Sony RDR-GX7 DVD Recorder

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [3.77mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 18 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: B0000AINEO
• Item model number: RDRGX7
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,848 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #74 in Electronics > Televisions & Video > DVD Players & Recorders > DVD Recorders

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Sony RDR-GX7 component DVD recorder is the world's first standalone, dual-RW (DVD-R/-RW and DVD+R/+RW) home DVD player/recorder. Its format versatility gives you nearly complete recording and viewing freedom--the flexibility to create or view optical media for or from most computer DVD recorders. Further, the machine can accommodate the recordable optical formats required by any of your friends and family, regardless of their DVD players (though some older players do not play recordable media).

The RDR-GX7's sophisticated camcorder control capabilities lets you manage a range of dubbing and editing functions when you connect a Digital Handycam or Digital8 camcorder through the i.LINK (IEEE 1394) interface. One-touch dubbing fosters easy tape-to-disc conversion, and you can delete unwanted scenes or make a compilation of your favorite scenes with flexible editing functions such as program edit and advanced program edit.

Several picture-enhancing technologies are aimed at creating high-quality recordings, especially when transferring images from video sources such as VHS or 8 mm camcorders. The unit can play back DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, CD, CD-R and CD-RW discs--offering a wealth of musical enjoyment alongside its extensive video capabilities.

The playback capability of the DVD recorder is said to be comparable to the high-end DVD players in Sony's acclaimed ES line. The player/recorder delivers stunning home-theater effects through a variety of high-performance features that optimize picture quality and effectively remove noise, such as a 12-bit, 108 MHz video digital-to-analog converter with Noise Shaped Video technology, motion-adaptive field noise reduction, pre-frame noise reduction, and pre-video equalizer technologies. Variable bit-rate MPEG encoding ensures maximum efficiency and recording time (60 to 360 minutes) for all applicable DVD media.

Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the RDR-GX7 stands ready to deliver the full potential of your DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. Using Sony's Precision Cinema Progressive technology, the recorder also encodes your DV (digital video) input sources in pristine 480p formatting.

During playback, the RDR-GX7 also performs 3:2 pulldown. DVD mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24-frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture. Top-of-the-line component-video outputs help minimize digital and line-scan artifacts on compatible advanced televisions, while composite- and S-video outputs bring compatibility with nearly any television.

Two sets of left/right analog-audio inputs and one set of outputs channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio outputs (one each of RCA coaxial and Toslink optical) for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver.

Despite its advanced functionality, the RDR-GX7's intelligent onscreen graphical user interface (GUI) is entirely user-friendly, helping you create personal DVD titles with thumbnail pictures and operate the recorder through the sophisticated Remote Commander remote control. There's no need to cue or rewind tape here, so accessing precise points in your programming is nearly effortless.

What's in the Box
DVD player/recorder, user's manual, audio/video cord, 75-ohm coaxial video cable, Remote Commander remote control, and two AA batteries.

Product Description

The SONY RDR-GX7 is the express train to excellence as it gives you the capability of recording a DVD for playback on this or virtually any other DVD player available. Pre-frame / Post-frame noise reduction Variable bit rate for adjustable recording times (60 - 360 minutes) Linear and non-linear editing Precision Drive System (2 laser assembly) 500 Line Video Horizontal Resolution DVD Audio Frequency Response - 96kHz PCM - 2-44,000 Hz +/- 1.0dB CD Audio Frequency-Response - 2-20,000Hz +/- 0.5dB Video Inputs - S-Video (2), Composite (2), i.LINK(R) Video Outputs - RF, S-Video (2), Composite (2), i.LINK, Component Optical & Coaxial Digital Audio Outputs Includes 75 ohm coaxial cable, A/V cable, remote control Size - 3.5H x 17W x 15D Weight - 12.6 lbs.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

216 of 220 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The New Cornerstone of My Home Theatre, October 25, 2003

By 

J. Michael Click (Fort Worth, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony RDR-GX7 DVD Recorder (Electronics)

I've had my Sony RDR-GX7 recorder for two weeks now, as of the date of this review. I decided to buy it in part because of the raves it got from consumers here on the amazon.com website. Let me tell you, they didn't steer me wrong! This recorder has already become an indispensible asset to my home theatre system.

As a devoted film fanatic, I've been wondering for years how I was ever going to replace some of the scarcer titles in my movie collection once my old hardware players die (I own movies in several now-defunct formats). It's no longer a worry - I'm transferring everything to DVD-R discs! And the new DVDs look incredible, even on my 57" widescreen TV ... the Sony DVD recorder is cleaning up some of the video "noise" on my old software, and the results are amazing. I also have an extensive library of home movies featuring loved ones who are no longer alive, and it's such a relief to be preserving my cherished - but fading - VHS tapes onto DVDs! I'm even doing some re-editing with my new Sony Recorder, and although I'm strictly an untalented amateur, I'm very happy with the results I've achieved so far.

The RDR-GX7 has some very cool special features that I wanted, but didn't think it had when I bought it. You can set up the recorder to automatically make Chapter Stops on your DVDs, at either 6 minute or 15 minute intervals, making the discs easy to search. You can record several programs onto one DVD, and then create a menu - including the names of each separate title - using a simple feature on the remote control. There are six recording modes, allowing you to control the quality and total recording time of each disc you make. If you make a mistake while starting to copy something onto a disc, it's no big deal! Just "erase" the bad footage using your remote control, and start over - your mistake will still be on the disc, but it will be permanently "hidden" and unplayable, so no one will ever guess you're not the perfect DVD-masterer. If you want to record raw footage and then edit it later, you can do so by using a DVD-RW disc and recording in a special editing mode.

