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Official Toshiba RS-TX Owners Club

510K views 2K replies 490 participants last post by  jwillis84 
#1 ·
OK, it seems that owners of this unit are in the minority in the TiVo/DVD arena. I haven't seen many threads that talk about problems and/or suggestions for these units. So here it goes, "Hi my name is Jorge, and I own a Toshiba TiVo/DVD player/recorder." :D

First of all, all owners of the RS-TX20 and RS-TX60 units chime in and represent!!

I'll start of with the first question. When I had to reboot the first few days of ownership (guided setup, new software, etc.), my screen always hung up on this selection screen. Does it go automatically after a while? Was I just too inpatient? I had to press the Select button before it proceeded with the full restart.
 
#2,053 ·
I happened to be browsing the forums today, and I checked this one and seen your post. my last post which was just before yours was in 2017.

I have an answer for you even today the RS-TX20 and RS-TX60 (the same machine, different size hard drives) are useful, even if they aren't activated, these machines came with something called "Tivo Basic" Now Support could be pulled from Tivo at any time, but mine still work with Tivo Basic which does not need an account and is FREE. which gives you only 3 days of the guide info vs I believe it's 14 for the paid. So here is what it can be used for.

1. A DVD Player (it can stop on a dime and give you nine cents change, I have never seen any DVD players that are as Precise and User Friendly as These Tivo Units (Do note they can only play DVD's not Blu Rays It can also play Standard DVD-R, but I don't think it supports DVD+R

2. If you have Cable they can be set up to control a cable box with an ir emitter so you can continue to use it, even though most cable has become digital and often requires cable boxes.

3. These units would have become useless for OTA after the Digital Transition, but Tivo fixed that with an update to the operating system, that allows you to set the unit up through the composite inputs to control a small number of digital converter boxes that it can control. I have 2 of the most popular the Zenith DTT 901 and the Magnavox TB100MW9. This list shows a number of boxes that the Series 2 Tivo units can control, but it can probably control more now as some manufacturers may still be using the same remote codes.

Tivo Customer Support Community

Here is how to hook it up

Tivo Customer Support Community

4. These Tivo Units once something has been Recorded to it have the ability to save the recording (Provided it's not to large) to a Blank DVD-R. It does it pretty fast and give it a nice Tivo Menu so that you could play it on any DVD Player or computer but it looks like a Tivo.

There are 4 Recording Qualities Best, High, Medium, and Basic.
Recordings recorded at Best Quality can fit 1 hour on a DVD
Recordings recorded at High Quality can fit 2 hours on a DVD
Recordings recorded at Medium Quality can fit 4 hours on a DVD (my pick)
Recordings recorded at Basic Quality can fit 6 hours on a DVD.

5.Yes you can record things on it either through a cable box, or an Digital Converter Box for OTA, or either Composite or S-Video. and you can record manually.
The Quality can be very nice to watch even on Large Televisions,
However due to hardware limitations it is impossible to record these in HD.


And again even if there is no "Lifetime" on this unit, these units at least for now come with Tivo Basic and can work, get 3 days of guide info from the internet and don't need an account to do so.

IF you like it use it, Otherwise this can be used as a single tuner Cable or OTA DVR for someone who doesn't have one
and it won't cost any monthly fees. in order to use it, you would need the Tivo Unit, a Wireless adapter to get the guide info from the Internet, an IR Emitter to change the channels, and the appropriate cables to hook up the unit to a TV to watch and a Cable or DTA OTA box to control for cable or OTA Recording.
 
#3 ·
RS-TX20 here too. Our first TiVo, and we just booted it up last night.

If the only difference is the size of the hard drive, how about changing the name of this thread to the "Toshiba RS-TX Owners Club". If they are different in other ways, perhaps a separate thread is in order.
 
