Toshiba RD-XS32 Progressive-Scan DVD Player/Recorder with 80 GB Hard Drive

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Product Details

Product Manual [1.43mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 17 x 3.2 x 10.5 inches ; 4.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001W01JC
• Item model number: RD-XS32
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #42,722 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)

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• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 23, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Note: Toshiba RD-XS32 Progressive-Scan DVD Player/Recorder with 80 GB Hard Drive is no longer being manufactured. You may want to consider purchasing the newer Toshiba RD-XS34 Multi-Drive DVD Recorder with 160GB Hard Drive Recording instead.

The RD-XS32 DVD player/recorder from Toshiba combines a versatile video recorder and a high-end DVD player with a clear, realistic picture and warm, natural sound. The RD-XS32 is the perfect next-generation upgrade from your old VCR and a powerful addition to your home theater.

The multidrive recorders on the RD-XS32 allow you to record onto an internal 80 GB hard disk drive (HDD), a DVD-R disc, or rerecordable DVD-RW and DVD-RAM discs. The HDD holds up to 103 hours of programs, and you can rapidly dub shows from the HDD onto a DVD. A high-speed dub of a recording from the HDD onto a DVD-R disc can be completed 24 times faster than the length of the program. In other words, two hours of recording can move onto a disc in a matter of minutes. DVD-R copies of recordings made by the RD-XS32 will play on almost all DVD players and DVD-compatible computers.

Toshiba's time-slip playback feature allows you to watch a program that is being recorded from the beginning while the rest of the show records. You can also use the time-slip feature to pause a live broadcast that you are recording, and then resume watching it from where you left it, whenever you want.

Setting up a recording is simple. The RD-XS32 uses Gemstar's VCR Plus technology, which lets you select the programs you want to record by name, without worrying about setting the right time and channel. You can schedule up to 32 different shows with this timer recording feature.

The programs that you have recorded are logged into an adjustable menu that displays the date, time, and channel that you recorded. You will also see a still-video image of the show you recorded in the menu. You can rename the listings and create chapters within the recordings that allow you to easily skip to your favorite scenes or to dub a cleaned-up copy of the show you've recorded onto DVD. The easy-to-use menu also features a live action window that lets you monitor the program you are currently recording or playing.

In addition to high-quality recordings, you'll get the most out of your DVD library as well. The RD-XS32 utilizes Toshiba's ColorStream Pro progressive-scan video technology to yield vivid colors, clean resolution, and reduced onscreen distortion. The RD-XS32 uses digital cinema progressive scanning to reproduce your DVDs in theaterlike clarity. While the RD-XS32 is compatible with both analog and digital televisions, you will get the optimum effect by using the player with a high-definition-compatible television.

In addition to playing a full range of DVDs, the RD-XS32 plays CDs and MP3 audio files, so you can enjoy your favorite music. You can also view digital JPEG photos from CDs created in your computer with the RD-XS32.

The RD-XS32 features rear-panel composite audio and video inputs, and RCA inputs on the front panel to connect your camcorder for dubbing onto DVD. An additional digital IEEE1394 Firewire jack is included on the front panel for an instant connection with digital camcorders. The Firewire connection automatically synchs up with your camcorder and creates a customized onscreen menu for dubbing.

What's in the Box
DVD recorder unit, remote control, owner's manual.

Product Description

2/8/200615-19-32...

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

197 of 204 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great Recorder with a Major Flaw, August 1, 2004

By	T. Phoenix - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Unfortunately, I have decided to return my Toshiba RD-XS32, but not without a lot of thought and experimentation. First, the good news....

The XS32 is a great DVD Recorder by itself. It has numerous features that many other units do not have. The picture quality of the recordings I made on both HDD and DVD discs was excellent when you play them back on the Toshiba even though I only used the default SP setting which gives you about 2 hours of recording on a DVD-R, DVD-RW or DVD-RAM disc. You can adjust the bit rates up and down if you want more space or better quality.

The XS32 has so many adjustments and settings that some people may find the unit intimidating. However, I personally liked the extra features and amount of control that you have with this recorder.

I came close to buying the Sony RDRGX-7, but I was told by more than a few people that I should get a recorder with a Hard Drive. They were correct, and having the 80GB HDD on the Toshiba convinced me that I will not own a DVD Recorder in the future without the HDD. Setting the timer to record your favorite shows is easy, and having the HDD means that you never worry about finding a blank disc. It is also fairly easy to then transfer your recordings from the HDD to a DVD disc. However, when you play those discs on a DVD player other than the XS32 the pictures don't look so good, and that's the bad news....

The black level bug that has been discussed in several other reviews, here and on other forums, is very real. DVD disc recordings that I made looked great on the Toshiba, but they would not play at all on one of the other DVD players we own nor would they play on the kid's PlayStation. The discs did play on the DVD player I use most of the time in our family room, on my computer and on a few of the other players I tried, but the images in all but one of these players were very bright and "washed out". I tried both DVD-R and DVD-RW discs. I tried using different brands of media and I tried most of the other settings and suggestions I read in the technical forums. Nothing significantly changed the image black level problem.

If your only recorder and player is the Toshiba RD-XS32 then I think you will be very satisfied with the performance of this unit. If Toshiba could fix the black level issue the XS32 would be awesome. But, my reason for wanting a DVD recorder was to make discs that could be portable and played in other players without problems or hassles, like VHS tapes use to be. In this respect the Toshiba has failed and that is why I am returning the unit.

135 of 139 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SIMPLY AMAZING!!!! I LOVE IT!, April 10, 2004

By	Khena Kara "khena" (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful combination of features, May 31, 2004

By	Andy Van Pelt (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I've had this unit for about a month now, and here are my observations:

1) The manual needs to be re-written. It's not horrible, but it definitely needs work.
2) Note that the RF Out (to the TV) only passes on the original channels; you will not see any of this unit's output on it. In that regard, it differs from a typical VCR.
3) Note that the remote control has a hinged section at the bottom. I searched for over an hour to find the "setup" button. This was shown in the manual, but never caught my attention.
4) I've not noticed the problem with the black level that other reviewers have noted.
5) There are about three different ways to do anything. Sometimes it can get confusing, but you figure it out after a while.
6) The remote's not bad. Inputting names is tedious, but not overly so. You can get very good at skipping over commercials.
7) It doesn't replace a TIVO or ReplayTV, but does give you about 90% of what they do, and no subscription costs.
8) Recording, time-slipping, chapter definition and playlist editing all work very well. I've burned about 8 discs now, and they're all fine. I've only put one title per disc, so I haven't bothered with the menu stuff yet.
9) I really appreciate that when I turn it off, the hard disk stops spinning. I have this in my bedroom, and the noise difference is important. I sure wish my ReplayTV stopped the hard disk when it was turned off.

All in all, I'm very pleased. I used to use my PC with a TV tuner card to record and playback programs, but have now almost completely moved over to using the Toshiba instead. The combination of a hard disk with a DVD burner is very powerful.