Customer Reviews for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
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Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Model: RDRVX555
SKU: 8241002
UPC: 027242708808
This DVD recorder/VCR combo allows you to watch and transfer your library of VHS tapes. With 720p/1080i upconversion, all of your DVDs and VHS tapes will look great on your TV.Learn more with these helpful resources:DVD Recorders: Learn what's in 'em for youBuild A Home Entertainment Library on DVDs
Average Customer Rating:
2.9
out of 5
(19 Reviews) 19
Rating Snapshot 19 reviews
5 stars
4
4 stars
4
3 stars
3
2 stars
2
1 star
6
58% of customers would recommend this product to a friend
(
11 out of
19)
Customer Reviews for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Review 1 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Works for me so far
Customer Rating
3.0
Posted by: whatfor
from SW Minnesota
on 04/01/2008
What's great about it: Good picture and sound
What's not so great: Lacks some input connections
According to the information about this model on the manufacturers' web site and the Best Buy web site. This unit has "1 - RF Input" that would indicate that it has a built in tuner. It does not have an RF Input or a tuner.
Now it is necessary to buy a separate digital tuner. When hooking up the digital tuner. This unit does not have all of the appropriate inputs to connect for the on screen menu, set up and program schedules from the tuner. It is necessary to wire around it directly to the TV to set up the tuner.
Other than that it works well. It will play video tapes that my older cheaper VCR will not play properly. It has features that will correct the tracking and other things for the best picture and sound possible from a disc or tape.
Now it is necessary to buy a separate digital tuner. When hooking up the digital tuner. This unit does not have all of the appropriate inputs to connect for the on screen menu, set up and program schedules from the tuner. It is necessary to wire around it directly to the TV to set up the tuner.
Other than that it works well. It will play video tapes that my older cheaper VCR will not play properly. It has features that will correct the tracking and other things for the best picture and sound possible from a disc or tape.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Terrible buy, waste of time
Customer Rating
1.0
Posted by: LaBuyer
on 03/01/2008
What's great about it: None
What's not so great: Slow power on, 1/2 the movies I've tried to play have glitches
This one is going back to the store. Sounded like a good idea with the dubbing and all; but in the past several weeks it's had lots of problems. To start, it takes too long to power on. More importantly, it seems to consistently have problems with DVD and some VHS playback. Specifically, DVDs seem to have problems after about an hour to an hour and a half with what appears to be freezing and/or problems with memory or something similar. It's not the DVDs as I can rewind and it will do it in a different place--it even does it with new DVDs. This one is just junk.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Unreliable
Customer Rating
2.0
Posted by: KirstenT
from Evansville, IN
on 02/17/2008
What's great about it: Easy to set up, good copying quality, worked for 10 months
What's not so great: Breaking down for 2nd time!
DVD started grinding on finalizing DVD's after about 6 months and totally died after about 10 months. Sent it back to be repaired (under warranty, but still had to pay for re-boxing and shipping) and it's grinding (after 6 months again!). When it's running, it works great, but I expect my electronics to work for several years without having to repeatedly mail them back for repair. I will definitely NOT replace this with another Sony.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Works fine for us
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: BillH
from De Forest, WI
on 02/13/2008
What's great about it: Easy to use, good manual
What's not so great: None
We've had the 530 (an earlier version of the 555) for about 4 months. It works fine for playback and recording. No problems getting recorded DVDs to play on other DVD players that we have.
The 530 is used a lot to play movies into a Sharp 32" LCD TV using the HDMI input. The upconverting seems to work fine and the movies look great.
I've seen poor review for this and other Sony products, but we've had good luck and are repeat Sony customers. Sometimes Sony manuals and menus can be confusing and this may lead to poor reviews. We've also noticed that a 7-year-old Toshiba TV/DVD combo we have will not play some DVDs we've recorded on the 530 and other DVRs, so some of the complaints about the 555 may be because the users are trying to use older equipment.
For us, though, the 530 has been just fine.
The 530 is used a lot to play movies into a Sharp 32" LCD TV using the HDMI input. The upconverting seems to work fine and the movies look great.
I've seen poor review for this and other Sony products, but we've had good luck and are repeat Sony customers. Sometimes Sony manuals and menus can be confusing and this may lead to poor reviews. We've also noticed that a 7-year-old Toshiba TV/DVD combo we have will not play some DVDs we've recorded on the 530 and other DVRs, so some of the complaints about the 555 may be because the users are trying to use older equipment.
