Hi All

After several weeks of research for a new PVR I finally decided on the Sony RDR-HXD 710 and although I’ve only had it a few days I’m delighted with the performance. However I have noticed an odd problem, which has been mentioned elsewhere, with recording widescreen programs to DVD+RW / +R discs.

1) If I record a widescreen program to the HDD and play back from it, the TV switches to widescreen mode as normal

2) If I record a widescreen program directly to a +RW / +R disc, when played back, the picture is 4:3, anamorphic, but the TV will not switch to wide mode

3) If I record a widescreen program to the HDD and then burn to +RW / +R disc from the HDD, the picture is 4:3 and has black bars inserted at the top and bottom and is obviously not anamorphic.

I notice from the user guide (pages 8&9) that 16:9 recording is not possible on +RW / +R only on –RW / -R (and then only at LSP and above). However the question is why, as using a PC with authoring software is not a problem, i.e., a widescreen movie copied onto a +RW / +R and played back on the PC or 710 is ok. This problem appears to be well known – will Sony solve it? And if so will it be a firmware upgrade which will download automatically?

I haven’t tried –RW / –R discs yet and would like to know if this will solve the problem, as it appears it might. Comments / suggestions appreciated!

Its not a problem or bug. Its all clearly stated in the manual in the table of discs types.

The answer to your question regarding -R/RW discs is also answered. 16:9 Record = Yes

The Sony RDR-GXD500 had the same problem as well. Since they have carried it over to a new model and mentioned it in both instruction manuals I doubt they are planning to do anything about it. I don't understand why the problem exists, it can't be a limitation of DVD+ as if you record to a - disc, and then copy it to a + in a PC then the aspect ration remains correct. Maybe it's a way to encourage the use of - over +.

I’ve researched some more and it appears it’s all down to the 16:9 flag that’s recorded (or not) onto the disc. The +RW / +R disc spec’s are somewhat different to –RW / -R discs. It does get complicated but here are two links that explain: -

http://www.dvdr-digest.com/articles/...lag_page1.html

http://www.hifi-writer.com/blog/20040909.htm

I agree with you Paul21, it shouldn’t be a problem; manufacturers should be able to design their recorders to adapt to both formats properly as there doesn’t seem to be difficulties with PC software. It’s not only Sony however, other recorders exhibit this too – I notice these are never mentioned in consumer literature, or at least not in any I have seen!

The 710, and I would presume the 910 also, go one step further when dubbing an anamorphic picture from the HDD to DVD disc by reformatting to 4:3 with bars top & bottom! This is even worse as if left anamorphic; you could at least manually force your TV to 16:9.

Apart from this “odd” behaviour I’m still very impressed with the build, picture & sound quality and general ease of use and consider it one of the best around at the moment. I will just have to buy –RW / -R discs!

It is exacltly the same on the GXD310.
Full editing and recording features are only availbable using -RW in VR mode.
Just have to manually reset the tv to widescreen.
As Sony were part of the +RW consortium it does seem a bit odd there is this limitation.

An update on this "odd" behaviour. I've found a review from "What Video & Wisescreen" that describes the problem with +RW / +R discs & widescreen switching:-

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-...058_WV_299.pdf

Sony may update the firmware, but until then it's -RW / -R discs for widescreen!

I'd have to disagree there. If the disc were left anamorphic but with no widescreen flag set you're quite correct in saying that people with widescreen TVs could manually set their TVs to 16:9 mode, but what about those still using 4:3 TVs? AFAIK, with no widescreen flag on the disc there'd be no way of making a DVD player realise that it'd have to letterbox the picture as it would think it was already a 4:3 picture due to the lack of a widescreen flag. Letterboxing the picture is IMO the best stopgap solution for +R/RW media until Sony pull their finger out and update the firmware (with the best real solution being to use -R media).

I think I shall upgrade to the Sony 710 or 910 (cash permitting) when the analogue channels are phased out in the next year or so. I have yet to buy a widescreen TV but that won't be the case much longer.

My query is: "What happens when you play your disc on another player?" Are some DVD players unable to recognise the widescreen flag on the disc? If so, would you get a 4:3 picture with reduced width on a 16:9 screen?

If you replay the dvd (recorded 16:9) on a 4:3 set you get the picture as it was before manually switching to widescreen. So, you can't view the disc correctly on a 4:3 set.
Last edited by greb : 15-01-2006 at 23:35