. Otherwise it looked to be ideal for my 2nd HDD DVD Recorder purchase. It can found for +/- $330 delivered and has wonderful features. But ability to control my content is of primary importance to me with a DVR, so sadly this may not fit the bill. Looks like a Pio 640h-s may get the nod.

If Philips would fix the No Chase Play of an In Progress Timer Scheduled Recording problem I wouldn't hesitate to by another DVDr 3455/37, but they are being obstinate about that so they are off my list.

I'm a newbie to the RD-XS35 and would appreciate any help in getting the best PQ out of my unit.

I picked the last one up from BestBuy on Dec 31/06. Sans User Manuals :(
I gathered what information I could off the internet and set it up as follows:

1) ExpressVu 6100 to RD-XS35 via Input 3: S-Video & RCA
2) ExpressVu 6100 to Yamaha HTR-5550 Receiver via Component and Digital Audio
3) RD-XS35 to Yamaha HTR-5550 Receiver via Component and Digital Audio
4) Yamaha HTR-5550 to Toshiba 46" HDTV via Component

Is there a better way to connect these components?
My question is because I now don't have a Component Input for my XBox360, and I found that the video quality is degraded if I simply watch Sat. TV through the RD-XS35

I know I can pick up another Receiver to get 3 component inputs but before I do that I wanted to know if I had another option.

Next question: Is there anyway to get the TV Guide listings? I have entered code 1-0-0 in the setup and have it to No Cable and No Antenna. Is this correct?

Any help would be appreciated. :)

Not surprised at your results. You are feeding a standard def device with a HD receiver.
Unfortunately, none of the DVRs have component video input.

You will not experience the same quality when watching video passing through the RDXS35. You have step up to TiVo for that capability.

Satellite support for the Guide is not available from Toshiba. To my knowledge, only Panasonic supports it and only for US customers of Dish Network or Direct TV.

BTW, all the manufactures except for Sony have their manuals available online in PDF format. If you call Sony customer service, you can have them email it to you. I know, because I did just that and their response and professionalism was top notch.

The manual for the RD-XS35 can be found and downloaded from this page (http://www.toshiba.ca/web/product.grp?lg=en&section=2&group=361&product=6356&category=), when you click the Download tab.

I've had this unit for about a month now & have pretty much experienced everything that's already been mentioned in the forums across the web except one. The box downloads all the guide data as expected for my area, BC w/ Shaw Cable, but, the box will periodically decide that it wants to re-download the guide by changing the channels on my Shaw digital STB which is extremely annoying when you're trying to watch a program. :mad:

Has anybody experienced this and found a workaround/fix yet?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. :)

Cheers,
p

Here's a way to solve your problem. Item #5 in his post I believe is the answer you are looking for. Hope it helps.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=461639&postcount=9

Thanks! I'll give that a try.

Cheers.

Has anybody else here been able to resolve the channel possession for the Toshiba RD-XS35??

Has anybody else here been able to resolve the channel possession for the Toshiba RD-XS35??


Sorry but I may be misunderstanding your problem/question but if you mean the display order....

You can change the display order through the setup screen while in TV Guide feature.

If this not what you mean... sorry probably can't help you.

Sorry but I may be misunderstanding your problem/question but if you mean the display order....

You can change the display order through the setup screen while in TV Guide feature.

If this not what you mean... sorry probably can't help you.

Thanks for the reply.

I'm actually trying to find out how to prevent the RD-XS35 from trying to download the TVGOS via the G-Link during the day when the unit is off.

Basically whats happening is when watching TV while the RD-XS35 is turned off, the RD-XS35 will cycle through all the channels of my cable STB. As you can imagine, this is highly irritating while you're trying to watch your favorite show.

Anybody out there have a fix/workaround for this or am I the only one on drugs these days?

Cheers,
P.

Two ways.

(1) Move the G-link so it can't change channels on the STB, or just block the signal.

(2) Leave the recorder on. The TVGOS cannot be downloaded/updated while the recorder is on.

I apologize for reviving an old thread but this is where it fits.

I just got one of these units four days ago and I have been taking baby steps with it knowing I need to be patient to learn everything. Here are more comments and a question:

My set-up: Cable TV, Scientific Atlanta cable box. Cable cord to Cable box to DVR

Pros:
1) Manual is not too bad after reviewing the 2nd or 3rd time. It has a decent layout.
2) The picture on the HDD when played back is very good.
3) Navigation is not too bad so far, the on screen format is pretty good.


