Sony VRD-MC6 DVDirect DVD Recorder + Accessory Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Recording is easy so far and the video output is just fine. I have an old Panasonic Palmcorder and needed to transfer 40 or 50 mini-DV tapes to DVD. This little unit, though pricey and highly specialized (seems like there would be a computer accessory capable of doing much more, for much less) unit works very nicely so far.
Two exceptions. First, it has a cooling fan that is quite noisy. The blower wouldn't be so bad, but there's a buzzy hum that reminds me of a bad fluorescent lamp that seems to come from the fan housing inside the unit. If I move the unit, the sound gets louder or softer, making me think the fan is probably slightly out of spec.
The 2nd exception is I find no way to include date and time in the DVD content. Maybe it's there and I haven't found it yet, but DVD menus do not show me the date/time stamp option when viewing. It ought to be easy to find.
If there is more than a two minute blank gap on the tape, the MC6 will finish recording. I have at least one or two tapes where the gap is longer. Not sure how it happened but that means I will need to record those manually. Windows 7's version of MovieMaker isn't so picky. At least Sony could have offered the choice to continue looking for additional content.
On a side note, several of my 60 minute tapes have received "too long" messages for the DVD, which I am creating in HQ resolution. That could be a Sony thing or just a compatibility issue but it's odd since they are both rated at 60 minutes. If I press the Eject button, it gives me the option to Finalize and I accept. The DVD will play, and I haven't checked to see how much was lopped off the end of the tape. At least I got most of it and I can always run them manually by PC if necessary.
Recording is transferred in real time and I can watch the content on Palmcorder or VRD-MC6 display. Takes an hour for an hour tape, plus another ten minutes or so, give or take, to "finalize" it.
Who takes a home video and doesn't want the time date stamp within reach? I hope I'm wrong about that, but if Sony left it out, I will be returning the unit (after I transfer the 40 tapes). I will have to do them all again, with time stamp, but at least I'll have something to show for the trouble. I may exchange it anyway because the buzz/hum is kind of grating.

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Transfer home movies and digital pictures to DVD, quickly and easily without a PC. Connect with virtually any camcorder, VCR, even DVR for recording video DVDs playable in standard DVD players. Built in slots accept the 5 most common memory cards for recording digital pictures to DVD as a slideshow or for photo storage. Record high definition AVCHD video from Sony HDD or Memory Stick Handycam camcorders to DVD playable in Blu-ray Disc compatible devices.KIT INCLUDES:* 25 DVD-R SPINDLE.* DVD DISC CASE.* DVD LENS CLEANER.