Toshiba RD-XS32 DVD Recorder

1 DVD Recorder hits, Showing 1 to 1 DVD Recorders

DVD Recorder

Write support

Read support

FireWire
VCR, HD

Price

Best

Rating

Comments

Toshiba RD-XS32

Write
~~CDR~~
~~CDRW~~
DVD-R
DVD-RW
~~DVD-R DL~~
~~DVD+R~~
~~DVD+RW~~
~~DVD+RDL~~
DVD-RAM

Read*

CDR
CDRW
DVD-R
DVD-RW
~~DVD-R DL~~
~~DVD+R~~
~~DVD+RW~~
~~DVD+R DL~~
DVD-RAM

*based on user reports.

Desktop, Firewire, 80GB HDD

$500

7.3/10
32 votes
Read 38
comments
(87125 views)

Post comments

DVD Player features:
Video formats:
~~DivX~~ JPG
Audio formats:
MP3 WMA
Other features:
Progressive Scanning

Visit manufacturer's site
Region code free hack

DVD Media comments for this DVD Recorder (click on the link to read the comments):
1 Fujifilm 2xDVD-RW (MCC 01RW11n9) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Maxell 4xDVD-R (MXL RG02....) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Memorex 16xDVD-R (CMC MAG. AM3) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Memorex 2xDVD-RW (RITEKW01....) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 MMore 2xDVD-RW (OPTODISCK001) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
Post your DVD Media comments here

Comments

38 comments, Showing 1 to 25 comments

- Next ->

cul8errr from United States reported July 04, 2011:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R DVD-RW DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	over 1 year	10 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
I bought the Toshiba RD-XS32 back when it was released (I believe back in 2004). Well, it's 2004 and this thing is still running like a champ. I have not had a to replace the HD or the DVD player/recorder. I've only updated the firmware. I record shows from TV; watch DVDs (store bought and burned dvds); and have even hooked up my old Hi-8mm video recorder and dubbed movies to the hard drive and later burned them to DVD. Bottom line Toshiba's RD-XS32 is one of the best electronic purchases (heck - one of the best purchases) I have ever made. I also still have a Toshiba laptop purchased in 2004 that still runs like a charm. Thanks Toshiba - from one really satisfied customer! I'd give the RD-XS32 more than 10 points if I could because it's that good :)

Alan Anderson from United States reported April 23, 2011:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	over 1 year	7 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
This has been good for recording tv shows but now am trying to burn DVD's and not having much luck. In process to trying to upgrade firmware but it won't read the firmware discs. My firmware is at 1309 and I have downloaded the firmware files and have tried burning it to several CD's using different discs, both CD-R and DVD-RW, and using two computers and several different programs to burn the discs. Every time it tries to load for several minutes then says the disc may need cleaning or is bad. I am losing my patience with this machine. Do you have any suggestions before I move on to a new one?

