Slimline by design and serious in appearance, Sony's latest 160GB HDD/DVD recorder, the RDR-HXD890, will doubtless attract plenty of shop window admirers, and it has the specs to match.

An analogue tuner is included alongside the digital one. The HDMI port features remote control via HDMI CEC (known as 'Bravia Link' here), and upscaling to 1080p – there's also a 576i HDMI output option. Users can examine listings and schedule recordings with a GuidePlus EPG.

However, the 'IR-Blaster' needed by GuidePlus to assume control over an external set-top box is an optional accessory.

Versatile DVD player

The HDD facilities of the HXD890 are many and varied. Your recordings can share space with multimedia files.

You can also store MP3, JPEG or DiVX files, copied from CD/DVD-ROM or a memory device plugged into the front-panel USB port. However, there's also a CD jukebox facility. Photos can be screened in slideshows accompanied by 'juked' music.

Everyday recording benefits from six 'preset' recording modes, in addition to a manual mode that can be tweaked in 32 steps and thus tailored to one of the many sources that can be attached to the machine.

Identical deck

Hmm, things seem quite familiar don't they? Well they should, as the HXD890 seems to have as its basis the Pioneer DVR-560HX.

The onscreen menu design and layout are practically identical, while a peek inside both finds other significant similarities beyond the surface.

But is this a bad thing? Nearly all of the more-expensive Pioneer's excellent features – record/playback picture adjustments, 32-event 1-month timer, considerable editing/dubbing prowess, chasing-playback and the ability to back up home-made DVDs – have also made the journey across to Sony's domain.

So too has something that all telly-junkies will appreciate – a Freeview Playback-like Series Link function for ensuring you never miss an episode again.

Of those features that haven't been included, the most significant are the CI slot and the ability to 'synchronise' multimedia content with a PC.

Detailed DVD pictures

Performance-wise, the HXD890 doesn't disappoint. It fares just as well as the Pioneer as far as both recording and playback are concerned.

DVDs are convincingly-spun, with a rich and detailed visual character. Subjectively, the upscaling proves itself once again, but falls down when faced with the stringent HQV 'jaggies' test.

Overall though, a well-appointed machine.