Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23959 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Sony
• Model: RDRHX510S.CEK
• Released on: 2005-04-08
• Number of items: 1

Manufacturer's Description
Featuring IQ Recording, the RDR-HX510 expands the range of DVD/HDD Recorders from Sony and is the ideal entry-level product for those wanting to improve their home entertainment experience. The I refers to the range's intelligent, easy to use controls and the Q stands for high quality DVD/HDD Recording.

The RDR-HX510 boasts 80GB HDD capability. For quality, the HQ+ recording realises the original video source signals as accurately as possible by recording onto the hard disk at 15Mbps; a higher bit rate than the DVD-Video standard bit rate.

In addition the RDR-HX510 has a newly developed D-Matrix Noise Reduction feature that diminishes 'digital noise' using three different noise reduction technologies simultaneously, depending on the characteristic of the picture.

For intelligence, the RDR-HX510 also includes original scene-detecting algorithm technology from Sony. This technology enables the DVD recorder to recognise significant scene changes and insert chapter marks using 'Intelligent Scene Chaptering'. The user can then select their desired scene easily by using the 'Visual Chapter Search' function, which displays a small thumbnail image of the beginning of each chapter. To delete a scene, the user simply employs the 'Scene Chapter Edit' function to select and then delete the scene. This process is also helped by a smoother and faster Graphic User Interface (GUI) than on previous models.

In addition the DVD recorder includes the new feature 'Pause Live TV' which allows the user to pause a live programme via the remote control. This feature means users can view their programmes with a delay or simply fast forward to catch up with the real time broadcast, thus giving consumers control over how they wish to view their programmes.

All Sony DVD Recorders continue to support the Dual RW format for the best compatibility with DVD media. They are also compatible with the new DVD+R Double-Layer format offering double the capacity of regular DVD+R dics to enable you to put over 10 hours of recording onto one DVD.

This Sony DVD recorder features a High Definition Multimedia Interface which provides a pure audio and video signal from DVD to TV. For the home entertainment buff this is digital heaven, with crisp clear images that are second to none.

Other features of the RDR-HX510 include DVD RAM playback, Intelligent Chaptering, D-Matrix Noise Reduction, one touch timer recording, chasing playback and subtitle recording.

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

Quality kit
This Sony DVDR is simply the easiest piece of kit with clear and logical uses. Use the operations handbook as a guide, some of the action described are eroneous and in fact when it says you can't do this, you can and when it says it does this, it doesn't. So far to the betterment of the player/recorder. For instance, it bangs on about making copies for editing the recordings, pah, it does not make copies, you edit live recordings when editing titles, deleting chapters, editing within chapters (A-B editing) no copies, just original recording. A bit hairy to keep up with the editing, but worth it and saves time. Bangs out DVD-R 4.6G in less than 7 mins. However, DVD+R disks (cheaper) are burnt in realtime, recording 74 mins, burning takes 74 mins. This is a top peice of kit for the first timer or more experienced user.

Next best thing to a Sky+ box
This machine has it's faults, a few are described below. But overall I have had it over 6 months and I couldn't live without it. It's fantastic!

Things I like:
- Recording stuff when I'm out
- Pause live TV
- Recording programmes to DVD for friends

Things I dislike:
- The SMARTLINK connection with my freeview box drops out sometimes, and on occasion programmes don't record
- If you turn the power off for too long, you have to input the date and time (which it doesn't prompt you for) otherwise it won't record via SMARTLINK - not a problem if you leave it plugged in!
- Would have preferred built-in freeview receiver in retrospect.

A reviewer below mentioned it was a noisy unit. This is not a serious issue, you can only hear it if you mute or turn off the TV. Even with the TV off, it's not that noisy unless your trying to sleep, so if you have guests crashing in the living room - best not to set the unit to record a late night programme!

A little harsh but please read on
Ok, after reading the other reviews you will probably be thinking I must just be overly critical for giving this recorder a 1 star, however, there is a justifiable (in my mind)reason.

Firstly let me just say that I have owned this unit for about 1 month now and there are many aspects that I am very pleased with, namely:

It's easy to use.

The HDD recorder is very handy.

Time slip is very easy to use but I must admit - do you really need it? The simple answer is NO. Handy yes but if you are watching something you are really enjoying dont answer the door, ignore the phone.

It looks great. Yes, it does.

It's a Sony - Go on, you know you're a sucker for them too.

Things I dont like.

The sound is not that good. No matter what anybody else says, don't listen to them. It's good enough but the output signal is low and the dynamics are not that brill. Before you ask, I have a good (over £1300.00 at time) CRT tv and the dynamics through the general TV signal are much better. It might be good in DOLBY 5.1 but I haven't bothered with surround sound.

The remote is nice but a bit fiddly.

The DVD icon will apear in the middle of playing an original DVD (not a copy but orginal). It usualy happens at least once per DVD. Whilst a minor thing that I can live with, It is still distracting.

It's NOT multi region. Why oh why do manufacturers have to stick to this? I know, copyrigt, release dates etc. but who are they trying to kid? It's a real irk with me.

Last but certainly not least. THIS IS A VERY NOISY UNIT IN OPERATION. The fan starts and the HDD spins up after about 5 mins of on time and they then stay on constantly. Granted, this is a temperature controlled fan so the speed does change as the unit cools down or heats up. However, the slow speed setting is still far too noisy. Think PC Fan. Whilst this is OK in the office or a study, would it be acceptable whilst watching your favourite kurosowa movie? The noise you are likely listening to at this very moment(if you have a standard desktop PC that is) is probably only marginally noisier than this Sony. If all you watch is hollywood blockbusters then this will not bother you at all. The constant music and background noise will screen the noise from the DVD player. Hence, you will only notice it when the film ends. If, however, like me, you watch poncey european / arthouse films with lots of quiet scenes, be warned, this little baby will annoy.

To be fair, My fiance does not have a problem with it and I am aware that peoples perception of what is termed 'noise' is subjective. However, it is noticable, especially when you turn the unit off after watching a film and then watch a bit of TV, its like blessed releif.

So if the noise will not bother you go ahead, you will not be upset, however, if this review has got you thinking, maybe you shoud check out the unit first. Remember though that your lounge will be a lot quieter than the shop in which you you view the unit.

Andy of Manchester