Teddy02 from United States reported January 02, 2010:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR CDRW	DVD-R DVD-RW ~~DVD-R DL~~	~~DVD+R~~ ~~DVD+RW~~ ~~DVD+R DL~~	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	over 1 year	9 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
I was getting EXTREMELY frustrated with my RD-XS32, due to its not being able to recognize currently available DVD-R/RW media. As you are aware (especially if you are here now), the factory DVD burner is very picky with regard to what it will play and burn. I could not find anything (DVD-R/RW) that it would "see" or burn copies onto from the HDD. I was preparing to replace the DVD drive in it, as my attempts to flash the 1417 firmware update continued to fail. (P.S. - I had the original firmware version 1414 on my machine). Then, "viola!", I finally got it figured out, and was able to update the RD-XS32's firmware to 1417! It sees and burns all kinds of stuff now! What a relief! (Well, I know that TDK 1-4X DVD-RW works for sure now. It rejected them, and would not allow me to format them before the 1417 update). Hopefully, I can offer some more help/ a clearer explanation here in guiding you through the process of upgrading your firmware. The rapidshare link that StavrO provided - with credit to Escape75 (Aug. 10, 2007 in this thread) works. Here is a copy of the link he provided: http://rapidshare.com/files/42043992/Toshiba_Rd-X ... O.zip.html Download that zip file. It will have two files in it - you will only need one of them, and which one you need will be determined by which firmware (13xx, or 14xx, i.e., 1414, 1415, etc.) your RD-XS32 currently has. Use a program to unzip it to a location on your computer (I used WinZip's trial version). The unzipped .ISO file will just look like an icon - not much to open, see, or read, but that is the file that you will burn onto a new CD-R. The DVD-burning software program that I used to burn the .ISO file was Roxio Creator 2010. In Roxio's menu, choose "Data/Copy" from the left menu first. Next, (under the "create" header), choose "Burn Disc Image" (to create a disc from a disc image file)- NOT "Burn Data Disc"! Allow it to go through the CD-R creation process (about 30 seconds). When disc is done, take it to your RD-XS32 and insert it in the DVD drive. It should recognize the firmware update on the CD-R, and give you on-screen guidance as to when to turn your machine off in order to allow it to reboot & update itself. (Mine worked/updated on the very first attempt). Now go to setup, and scroll through the menu to where your software/firmware versions are. It should now say "Firmware 1417". During my frustrating process to get this accomplished on my machine, I learned that "Alcohol 120%" is a DVD burning software program - not a special blend of alcohol that you use to clean/rub on your discs in an attempt to help the RD-XS32 read them!(And, no, I did not do that! - LOL!) Hope I've helped you.

stavr0 from Canada reported June 04, 2008:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
~~CDR~~ ~~CDRW~~	DVD-R DVD-RW ~~DVD-R DL~~	~~DVD+R~~ ~~DVD+RW~~ ~~DVD+R DL~~	VCD XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3 CVD?	over 1 year	1 of 10
DVD-RAM
Comments:
DVD drive finally died. I've replaced it with an LG GSA-4167B which restored most of the authoring capabilities, and reading pressed DVDs again. It no longer recognizes CD audio, a minor caveat. Repair instructions at http://www.esbuilder.com/rdxs32/rdxs32-replace-dvd.htm The short lifespan means Toshiba goes on my do-not-buy list.

Stavr0 from Canada reported August 10, 2007:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR CDRW	DVD-R DVD-RW DVD-R DL?	~~DVD+R~~ ~~DVD+RW~~ ~~DVD+R DL~~	VCD XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3 VBR CVD?	over 1 year	7 of 10
DVD-RAM
Comments:
Latest DVD firmware 1315 / 1417 Originally from gttp://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=312999 credit to Escape75 for finding and publicizing them. http://rapidshare.com/files/42043992/Toshiba_Rd-X ... O.zip.html http://mihd.net/w90lq8 Caveat: These are from Toshiba Japan, they may not be compatible with US / Europe version. Consult the SETUP menu to find the old firmware number, always upgrade 13nn to 1315 and 14nn to 1417. This firmware is supposed to improve support for newer specs DVD-R blanks (4x and above) I had previously upgraded from 1415 to 1416 and the 1416 version was much flakier, even when reading pressed DVDs. The 1417 seems to have taken care of the problem. Good luck.

Toshiba Martyr from United States reported August 17, 2006:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
Few CDR CDRW?	Few DVD-R DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	over 1 year	3 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
When it works, it works fine. HDD recording and editing is pretty trouble-free, although the menus, as noted here often, are clumsy and non-intuitive, and the manual is a classic of literal translation. But I've been using it for a couple of years now, and I'm pretty skilled with it. Authoring DVDs, however, is hit or miss -- mostly miss. Some titles will burn easily and others not at all on multiple tries. (These items are not copy-protected.) The DVD drive must be VERY touchy. It also fails to read almost every brand of CD-R or DVD-R. I have had only occasional -- but certainly not frequent -- success with the Verbatim 4x DVD-Rs with the film-reel design on the disk top. Success rate of maybe one in four. Sometimes a DVD will seem to burn, but examination of the write surface shows darker etching for the first half-inch or so, then lighter to the end of the recording. When I try to burn a copy on my computer, it won't copy, nor will it play reliably. Since creating DVDs from old VHS airchecks was my major reason for buying this unit, I am losing patience. For what it's worth, I have tried running the firmware update, but so far I've used Imation, Fujifilm, TDK 48x and TDK 52x CD-Rs, burned on two different computers, with no success. Each time, I got the disk dirty or scratched message, which is Microsoft-quality prevarication. This machine is a crazy-maker.

