Sony RDRHX715 DVD Recorder
Facts about this Sony DVD-Recorder.
This recorder has everything you need to be completely independent from tv listings, that you have to keep up every time you want to watch your favorite program or movie. Record programming can be done all possible ways.<br /><br />1. First and the easiest way applies to those of you who have cable TV or use air antenna. Sony recorder download TV Guide for you area based on  your ZIP code. So in this case there is nothing more to do that just pick the right show and add to schedule list. It is so easy and convenient.<br /><br />2. The other way of recording is to use a timer. And again, Sony has all timer modes possible. If you want to record a show who is just about to begin, you may use Quick-Time. In his case all you have to do is just press \\"Rec\\" button when the show starts or even before that because later you can easily cut unwanted fragment. If recorded show lasts for example 2 hours, all you do is press \\"Rec\\" button repeatedly incrementing record time by 30 minutes with each click.<br /><br />3. Another way is to use manual timer settings by entering record start and stop data and time.<br /><br />4. But most of all I like Synchro-Rec Timer. This function is dedicated especially for satellite tv users. I have DirecTV service and without this timer I would have to set timer manually each time I want to record something. Not with this Sony!  All I am doing is just using my DirecTV Scheduler to pick the shows I want to record. After that I simply activate Synchro-Rec on my Sony and that is just one button click. That is it! When time comes, my receiver turns on automatically which trigger Sony to start recording. When the show ends and receiver turn-off, Sony stops recording. It is so easy. Note: for this feature you need to have a sat receiver that has Auto-tune function with auto power-off/on.<br /><br />Very handy \\"Time-Slip\\" feature is also a standard for this recorder. It is just irreplaceable when I watch my favorite live show and there is a phone call or I just have to go to the bathroom ;-) All I have to do is to press PAUSE, the Sony starts buffering my live show, so when I am back I just press pause again and watch the show form the moment it was interrupted.<br /><br />Another great things about Sony:<br />- You can watch already recorded (on HDD or DVD) shows while record (on HDD) another show from you cable<br />- You don't have to be scared if you accidentally press wrong button especially during recording. All recording functions on Sony remote are hidden under slide cover. And this is very smart. Besides, all other exposed buttons do not affect while your Sony is in recording mode. So there are minimal chances of screwing up while recording.<br />- Sony is capable to record DVD+R Dual Layer discs which have 8.5 GB capacity. I have checked it and it works great. My 2nd Samsung DVD player as well as old JVC player play Sony recorded discs with no problems. But remember to finalize recorded DVD discs before you want to play it on other that Sony DVD player.<br />- This DVD player records all movies from movie premium channels without a problem. No additional copy protection interfaces are necessary.<br /><br />Some reviews say that Sony do not make a chapters when recording. Well this is completely not true. Actually, what I have experienced is that Sony is so smart, that it inserts chapters in the very right moments - exactly where you would. I am pretty amazed by the fact, that about 90% of my recordings have chapters inserted when commercials begin and when they end. Thanks for that it is very easy to get rid of these chapters instead of reviewing the whole recording and cutting it piece by piece.<br /><br />Component video input that Sony provides, allow recording much higher that S-video quality signals even for SDTV broadcast. So having these inputs in case of this DVD-recorder is just another advantage over many on the market, which have only S-video or worse - composite.<br /><br />And those of you who are unsatisfied from the fact that Sony - having component video inputs do not let input progressive signals - I say: Sony clearly says about it in the manual. Besides, this is not a High Definition recorder people, so do not expect it to record HD (720p or 1080) or upconverted to 480p pictures. If you want to record these, go and get HD recorder, but that is another price and another story. Another thing is that recording standard SDTV but up-converted picture (480p/720p/1080i/p) is just a misunderstanding from the technical point of view. Remember that all available SDTV shows are broadcast as interlaced ones (480i). So recording up-converted signal (but interlaced in origin), would be a mistake simply because not every up-conversion always works as good as expected, especially for bad quality signals, so it is much better to record original broadcast signals and later up-convert them while playing back. And it is not my opinion. It is the way in which such equipment should work to get the best quality SDTV picture. And that is the way this Sony works. Again this is SDTV recorder, not a HDTV. So do not expect a \\"miracle\\". It is capable of up-converting already recorded material but not to \\"down-convert\\" input video signal.Do you expect to have a pro-video concole, that up & down converts video signal in both ways for a $500 bucks? Come on!