The Sony RDR-GX7 is also very easy to set up ... I was afraid it might be a nightmare to integrate into my existing home theatre system, but the Quick Start Guide made it simple. I had never used a DVD-recorder before, but I had it hooked up to my DSS dish, AV receiver, TV, VCR, and LaserDisc player - and was creating my first disc - within an hour of unpacking the box!

I'm admittedly not familiar with all the other DVD-recorders on the market, so I really can't compare them all. However, I can tell you that I debated making this purchase for about four months while I debated formats and features and prices, and that I have aboslutely no regrets about choosing the Sony RDR-GX7. It's everything I hoped it would be ... and much, much more. Good luck making your product decision, and I hope that whatever your choice, you end up being as completely satisfied as I. Happy DVD recording!

84 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic DVD Recorder, October 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony RDR-GX7 DVD Recorder (Electronics)

I purchased the Sony RDR-GX7 DVD recorder in June. Since June I have used the recorder daily, sometimes recording two or three shows a day. The more I use the RDR-GX7 the more I like it.

First, it is very convenient to use. Just pop a recordable DVD (+RW, -RW or -R) into the tray and set the timer. The timer is very easy to set (it even has the VCR+ feature.) The RW discs are used like VHS videotape because you just use them over and over again. Plus you never have to Fast Forward or Rewind the disc to find a place to record and you always know how much space is available with very nicely laid out on-screen displays.

Second, this unit has two noise reduction circuits. One for the incoming signal and one for the outgoing signal. This means that even if the TV signal coming into the tuner is not good, the recorded DVD is watchable. The recording is usually better than the incoming signal even when recorded in the SLP (6 hour) mode.

Third, the discs you record on this unit in the +RW mode are immediately watchable in another DVD player. I often watch one +RW disc I've recorded on my 'GX7 with my Sony DVP-NS700P player while my RDR-GX7 is recording something else. I've also used -RW discs formatted in VR mode to record on and that mode is great for editing the disc, but very few players will playback -RW VR mode. You can format the -RW discs in Video mode and they playback in other players. -R discs, once finalized, playback fine on most other players. Be aware that some older DVD players may not playback RW discs, regardless of format.

Fourth, recording from a camcorder or VCR is very easy and the final product is VERY good. I've already transferred several older family video tapes over to DVD and I'm very happy with the result. This unit is easier to use for dubbing VHS, Hi8, Mini DV, etc. to DVD than my computer. However, the computer does allow for fancier editing than is possible with the 'GX7.

Finally, this recorder is also a great player. It has progressive scan, Dolby Digital and DTS. It also plays back CDs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs. It has very flexible outputs so you should be able to hook it up to your system without difficulty. One note, however, there is no RF converter, so your TV must have video or component inputs or you will need to buy an RF converter. The RF input on the recorder is only used to receive the signal for the antenna feed and then pass the signal through to the TV and/or VCR. Also be aware that there is no hard disk drive in this unit but that it DOES have advanced editing features when used in conjunction with a miniDV camcorder. I'm very impressed with the flexibility and quality of this unit. Sure, you pay a little bit more for the Sony, but in this case it is worth it. I'm a long time Sony fan and customer and this unit continues to hold up their high standards of excellence. If you buy this unit, you should be very happy with it.

Happy DVD burning . . .

79 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So Far, So Good!, September 26, 2003

By 

K. Palmer (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony RDR-GX7 DVD Recorder (Electronics)

I bought the Sony DVD Recorder a couple of weeks ago and have thoroughly enjoyed working with it. Before I purchased the Sony unit, I captured video and burned DVDs via my computer, which was fun, but somewhat of a hassle as I had to hook up my VCR, video card and PC while sitting at my computer desk. I now have a VCR hooked up to the DVD Recorder in my bedroom and I can just relax on my bed and record my VHS tapes to DVD. Plus I don't have to worry about software glitches which can disturb video capture and/or DVD burning.

The Sony accepts three of the five primary DVD media for recording (DVD-RW, DVD-R and DVD+RW). It does not allow you to record on DVD+R and DVD-RAM discs, which almost caused me not to purchase this machine as I have quite a few DVD+R discs that I paid big money for my computer video editing needs. However, if you record a program on a DVD+RW disc, you can use your home computer (provided you have both a DVD-Rom drive and a DVD+RW drive) to copy the DVD+RW data to a DVD+R disc. That DVD+R disc is playable on the DVD Recorder. It's an additional step, but it is one I'll probably use until the DVD+R's are used up. You can then erase the DVD+RW disc for use in recording another program.

Video quality of the DVDs is quite good. So far, I have done all my recording at the 120 minute quality level as many people who have this machine state that this yields pretty good results. I have to agree that it does. You also have the ability to record in 60, 90, 180, 240 and 360 minute modes, so I assume that quality improves or diminishes with less or more time respectively.

For recording purposes, the DVD+RW disc provides only basic editing functions, primarily related to changing title names and deleting shows. If you overrecord something (say a commercial after the program), I don't think that you can edit the disc to remove the commercial. My understanding is that the DVD-RW discs provide more flexibility for editing than the DVD+RW, but I have not tried it yet.

Overall, this appears to be a great product in the Sony lineup. I suspect future generations will be even better and cheaper, but I'm happy with this purchase so far.