Sony RDR-GX7 Review

The User Reviews

Average User Rating: 7.0

1. iLink issues and Dirt Discs

   

   By: Sanj
   April 3, 2004 @ 10:23 PM

   I bought the Sony RDR-GX7 just before XMAS 2003. While I have been highly impressed with the many capabilities and picture quality of this DVD recorder, one of the major reasons that I paid the top dollar for it was its iLink capability using “One Touch Dubbing”. Using this function one is supposed to be able to digitally record an entire DV tape and then later edit it with little loss of picture & sound quality. However, using the iLink has revealed either an Achille’s heel of this DVD recorder or, hopefully, an isolated problem. It will not record – via the iLink port – a complete miniDV tape playing in a digital camcorder. I am using my less that two year old Canon ZR45 miniDV camcorder. After an unpredictable and variable amount time the RDR-GX7 just stops recording from the camcorder and starts to “Write Info” – meaning that as far as it is concerned all of the tape has been copied and it is saving other associated data to the DVD disc. When this happens, the camcorder, however, has not reached the end of the tape and still has large part of the tape still left to record to the DVD disc. I have tried to copy the miniDV tapes to all types of recordable DVDs from different manufacturers (TDK, Verbatim, Imation, Memorex) all to no avail. I thought that perhaps the problem lay with the firewire cable that I was using but, using a second new one, did not solve the problem either. It does not matter which recording quality setting one uses, the problem remains. So finally in frustration, I returned RDR-GX7 to Circuit City for repairs and was told that because the Sony 90 day Warranty had passed, and not withstanding having the Circuit City extended warranty, the machine would have to be sent out for repairs and, pending the outcome, then we would see what to do next. So I am waiting for it to return. I haven’t read any comments on the the iLink function and how it works for people but anyone considering this recorder had better test this capability very quickly after purchasing it.

   And what is it with the “Dirty Disc” indicator? The discs are clean and get cleaned again with an air spray – But the mesage still remains.

   For these reasons, I gave it a 7 instead of a higher score.

   Rating: 7 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No