For us, though, the 530 has been just fine.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
2out of 3found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Sony done good
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Videoking
from Oregon
on 02/13/2008
What's great about it: one touch dubbing-ease of setup-clairity
What's not so great: none
I was surprised to see how easy this machine is to setupand use. Very good!!!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Review 6 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Great unit
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Kaldi
on 02/04/2008
What's great about it: Easy to use, reliable, quiet
What's not so great: a little slow on loading
Not sure why so many have reported problems on this unit, maybe I am just lucky but mine has been rock solid. Just spent 2 months transfering home VHS to DVD with only one hitch, and they all play back on every player Ive played them on including a PC and a laptop. ONly hitch I had was one time while transfering a home VHS to DVD it stopped and said "can not copy copywrited material". I dont know why my vacation was considerd copywrited") Other than that it is bullit proof. Factory DVD playback is fine. Maybe it is fussy about disc brand. I been using Sony.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Review 7 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
BIG!!! disappointment
Customer Rating
1.0
Posted by: Drindin
on 01/17/2008
What's great about it: It turns on when you press POWER
What's not so great: DVD playback is awful, can only copy homemade VHS,...
I bought this as a gift for my Dad. After hooking it up, we decided to copy one of his VHS tapes. No luck. Won't copy ANY store bought movie because of 'copyright protection'. There went the whole idea of downsizing his library to DVDs. Brand new, store-bought movies on DVD absolutely refuse to playback without glitches, and never correct themselves (finally play where you can watch normally). I've tried more than a dozen brand new DVDs and all seem to have trouble at one point or another. The manual says not to clean the lense with ANY commercial lense cleaner, and it says "do not play DVDs that contain labels". WHAT!?! All DVD movies have labels!! I am hoping to receive a full refund when this baby is returned back to the store!!
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
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Review 8 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
DISAPPOINTING WON'T PLAY ON MY OTHER DVD PLAYERS
Customer Rating
1.0
Posted by: Anonymous
from PASADENA
on 12/30/2007
What's great about it: EASY TO RECORD FROM VHS TO DVD. WONDERFUL LOOKING DVD PLAY BACK
What's not so great: WON'T PLAYBACK THE NEW RECORDED HOME MOVIE DVDS ON MY OTHER 3 SONY DVD PLAYERS. WONT EVEN PLAY BACK ON MY COMPUTER
I purchased this dvd/vhs recorder so that i could catalog and transfer all my home family movies from vhs on to dvd format. I wanted something easy to hook up and start recording right away. It was easy, I have all the cables that i need. (only hooking up to regular tv with rabbit ears. no cable or digital box). and this was very easy. I recorded from vhs to dvd like it says on the box "ONE TOUCH" It worked. But it does sound like an airplane taking off. I am not quite sure what that's all about. It does take alot of time to download the newly recorded stuff. But the picture was wonderful I was excited. Then i thought since i was gonna send copies to my brother and sister, I would see how it looked on my other 3 sony dvd players. And much to my DISSAPPOINTMENT, IT WOULD NOT PLAY BACK ANYTHING. IT WOULD SAY IT WAS LOADING .. AND I'D WAIT FOR 5 MINS. PUSH THE PLAY BUTTON AND NOTHING. I EVEN TRIED DOWNLOADING ON MY PC, IT COULD NOT READ ANYTHING AND WOULD PROMPT ME TO PUT IN A DVD.
AS SOON AS I FIND MY RECEIPT I WILL BE RETURNING THIS ITEM. SUCH A WASTE OF MY TIME AND ENERGY...
AS SOON AS I FIND MY RECEIPT I WILL BE RETURNING THIS ITEM. SUCH A WASTE OF MY TIME AND ENERGY...
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
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Review 9 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
A lot of problems
Customer Rating
2.0
Posted by: Eddd
from Illinois
on 12/18/2007
What's great about it: Nice remote
What's not so great: Doesn't play dvds well
I really enjoyed the thought of one touch dubbing. However, I couldn't get past playing dvds without glitches. I even exchanged dvds and still had the same problems. The picture would stutter sometimes. Also the sound would cut out at times while the picture was still playing. Lastly, a loud blaring buzzing noise woud occur even if the picture was still playing. What a disappointment. Fortunately, I returned it within the 30 day return period and bought the LG RC797T. So far it works well. We will see though. The only thing I can say is that the SONY remote and capability is nice.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
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Review 10 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Works Great
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: ThreeCrows
from Northern Calif
on 11/20/2007
What's great about it: Easy to work , easy to setup
What's not so great: Does not come with HD connector
I'm not sure what others had trouble with but it was so simple to hook-up and worked great . Excelent picture and is QUIET... I must have got a good one....... I got it hooked up to a new sony 46V3000 . Sony is the best way to go ................
