Sony RDR-GX330 Single Tray DVD Recorder
A solid middle-of-the DVD Recorder.
This is a good DVD Recorder if you are new to making your own DVDs and don't need a lot of features. <br /> <br />As an owner of a LG LRY-317, Sony GX7, GX315, and now GX330, I can say this model is step foward and a step backward on the previous GX315.  Sony gets points for having the most recording modes - 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, and 8 hour modes (keep in mind that anything over 3 hours looks terrible). Sony finally put an S-Video input on the back with this model.  There's also a new 16:9 record mode which is handy for recording widescreen (but not HD) camcorder footage. <br /> <br />On the down side, the disc tray feels very flimsy.  The user interface took a step backward and is very similar to the GX7.  The interface is also very slow as there is a noticeable pause between pressing a button on the remote and having that on-screen button activate (the previous GX315 was very snappy in comparison).    <br /> <br />I'm also unhappy that Sony has removed thumbnails in the title list with -R, +R, & +RW discs (only -RW VR supports thumbnails).  They've also removed the \\"split title\\" function with +RW discs.  There is a new A-B erase feature, but it does not free up disc space (it only hides video by modifying chapter marks).  The only way to really use the other advanced features (like thumbnails and title joining) is to use -RW VR mode, which is the least compatible format if you want to play your discs on other DVD players.  Sony clearly favors -R/-RW discs because +R/+RW discs take an extraordinary long time to format and finalize (over 5 minutes for each process). <br />I'm also unhappy with the redesign of the remote.  Sony's remotes continue to be a mess of tiny, poorly grouped buttons.  These missing features will probably be noticed only by advanced users.  If you don't know what Title Split is, you probably won't miss it (but for me, it's the #1 most wanted feature. #2 is thumbnails). <br /> <br />If you have to buy Sony, try to find last year's Sony GX315at clearance price. Otherwise, I would suggest looking at LG's recorders.