Cons:
1) Looks like I’m forced to use the TV Guide On Screen. I can manually enter what I want to record but still the TVGOS is the underlying software it appears.
2) When setting this unit up I used the Glink and that thing is a nightmare. It continually changes channels to update. I can simply cut on the DVR to make it stop but what a pain. Now that my channels are loaded into the cable box / DVR I may just pull the plug on the Glink. I don’t need the TVGOS to record or review upcoming shows.
3) Remote is not set up logically and as with anything else, way too many buttons for unnecessary tasks.
4) I just got off the phone with customer service because I had an issue recording last night. I recorded 15 minutes of CSI on the high def channel which is, of course, widescreen like my 16:9 Mitsubishi TV. When I playback on the hard drive, I have bars at the top and bottom of my screen. This is after I made my adjustments for aspect ratio. Customer Service was no help, they told me any wide screen will record this way.

Question:

Has anyone had the bar problem that I did and is there a way to correct it?

Thanks a lot – great discussions on these forums.

I'm struggling through the XS35 setup as well. I can't offer much help with your questions, but I am curious by the black bars you mention in widescreen recording. I assume they're not the "right" black bars. There's a discussion over in the thread about component inputs that may be of assistance in understanding your issue (you may not get it resolved, and/or you may have to tweak some settings and then use the XS35's ability to set the widescreen flag to work around it)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=775235

I was going to post some questions but didn't know where, so I may as well just tag along here too. :) Amazing how different from the XS32 it is, especially considering it's 95% the same. It's like for every really nice new feature, there's some "I wanna strangle a Toshiba engineer" issue.

Overall, it is a very nice unit. The remote being different than the XS32 for no apparent reason is bizarre. (they've flipped the number pad and "extra buttons" under the flip-down portion of the remote) I forsee my "button memory" getting really messed up bouncing back and forth between the 32 and 35.

I have a few questions as well... I've read most of this thread but probably missed some stuff... most of these are TVGoS/TV Guide questions since that's the biggest difference from the XS32:

1. How do I skip forward into future days? The only thing I have seen is to keep skipping "x' hours ahead, but there must be a better day. I don't think my guide is fully loaded, but I couldn't figure out a fast way to go to, say, "Next Thursday".

2. When you set the recording quality of a future recording to "User", does that use the user quality setting at the time you create the recording, or at the time the recording actually happens? For example, I record most shows at 4.2/DM1, which allows me to fit 3 hour-long TV shows on 1 DVD (after I edit out commercials). However, other stuff pops up that I may want to have at better, or worse, quality. (like a 3 hour sporting event or an hour musical performance) Do I lose the ability to set a custom bitrate per-recording? If I were to set both to "USER", do I have to remember to change the "User bitrate" before each recording?

In this example, say I want to record Show A at 4.2DM1 from 5-6pm. Then Show B at 6.4/PCM [or some other custom bitrate] from 8-8:30. Is there a way to do that totally automatically, or do I need to adjust the USER setting between recordings?

[Is that making sense?] I am glad they have a lot more presets than just XP/SP/LP/EP but still, it's obnoxious that you can't set a custom bitrate per-recording!

3. How do I re-organize the TVGoS to show channels in numeric order? Or do I have to do it all manually? I thought I read someone said you could resort the channels automatically but I haven't been able to find that. It brought all of my channels in in an absolutely random manner (it's not sorted by network OR channel #, I have no idea what it sorted on)

4. What speed is the DVD burner (16x?) and what speed is the "slower" burner setting, available through the Setup menu? It appears to be 8x but I was wondering if it's always 1/2 the "Faster" setting or if anyone's cared enough to check.

5. Does it obey the 2007 Daylight Savings rules? If not, is there a firmware upgrade available?

6. I assume the "standard" IRE/black level input is the correct option most of the time. Is there EVER a time it should be on "enhanced"? (I assume "standard" is -7.5IRE and "enhanced" is 0IRE?) If I were to hook up a DVD player and play back a PAL DVD (to convert it to NTSC by re-recording [not perfect, but a fast solution]), which would be the proper IRE setting, assuming the playback unit was a "normal" (7.5 IRE) NTSC signal? "standard" again?

7. Is there a way to see if the show you've recorded (or are in process of recording) is set to copy never/copy once protection? Or do you get it all recorded and then get a nasty surprise when you go to burn? So far I haven't run into this but it's a fear I have with this unit.

8. (thought of another one) What happens if you set a recording with TVGoS but then lose the data for some reason? (update doesn't happen, TVGoS drops out, something-- looking at the TVGoS thread it sounds like a lot of people are losing TVGoS all of a sudden) Is it better to set manual recordings for really important stuff that you DO NOT want to miss recording, no matter what?

