Customer Reviews

Sony RDR-GX330 Single Tray DVD Recorder

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

This recorder offers different features depending on which type of media you use.

To get all the bells and whistles you need to use -RW or -R media formatted in the VR mode.

-RW(vr) is the only recording method that allows CHASING.

-R(vr) and -RW(vr) also allow you to use the PLAYLIST function, which allows you to do some really nice editing like cutting out commercials at the exact frame that they start in. It allows you to combine scenes from different recordings and it allows you to change the order of playback. It took me a while to get the hang of this, but now it takes me about 20 minutes to edit 40 minutes of commercials out of a 2 1/2 hour movie.

Now the bad part.

The VR format is not compatible with most DVD players. -R(VR) is not the same as -R(Video). This unit will record -R(Video) and -RW(Video) mode, but then you don't get the sophisticated editing features. Those editing features are really important because as other reviewers have noted there IS NO RECORD PAUSE BUTTON.

The last thing I want to do is edit a recording and then have it be playable on ONLY that machine!.

This is how I solved my dilemma. I bought a Sony multi-format DVD player DVP-NS55P and it will play the Sony -R(VR) and -RW(VR) file formats and you don't even have to finalize them first. When I am satisfied with the edit I put the DVD in the player and output it back to my recorder where I can make one clean copy in either -R(video) or +R depending on where I want to play it. Then I erase my RW DVD and I'm ready to record my next movie.

I really think SONY was forcing us into the VR mode by removing the REC PAUSE button. Unfortunately they didn't think it through enough because sometimes you'd like a higher quality recording and maybe removing a few commercials during recording might buy you some extra space to get a higher quality recording. And sometimes you might want to play your recording on something other than a SONY. I've been able to get the DVD player to pause using a JP1 programmable remote, so this is something they took out for for a reason. It couldn't have been that expensive to include a REC PAUSE button on a remote.


I just wish I understood this before hand. I'd read lots of reviews and nobody mentioned this compatibility issue. I tried to play the -R(VR) disks on all the DVD Players I could find, and the only one that could read it was another SONY. Maybe people haven't encountered the problem because they only have Sony equipment. Why don't the just come out and say that -RW(VR) is proprietary to SONY. Anyone remember Beta vs. VHS?

I love the picture quality of my DVD's. I love the chasing feature. I love getting away from VHS!

It's a very cool tool. I'm a movie nut, and I love having a library of movies that I can view without having to sit through hours of commercials is great for me. I've burned about 150 -R(video) DVD'S so far and only 10 of them turned out to be coasters (meaning that they couldn't be played on my Toshiba).

I do lots of research before I buy. My research lead me to the Panasonic ES15. It reads and writes to just about every type of media. Bad choice. The tuner quality was horrible and the disks it burned were as bad as the tuner. It went back and I bought my second choice, the Samsung R130. This one only writes to -R/RW media but the picture quality was great. Unfortunately, the disks it creates can only be read reliably on itself. They wouldn't play correctly on my Sony DVD player nor my desktop (with two different drives and two software packages). What good is it if I can't play the disks anywhere except itself?

Enter the GX330. It was more expensive than each of my first two trys. This one writes to dual layer media though. Picture quality is great, maybe a bit better than the Samsung. But here is the best part. I can play the disks it creates on my other player and my desktop with zero problems! This player creates a menu on the disk that actually works! I haven't had a chance yet to play with all the settings when you finalize a disk but just plain vanilla out of the box worked great for me. It does what I need it to do. The quality is super. I couldn't be happier.

This is the player to get hands down!

Ok, the skinny on DVD recorders and this model, and the Bare Bones you probably want for a DVD recorder:

-You want to be able play and write to: DVD-R, DVD+, DVD-RW and DVD+RW (This Model Can do all.)

-You want to be able to edit out commercials on recordings. (This model can more easily and more accurately remove commercials/segments than the manual "pause when you see a commercial" technique as described in others comments. This model is simple: Just push record (AND PUT DOWN YOUR REMOTE AND ENJOY YOUR SHOW! ) then after recording and ENJOYING your show, remove the commercials in the recording using the easy edit function. (Remember to use DVD+RW discs for this function.)

-You want DVI input/RCA inputs so you can burn DV camcorder, old Camcorder movies/vhs etc to DVD.

-You want an easy Recording Timer. (This one is very easy.)

-You want to create DVD Menu's for your multiple recordings on a disc. (Is done automatically on DVD+RW's, though can be edited if you want...)

-You probably don't want a recorder that burns onto DVD-RAM. (DVD-RAM cannot be played anywhere but in a DVD-RAM player and cannot be copied via computer. DVD-RAM has no true advantage over DVD+RW's unless you plan to re-write 100,000 times. DVD+RW's are extremely cheaper and can be rewritten more times than you could want and can be played across almost any player.

-This machine has a ton of extra bells and whistles that you probably never use but can take advantage if needed.

-Have used this model without a hitch to record on DVD+RW's all my shows, removing the commercials and having a DVD menu created automatically to play on most DVD players. Have copied my full DVD+RW's using the computer to other DVD formats so I can re-use the original DVD+RW's. Also I regularly record my DV camera tapes to DVD with the DV in.
- I love this machine for what it provides.

This is a good DVD Recorder if you are new to making your own DVDs and don't need a lot of features.

As an owner of a LG LRY-317, Sony GX7, GX315, and now GX330, I can say this model is step foward and a step backward on the previous GX315. Sony gets points for having the most recording modes - 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, and 8 hour modes (keep in mind that anything over 3 hours looks terrible). Sony finally put an S-Video input on the back with this model. There's also a new 16:9 record mode which is handy for recording widescreen (but not HD) camcorder footage.

