With the transition from analog to digital TV signals to be completed by 2009, I wanted the life of my 5-year-old analog set. I have read that some of the newer digital recorders have tuners in them so that they work, as the converter box, which is also required if the signal is completed. In addition, the recorder is still useful when the analogue television is replaced with an HDTV. Since I do not have a digital recorder, which would be a further benefit.

The VXD655 turned during my search. Since my TV is a Sony, I thought it would be a good match. This DVD / VCR combo recorder also would enable me to get rid of my old tape player and save money.

The unit has exceeded my expectations. I had a very good reception quality picture with a modest roof-top antenna, but the digitization really kicked the quality of a piece or two, the more accurate colors and image sharpness. I am happy that all of the local over-the-air signals coming from the same direction, the transmission towers are all clustered on a high place about 15 miles from my house. I have an antenna rotator, but not to touch. I get all local stations with high quality plus a few other channels of the stations. With the resulting high quality of my TV screen, there is no reason to hurry in increasingly high def.

DVD and video recording and playback have been easy, and there are various recording quality or duration decisions. The unit processed rewrite DVDs, and I am with them much as a hard drive. The recorder also provides for easy synchronization back and forth between hard disks and tapes. Editing of recorded media is a bit slow with the remote select letters from a keyboard on the screen. This is a feature that simply more to be done on a computer.

Setup was painless. A quick-start guide is included. I recommend that a little extra money for an S-video connection, if your cable TV provides an input jack. If there is one drawback, it's the remote control. The buttons seem to require much more pressure to activate when the two older Sony remote controls, which I did. Therefore, I think it is frequently necessary, a second remote.

In sum, the device is ideal for my needs.