Sony

Sony RDR-GX257 HDMI Upscaling DVD Recorder

3.8 (61 reviews)
1080p

Sony RDR-GX257: Versatile DVD Recording and Playback The Sony RDR-GX257 Recordable DVD Player with HDMI Upscaling offers versatile recording and playback options for your home entertainment needs. With HDMI upscaling, Line Input Recording, and compatibility with various media formats, this DVD re...

$199.99*
In Stock on Amazon.com
View on Amazon

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

Affiliate Disclosure: Studio Supplies may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our editorial team.

Notice a mistake? Let Us Know

Overview

Sony RDR-GX257: Versatile DVD Recording and Playback

The Sony RDR-GX257 Recordable DVD Player with HDMI Upscaling offers versatile recording and playback options for your home entertainment needs. With HDMI upscaling, Line Input Recording, and compatibility with various media formats, this DVD recorder is a valuable addition to any setup.

Specifications:

  • Brand: Sony
  • Model: RDR-GX257
  • Type: Recordable DVD Player
  • Upscaling: Up to 1080p via HDMI
  • Recording: Line Input Recording (Non-Tuner)
  • Media Compatibility: DVD-RW/-R/+RW/+R/+R DL, DVD RAM
  • Playback: DVD-Video/Video CD/SVCD/CD-DA (CD-R/-RW)

Key Features

HDMI output w/ up to 1080p upscaling for DVD/VHS

Line Input Recording (Non-Tuner)

BRAVIA Sync for Theater

Compatible w/ DVD-RW/-R/+RW/+R/+R DL, & DVD RAM media

DVD-Video/Video CD/SVCD/CD-DA (CD-R/-RW) playback

Specifications

Output Type
HDMI
Upscaling Capability
Up to 1080p for DVD/VHS
Recording Feature
Line Input Recording (Non-Tuner)
Sync Technology
BRAVIA Sync for Theater
Compatible DVD Media
DVD-RW, -R, +RW, +R, +R DL, DVD RAM
Compatible CD Media
CD-DA (CD-R/-RW)
Playback Formats
DVD-Video, Video CD, SVCD, CD-DA

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Offers HDMI output with up to 1080p upscaling, enhancing the picture quality of standard DVDs and VHS.
  • Capable of Line Input Recording, allowing the user to record content from external sources without a tuner.
  • Includes BRAVIA Sync for Theater, facilitating integrated control with compatible Sony BRAVIA home theater systems.
  • Provides broad media compatibility, supporting DVD-RW, -R, +RW, +R, +R DL, and DVD RAM media types.
  • Supports playback for a variety of disc formats including DVD-Video, Video CD, SVCD, and CD-DA (CD-R/-RW).

👎 Cons

  • The recording function is limited to Line Input Recording, meaning it does not include an integrated tuner for TV signal recording.
  • HDMI upscaling is limited to 1080p, which may not meet the resolution expectations of newer 4K displays.
  • BRAVIA Sync for Theater functionality is specific to Sony BRAVIA systems, limiting cross-brand compatibility.
  • Does not specify support for Blu-ray discs or other high-definition disc formats, focusing primarily on DVD and CD media.
  • The feature set indicates a focus on legacy media formats like VHS (via line input), which might not appeal to users solely interested in modern digital content.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the Sony RDR-GX257 features Line Input Recording, which means it records from external sources but does not include an integrated TV tuner.
This DVD recorder offers HDMI output with up to 1080p upscaling for both DVD and VHS content.
Yes, it is equipped with BRAVIA Sync for Theater, allowing for integrated control with compatible Sony BRAVIA home theater systems.
The recorder is compatible with a range of DVD media including DVD-RW, -R, +RW, +R, +R DL, and DVD RAM.
Yes, it supports playback of CD-DA, including CD-R and CD-RW discs.