Disappointing for a Sony product (Sony RDR-HXD970B)

Member Name: lisajb57

Product:	Sony RDR-HXD970B
Date:	05/08/09 (33 review reads)
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Advantages: Large harddrive storage space

Disadvantages: Only 1 decoder so can only record 1 channel at once, Limited functionality if your tv isn't Sony

By itself I found this machine next to useless.

This recorder has only 1 decoder in it. That means you can only record one tv channel at any one time. This really limits you as often you find two or 3 good things on all at the same time on different channels.

Also if you don't have a Sony tv then half of the features on this machine don't work - most importantly you can't record something and watch any other channel. That simply doesn't work if your tv isn't Sony as well.

On the upside. This has a huge memory which means you are unlikely to run out of room on the harddrive. You can easily copy items on your harddrive across to dvd and therefore either store it and keep your harddrive clear and easily to scroll through or give you quicker access to particular movies or series.

The best thing about this machine, for me personally, was combining it with my BT vision box. I can now record 3 channels at once. I can move all the items I already had on my BT vision box across to the Sony and then cut them to disc to clear out my memory and make it easier to find items. (You need to buy an extra Scart cable to do this but they are only around £5) and I get the best of all worlds by using these two items in conjunction and don't end up stuck on the channel that I am recording as my tv isn't a Sony.

If you want to record more than 1 channel at once you either need a machine with more than 1 decoder or use two machines in conjuction as I am doing.

Overall the product is a big let down for Sony and even the product specialist we talked to who works for Sony admitted that they have endless complaints about what this box doesn't do.

Summary: Disappointing product considering its Sony and therefore supposedly a superior product.

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