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The Toshiba RD-XS54 is the most expensive of the DVD and hard-drive video recorders in our January 2006 roundup, and not surprisingly it's also the most feature-packed: Among its features are a roomy 250GB hard drive, an HDMI output, and in-unit up-conversion from standard-definition analog video to high-definition resolutions. If you connect the unit to your network, you can even program recordings over the Internet.
The RD-XS54 is the sole hard-drive-equipped DVD recorder we looked at that can handle HDMI output. The inclusion of HDMI and in-unit up-conversion for standard-definition content should delight HDTV owners: The RD-XS54 can convert analog video into either 720p or 1080i resolution (the most common HD formats)--a big plus if you own an HD set and are trying to get the best-quality video from an analog source.
We were also impressed with the image quality of the RD-XS54's test recordings. We saw sharp video with plenty of depth and good contrast. Some sequences did exhibit very slight motion noise, but nothing seriously distracting. In a recorded cartoon, the color appeared slightly punchy, as if it had been boosted a bit from the original, but the effect was not unpleasant.
This recorder was a speedy performer in the PC World Test Center's dubbing tests. It transferred a 1-hour recording from the hard drive to a DVD-R disc in just under 6 minutes. The recorder can write to DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD-RAM discs.
One of the RD-XS54's main selling points is its Network NAVI feature. Attach the recorder to any network with its ethernet port (some firewalls may require additional configuration), and you can access the recorder from any Web browser. Since you'll exercise control via a Java applet, you don't need to install software on the controlling computer. Network NAVI gives you full control over the player, both for playback and for labeling recorded content (via a PC keyboard, as opposed to a remote control). The interface includes a virtual remote, and the feature supports streaming video--useful if you forget to schedule a recording of Lost before you head off to work, or if you want to catch an episode of The Simpsons while you're stranded in an airport.
We found Network NAVI easy enough to use, but not a perfect implementation of the concept. We experienced a noticeable delay between pressing a button on the virtual remote and seeing the player's response. We also found the window for viewing the streaming video rather small, at just 320 by 235 pixels; it can't be expanded or scaled.
The RD-XS54 uses the TV Guide On Screen program guide, which updates its eight-day programming grid via the TV signal. You can use TV Guide On Screen to schedule a recording by selecting a program from the grid; or you can designate your choice as a one-time or recurring recording. Regrettably, nearly a third of the screen is occupied by distracting advertisements.
The RD-XS54 comes with an IR emitter cable that can change channels on most cable boxes, and it supports VCR Plus+ codes for easy scheduling of recordings. The TV Guide On Screen service does not work with satellite boxes, however.
The RD-XS54's in-unit video editing was less appealing. The recorder offers no easy way to remove sections of video (such as advertising) from a recording, regardless of whether it's on the hard drive or on a DVD-RW disc. Whereas other players let you remove a chunk of video simply by selecting start and end points, the RD-XS54 awkwardly forces you to define chapter points at the beginning and end, and then delete the chapter you just created.
Upshot: Though expensive, the RD-XS54 offers extras such as HDMI output, and it produces high quality video; being able to schedule recordings remotely will appeal to forgetful time-shifters.
Melissa Perenson
