TOSHIBA RDXS34 - Is it any good?

[bradavon78]

With most people here seeming to own a Panasonic DVD Recorder I was wondering how the "TOSHIBA RDXS34" faired?

It has more editing functions and a hard disk twice the size which really must account for something. In fact I can't find anything HD+DVD Recorder with a hard disk this size this side of £300 (the Toshiba is £295).

Bar the hard disk size I don't see much (if anything really) between the "TOSHIBA RDXS34" and the rival Panasonic HD+DVD Recorder.

160Gb compared with 80Gb sure is tempting! So what's so good about the Panasonic?

[bradavon78]

I hear it has a loud fan, how loud? I mean is it a murmur or really annoying?

[Rasczak]

The Toshiba RDXS34 is an excellent machine - and a popular one on the forum. It is very different from the Panasonic range though. Whilst Panny models are designed to be simple to use , the Toshiba aims to offer maximum customisation to the user: you can set DVD menu backgrounds, bitrate control, GOP control etc.

All in all the Toshiba is well worth considering. It is loaded with features (iLink, 160GB HDD, multi-format recording, PS component output) and is one of the best DVD recorders available. It can only record 2hrs 20mins in full resolution onto a DVDR though (compared to upto 4hrs for the Panasonic) which is worth noting if you frequently foresee yourself making 'long' recordings.

The fan noise is subjective (and not helped by the fact that some models seem to be silent whilst others are loud). I suggest visiting a local store to see/hear the unit in operation yourself.

[bradavon78]

Thanks again Rasczak. I didn't realise you were a forum mod. It explains why you know so much.

Originally Posted by Rasczak

Whilst Panny models are designed to be simple to use , the Toshiba aims to offer maximum customisation to the user: you can set DVD menu backgrounds, bitrate control, GOP control etc.

I'm assuming that doesn't mean the Toshiba is hard to use?

I love things to fiddle with though the Toshiba looks like my cup of tea. What exactly can you do with GOP control? I've only vaguely heard of it.

Originally Posted by Rasczak

iLink, 160GB HDD, multi-format recording, PS component output

Panasonic also offer these (except the hard disk) at the same price point though right?

Originally Posted by Rasczak

It can only record 2hrs 20mins in full resolution onto a DVDR though (compared to upto 4hrs for the Panasonic) which is worth noting if you frequently foresee yourself making 'long' recordings.

I'm glad you brought this up because isn't this also subjective? I'm presuming when the Panasonic records for 4hrs (which I agree is excellent) on full resolution by the end it's using wizardry such as softening the image or lowering the bit-rate to make it fit, right?

So put simply is it such a bonus after all?

I can generally see myself recording no more than 2hrs but with 3hrs occasionally coming into play.

Originally Posted by Rasczak

The fan noise is subjective (and not helped by the fact that some models seem to be silent whilst others are loud). I suggest visiting a local store to see/hear the unit in operation yourself.

Have you heard it? Did it annoy you?

Good idea. I'll see if I can find one in stores. If not I'll buy from an e-tailor that offers a 7-14 day guarantee so I can send it back for something else if it bugs me.

[bradavon78]

How does the Pioneer DVR-530H compare?

Both are around the £270-300 mark (if you look around for the Pioneer) and both offer 160Gb. I'm guessing the Pioneer doesn't have so many customisation options?

[Rasczak]

I didn't realise you were a forum mod.

erm...I'm not. I couldn't be so blunt if I was

Panasonic also offer these (except the hard disk) at the same price point though right?

Yes - I was just pointing out it is sporting all the features you would expect at that price point.

I'm glad you brought this up because isn't this also subjective? I'm presuming when the Panasonic records for 4hrs (which I agree is excellent) on full resolution by the end it's using wizardry such as softening the image or lowering the bit-rate to make it fit, right?

Yes and no. Picture quality is always subjective. If you are recording from Sky/able or another 'clean' RGB source then it pays dividends to keep the recording 'full resolution'. Thus if you see yourself doing substantial numbers of recordings over the 2hrs 20mins I would urge you to think about the Panny range. However, for recording times below that, the Panasonic and Toshiba are very similar performers. And of course long recordings can always be spanned over two discs...

Have you heard it? Did it annoy you?

I had an almost silent model to test - so no it didn't bother me. But it has been a serious problem for some users here.

How does the Pioneer DVR-530H compare?

