I was fortunate to be able to buy the 250GB version of this recorder [the RDR-HXD970] at a bargain price around last Christmas. It is otherwise identical to the RDR-HXD870. My opinion:  Excellent picture and sound- well up to Sony's high standard. Only reservations; setting of programs easy, but I prefer the Panasonic method of displaying thumbnails of recorded programs. Front panel displays are practically unreadable, being very dim and too small. Other Sony products I own have excellent displays. Verdict: An excellent machine, spoilt for a ha'porth of tar.