Rating: 
Summary: Toshiba XS32 Falls Short of Competitors
Review: Dont loose your user's manual, or you'll be lost. I purchased a comparable Pioneer DVR and found it much easier to learn and use. Both record on 80gig hard disks, and both burn DVDs. Here are the problems I found with the Toshiba unit:
- DVDVideo made on Toshiba would not play on the Pioneer. This is a show-stopper for me (The Pioneer DVDs played fine on the Toshiba unit).
- Video clip "names" on the Toshiba HDD "disappeared" when I burned them to DVD.
- Removing commercials is a VERY tedious process on the Toshiba, and editing was not very accurate (added about a second of the previous commercial to my marked edit point. Very annoying.
- The Toshiba remote had a hidden set of buttons below a flip-out door...very confusing. I thought I had the wrong remote when I couldn't find referenced buttons.
- Not obvious or easy how to divide titles.
- When creating chapters, you get this wierd "duplicate" title and lots of warnings when you try to delete it or the main title.
- When you highlight a chapter, it doesn't "play" in the thumbnail. Hard to determine what the content is. Pioneer makes this operation very easy.
That said, the recording and play quality are good. Overall: Feature rich but creature (people friendly) poor.
Rating: 
Summary: Does everything it said it does.
Review: Had the recorder for a couple of months now and it works great. I have tried using Maxwell DVD-RW and TDK DVD-R (8X) and didn't have any problems. The DVD-R works in all of my other DVD players including the one in my car. Love the fact that it has a feature to automatically figures out the best quality to record a movie over 2hrs into one DVD. Using the time recorder with my DirecTv programmable receiver, it works like a charm.
Manual is somewhat useless and you will need a lot of trial and error to get it working to your liking. The dubbing process is somewhat slow ever at the high speed option. It took approx. 5 minutes to copy a two hour recording to a DVD. I was expecting it to be faster for a machine dedicated for this kind of process. Another drawback I found was I couldn't create more chapters or edit the content if I recorded it directly on the DVD instead of the HDD. Otherwise it is a great machine for the price (under $400) I paid for.
Rating: 
Summary: This could have been a great product
Review: I agree with the previous poster (jh_chen) about the black-level bug. This recorder would have been incredible, but with the black-level bug it is just not good. Yes, if you only play the DVDs you made in the same machine you will not have a problem. But what if you will want to replace the recorder in the future or want to share your recordings with others? The picture will look washed out, unless the DVD player has appropriate IRE adjustment options (not all do) and your friends of family know how to do that. With this Toshiba model you will be creating DVDs that you know will be "off". I can't believe Toshiba did this. Hopefully the next model will fix this. Once fixed, I would give this recorder 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Toshiba RD-XS32: Far superior to VCR
Review: I got my XS32 about a week ago, and got it primarily to record both standard and HDTV TV programs and erase them after viewing, and this unit is perfect for that task. I record them on the 80GB hard drive (HD) at SP from the S video output of my Comcast HD receiver. I view the recordings from the component video output to a 50 inch HDTV ready Toshiba projection TV, and feed the digital sound to a Toshiba audio receiver. The HDTV recordings are not high definition resolution but much better than standard TV. I don't expect to use the DVD recording feature since it adds only two extra hours, However, I did use the DVD RAM for my first recording and transferred it to the HD. I tried to record two shows simultaneously on the DVD and HD, but unfortunately, the XS32, and probably all competing models, can record only one program at a time. The remote supports up to three units for those who want to record multiple programs simultaneously.
A warning message appeared when I set the timer for these recordings, but I ignored it. One of the many features of this unit is that it gives you informational messages such as that warning.
It's easy to program directly, and even easier with VCR plus. Unlike a VCR, you can watch a program while it is recording - even the program being recorded, find a previously recorded program by date and time recorded, move forward or backwards almost instantly. Also, no tapes to store, no tracking problems, and no rewind.
I played one DVD movie, Spiderman, and both picture and sound were outstanding.
Worst thing about the XS32, is the flip-up feature of the remote since often used buttons such as program delete and VCR plus are located under the flip-up panel.
