Toshiba RD-XS34/35 owners--record quality?

[moxiecat]

I am trying to learn the XS35, which as some of you know is not the most intuitive DVD recorder! I was previously using a Pioneer DVR-640H, where my usual process is to record to the HDD in either XP or SP mode. Then, for programs I want to save, I use the "one touch copy" to record the program from the HDD to a DVD-R (identical bitrate).

I am having trouble doing this same thing on the Toshiba. First, there is that Recording Duration chart, which only lists DVD-RAM as an option (besides the HDD). Do the DVD-RAM values in the chart apply to DVD-R and DVD-RW copying as well?

Secondly, is the video copied to the DVD with the same bitrate as it was originally recorded to the HDD? Or does the identical bitrate need to be set ahead of time in that "user record quality" setting so the HDD and DVD match? (In other words, if the user record quality of the HDD is set at SP and the DVD is LP, will it downgrade the video when copying?)

Sorry if these are no-brainer questions, but this has got to be the most complex and lengthy DVD recorder manual I've ever seen. Grateful for any help you can provide. Thanks.

[sanlyn]

Hmm. Wish I'd seen this 4 years ago.

I am trying to learn the XS35, which as some of you know is not the most intuitive DVD recorder! I was previously using a Pioneer DVR-640H, where my usual process is to record to the HDD in either XP or SP mode. Then, for programs I want to save, I use the "one touch copy" to record the program from the HDD to a DVD-R (identical bitrate).

I am having trouble doing this same thing on the Toshiba. First, there is that Recording Duration chart, which only lists DVD-RAM as an option (besides the HDD). Do the DVD-RAM values in the chart apply to DVD-R and DVD-RW copying as well?

yes

Secondly, is the video copied to the DVD with the same bitrate as it was originally recorded to the HDD? Or does the identical bitrate need to be set ahead of time in that "user record quality" setting so the HDD and DVD match? (In other words, if the user record quality of the HDD is set at SP and the DVD is LP, will it downgrade the video when copying?)

If you use any dubbing feature to copy from HDD to DVD, the copy is the same bitrate as the HDD recording. regardless of what you have set for "DVD record" separately. A copy is a copy, not a new recording.

You can resample the HDD to a different bitrate using the various resample features. However, sampling down from SP to LP will definitely degrade the new version. You always lose quality when going to a lower bitrate, no exceptions. Re-rendering to a higher bitrate makes no improvement. Neither method has any effect on the original.

Sorry if these are no-brainer questions, but this has got to be the most complex and lengthy DVD recorder manual I've ever seen. Grateful for any help you can provide. Thanks.

I had a little trouble getting used to it myself, but it's easier after you work through the features one by one. But if you want more features, that's what it takes. I love the damn machine. I bought two.

[usually_quiet]

Hmm. Wish I'd seen this 4 years ago.

I am trying to learn the XS35, which as some of you know is not the most intuitive DVD recorder! I was previously using a Pioneer DVR-640H, where my usual process is to record to the HDD in either XP or SP mode. Then, for programs I want to save, I use the "one touch copy" to record the program from the HDD to a DVD-R (identical bitrate).

I am having trouble doing this same thing on the Toshiba. First, there is that Recording Duration chart, which only lists DVD-RAM as an option (besides the HDD). Do the DVD-RAM values in the chart apply to DVD-R and DVD-RW copying as well?

yes

Secondly, is the video copied to the DVD with the same bitrate as it was originally recorded to the HDD? Or does the identical bitrate need to be set ahead of time in that "user record quality" setting so the HDD and DVD match? (In other words, if the user record quality of the HDD is set at SP and the DVD is LP, will it downgrade the video when copying?)

If you use any dubbing feature to copy from HDD to DVD, the copy is the same bitrate as the HDD recording. regardless of what you have set for "DVD record" separately. A copy is a copy, not a new recording.

You can resample the HDD to a different bitrate using the various resample features. However, sampling down from SP to LP will definitely degrade the new version. You always lose quality when going to a lower bitrate, no exceptions. Re-rendering to a higher bitrate makes no improvement. Neither method has any effect on the original.

Sorry if these are no-brainer questions, but this has got to be the most complex and lengthy DVD recorder manual I've ever seen. Grateful for any help you can provide. Thanks.

I had a little trouble getting used to it myself, but it's easier after you work through the features one by one. But if you want more features, that's what it takes. I love the damn machine. I bought two.

There are plenty of recent posts that need a reply. Find one you can answer and actually help somebody who still needs help. Given the questions asked, it seems likely that the OP for this thread will have figured them out for himself by now.

Plus, the chances of your reply ever helping someone else with one of these machines are slim and getting slimmer by the day. Most of the DVD recorders made in 2005 are nearing the end of their useful life (if they are not already in a landfill).

[sanlyn]

There are tens of thousands of this product in use worldwide. I have seen recent posts on other forums (which were suitably answered, so I didn't bother), and owners still have problems with this series of recorders. Toshiba still services this product, as witness my optical drive replacement 2 months ago that resulted from someone posting an answer to a 2007 thread in another forum. I have two of these machines, an acquaintance has three of them, and we expect to use them until they implode.

