Images can be optimised for playback using the Picture Adjustment menu, and you can manage your digital files using the Jukebox and Photo Album screens.

The remote is cleverly laid out and helpfully labelled, while the digital EPG's smart layout makes it a joy to use (even while recording).

1080p upscaling

Thanks to the 1080p upscaling, live Freeview pictures look crisp and smooth, and in the HQ+, HQ, SP and LSP recording modes, the Sony does a terrific job of replicating these broadcasts. Its ability to retain most of the source detail gives the image a pleasing crispness and clarity, while the lack of colour bleed or excessive block noise keep everything looking nice and tidy.

Movement is stable and smooth, too, and any feathering or break up is down to limitations of the source broadcast and not the recorder.

Although more break up and block noise muscle their way into ESP and LP recordings due to the lower bitrates used, their 720 x 576-pixel resolution keeps the image looking fairly sharp, and that's great news when you consider they enable you to fit three and four hours on a DVD respectively.

But when you select the heavily compressed EP, SLP and SEP presets, edge noise becomes more prominent, making them only useful in emergencies.

The Sony also performs well as a DVD player, turning in an assured performance with the bright comic-book visuals of Spider-Man 2 and the more sober palette of Inside Man. Some jagged diagonal edges spoil its videophile aspirations, but overall it's a fine movie source.

Bonus features

The Sony's ability to store MP3s and rip CDs directly to the hard disk in LPCM makes it a great hub for your digital audio collection (although like the 995, the lack of Gracenote is annoying) and the sound quality on offer is excellent through a decent sound setup.

Recorded sound using stereo Dolby Digital is clear and dynamic, but if you prefer uncompressed audio, there's a version of the HQ recording mode that uses LPCM instead.

Dolby Digital or DTS DVD soundtracks piped to an amp via the electrical digital audio output create a sharp, expansive soundstage.

Awesome recorder

We adore the RDR-HXD890 and think it's one of the best recorders out there due to its abundant features, slick operating system and superb recording quality, even in the traditionally ropey LP mode.

It's basically a Pioneer in disguise, which makes its sub-£300 price seem like even more of a bargain.