Sony RDR-GX7 DVD Recorder
So Far, So Good!
I bought the Sony DVD Recorder a couple of weeks ago and have thoroughly enjoyed working with it.  Before I purchased the Sony unit, I captured video and burned DVDs via my computer, which was fun, but somewhat of a hassle as I had to hook up my VCR,  video card and PC while sitting at my computer desk.  I now have a VCR hooked up to the DVD Recorder in my bedroom and I can just relax on my bed and record my VHS tapes to DVD.  Plus I don't have to worry about software glitches which can disturb video capture and/or DVD burning.<br />The Sony accepts three of the five primary DVD media for recording (DVD-RW, DVD-R and DVD+RW).  It does not allow you to record on DVD+R and DVD-RAM discs, which almost caused me not to purchase this machine as I have quite a few DVD+R discs that I paid big money for my computer video editing needs.  However, if you record a program on a DVD+RW disc, you can use your home computer (provided you have both a DVD-Rom drive and a DVD+RW drive) to copy the DVD+RW data to a DVD+R disc.  That DVD+R disc is playable on the DVD Recorder.  It's an additional step, but it is one I'll probably use until the DVD+R's are used up.  You can then erase the DVD+RW disc for use in recording another program.<br />Video quality of the DVDs is quite good.  So far, I have done all my recording at the 120 minute quality level as many people who have this machine state that this yields pretty good results.  I have to agree that it does.  You also have the ability to record in 60, 90, 180, 240 and 360 minute modes, so I assume that quality improves or diminishes with less or more time respectively.<br />For recording purposes, the DVD+RW disc provides only basic editing functions, primarily related to changing title names and deleting shows.  If you overrecord something (say a commercial after the program), I don't think that you can edit the disc to remove the commercial.  My understanding is that the DVD-RW discs provide more flexibility for editing than the DVD+RW, but I have not tried it yet.<br />Overall, this appears to be a great product in the Sony lineup.  I suspect future generations will be even better and cheaper, but I'm happy with this purchase so far.