Sony RDR-GX3 DVD Recorder

Just in case you don't know, the single 'R' discs can be recorded onto only once, and the RW discs are re-writeable discs (you can record on them up to 1000 times).

This unit can record onto the following discs: -R, -RW and +RW
You are therefore covered with any existing compatibility issues. (Note that most modern DVD players will be able to play back dvd's in any of these formats).

Using this machine, I have recorded TV programmes onto -R, -RW and +RW dvd discs. All have worked perfectly.

I have played back +RW and -R and -RW recordings on my friends Toshiba DVD player and also my friends Panasonic DVD recorder. No problems at all. (-R and -RW discs need to be 'finalised')

I connected this machine to another DVD player. I played back one of my recordings on the dvd player and recorded another copy onto another blank disc in the Sony unit. This worked perfectly too.

If you are using this unit connected to an ordinary co-axial aerial, then all tv programmes you record are automatically given a title. This title comes from the teletext signal. This is a great feature.
I have also tried it whilst connected to SKY Digital. When you record off Sky, it does not get the programme name - just the word 'Sky' as the default. Of course, you can change the name manually if you like.

The menu system on this unit is superb. Stylish menu screens that fade in and out and still let you hear the sound through the tuner. They are also often opaque, allowing you to see the tv in the background.
The menus are navigated via a small 'joystick' on the remote control and it is very intuitive and easy to use.

When you put a disc into the machine, you can press a single button and a table of contents is displayed on screen. This table lists each programme that is on the disc, the date it was recorded, the length of the programme and the full programme name. It makes handling discs so easy. Also, each programme automatically gets a small thumbnail picture to accompany the programme name, so you can see what it is.
If you do not like this thumbnail image, you can manually choose a new one.

Here are some more features:

You can erase titles at a touch of a button.
You can protect titles from being erased (even on RW discs).
You can sort programmes by title, date or length.
You can give a 'name' to any disc. Eg: 'Mark's Disc' or whatever you want.
You can set the timer for up to eight programmes up to one month in advance.
You can use the video-plus number system and/or PDC for setting timer recordings.
You can record in six different recording qualities. Each drop in recording quality means that you can record more programmes on a disc.
You can mix and match different recording types onto the same disc. The default recording length is called 'SP' and on my 21" tv is indistinguishable from the original signal. SP mode will allow you 2 hours of recording. The maximum recording time is 6 hours and though the quality of this is not good (10% less than VHS I'd say, it IS useable in emergencies).

As a note, I have never yet experienced 'pixelation' or 'blocking' from a recording.

If you set a timer recording and there is not enough space left on the disc, the unit will automatically switch the recording type to a longer one to fit the programme on the disc.

One thing to be aware of (this applies to all DVD recorders at the moment) - is that when you use -R or -RW discs, certain operations take time.
For example, when you put one of these discs in the unit and close the tray, the unit 'loads' the information about the disc....this takes 20 seconds or so.
When you remove a disc of this type, there will sometimes be a 30 second (or more) delay while it 'writes' information onto the disc. Only after this time will the tray eject.
You also need to be aware that for these discs, you need to 'format' them before you can use them. This can take 7 or 8 minutes.
The advantages of this format is that you have more powers of editing. It is possible to perform non-linear editing within the machine. That is to say, you can record programmes and then remove SEGMENTS of individual recordings. This is amazing technology! You can also create many different playlists of the programmes on the disc, without interrupting the original recordings.

You can 'back-up' any old VHS tapes you have onto dvd. Simply connect the unit to your VCR and play the tape and record onto disc.

Also worth noting is that when you have a programme on disc, you can put it in your pc drive (has to be a dvd drive obviously) and drag the files onto your hard-disc. (I recommend you use +RW discs for this).

In summation: I heartily recommend this machine to anyone who is thinking of switching to DVD recording. The build quality is superb, it looks terrific, the manual is good and the remote control is well designed. A superb machine.

VHS is dead. With a product like this why would anyone want to ever touch a VHS cassette again (except to transfer old tapes on to DVD)? This is the future, and definitely worth the extra over the Philips recorders. Peace of mind is worth a great deal these days!