5 Great Smart TVs With Recording Functions (Built-In)

Finding a smart TV with recording functions can be a challenge, as many TVs with this feature have been discontinued.

Here, we have compiled an overview of smart TVs with a built-in recording function.

Here Is the Short List for Smart TVs with Built-in Recording:

Built-in recording has become an outdated feature on smart TVs. However, there are perfectly functional older models with built-in recording available. Our top pick is the 2013 Sony KD-65X9004A 65-inch smart TV, and our budget pick is the 2013 Sony KDL 32W600A.

Criteria for Selection

Not all television manufacturers have a smart TV with built-in recording.

For the most part, the recording function has all but disappeared from televisions, one reason being that it may violate copyright laws. This is why the televisions featured on this list are all from 2013.

Sony is the most notable brand that includes a built-in recorder with some of their smart TVs.

Sony was one of the first brands to come out with video cassette recorders, and it’s now one of the only manufacturers that has kept the recording feature on some of its models in the last decade.

And that is why the brands chosen here are all from Sony.

The smart TVs listed here only support up to 500 GB of hard disk space.

The Top Pick: Sony KD-65X9004A 65-inch smart TV

This 2013 smart TV is the hands-down winner when it comes to smart TVs with a recording function.

First of all, it features a 4K resolution. That means rich color details, including deep reds and vibrant greens, and clarity, all of which makes for great viewing.

The Magnetic Fluid Speaker design was the first of its kind in 2013, and you still get remarkable audio quality with it today.

Out of the box, the X9004A includes Netflix and YouTube, as well as a few other apps. It also supports Skype, but it requires a separate webcam to operate.

This smart TV also has good multimedia support through the USB media port. These include the standard files used for video, including MKV, AVI, MOV, and WMV.

The X9004A also has 3D compatibility. Sure, 3D viewing may be considered a bit passé these days, but it’s a fun addition. You even get four pairs of 3D polarizing glasses!

On the downside, this smart TV has some issues when it comes to handling reflections and glare. If you are considering this smart TV, you may want to find a spot for it without a lot of sun.

The Budget Pick: Sony KDL 32W600A

This 2013, 32-inch smart TV is a quality pick for its price.

Although this TV does not have 4K resolution—its resolution is 1366 x 768—the W600A still produces remarkable image quality for its size.

While it offers recording options, this smart TV is pretty basic, and it lacks features like MHL or mirroring.

The sound quality is quite decent, as it uses Dolby Digital with Pulse support—although, compared to current televisions, the sound system is considered a bit outdated.

Sony KDL W900A 55-inch smart TV

The Sony KDL W900A is another smart TV with built-in recording released in 2013.

The W900A is packed with quite a lot of features—it’s considered the “Kitchen Sink” model, as it has almost everything you could expect from a 2013 model.

Here is what you can expect from the W900A:

• This smart TV already comes equipped with local dimming, making for quality black levels—in 2013 standards. In 2020, the quality is pretty average.
• The W900A also comes with Triluminos Color IQ, which provides good color enhancement that holds up in 2020.
• The W900A also features Miracast and MHL, which is great if you want to stream content from your compatible devices, such as your smartphone or tablet.
• The W900A is also 3D enabled and comes with four pairs of 3D glasses.
• The sound quality of the W900A is superb, even without a soundbar.
• When it comes to gaming, the W900A is adequate, although newer consoles may have issues with this television due to the more advanced chipsets used for graphics in the consoles.

Since this is an older smart TV model, it doesn’t have the most up-to-date features—and that includes an app store.

Yes, while this is a Sony smart TV, you do not get the Google Play Store on this TV.

Instead, it comes with a lot of pre-loaded apps. One of the apps you get right out of the box is Netflix.

But because the W900A comes with mirroring, you can display any missing apps directly from smartphone or tablet onto your TV.

Sony KDL 55W800A 55-inch smart TV

Price-wise, this 2013 smart TV is in the mid-range for this list. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have great features.

This smart TV has great image quality. In 2013, its image quality was top of the line, and although not as stunning by today’s standards, it holds up.

When it comes to connectivity, the W800A has the essential connections, including WiFi, USB for recording, and it even has NFC.

Gaming on this smart TV was okay—it is what one might expect for a 2013 television.

Sony KDL-50W700A 50-inch smart TV

The Sony W700A is another smart TV at a mid-range price point with built-in recording worth checking out.

• While it does not have 4K support, it makes up for it with superb imaging at 1080p resolution.
• The W700A also supports NFC and MHL, which is great for mirroring your apps to your smart TV.
• If you are into video chats, this smart TV supports Skype, although it requires a separate camera to use.
• It also supports a wide range of video formats. So if you want to watch programs you recorded after reencoding them to a smaller file size, it will not be a problem for the W700A.
• The refresh rate of the W700A is only at 50 Hz, which can be a problem when it comes to games. If you plan to use this smart TV for gaming, you may have a problem with first-person shooter games.

How Much Should You Spend on a Smart TV with Recording Functions?

Because a lot of smart TVs that include recording functions are outdated already, you should not consider spending too much on it. All of the smart TVs recommended on this list are from 2013.

Given depreciation, you should be spending no more than 20 percent of the television’s original retail price when it was new on the market.

Final Thoughts

There are not many options for smart TVs with recording these days.

Companies have stopped manufacturing televisions with recording, as traditional broadcasters have moved their content online for on-demand streaming.

There are also subscriptions you should consider putting on a more up-to-date smart TV before buying a TV solely for recording purposes. Most networks have an on-demand app you can subscribe to that allows you to play content on-demand. That way you don’t have to set up a recording every time you want to see a particular program.

You can read more about how to record on your smart TV here.

That said, if you are set on buying a smart TV with recording functions, the options above are good bets.