Sony HDMI HDD/DVD Recorder RDR-HX750 and RDR-HX950

RDR-HX950 /HX750

Hong Kong, August 9, 2007 Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Limited today expanded its HDD/DVD recorder line-up with two new models, the RDR-HX750 and RDR-HX950, which offer a hard disk capacity of 160GB and 250GB respectively for maximum recording and playback flexibility. The two new models feature a HDMI terminal with up to 1080p upscaling capability. More multimedia entertainment options are provided including the music jukebox function and digital photo album function. The RDR-HX750 and RDR-HX950 are capable of recording up to 455 hours and 710 hours on their hard disk respectively. The upscaling capability enables the 480i/576i standard video signals to be upgraded to 720p/1080p high definition video signals for a life-like picture quality. With one-cable HDMI connection, customers can enjoy excellent visual and audio performance on other HDMI-equipped products such as BRAVIA high definition LCD televisions. Besides, music transfer has never been so easy and convenient thanks to the recorders music jukebox function, which enables users to copy audio tracks to the hard disk by CD dubbing or via the USB interface. The USB direct function allows users to plug and play with any MP3 players via the USB terminal and save up to 999 music tracks on the HDD recorder to create a personal music collection. With the digital photo album function, photos can be transferred from CD, DVD or USB enabled devices to the recorders hard disk so that memorable moments can be shared with others easily on the television. Besides, the newly added PictBridge terminal provides another
easy sharing option. When the terminal is connected to a compatible printer, users can print out JPEG files from data CD or DVD. This is also the first time for Sonys DVD/HDD recorders to incorporate the BRAVIA Theatre Sync function which synchronizes control of BRAVIA LCD TV series1 and other home theatre system through HDMI connection. Just press Play button on a single remote commander, users can enjoy the show without multiple controls over various components of their home theatre systems. Sonys HDD/DVD recorder RDR-HX750 and RDR-HX950 feature a stylish design in a black colour casing which matches with any home decorations. Both models are now available at the suggested retail price of HK$3,490 and HK$3,990 respectively. For customer enquiries, please contact Sony 24-hour customer service hotline at (852) 23452966.
For 2007 selected BRAVIA LCD TV series and 2007 selected Sony Home Theatre System only
Specification sheet for the RDR-HX750 and RDR-HX950: 160 GB hard disk drive (HDD) capacity (RDR-HX750) 250GB hard disk drive (HDD) capacity (RDR-HX950) Black colour casing with a stylish design HDMI terminal with 720p/1080p upscaling function Unique HQ+ recording mode with higher definition and higher bit-rate data encoded at a rate of 15MB/second Compatibility with more disc formats: RDR-HX750: DVD-Video/ R/RW/R DL/-RAM, DVD-R (VR w/CPRM),DVD+R (DL), S/VCD, CD, CD-R/RW (CD-DA),MP3, JPEG, DivX (DVD R/RW/-RAM, CDR/RW), MP3(DVD R/RW/-RAM, CD-R/RW, USB, HDD), JEPG(DVD-R/RW, CDR/RW, USB, HDD) RDR-HX950: DVD-Video/ R/RW/R DL (Dual Layer)/-RAM, 8cm DVDR/RW/+RW/+R DL (Dual Layer), S/VCD, CD, CD-R/RW, MP3, JPEG, DivX Input line system: NTSC/PAL/SECAM Music jukebox function Digital photo album function PictBridge terminal: direct connection with compatible printers for JPEG files print out 9 recording modes; Chinese on screen display Fast play with audio BRAVIA Theatre Sync High speed dubbing and one touch dubbing Chasing playback & simultaneous record & playback (HDD only); Superior picture quality: 10-bit / 108MHz Video DAC ; Precision Cinema Progressive (PAL/NTSC) Frame NR, Block NR, Mosquito NR Inputs Terminals: i.LINK x 1 (Front), S-Video / Composite Video / Audio x 1 (Front / Rear) Outputs Terminals: HDMI x 1, Component x 1, S-Video / Composite Video / Audio x 1, Coaxial digital x 1 Dimensions (W x H x D): 430 x 66.5 x 286 mm ; Weights: 4.4kg

