Sony RDR-VX560 1080p Tunerless DVD Recorder/VHS Combo Player

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13.1 x 16.9 x 3.2 inches ; 12.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 16 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0016GCI84
• Item model number: RDR-VX560
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,891 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #30 in Electronics > Televisions & Video > DVD Players & Recorders > DVD Recorders

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The RDR-VX560 DVD Recorder/VCR combo is just what your cable box ordered. Save your favorite TV shows, archive old VHS tapes, even burn photos and personal video from Sony USB-based camcorders and digital cameras with ease. You'll also appreciate its convenient ability to bring DVD-recording into your living room. Preserve your old VHS tapes onto a DVD with simple, two-way One Touch Dubbing from VHS to DVD or DVD to VHS. In addition, this model features 1080p upscaling through HDMI for DVD and VHS content, making it an excellent companion for your HDTV. One Touch Dubbing also lets you burn and enjoy your photos and home video from compatible USB or i.LINK-based digital cameras and camcorders.

HDMI connectivity
HDMI connectivity delivers 1080p/1080i/720p upscaling for DVD and VHS video and simplifies cable connections.

Line Input Recording
Line Input Recording lets you record your favorite television programs from a cable or satellite set-top box.

One Touch Dubbing
One Touch Dubbing allows you to burn and enjoy your photos and home video from compatible USB or i.LINK-based digital cameras and camcorders.

Two-way One-touch Dubbing
Two-way One-touch Dubbing records from VHS to DVD or reverse.

BRAVIA Sync for Theatre
BRAVIA Sync for Theatre technology utilizes the industry-standard HDMI CEC function to provide one button access and control of the appropriate inputs for your BRAVIA HDTV and HDMI-connected A/V components.

Multi-Format Compatibility
Multi-Format DVD compatibility provides a high level of compatibility with DVD players and recorders.

Digital playback
Digital music and digital image playback capability lets you listen to MP3 encoded audio files or view JPEG images encoded on CD or DVD media.

Set Top Box Controller
Set Top Box Controller (IR Blaster) controls the channel functions of most cable set-top boxes or satellite receivers for timer recording.

Product Specifications

Video
Video Heads : Yes (Four heads, 19 Micron)
DVD (VR Mode) Playback : Yes
DVD Playback : Yes
DVD+R DL Read Compatibility : Yes
DVD+R DL Recording : Yes
DVD+R Read Compatibility : Yes
DVD+R Recording : Yes
DVD+RW Recording : Yes
DVD-RAM Read Compatibility : Yes
DVD-RW (VR Mode) Read Compatibility : Yes
DVD-RW Recording : Yes
JPEG Playback : Yes
SVCD Playback : Yes
VCD Playback : Yes

Audio
CD Playback : Yes (CD-DA, CD-R, CD-RW)4
D/A Conversion : 16 bit, 96 kHz

Convenience
Recording Modes : 8 [1H (HQ), 1.5H (HSP), 2H (SP), 2.5H (LSP), 3H (ESP), 4H (LP), 6H (EP), 8H (SLP)]

Power
Power Consumption (in Operation) : 29W
Power Requirements : AC 120V, 60Hz

General
Disc Capacity : 1
Tray Type : DVD and VCR Combo

Convenience Features
On-Screen Display : Yes

Inputs and Outputs
Coaxial Audio Digital Output(s) : 1 (Rear)
Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output(s) : 1 (Rear)
Composite Video Input(s) : 2 (1Rear/1 Front)
Composite Video Output(s) : 1 (Rear)
HDMI Connection Output(s) : 1 (Rear)
i.LINK for DV/Digital8 Audio/Video Input(s) : 1 (Front)2
RCA Audio Input(s) : 2 (1Rear/1 Front)
RCA Audio Output(s) : 2 (Rear)
S-Video Input(s) : 1 (Rear)
USB Port(s) : 1 (Front)

Accessories Supplied
Audio/Video Cord (1)
Set Top Box Controller (IR Blaster)
Remote Controller
AA Batteries (2)
Instruction Manual
Quick Start Guide

Service and Warranty Information
Extended Warranty : 1 Year Parts / 1 Year Labor

Product Description

Sony's new DVD Recorder/VCR - Just what your cable box ordered. Save your favorite TV shows, archive old VHS tapes, even burn photos and personal video from Sony USB based camcorders and digital cameras The RDR-VX560 brings the ability to record your content to DVD to your living room. Do you have old VHS tapes lying around? Well, now you can save space and make them last by burning them onto a DVD. The RDR-VX560 brings ease of use with One Touch dubbing from VHS to DVD, or even from DVD to VHS. It couldn't be simpler.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

121 of 124 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally, VHS through HDMI, June 4, 2008

By 

Paul A. Fucito "fabfriday" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony RDR-VX560 1080p Tunerless DVD Recorder/VHS Combo Player (Electronics)

Finally, a DVD Recorder and VHS combination unit that allows you to view DVD and your old VHS through your HDMI connection. That's right, you read that correctly. One of the biggest drawbacks of earlier upscaling machines from a variety of manufacturers was that you STILL had to use primitive S or RCA cables to output VHS images onto your HDTV.

Like many folks, I still have a large collection of movies on VHS (for some films, it remains the only version in print), but I was not going to buy another VCR unless I could really view them on my Samsung HDTV. Some VCRs connect with component cables, but cost as much (if not more) than this combo unit, which is so feature laden that I'm glad I waited.

The upconversion is very impressive so far for both DVD and factory VHS releases (lets face it, grainy home recorded VHS copies of TV programs will never look sharp at 1080p, so keep that in mind) and the controls are no more complicated than the average machine (which, may in itself be a problem for some already).

I have yet to fully utilize all the features, including the use of my Sony HD digital camera or camcorder, but those were secondary parts of the purchase. For me, the fact that I can now view my VHS library (and non-Blue Ray DVD library) on my HDTV through HDMI with such impressive image quality is more than enough to satisfy me.

If you are in the market for a combo unit to use with your HDTV, then this may finally be what you and I have been waiting for. Stellar product.

Why 4 stars? Well, I've only had the product a week, so it is too early to throw a 5th star onto the score, but it certainly merits 4 right out of the box.

93 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars BAD PRODUCT - FREEZES DURING DVD PLAYBACK, April 1, 2009

By 

Bob (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony RDR-VX560 1080p Tunerless DVD Recorder/VHS Combo Player (Electronics)

Unfortunately, I own two of thse units. They both have the same problem. The unit freezes while playing commercial DVDs that play perfectly on other players including other Sony models. Sony is aware of the problem with the 500 series (check the Sony website), AND SONY CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS SAID SONY DOES NOT HAVE A FIX. The reality is this: If you buy this unit, the Sony warrenty is WORTHLESS because they can not fix the unit and cannot offer any remedy. Hopefully you will discover this flaw in time to return it to the seller. The unit will play most commercial DVDs ok, but many commercial DVDs will fail 100% of the time even if you try a second copy.

Would I recommend this product to a friend?: No

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I recommend this unit, December 30, 2008

By 

Amenpanefer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony RDR-VX560 1080p Tunerless DVD Recorder/VHS Combo Player (Electronics)

I purchased this unit to dub instructional video tapes to DVD. After reading the reviews I was skeptical the unit would work, but to my surprise it did. The video quality was about the same as the video tapes and the process was fairly simple.

Please note:

- Finalize the created DVDs, otherwise they will not play on other machines, also the automatic finalization was not as effective as the manual version.

- I used -R DVDs and they all worked with no errors (unlike my computer).

- It will not record encrypted tapes (those with Macrovision from the movie studios), so do not buy this unit if that is your main purpose.