Toshiba RD-XS34 - Black Level Problem

[Surfmaster]

Hi:

I'm looking into purchasing a DVD recorder with a hard drive to primarily archive non-copyrighted VHS tapes of TV shows and movies. I like the Toshiba RD-XS34 and its ability to create titles with chapters markers that actually appear on the menu (as opposed to recorders that just show titles). Before I make a purchase, I was wondering whether this model has the black level problem that makes recordings look washed out? Thanks in advance for your comments.

[Synergy]

Yes, the Toshiba models are the only standalones which create chapter menu in addition to title menu, but they are also the most complicated models to operate due to many options available. Be prepared to have the manual nearby if you want to take advantage of its many features.

The black level problem has been fixed for the RD-XS34 by adding an option of input level between 0 and +7.5 IRE. Unfortunately due to the TV Guide on Screen feature, the cooling fan on the unit is constantly on even during standby mode. Also compared to Panasonic and Pioneer, Toshiba still uses an old MPEG-2 encoder chipset which could not record D1 resolution as long as the other two brands' newest models.

[Surfmaster]

Hi "Synergy":

Thanks for your reply. I was wondering what recording in D1 resolution compared to Panasonic and Pioneer meant? Is this like a "higher resolution" setting. Please advise.

In addition, am I better off going with a Panasonic E85 or E95 and forgo the chapter menus and just have title menus? Let me know what you think since I'm new at this.

Thanks.

[Synergy]

D1 resolution means either 720x480 pixels (full D1) or 704x480 (broadcast D1). The newest Panasonic models (such as DMR-EH50) could record 704X480 resolution up to 4 hours, and the upcoming Pioneer models (DVR-533H/633H) will record D1 resolution up to 3 hours and 30 minutes. The current Toshiba models could probably record up to 2 hours and 20 minutes for D1 resolution on one disc. The Panasonic DMR-E85H/95H can record up to 3 hours of D1 resolution if I remember correctly.

Resolution is only one of many factors in choosing a recorder, since picture quality depends on many other factors (such as the video source and TV/monitor used). If you only record two hours of material on one disc, then either one should be fine. If you plan to squeeze more than two hours on one disc, the newer ones with longer D1 resolution recordings "may" give you some advantages. Just remember that your mileage may vary. The best way to find out which one is going to a high-end AV store and test them for yourself instead of just reading the specs.

[gshelley61]

Full D1 resolution recording beyond about 2.5 hours works OK if the source is not too noisy or is not high-action. Longer recordings at full D1 generally look like crap (due to compression artifacts such as macroblocks) if the source is high action or contains a significant amount of grain or other video/film noise. Bitrate comes into play here, and there's only so much you can do with 4.4GB (capacity of a single sided writable DVD).