My first Sony SLV-SE740 video recorder went straight back, as it was almost Dead-on-Arrival. It was repaired. For an 'expensive' machine this is a disgrace. The LP picture quality is very contrasty with a lot of noise - far worse than my Panasonic in EP mode. The remote has to be pointed directly at the VCR or nothing happens. Often a button needs pressing twice to get the response. Index search takes nearly 8 minutes to get to the middle of a tape (Panasonic is 50 seconds). The latter also has two record buttons; one is for auto record of "whatever is on the TV". Sony only has one - it makes its own mind up as to what it records, and since the display never shows what is recording, you often get the wrong programme. After 'power up' the 'menu' button has to be pressed to get a picture on the screen.

I could go on, but basically Sony lost the plot with this one. It has all the hallmarks of an unbranded £40 VCR from a market stall. They even sent me a card informing me that the warranty on this DVD PLAYER? was about to run out and could be extended. I have heard rumours in the past that they used to have a QA problem. Well they still have, together with design and customer service issues. I certainly will never buy Sony again.