I actually really like my PSX -- I think it's primarily a failure of their marketing department to position it properly. Where do you think they screwed up on software?
did you get a version 1 unit?
version 1 issues from launch (MIGHT have been fixed after the first year, maybe not) :
* near 3 minute switching to PS2 mode - fixed with update
* only keyword searching for long term programming with only 1 week forward view - must be repeated, no auto recording
* no support for cable tv or sky perfect :/
* would decide to record different channel - bug - fixed with update
* insanely slow DVD burning speed (Sony claimed revolutionary 12x DVD* burner speed - claim later clarified that 12x DVD speed meant 12x the speed of a 1xCD writer (i shit you not))
there were more complaints - have to go back and revisit. It was bordering on being a great machine - but they just f*cked it up (seems to be par for the course). The final insult was when things like cable support etc (whcih was SUPPOSED to be firmwared into the original unit) didn't happen but they released the PSX1.1 and said "oh if you want those features now, you need to upgrade to the new model")
F*CK Ken K in his fat hamster face. TWICE.
Yeah, I'm on the 1.1 drill, or whatever the first rev they did was labeled.
I think all those problems are fixed in mine. Burned DVDs are the envy of my other friends, unless they're familiar with Apple's iDVD. But All the other appliance-level DVD burners produce menus that look like text terminal interfaces, while Sony's are actually pretty. One-week limitation on advance view is standard to their crappy "G-Guide" service, but it can be set to "Every Monday at 07:00 a.m." with ease. Shifting from PS2 or DVD playback /back/ to DVR mode is the same amount of time as booting the machine before its services come online: about 40~50 seconds.
My big issues with it are whinier:
Setting the time based on G-Guide, which has numeric IDs associated with each show, the PSX does not auto-adjust time if the schedule changes, even if its guide info is updated with the new time.
Not sure why Sony licensed Tivo s/w and then decided not to put it in PSX, only in Coccoon line.
Firmware update has never, ever worked. It always times out after downloading 90% of... something.
SAP/sub audio settings not available per recording
Crashes frequently, needs reset button (though holding down the power button for 10 seconds does force a shutdown)
...See? Nothing but tiny complaints. The only thing that ever made me unhappy with it was visiting my sister's place in the USA and having access to her Tivo for a week. That software is epic.