HD/DVD RECORDERS

SONY RDR-H950
Not simply a DVD recorder
ard disk and DVD recorders have been around long enough to be almost considered a little old hat. I certainly dont get quite as excited about reviewing another HDD/DVD recorder as I remember being the first time I received a model to try out.The hoopla surrounding playing with new technology has gone, yet I still find my self somewhat excited about the Sony RDR-HX950. This is not because it is easy to use as a HDD/DVD recorder the format has been around long enough for functionality issues to have been addressed nor is it that it was equipped with a 250 GB hard drive (most of the other units that I have played with had equivalent capacity). It wasnt even that the Sony offered the capability to upscale video to 1080p although some may appreciate this feat. Before getting into the features that made me like the Sony, I have to take a step or two back and talk about installation and set-up. Anyone old enough to remember connecting a VCR would be familiar with installing the Sony into a home entertainment system, although the new process is a bit easier and tuning in of stations is automated. During the course of the review, I had the Sony connected to my television via component and S-Video cables, and I used its digital output to deliver audio to an A/V receiver. Another installation point worth noting was that I used some Vibrapods under the Sony to stop the noise from its spinning hard drive from becoming intrusive. Please note that all the recorders Ive used have been as loud, if not louder than the Sony, and the same remedy would apply to a noisy X-Box or PS3. Once connected, I set the date and time, noted that the icons used were pretty self explanatory, and configured the DVD section of the recorder to suit my television. Next up was a look at how easy or difficult it was to set the tuner, and Im pleased to say that it certainly doesnt take a brain surgeon to do this.You are offered quite a host of options, including daily, weekly, etc. Soapie or series junkies will love the capability to set the unit once and never have to miss an episode again. Another feature they might enjoy was the Genre selection function.This lets one save recordings in specific folders, making searching for recordings easier.

A U D I O

V I D E O

VITAL STATS

Of course there was the option to set recording quality.Typically this was set to the highest quality, but I did try some lower quality settings just to see the difference this made. The difference in overall quality between each step was small, but I would still recommend using the highest quality recording mode that either DVD or hard disk space would allow. Once a recording had been made there would be, unless you enjoy incessant and irritating advertising breaks, a little editing to do.The Chief Editor in my home is my wife, and she appreciated the short preview that was shown of the selected edit point.This ensured that all edits looked good and that she didnt inadvertently cut out the first scene after an edit.Another aspect that my better half liked was the ease of labelling and titling recordings. Inputs..Video 1&2 (stereo audio, composite and S-video), Pictbridge, RF in, USB, iLink. Outputs.HDMI, Co-axial digital, Component, composite, S-Video, audio, Pictbridge, RF. HDD size..250 GB Formats supported.CD, DVD (+, -, R/RW, dual layer) Video upscaling.Up to 1080p PRICE..RVERDICT The Sony RDR-HX950 is competitively priced and feature-rich making it a desirable addition to an entertainment system. SUPPLIED BY Sony South Africa 011-690-3555 www.sony.co.za Dubbing, or copying of titles saved on the hard drive to DVD was also easy, and quick. Here you also had the option of titling a DVD, of selecting the title frame and selecting quality. Formatting of discs to ensure that they play on other DVD players was quick and easy too. A feature that I really liked was the Jukebox function, which allowed me to copy CDs to the hard drive in genres too and listen to hours of music without having to get up and change discs.This feature worked with memory sticks with MP3s on them too. Some will appreciate the fact that images could be stored on the Sony and when coupled to a PictBridge printer, printed directly from the player. Overall it was the sum of all the little extras that ensured that I enjoyed using the Sony.