Toshiba RD-XS34 DVD Recorder with 160-GB Hard Drive

Toshiba RD-XS34 DVD Recorder with 160-GB Hard Drive
Manufacturer: Toshiba
Product Type: CE

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Still using videotapes? Come to DVD and enjoy recording and playing your own. With a built-in TV tuner you can record your favorite TV shows and there's an integrated programmable timer for absolute simplicity. No discs? This recorder also has a digital hard-drive. Toshiba RCXS34 takes the chore out of recording. With a 160GB hard disk drive, this amazing unit can store recorded programming and dubbed content, then transfer it from the hard drive to a DVD-RAM, DVD-R, or DVD-RW without any deterioration. The incredible chase play feature allows you to begin watching a recording that is already in progress, and live chase play lets you "pause" live recordings and return to it when you're ready! Plays a variety of formats, including DVDs, CDs, MP3s, and JPEG photos. ColorStream Pro component video input Y/Pr/Pb, S-video, RCA-video, L/R audio, optical out, RF, IR blaster outputs / S-video, RCA-video, L/R audio, RF inputs IEEE-1394 Firewire DV port for transferring digital video directly from digital camcorder or from a comparably equipped Windows PC or Macintosh computer Digital Cinema Progressive (3/2 Pulldown) - Delivers the smoothest, most film-like images to any progressive scan television, such as an HD-compatible one, and ensures maximum resolution. Interactive Program Guide provides an easy to read listing of the television programs available to view or record. It offers an 8-day program listing, flexibility of recording directly to DVD or the HDD, the ability to perform keyword searches for locating favorite programs and includes the G-Link IR Blaster for controlling cable boxes. When recording television programs, the name of the show, along with the channel and date, are automatically captured 3D Virtual Surround Sound Auto Clock, Daylight Savings Time Adjust, Time Zone Adjust VCR Plus+ for easy selection of TV shows you want to record One-Touch Record Remote Control Universal w/T
Amazon.com Product Description
Prepare yourself for ultimate quality, ultimate convenience: the Toshiba RD-XS34 combines a top-notch DVD player with a DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM optical-media recorder and a hard-disk drive (HDD) recorder with a stunning 160 GB storage capacity. Whether you're watching the latest DVD movie releases in your home theater, recording your favorite TV programming, or archiving home movies and other videos to long-lasting DVD, the RD-XS34 is your ticket to world-class entertainment. And did we mention that the unit spins your homemade CDs filled with JPEG image files or MP3/WMA music tracks?

The RD-XS34's HDD lets you store around 175 hours of audio/video programming (at the lowest resolution), ample room for time shifting your viewing and keeping a fair number of "must watch soon" content at the ready. Imagine the complete contents of a fleet of VHS tapes at your fingertips--all easily accessible with no clumsy fast-forwarding or rewinding, and, potentially, in much higher resolution.

When you have programs you decide you want to keep, just offload them to DVD. Archiving is lickity-split: 32x normal speed when transferring from the HDD to a write-once DVD-R and 24x when burning to DVD-RAM. Time Slip recording/playback lets you begin watching a recording that's already in progress or "pause" a live recording and return to it later.

The RD-XS34 also offers an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) with upconversion capability from standard 480i to high-definition 720p or 1080i--perfect for viewing your DVDs, camcorder footage, and television programs on a high-definition or HD-ready TV, now or in the future. HDMI provides a single-cable digital connection for the highest-quality interface between the DVD player and a compatible television, keeping audio and video signals digital until they reach the monitor. Other picture enhancements include 3-D digital noise reduction (DNR), mosquito DNR, and block DNR.

Front-panel inputs accommodate VCRs and camcorders, including digital camcorders through an IEEE 1394/DV input. The digital-video input even includes controls for your camcorder to simplify the process of selecting and transferring the scenes you want. Other inputs include 3 each composite- and S-video (1 each on the front panel) and an RF/antenna input on the rear panel.

For DVD recordings, you can create virtual titles on the hard drive--including menus and chapters with thumbnail images--then burn your programming to DVDs with high-quality MPEG-2 encoding (the DVD-Video standard). A convenient library function maintains an inventory of all your recorded content by disc or title so you can sort by date, time, or genre.

