Pio 533/633 vs. Tosh XS34 vs. Pan EH50 - Page 3  

Yes, it is a bit slow. It takes about 6-7 seconds to delete a single segment or chapter, at least on DVD-RAM. Is it any faster with the HD? I suppose the slowness is another reason I prefer the chapter method for deletion. Even though it can be up to a minute to delete several unwanted sections from a program, I only have to wait once. :)

The Pioneer does have some advantages over Panasonic. For example, I much prefer how Pioneer handles flexible recording. The Panasonic method while good for manual recordings is almost useless for timer recordings. However, before I'd go with Pioneer for my next DVDR I would need to be sure they've fixed the black-out bug on tape->DVD copying. Also, I'd miss 1.33x playback, a feature I use frequently to save time when watching programs, especially news and documentaries.

Yeah, I love that 1.3x playback feature. :) I don't know how they do it, but it's cool. Very handy.

I am still waiting for their release.

Could someone post the key specs head to head?

From what I can tell for the same price the Tosh has double the Hard disk and ilink . Only interested in the PIO because the panny has no firewire.

Also would some users also talk about usability and favorite features of precursor models?

If these are truly the same street price why would one want the PIO?

Can anyone confirm that the PIO does Dv out through firewire?

This might be a scale tipper even for a hundred more.

Exactly the same response I would have given.

can't seem to find the specs on the Pioneer 533. What's the full model #
Does it have firewire in/out? I was going to go w/ the new Panny's, but it seems they like to play games. Truly, what were they thinking when they decided not to include firewire? Well, I read the Pioneer is equally as good if not better than Panny and I am leaning towards it.

Pioneer 533 is still not out yet. It does have firewire input/output. It is basically same as 520 HS. BTW 520 is a great machine.

I will be the first to admit I am geeked about the new models especially since I shopped HARD for the older Pioneer 520H this weekend. Only could find them on the net or get this: Sound Advice (local Florida Brick and Mortar store) had a floor model for $448.00! I asked about a remote and instructions and they were saying "Come on down we'll look around!" Uh NO!!! I am not going to break a sweat tracking down an older model.

Can someone confirm the release price on the street for both the XS34 and the 533H isn't it $399? I think this is a purchase best made from an authorized retailer. Best Buy has all the old models on sale (no xs34s or 520s tho) so you know they are making room.

Why do I want Pioneer?

Implementation of Firewire in/out and compatibilty with Macintosh. Easy there Mac bashers. I am typing this on a hyperthreaded P4 I built myself.

What I wish it did have? DVD RAM

Anyone else care to list what tips their scales?

I think the creator of this thread was pretty shrewd to zero in on the best models available.

First one to post a stocking retailer is a Hero to the thread!

How about recorders and media that actually work?

I've been griping for the last couple days about my Panny E95 that choked when I tried to name a title on a disc (Samsung 8X DVD-R), and then choked again a few days later when I tried to write a disc name to a DVD-R (same brand) during the finalization process. Panasonic customer support blamed the media. (Everyody likes to blame the media, I guess!) Perhaps the problem is with the media I'm using, but I had no problem dubbing the TV shows to the discs in the first place -- only when trying to add a name to a title, or to a disc during finalization. (My recorder crashed, restarted with an error message, and lost all of the TV Guide program and setting data, including the basic setup information. I had to do the setup process again just as if it were new out of the box. A real PITA.)

But Samsung is a major name brand -- I would expect them to produce quality discs that work in a major name brand machine like Panasonic. <sigh> :(

My Panasonic E75 is very slow when naming a 8X DVD-R. It has never crashed, but sometimes I think it has. Usually I will record first then name the disc. It is somewhat faster that way.

As of this time, I can only find 2 Internet dealers that show the Toshiba XS34.
Electronics-expo http://www.electronics-expo.com/prod...l&submenu=null for 449.00 and claims to ship in 1 week
6ave http://www.6ave.com/cat_detail.jsp?a...=sx68875&d=118 still claims to have it in stock for 499.00 but about a week or so ago longplay reported Could not find anything on the Panny or Pioneer.

Hope this is not like many Superbowls, where everyone is very anxious only to be disappointed because it was not as good as was hoped for.

I thought we'd see the new Pioneer and Toshiba models by now, but now I'm starting to get concerned that it will be a while still. I'm on the fence between the two, but I might just buy whichever one makes it to market first.

The new Pioneers have been announced on this German website:

www.areadvd.de

Yves

I've been checking Pioneer's USA site daily watching for the release of the new models. Oddly, the DVR-233S was on the site for the past week but was removed today. The 233's product page is still on the site, there just is no link to it. Enter DVR-233 in the search box to see a product page link to the info on that model. It mentions 10-hour maximum recording to a DVD-R

I noticed that Toshiba's website has a listing for the XS34. I don't know how long it's been up there. Unfortunately no release date is mentioned, but this looks like a good sign.

http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/dvr/prod...?model=rd-xs34

INQUIRY TO PIONEER WEBSITE: Please let me know when the Model 533H DVD Recorder will be released. I have great expectations for this model and would like to purchase one as soon as possible, who will be the first retailer
(online or otherwise) to offer this product. Any additional specifications would be greatly appreciated.

REPLY FROM PIONEER: Please continue to watch for this unit to be posted on the Pioneer website..

Currently, this unit has no release date other than in May. All information will be released mid May.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 800 421 1404.
Sincerely,
PIONEER CUSTOMER SERVICE

MY ANALysis: Me so hawney for new model!

BETWEEN THE LINES: Pioneer has nothing to fear... they are "sweating the channel" to get the geeks to snap up the old models. They will drop when Toshiba thinks they got the stage... but then Pioneer will blow up in a rage!

The best unit unit will then start a sales rout... my guess is the one with DV out!

There appears to be a general condition
Brought about by a lack of competition
Pioneer evidently has service that's poor
And Toshiba's way behind with their XS34
I guess this industry's not yet mature
They keep us waiting -- and waiting some more
Two months delayed -- that ain't too wise,
We'll end up buying from the other guys!
That's what I did, with my E-95
It's last year's model, but at least it arrived.

The press releases cry "coming soon!"
Keep your eye out for that next blue moon

If you want, check AVFORUMS.COM, where a guy has just posted some info about new pioneer recorder models (afraid, it's info valid only for European market).

But probably it will give an idea.

HTH

PS: Here is the link (that includes a link to the User Manual):

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208618

Some things that I noticed so far, regarding new pioneer recorders (not mention of other new features already posted):

- New Look Disk Navigator
- No DV out
- Records to 16x DVD-R media, but at 12x
- Can record DVD-R in VR mode
- Jukebox (you can copy your CDs to HDD, at real time in DD 2.0 @ 256 Kbps)
- Has a new XP+ mode to record to HDD (15 Mbps)
- Max 10 hrs recording per DVD (who would use that ?!?!?)
- Max resolution (720 x 480) up to 3h30m

HTH

Juchenboxen? :)