I'm sure there are more questions, those are the big ones. The TVGoS is both a nice addition and absolutely, completely, a disaster in user interface programming. Whoever at Gemstar is in charge of UI should be fired, since it's a mess. Buttons don't work in consistent manners, the onscreen help is useless, menu options aren't named well, navigation is a mess. It's obvious neither Gemstar nor Toshiba care that it's being shoehorned in a "one size fits all" manner into all these different units. Oh, Toshiba, why did you remove the absolutely fine, completely customizable, REC MENU from the XS32? (or at least put it in as a hidden option?)

And I miss the "Quick Menu->End Time" option on the XS32.

I bought the XS35 as a backup to my XS32, I don't think I'll use it all that much, but want to be sure it's working for a while before my return window ends (and/or warranty coverage). So I'm just messing around with it. Seeing the XS35 makes me more impressed with the XS32, though, for getting so much right so early on. (the XS35 isn't a bad unit at all, I just think Toshiba, in the rush to make it "user friendly", really screwed some stuff up)

Nice improvements from XS32 (to give equal time):

1. Much faster menu/text display. This drives me nuts on the 32 (how long it takes menus/text to display) The 35 isn't perfect, but a lot better.

2. True correct IRE adjustments! yay!

3. DVD burner speed adjustments! Yay! (I need to do quality scans but I am really thankful I don't need to burn at the full speed of the burner, assuming the 35's DVD burner is as mediocre as the 32's burner is)

4. I do appreciate how the TVGoS feeds the title/show info into the main Toshiba for recording. (I was shocked when I checked one of my tests and the title and show summary showed up in the "Title Information" on the recorded unit)

Overall, I'm happy with the purchase. I wish Toshiba had done some things differently but the 35 isn't a bad unit. Being as it may be one of the last of the "non-budget" DVD+HDD recorders it was worth picking up as a spare if nothing else. I hope I haven't been too obnoxious with all these questions, I really have read a lot but may have just missed some stuff. Sorry if they've all been answered before!

Just an update on the bars at the top and bottom of my screen when I record from a high def channel:

Customer service told me that the newer models coming out will have a tuner built in to avoid this kind of problem and bypass the cable box. Some customers can not record a high def channel with this unit. Of course we all know the output is not high def but the picture is so much better when recorded from a high def channel vs. analog channel. Anyway, he suggested I chnage thge bit rate to a higher rate sacrificing disc time if I burn to DVD-R. Bit compression may be causing it.

I will relay the info later.

Just an update on the bars at the top and bottom of my screen when I record from a high def channel:

Customer service told me that the newer models coming out will have a tuner built in to avoid this kind of problem and bypass the cable box. Some customers can not record a high def channel with this unit. Of course we all know the output is not high def but the picture is so much better when recorded from a high def channel vs. analog channel. Anyway, he suggested I chnage thge bit rate to a higher rate sacrificing disc time if I burn to DVD-R. Bit compression may be causing it.

I will relay the info later.

I believe your letterboxing issue is being generated by your HD source (480i) via s-video. Most HD STBS will letter box widescreen video when using s-video outputs. And will offer full widescreen 16x9 when using component outputs.

It really has nothing to do with a setting on the XS35. If your source letterboxes via s-video your DVD recorder will record it that way when using its s-video inputs - regardless of the brand or model of the DVD recorder.

What settings should I use for DNR and Y/C Separation for recording from VHS (connected via composite video)?

Here's the excerpt from page 154 of the manual:

----------------------------------------------------

Rec DNR

Selects the level of 3D digital noise reduction that can
reduce picture noise depending on the scene.

Off:
Deactivates the 3D digital noise reduction.

On:
Sets the normal level.

Expanded:
Increases digital noise reduction.

Notes
• When you set “Rec DNR” to “On” or “Expanded” and set
“3D Y/C separation” to “On”, the priority changes
depending on the input selection if you select the S-video
input. “Rec DNR” has priority, when you select the built-in
tuner or composite input, “3D Y/C separation” has priority.
• If you want to avoid an afterimage, set this setting to “Off”.

--------------------------------------------------

3D Y/C separation

The 3D digital comb filter executes Y/C (Brightness/
Color) separation to reduce the color irregularity or cross
color interference.

Off:
Deactivates this function.
In an area where the broadcast reception is poor,
select this mode.

On:
Activates this function.
In normal conditions, select this.

Note
• Refer to the “Notes” in the above “Rec DNR”.

