Sony RDR-GX300

Sony RDR-GX300 Recorder Review

Created for first-time users, The Sony RDR-GX300 DVD recorder offers the widest selection of recording and viewing choices available, handling both DVD+RW/+R and DVD-RW/-R discs.

It even includes an IR blaster for satellite and cable-box control. Instead of fumbling with 2 remote controls when using the timer function to record your favorite programs, the Sony RDR-GX300's remote lets you select the channel directly from your set-top box(es).

An easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) grants easy recording from broadcast programs via off-air antenna, cable, or satellite receivers. Recording features include chasing playback and simultaneous recording and playback (in DVD-RW VR mode) for a greater recording and viewing flexibility.

Chasing playback lets you rewind the recorded material while a program is still recording to view and catch up to the real time recording. Simultaneous recording and playback lets you watch pre-recorded content while recording new content to the same disc.

The Sony RDR-GX300 also features Time Base Correction, pre-frame noise reduction, and pre-video equalizer technologies that rebalance and equalize video content before it's recorded onto a DVD, improving the original source content even before the encoding process begins. In the output phase, the Sony RDR-GX300 recorder combines frame noise reduction, block noise reduction, and video equalizer technologies to produce a rich and textured visual with minimal picture interference from background artifacts or distortion.

Finally, the Sony RDR-GX300 offers proprietary DVD playback technology called Precision Cinema Progressive, which incorporates Pixel-by-Pixel I/P Conversion technology to augment and balance DVD-video elements. You'll need a high-definition or HD-ready television to appreciate this process. A 12-bit/108 MHz video D/A converter ensures exceptional picture quality for an unforgettable viewing experience, while audio decoding occurs at an amazing 192 kHz/24-bits.

What's in the Box?

Sony RDR-GX300 DVD recorder/player, remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, stereo analog audio interconnect/composite-video cable, and an RF coaxial video cable.

What Features Does the Sony GX300 Have?

� Color: Silver and black

� Disc capacity: 1

� Region playback: Compatible only with discs coded for Region 1 and for All Regions

� Progressive scan: Yes (Precision Cinema Progressive)

� 3:2 pulldown detection: Yes

� Hard-disk drive: No

� Memory card slot: No

� Playback formats: DVD-Video (NTSC), VCD, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, red book CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3 CD, JPEG image CD

� Recording formats: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW

� Recording duration: DVD (variable bit-rate recording): 60 to 360 minutes

� Simultaneous record and playback: Yes (VR mode)

� Editing capability: Yes (linear and non-linear)

� MP3/JPEG combination playback: Information not available

� Firmware upgradeable: No

� Noise reduction: Yes (Block Noise Reduction)

� Aspect ratio control: Yes

� Dialog enhancer: No

� Integrated receiver: No

� Front-panel operation: Yes (remote not required for use)

� Quick play: No

� Multi-angle viewing: Yes (with applicable discs)

� Horizontal resolution: Greater than 500 lines

� Video DAC: 12-bit with 108 MHz processing with NSV

� Audio DAC: 192 kHz, 24-bit

� HDCD decoding: No

� Video signal-to-noise ratio: Information not available

� Audio signal-to-noise ratio: 115 dB (analog audio output)

� Dynamic range (video): Information not available

� Dynamic range (audio): 103 dB (DVD), 99 dB (CD)

� Chapter preview: Yes (and title preview)

� Frame advance: Yes

� Still/freeze frame: Yes

� Jog/shuttle dial on unit: Yes

� Forward/reverse play: Yes

� Karaoke: No

� Multilingual support: Yes (English, Spanish, French)

� Remote control: Yes

� Picture zoom: Information not available

� Recording capability: Yes

� Picture enhancements: Digital video equalization, digital video enhancer, block noise reduction, pre-frame noise reduction, Time Base Correction

� Advance recording: Yes

� Electronic program guide: VCR Plus+

� IR blaster: Yes (for cable-box control)

� Reverse-frame step: Yes

� Slow motion: Yes

� Instant replay: Yes

� Instant search: Yes

� Text display: Yes (DVD/CD Text)

� VCR capability: No

� Audio outputs: 2 stereo analog (left/right), 2 digital (1 optical, 1 coaxial)

� Digital output resolution: 48 kHz, 16-bit

� Audio inputs: 2 stereo analog (left/right) RCA

� Headphone jack: No

� Video outputs: 1 RF, 2 composite-video, 1 component-video, and 2 S-video

� Video inputs: 2 S-video, 2 composite-video, 1 RF

� NTSC tuner: Yes

� Surround-sound output: Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel passthrough

� Simulated surround sound: Yes (4 modes)

� THX-certified: No

� Front-panel inputs: Yes

� Power input: AC 120V, 60 Hz

� Power consumption: Information not available

� Warranty: 1 year parts and labor

Conclusion

The Sony RDR-GX300 features DVD+RW/-RW/-R DVD format recording compatibility, Precision Cinema Progressive 480P for playback and a user-friendly graphic user interface. The timer recording feature and adjustable recording times (60-360 Minutes) enable simple TV to DVD recording.

Best DVD Recorder Reviews Rating

8/10

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Sony RDR-GX300 Recorder Review
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