On the down side, the disc tray feels very flimsy. The user interface took a step backward and is very similar to the GX7. The interface is also very slow as there is a noticeable pause between pressing a button on the remote and having that on-screen button activate (the previous GX315 was very snappy in comparison).

I'm also unhappy that Sony has removed thumbnails in the title list with -R, +R, & +RW discs (only -RW VR supports thumbnails). They've also removed the "split title" function with +RW discs. There is a new A-B erase feature, but it does not free up disc space (it only hides video by modifying chapter marks). The only way to really use the other advanced features (like thumbnails and title joining) is to use -RW VR mode, which is the least compatible format if you want to play your discs on other DVD players. Sony clearly favors -R/-RW discs because +R/+RW discs take an extraordinary long time to format and finalize (over 5 minutes for each process).
I'm also unhappy with the redesign of the remote. Sony's remotes continue to be a mess of tiny, poorly grouped buttons. These missing features will probably be noticed only by advanced users. If you don't know what Title Split is, you probably won't miss it (but for me, it's the #1 most wanted feature. #2 is thumbnails).

If you have to buy Sony, try to find last year's Sony GX315 at clearance price. Otherwise, I would suggest looking at LG's recorders.

I Agree with other reviewers that the ommision of the record/pause button on the 330 is baffleing,but you can get the rdrgx330 to pause in the record mode.I had an rdrgx300 recorder and wanted to upgrade to the 330 because of the ilink input which the 300 does not have, so what I tried was using the 300's remote which has the record/pause button on it and it does work on the 330 unit allowing me to pause while in the record mode.

This machine works better than expected. It has all of the features that I wanted and more. Chasing playback is awesome. Set the timer to record and you can watch from the begining while it continues to record the end. I bought the Samsung for $70 less and returned it. Go with this model, you will not be dissapointed. I read a review that said you cannot record HBO and that is totally false. I have recorded several movies on HBO and they came out perfect, no problems. Spend the extra dough and get the Sony.

I have used this unit for about a year and must say I love it. It is so super easy to use and program. No tricks, nothing confusing.

The quality it records at and plays back at is incredibly good. Even in the 4 hour mode there is no hint of compression artifacts even in explosions and other flashing light scenes.

I bought a spindle of 25 Memorex DVD-RW discs at Walmart for 10 bucks but I am still using the same two discs I started with and just recording over them again and again.

You record your program, watch it then reformat the disc to erase it and your ready to record again. I have done this at least 100 times on the same disc and it still works perfectly.

When you format a disc I recommend the "Video" format as this is the format that is compatible with playback on all DVD players.

There is a VR mode but this is only for use with this player, it allows editing out commercials and other features but the discs won't play back on any other player but this one.

One dumb thing about it is that there is no record pause button. Once it gets going that's it, you can't pause it.

However if you stop the recording then start it again it will keep recording exactly were it left off creating a new title.

Overall I am totally pleased with this unit and give it a full 5 stars because it effortlessly does everything I need it to do. It even up converts to 480p.

Just purchased this yesterday after much online article reading and comparison. Wanted a basic recorder and DVD only; no VCR combo, but DV-in was mandatory for my needs. I want to record directly from my Sony VX2100 Minidv camcorder and this unit will do it all automatically if I want, and even rewind my camcorder for me. Thats iLink for ya. Lets see a UBS try that one out!

The Panasonic models S15 and S25 etc. have DV-in but I read many negative things about DVD playback on anything but a Panasonic machine.

I've owned a basic Sony DVD player {NS501P $69.00} for over 2 1/2 years {after owning and returning 3 others before that} it has never skipped, froze up or missed a beat! in playing maybe 400 dvd's! So...I just had to lean towards Sony again even though this was more dough-ray-me.

Many others have written at length about the recordable media and I'll not repeat any of that, but this will record in Dual Layer! Something Panasonic doesn't offer. Also, there is no VCR plus. A TV guide. Didn't want it anyway. I like to do it manually, ha ha.

Lastly there is no pause while you dubb or record from your camcorder. That would Great!, But whata' going do?
I suppose by Feb, 2009 when all TV signals have to be digital and this machine and all others will need a devise to convert the signal,then... by that time "THEY" will have mastered the DVD recording market and editing features will be just one of the many other features that will be available. Until then...edit in camera and burn DVD's! Or sweat it out on the PC. {you can record and stop > put in another tape > record again. Just like like recording one tv show after the other. And it will make automatic titles as you do so. Just don't try to open the machine because it will want to finalize the dvd!

OH! Almost forgot! The recorded results!!!! Have only done SP mode, but Looks really good! Better than VHS tape in SP!
Also this unit Records in 1hr and 1 1/2 hr mode too, And thats even sharper. One last thing Sony gives a one year guarantee PARTS and LABOR! Go Sony!

Record mode works great - but I have over FIVE "Area 1" commercial DVD's that won't play on this unit. I KEPT my old Sony combo DVD/VCR unit - it has no issues at all with these 5 DVDs. Each of these is listed as a "Dual Layer" Type 9 DVD (all Disney releases).

My conclusion? Get the unit if you want to RECORD. But first? Go out & buy a cheap DVD player for playing commercial releases. I had the SAME ISSUE with a Panasonic unit. These DVD recorders seem to have a major problem playing commercial DVDs.

Am I missing something, or does this unit NOT allow you to pause during a recording? When I try to use the pause button during recording (using DVD-R to record a program), a message pops up saying "That function prohibited during record mode." And when I check the user manual, the only thing it says regarding the "Pause" button on the remote is that it is used to "pause during playback." A recorder with NO PAUSE feature for editing on the fly? What if you want to edit commercials while recording? What if you're dubbing from home videos and you want to pause to edit out unwanted segments? Seems to me that's either really bad design or a rather remarkable oversight.