geekhelp from United States reported December 05, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R DVD-RW DVD-R DL	DVD+R DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	over 1 year	No rating
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Just an update for all those that have tried this. There is a firmware upgrade in German and I have translated it please see below. The upgrade process is got to be the easiest of all I have tried. Once you burn the image file to a cd insert into the player it will tell you to power it off then back on. It will then ask you to continue with the upgrade select yes and wait it will then proceed to update once this is done it will turn off the player simply turn the player back on and eject your cd. Your done. Now I would recommend testing your unit out. English translation of German pdf. New firmware for the Toshiba D-R1/RD-XS 32 for the improvement of the medium compatibility of the DVD of multi-drive assembly: NOTE: There are two different hardware versions of the D-R1/RD-XS 32. The firmware (L.G.) 1314 and 1416 are for different hardware versions of the DVD of drive assembly. 1. Please you guarantee before an update, which basic version (13 or 14) in your equipment was blocked. This can be examined in the set UP menu. There the L.G. versions of the drive assembly and the software are indicated. The first two numbers indicate, which drive assembly hardware version is in your equipment. 2. Before the update you unpack the downloaded ZIP file. 3. Provide a CD-R on basis the contained image file (* img) over "disk of image provide" in your fuel program. Additionally the ZIP contains - this guidance of file. 4. The file system of the resulting disk cannot be read by a DOS PC. We recommend a burning speed of 2x. 5. You reinvest this disk into the D-R1/RD-XS32 and to switch it off and then. (U.U. must repeat you the procedure several times, if you receive an error message). If the disk should not be accepted, use please a CD-R blank of another manufacturer. 6. Follow the further instructions of the D-R1/RD-XS 32. With the L.G. versions 1314 and 1416 are made possible the compatibility around DVD- RW for media with quadruple (4x) scanning rate of the following manufacturers: 1.TDK 2.JVC 3.MITSBISHI 4.VERBATIM Please you adhere exact to these data and the instructions of the equipment during the update, in order to avoid a defect at your recorder. Note for the Downloadseite: Note: Before the Download please absolutely read: The product is supplied without warranty for defects and without guarantees of any kind - neither expressly nor implicitly -, including the implicit guarantees for the marketability or suitability for a certain purpose. If the software program in any form should prove as lack afflicted, then the quality and product achievement risk lie concerning the software program completely with you. They take over all costs of all necessary maintenance and repair work. Limitation of liability. If one of the warranty exclusions specified above should not apply or if the following limitation of liability should not apply, then the adhesion exceeds or compensation in the context of payment of damages achievements for requirements of any kind in connection with your use of the software program or the documentation - regardless of any juridical systems - not the royalty (if applicable), which you for the software program and the documentation paid, and/or which part of the purchase price, which you for the product, with which the program and the documentation were together sold or supplied, is be added and the software program and the documentation to have paid to that.

