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Sony RDR-HXD995 Freeview+ 250GB Hard Disc Drive DVD Recorder
Average Customer Rating
(4.0 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
Most Helpful First | Newest First | + Share6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Fantastic Bit of Kit!
(5 out of 5) by T. F. Richards on Dec 11, 2008 (UK)Highly recommended... easy to use very quickly, very intuitive and nothing to be scared of. Amazing at the price, personally I cannot imagine anything any better.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
...What you'd expect from Sony
(4 out of 5) by Mr. T. Walden on May 27, 2009 (Harrogate UK)I bought this to replace an equivalent but older product from Samsung (which has now been relegated to the conservatory). Without a shadow of doubt the Sony is the superior of the two appliances.
In terms of functionality there isn't a great deal of difference overall (one scores where the other looses and vice versa) but the Sony RDR-HXD995 is a fair way ahead in terms of quality. The old Samsung seems to take minutes (sometimes hours) to load the EPG, whereas it's simply not an issue for the Sony... it's there ready when you switch on. I note with interest previous comments about noisy operation... I use this Sony in the bedroom and have found it very quiet indeed, even when recording, the fan seems "whisper soft" - as opposed to the Samsung predecessor which was quite obtrusive, especially if you were trying to get an early night whilst something recorded.
The only reason I haven't given this the full five stars is the absence of videoplus programming for analogue transmissions (which the Samsung had). I know we're in the digital age and all that now... but if, like me, you live in an area where (despite having invested in the proper aerial and equipment) the authorities have proved that THEY are the ones not "ready for the digital switchover" (we can only get the BBC terrestrial channels on freeview), then recording from analogue transmissions is still a requirement, and is made quicker by the inclusion of Videoplus.
All in all though, an excellent appliance and one of the quality you should expect if you're paying the little extra for anything bearing the SONY nametag.
In terms of functionality there isn't a great deal of difference overall (one scores where the other looses and vice versa) but the Sony RDR-HXD995 is a fair way ahead in terms of quality. The old Samsung seems to take minutes (sometimes hours) to load the EPG, whereas it's simply not an issue for the Sony... it's there ready when you switch on. I note with interest previous comments about noisy operation... I use this Sony in the bedroom and have found it very quiet indeed, even when recording, the fan seems "whisper soft" - as opposed to the Samsung predecessor which was quite obtrusive, especially if you were trying to get an early night whilst something recorded.
The only reason I haven't given this the full five stars is the absence of videoplus programming for analogue transmissions (which the Samsung had). I know we're in the digital age and all that now... but if, like me, you live in an area where (despite having invested in the proper aerial and equipment) the authorities have proved that THEY are the ones not "ready for the digital switchover" (we can only get the BBC terrestrial channels on freeview), then recording from analogue transmissions is still a requirement, and is made quicker by the inclusion of Videoplus.
All in all though, an excellent appliance and one of the quality you should expect if you're paying the little extra for anything bearing the SONY nametag.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent Product and Excellent Service
(5 out of 5) by M. Ross on Mar 13, 2009 (London, UK)This, my first DVD recorder, is an excellent product. It is so easy to record programmes, view the list of those already recorded and view the list of those currently "timed in" for future recording: it couldn't be simpler. Following the on screen instructions is easier than trying to follow the overcomplicated instruction booklet. Contrary to what has been stated in some reviews you can watch one channel (or watch a DVD) whilst recording another - and this applies to all the freeview channels.
But it is Amazon's Customer Service that has really impressed me. This is the first thing I have bought on Amazon. I have always been put off by the fear of a product being faulty and then having to negotiate with a "distant" supplier. But the price was so good - 20% cheaper than the store I always shop at - that I felt I had to buy this DVD Recorder on Amazon. I had trouble setting it up and a telephone to Sony Customer Services established that there appeared to be a fault with the recorder: just what I had dreaded. I went online to Amazon, followed the simple steps of informing them that the product was faulty, that I wanted to return it and opted for a replacement (rather than a refund). I did this mid day on Monday and two days later, on Wednesday, the replacement was delivered.
Returning the faulty item could not have been easier. When I had informed Amazon that I had a product to return, I was invited to print out a bar coded label, addressed to Amazon, and directed to the Delivery Service website where I registered that I had an item to be collected. I was then emailed with a date for collection.
I will definitely be making other purchases on Amazon.
But it is Amazon's Customer Service that has really impressed me. This is the first thing I have bought on Amazon. I have always been put off by the fear of a product being faulty and then having to negotiate with a "distant" supplier. But the price was so good - 20% cheaper than the store I always shop at - that I felt I had to buy this DVD Recorder on Amazon. I had trouble setting it up and a telephone to Sony Customer Services established that there appeared to be a fault with the recorder: just what I had dreaded. I went online to Amazon, followed the simple steps of informing them that the product was faulty, that I wanted to return it and opted for a replacement (rather than a refund). I did this mid day on Monday and two days later, on Wednesday, the replacement was delivered.
Returning the faulty item could not have been easier. When I had informed Amazon that I had a product to return, I was invited to print out a bar coded label, addressed to Amazon, and directed to the Delivery Service website where I registered that I had an item to be collected. I was then emailed with a date for collection.
I will definitely be making other purchases on Amazon.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Sony HXD995
(5 out of 5) by pinemartin on Jan 6, 2009 (UK)Very pleased with this piece of kit, so far cannot fault it on anything major so have given it the five star treatment. Am using it with a two year old Samsung 32" HD tv, and the set-up process was effortless. First time I've tried connecting anything to the HDMI and my only minor niggle so far is that the tv doesnt automatically recognise the Sony connection as it would with a scart lead. Having checked several forums, this seems to be pretty common when using HDMI between different makes. All the features are pretty easy to get to grips with, I was pausing live tv and making timed recordings within an hour of getting it out of the box. Playback is excellent, especially at the HQ level, in fact you forget youre watching a recording. The instruction manual, though lengthy, is clearly laid out, and covers most eventualities. All in all, very happy.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
Do not buy a Sony HXD995 to use in a bedroom
(1 out of 5) by Electric on Jun 29, 2009 (Barnet, England)Sony RDR-HXD995 Freeview+ 250GB Hard Disc Drive DVD Recorder
I cannot recommend this DVD recorder as it is impossible to choose the time when it switches on to update the Digital Program Guides.
Every night at 2.58pm I am awakened by the click click thump as it switches on to update either the Guide Plus+ or the Freeview EPG. This happens 3 times every 24 hours and each time it stays on whirring for 2 hours. That is a total of 6 hours every 24 hours.
Another problem it has is that whenever it is set to Fast Forward it will crash the hard disk if any button other than Play is pressed. Each time this happens I have to switch the machine off at the mains.
Before buying any DVD recorder with an EPG I cannot emphasize enough how you need to ensure you buy one where the update times can be chosen by the user.
I cannot recommend this DVD recorder as it is impossible to choose the time when it switches on to update the Digital Program Guides.
Every night at 2.58pm I am awakened by the click click thump as it switches on to update either the Guide Plus+ or the Freeview EPG. This happens 3 times every 24 hours and each time it stays on whirring for 2 hours. That is a total of 6 hours every 24 hours.
Another problem it has is that whenever it is set to Fast Forward it will crash the hard disk if any button other than Play is pressed. Each time this happens I have to switch the machine off at the mains.
Before buying any DVD recorder with an EPG I cannot emphasize enough how you need to ensure you buy one where the update times can be chosen by the user.