Just bought an XS35 this last weekend and still learning what it will and won't do. Been reading thru this entire thread the last couple of days and found LOTS of answers to questions I had. This is my first venture into the digital recording arena. Still have a lot to learn but so far I'm lovin' it. The old VCR is feeling kinda lonely.

One quick question I do have...
Can you rename "titles" on the HDD? Or can you ONLY rename chapters?

About the fan running all the time...
This is one of the things I too noticed right away. It is not loud enough to hear when watching TV, but I do notice it when walking by it when the TV is off. Not intrusive enough for me personally to even call it an issue. Was just curious to see if anyone has tried the McGyver approach to this?? I was just thinking about this the other night for some reason. I'm wondering if a person could make some sort of "muffler" for this thing? Just a simple box cut out of cardboard with a hole in the back for ventilation. A hole in the other side, and attach it to the back of the unit as to go around the fan outlet. Maybe line the box with cotton balls or some other type of sound absorbing material. Just thinking outloud....probably a stupid idea.

David,

Yes you can rename chapters and titles on the hard drive. I suggest reading the manual two or three times...not real clear at times.

Good luck!

David,

Yes you can rename chapters and titles on the hard drive. I suggest reading the manual two or three times...not real clear at times.

Good luck!

Yep, thanks. The manual is definitely confusing at times. I finally figured out the title renaming thing after reading it again. I hope I never lose that manual because I have to look at it practically every time I go to do something. Some things on this unit are not real logically accessed. I HAVE learned that the "Quick Menu" button is my friend.

This (digital recording)thing is so totally new to me that I had a hard time understanding some of the concepts at first. It's all starting to sink in. I finally figured out the difference in a title and a playlist. :eek: Still learning, but I'm getting there. :)

I actually have a new issue which references naming titles / chapters.

I uploaded some home videos of the family and broke into chapters. I renamed the chapters to my liking vs. the generic "time of upload." The problem is, my new chapter names do not transfer over to DVD in the menu. I tried changing the names of the chapters in the "Create DVD-Video" mode but to no avail. The video was only 1 hour and 9 minutes so it is not a memory issue.

I was able to create my own thumbnails and those turned out beautifully.

I called customer support and they tell me that you are unable to name chapters on this Toshiba unit using a DVR-R. What!!!! They tell me because the DVD-R is linear that this unit is unable to process chapter titles and will always default to the system chapter name. They tell me that it will work on a DVD-RW.

I have a hard time believing this so I will play around with it some more. If it is true then what a major flaw. :mad:

I am looking to replace my RCA DRC7005N which has been an okay DVR for me. I have some questions if someone could answer that would be great.

Does the Toshiba allow you to rewind if you are watching a show through it or do you have to be recording in order to rewind?

When changing the channel on my satellite while watching it through my RCA it is extremely slow will this be the same with the Toshiba?

Will the recording be better than my RCA which I don’t think are all that great?

Has anyone had the same RCA DRC7005N Scenium that I have that now has a Toshiba?

As I have read through this post copyright protection keeps coming up. Does this affect what you can record to the hard drive or just to a disc?

Also does the XS35 have the capability to upgrade the firmware and if so how?

Any help would be awesome thanks in advance.

Does the Toshiba allow you to rewind if you are watching a show through it or do you have to be recording in order to rewind?

Not sure I understand the question. XS35 can move forward or backward (with sound at slower speeds) regardless of whether you are recording or playing content.

When changing the channel on my satellite while watching it through my RCA it is extremely slow will this be the same with the Toshiba?

No. Changing channels functions normally through my ExpressVu receiver. If the XS35 is changing the channels on the ExpressVu receiver, that is slow, but why would you do that?

Will the recording be better than my RCA which I don’t think are all that great?

Recorded picture quality is excellent!

As I have read through this post copyright protection keeps coming up. Does this affect what you can record to the hard drive or just to a disc?

Copyright protection is divided into Copy-Once and Copy-Never. If you go to Toshiba's website you can download the XS35 manual and it will clearly state how the copy-protection works. Most of the time, if there is any copy protection at all, it will be Copy-Once. In that instance, you can record content to the HDD, but not from HDD to DVD or direct from source to DVD. I have had only one issue with legitimate content that was recorded on my Samsung DVD Recorder. Other than that, no problem.

Also does the XS35 have the capability to upgrade the firmware and if so how?

My understanding is the firmware upgrades (when available) are delivered via snail mail on DVD. Unfortunately, no downloadable/burnable firmware updates like you can get from Samsung and others. Tech support leaves a lot to be desired, but I'm still very satisfied with my purchase, regardless.

