Features
Inputs and Outputs Notes

Features

Product Overview: The Sony RDR-HX900 can record video and audio to blank DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW discs, or to the built-in 160 GB HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The unit has a front panel DV input jack (also referred to as iLINK or IEEE1394) for dubbing from Mini DV and Digital 8 camcorders. Three line inputs (two on the rear and one on the front) allow you to record from several sources. The built-in TV tuner, along with VCR Plus+ and TV Guide On Screen, let you program your DVD recorder to catch your favorite TV shows.

Blank Disc Types: This unit can record on four types of blank DVDs. Here are the major differences in the disc types:

• DVD-R: You can record only once on DVD-R discs (8x speed or slower, Ver.2.0)--they are not erasable or rewritable. You can readily play finalized DVD-R discs on other DVD equipment.
• DVD+R: You can record only once on a DVD+R disc (8x speed or slower)--they are not erasable or rewritable. You can playback only on DVD+R compatible players.
• DVD+RW: You can erase and record over previously recorded material, however, it is more difficult to edit recorded contents without another recorder. DVD+RW discs can be played back on DVD+RW compatible players. (Compatible with 4x speed or slower DVD+RW discs)
• DVD-RW: You can erase and record over previously recorded material. (Compatible with 2x speed or slower DVD-RW Ver.1.1, Ver.1.1 with CPRM). This disc can be formatted in two different recording modes:
  • DVD Video Format (Video Mode): Disc recorded in this mode can be played in many other DVD players, but editing is more difficult.
  • DVD Video Recording Format (VR mode): Discs recorded in this mode won't playback in other DVD players as readily (VR compatible players only). Recorded material can be edited right on the disc without disturbing the original recordings. You can also manually create chapters whenever you like instead of at fixed time intervals as on other discs or DVD-RW in Video mode.

    Note: Discs that cannot be recorded on include: 4x-speed compatible DVD-RWs (Ver.1.2/4x), DVD-RWs (Ver 1.0), DVD+RWs that are not 2.4x speed compatible, dual layer discs, or 8 cm discs.

Recording Speeds: You can select from six variable bit-rate speeds when recording to a blank DVD or seven speeds for the HDD. The picture quality generally improves as the recording time decreases. The recording speeds and approximate recording times are:

Dubbing: You can copy a recorded title on the internal HDD to another disc, or vice versa. You can select to dub one title at a time, or multiple titles at once. You cannot dub copy-protected DVDs to the HDD, or a program containing copy-protection signals from the HDD to the DVD. There are two dubbing methods:

• High-speed Dubbing: allows you to dub from the HDD to a high-speed DVD (4x-speed DVD+RWs, 2x-speed DVD-RWs, 8x-speed DVD+Rs, 8x-speed DVD-Rs, or slower versions of each type) without changing the recording mode. You can dub up to 24x speed, depending upon the recording speed the program was originally recorded in, and the write speed of the disc. (The 24x speed is reached when a program recorded in SLP mode is dubbed to an 8x-speed DVD-R.)
• Rec Mode Conversion Dubbing: allows you to dub from the HDD to a DVD, or vice versa, in a dubbing mode that differs from the original recordings. For example, when you dub an HQ title with its large data size in SP mode, you reduce the data size, saving more titles using less space.

Chasing Playback: The Chasing Playback feature, available when recording to the HDD and DVD-RW discs in VR mode, allows you to view the beginning of a program while it is being recorded. You do not need to wait until the recording finishes. Playback starts at the beginning, and you can fast forward to the point that you are recording.

Simultaneous Record and Play:  Simultaneous Record and Play allows you to view a previously recorded program while recording another program. Playback continues, even if a timer recording starts. While recording to the HDD, you can play another title on the HDD or play a previously recorded program on DVD. While recording to a DVD, you can play a previously recorded program on the HDD. While recording to a DVD-RW (VR mode), you can play another title on the same disc.

Instant Replay/Instant Advance: Instant Replay jumps backward several seconds to let you replay a scene or portion of dialog you may have missed, while Instant Advance jumps ahead several seconds to quickly skip to another scene.

D/A Converters: This unit is equipped with a 12-bit video digital-to-analog converter with 108 MHz processing for high quality video performance. It also has a 96 kHz, 24-bit audio digital-to-analog converter for playback of multi-channel Dolby Digital and DTS-encoded soundtracks.

Audio CD/MP3 Playback: The RDR-HX900 can playback audio CDs, CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3 files recorded onto Data CDs (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW). The MP3s must be recorded in ISO9660 Level 1, Level 2, or Joliet format for the recorder to recognize the tracks. The recorder can recognize up to 499 MP3 audio tracks within a single folder. ID3 Tags cannot be displayed.

Copy Protection/Copy Control: Pictures with copy protection cannot be recorded on this DVD/HDD recorder. When the recorder receives a copy guard signal while recording, the unit continues to record, but only a blank, gray-colored screen will be recorded. Some broadcasts that contain Copy Control signals may have one of three signal types: Copy-Free, Copy-Once, or Copy-Never. The recorder limits the recording according to the copy protection signal. Copy-Free encoded signals can be recorded at any time on the HDD or with any compatible blank disc type. Copy-Never encoded signals can not be recorded on this unit. Copy-Once programs can be recorded on the HDD or on a DVD-RW disc formatted in the VR mode, and can be played only on CPRM-compatible equipment.

