I purchased the Sony RDR-VX525 Recorder mainly to copy my aging collection of VHS media memories to DVD. In doing so I found that my old VHS tapes held their information quite well even though some are as old as 15+ years. For this the recorder worked superbly. I have also used the AV firewire to connect my digital camcorder for copying. That feature works superbly as well. The HDMI hook-up is as simple as can be and the picture being upconverted makes for a wonderful movie watching experience. Ok enough for the plusses now there are a couple of things that need mentioned. First this unit does not have a built in tuner of any kind so a digital tuner to record broadcasts is a must if that is your motive for buying this unit. Second, the instruction manual tends to jump around a lot referring to previous pages and forward to do this or that. It could be made a lot simpler. a Final complaint for this unit is the lack of a screen saver feature that some models have. When this model finishes copying a tape or what ever the source may be it displays a blank all bright white screen. This can be damaging to your TV's screen if left unattended. But that's all the negatives I have at this time. Sony has always pleased me with good quality products and has not disappointed me with this one.

I bought this Sony RDR-VX525 DVD/VCR Recorder to replace my broken Toshiba DVD recorder (2 years old) and Pioneer VCR (2.5 years old). The HDMI connector makes the picture crystal clear rom DVD. What a wonderful movie watching experience! One-Touch DVD to VCR copying is really a wonderful feature. So far the only complaint I have for this unit is the incompatibility of DVD format. I tried 4 different DVD-RW or DVD-R brands to find only one DVD-R works so far.

Value, design, functionally, ease of use. Sony has done it again
with this little gem by providing the consumer a quality DVD/DVD+/CD/CD+/VHS player/recorder at a modest price. Now you can reduce your old bulky VHS collection to shiny new DVD's with the touch of a button. The Sony RDR-VX525
can do it all while providing great Stereo/Surround/DTS sound & fantastic
picture quality for todays high-tech audio/visual systems & back it up with
proven realibility & a solid warrenty. Thanks Sony!

I've been wanting an HDMI compatible DVD recorder compatible with my Hi Def TV. I don't like that the RDR-VX525 has no video input (cable) but otherwise I like the unit very well. Recording is a bit difficult even though I have a Sony TV the IR connections to change and record different channels is not compatible. Editing scenes and shows recorded on DVD-RW is easy.

I gave this SONY DVD Recorder/VCR Combo a GOOD rating. I have movies in DVD and VCR formats so I needed something that will play either.

Positive - Easy to set up, easy to operate. I had to set up additional cables to accomodate DVD recording. But once I had it set up, it was like my old DVD/VCR combo except this is black in color and both the DVD and VCR has the recording abilities. SONY got some good quality in their products.

Negative - I don't have the right TV model to be able to use the TV remote functions. Caution! Read the manual first! I fiddled around with the menus and changed a couple of settings. Next thing I know my remote stopped working! This model has the ability to change remote signal frequencies if you have other SONY products (stereo, home theatre, etc.) I later figured

Have not had a chance to try out the recording functions. Will have to test it out before I try to record a special event.

Overall it's a good product made by SONY. I didn't bother with the extra warranty stuff. I will be using it for a year or two anyhow. LJK.

I do not like this produce event the seller who sales this Sony RDR-VX525. I did buy it last two months, but it doesn't working properly with any DVD movies and not good for dvd recorder too. I did buy a very good quality DVD-RW (Sony brand new dish) and the Sony RDR-VX525 still doesn't make a recording well. I have to insert the DVD-RW dish so many time for dvd recorder process and format the dish. Totaly this DVD sony RDR-VX525 just read only the very high quality dish. If the this have a little bit scrath or not a brand name high quality dish movies or you rent the DVD movies from Hollywood, Blockbuster rental movies stores this dvd player will not read the dish. My opinion is do not ever buy any product from Sony DVD player.

A customer who make a mistake when buying the Sony RDR-VX525

I researched several recorder-players on the market. I had actually purchased the same type of unit in a house brand from a “big box store” locally. I returned the other unit after about 48 hours in total frustration. It was just a piece of junk with limited capabilities. I found the Sony VX525 new on E-Bay by several sellers significantly less than priced at the big box store. I absolutely could not be happier with the unit. It performs exactly as advertised. You do need to be sure to read some of the fine print in the instruction manual to maximize the capabilities of the unit just as with any electronic device. This unit has tremendous flexibilities in capabilities of recording and play back. I am somewhat of a college sports fan and it is easy (read the manual) to get an entire football game on one DVD using a high quality speed and even higher quality for a shorter basketball game. It blows away the old tapes for a home pre game background party (too bad nothing can improve on the previously recorded tapes). Personally I like to record to the hard drive of the TIVO unit and then at my leisure record to the DVD using the pause of the recorder and fast forward the DVR (you can also use the edit function). If done correctly it is almost impossible to tell the break in the action. You do get a great non professional DVD to replay for friends over the holidays or pre game party. It is also a Sony and that alone speaks volumes based on my positive experience with Sony products. I would without reservation recommend highly. The only thing better would be to spend the significantly higher price of a HD unit.