The RD-XS34 offers the flexibility of recording on both DVD-RAM--perfect for instant chapter access and for multiple rerecordings--as well as on DVD-R, widely regarded as the most widely compatible of the many DVD formats (great for sharing camcorder footage with loved ones). DVD-RAM offers double-sided recording (9.4 GB total storage), and the format is rewriteable, too.

Advanced timer programming lets you use the unit like you would a VCR, specifying a time and channel for recording, and built-in TV Guide On Screen interactive program guide greatly simplifies this. Significantly, this model gives you the option of recording audio in linear PCM audio--much higher resolution than the MP3-like Dolby Digital 2.0.

For playback, ColorStream Pro progressive-scan component-video outputs (switchable between 480p and standard 480i) provide great color detail and high purity when connected to compatible televisions. The unit also has standard composite- and S-video outputs, with an RF coaxial output for passing tuner signals to an external device such as a VCR (the RF output does not pass a DVD or HDD signal). Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's Toslink optical digital-audio output for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver.

What's in the Box
DVD recorder, audio/video interconnects, a universal remote control with television control capability, remote batteries, a user's manual, and warranty information.

Average customer rating: 4.0

Great Product
Too many bugs
Rex organizer
Use it for reference only
Great, Great, Great!

Xircom Rex Pro 5 PC Companion with Docking Station

Manufacturer: XIRCOM
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B00000J58E

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Electronic Organizers

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Xircom

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Product Description

Get in sync with your desktop and get organized with the flexibility and functionality of the Rex Pro! Use your PC to enter and manage organizer data, synchronize it with Rex Pro and then view it from anywhere! With the Rex Pro you can update schedules, revise contact information or add to-do list items easily with the data entry feature. The 6-button interface makes it a sinch, and two-way data exchange keeps your Rex Pro and software in sync. The Rex Pro is a Type II PC card that can interface with your notebook computer's Type II PCMCIA slot; its docking cradle (included) allows it to synchronize to desktop computers through a serial port.

Customer Reviews:

Great Product.......2000-01-23

I love my Rex Companion. I got it to synch my Act 4.0 database (over 700 contacts) and my list of personal contacts from Outlook 2000 as well. I had no problems with the software once I got the hang of it. I'd recommend the clear lexan case some sites are offering for around 12 bucks because it looks fragile. With it in the case you can still read it but you can put it in your back pocket and not worry about breaking it. It is so small I can take it with me all the time (not like the large Palm and Visor devices). You can search contacts by various groups, company names, first or last names. I added the categories I needed for my business right from Act. I also enjoy reading text files from stories I have scanned and pasted into it in the notepad format. It's great to be able to pull it out at a moments notice and start reading Sherlock Holmes and the like!

Too many bugs.......1999-12-03

As a long time user of PDA's I loved everything about this unit. I even got use to quirky interface to enter data on the run. If you plan to sync with Outlook 98 or ACT 4.0 just forget it. It just does not work. I spent hours on the phone with tech support and could never get it to consistently being over my data in the correct format. The problem seemed to be all true sync related. Stick to Intellisync or Hot sync manager if you sync data on regular basis. Palm Pilot is still the best on the market but just wait for version 2 of HandSpring

Rex organizer.......1999-11-28

This is a nice product that has the advantage of being very compact as compared to other products in this category. However, I have experienced a great amount of problems in synchronizing with Outlook 98 contacts. Be wary of this problem if you are using these products. Also, the product does not include a calculator, which I find inconvenient

Use it for reference only.......1999-10-20

I've tried them all...Windows CE, Palm and now Rex. There is no doubt that the size is terrific, and it makes it possible to have it with you at all times. However, save your money and don't buy the Pro unless you need the memory. Input of info is downright painful and I've long since given up trying to enter events while disconnected from my computer. The synchronization software is also not perfect as it will only recognize 4 categories if you use it to organize your Contacts folder in Outlook. Otherwise it dumps all other contacts!

In short, a great device if you need a reference-only PDA, but virtually worthless if you're looking to enter appointments, tasks or contacts while on the road. Also, no calculator!

Great, Great, Great!.......1999-09-18

Size does matter...especially when the REX can fit in your wallet! I'm a PR Manager for a Fortune 50 company and once my wife got me my REX, my Palm just sits in a drawer.

It's small, convenient and stores those important names/numbers (media, business contacts, etc...) that I always seem to need when on the road. A steal of a deal...

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