Recommendations or reviews of Toshiba D-R5

[Shan]

Hello,

I wonder if any of you know how well the DVD Recorder Toshiba D-R5 is performing.

I was unable to find more than one review of this machine on the web.

Thanks,
Shan

[lordsmurf]

Along with JVC, LiteOn and Pioneer, it's one of the best 4 recorders. Good image quality, decent features, reliable, few flaws. Great for recording off tv, cable, satellite.

I would still suggest the JVC as better, especially for VHS work (the JVC has noise filters not found on the Toshiba).

Toshiba is a fine choice. Search the forum, there are reviews. Specifically, look for those done by forum member "gshelley"

[samijubal]

Toshiba rocks, you won't be disappointed.

[trhouse]

Have you seen this one?

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=296016&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[Shan]

Thanks all for your advice. It is regrettable that many folks' experience with equipment do not appear on products review nor do search engine pickup such experiences clearly. I've been surfing the web for a couple of weeks but ending up with one review of Toshiba D-R5 that was not thorough and another that reviewed the wrong machine.

What I am looking for is a DVD recorder with HDMI, DTS decoder and digital audio output.

My main concern re Toshiba D-R5 was it may not record movies off HBO since/like Toshiba D-R4 had this problem.

lordsmurf, I have not found a JVC with the said features. Do you have the model number? Also, re conversion of VHS videos, I already have an older Samsung which has served very well for many years & I'll dedicate for convesions. It was of the earliest DVD recorders that came on the market and cost a fortune then. I have too much clutter already near the entertainment center and some equipment needs to migrate.

trhouse, I appreciate the link you provided.

Cheers,
Shan

[gshelley61]

There are a number of other DVD recorders being introduced to the market over the next several months that will have HDMI upscaling video output, too... JVC, Pioneer and Panasonic are among those that are coming out with these models very soon.

It might be worth it to wait a bit longer to check out some of these other new machines before making a final decision on which one to get.

[Shan]

Thank you for your comment, gshelley61. You come highly recommended per the advice of lordsmurf.

Ideally, I would like to buy a High Definition DVD Recorder when Blu-Ray comes out with one, though they will not be affordable enough for what I am willing to pay. The three P's and three S's have models ready or almost ready to come out.

Meanwhile, I want to buy a DVD-R that will serve my immediate needs and support my Sony KDS-R60XBR1.

BTW, I am itching to buy a DVR too but DirecTV is charging a fortune (comparatively speaking) for HD DVR while Dish Network does not seem to have a competitive DVR.

Various industries do not seem to be in sync when they sell HD TVs, HD Satellite broadcasting while DVR are a hefty $499 to *rent* a set when DVD HD are still out of reach for ordinary buyers.

[gshelley61]

In my setup, I have a separate upscaling DVD player with DVI out that I use to play back my DVD's. I use my DVD recorders primarily for capturing MPEG2 (DVD Video).

The relatively low pricing on the new recorders with HDMI out is very tempting, though... I certainly could save some space by getting one.

[ejai]

I purchased the RD-XS54 after using several Panasonic recorders and the JVC M10, none of these machines come close to the RD-XS54 in terms of quality. I've used this machine to enhance old video, I was able to filter out the noise and create a picture that was better than the original using the Toshiba RD-XS54 .

I've also restored downloaded wmv files that showed lots of blocking; I ran them through this machine and it was able to smooth out the pixelated areas and made some very impressive footage. My only gripe is that the machine doesn't allow you to copy copyrighted material from satellite (unless you use other devices to bypass the copy protection).

All-in-all it's a great machine so far, I very satisfied with my purchase.

[ejai]

In terms of image quality The Toshiba DR4,5 and higher seem to kick butt.

[Shan]

Hey ejai,

I assume you are talking about RD-XS54 when you say "the machine doesn't allow you to copy copyrighted material from satellite..."

I read your review of March 17, 2006 in which you say "but the DR5 seems to record these types of shows fine" i.e. record copyrighted satellite programs.

Please clarify.

I usually record my DVDs from my DirecTV DVR. My Samsung never had such problems.

My Toshiba DR5 is being shipped. I hope I am not in trouble.

[DupMJ23]

I have had the dr-5 for about 3 weeks and i am impressed. I have ot connected via hdmi to my hd tv and have made great copys of old vhs, and off standard tv.
I give it a great rec.

[ejai]

Hey ejai,

I assume you are talking about RD-XS54 when you say "the machine doesn't allow you to copy copyrighted material from satellite..."

I read your review of March 17, 2006 in which you say "but the DR5 seems to record these types of shows fine" i.e. record copyrighted satellite programs.

Please clarify.(

Yes I am talking about the RD-XS54, I must admit I don't remember if the DR5 had this issue but I think it did. I don't have the DR5 now so I am unable to check it out. I am able to get around the copy protection issue, from what I've read it seems to be catching on.

[Shan]

Thanks. My old timer Samsung which is still going strong never had problems with copy protection.

I'll be able to tell if the DR5 has this problem when it arrives in a couple of days.

[hobbes4444]

Could someone with a D-R5 please answer a few questions:

1. Can this unit record in 16:9 (the manual for the R4 indicates that is an option)?

2. Can you record LPCM audio in 1hr or 2hr speed?

3. How well does this unit playback divx files? Does it play divx files in the proper AR (are 16:9 files played back 16:9 automatically or does one have to adjust the TV size options)?

Thanks,
Dave