For a first time buyer of a DVD recorder, the RDR-HXD 790 is admittedly not the simplest machine to operate. To begin with is the initial connecting and setting up of the recorder.
Although the instruction manual gives varying options of how to connect it to televisions, sound systems, cable receivers, etc, it was not terribly clear. I bought this DVD recorder to live in the same corner as a digital television, DVD player, and Sky + box, but the instructions seemed to imply that only an analogue signal could be received through the DVD recorder, which also has a digital input and hard drive recorder built in that allows you to pause live television.
However, there is a way around it: For example, if you want to record two things on Sky +, record another on the DVD hard drive, and watch another through the television, you will need to plug the aerials into the digital sockets on the back of the DVD recorder, not the analogue as described in the manual. That way you can get another digital source that can also be recorded if necessary.
Basic recording like in the olden days when you could just stick a video into the recorder and press record applies here, but, as there are different input settings, make sure you have it on the right one. There are two different input buttons on the recorder's remote control, and you may need to use both of them to get the right display on the screen before pressing the R button.
Following the instructions in the Sky + manual about recording programmes saved in the planner onto a DVD is simple enough, once you have figured out which input setting you need. You will need to let the recorded programmes play through in their entirety before you can stop recording, and therefore cannot watch another Sky channel, but you can watch other programmes through the television by simply pressing a channel button on the television's remote.
There are many different picture quality settings, and which one you choose will be dependent on how much recording time you want to use on a DVD. The highest quality setting will only allow you an hour's recording time, and the lowest will allow you to get an entire series of The Wire onto one disc, but the picture quality will be greatly reduced.
From my experience of using DVD-R discs, do not format the disc yourself prior to recording, as other DVD players will not recognise it, and apparently the recorder does that on its own. You will need to finialise the disc after you have recorded to it, then players, computers and Xboxes should have no problem recognising and playing it. However other disc formats may require different treatment.
Overall, although it initially seems tricky and daunting, once you have the hang of the DVD recorder, it is undoubtedly a useful piece of equipment to have. If you just want to have a hard copy of a recorded programme at a perfectly reasonable picture quality, or want to clear your Sky + planner, it is invaluable. However, if you want the entire 007 DVD collection in stunning HD, you might be better off buying the DVD collection.