Confused by HT installer re dvd/vhs player

[cerf]

My home theater installer is selling me a Sony RDR-VX500 combo dvd/vhs recorder/player. He says it's the newest, the best, and the one I would want if I knew about these things. Looking at the BestBuy website, they only offer the Sony RDR-VX515. Is this a newer model? Any idea when the VX500 first came out? Cnet doesn't seem too crazy about the VX500. Suggestions?? Thanks

 

[Mort Corey]

The VX515 is the latest model so I think I'd insist on that one. Personally, I don't care for multi format boxes (VHS + DVD etc) Just too much stuff crammed into a small space. If you have VHS tapes that you want to copy to DVD then maybe it's useful but be aware that it will likely not copy production (like pre recorded movies) material at all. I think if I wanted a DVD recorder I'd lean towards the HX900 that records to a hard drive OR DVD.

Mort