Avian’s Blog

Here's some assorted information about Sony RDR-HX710 DVD/hard disk recorder (because I like spoiling business for people that are selling trivial information like this on various forums for 10$ apiece):

• To get into the service menu, turn the recorder off, simultaneously press REC, REC PAUSE and REC STOP on the front panel and while they are pressed turn the recorder back on with the ON/OFF button. You can then use the remote to navigate the service menus.
• MIP3E7MY integrated circuit in the power supply can be replaced with MIP3E3SMY without any obvious side-effects. This is however only based on experimentation. I couldn't find datasheets for the original chip, so this replacement may not work to specifications. YMMV (by the way, while this looks like a transistor it really contains complete power supply control electronics and a high-voltage power MOSFET).
• When removing the power supply from the case, be very careful and only touch it along the edges. When it's out, take a resistor and discharge all the big capacitors on it (even if you think those capacitors are already empty). Unless of course you would like to sport a couple of new burn marks on your hands. Fun fact: there are places on the circuit board for bleeder resistors, but they are empty. I guess marketing department won an argument there (this reminds me of a certain domestic computer).
• Hard disk is a normal 160 GB Seagate with IDE interface. No partitions and no easily recognizable video streams.