The MudMan from United States reported October 21, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	270 days	10 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
After many tries using Alcohol 120% to created a CD to update the firmware I gave up. I finally found CloneCD to be the answer for reading and burning the image file. http://www.toshiba.de/consumer/dvdsupport/89 Here's how to do it using the latest version 5.2 of CloneCD. CloneCD has a free trial download. 1) Run ClondCd 2) Select write from img file. 3) Select browse/all files. 4) Open selected firmware img file DVD_8-1_1416_USR.img 5) Select write speed 2X and write the img file to a blank CDROM. 6) Insert the CDROM into your Toshiba RDX-S32 DVD Recorder. 7) When prompted to upgrade frimware select OK. "DO NOT TURN OFF THE RECORDER DURNING THE UPGRADE" 8) This will take a couple of minutes. Once completed power off the unit and repower the unit back on. 9) You will now have the latest firmware upgrade 1416. The MudMan The New Firmware does the following. New firmware for the Toshiba D-R1/RD-XS 32 for the improvement of the medium compatibility of the DVD of multi-drive assembly: NOTE: There are two different hardware versions of the D-R1/RD-XS 32. The firmware (L.G.) 1314 and 1416 are for different hardware versions of the DVD of drive assembly. 1. Please you guarantee before an update, which basic version (13 or 14) in your equipment was blocked. This can be examined in the set UP menu. There the L.G. versions of the drive assembly and the software are indicated. The first two numbers indicate, which drive assembly hardware version is in your equipment. 2. Before the update you unpack the downloaded ZIP file. 3. Provide a CD-R on basis the contained image file (* img) over "disk of image provide" in your fuel program. Additionally the ZIP contains - this guidance of file. 4. The file system of the resulting disk cannot be read by a DOS PC. We recommend a burning speed of 2x. 5. You reinvest this disk into the D-R1/RD-XS32 and to switch it off and then. (U.U. must repeat you the procedure several times, if you receive an error message). If the disk should not be accepted, use please a CD-R blank of another manufacturer. 6. Follow the further instructions of the D-R1/RD-XS 32. With the L.G. versions 1314 and 1416 are made possible the compatibility around DVD- RW for media with quadruple (4x) scanning rate of the following manufacturers: 1.TDK 2.JVC 3.MITSBISHI 4.VERBATIM Please you adhere exact to these data and the instructions of the equipment during the update, in order to avoid a defect at your recorder. Note for the Downloadseite: Note: Before the Download please absolutely read: The product is supplied without warranty for defects and without guarantees of any kind - neither expressly nor implicitly -, including the implicit guarantees for the marketability or suitability for a certain purpose. If the software program in any form should prove as lack afflicted, then the quality and product achievement risk lie concerning the software program completely with you. They take over all costs of all necessary maintenance and repair work. Limitation of liability. If one of the warranty exclusions specified above should not apply or if the following limitation of liability should not apply, then the adhesion exceeds or compensation in the context of payment of damages achievements for requirements of any kind in connection with your use of the software program or the documentation - regardless of any juridical systems - not the royalty (if applicable), which you for the software program and the documentation paid, and/or which part of the purchase price, which you for the product, with which the program and the documentation were together sold or supplied, is be added and the software program and the documentation to have paid to that.

Miro from Jordan reported October 16, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	1 days	No rating
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Anyone can help me with my remote's problem? Whenever I press any key it doesn't work it only gives a message on the recorder's display DR-3.

MudMan from United States reported October 09, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R DVD-RW DVD-R DL?	~~DVD+R~~ DVD+RW ~~DVD+R DL~~	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	240 days	9 of 10
DVD-RAM
Comments:
Hello Mike C UK from United Kingdom, I have tried many times to update the firmware with no success. Maybe you could email me a image of you CD or hopefully privide answers the questions below. 1) What were your exact setting in Alcohol 120% and version? 2) What media did you use? 3) What burn speed? 4) Drive used to burn the img file. Thanks, The Mudman eagle1fl@earthlink.net

Mike C UK from United Kingdom reported October 03, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	60 days	8 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
This is a great machine because of the editing features - shame it does not have its own DVB-t tuner but that technology has only just become available. Anyway: IMPORTANT IMFORMATION ABOUT THE FIRMWARE UPGRADE RECOMMENDED BELOW!!!! READ BEFORE YOU BURN CD Firstly, the link is not correct, it should be http://www.toshiba.de/consumer/dvdsupport/89/ Secondly, i downloaded the firmware a number of times (so it was not corrupt firmware) but it would NOT burn with Nero 6.6 Ultra Edition (fully registered), i had to use Alcohol 120% - and because it did not recognise the image type i used the default settings. Then when i put the CD into the machine it recognised it first time and flashed the firmware without error - BONUS. If this comment has helped you, go rate it so that others can find it easier! Thanks for reading

