Sony RDRGX-210 Dual Compatible DVD Recorder

The video and sound outputs seem fine for DVD-RWs (even if recorded on another make of machine) and for commercial DVDs. When it comes to stills it seems to be able to read much bigger jpeg files than some other models, which is a good thing in view of the expanding CCDs of digital still cameras these days. It doesn't have an SD card slot (this seems to be a panasonic-only feature at the moment).

Where this machine does shine, for an entry level DVD recorder, is in its connectivity. As well as the usual SCART in (RGB enabled) and SCART out (also RGB; can also accept a signal in, but only composite video), it has standard 'phono' video jacks, S-video and i.link into the front panel, standard video input jacks also on the back (great for that tired old VHS video recorder), and component video output with progressive scan for great picture and sound from commercial DVDs.

So, altogether a competent machine, if not an exciting one. It seems we will have to wait a bit longer for Sony's 'Intelligent Chaptering'; this model does not have it. There isn't a hard disk here, but personally I prefer to have a hard disk in a freeview box and then just back up stuff that I want to keep on a DVD recorder, so I don't need or want one on this machine. One day, of course, all of these machines will have digital free-to-view tuners inside. At the moment, though, the Sony RDR GX500, which is great from this point of view, has no progressive scan output and the strong disadvantage of no i.link, which is hopeless for us digital video camera owners.

A few minor gripes. Firstly, according to the manual this machine can only record in 16:9 widescreen format if you use DVD-RW discs in VR mode. This doesn't actually seem to be true: I tried using DVD-RW disks in video mode and they recorded a widescreen programme without any problem (although I haven't tested to see whether it would do aspect ratio switching appropriately, as I am using the component video output which does not carry this signal). So maybe it isn't true for any of the other disk types either.

Secondly, and this is a real error on Sony's part, this machine cannot be set to start recording automatically when an external source switches on. Most DVD recorders these days seem to have this facility, and it is very valuable if you mainly use a freeview or Sky box. I haven't fiddled about trying to set the timer of a DVD recorder for ages. It is much easier to rely on the EPG in the freeview box.

Thirdly, there is not much flexibility in the duration of the DVD recording time. Other models now often have a flexible trade-off between time and quality between 2 and 4 hours. With this machine, if a film is a bit over 2 hours long, you'll have to set the DVD duration to 4 hours, with considerable loss of quality. That's a pity.

Finally, when will other companies catch up with JVC's idea of a 'Navigation Library', where the DVD recorder numbers all recorded DVDs consecutively and remembers everything that has been recorded on them. This facility cannot be very hard to program into a new machine, and it is extremely convenient. Unlike most things on the JVC DRM10, this facility works, and works really well.

Apart from these points, the Sony is not a bad little machine for the money.