#4 ·
LiveBlues and regularguy, welcome to the club. I'll contact a mod to have them change the title of the thread! Pull up a chair and get a brewsky from the cooler! :)

regularguy, although I've been a SA Series I owner for over 4 years now, the RS-TX60 is my first Series II TiVo, so I'm new to the HMO, MRV, etc. Let us know any questions you may have.
 
#9 ·
I have the TX-20 and probably going to return it. The blacks are being crushed, and bought the Humax. Same problem, the video is very dark. I going in svhs and out component. Bought a black series2 and buying a Pionner 810 later today, hopefully those will solve my video problem. Otherwise, I really like the Toshiba, very easy to use.
 
#10 ·
Allright, we have owners coming out of the woodwork! angel35, I think we got your gist! :D

I'm going to do my first archiving right after the New Year. It seems that my ARWL caught a Three Stooges marathon on 12/31 on AMC. They don't show those episodes as frequently anymore, so it will be nice to transfer them to DVD. I'm guessing Medium quality will be fine for those old B&W, and I could transfer multiple episodes per DVD. Any suggestions?

Pisser I'm sorry you're having trouble with your machines. I'm glad to hear that you'll still get another TiVo though.
 
#11 ·
Just hooked up my first Tivo Last night, after long waiting and lots of research I must say the RS-TX60 is the perfect device for me. Only annoyance so far is the hard drive writing is pretty clicky and very noticable during quiet scenes.

I'm here to start learning about what else I can do with this box... So hopefully you'll see me around in some of the other forums.
 
#14 ·
I am extremely pleased with mine. The addition of a burner and a large drive to my arsenal was one of the best things I have done since I bought my first TiVo over 3 years ago.

Pisser, sorry about your problems too. I haven't seen any PQ difference between the Toshiba and all of my other TiVos. I am using 2 on a 52" RP tv and have no complaints.
 
#15 ·
TivoDaddy I've been part of the Tivolution from the very beginning. I still have an old 14hr! I recently added an RS-TX20 and a Humax '800. So far I'm a happy camper. The only problem I experienced with the TX-20 was when I enabled the progressive scan. I only had the component cables connected and after I switched the setting I got a blank screen for a few seconds before the switch failed. I had to connect standard video cables to find out that it was just asking for a few thumbs! For those of you that do not have older Hi Def TVs (or spent a big bucket of money!), there is a delay while the TV switches video modes. Typically the screen goes blank while it switches so I couldn't see the Tivo confirmation screen in time to respond. It would be nice if the manual mentioned the confirmation screen!
 
#16 ·
I've had an RS-TX20 since late October. It is fantastic! I have had a Series I Tivo (Sony SVR2000) since Dec. 2001. The RS-TX20 is a great addition as I can now make DVD copies easily. And, the Tivo menu is generated on the DVD for those non-Tivo users.

Good Luck!

Alan
amandel (at) city-net.com
 
#19 ·
Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and seriously considering getting the RS-TX60 (or maybe just the 20 or 40). It seems like most of you are pretty happy with these. I was only looking for a DVD recorder at first, until I found about these combo units.

One question: Is the standard/basic TiVo that comes with the units of any value, or is it just stripped down version that basically forces you to get the full version if you actually want to enjoy it? Are the Season Pass and/or Wish List features included in the basic version? How much does it cost to upgrade to the full version if you already have the lifetime standard version that comes with the unit?

Another (probably stupid) question: I have a digital cable box supplied by my cable company (Comcast). The cable box has its own on-screen program guide. I'm guessing TiVo has its own built-in tuner that's capable of picking up all digital channels available from Comcast. The descriptions of the units I've looked at don't mention anything about a tuner, but maybe that's too obvious - ?

Last question: I don't have a land line in my condo, but I do have high-speed internet through Comcast cable and a wireless Linksys router. I've searched the forum like a good little boy and I know you only need the land line for the initial setup. I'm just looking for some reassurance that if I do the setup at a friend's house, it won't be too difficult. I don't want to have to go through any the wacky workarounds, backdoors, etc. that I've seen mentioned in the forum. Any problems getting the Toshiba units to work with a router?

