dvd recorders

I thought long and hard about creating DVDs on a computer versus getting a stand-alone recorder. I am glad I got this one, it really has everything except DVD + R capability. In the few days I have had it, I have recorded several TV shows, transferred and edited Hi-8 tapes, time-shifted viewing, and created DVD's without any failures.
Features I like:
Controls your cable box (changes channels)
Programs like a VCR to record TV shows, very easy
Easy copying between hard drive and DVD's
Almost infinitely variable bit rates, 0.2 increments from 1.4 to 9.2.

Things to note:
179 page instruction manual, you actually have to read it to make DVD's, its not the clearest document, no index, somewhat confusing, but when you actually do it, works fine.

It has iLink DV input, but in fact I did not find the quality to be any better than S-video when transferring home videos. Actually, I prefer the S-video because I can intermittently record the date onto the DVD.
reuse, use DVD-R for recordings you want to keep forever. Keep in mind that DVD-RW is not a totally flexible rewriting format,
You edit your home video on the hard drive by creating chapter breaks in your home video, then piecing together the chapters in a playlist, which you then copy. I have found so far that chapters pieced together from separate parts of a video have a tiny noticeable pause in the video, unlike the instant transitions in the original.
Then you create a menu, you get thumbnails of either titles and/or chapters, 6 frames per page, with limited choice of colors (or your own background). Even the simplest computer-based DVD creation software gives you more options. It works fine for me, but do not expect to create masterpieces.

With a hard drive, there is almost no need to buy the expensive DVD-RAM discs, just use the hard drive. Use DVD-RW for recordings you want to keep for a little while but reformat for to reuse a DVD-RW you can either ONLY erase the last recorded item or reformat the whole disc (erasing everything).

I read with interest the other reviewers about the "black level" problem. I played the DVDs I made on another DVD player (RCA cheapie) and they appeared to be the same color level as when played on the Toshiba. I also dug into the instructions, and it appears there is a way to adjust the recording level to make your recordings darker (1 setting) or lighter (3 settings). However, I have not tested this function yet.

This DVD recorder can be perfect if Toshiba fixes the following 3 items, especially the black level bug, which is very serious.

1. Black level bug:
Due to NTSC America's +7.5IRE issue, Toshiba should consider that almost all DVD players in the US add +7.5 IRE to output already. Currently, RD-XS32 does not consider this fact, so the recorded DVD looks "washed out" (too bright) in other DVD player.

The best way to solve this problem is to have an option of recording level to adjust the input signal boost. For details, go to avsforum or ask Pioneer enginners about how they fix the black level bug from old DVD recorder to E50.

2. There should be an option of "forcing to output 3 digits" to IR blaster.
A lot of digital cable box needs the input to be 3 digits to correctly change channel. For example, to switch to channel 9, IR blaster should output 009 instead of just "9". Toshiba should add an option of forcing the output to 3 digits to work with most cable box or STB.

3. Record speed selection:
There should be an option of selecting speed of recording instead of just looking at the maximun speed that the media can handle. This could solve a lot of problem when the media is not "that good as it claims".

This unit is so easy to set up right out of the box. As complicated and chock full of abilities its still a snap to set up a record time and walk away. For the more techo types out there.. there are tons of options to fool with.

Good Job Toshiba!