Rating:
Summary: DVD-R Compatability Problem
Review: I have a stack of Memorex DVD-Rs and a stack of Fuji DVD-R's and I'm going to have to throw them all away. This machine keeps telling me that they are damaged or dirty when they are new off the spindle. And they are labeled for data and video recording, 4.7 GB/120 min. About one out of 10 discs will actually be 'accepted' by this foul machine and I can burn successfully, so I know that I am not doing anything wrong. I called customer service and they told me that not all discs are compatable. So, according to page 9 in the manual, there is a tiny line that recommends a particular brand. I am now ordering Taiyo-Yuden x4 discs and hope they work. Amazon doesn't carry DVD's from this company and I know no place locally to buy them. This is a hassle & a pain. Otherwise, I like the machine. They should print in bold letters on the box & the instructions that it only works with one or two very specific discs.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Machine, Even Better Than Its Predecessor (RD-X2)
Review: I loved the RD-X2 enough that I would only have considered another Toshiba. (Much as I love this machine, it *does not* do 90% of what a Tivo will do. Tivo has season passes, suggestions, wish lists, search functions, and other features that make it absolutely fantastic. Buy both -- they really compliment each other.)This is an absolutely great DVD Recorder. Picture quality is very good. You can record programs onto the hard drive, edit out the commercials, create custom thumbnails and titles, even customize your menu screen, and with a 4x DVD-R burn a DVD in 15 minutes. Its definitely more difficult to use than a VCR, and the manual isn't particularly well written or organized (it lacks an index), but its not that hard to get the hang of it. It works like a computer, not a VCR. Features I Really Love (in no particular order):
1. Burning a DVD-R in 15 minutes. If you want to control the burn speed, use a 1x or 2x disc instead of a 4x.
2. Editting functions. I can set the timer to record programs on the hard drive while I'm away, then come back and edit them with ease and speed. I mark the chapters, can batch delete (its quick) and then recombine the chapters to make a single title. Or I can manually set the chapters, almost down to the frame.
3. Recording quality settings. You can select the video and audio recording settings, from 1.4 (EP equilvalent) to 4.6 (SP)on up to 9.2. Adjust your settings to get the best possible PQ and still fit your movie on the disc. At 1.4, I can get about 6.5 hrs on a DVD-R, at 2.2, 4.25 hrs, at 4.6, 2 hrs 6 mins.
4. You can watch another program you've already recorded while you record "live" programming. Or you can use the "timeslip" feature to watch a program from the beginning while its still being recorded.
5. You can give titles to "timer recordings" so everything has a title in advance.
6. For DVDs you've created yourself (*not* prerecorded DVDs) you can recopy programming back onto the hard drive and burn additional DVDs.
7. To copy to VHS, you can create a "playlist" and have your VCR copy all six hours worth of programming at once.
8. Out of town for a 48 hour Star Trek marathon? No tapes or discs needed, you can record all 48 hours on your hard drive as long as you have enough free space (135 hours at lowest setting). About the black level bug issue, I've seen it reported, but I've played DVDs I've created on a variety of different DVD players (Toshiba, Sony, Hitachi, a PC and a Mac) and never experienced what some of the reviewers have complained about.
Rating:
Summary: Amazon.com misleading
Review: I ordered this dvd recorder over three weeks ago, it took them this entire time to send me an email yesterday that said it was not available, I have now wasted three weeks waiting for this, and now must start completely over trying to find a good deal. I cannot see why they can start processing an order, and not be able to check availability within a reasonable amount of time..Interesting point is that even today, Amazon website still lists it as able to ship, which I find extremely misleading !!!I will not use Amazon.com again !!!
Rating:
Summary: Toshiba RD-XS32: An excellent product
Review: I purchased this product after reading many other reviews. Althought the manual is not the best, the menu system is easy to use. The RD-XS32 has more than enough features and performs very well. Memorex DVD's do not work with the unit. Sony DVD's work well. This DVD recorder is an excellent choice for the money.
Rating:
Summary: Great all around for TV recording, transferring home videos
Review: I thought long and hard about creating DVDs on a computer versus getting a stand-alone recorder. I am glad I got this one, it really has everything except DVD + R capability. In the few days I have had it, I have recorded several TV shows, transferred and edited Hi-8 tapes, time-shifted viewing, and created DVD's without any failures.