You will find that many ancient posts about recorders, VCR's, and many equipment and processing posts contain valuable information that can still be used, on this forum, doom 9, and many others. Usefull information never wears out.

[usually_quiet]

Not quite right. There are tens of thousands of this product in use worldwide. Used and refurbished copies are still being sold at outrageous prices up to $1200. I've seen recent posts on other forums (which were suitably answered, so I didn't bother), and owners still have problems with this series of recorders. I bought mine in 2004. Toshiba still services this product, as witness my optical drive replacement 2 months ago that resulted from someone posting an answer to a 2007 thread in another forum. Owners are still consulting posts about the "hard reboot" and "Display button" tricks that solve many problems, or replacing cooling fans, hard drives, resistors, and on and on. I have two of these machines, an acquaintance has three of them, the two of us alone record hundreds of videos each year, and we intend to use our Toshibas until they implode. Plenty of people own VCR's from the 1990's (my working SONY was made in 1991, my ATI 7500 AIW in 2002). If your own equipment keeps dying after a short period, you might have used better judgment when you bought them, or learned to maintain good gear instead of stuffing landfills with toys you quickly grow tired of.

You just admitted your own machine had reached the end of its useful life after about seven years. Your own experience proves my point that DVD recorders as well as other modern consumer electronics are not built to last more than a few years. Most people can't fix consumer electronics themselves, and are unwilling to pay a small fortune to have broken items repaired professionally. They are just not that attached to their consumer electronics. When their device breaks, they buy something else and the now useless item goes to a recycling center or a landfill. This means most DVD recorders from 2004 or 2005 are now trash. It makes financial sense, and if you believe the public doesn't do this in overwhelming numbers, you are dead wrong.

My 2005 DVD recorder (Panasonic DMR-ES10) died after 14 months. I had the power supply repaired at my own expense. Most normal people would not have bothered repairing it, or cleaning the spindle regularly, which is the only reason why it still works. I would not pay for any repairs to it now, after 6 years. That would be insane, even if it were possible.

You'll find that many ancient posts about recorders, VCR's, and equipment and processing have valuable information that can still be used, on this forum, doom 9, and many others. Useful information never wears out.

Then it is too bad the the infomation you presented here isn't valuable or useful in 2011. Anybody like you or your friend who have had their DVD recorder for years already knows how to use it. Only somebody who has not had their machine for very long would need information on how to use the machines's basic recording and dubbing functions. It is unlikely that there are going to be more new owners, at this point.

Toshiba has not made this model in years, and they are rarely available for resale. Even when they are resold, it is going to be to someone who has already owned one, loves them, and knows how to use them. Nobody but a devoted fan of this model would pay the high price asked for one of these, particularly used.

[jman98]

sanlyn - You've been a member for almost 7 years and made over 800 posts and yet yesterday you apparently thought "Hmm. Just feel like being a douchebag today and graverobbing an old thread." After 4 years, give it up dude! I'm sure Moxiecat long stopped caring about the unanswered post. This kind of crap is why I wish it were impossible to post to threads older than 6 months. I'm just not seeing as how your comments have added anything to the original post.

As far as equipment lasting, look, everything you buy has some element of luck to it. I bought a Philips DVP-642 in Oct. 2004 and it lasted me until about 4-5 months ago. The player wasn't my only DVD player, but I did use it for over 6 years and it worked. We had many posts here from experienced users who got maybe a few months out of theirs before it died. Sometimes you just get lucky.

[sanlyn]

You got my post mostly wrong, youngster. You should (a) learn to read, and (b) chill, and likely (c) change your handle to Born Yesterday. You seem unfamiliar with a rather famous recorder. Anyway, I haven't seen a "quiet" post from you yet. Please refrain from so much bad-mouthing about everything you see posted here, including the Panasonic that many still use and that could have been fixed. Panasonic fixed mine, and I still own an ES20 that's going strong.

Correction (one of many): Toshiba service replaced that drive, not me. Parts like that aren't user replaceable. I recorded 7 hours of video Sunday already burned to 4 DVD's, plus two spools with nearly 80 discs the recorder made since the drive was replaced -- so this machine is far from its end-of-life. Instead of busting a gut heaving into something you know little about, try dealing with the concept that good hardware does exist, and that many people respect their stuff and try to keep it going as long as they can. Knocking the other guy's stuff, whether it's good or not, doesn't help anyone. It's a big world; you aren't the only one here....dude.

[usually_quiet]

You got my post kinda wrong, youngster. You should (a) chill, and maybe (b) change your handle to Born Yesterday. You seem unfamiliar with a rather famous recorder. Anyway, I haven't seen many "quiet" post from you. Please refrain from so much bad-mouthing about everything you see posted here, including the Panasonic that many still use and that you bothered to fix (good work). I still own an ES20 that's going strong. But don't expect so much from a $200 machine.

