Sony RDR-VXD655 VHS DVD Recorder Combo with Built In HD Tuner by Sony
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Digital camera reviews of Sony RDR-VXD655 VHS DVD Recorder Combo with Built In HD Tuner
Digital camera Review: It works
Summary: 5 Stars
There are two "better recorders out there" the both use RAM memory, they both have the same problem they just stop sometimes. This also happens with my computer it also uses Ram memory on the Hard drive. Is this a common problem to RAM memory? I'll leave this to experts to solve. I'll stick to conventional DVDs and VHS tapes. When my computer just stops I can turn it off and start over, it's annoying but solvable. When I set my recorder to tape a show when I'm not home of have gone to bed I am not there to reset it. I need it to work. This Sony works.Digital camera Review: Item damaged in shipping, so cannot review
Summary: 1 Stars
This item would have been a great item to have, but unfortunately it was damaged in shipping and the seller had to file a claim for damage and we were refunded our money. Thankfully, amazon has a money back guarantee for issues such as these.Digital camera Review: Lousy ATSC tuner mars an otherwise good device
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this unit to extend the lives of both a 17 year-old TV set and my VHS collection. I watch only broadcast TV provided by rabbit ears. Since good reception is critical in my case, I evaluated this unit's tuner against a brand new Insignia NS-DXA1 DTV converter box purchased from Best Buy.
While the DVD recorder and VCR portions of this unit appear to be top-notch, I simply could not get the ATSC tuner to receive even a majority of signals that I received in analog. One key problem: digital channels can be added *only* by a 5-10 minute auto-scanning process. Once the scan is done, digital stations can only be deleted, not added. That's fine if all your TV signals come from one direction; that is not the case in my area.
Even putting aside the scanning limitation, this Sony's ATSC tuner is not the best available. Using the same antenna in the same location, the Insignia box can receive a number of channels where the Sony shows only a broken picture or nothing at all. The Insignia provides a full electronic program guide; Sony provides only child-lock based on program ratings. The Insignia has a signal-strength display that is very helpful for adjusting antenna position; Sony provides no such feedback.
Other Positives:
1) Provides a plethora of DVD recording modes to control the amount of compression used.
2) Supports watching VHS while recording DVD from tuner, and vice-versa.
3) Can record ATSC to VHS. Some competitive units cannot do this.
4) There is no special "timer mode", a welcome change from most VCRs.
Other Negatives:
1) No mute button, even though other TV functions can be controlled.
2) VHS tape cannot be moved to a specific time index.
I would not recommend this unit for over-the-air use for anyone who has less-than-perfect analog reception or who needs to rotate their antenna (indoor or outdoor) at all. My unit is going back for a refund. Hopefully Sony's next design will pay more attention to the needs of those of us in antenna-land.
Digital camera Review: Need the best DVD recording quality
Summary: 3 Stars
I purchased this unit over a year ago and purchased it to archive old VHS tapes I have and to record DVD's from my cable box. The first disappointment I had was that the unit did not have a HDMI input so I could get the best picture and sound quality from the recording source. It does have a HDMI output but I want to be able to have the best recording picture quality for recording DVD's. Also, on occasion, I have been unable to get my recorder to function using the one touch VHS to DVD function. I follow the instruction in the manual but,the unit will not respond when I use the controls on the front panel.;
Now that the unit is no-longer in warranty I don't want to spend extra money sending it to the repair shop for the easy way to record from VHS to DVD. I'll just use the standard manner in the manual.
Help!! If anyone knows about a DVD recorder that has a HDMI input please let me know!!!
Digital camera Review: Nice Unit
Summary: 5 Stars
I replaced an older Sony DVD Player VCR combo with this unit. I received it on 11/11/08, and have recorded one DVD using the 150 minute setting from a VHS tape, and it worked well. I was hoping to transfer all my VHS tapes to DVD, but this unit will not record from a copyright protected VHS tape. I can't blame Sony for this. I recorded a DVD+RW from the digital TV tuner, and this worked really well. I then tried recording to a VHS tape using SP mode from the digital TV tuner, and the picture was the best I had ever viewed from a VHS tape. The unit was not difficult for me to setup. The quick guide was all I needed. I used the owner's manual for the feature details. I would have liked the display to be a little brighter. Also, I could have used one more set of A/V outputs. Even though I am not using the HDMI connection, I still have a very sharp and clear picture on my Sony HD rear projection TV. This unit has a 1080i resolution which is fine for me, because my Sony HD rear projection TV uses the same resolution. In conclusion, after a week of ownership, I am very pleased with this unit.