Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony RDR-HXD870 - DVD Recorder With 160GB Hard Drive - With Freeview - Black

This is one of Sony's range of hard drive recorders/dvd burners/digital boxes, and it does many things well.
The quality of the output is good, the hard drive recording works well and is easy to operate. The hard drive space is more than generous for my needs. (I haven't tested the DVD recording.) It is also quiet, so there is no intrusive noise from the machine.

It does have some drawbacks, however. The manual isn't easy to navigate or follow, and it is a pretty complicated machine with lots of features, which doesn't make it the easiest machine to get to grips with. I also don't like the program information system - it doesn't give much information and is located in an akward position at the top of the screen. My old cheapo digibox does it much better.

Moans aside, this is a good product, but it wouldn't be for those who don't want to grapple with complex operating instructions.

Wide selection of input/outputs. Menus do seem to be a bit all over the place - more than one place to set repeat recording - not easy to find and manage them all.

Will occasionally (regularly?) fail to record pre-settimed events as well - no obvious reason. At first I thought it was due to it being set to watch a DVD even though this should not matter since it was set to record to HDD but unable to determine a pattern to its forgetfulness - even tho the timed event is still clearly visible.

A big annoynance is not being able to set another timed recording event when its already recording something. So you have to wait till recording is finished before setting any more timed recordings.

Good finish. Graet picture. Rubbish menu. Erratic recording.

For anyone who hasn't got Sky+ or Virginmedia V+ this is a must. Combines perfectly with any television but especially Sony. The Seller was also extremely good too with practical helpful information.

The concept of this recorder is great, but met a few problems that I did not expect. I bought the machine knowing that it had been on display, but was still fully guaranteed. However, the automatic set-up wouldn't work as I live in a different area to the original set-up. I ended up having to pay £40 for a firm to come and fix this, which wiped out the advantage of buying an ex-demo machine. I realise that this is a one-off, but not a good start. The other issue, which is not down to the demo state, is that the instructions n the booklet do not tally with the machine, and it has taken me week to work out how to use it. Other than that it is great!

One of the best things I have ever bought. No more messing with discs, easy to set up easy to use, excellent picture quality. Love the 'juke box' load all your music on to the hard disc and away you go.