Toshiba SX34... more than the sum of its parts?

[heavyharmonies]

I got my Toshiba SX34 today as a replacement for the JVC M30HS that I sent back to Crutchfield.

While the user manual is infintely better than the JVC, this is one complex beast.

After experimenting for a few hours and some in-depth reading of the user manual, I'm finding some features considerably above and beyond the other DVD recorders I have worked with.
[list=1][*]Merging of video pieces into a single video stream (not just combining playlist chapters).

[*]Ability to duplicate both video pieces and and playlists on the hard drive without re-encoding. A great learning tool and/or safeguard against mistakes while learning.

Example 1: You've recorded a show to the hard drive. You want to do some editing but are afraid you might bungle something. Answer: Duplicate the show first before editing, so you still have the original to revert to.

Example 2: You make a playlist of several scenes taken from a number of video clips. You want to clear off the (larger) video pieces from where the scenes were taken, but still retain the actual scenes you are using for this compilation on the hard drive. Answer: do a "Copy" of the playlist to the hard drive. Then you can go back and delete the original video pieces.

[*]Choosing a scene from a video clip to use as a menu background. Unfortunately it seems limited to a frame from video content, and does not extend to using a JPEG image from a picture CD. Better than nothing though.

[*]More menu structure options than on other DVD recorders:

1. What menus to create: Title + Chapter, Title, Chapter, None
2. What to play upon disc insertion: Menu or 1st Title
3. What to play after each title: Menu or Next Title
4. What to do after final title: Menu, 1st Title, Stop
5. Writing Test: None, Parts Test, All Test (not sure what this setting does)
6. Set Aspect Ratio: Original, 4:3 fixed, 16:9 fixed

[*]Hide certain portions of the menu: Disc Name, Page Number, Title or Chapter Name

[*]When using a scene still for a menu background, you have further options:

1. Whether to use a translucent area behind text for better legibility (depending on the nature of the scene chosen for the background).
2. Whether the translucent area is ghosted in a lighter or darker direction.
3. Level of translucency (3 settings). This combined with the item above results in 6 possible translucency settings, 3 white and 3 black.
4. The color of foreground text (12 options)
5. The color of the selection border around thumbnails (12 options)
6. Color of border when selected (12 options)

[/list:d24a94a796]

Still a lot of stuff to investigate and test, but early indications are positive.

[Yes, I realize that there will be the inevitable "Who cares what menu capabilities the recorder has? You should copy the video to the PC and author it there!" comments. Just remember that not everyone has the time, wherewithall, and inclination to do those extra steps all the time. If you want to, bully for you. Frankly, I want to see standalone recorders incorporate more and more of these features...]

[OldeMan]

How do you find the recorded video quality compared to your previous JVC in say 2hour mode?

[rr6966]

I have a Toshiba xs52, and I agree it has awesome features! The only problem with it, is the Black Level bug , and this is why I just ordered xs34 ( this is fixed in this model). I've owned or used the Pioneer 220, Panasonic dmr55, and Panasonic h50, and find the Toshiba features the best. The recording quality, to me, seemed equal or a little better than the Pioneer. I would have bought a JVC a while ago but there has been way too many problems reported with those units. From all the tests, and video clips I've seen or read about these units it appears to me that they have the best image quality, but again realibility seems to be the pitts. However, people who own them seem to be happy with them even if they had to have them serviced.

[gshelley61]

The newer Toshibas (DR-K2, XS-32, XS-34) play back commercially encoded DVD's at 0 IRE through the composite and s-video outputs (same as the JVC does). You can further adjust the playback picture to go even darker ("enhanced") if you like.

On the analog video input side, there is a black level adjustment (sort of) called Standard, Mode 1, Mode 2, etc. Unfortunately, none of the settings are sufficient to adjust 7.5 IRE sources all the way down to 0 IRE. So, a proc amp would still be necessary to properly encode a 7.5 IRE source. Encoded image quality of the Toshiba is very good, though. And their input video noise reduction works pretty well, and has two levels (plus off).

The Sony units (RDR-GX300, RDR-HX900) are the opposite. The playback black level through s-video and composite output is 7.5 IRE. The analog video input black level is set to adjust 7.5 IRE sources to 0 IRE for a proper encode, and can be tweaked up or down (3 steps up, 3 steps down). The encoded image quality is good on the Sony, but in SP high motion scenes are blocky compared to other machines. The Sony's adjustable video noise reduction is not very good, and causes some visible artifacts (it can be shut off).

The Pioneer units have the best and most complete set of adjustments and settings for analog video input picture control, and they label them correctly, too. The encoded image quality is very good on the Pioneers.

[heavyharmonies]

Now that I've had the Tosh for a few days, I am finding some negatives. Hopefully they're just idiocy on my part, and I'm missing the solution.

Any suggestions from SX34 owners appreciated.

1. No way to split a video segment. You can set chapters and then choose to exclude certain ones on your playlist, but no way to actually do a split of the physical video.

[Big_Bird]

Now that you have has the XS34 for a few days, would you buy one again?

Doesn't setting chapters and excluding these from the playlist effectively do the same as the split that you are talking about?

[Synergy]

On the analog video input side, there is a black level adjustment (sort of) called Standard, Mode 1, Mode 2, etc. Unfortunately, none of the settings are sufficient to adjust 7.5 IRE sources all the way down to 0 IRE.

FYI, the RD-XS34 and presumbly the D-R4 now have a different setting for input black level (standard for IRE 7.5 and enhanced for IRE 0) compared to previous models. Other than the input black level setting, TV Guide on Screen feature, and larger HDD size, there is not much difference between the old RD-XS32 and the new RD-XS34. At least Toshiba has finally fixed the black level problem, and it'll probably introduce models with newer encoder chipset next year.