Not sure I understand the question. XS35 can move forward or backward (with sound at slower speeds) regardless of whether you are recording or playing content.



No. Changing channels functions normally through my ExpressVu receiver. If the XS35 is changing the channels on the ExpressVu receiver, that is slow, but why would you do that?.

First of all thanks for the quick response!
I was a bit confused reading through all of the posts and it seemed like I read something about when watching programming through the XS35 you had to tell it to record in order to rewind. With my RCA and Tivo once you start watching it starts to record and you can go back say 45 minutes if you want to rewind does the XS35 do this?

When watching satellite I can either watch it through my DVR or regularly just from the satellite to the TV. If I watch it through my DVR there is a significant delay when changing channels, accessing the guide, etc. So I was wondering if anyone has noticed this type of delay with the XS35?

Actually, you will have to start recording in order to rewind on the XS35... it doesn't automatically buffer like a Tivo does.

Actually, you will have to start recording in order to rewind on the XS35... it doesn't automatically buffer like a Tivo does.

OK. I understand the previous question now. Yes, you do have to push a button labelled "Timeslip" which is similar to recording except that it automatically adds a time buffer from the moment you press the button and you can then do all the Tivo-like things such as, pause live TV,ff,rw,replay,skip, etc.

I don't mind it because the interface is so nice. When you press the button again, it prompts you and asks if you want to save the content. If you choose yes, it creates a new title in the content menu and assigns a thumbnail to it.

Pause Live TV capacity is long, something like 9 hours, dependant on bitrate settings of course. I think most of the others are somewhere around 3 hours or less. Philips kind of works like Tivo and you can dump the entire buffer to permanent HDD space and then edit, but the features are weak and many people say the PQ is worse than VHS. Sony works like Tivo, but you can't save the buffered content.

.....Most of the time, if there is any copy protection at all, it will be Copy-Once. In that instance, you can record content to the HDD, but not from HDD to DVD or direct from source to DVD........


I have not had any experience with copy protected video yet but the way I understood "copy once" from reading the manual, you could record to HDD.... and then if you copied to a DVD it would delete the copy on the HDD. Is that not the case?


I've never used TIVO so I think the Timeslip concept is very cool. But then again I don't get out much....LOL.

Does anyone been able to figure out how to use the remote to stop an existing recording instead of pressing the "stop" button on the machine. Everytime I press the remote "stop" button, it keeps telling me to stop the recording from the machine end.

I uploaded some home videos of the family and broke into chapters. I renamed the chapters to my liking vs. the generic "time of upload." The problem is, my new chapter names do not transfer over to DVD in the menu. I tried changing the names of the chapters in the "Create DVD-Video" mode but to no avail.

I have not had this problem. My chapter titles have copied over to DVD-R.

Does anyone been able to figure out how to use the remote to stop an existing recording instead of pressing the "stop" button on the machine. Everytime I press the remote "stop" button, it keeps telling me to stop the recording from the machine end.

You could try throwing the remote at the recorder so it hits the stop button exactly twice. :p

Yeah, I get irritated by this "safeguard", too!

You could try throwing the remote at the recorder so it hits the stop button exactly twice. :p

Yeah, I get irritated by this "safeguard", too!


Very funny, however try changing the input on the remote (under the cover) and that would do it.

Clever! I will have to try that next time. Great tip!

I pulled the trigger and hope to heck that I don't regret it mainly because I saved 15% or more by ordering online, so I cant return once opened. One question though does this have a screen saver? I sure hope it does since I have a plasma!

I have not had this problem. My chapter titles have copied over to DVD-R.

Thanks for the feedback Todd...I figured out a work around until I figure out what I may doing wrong. I treat each chapter as a playlist and name my playlist. That converts nicely to the DVD-R, The editing functions are very nice!

Yeah, I get irritated by this "safeguard", too!

Bugs me too.. I wish it just put up a dialog saying 'really stop?' stop/don't stop with don't stop the default.

I am considering buying this unit. Can it be used to record shows without using TVGOS ?. Appreciate your response.

I am considering buying this unit. Can it be used to record shows without using TVGOS ?. Appreciate your response.

Yep, in TV Guide Onscreen press the "Menu" button on the remote and then select "Manual Recording." It's much like a VCR from there on.

Has anyone had any issues caused by HD fragmentation? I know the manual says to make a playlist and copy it to make an "original" rather than deleting a lot of small parts(chapters) from the original recording. Just wondering how big a deal it is to delete SOME small parts. The leading and trailing "garbage" for example. Just curious.

David