Sony's refresh of its DVD recorder line--on display at its product showcase in Las Vegas--reflects the new FCC mandate to include a digital ATSC tuner in newly introduced recording devices.
In keeping with the trend I saw at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, the four recorders are broken into two categories: those with no tuner, and those with ATSC tuner. Adding an ATSC tuner adds some additional cost to the DVD recorder, which is why vendors are giving you the choice--especially considering you may already be relying on your cable box?s tuner, regardless. (Sony did not announce pricing for these units at today's event.)
Sony showed two tuner-less models. The RDR-GXD355 has line-input recording (for use with a cable box) and cable-box pass-through, so you don't have to have the unit on order to access your cable box's channels. The RDR-VX555 builds on the RDR-GXD355's features by adding a VCR with a DVD recorder, and providing one-touch bi-directional dubbing between VHS and DVD.
The other two models on display each featured an ATSC tuner. The RDR-GXD455 can record to double-layer DVD+R discs, while the RDR-VXD655 also offers bi-directional dubbing between VHS and DVD.
Unfortunately, you can't record in high-definition to standard-definition DVDs. The unit will only record in standard definition, down-converting the image from the high-def feed the ATSC tuner will receive.
All of the models feature HDMI output and upscaling of standard definition video to 720p or 1080i.
Great article. I would appreciate advice on what to do when the cable company uses the digital cable box also as the descrambler. I don't know of any way to set up multiple timer recordings ahead of times for multiple channels if only one digital channel at a time comes through the cable box. It will be a huge problem when the analog channels go away and all the channels are digital. At that point everything will have to be manually recorded in regard to the station.
There is a way...it's called an "IR blaster." It's mentioned in PC World's article "How to buy a DVD recorder." I hope in the ensuing five months you've learned about this product supplied with some recording devices.
I bought a Sony RDR-VXD655 (NEW, not open box or refurb) and it had a MAJOR DEFECT right out of the box. The DVD player circuitry was defective, and ALL DVDs showed lots of "digital artifacts"--black dots, yellow and green pixels/squares all through the picture. VERY disappointed in Sony. This unit is made in CHINA, whereas prior Sony items were made in Japan/Malasia. Perhaps Sony's cost-cutting measures also means cheaper internal electronics. This destroyed my brand loyalty to them, maybe I'll have better luck with PANASONIC (also made in CHINA
:( although their TVs are assembled in Mexico).