Reviews for Sony RDR-VX555 DVD/VCR Combo

Terrible Recorder

Strengths: Works Great for Home movies only

Weakness: I am unable to record most movies from the TV.

The only movies that I can record from the TV are Documentary channels. The unit will not let me record from HBO or any other movie Chain (copy right protection) I am forced to keep my old VCR connected to record movie programs. I understand that it is important to prevnet others from copying from VHS taped movies bought through the stores.However, preventing people from recording directly from the TV for our own personal use is a little extreme. Keep your old VCRs guys!!!

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Recording Videos to DVD

Strengths: It comes with one HDMI and one S Video connection.

Weakness: (1)You cannot record videos or DVD's directly from your television because there is no tuner. (2)Cannot record copyrighted video to DVD. (3)No editing options.

If you intend to record your studio-made video movies onto DVD with this machine forget it. My first effort was to attempt recording "Finding Nemo" from an original, store purchased, VHS tape to a blank DVD. This machine recognized the VHS tape as copyright protected and would not allow the transfer to DVD. Therefore none of the studio produced videos you own can be recorded to DVD unless perhaps they are very old ones. You can record your home produced movies (VHS videos) to DVD because they are not copyright formatted. To record television programs you need to have either a cable box or a satellite receiver. You cannot record directly from a television.

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SONY RDR-V555X DVD RECORDER VCR COMBO, W/ HDMI

Strengths: great color, comming down in prices

Weakness: hdmi cable for dvd, but u still need old fashioned patch cable for vcr...bummer.

well, suffice it to say, plays great, records great. no more coaxial on the back, hdmi for dvd, but old patch for vcr...otherwise tremendous bang for the buck. plus its a sony.

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RDR-VX555

Strengths: Great way to record and save old VCR tapes to DVD

Weakness: You must have the TV on to record from VCR to DVD

I just wish it was possible to complete the recording process without actually have to have the TV on. It's great, though, to be able to have our precious memories saved in a more compact manner.

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Sony DVD Recorder

Strengths: Easy to use, quick dubbing, good playback, HDMI output

Weakness: Delay in accessing system menu, no tuner. Remote could use some illumination to differentiate the buttons

This is Sony's newest DVD Recorder/VCR combination. They reverted back to their black design for their newest DVD products. This one is similar to last year's model, but they added DVD upconversion for HDTV sets through the HDMI cable. Another change is the remote, Sony eliminated the sliding cover on the bottom and shrunk the record button. The also separated the TV controls to the bottom of the remote. There are some drawbacks to this remote design. Most of the buttons on the control are black and blend in to the remote which makes it hard to see in a dark room. The TV control is a little awkward. I keep switching of the player instead of the TV. (I'm used to their previous remote design.) The picture quality is very good when outputing through HDMI. The recording is very simple, just put a disc and press rec or through the timer settings. Recommend recording in SP mode, found this setting produces the least amount of jagged edges. The main drawback is the exclusion of a TV tuner. The only way to record or see TV is with a cable or satellite set top box. I'm guessing Sony thinks that nobody has a TV without one which may be true, but I would like the option. It would have been better if they included a digital tuner like several other manufacturers have done. Overall, this model is very similar in recording function to their previous model. The main plus is the DVD upconversion and HDMI output. The drawbacks are the lack of a TV tuner and an awkward remote.

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Exactly what you need to transfer old videos to DVD!

Strengths: DV input (for transferring video on MiniDV camcorders), VHS built in, all the inputs you'll need, and all the outputs you'll want.

Weakness: A few extra steps than there should be to finalize a disc, and I'd like a little more flexibility when creating chapters. But neither are big deals. The main feature lacking is any sort of tuner.

I really like this unit - it has made transferring my old videos incredibly easy. I have a combination of old 8mm camcorder stuff, Mini DV camcorder stuff, and VHS stuff to transfer. This unit makes it very simple and easy, and the results look great and the discs work in my DVD player. What more could I ask for from this unit? Does it all.

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Very good purchase

Strengths: Copy TV shows, copy video tape to dvd all with easy. Very versital in the formats, quality and options that it gives the user.

Weakness: If you plan on copying HD quality videos plan on buying dual layer disk (expensive compared to normal DVDs)

When I first started using the product, the setup was a little frustrating. Mostly because it was new and some of the options it gave the user were a little exsive. Once the system was up in running though it was recording TV shows and transfering Videos to DVD in no time. Other great features include this units ability to serve as a 1080i upgrading DVD player.

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Excellent Product

Strengths: Nice look, Play VCD and MP3, Best record for DVD/VCR.

Weakness: Not be able to record if you don't have cable network.

I purchased this product and found awesome as the name SONY should be. Recording can be easily done for VCR DVD. But not be able to record if you don’t have cable network as there is not cable connection between TV and this VDV/VCR. Don’t know if program through internet can be recorded directly or not. Also there is no button directly on DVD/VCR so if you loose remote then will not able to play anything. Size is also some what large but it’s ok. It plays VCD/MP3 also. I found better than my old one.

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unhappy with product

Strengths: not sure if there are any-due to the lack of use.

Weakness: no a/v input

Got this product right before x-mas-but was unable to mess with it until after the hectic holidays-then discovered there was no way to run my tv through my dvd/vcr like previously(no a/v hook-up), and after trying to contact several people on the problem, basically had to disconnect the product everytime I wanted to watch my local tv programs, then this morning my son wanted to watch a dvd and only certain items would light up and none of the other buttons would work at all, it was almost as if the power was not correctly going to it!! So now I am in the process of sending it back to get repairs, not even a good month of enjoyment out of this product-very unhappy!!

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Sony DVD Recorder

Strengths: It's a SONY

Weakness: None

As usual, this SONY product is rock solid and impressive. It can dub with the touch of just one button from a VHS Tape or any Sony camcorder to DVD. If you want, you can even dub from DVD to VHS. This unit is quiet and well designed.

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sony rdr-vx555

Sony Rdr-vx555 receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS score of 1.87 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #19 DVD/VCR combo DVD player of all time. The overall rating represents an intelligent balance of features, value as a function of price to features, and a summary of reviews from a variety of sources. The TopTen REVIEWS' formula gives a picture of important consumer features, market value, and a...

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