The Sony software division has all the power and has effectively crippled the hardware arm of the company. Why don't they just put us all out of our misery by closing down their electronics division and concentrating on film and music instead.

That's not a very positive outlook

Nirm, I get what you mean, but to be fair, I've managed for long enough with a single channel recorder, and I'm sure I can go on without twin tuners. The product looks to meet my needs, in that it is HDD/DVDR/Freeview. Any features beyond that would be a bonus in my eyes. The number of times I've wanted desperately to record two channels simultaneous is so few, not having twin tuners really wouldn't bother me.

Price estimates are already looking like this is going to be an expensive piece of kit, and one of the first of it's kind. I'm sure it won't be long before some manufacturer adds a twin tuner (LG I'm guessing). Maybe in a year or two's time, Sony will do the same. But in the mean time, i want to get shot of my VCR, DTT box, and maybe my DVD player, and this product looks like it will kill all the birds I'm wanting it to right now.

My question was going to be "how many dual tuner freeview HDD recorders are there anyway?". I decided to do my own research (rather than get moaned at) so I have lifted the following from another thread:


Let's be honest, the only big name on the list is Panasonic. All the other 'cheap and cheerful' manufacturers are not going to be taken seriously by prospective Sony buyers.

My conclusion: this is still an immature market. The technology is still moving very fast. People are now wanting HD ready products! I'm sure Sony and the other big names (Philips, Toshiba, JVC, Pioneer) have products they will bring to the market when they think the market is ready.

I don't think the technology is moving fast at all, it's been around for years. It's more like the manufaturers are moving slowly!

What is cheap and cheerful about Humax and Thomson? I think quite a few on the list are not in the cheap and cheerful league, but if you hadn't looked for dual tuner Freeview PVRs before now you might not have come across them. And hey, I had one of the first UK Playstation 2's. They big guys do not always get it right.

For anyone who thinks that single tuner is enough, you can't miss what you've never had. But once you've had dual tuner, you will never go back. Even if you don't think there are two things on at the same time that you'd want to record, it's still best to pad a minute or two at beginning and end (there is no PDC equivalent on Freeview). So single tuner does not handle back-to-back recordings very well.

Just looked at the Avland site:

http://www.avland.co.uk/sony/rdrhxd910/rdrhxd910.htm

Says the 910 is discontinued. Same for the 710.

What?

HX510 also.

http://www.avland.co.uk/sony/rdrhx510/rdrhx510.htm

So what's happened? The theme of part of this thread is manufacturers milking the single tuner DVD/HDD market before introducing dual tuners. Does this mean the corporate "nice people" are trying to milk analogue before introducing digital DVD / HDD?

Is this a Sony or Avland issue? I think a trip to the local Sony centre is in order..!

Servo, I assume there is a Sony cente in Mell square? You go there I'll go to London Rd (or East St!)

Just at the back - you know Solihull?

Lived there for 6 years - '87 - '93. Nice place. Better now it is pedestrianised.

On the main subject - Does this really mean Sony have withdrawn these units?

Have emailed Sony. Bet you that will not be answered. So many companies are complete sh1te at responding to email! (one of the best was Denon for what its worth)

I too contacted Sony (UK). They replied very promptly! They stated that whilst there is still no release date for these models, they are not discontinued.

Avland say that Sony have altered the pricing for on-line retailers so Avland cannot make enough margin. Hence Avland have discontinued, not Sony. Pity

I always tended to buy my Sony stuff from indigo-av.co.uk, but their website seems to be down right now.

This thread has gone somewhat quiet... not surprising as the product was almost going to be redundant before it hit the market. Whilst I am presently not really in the market for a replacement DVR (being happy with my "problem child" Panny, getting better every week!), I maintain my stance that Sony have missed the boat by offering single tuner DVRs. To add fuel to the fire my local Sony centre have no longer an ETA on either of the DVB products... "may not hit the shelves" or "have only a few"... and "to be replaced with a better product"

All I can say is and roll-out Humax PVR-9200T (Twin Tuner) and roll-on December for, hopefully, the improved and all new Panasonic TUCTH200 - twins rule

The thread may be quiet, but if the HXD710 were available I'd be very tempted to buy one.

I'd let someone else buy one first and post their comments and then I will tempted to buy one (or maybe not).

For what its worth, there is a review in What HiFi this month (tiny, not worth buying it for, but so short you can read it in the shop sized).

Usually means its about to release? (710 this is).

I see no need for two tuners, until last night where we were watching one thing and the Humax8K wanted to tape another

Perhaps there is something to say for twin tuners after all, or perhaps just buy two boxes like the old VCR days?!

I agree that freeview has much choice and conflicts though, I have kept my old Pioneer digibox plugged in for such occurences, no help last night as we had paused for 15 minutes for a phone call.

See the more you use these features.. the more features you want, let this be a lesson to all of you!

Paul.

Ah.. the advantage of having a Sony GXD500 and an IDTV

I've skimmed through the posts but can't find a definitive answer whether the 710 or 910 will have a dual tuner.

Anyone know for sure?

I don't know for sure, but I was under the impression they were both single tuner...

At the moment Sony seem more interested in launching MP3 Players (oooooops sorry, that should be ATRAC Players) on a saturated mobile media market than satisfying our need for a range of high quality, infinitely versatile DVD Recorders with HDDs and Digital Tuners.

Presumably there's more margin to be made in MP3/ATRAC devices?

I've had a quick look at the What HiFi article, and I'm fairly sure it's talking about the HX-710, not the HXD-710. I could see no mention of a digital/Freeview tuner anyway. As usual the printed mags are behind the times and not ahead of them!

What does this mean for the release schedule? Who knows...