<br /><br />The only thing that Sony can't do is to retrieve TV Guide from satellite receiver. But find me another DVD/HDD-Recorder, which does that. Except from the TiVo-like recorders, there is none. Of course you can say that TiVo would be better, but note this: usually you have to pay a monthly service fee to have recording service n your TiVo. In my case DirecTV wanted extra $6 just to enable for me so called \\"recording service\\" while having leased (for another $99) TiVo recorder. And if TiVo is your 2nd receiver you have to be prepared to pay another - additional fee for that. In addition, most of the TiVo offered by satellite service providers do not have DVD recording capability, which in my case was a important. Thanks for that I am not only able to transfer my favorite movies to DVD disc but also store taped events from my DV camcorder in the most convenient way thanks for DV-input which is basically a \\"firewire\\" interface.<br /><br />Short note for \\"light\\" sleepers. This recorder is so quite that it is hard to tell whether it is recording or not. And that is nice. Moreover, if you plan to keep your Sony in your bedroom, but you don't like to be bugged by all those flashing displays and gizmos (that today's electronic equipment is full of), you may choose to turn on display into power-on saving mode. This makes it completely turned off when recorder is in standby mode - even while timer-recording.<br />I highly recommend this Sony DVD recorder. With all the features it has: Dual Layer DVD discs recording, big 160GB HDD drive, HDMI and Component output - for the Amazon price - it is a real bargain.t let input progressive signals - I say: Sony clearly says about it in the manual. Besides, this is not a High Definition recorder people, so do not expect it to record HD (720p or 1080) or upconverted to 480p pictures. If you want to record these, go and get HD recorder, but that is another price and another story. Another thing is that recording standard SDTV but up-converted picture (480p/720p/1080i/p) is just a misunderstanding from the technical point of view. Remember that all available SDTV shows are broadcast as interlaced ones (480i). So recording up-converted signal (but interlaced in origin), would be a mistake simply because not every up-conversion always works as good as expected, especially for bad quality signals, so it is much better to record original broadcast signals and later up-convert them while playing back. And it is not my opinion. It is the way in which such equipment should work to get the best quality SDTV picture. And that is the way this Sony works. Again this is SDTV recorder, not a HDTV. So do not expect a \\"miracle\\". It is capable of up-converting already recorded material but not to \\"down-convert\\" input video signal.Do you expect to have a pro-video concole, that up & down converts video signal in both ways for a $500 bucks? Come on!    The only thing that Sony can't do is to retrieve TV Guide from satellite receiver. But find me another DVD/HDD-Recorder, which does that. Except from the TiVo-like recorders, there is none. Of course you can say that TiVo would be better, but note this: usually you have to pay a monthly service fee to have recording service n your TiVo. In my case DirecTV wanted extra $6 just to enable for me so called \\"recording service\\" while having leased (for another $99) TiVo recorder. And if TiVo is your 2nd receiver you have to be prepared to pay another - additional fee for that. In addition, most of the TiVo offered by satellite service providers do not have DVD recording capability, which in my case was a important. Thanks for that I am not only able to transfer my favorite movies to DVD disc but also store taped events from my DV camcorder in the most convenient way thanks for DV-input which is basically a \\"firewire\\" interface.    Short note for \\"light\\" sleepers. This recorder is so quite that it is hard to tell whether it is recording or not. And that is nice. Moreover, if you plan to keep your Sony in your bedroom, but you don't like to be bugged by all those flashing displays and gizmos (that today's electronic equipment is full of), you may choose to turn on display into power-on saving mode. This makes it completely turned off when recorder is in standby mode - even while timer-recording.   I highly recommend this Sony DVD recorder. With all the features it has: Dual Layer DVD discs recording, big 160GB HDD drive, HDMI and Component output - for the Amazon price - it is a real bargain.