SAVING GRACE In 2006, how can a DVD recorder - even one as snazzy-looking as the Toshiba RD-XS55 - justify a $600 price tag? How about a 250-GB hard disk for starters, giving you enough space for at least 300 hours of shows? Then there's its compatibility with DVD-R/RW and -RAM. But the real perk is the Ethernet port, which lets you send video to and from your PC (as long as it's not copy-protected, of course). It even allows for scheduling recordings via e-mail.
JACK ON THE BOX An HDMI output upconverts all video to 720p or 1080i, keeping all your bits purely digital right through to your screen.
$600
tacp.toshiba.com
800-631-3811
