Sony RDR GXD455 Single Deck DVD Recorder with Built In HD Tuner

Editorial Review
Sony's RDR-GXD455 DVD Recorder creates a high quality picture viewing experience. Enjoy the best in Video performance from your DVDs -- upscaling technology optimizes standard 480p video Output to 1080i on your compatible TV. The HDMI connection delivers high-quality Digital Audio and video through a single, simple cable and is used to upconvert 480 standard recordings for better play on a 1080 widescreen TV. Its included ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuner makes it easier to record and burn high-definition TV into a standard 480 DVD format. One-Touch Dubbing preserves precious memories on your Personal DV & Digital8 tapes or DVD discs, to share with your relatives and friends. Record your Programming from any set-top box or other A/V output-equipped video sources. With the Set-Top Box Pass Through you can eatch programming from your cable set-top box or satellite receiver, even when the recorder is turned off. Dolby Digital Decoding & dts output Coaxial Audio output - 1 (rear) RCA Audio - 2 in (1 rear, 1 front), 1 out (rear) S-Video - 2 in (1 rear, 1 front), 1 out (rear) Composite Video - 2 in(1 front, 1 rear) and 1 out (rear) Front i.LINK(R) connection for DV/Digital80 video Rear Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Rear HDMI connection Includes remote control Please note - This DVD Recorder can record analog and digital signals onto standard definition (480) DVD discs. To record in high-definition, you must use a BlueRay or HD-DVD recorder.
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Customer Reviews

files

2008-01-20
The video files that are played with this player are limited, my Philips dvd/dvr player does a better job, but it's very easy to record with it, it would have been great if it was a DVR.

dvd recorder

2008-01-18
will not record movie channels. otherwise is good productSony RDR-GXD455 Single Deck DVD Recorder with Built In HD Tuner

This one does not work

2008-01-14
well if you have a lot of other Sony equluipment. The remote turns on other Sony equipment.

I am returning this unit

2008-01-13
THIS UNIT WOULD NOT RECORD A PROGRAM USING THE TIMER, IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS WORKING BUT IT DID NOT RECORD. IT WOULD RECORD USING THE RECORD BUTTON ON THE REMOTE, HOWEVER.

HD TUNER IS OF NO BENEFIT BECAUSE IT ONLY SCANNED IN NORMAL BROADCAST CHANNELS FROM A FEW MAJOR NETWORKS. A LOT OF HD CHANNELS WERE MISSING AND YOU COULD NOT MANUALLY ADD. SINCE IT DOWN CONVERTED ...WHAT'S THE POINT.

DID NOT DISPLAY CHAPTERS ON THE UNIT WHILE PLAYING A NORMAL MOVIE DVD.

OK Recorder but clearly V1.0 for intergrated ATSC tuner

2007-10-07
I purchased this unit to replace an non ATSC tunered Sony DVD recorder (RDR-GX330). In comparison to the 330 the 455 is perhaps not as well built despite being over $65 more expensive. Both have fans built in and you will hear them if you don't have the unit inside of a cabinet. As a DVD recorder it is functionally very similar to the previous generation Sonys. The supplied remote is basically the same as the 330 uses with one extra button to control analog/digital switching. Also it will record HD programming but downconverts the signal to SD, for HD recording you will need to wait for the Blueray recorders to arrive.

Ultimately I am going to return the 455 because of the ATSC tuners performance. Switching betwen channels is very slow in comparison to analog and the Samsung DTB I have also used. I was unable to get the Sony to go directly to a channel by punching in the channel number. Picture quality is good on OTA digital channels but is perhaps not as clean looking as the Samsung DTB(if only the Samsung put out the menu on composite video I would have kept it). In comparison to the Samsung the Sony lacks a signal strength meter which I consider essential for determining antenna direction. For those used to it the Sony also lacks even the most basic form of TV guide. Due to lack of guide the Sony feels very much like a VCR. As such I would say the 455 would be a good option for those upgrading from a VCR but might be a dispointment if you are used to the advanced features found elsewhere.

To summarise the Sony RDR-GXD455 is merely an ok performer as DVD Recorder. It is definitely a version 1.0 product from Sony as far as ATSC intergration goes. If you are upgrading from a VCR it should be one to consider on your list. If you are considering an upgrade to get the ATSC tuner I would wait for the next years model.

Delay from press remote to unit responds??

2008-05-25
Was hoping this to be the best of DVD recorders but forget it because remote buttons are so small some require a pen to hit them & the unit doesn't respond especially during title list and sent unit back from frustration so maybe you won't have this trouble but Sony usually produce higher quality or maybe somebody else made this one & they put there name on it - I bought from Crutchfield and great customer service to return unit!!

Poor clarity

2008-03-31
I intended to replace my VCR's with DVD recorders to be able to record HD programs. So I ran some experiments with the intent of finding what DVD speed matched the VCR at low and high speeds. But this Sony recorder was so bad that I never got that far. First I tuned both units and also the television to the same analog channel (from antenna). Before I even got as far as recording, I compared the images from (1) the TV tuner, (2) the Sony DVD recorder, and (3) the JVC VCR. The VCR was very close to the TV direct, but the image from the DVD recorder was definitely not as crisp as either of the others. With such a poor source it was difficult to evaluate the recorded images. Thinking the problem was with the DVD's inferior tuner, I then repeated the test using a recording from a digital camcorder. This time the deficiency with the Sony DVD recorder was even worse. The whole purpose of changing from tape to DVD is quality, and with this unit it's definitely not there.

Excellent Product

2008-02-17
At first I was hesitant to purchase this DVD recorder because of all the bad reviews on AMAZON. In the end I decided to trust the name brand instead of the reviewers and I'm glad I did! This is a superior product. I haven't had any problems so far and I find this unit easy to use in spite of the time it takes to set it up.

I have used this unit to record both analog and digital TV as well as old home videos and gotten great results. The digital tuner performs better than the one in my HP LCD HDTV. I have not encountered any copyright protection problems or experienced any of the other issues that previous reviewers have complained about.

This unit was purchased to replace my SONY RDR-GX315 which cost about $350. For just over $200, the RDR-GXD455 is an excellent choice. The ability to record HD broadcasts coupled with SONY reliabilty cannot be beat!

Sony DVD Recorder RDR-GXD455 W/ Built-in Tuner

2008-02-16
Excellent recorder.I found easiest to set up and use compared
to other recorders. It's no wonder Sony is the
Rolls Royce of Home Electronics. I also own a Sony Bravia LCD TV

Do not Buy unless you love being frustrated!

2008-01-26
Hey the title tells the story dose it not? When you you first look at the deck it seems to be designed well. But of course to well, it will not record your old VHS theatrical movies because Sony has the protection written into it. Also it runs about as slow as a computer from the early 90's. I did get it to record old television recordings I have. Qaulity was decent but the unit failed to operate within three days of starting to begin my transfer process and now I'm returning it.

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