It doesn't have a tuner in it so you must use a cable box which the cable company is more than happy to provide for the same price as I paid for the recorder only over a year's time. I can't record television shows without the cable box as it has no 75 ohm cable input or output. It has only an HDMI output which goes to the TV and the only input is the old RCA phono cables. It does come with an optical cable if you happen to own a Sony TV which is all that it will work on.
On the bright side, I was able to take an old VHS tape which had been recorded on the 4hr speed and record it onto disc with a definate improvement in picture and definately sound compared to the origional tape. It seems to give a very clear picture.
The pause button will only stay paused for a few minutes and then it just starts playing again rather than stopping altogether so you must remember to hit stop instead of pause if you're headed to the bathroom or kitchen!
I used to work for an electronics company and I've still had a difficult time making heads or tails out of the owners manual/operating instructions. It might as well have been written in Japanese!

This Sony produce allows the user to dub from VCR tape to DVD or the other way around, and TV programs from satellite or cable can be copied directly to DVD or VCR tape. This allows the user to transcribe older medium stuff such as home movies, which is what I am doing, and older video cameras can still be used and transcribe the results directly to DVD discs for more permanent storage. The HDMI capability transmits incredible detail of high definition. Units with an internal hard drive for storage are probably much nicer, but also a lot more expensive. This is actually a very nice, useful unit, and you can pick them up at a very reasonable price.

So far I am very satisfied with this DVD recorder. I bought the machine solely to transfer my old home VHS videos on to DVD. So far this process has been fairly simple. My husband had no trouble hooking it up. We did need to use a few of our own cords because we aren't HD compatible. I have followed the instructions step by step from the manual and have found most of it to be pretty easy to remember once you do it a few times. We haven't tried to record anything from our cable on to DVD, so I can't comment there. So far, it's what I would expect from a Sony product. We have all Sony electronics and have yet to be disappointed. The only thing that we're going to change is adding more substantial rubber feet to the bottom of the machine. You have to press the buttons somewhat hard and we end up pushing the recorder back constantly. A minor issue and it's the biggest one we've had so far. :)

Quality you come to expect from sony, the menu is easy to navagate on inital set up. After that you'r on your own? They have a DVD mode feature that makes it very hard to use a universal remote on the thing!!!!!! that is the single biggest downfall of this recorder. You have to mess with the thing so long to get it right, I just went out and got another remote with learning features. If I had a choice again I would have went to best buy or some where and tested some more combo players out. I wouldn't buy this recorder again, because that DVD mode feature just messes everything up. I'm pretty good at programming anything but this takes the cake. I woundering why they would mess up a good DVD recorder with that garbage. So I would rate this average or even below average. Once you get it going right it smooth sailling. When you record it quick to write, so after you go the the headache of the DVD mode feature mess it should be smooth the rest of the way.

My wife loves this Sony DVD recorder. Not only does it make great copies of your VCR tapes it takes non HD input signals and upgrades them to near HD Quality. Not quite 1080i but almost. In fact so much improvement now run satellite signal through recorder and have HD quality.

Also easy setup, simple controls-- VCR tape play--- DVD record and perfect copy. Have not tried to copy from DVR to DVD yet

I'll be saving a ton of money thanks to my new Sony dvd recorder/vcr combo. It is very easy to set up. I am not an electronics savvy person and the diagram is extremely simple to read and makes hookup easy. However, I definitely had to read the operating instructions because even though everyone advertises dubbing is as simple as the push of one button, there are several steps that must be followed before any actual dubbing can take place. But once you complete your first trial run, you'll see that it was all so worth it. I'd give this recorder an A+++. Now I can get rid of all of my old vhs tapes and free up some much needed space in my home.

I've had my recorder for a couple of days now and it is outstanding. The one touch Dub works great, without any problems. The reordered discs picture and sound quality are excellent. I use the Maxell DVD+RW 4.7 GB 4x Discs which automatically formatted in this recorder.
Sony did a great job with this recorder.

I bought it becouse of the brand SONY
most of the electronics that I like most it's SONY
in this case this VHS/DVD recorder has many issues with it's functions.
dvd playback of my home made video has no sound after successful creation
using the S-VIDEO cable. as many other issues.
sorry not 100% any more trusted products of SONY.

