News

New Range of HDD/DVD Recorders from Sony makes Recording on DVD or HDD Easier for Consumers (27/4/2006)

GUIDE Plus+(TM) Provides Effortless Programming For Up To 428 Hours Of Recording

Sony announces an exciting range of features on its new IQ recording system range of HDD/DVD Recorders RDR-HX925 and RDR-HX725, including the GUIDE Plus+(TM) system (Electronic Programme Guide) for even easier programme recording. With a choice of Hard Disk Drive capacities of 250GB and 160GB respectively, the RDR-HX925 and RDR-HX725 offer maximum flexibility for recording and viewing.

The new IQ recording system, encapsulates all of Sony's 'Intelligent' and 'Quality' recording features such as DV terminal (i.LINK) for one-touch dubbing, Set-Top- Box Control, Pause Live TV, Chasing Playback, easy to use GUI and HQ+ high quality recording mode for Top picture quality.

The newly developed Electronic Programme Guide interface, GUIDE Plus+(TM) displays up to seven days of programme listings and allows users to quickly and easily navigate, sort, select, and schedule programmes for viewing or recording. With GUIDE Plus+ setting the timer recording is a simple three-step exercise. First step is to access GUIDE Plus+ by pushing the TV GUIDE button on the remote control, second step - use the arrow keys to navigate, highlight the desired programme in the listing area and third step is to just press the 'Red' button and the programme is automatically set to record. It's really that simple: 1, 2 and 3!

With a large capacity Hard Disk Drive both RDR-HX925 (250GB) and RDR-HX725 (160GB) models are capable of long Ð up to 428 Hours on the 250GB HDD (in SLP Mode) Ð recording hours. Both models maintain the capability of recording with excellent picture quality thanks to the HQ+ recording mode and several noise reduction features. In addition to HDD and DVD+/-R/RW the two models can also record and playback DVD+R Double Layer (DL) discs with a maximum 8.5GB capacity allowing the viewer to store up to 14 hours (in SEP Mode) of recordings on DVD disc.

In HDD mode, viewers can activate the Chasing Playback function to begin watching a programme currently being recorded before it has finished. In addition, the simultaneous record and playback function allows viewers to watch pre-recorded content on HDD whilst recording a live TV programme. Also through the Fast Playback with Sound function the viewer can watch prerecorded content, at 1.3x normal speed, complete with clear and intelligible sound and is thus able to view pre-recorded content in much less time, as well as to catch up with the live TV broadcast.

The Pause-Live TV function works by means of simply pressing the 'Pause' button on the remote control to freeze the TV picture. The viewer can choose exactly when they would like to continue from where they left off by pressing the 'Play' button. Backwards and forwards browsing through the recorded part of the programme is also possible and in this way the viewer can even catch up with the live broadcast.

The RDR-HX925 and RDR-HX725 are also equipped with IR-Bluster which controls external Set-Top-Box and allows the user to utilise GUIDE Plus+(TM) programme data. Via this connection the user will be able to control the tuner in the STB receiver. Similarly, the signal received by an external Set-Top-Box can be recorded to HDD or DVD.

In addition, the GUIDE Plus+(TM) feature allows the viewer to browse easily and more efficiently through pre-recorded contents on either DVD or HDD, as each TV recording comes with a given title, saving valuable time and hassle.

Transferring camcorder recordings for either copy or edit to DVD or Hard Disk Drive is easy on the RDR-HX925 and RDR-HX725. The user just needs to connect the DV or Digital8 camcorder via the i.Link connection and use the one-touch dubbing function to copy the entire contents of the tape using one-touch control or use the Program Edit function to select only those scenes that are desired for automatic copying to DVD or Hard Disk Drive.

To ensure the experience of using the RDR-HX925 and HX725 is impressive from start to finish, Sony ensures high picture quality in recording by HQ+ recording mode for HDD recording, which uses approx. 15Mbps of data transfer speed. Together with Precision Cinema Progressive (PCP) technology Component Video Output and Video DAC of 12bit/108MHz, the new models ensure a stable and smooth moving image.

The RDR-HX725 will be available in Europe from April 2006 and the RDR-HX925 will be available in Europe from May 2006.

GUIDE Plus+ is a registered trademark of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. and/or its related affiliates.

www.sony-europe.com