Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony RDR-VX530 DVD Recorder & VHS Combo Player

...for transferring VHS to DVD, I'd recommend something else. This unit is crap.

The dubbing function results in a lot of weird stops and starts. Your video programs will end up chopped up into random chunks, because the machine can't seem to operate for more than 5 to 35 minutes at a stretch without pausing and "regrouping." Also, quality-wise, the finalized DVDs look terrible.

You could avoid the mess by using this machine's VCR function only for playback, recording DVDs on a different external unit. This results in a better disc (depending, of course, on your recorder). However, Sony's brilliant designers saw fit to have a huge, intrusive ONSCREEN DISPLAY pop up from the playback VCR wherever there is a hint of disrupted signal, tracking problem, imperfect stereo, ANYTHING. There is, of course, no way to turn the onscreen display off. So if your source videos aren't factory-perfect, forget about it.

I hate this thing.

I own two VX-530's and use them with DVD+R and DVD+RW discs to compile recordings of series from TIVO and VHS tapes. Up until recently, I have had very few problems with the recorders. Lately, however, one of them had presented problems when attempting to name a chapter on the DVD+R discs. Occasionally, I can get it to work after returning to the System Menu or naming the disc but often I have to do either an eject/load on the disc or power off/on the entire recorder before it will allow me to write the new chapter name. I don't have the problem when using DVD+RW discs. Despite this glitch, I have been very satisfied with the VX-530 and have logged over 500 recording hours. I have also watched all manner of pre-recorded DVD's without any noticeable problems.

Easy to use; high quality dvd's are produced. Highly recommend this product.

Here is why you should run the other way screaming, or at least just run away.
1. If you copy your video to DVDs, many will not play on DVD players. Yes, the directions warn you of this and instruct you in the variety of recording options, but this doesn't really change anything. You still cannot watch the DVDs and we didn't have this problem with our last player/recorder.
2. You cannot tape shows or movies off the TV.
3. If you leave it on, eventually the sound will turn off on your TV. Even if you're not watching a movie.
4. After a year, it makes bizarre rattling and clicking sounds.
5. Periodically it will refuse to recognize a disc and must be turned on and off.
6. Did I mention the squeaking when you insert a disc or tape?
7. It's difficult to get the disc centered and can get jostled out easily. This will lead to...wait for it...not an ejection, but, yes, a crunching sound as the disc is smashed.
8. Sony will never pass through my doorway again.

The Sony RDR-VX530 is everything I expected in a DVD/VCR recorder player. While I have not done much in the way of Recording (other than tests), I have watched recorded movies on both DVD's and VCR's and find that the pictures are very clear and the sound is excellent. Far superior to the old RCA separate units that I previously used. I am totally happy with the unit and give it a 5 star rating.