Sony GX7/B DVD Recorder

[candyman56]

Hi Everyone,
I am new to the set top Dvd Recorders. I bought this on Wednesday, but haven't tried it out yet. Best Buy had this for 399.00 w/$100 mail in rebate which would equal $299 after rebate.

I mainly bought this one for the firewire connection. I was reading that the B version of this DVDR was just released a few months ago which is a firmware update that fixes the problems that I keep on reading about this unit.

Can someone please tell me if this unit is nice and if I should have bought the GX300 instead even though it doesn't have the firewire.

[candyman56]

can anyone help?

[neftv]

I think GX-7 is the older model and the RDR-GX300 is the new model. I dont have either perhaps look at Sony's web site for more info.

[Synergy]

Can someone please tell me if this unit is nice and if I should have bought the GX300 instead even though it doesn't have the firewire.

There are a lot of comments on this model, just look for, on your left, DVD Recorders section, or click the following link:

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdrecorders.php?DVDnameid=73&Search=Search&list=1#comments

[candyman56]

I already read the comments before posting. Thanks

[Synergy]

Since you have read others' comments, you should know by now that this is a 2003 model and no recording support on DVD+R media. The RDR-GX300 adds DVD+R recording support but loses DV/FireWire input. Otherwise, there is not much difference between these two. Unless either DVD+R support or DV input is important to you, either one should give you similar performance. But be careful that Best Buy may be slow to send your rebate check.

The Sony DVD recorders are either perceived as overpriced or premium products with dual format support, depending on your own judgement. Also Sony is the only major manufacturer without offering any kind of Flexible Recording (or Manual Recording) which provides more efficient use of bitrates to fill the recorded discs. Besy Buy also sells the Pioneer DVR-225 which has very good video quality and Manual Recording feature, but at a cheaper price.

[candyman56]

Thanks Synergy.

Firewire is an important feature for me. Is the Panasonic 225 a good machine? I see that BB is selling it at $249.00.

I've read most of the reviews.

[Synergy]

Firewire is an important feature for me. Is the Panasonic 225 a good machine? I see that BB is selling it at $249.00.

If you don't need DVD+R/RW recording support, the Pioneer DVR-225 is a very good choice. Pioneer also has the DVR-320 with a DV input/output jack, but at a higher price:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=250619

You may want to read the following link before deciding whether the DV input is essential. It's a bit long and technical, though:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=250614

Good luck.

[candyman56]

What is your opinion between the Panasonic E-55 vs. Pioneer 225? The firewire was for my MiniDV, but I can always hook it up via S-Video.

I'm still thinking that the Sony is too much money.

[Synergy]

What is your opinion between the Panasonic E-55 vs. Pioneer 225? The firewire was for my MiniDV, but I can always hook it up via S-Video.

Both are good, but the main difference is the choice of rewritable media, Panasonic uses DVD-RAM and Pioneer DVD-RW. DVD-RAM provides very flexible editing options but almost no playback compatibility on other players. Either you record on DVD-R for playback compatibility but no editing options, or use DVD-RAM for editing but no playback compatibility except on recent Panasonic DVD players. You can choose to record two different modes on DVD-RW, one for editng (similar to DVD-RAM on the Panasonic), the other for compatibility (similar to DVD-R). This why most people prefer the Pioneer's flexibility.

If you think the Sony costs too much, then the Pioneer without DV input maybe the best compromise. Or consider the JVC DR-M10S, but you have to buy it online, since Best Buy or Circuit City don't sell the JVC model in store.

[candyman56]

I keep reading on how reliable the Panasonic's are. Is that Pioneer 225 as reliable as the Panasonic?

[Synergy]

I think both are reliable based on the current technology. If they don't break in 3 months after heavy usage, they should last several years at least. Since the Panasonic models are still made in Japan, and DVD-RAM media can last much longer than DVD-RW in terms of specs, people tend to perceive that they are more reliable. This model year may be the last year that the low-end models are still made in Japan, so I wonder if people will change their mind when Panasonic moves the manufacturing (actually assembly) to China, like everyone else.

[candyman56]

I take it that Panasonic has a nice and durable machine on their hands with the E-55.

Are there any differences between the Pioneer and the Panasonic? If anything, I'm not too concerned with using the -RW or -RAM technology from eiher machine. I want to be able to transfer DV tapes onto DVD.

Are there any other good websites out there with DVDR reviews and info?

[Synergy]

Are there any other good websites out there with DVDR reviews and info?

Other than this site, the AVS Forum also has lots of info, just do a search on these two models:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=106

The AV Forums is a British website, but also has plenty tech info:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=113

I think you'll find fans of both models equally everywhere, but Panasonic does have some marketing advantages because of its market leader position worldwide, and Pioneer has been rather quiet in promoting their lineup in the US.

[candyman56]

As you can tell I'm having buyers remorse with the Sony spending more money than I should have.

This is why I'm thinking of exchanging it for the Pany or Pioneer. Thanks so much Synergy.

If it were you, which one would you go with of the 2? What are you using at home?

[Synergy]

As you can tell I'm having buyers remorse with the Sony spending more money than I should have.

Well, I think right now, spending between $200 to $250 on a name brand, Non-HDD DVD recorder is about reasonable, and there is at least another $200 mark-up for HDD-based models.

Since picture quality depends largely on your video source, recording mode used, your TV/monitor quality etc., you should judge it with your own eyes instead of only listening to others' opinions. You could try out both models from Best Buy, and they have reasonable return and exchange policies. Of course, your milage may vary is the word.

[candyman56]

Hey Synergy,
Thanks for all the help.

I went to Best Buy this morning and picked up the Pioneer DVR-225-s. I paid $271 for it, but it came with a blank DVD-RW, blank DVD-R, and 2 free DVD's of my choice from BB. I figure that from my research that the Panasonic E55 or the Pioneer 225 would be the best for the money.

I bought Memorex 4x DVD-R for this system. I hope they work.

At this point I see that by Christmas 2005 that DVD Recorders will cost anywhere from $100-$200 for Non HDD recorders and that a system with a HDD will cost $250-$400. Everything must come down eventually.

[JK27]

I mainly bought this one for the firewire connection ...

Can someone please tell me if this unit is nice and if I should have bought the GX300 instead even though it doesn't have the firewire.

Have you tried connecting your camcorder to the GX7 via firewire cable yet? I purchased the GX7 and ended up returning it when it failed to recognize my Canon Mini-DV camcorder via firewire. Nice feature if it works ... it didn't and it went back.

I purchased the Toshiba RD-XS32 instead and it instantly recognized my Canon camcorder once I connected it via firewire.

Good luck!

[jossy]

Would not recommend the gx7 sony recorder.. the picture quality is very misty, . too much contrast which cannot be adjusted..stick with a JVC product

[lordsmurf]

I take it that Panasonic has a nice and durable machine on their hands with the E-55.

Durable? Yes.
High quality video? No. It has macroblock problems. Very easy to see at anything longer than 2 hours.