Sony RDR-HX900

Review summary: Sony's slick, promising 160GB DVR and DVD recorder combo is hobbled by a well-nigh useless programming guide.

Pros: Excellent recording quality ; high-speed DVR-to-DVD dubbing ; sleek design ; cool animated menus ; top-notch connectivity options

Cons: Ballyhooed TV Guide programming guide doesn't work with digital cable or satellite ; half-baked DVR functionality ; no repeat modes ; pricey

Verdict: Sony makes up some ground with its slick, intuitive setup and menus. A setup wizard guided us through the initial settings and channel search, and we got a kick out of the translucent animated menus, which slide across the screen and open to reveal ...

Review summary: Sony's flagship DVD recorder supports a wide range of DVD formats and has a 160GB hard drive that can store up to 204 hours of video.

Pros: Supports +R and -R DVD media, 160GB hard disk can record up to 204 hours of video, Plenty of A/V connections, including digital audio, Animated menus, High-speed dubbing from HDD to DVD

Cons: Can't pause live TV, No electronic program guide, Expensive

Verdict: With the combination of ample A/V inputs, a built-in hard drive and support for most DVD media formats, the Sony RDR-HX900 provides an easy way to digitise old VHS footage by recording it onto the HDD, editing it, and archiving it onto DVDs.

Pros: Excellent recording quality ; high-speed DVR-to-DVD dubbing ; sleek design ; cool animated menus ; top-notch connectivity options

Cons: Ballyhooed TV Guide programming guide doesn't work with digital cable or satellite ; half-baked DVR functionality ; no repeat modes ; pricey

Verdict: Sony's slick, promising 160GB DVR and DVD recorder combo is hobbled by a well-nigh useless programming guide.

Review summary: This DVR/DVD recorder combo can store TV shows on its mammoth 120GB hard disk and archive them to DVD+R/RW and -R/RW discs. The onscreen electronic programming guide and IR blaster (for satellite...