Trickster from Germany reported August 02, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R DVD-RW DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	270 days	8 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Competent recorder. However with the old firmware (1414 & ZL11) I occasionally lost some recordings when it was saving to the HDD??? I know, not what you need from a recorder. Anyway, finally I found the upgrade on the german Toshiba supportpage and I decided to go for it. What you need to do is to download the files from http://www.toshiba.de/consumer/dvdsupport/88/ You need to burn the .img file to a cd-r and finalized it. I used Nero 6.X to do it, (you need to have a full version to get the right support I noticed). Put the cd-r in the your Tosh xs32, you might have to do it a couple of times, before it is recognized. It will ask you to restart your recorder with the disc inside. The upgrade will take a few minutes but afterwards it will be fairly quick to recognize a variety of dvd's. I have not tried any "+" discs since the upgrade but it would not surprice me one bit if they worked now. It no longer has any problems recognizing dvd-rw 4x as it did previously (at least some brands). Obviously the best part for me was that the recorder has not glitched once since the upgrade and I have filled the HDD twice already.

R.A.J. from United Kingdom reported July 17, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	150 days	No rating
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
If you download the zip file contained are intructions and actual update. If you have firmware 1414 this will bring it up to 1416 Your ability to transalate is probably better than mine << eue Firmware für den Toshiba D-R1/RD-XS 32 zur Verbesserung der Medienkompatibilität des DVD Multi-Laufwerks: ACHTUNG: Es gibt zwei unterschiedliche Hardwareversionen des D-R1/RD-XS 32. Die Firmware (FW) 1314 und 1416 sind für unterschiedliche Hardwareversionen des DVD Laufwerks. 1. Bitte stellen Sie vor einem Update sicher, welche Basisversion (13 oder 14) in Ihrem Gerät verbaut wurde. Dies lässt sich im SETUP-MENÜ überprüfen. Dort werden die FW-Versionen des Laufwerks und der Software angezeigt. Die ersten beiden Ziffern zeigen an, welche Laufwerks-Hardwareversion sich in Ihrem Gerät befindet. 2. Vor dem Update entpacken Sie die heruntergeladene ZIP-Datei. 3. Erstellen Sie eine CD-R auf Basis der enthaltenen Image Datei (*.img) über "Disk von Image erstellen" in Ihrem Brennprogramm. Zusätzlich enthält die ZIP-Datei diese Anleitung. 4. Das Dateisystem der resultierenden Disk kann von einem DOS PC nicht gelesen werden. Wir empfehlen eine Brenngeschwindigkeit von 2x. 5. Diese Disk legen Sie in den D-R1/RD-XS32 und schalten ihn ab und dann wieder an. (U.U. müssen Sie den Vorgang mehrmals wiederholen, falls Sie eine Fehlermeldung erhalten.). Sollte die Disk nicht angenommen werden, verwenden Sie bitte einen CD-R Rohling eines anderen Herstellers. 6. Folgen Sie den weiteren Anweisungen des D-R1/RD-XS 32. Mit den FW-Versionen 1314 und 1416 wird die Kompatibilität um DVD-RW Medien mit 4–facher (4x) Schreibgeschwindigkeit folgender Hersteller ermöglicht: 1.TDK 2.JVC 3.MITSBISHI 4.VERBATIM Bitte halten Sie sich genau an diese Angaben und die Anweisungen des Gerätes während des Updates, um einen Defekt an Ihrem Recorder zu vermeiden. Hinweis für die Downloadseite: Achtung: Vor dem Download bitte unbedingt lesen: Das Produkt wird ohne Mängelhaftung und ohne Gewährleistungen irgendeiner Art - weder ausdrücklich noch implizit - geliefert, einschließlich der impliziten Gewährleistungen zur Marktfähigkeit oder Eignung für einen bestimmten Zweck. Sollte sich das Softwareprogramm in irgendeiner Form als mängelbehaftet erweisen, so liegt das Qualitäts- und Produktleistungsrisiko bezüglich des Softwareprogramms vollständig bei Ihnen. Sie übernehmen sämtliche Kosten aller erforderlichen Wartungs- und Reparaturarbeiten. Haftungsbeschränkung. Sollte einer der oben genannten Garantieausschlüsse nicht gelten oder sollte die folgende Haftungsbeschränkung keine Anwendung finden, so übersteigt die Haftung oder Wiedergutmachung im Rahmen von Schadensersatzleistungen für Ansprüche jeglicher Art im Zusammenhang mit Ihrem Gebrauch des Softwareprogramms oder der Dokumentation - ungeachtet jeglicher Rechtssysteme - nicht die Lizenzgebühr (sofern zutreffend), die Sie für das Softwareprogramm und die Dokumentation bezahlt haben, bzw. den Teil des Kaufpreises, den Sie für das Produkt, mit dem das Programm und die Dokumentation zusammen verkauft oder geliefert wurden, bezahlt haben und der dem Softwareprogramm und der Dokumentation zuzurechnen ist. >>