Correction (one of many): Toshiba service replaced that drive, not me. Parts like that aren't user replaceable ($139, with shipping. Yes, and it cost $320 a couple years back to rebuild the SONY). The Toshiba recorded 7 hours of video Sunday I already burned to 4 DVD's, plus two spools with nearly 80 discs the recorder made since the drive was replaced -- so this machine is far from its end-of-life. Instead of busting a gut heaving into something you know little about, try dealing with the concept that good hardware does exist, and that many people respect their stuff and try to keep it going as long as they can. Knocking the other guy's stuff, whether it's good or not, doesn't help anyone.

I'm not young, old-timer. I remember a time when TVs and radios used vacuum tubes not transistors. Those didn't last long either.

You fail to recognize that you are not like most people. Dead DVD drive = end of useful life for most people. Needs repair after seven years of regular to hard use = end of useful life for most people, no matter how well-respected the item is amongst people who are AV experts. $139 or $320 is still a good bit of money to put into old electronics. Add the switch to digital broadcasting into the equation, plus largely digital cable, and HDTV, and most of the quality Toshibas are certainly trash now.

If you are free to dig up dead threads to post answers that are no longer of any conceivable use to the OP or anyone else, I can call you on it, as long as I don't resort to calling you names (as you have done to me) or otherwise breach forum rules. It's called freedom of speech. Maybe you should calm down.

I have a feeling Moxiecat would have bumped this thread had he/she really needed help. He/She's still active here. If someone needs this information, they can ask for it, but chances are they will be asking about a different DVD recorder.

[sanlyn]

My 2005 DVD recorder (Panasonic DMR-ES10) died after 14 months. I had the power supply repaired at my own expense. Most normal people would not have bothered repairing it, or cleaning the spindle regularly, which is the only reason why it still works. I would not pay for any repairs to it now, after 6 years. That would be insane, even if it were possible.

I think I bought my ES20 when they first hit shelves (2002? 2003?). I don't use it much, it's really for the NR circuit and getting fairly clean VHS onto DVD with no need for cleanup on the PC. Works fine. I just don't expect heavy use at that price. If it goes bad, I found a retired guy in New Jersey who works on old components (and makes a fortune at it). If the ES20 croaks, I'd have to decide what to do. It depends on how much one needs something. I don't look down on what people need, even it seems silly. They want it, and that's it. It keeps forums in business.

Then it is too bad the the infomation you presented here isn't valuable or useful in 2011. Anybody like you or your friend who have had their DVD recorder for years already knows how to use it. Only somebody who has not had their machine for very long would need information on how to use the machines's basic recording and dubbing functions. It is unlikely that there are going to be more new owners, at this point.

I dig what you mean, but respectfully disagree. There are always newcomers, if not new owners. I first came to this forum looking for info on my 1999 JVC VCR in 2004. Met VirtualDub. It's been hell and high water ever since.

Toshiba has not made this model in years, and they are rarely available for resale. Even when they are resold, it is going to be to someone who has already owned one, loves them, and knows how to use them. Nobody but a devoted fan of this model would pay the high price asked for one of these, particularly used.

Poor Toshiba. They've really gone downhill. If both of mine went bad, I'd take a chance on a used one. Only because it means that much, and I know what I can do with it. If it works, OK. If not, I just have to take the loss. For me, that's one great CRT dead, one great VCR from 1995, thanks to Toshiba. Someone in my movie club here collects CRT's, roams service shops all over Long Island, looking. I have no explanation. Why I still want to transfer the 250 VHS tapes I have left, I can't explain. I'm retired but fix PC's to pay for this and work weeks/months on a restoration no one wants but me.

If it hadn't been for an old 2005 post I would have ditched my 1991 SONY VCR in 2009. I PM'ed the original poster, thinking they'd probably died and gone. But got my answer, and the SONY makes kickass transfers to PC that play smooth as silk as DVD's on a 50-inch screen. As Fats Waller once said, "One never knows, do one?"

This has been fun. You always learn something, even when everyone disagrees.

[usually_quiet]

Just start a new thread and stroll down memory lane there.

[sanlyn]

Good reply. I'm not all that old-fashioned. I have plenty of digital stuff, built 3 PC's, own 3 more, hard drive boxes and wireless crap all over the place, 3 HDTV's, external DACs for audio and for movie soundtrack cleanup, 2 ISP monitors, calibration gear, component and HDMI distribution amplifiers, Photoshop, After Effects, digital receivers.....it's magic, what you do with eBay and Newegg if you just sit and look long enough, and with what some people think is useless and throw away.

[sanlyn]

Just start a new thread and stroll down memory lane there.

Not a bad idea, u_q.

[usually_quiet]

I presume you are preparing to blast me about #10, since you originally said it was a good idea, and are now running a countdown. If you have decided to take that post as an insult now, I can't stop you.

However, if you want to converse about great old AV equipment, or fixing great old great old AV equipment, or rescuing great old stuff from the curb, or your experiences using great old AV equipment, as you seem to want to do, starting your own thread would be a better vehicle for it. You might have more people joining in.

[sanlyn]

Hey, no problem, usually_quiet, #10 said you were ready to cut out, and I agree. "-30-" is edit-speak for end of story. Thanks for your input. Believe it or not, I found it interesting.