Sony RDR-VX500

Pros: It works for a year

Cons: Planned obsolescence

Summary: For five hundred dollars, it works for a year then it stops recording on -R, +R, -RW at this point it only records on +RW and I don't know for how long. If you call for support, be prepared to struggle through a thick Philippine accent and get NO RESULTS. If you want to bring it in for repair, you will be charged for S&H with no guarantee that the product can be fixed, and you will be told "It may cost more to fix it than it's worth".

It was a $500.00 machine!!! How could that be?

Now if you live anywhere in the country OTHER than Laredo Texas, there are NO AUTHORIZED SONY REPAIR PLACES. Imagine that! THERE IS ONLY ONE PLACE IN ALL OF THE US of A THAT SONY WILL AUTHORIZE TO FIX THIS AND THAT IS IN LOREDO TEXAS.... With no guarantee

You want some smart advice? DON'T BUY THIS MACHINE!