chas1776 from United States reported July 15, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	~~VCD~~ XVCD? XSVCD?	~~SVCD~~ SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	21 days	7 of 10
DVD-RAM
Comments:
I have had no problem with recording to the HDD but transfer from the HDD to DVD-R get message copy protect.What does this German Firmware do and how do you install it.

R.A.J. from United Kingdom reported July 06, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR ~~CDRW~~	DVD-R Few DVD-RW DVD-R DL?	~~DVD+R~~ ~~DVD+RW~~ DVD+R DL?	VCD XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	150 days	6 of 10
DVD-RAM
Comments:
Further to last post I have discovered the upgrade site http://www.toshiba.de/consumer/dvdsupport/88/ The download is a zip file with instructions in German which I didn't find helpful, not just the language! However, I have now firmware 1416 which plays discs without the 2 minute delay. ca. 25-35 secs now. If anyone with a better command of the language could translate and improve. Perhaps Toshiba.

R.A.J. from United Kingdom reported July 01, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR ~~CDRW~~	Few DVD-R Few DVD-RW DVD-R DL?	~~DVD+R~~ ~~DVD+RW~~ DVD+R DL?	VCD XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	150 days	5 of 10
DVD-RAM
Comments:
Could Mark UK please reissue link to German site where firmware upgrades are available? At present I have 1414 & ZL11 software version. Some discs seem fine,others out of the same box will not run. Some take 2 minutes to "load" then run with excellent quality I have asked Toshiba about the machines inability to play some discs & had a non committal reply below. <<The DVD player requires discs / recordings to meet certain technical standards in order to achieve optimal playback quality. Prerecorded DVDs are automatically set to these standards. There are many different types of recordable disc formats. Given the fact that technology in this area is still maturing, Toshiba can not guarantee that all genre of recordable discs will produce optimal playback quality. The technical criteria set out in the manual is meant as a guide only. Due to the amount of different authoring packages and software systems there are we do not have any recommendations as to which you should use, as we do not test these on the player. A disc that you have burned may play on your computer as this will be more flexible due to the computer playing the disc through the software, whereas the DVD player will play the disc through the hardware so will not be as flexible. >>

Bobbo from Norway reported June 27, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR CDRW	DVD-R DVD-RW DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	90 days	9 of 10
DVD-RAM
Comments:
This is a great recorder - i give it 9 out of 10 because of the lousy user-guide. I have tried 4X and 8X DVD-R media from Samsung (optodisc)and there is no faulty burns. Also tried Verbatim 4X - no problems. Picture Quality is exellent. U can also make a DVD with chapters and menu, if it's too big for 1 DVD-disc, there is the possibility to convert to lower bitrate before burning. Great machine ;)

Mark from United Kingdom reported June 24, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR CDRW	DVD-R DVD-RW ~~DVD-R DL~~	~~DVD+R~~ ~~DVD+RW~~ ~~DVD+R DL~~	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	210 days	10 of 10
DVD-RAM
Comments:
A bit of a learning curve at first, but once you get it, it is easy to use. Powerful editing functions, control over the bit rate. Excellent quality with rates of 4.0 or above (approx 2 hours 20 on a single DVD); at lower than this drops to half resolution with noticable quality drop. Can be a bit fussy on media, but stick to good media and you'll be fine. Firmware upgrades are available which help here (from German web site).