DV Dubbing: You can transfer the contents from a MiniDV or Digital 8 digital video camera to the DVD/HDD recorder. When the two units are connected via an i-LINK cable, the recorder's remote controls the camcorder, allowing you to fast forward, rewind, play in slow motion, and stop the tape to select the scenes you want to record. A single i-LINK cable is required for connecting the camcorder and DVD recorder (item #158VMC4415).

TV Tuner: The recorder has a built-in 181-channel TV tuner that is shared by both the HDD and DVD, so you cannot simultaneously record different programs on the DVD and HDD. Once the recorder has been connected to the antenna or cable, the Easy Setup guides you through the steps of setting the time, date, and searching for receivable channels.

Recording TV Programs: The RDR-HX900 allows you to record programs in several ways:

• Manual Recording: Record the currently tuned channel until you stop the recorder or the disc is full.
• Quick Timer: Record the currently tuned channel in 30-minute increments up to 6 hours.
• Timer Recording: Set the timer for a total of 30 programs, up to one month in advance. You select the recorder you wish to use. There are three types of timer recordings:
  • Manual Timer:, You set the date, time and channel of the program manually.
  • VCR Plus+: You can enter the PlusCode number (found in newspaper or TV Guide listings) for each TV program you want to record. The date, time, channel and program duration are automatically set.
  • TV Guide On Screen: The TV Guide On Screen system automatically displays a free television program list up to eight days in advance, for a maximum of 120 channels. The data for each television program is carried by local broadcast stations and is received through the antenna or cable box. You can search for a program by listing them according to category or in alphabetical order. Once you have found the program you are looking for, the TV Guide On Screen system sets the timer for recording.

Editing: This DVD recorder offers various options for editing recorded material. Basic editing functions include setting protection against erasure, labeling a title, erasing a title, erasing multiple titles, and erasing a section of a title (A-B Erase). Some discs offer more advanced editing options such as creating and editing playlists, rearranging the title order, dividing a title into multiple titles, and combining multiple titles into one title.

TVS (TV Virtual Surround): TVS was developed by Sony to produce home surround sound with just a stereo TV, and works only with multichannel Dolby Digital soundtracks. There are five TVS settings:

• TVS Dynamic: creates one set of virtual rear speakers
• TVS Wide: creates five sets of virtual rear speakers
• TVS Night: creates five sets of virtual rear speakers--effective at low volume
• TVS Standard: creates three sets of virtual rear speakers--effective when you use two separate front speakers
• TVS Off: no surround effect

Child Lock: You can lock all of the buttons on the recorder so the settings are not canceled or a disc is ejected by mistake.

Parental Control: You can restrict playback of some DVD videos according to a predetermined level, such as the age of the users. Scenes may be blocked or replaced by different scenes. The parental control feature is protected by a 4-digit password.

Remote Control: The supplied remote control (RMT-D206A) can control the DVD recorder, as well multiple brands of TVs (basic functions) and A/V receivers (volume only). If you own a Sony DVD player or another recorder, you can change the Command Mode of the recorder to one that doesn't interfere with the other player or recorder.

Inputs and Outputs Notes

A/V Inputs: This recorder features 3 audio/video inputs--two on the rear panel, and one on the front. These inputs include stereo audio RCA jacks, as well as composite and S-Video jacks.

Component Video Input: You can connect a cable box, satellite receiver, or other component with component video outputs to the DVD recorder. You cannot connect an HDTV tuner to the component video input, because it is compatible with standard definition interlaced signals only.

A/V Outputs: There are two audio/video output (labeled "Line Out 1 & 2") on the rear panel, which includes stereo audio RCA jacks, composite video and S-Video jacks.

Component Video Output: The recorder can output video from the DVD and HDD through the unit's component video outputs. You can select interlaced or progressive scan playback from the component output.

Digital Outputs: This unit offers a coaxial digital and a Toslink optical digital output. These outputs are compatible with Dolby Digital and DTS, so you can connect the recorder to a surround sound receiver built-in with Dolby Digital (DVD and HDD) and DTS decoders (DVD only). You can also use the digital outputs to connect the DVD recorder to a MiniDisc or DAT deck. Note: You must select the proper settings in the setup menu for the type of digital output you desire.

DV Input: The front panel DV input allows you to connect the recorder to a MiniDV or Digital 8 camcorder with a DV jack via a single 4-pin i-LINK cable. It is compatible with the i-LINK standard, and allows you dub from the DV-compatible device to the recorder. The DV IN jack is for input only. Note: Micro-MV format digital video cameras are not compatible with this recorder, even though they may have an i-LINK jack.

VHF/UHF In/Out: The VHF/UHF In jack allows you to input antenna and cable TV signals into the unit for recording your favorite programs. The VHF/UHF out jack outputs the antenna/cable TV signal, however the video signal from the DVD or HDD is not output through the VHF/UHF jack.

Set Top Box Control: The RDR-HX900 can control several brands of cable boxes and satellite receivers using the supplied Set Top Box Control. The IR emitter, which plugs into the 3.5mm mini-jack on the rear panel, can be attached to the cable box/satellite receiver, and can tune the set top box to the proper channel for timer recording. The DVD recorder does not have to be powered on in order to change the channel on a compatible set top box.

Control S: You can control the DVD recorder by pointing the remote at the TV when the Control S connections are made to each component. A Control S cable, a mono mini-cable, is not supplied. Note: The TV's input will not automatically switch to the DVD recorder when a disc is played.

G-Link: The 3.5mm mini-jack labeled "G-Link" is for service use only--it is not for use by the consumer.