My previous dvr/vcr combo having decided to no longer play dvd's, I needed to find a replacement. I wanted a combo so my granddaughter, 6, could still watch her several little videos that were not in dvd format. I began by looking at a variety of name brands, and ended up reading dozens and dozens of reviews. It turns out that my problem is pretty universal, irrespective of the cost of the equipment. I've had many Sony products over the years and always had good luck with them. This particular model was well-reviewed AND relatively inexpensive as these things go, especially since I was looking at refurbished equipment. I don't believe in buying new cars as a general rule, nor new equipment if good stuff, refurbished, is available. It's good stewardship both of the environment and of my personal funds.

The best part of it was that the setup was so uncomplicated and so quickly and easily accomplished. Of course, it undoubtedly helped that all it took was to unhook the old, hook up this Sony, set the channels, and voila! Success.

It played dvd's immediately. The only reason I gave it a "Good" rather than an "Excellent" rating is that I haven't had it long enough to see how well its dvd player endures. My last non-Sony player turned out to have played precious few discs on what I thought was a good piece of equipment, hence the hesitation.

Thus far? Not a single complaint. As my Jewish friends would say, "From my lips to God's ear" may it continue to be so for a long time.

For anyone not seeking high-end equipment, but just enjoying occasional movies of an evening, I'd recommend this Sony for sure.

The Sony RDR-VX525 DVD Recorder is a great addition to my entertainment equipment. I can play a dvd, or a vhs tape. The quaility of the display of either media is excellent. Dollar for dollar it was a great buy. Thanks.

THE SONY DVD RECORDER/VCR COMBO IS JUST WHAT I WANTED FOR MY PERSONAL USE AND CAME WITH ENOUGH WARRANTY FOR ME TO USE THE UNIT WITH CONFIDENTS THAT I WILL NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BREAKDOWN OF THE UNIT,ALSO IT LET ME KNOW THAT THIS PRODUCT IS A QUALITY UNIT BY SONY,THIS IS WHY I CHOSE THIS PRODUCT FOR MY USE.I LIKE ALL THE FEATURES IT HAVE AND CONTROLS FOR ME TO USE AT EASE.I WOULD RECOMMEND TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES TO BUY A PRODUCT LIKE I HAVE,BUT I'LL LEAVE IT UP TO THEM OR YOU TO DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT OR CAN AFFORD.CHECK INTO IT.

Bought 3 weeks ago. Does lots of things and instruction book could have more details for first time users. This unit is same as Sony RDR-VX555 DVD Recorder / VCR Combo except this unit comes with HDMI cable. I also have the Sony RDR-VX555 DVD Recorder / VCR Combo and the instruction books are almost exactly the same . . the remotes are. I think I am going to like when I learn how to use all the timing features. How to use the Lists and titles are just not clear to me in the instruction book. I did call Sony help line and they helped me . . little hard to understand the tech but we got through it.

The Sony RDR-VX525I is a good unit and performs as stated. When recording it preserves the recorded taps just as it is. I see no improvement in quality from the original. The instructions and remote are relatively easy to use. I also have a comparable JVC unit and would not be doing this review justice if I did not mention the differences. The quality of A DVD recorded from a tape on the JVC unit appears much improved when played on my HD display. The difference is consistent even when played through the Sony. The Sony can record double layer while the JVC can not. When I record something long, where a little bit of upconverting would not make much difference, I prefer to use the Sony unit. For all other upconverting I prefer the JVC. Also, for me, the JVC was much more difficult to understand and I felt the instructions lacked in user friendliness.

I had over 2000 hours of classic rock & sports so I needed to transfer these to dvd. After approx 2 months of work I have ALL my tapes on disc. I had very few problems; an occasional bad disc, wrong rec. speed etc. I now have so much more space on the shelves! True, the unit does NOT have a tuner but it was very easy for me to connect to my DISH receiver. All in all, I am VERY pleased with this product. I also have another dvd player connected so I can record from disc to disc.

The manual is easy to follow, organized into the specific functions you want to perform. What I was uncertain about when I bought the DVD recorder was this one button to record VHS to DVD description. Well, it is true. I recorded 11 DVD's in 2 days without a hitch. Automatically formats new DVD disks. There are many other features this unit can perform, I recorded directly from the 8MM tape to DVD, again it was smooth operation.

I bought this item thinking it would work on my TV. Well, I found out after reading the hook-up instructions that you cannot record with it unless you have a cable box or satellite receiver. It does not have a built-in tuner. Also, Sony support was of no help. I'll buy one with a tuner and hope I can get my money back for this one.

Although the operating book is quite detailed , once you get into the recording it is very easy. Since it can use all varieties of discs, and up to 8 different recording speeds, one can reduce there VHS library very quickly to DVD. A great machine for dubbing. Not designed for tuner needs and wish it was. Overall a great buy..