Features I like:
Controls your cable box (changes channels)
Programs like a VCR to record TV shows, very easy
Easy copying between hard drive and DVD's
Almost infinitely variable bit rates, 0.2 increments from 1.4 to 9.2. Things to note:
179 page instruction manual, you actually have to read it to make DVD's, its not the clearest document, no index, somewhat confusing, but when you actually do it, works fine. It has iLink DV input, but in fact I did not find the quality to be any better than S-video when transferring home videos. Actually, I prefer the S-video because I can intermittently record the date onto the DVD.
reuse, use DVD-R for recordings you want to keep forever. Keep in mind that DVD-RW is not a totally flexible rewriting format,
You edit your home video on the hard drive by creating chapter breaks in your home video, then piecing together the chapters in a playlist, which you then copy. I have found so far that chapters pieced together from separate parts of a video have a tiny noticeable pause in the video, unlike the instant transitions in the original.
Then you create a menu, you get thumbnails of either titles and/or chapters, 6 frames per page, with limited choice of colors (or your own background). Even the simplest computer-based DVD creation software gives you more options. It works fine for me, but do not expect to create masterpieces. With a hard drive, there is almost no need to buy the expensive DVD-RAM discs, just use the hard drive. Use DVD-RW for recordings you want to keep for a little while but reformat for to reuse a DVD-RW you can either ONLY erase the last recorded item or reformat the whole disc (erasing everything). I read with interest the other reviewers about the "black level" problem. I played the DVDs I made on another DVD player (RCA cheapie) and they appeared to be the same color level as when played on the Toshiba. I also dug into the instructions, and it appears there is a way to adjust the recording level to make your recordings darker (1 setting) or lighter (3 settings). However, I have not tested this function yet.
Rating:
Summary: SIMPLY AMAZING!!!! I LOVE IT!
Review: I was on my way to best buy to get the Pioneer DVR810-HS as I really wanted a HD unit that would record DVD-R and DVD-RW (Didn't want DVD-RAM, as the price of the discs are too high). I was not crazy about Tivo, but didn't think I had a choice. When I got there, they had just gotten this Toshiba unit in (that day). Though they weren't able to answer many questions about it, since they had just gotten it, I figured I would give it a shot, and return it if I didn't like it. Well, the only thing I can say is WOW!!! You can choose to record on the HD (no Tivo needed) or the disc directly.
The choices of record quality is HUGE! Anywhere from extreme quality (less than 1 hour per DVD), all the way to Low quality (over 6 hours per DVD) and everything in between. Best part, it will record on DVD-R, -RW, and RAM as well. Even at the lowest quality recording, it still records at higher quality than my VCR. The built in noise reductions is awesome (you can turn on or off as you wish), stopping lines or blocks from appearing when image gets very bright or action gets fast. The best part is the editing function. You can edit recording at will, creating chapters and deleting any of them at will. (create chapters for the commercials, then delete them. You now have the program without the commercials. How cool is that!!!)
Another great thing is if you record 2 programs on a DVD-RW, and delete the first, it moves the second up, so you don't loose the space. My last unit left the space blank, which means I had to record a show of the same time as the one I deleted. If it was longer, it would record over the second one. The High speed dubbing works great. You can go from HD to disc very easily and fast (4 hour show dubbed to disc in about 15 minutes or less). When editing a show, it will create a playlist (i.e: original show divided up in chapters - show and commercials. Create playlist that will only play the show chapters, therefore eliminating commercials). You can then copy it on the HD or disc, creating a new original without commercials and delete the old original. Watch out though, if you delete the original without copying the playlist on the HD or disc as an original, it will delete any associated playlist with it. The DVD creation feature is great as well. You can rename each chapters individually, and whole shows (titles) as well.
You can combine chapters and/or titles together as well. It gives you a few options on colors and display as to what it will look like, and the finished (finalized) product will then work in any DVD player and look very professional (though it does show in the upper right hand corner it was created with this unit). For the price, you just can't beat it! I am thrilled with it! Great editing functions, incredible image quality, and easy to use. No Tivo monthly fees, which is the best part. Composite, digital audio out... Another couple of great features as that you can record a program on the HD, while watching a DVD at the same time. The other great feature is when you are watching a show on the HD or disc, you can engage the PIP feature and see what is playing on the regular TV Channels. You can't go wrong! Hope this has helped you.
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