Thanks for your input. Looking forward to joining the Toshiba Owners' Club!
 
#20 ·
Originally posted by Desperado
Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and seriously considering getting the RS-TX60 (or maybe just the 20 or 40). It seems like most of you are pretty happy with these. I was only looking for a DVD recorder at first, until I found about these combo units.

One question: Is the standard/basic TiVo that comes with the units of any value, or is it just stripped down version that basically forces you to get the full version if you actually want to enjoy it? Are the Season Pass and/or Wish List features included in the basic version? How much does it cost to upgrade to the full version if you already have the lifetime standard version that comes with the unit?

Another (probably stupid) question: I have a digital cable box supplied by my cable company (Comcast). The cable box has its own on-screen program guide. I'm guessing TiVo has its own built-in tuner that's capable of picking up all digital channels available from Comcast. The descriptions of the units I've looked at don't mention anything about a tuner, but maybe that's too obvious - ?

Last question: I don't have a land line in my condo, but I do have high-speed internet through Comcast cable and a wireless Linksys router. I've searched the forum like a good little boy and I know you only need the land line for the initial setup. I'm just looking for some reassurance that if I do the setup at a friend's house, it won't be too difficult. I don't want to have to go through any the wacky workarounds, backdoors, etc. that I've seen mentioned in the forum. Any problems getting the Toshiba units to work with a router?

Thanks for your input. Looking forward to joining the Toshiba Owners' Club!
I never considered using TiVo basic, but this was not my first TiVo either. Basic will not give you season passes or wish list capabilities, which are the heart and soul of TiVo. I am not sure what you mean about lifetime standard. If you do not have lifetime on it, then it is worth every penny to upgrade to the full version, either monthly or lifetime.

If you have a digital cable box, you use the guide on the TiVo (either the regular TiVo guide, or a grid style guide). Once you choose the channel you want, either using the guide, or just punching in the channel number, the TiVo will use an IR blaster to change the channel on the cable box.

I think that there are ways to do the initial guided setup using your wireless connection. I have never done it, so I don't know how it is done. I'm sure that someone else that knows will chime in with an answer on that. But taking it to a friends house and setting it up isn't any different than doing it at your home. Just make sure you use the right zip code for your home.

If you end up buying this unit, you won't regret it.
 
#21 ·
Thanks for the reply, LiveBlues.

Sounds like the TiVo Basic that comes with the Toshiba isn't really that much of an added value, since you pretty much need the TiVo Plus to really benefit from its features. The wireless setup seems kinda tricky from what I've read, so I'm not sure I'd want to try it.

Can I ask where you bought yours? The cheapest online seller I could find lists it for about $520. Walmart has them on their website for $598, but that's pretty high, and they're not in stock at my local store.

Thanks again!
 
#22 ·
I also answered in the other thread, but in case you don't check it, I bought it from www.buydig.com

I did some research on them before I ordered it, and everything I could find was positive.

Delivery was quick, shipping was free and I thought that the $455 price was good. That was about 3 weeks ago.
 
#24 ·
TIVO Newbee and tivo community newbee. Like many of the masses I got a Toshiba RS-TX20 for X-mas. Great gift if you are making your list for next year. I am having a problem getting the video to show. I have a Comcast DCT 2000 series cable box and a 50" Hitachi TV, but I can't get the video to show on TV unless I plug the COAX RF cable directly into the Toshiba unit. If I plug it into the Toshiba unit one channel will show, but when changing the channel the channel remains the same and the TIVO directory/skin changes to the next channel. If I run it through the Comcast cable box .... well needless to say the patient has no pulse. Per the directions I connected the Composite A/V (red, white, yellow) cable from the cable box to the Audio/Video input and another Composite A/V (red, white, yellow) cable from the Audio/Video output to the TV.

For all the veterans I apologize for the reverse progress in the TIVO Revolution, but if you could find it in your heart to set me straight I will keep my brain-less questions to a minimum.
 
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