Sony RDR-HX900 DVD Recorder with 160 GB Hard Disk Recorder
Sony RDR-HX900
I had this DVR for a little over than an week and like to share some comments w/ others.  Especially for those of you who want to use this DVR to record Hi-DEF programs thru DirectTV Hi-DEF STB which was my initial motivations to purchase this DVR since it has component I/P.    1. Video I/P:  This DVR is indeed the only DVR , up to end of 2004 , which offers \\"component Video I/P\\".   But, Pls be very careful, since the component I/P can only take \\"interlace\\" signals.  In another word, U needs to turn-off the progressive-scan feature when U connects yr video device thru component I/P of this DVR.  Otherwise, U won't see anything.   This was noted on page 13 of SONY's user manual.    2. TV Guide: This TV guide feature does not work with DifrectTV high-def set-top-box (it was noted on page 34).   So, the TV-Guide feature is pretty much useless.    3. Timer: This feature indeed allows U to hook yr STB's SVideo or Composite signals to either L1, L2 or L3 inputs and record the program seamlessly.    But, even the DVR allows U to playback thru \\"progressive\\" component O/P, pls do remember the quality which U record to either HDD or DVD disc is NOT the high-def quality.    SONY's HQ+ recording quality into HDD is very mis-leading.    4. Video quality: Video O/P thru the progressive component O/P is as good as my other DVD reference players which made by either Denon or Toshiba.    So, am I dis-apponited?   U bet I am.   Especially paying close to $700 to get a DVR which only accepts lousy \\"INTERLACE\\" component and TV-Guide feature is not compatible w/ the Satellite STB.   For a capability-limited DVR like this SONY unit, U can pay $200 less by purchasing other name brands which offers same capability.    By the way, my Samsung Satellite STB, model SIR-TS360 , is capable to convert any Component, SVideo or composite signals into 1080i format or Hi-DEF video signals.   Why Samsung can and SONY can't and still demands ripe-off price-tage for the name of \\"SONY\\"?