Conrad Stockton from United States reported May 21, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	Few DVD-R DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	~~DVD+R~~ ~~DVD+RW~~ DVD+R DL	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	270 days	5 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Now that 2x and 4x blank DVD-R media is hard to find I've discovered the the recorder will not recognize almost all brands of 8x media. Memorex and Fuji made in Japan are the only media that still works and the failure rate on this media is about 30%. I've sent an email to Toshiba technical support to find out if this recorder is firmware upgradable and where I can find reliable media. If I don't get a satisfactory answer and solution I will never buy another Toshiba product.

cryophil from United States reported May 19, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR CDRW	DVD-R DVD-RW DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3 320kbit/s WMA CVD?	240 days	8 of 10
DVD-RAM
Comments:
HDD recording is great. It's a bit counter-intutive at first, but understandable after reading the manual.

art from United States reported May 06, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R DVD-RW DVD-R DL?	~~DVD+R~~ ~~DVD+RW~~ ~~DVD+R DL~~	~~VCD~~ XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	60 days	6 of 10
DVD-RAM
Comments:
Generally this is a very good and versatile machine, with one “ I had a power loss and the Toshiba did not respond as I had hoped it would. When the power returned, the display was flashing and all of the advanced recording programs were lost. While one might expect this, my Panasonic VCR had reset the time and the programs were still there. I would expect more for the price of the Toshiba.

Robertson from Austria reported April 07, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR CDRW?	DVD-R Few DVD-RW DVD-R DL?	DVD+R DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	90 days	8 of 10
DVD-RAM
Comments:
works with fujifilm DVD-RW 2x (MCC 01RW11n9 - same media code as Verbatim DVD-RW), NOT with Sony DVD-RW 2x (media code: RitekW01); works with Fujifilm and Maxell DVD-R 4x and surprisingly plays A3-Media DVD+R 4x and of course DVD-RAM. Hope unit will function longer than half a year!? Takes some time to get acquainted with all the functions. Video-editing (cutting and generating chapters) is simple (with very basic menus). A keyboard would be fine especially if you have many chapters to type. Video-quality as low as 4.0 to 4.4 MB/s for TV-recordings is sufficient for me and superior to S-VHS, but you can go higher for better quality.

Edfin from United Kingdom reported March 13, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	Few DVD-R ~~DVD-RW~~ DVD-R DL?	~~DVD+R~~ ~~DVD+RW~~ ~~DVD+R DL~~	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	180 days	5 of 10
Few DVD-RAM
Comments:
I have two of these and it is, without doubt, the most versatile DVD/HDD recorder on the market and can now be got for less than £350 in the UK. The Manual is awful, and a disgrace, but it is possible to come to grips with it quite quickly if ever you have used a DVD Editing suite on a computer. I have not experienced the black level problem and I love the ability to set the bitrate almost exactly to match the length of the recording. Also, unlike the Panasonic recorders, it dubs at 16:9 in high speed mode, not 4:3. Downsides are that I cannot find a single 8x DVD-R that will work with it which means it will be useless once the supply of 4x discs runs out. It is also very picky which 4x DVD-R it will record on. It only seems happy with Ritek G-04 or Verbatim 4x DVD-R discs. There is no sign of a firmware upgrade to enable it to use 8x discs and the Toshiba UK Website is crap from a technical support viewpoint. Even worse is the dodgy DVD Drive used. After six months, my first machine no longer reads, let alone writes any DVD-RAMs and corrupts any loaded into it, including Toshiba's own. It has also now refused to recognise any DVD-Rs. It is off back to Toshiba shortly. Sadly, the second one, bought in October, is now showing similar symptoms, so I feel that the DVD Drive used is basically crap. That, and its pickiness with Discs is why I have only given it a 5, otherwise it would have been a 10. To anyone thinking of buying one of these, I would say be prepared for a problem inside the guarantee period, buy an extended warranty and stock up on G-04 4x DVD-R!