I testing one now - cheaper build than the Toshiba and not multi-format (an issue when the DVD-RW spec changes again) although these latest models support DVD-RAM read. It's not a bad DVD recorder - but isn't as good a DVD recorder as the Panasonic or (IMHO) the Toshiba. I'm sure the recent Pioneer buyers will disagree though The Guideplus EPG (not found on the current Pannys/Toshiba) will be a draw for some.

[bradavon78]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

erm...I'm not. I couldn't be so blunt if I was

I misread your page at the bottom you say webmaster and I read it to mean the webmaster of this forum not your guide.

Originally Posted by Rasczak

I testing one now - cheaper build than the Toshiba and not multi-format (an issue when the DVD-RW spec changes again) although these latest models support DVD-RAM read.

I'd want DVD-RAM Recording also.

Does the spec. change often? That doesn't mean the discs would stop working does it?

Originally Posted by Rasczak

The Guideplus EPG (not found on the current Pannys/Toshiba) will be a draw for some.

Don't they have their own EPG?

[Rasczak]

Does the spec. change often? That doesn't mean the discs would stop working does it?

When DVD-RW upgraded to 4x speed (from 2x) every DVD recorder was left incompatible with the new media. This includes last years Sony and Toshiba ranges and all Pioneers from the year before (or earlier). When the spec upgardes to 6x late this year/early next then hopefully the current batch will remain compatible. However when the next upgrade after that occurs (8x) then again all before it will be incompatible.

Don't they have their own EPG?

No. Refer to the 'EPG' FAQ in the 'Which DVD Recorder?' link (had to get the comment in somewhere!)

[bradavon78]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

When DVD-RW upgraded to 4x speed (from 2x) every DVD recorder was left incompatible with the new media.

That's crazy you'd think the media would be compatible and just work at 2x.

So that means DVD-RW/R only Recorders are in trouble long term, no matter how you look at it. Right?

[Rasczak]

So that means DVD-RW/R only Recorders are in trouble long term, no matter how you look at it. Right?

Well it depends. When I got my Sony GXD500 (November last year) I also picked up 50 2x TDK Scratchproof discs - these will outlive my need for the machine so I wouldn't say I'm in 'big trouble' - although if I wanted more now I would need to shop around for discontinued stock. The people it will hurt are those who buy a DVD recorder and keep it for several years just buying discs as and when.

DVD-R doesn't suffer from the wholesale incompatibility problem of DVD-RW. 1-8x discs and even alot of dedicated 8x will work on legacy (1x, 2x, 4x) burners. And it will be the same with 16x media (the fastest speed any DVD media will go).

[bradavon78]

Just to confirm + is okay? Not that it makes much difference as there aren't many high branded makes that support it it seems.

Still there isn't much we can do about it (bar making sure it also support DVD-Ram) so there is little point worrying about it.

Originally Posted by Rasczak

The people it will hurt are those who buy a DVD recorder and keep it for several years just buying discs as and when.

As a lot of people do. Especially with RW media (you can see why).

[Rasczak]

Just to confirm + is okay? Not that it makes much difference as there aren't many high branded makes that support it it seems

Yes at present - although 8x DVD+RW will also be incompatible with what goes before. DVD+R is in the same situation as DVD-R.

I should point out that 16x DVD-RAM will also be incompatible with earlier drives - but as that format doesn't have much use in the PC sector - and media is strictly controlled and developed by less companies - this means it is a non-issue as 16x media will probably never appear.

[redsox_mark]

About the -RW compatibility issue - I have a XS32 (previous model to the XS34). When I got it, it would only support 2x -RW discs, so I too stocked up on these. But since then there is a firmware update, and it now works with 4x RW discs. So at least in some cases, the compatibility can be improved by firmware updates.

Mark

[bernie_pt]

Following on firmware, what are the FW on the market now? I have a XS34 (french model, I think) and my FWs are MT19 (drive) and ZW10 (main). I noticed that US models have MT19 drive FW but YG1000(!) main FW. Some readers of this forum have received/installed FW updates? What FW versions do they have now?
Also, I tried some brands of DVD-R with different results, but with a common point: the XS34 spent a fairly big amount of time loading the (blank) disc. What is considered a 'normal' time for loading a blank DVD-R?

[Rasczak]

But since then there is a firmware update, and it now works with 4x RW discs

...and I should add to this that any legacy DVD-RW recorder could easily be made compatible with 4x media via a firmware update. The problem is the main DVD-RW players - Sony and Pioneer - have no intention of releasing upgrades for last years products That is the problem.