[heavyharmonies]

Let me get back to you this weekend. I'm still exploring and learning. This is one powerful and complex beast! I haven't hit anything that is a dealbreaker. Some of the tasks are a bit clumsy or involve more steps than with my DMR-HS2, but then again this does a heck of a lot more...

[jasenj1]

d presumbly the D-R4 now have a different setting for input black level (standard for IRE 7.5 and enhanced for IRE 0) compared to previous models.

The D-R4 does have this feature. And the storable brightness/contrast/color/tint settings.

- Jasen.

[Marvingj]

I just brought a Toshiba XS-34, Boy it has a lot of neat Stuff.

[gshelley61]

I have a 160GB Sony RDR-HX900 on hand now. Nice unit, lots of features. HQ+ (15Mbps) recording to the hard drive... and component 480i input (great for capturing my downscaled HD set top receiver output). I'll have to play around with it for a few days to report my impressions.

As far as the Toshiba XS-32 vs. XS-34 (and the D-KR2 vs. the D-R2), the black level settings you mention are on the playback side, not the record side. The D-KR2 and D-R2 are identical - they have the same owners manual. As far as I know, the XS-32 and XS-34 are identical except the 34 has a 160GB hard drive. The XS-52 is identical to the 34 except it has HDMI out. If you examine the owners manuals of all these units carefully, you will see that the black level settings (normal, enhanced) affect only playback, not recording. There are recording "modes" standard, 1, 2, 3 and 4 which do affect video input black level, but not enough to adjust a 7.5 IRE source to 0 IRE. I think it would be highly unlikely that the XS-34 would be the only recorder in Toshiba's line-up to be different in this regard. I don't have access to a 34 owners manual, so maybe I am wrong about this, but I doubt it.

Oh, and the storable brightness/contrast/color/tint settings... they're only on the playback side, as well. They do not affect video input at all. The Sony and Pioneer units have those adjustments for video input, though.

[Big_Bird]

On page 161 of the XS34 manual it says this:

Input Black level
DVD-R DVD-RW HDD DVD-RAM
You can adjust the black level of the input signal.
Standard:
Normal black level.
Enhanced:
Brighter black level than in “Standard” setting.

This seems to me to say that the black level adjustment is on the input. There is also an output black level adjustment.

[Synergy]

I think it would be highly unlikely that the XS-34 would be the only recorder in Toshiba's line-up to be different in this regard. I don't have access to a 34 owners manual, so maybe I am wrong about this, but I doubt it.

Yes, you are definitely wrong as Big_Bird indicated and you can actually download the manual from a source mentioned on the AVS Forum by doing a search there.

[gshelley61]

Im still can't find a link to the XS34 owners manual, but I'll take your word for it. I see that Toshiba plans to release an HDMI equipped XS54 in the near future, too. It's great they've added the input black level control as they are decent machines overall, IMHO.

[heavyharmonies]

Just found another feature tonight (my apologies if it is now common on all of the newer recorders, but my old DMR-HS2 did NOT have this feature):

When you are in the "Content Menu" (all of the tracks you have recorded to the hard drive) and play various clips, when you switch back to one you've played before, it remembers where you were in the clip, rather than restarting from the beginning of the clip. This is VERY handy when recording the same material with different settings, and you want to compare the various clips.

-Dan

[Big_Bird]

This Canadian Toshiba website has a download for the XS34 owners manual.

http://www.toshiba.ca/web/product.grp?lg=en&section=2&group=361&product=4550

[sanlyn]

gshelley61: In July '05 you said "The D-KR2 and D-R2 are identical - they have the same owners manual. ". They do have the same manual, but according to Toshiba's product site the D-KR2 (same msrp as D-R2) has a y/c comb filter, the D-R2 doesn't. Info doesn't state wether this filter is on input or output, though.

The new D-R4 looks good in some respects, but I think Toshiba made a big mistake including DV input on the D-R4 at the expense of eliminating input DNR. The D-R4 has DNR on output only, which makes no sense for VHS archiving or, for that matter, for some broadcast stations that are a bit noisy. On the 'net I see several factory refurbed D-R2's and D-KR2's at good prices (around $100-$120). I'd opt for those instead of the DR-4.

[sanlyn]

In July '05 gshelley61 wrote, concerning the Toshiba D-KR2 and D-R2:

"On the analog video input side, there is a black level adjustment (sort of) called Standard, Mode 1, Mode 2, etc. Unfortunately, none of the settings are sufficient to adjust 7.5 IRE sources all the way down to 0 IRE. So, a proc amp would still be necessary to properly encode a 7.5 IRE source. Encoded image quality of the Toshiba is very good, though. And their input video noise reduction works pretty well, and has two levels (plus off)."

You're right, these units don't adjust the input black levels to 0-IRE. But using a proc amp doesn't work, either. I tried black levels via the SignVideo PA-1 and BVP4, and the contrast adjustment on my AVT-8710 (which often gives pretty good blacks). The Toshiba "-2"'s cut off black at 7.5 IRE, and will lighten an incoming 0-black. Apparently Toshiba has a gain control or some limiting device that prevents these particular recorders from accepting 0-IRE on any input. It's a shame; picture quality and other features would be outstanding if not for this absurd limitation.

[gshelley61]

The new Toshiba D-R4, RD-XS34 and RD-XS54 all have input and output black level adjustments now, and work pretty well. No more black level problems with these new units. Encoding quality is very good on these machines.