Sony RDR-HXD870 review

Sophistication and affordability in one package

TechRadar Verdict

Abundant features, comprehensive connections and killer 1080p picture quality combine to amazing effect

Pros

  • +

    Feature rich

  • +

    Connectivity

  • +

    Picture quality

  • +

    Well designed remote

Cons

  • -

    Sluggish Guide Plus EPG

  • -

    Some noise in SP

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The RDR-HXD870 comes from a new breed of cutting-edge digital recorders that offer 1080p upscaling, allowing you to make the most of DVDs and TV recordings on Full HD TVs. But this is merely the tip of the iceberg, as Sony's 160GB deck offers a truly staggering array of other features that will have its rivals running for cover.

Most significant is Series Recording, which uses information provided by the 7-day Freeview EPG to automatically record every programme in a series, just like Series Link on Sky+. It'll even recognise when a programme has been split in two (to accommodate the news, for instance).

Departure lounge

This remains the case until you drop to SP, where there's some minor twitching on fine details and more block noise on background walls, but nothing serious. The EP, SLP and SEP presets still produce perfectly enjoyable pictures, provided you accept that the extra softness and noise are part and parcel of low-bitrate recording.

Pre-recorded DVD playback is magnificent, making Scorsese's The Departed look sharp and cinematic, thanks to excellent detail and black levels, which are clearly aided by the deck's competent upscaling abilities.

The Sony RDR-HXD870 also pulls a blinder in the audio department, making everything from CDs and MP3s to Dolby Digital soundtracks sound great by DVD recorder standards - rounding off a top-drawer performance from a sophisticated yet strangely affordable digital recorder.

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