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Review 11 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
unreliable
Customer Rating
1.0
Posted by: Anja821
on 11/06/2007
What's great about it: easy to program
What's not so great: sounds like a jet plane
I'm usually happy with Sony products but this one stinks. While it is easy to program, every once in a while when I put in a blank DVD, it starts to record on its own. I haven't figured out why yet.
The DVDs that it formats record fine, but after a few playbacks, it rejects the DVD with an error that says "disc can neither be played nor recorded".
Also, it takes FOREVER for the DVDs to load, and while doing so it makes loud whirring noises that sound like a jet plane.
I'm very disappointed this time.
The DVDs that it formats record fine, but after a few playbacks, it rejects the DVD with an error that says "disc can neither be played nor recorded".
Also, it takes FOREVER for the DVDs to load, and while doing so it makes loud whirring noises that sound like a jet plane.
I'm very disappointed this time.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
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Review 12 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Perfect
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Nitronut
from Illinois
on 10/20/2007
My third combo recorder and finally found a good one. Two other brands first, the second one was exchanged day after for this one. One touch recording worked good, picture quality is as good as the vhs was. Recorded to dvd+ for me, unlike other brands. I am happy now!
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Review 13 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
sony dvd/recoder combo vx555
Customer Rating
1.0
Posted by: Anonymous
from san francisco, ca
on 10/07/2007
What's great about it: non
What's not so great: one touch does not work and maxell dvd-rw did not work
Poorly made and not user friendly. ONe touch recording did not work. Tried to used Macell DVD-RW and Office DEpot DVD-R media. Both did not work. Programing the DVD and VCR does not work. It lock-up during programing the bios. Had to unplug the unit to clear the bios memory. Waited 12 hours to try to program the unit but it lock-up again. After two days, I returned the unit. I hiope I get a full refund. 10/07/2007
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
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Review 14 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Not bad for--does what its supposed to do
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: llcoolvh
from Puyallup, WA
on 09/12/2007
I have never even experimented with any other DVD recorder, so I don't have anything to compare it with, but this one was fairly easy to use after consulting the manual. It made good copies, although a few of my blank DVDs wouldn't work (I have heard this is typical and usually a defect in the blank DVD rather than the recorder). I did have to have myy boyfriend hook it up thru all the other junk I have but that may be because I am a spaz. Basically if you are looking for a DVD recorder, this one does job. If you are more experienced than me you might think differently.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Review 15 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Great product for those still needing a VCR
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: JenniferD
on 09/09/2007
We love our DVD/VCR combo. Are just not in a place to totally give up our VCR. Don't forget that when you buy this product, you have to spend another $150 to get the right wires....
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Review 16 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Carefully Choose - LOOK at product before buying
Customer Rating
3.0
Posted by: RickC
from MD RC
on 09/09/2007
Love Sony also, but this does NOT have RF input as advertised. This unit does NOT have SVIDEO input as advertised. Otherwise, a fine unit, easy to set up
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Review 17 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Easy Use
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: EQ2girl
from Grand Rapids, MI
on 09/09/2007
We got this combo dvd/vcr recorder about a year ago. We got it to move family home videos to dvd format so they will see less deterioration from time. I love the ease of format. You can transfer either from dvd to vcr or from vcr to dvd with the push of one button. After the final burn on your dvd it plays in most people's formats, even if they do not own a dvd recorder of their own.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Review 18 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Piece of Junk...No Tuner
Customer Rating
1.0
Posted by: Calldon
on 09/03/2007
I thought I did allot of research. But not even in the Best Buy page does it mention that there is NO TUNER on this vcr. After I moved things around and disconnected everything getting ready to plug this in and enjoy it, OOOPS.
In order for me to record from TV, the manual tells me, "You need to subscribe to a cable TV or satellite TV service..."
Forget that. If I wanna just record stuff, I will use my computer!! This is useless! If I could give it zero stars, I would.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-2points
1out of 4found this review helpful.
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Review 19 for Sony Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW Recorder/VCR Combo
Hard Setup
Customer Rating
3.0
Posted by: SONYFAN
from Mchenry,IL
on 08/21/2007
Difficult to set up and operate have always loved Sony products and still do just need to get use to this product still will only buy Sony products
I would recommend this to a friend!
-1point
0out of 1found this review helpful.
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