Chuck in Pittsburgh from United States reported February 06, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR CDRW	DVD-R DVD-RW DVD-R DL?	Few DVD+R Few DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3 WMA 320kbit/s CVD?	120 days	10 of 10
DVD-RAM
Comments:
This is my fourth component DVD recorder. I wanted one with a HD and good editing features. With my brother going in and out of the hospital and nursing homes, DVDs of his favorite TV shows and movies are a welcome distraction. I was a bit wary of the "black level bug". I haven't found it and I've looked for it, tried to induce it. The first unit was a dud and Toshiba’s "Customer Service" here in the USA isn't very helpful. They said they would not acknowledge a burner issue unless it failed to work with the one approved brand of -R and one approved brand of -RW. Unfortunately the Panasonic discs (as listed in the manual), are rarer than Hen's teeth. I gave up, sent the broken machine back to Amazon.com who shipped a replacement 2nd day air for free. Nice touch, that. The second unit works flawlessly. I've gone through close to 200 discs from Piodata, Optodisc, Prodisc, and Ridata with no problem. I've used Sony, Verbatim, Ridata, and Memorex -RW with no problem. I used Type 4 Optodisc 9.4 gb RAM discs with no problem. This is a feature laden deck. You can select bit rates from 1.4 to 9.2. From 2.0 to 9.2 you can select in .2 increments with three options for audio. This is, hands down, the most versatile HD recorder around. Transferring shows from DirecTV DVRs is easy thanks to three line inputs, including one in front with S-Video. Recording is easy to set up. Then the fun begins. I could write a 300 page manual on the wealth of features and how to use them. It's easy, once you've grown accustomed to the menu structure, to create playlists from original titles minus the commercials. One can then do a HD > HD dub of the playlist, use chapter autocreate, create a thumbnail, and transfer the result to DVD-R -RW or RAM. You can title the discs. One thing I do is burn a -rw "master" DVD with the show title. Then when I want to transfer episode, I load the "master" and keep the existing title. When it asks if I want to create another, I pull out the master and burn the real thing, setting aside the -rw for next time. It's just one of many time saving steps you'll stumble upon if you record weekly TV shows. Other -rw masters are for Sci Fi movies, Mystery Movies, etc. I've read comments about it not reading +R / +RW discs burned with ROM booktype. I have not run across the problem with discs created on a Lite On 411s drive or an IO/Magic (BTC 1008). All the discs play regardless of brand so long as the booktype is set. The downside? This is a toy for the technically inclined. It takes time and patience to even begin to master the diverse options and functions. Toshiba needs to spend some money to hire a decent author for their manuals. I highly recommend downloading the PDF of the manual, if their website is working. It's much easier to do a keyword search of the PDF than play hide-and-seek in the English-is-my-second-language manual. If English is the manual author's primary language, shame on his/her professors. If you're looking for a simple VCR replacement, you might want to pick up a Lite On LVW5005 which I also own and rate highly despite the "mono audio through RF input / tuner" bug.

mark taylor from United Kingdom reported January 31, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? ~~DVD+RW~~ DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	7 days	4 of 10
DVD-RAM
Comments:
picture quality mediocre: * half resolution (half-D1 ) at SP 2hr mode * magenta color bias * colors pale poor english in manual & onscreen messages. confusing menu structure. functionality good, e.g: copy HDD > DVD, DVD > HDD, DVD > DVD, HDD >HDD good editing features.

38 comments, Showing 1 to 25 comments

- Next ->

1 DVD Recorder hits, Showing 1 to 1 DVD Recorders

Column Explanation:

Click on this for more technical information.

New comments= New comments since your last visit.
New Recorder = New DVD Recorder since your last vist.

OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer.

Chipset
The manufacturer of the main chipset the DVD writer/recorder is based on.

Write support / Read support
DVD-R = Works
~~DVD-R~~ = Is not supported
DVD-R? = Not tested

Connection
FireWire = Computer desktop DVD Writer with IEEE 1394/FireWire/i.Link connection (some standalone desktop dvd recorder supports this also but then it is usually to connect your DV camera to the recorder)

Rating
The first rating is based on a weighted rank (the true Bayesian), it requires at least 5 votes to get a weighted rating.
The second rating between the ( ) is a normal average rating.

We can Not gurantee that this list is 100% correct and don't forget to read the User Comments for more Info about each recorder.