Toshiba DR5...At First Glance

This is not a detailed look at the capabilities of the Toshiba DR5 only because I have only used it for 6 hours so far.

I purchased it yesterday after taking back the Sony GX515 which due to reviews had me a bit edgy. I found that the GX515 delivered good quality video but the filters were extremely intense for my use. So I continued to search for a better machine.

I was told to try the Toshiba DR4 but while searching I found out there was a DR5. What I liked about the DR5 is that it has HDMI which means it will fit in good with my Hi Def TV.

I heard that the DR4 would not record HBO or any copyrighted satellite shows ( I don't know if this is true or not) but the DR5 seems to record these types of shows fine.

The quality of the recording was awesome, it filtered out much of the noise in the video yet enhanced the sharp areas. I did notice one slight drawback some channels I recorded from showed a light greenish tint. Not enough to be a problem, but it was noticeable.

The unit only seems to have preset recording modes: 5 Recording Modes (1hr/2hr/3hr/4hr/6hr). I'm use to manually settings my modes. I haven't had a chance to see if there is a workaround.

The video quality looks much better the Sony GX515, JVC M10 and any Panasonic I've ever used (very noticeable).

Another area that puzzled me was when I put a new Sony dvd-r disk in the unit it didn't recognize it as a new disk. It need to be processed in the recorder which took about 5 seconds before it was ready to be written to. I'm use to just putting a new disk in a recorder and hitting record. I don't know if this happens to other brands of blank disks. I only had the Sony dvd-rs.

Another area of concern was the title thumbnails, I am use to manually picking the thumbnail image myself, the DR5 does this automatically at intervals of 0,1 or 3 minutes. You only get to choose the interval.

All-n-all I am very please, but I haven't begun to see what else this unit has to offer.

IMHO, this is very good machine, but if you are a control freak (like me) then you would have to adjust to a lesser degree of control. For the video quality it is well worth it.

Where did you purchase this machine?
Was it picky with other brands of media or haven't you tried any yet?
Thanks for the heads up b/c i am looking to purchase this unit.

I purchased it at J&R Computer World, I have tired three other media types:
Sony dvd-r
Panasonic dvd-ram
TDK dvd-rw

It worked well with all 3 so far. I was worried about compatibility when I purchased it also. I haven't had a problem yet. 8)

I'm nowhere near it at this moment, maybe later.

I forgot to mention that one thing stuck in my mind concerning video quality and was one of my biggest concerns. In my previous posts there were concerns about contour lines in the video. Lordsmurf hated the Pansonic machines for having this issue. Well I noticed when I was playing back video I captured using the Sony GX515 there were numerous contouring lines.

I am happy to say that was not a problem with the DR5, other than the JVC M10 this was the best machine I used so far in terms of smooth gradient color. There was little if any signs of color lines the, gradient color schemes were just as smooth as the originals.

I was totally impressed.

Originally Posted by gshelley61

The Toshiba units are very under-rated. They produce excellent quality MPEG2 video. Easily better than Sony and Panasonic.

I totally agree, and I thank you and others for bringing it to my attention. I believe I found the machine I've been looking for.

I didn't realize that the Toshiba units were lacking some form of bitrate control with only "fixed" recording modes like 1 hour, 2, hour, 3 hour etc.

That kinda sucks if you ask me!

I find this feature of my Pioneer DVR-531H-s to be essential at times. You can set recording time in roughly 5 - 10 minute increaments thus "controlling" the bitrate used.

For instance if I am recording a movie from TCM that is 125 minutes long I can select the 130 minute record mode which would give me a better bitrate than if my only other option was a 3 hour or 180 minute mode.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

Originally Posted by trhouse

First let me say that I am happy that you have found a recorder to fit your requirements. Your enthusiam makes me interested so I have browsed the DR4 manual that is available from Don Pedro's link in the dvd recorder forum.

The DR4 does have a form of "flexible recording" where the bitrate is adjusted for a specified record time. Panasonics allow it for any particular hour and minutes within the ability of the machine and Pioneers do it in 10 minute intervals up to 210 minutes then the intervals get larger.

The Toshiba does it only between 1 and 2 hours ( which is almost entirely where I use flexible recording ) as described below from the manual on page 48,



If the DR4 can do it, I suspect the DR5 can too.

Somewhat encouraging but still only between the 1 and 2 hour mode? That seems odd to me.

Although I guess if the 3 hour mode is Half D1 resolution then it's not the end of the world but still what a waste to do 2 hours 10 minutes in a 3 hour mode.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

Originally Posted by FulciLives

I didn't realize that the Toshiba units were lacking some form of bitrate control with only "fixed" recording modes like 1 hour, 2, hour, 3 hour etc.

That kinda sucks if you ask me!

I agree that is one of the areas I dislike the most.

Well I wouldn't get one unless it had a built-in HDD so at least that HDD models have adjustable bitrate.

Good enough for me

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

I already have a Pioneer stand alone DVD recorder with a built-in HDD and I can't imagine using a stand alone DVD recorder that didn't have a built-in HDD as that limits what you can do big time.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

I've decided to take the Toshiba back and get the RD-XS54 model. This one has the 250 GB HD. I'm sorry but I need more control.

Can't find in my area yet, does anyone know if it is coming to best buy or other retail stores?
Thanks for your time

I've already purchased the XS54, I am now setting it up. I will post what I think in a short while. It came with ethernet cables and some other stuff.

Originally Posted by samijubal

If it's like the D-R4, you can make thumbnails anywhere you want. Go into easy navi and select play contents, when the next screen appears, press quick menu and select create thumbnail, from there you can make thumbnails anywhere you want.

The Toshiba rocks, everything else is inferior.

It seems to me that the DR4 has some features that are not in the DR5. The manual said nothing about manually setting thumbnails when recording to dvd-r. If there is a way it was not indicated anywhere in the manual or in the screen choices.