Should I buy Toshiba RD-XS32 HD Recorder in US?

[lingoguysw5]

I live in UK and am looking for a recorder which records TV programmes and (analog) video tapes to its built-in hard-drive or DVD-R/RW and RAM. I am not up on all the technology and am not sure if this apparatus can be used in the UK. It talks about Multi-region and a little about Tivo which I don't have a clue about , so does that mean that it would only work with a tv viewing that you subscribe to & in your part of the world?
Or is it likely to record any tv programme and work from any part of the world?

It's considerably cheaper that is why I am so interested and holds 80GB, but what puzzled me it doesn't tell you how many hours it gives you.

I though of JVC HD20/30 Recorder but it must do DVD RW and be able to record video tapes using two separate audio and video composite leads.

If anyone knows of any other DVD Recorders which might meet these requirements plse let us know. Cheers Thanks Clive

[Lucien]

I assume you want to record in PAL. I don't own the Toshiba but I don't think the NTSC version supports recording PAL (but then again I didn't know there's a multi-region version which probably only indicates playback).
Second I don't think there are many NTSC DVD recorders that have also a PAL tuner (I don't know of any but some cheaper brands sometimes offer that).

Doesn't the JVC DR-MH20 support DVD-RW? You can check JVC's site for the specs.

[lingoguysw5]

Well that's just it! If I get this Toshiba, I am concerned as to whether I can use it as here in Europe since we use PAL and so could s.o. clarify this & what all this REGION means? Is it relevant? Also I am not sure if this model is similar to Tivo where you have to subscribe to in order to record their movies etc? Or can u just record from the TV and also the from an analog VCR? I know Philips does DVD-RW 80GB with a TV-tuner but I can't seem to get the info I understand on this model which would be sent over from the US, so I am a bit sceptical as I can't afford to get it wrong. Thanks

[Lucien]

The bigger problem is the missing PAL TV tuner. You would not be able to record from TV. You can take a look at the Toshiba manual but I'm fairly sure it doesn't have one. So I don't think you will be able to use it.

[oldfart13]

You will not be able to use the NTSC recorder in PAL countries. You will have to buy a PAL recorder. Unfortunately, higher prices in some countries over others are a fact of life. It's certainly like that between Canada and the USA...

[hech54]

You will not be able to use the NTSC recorder in PAL countries. You will have to buy a PAL recorder. Unfortunately, higher prices in some countries over others are a fact of life. It's certainly like that between Canada and the USA...

That is not 100% accurate. Some NTSC DVD Recorders might work in a PAL environment but only through the RCA, S-Video or I-Link connections.
The NTSC tuner WILL NOT work in a PAL environment.
The recording ability all depends on the manufacturer and most do not "advertise" the fact that their product will record in either format. Case in point? My Philips DVDR985. Bought by me when I lived in the U.S. - I now live in Germany and records in either PAL or NTSC as long as the disc is totally blank.
VERY IMPORTANT.....
I cannot choose which format I wish to record in......it depends on the incoming signal.

[lordsmurf]

Don't forget the power plugs.

[seb]

Only potential benefit I can see of buying one in US is a cheaper retail price, although I wonder what shipping costs, insurance etc are going to add to that.

Big cost is that you're stuck with a machine that can't record anything through it's built in TV tuner, might have issues or might not have issues with recording through video inputs. Won't have scart sockets. Might have a different mains transformer (i.e. might not work on 240vac).

And if it breaks down - what a headache! No nipping back to the shop for a quick replacement.

Check out link below for list of dealers and prices in UK for Toshiba RDXS32.

http://uk.pricerunner.com/sound-and-vision/vision/dvd-players/212397/prices

[Lucien]

The power plugs actually will give you the least problems. You can buy adapter and a transformer if needed.

If you import into Europe I believe you'll have to pay import taxes plus sales tax which will wipe out most of the difference.

[spiderman2k1]

Toshiba have black level problem. I get Panasonic or JVC.

[lingoguysw5]

What is a black level? I placed my order today for JVC DRH30 Recorder.

I just hope I've made the right decision. All I need it for is to record PAL tv shows and analog video tapes to hard-disk and DVD-RW, but now I have been told that you can't playback DVD-RW on many stand alone DVD players, but do u reckon if I copy the shows to my PC I can then format them for DVD+RW usage in case I want to play the footage on another DVD player?

[hech54]

What is a black level? I placed my order today for JVC DRH30 Recorder.

I just hope I've made the right decision. All I need it for is to record PAL tv shows and analog video tapes to hard-disk and DVD-RW, but now I have been told that you can't playback DVD-RW on many stand alone DVD players, but do u reckon if I copy the shows to my PC I can then format them for DVD+RW usage in case I want to play the footage on another DVD player?

Don't worry about Black Level.....that is the least of your worries.
Do you live in the U.K. (PAL country)?
Did you verify that the JVC can record a PAL signal?

[lingoguysw5]

Yes It does PAL as it's a German model and I live in in UK (Europe). Do you have the answer to the 2nd question :

I have been told that you can't playback DVD-RW on certain stand alone DVD players, but do u reckon if I copy the footage 1st to my PC could I then add to a DVD+RW in case I decide to play the footage on a different DVD+R/RW player?

[hech54]

Yes It does PAL as it's a German model and I live in in UK (Europe). Do you have the answer to the 2nd question :

I have been told that you can't playback DVD-RW on certain stand alone DVD players, but do u reckon if I copy the footage 1st to my PC could I then add to a DVD+RW in case I decide to play the footage on a different DVD+R/RW player?

The ability or inability of a DVD player to play burned DVD's is entirely up to ...well....luck almost. If you know the make and model number of your DVD player just check on the left under DVD Players. There people post their success or failure to play certain types of DVD's.
It is mostly based of the DVD manufacturer (Ritek, Memorex etc etc) and the software used to burn the DVD (like Nero and others).
I also really can't see you having TOO much trouble working with the -RW in a +RW burner...again there are no guarantees for either scenario unfortunaltely. There may even be a "finalizing type" option to make the -RW from the JVC to make it so even a DVD Rom can read it. Someone else that owns a JVC can probably elaborate more on that.