Sony DVDirect VRD-MC3

Has anybody out there had experience or knowledge of the DVDirect® MC3 Multi-Function DVD Recorder? I'm still shooting and editing in digital Hi8. I eventually plan on slowely working into HDD for which this accessory is needed.
My question is: Is this machine backward compatable to the digital Hi8 format? If it is, I'll buy it now, put it to use and later on buy the HDD camera.
Any help appreciated.
Tom L
15'' PowerPC G4,1.67 GHz, 80 GB HD Mac OS X (10.4.8) iMac

Thomas,
The owner's maual (page 23) states;
"Operation compatibility is confirmed with Sony DV, D8, and HDV camcorders only".
It also states the "A/V > digital out" setting on DV camcorders must be set to "OFF".
http://media.onecall.com/ImageProducts/Sony/VRDMC3MAN.pdf
........and later on buy the HDD camera.
Sounds like the right way to go for now, although no support for HD AVCHD format with this device. Maybe on a later model as this HD format grows in popularity.
This recorder looks like it can record from almost anything to almost any type of DVD/CD. So far the only downside I see is that it doesn't record video/photos to DVD-R DL(only data when connected to a computer). And when connected to a computer the bundled software (Nero) is for PC only.
Man this device has a lot of features I'll have to take a closer look and maybe get one myself.
Hope this helps.

Similar Messages

Copy Video From Sony VRD-MC3 DVD Recorder to Quicktime Pro

I burn short clips to DVD on my Sony VRD-MC3 burner. I then load it on my mac to convert over to quicktime pro so I can create clips and add to my movies. The DVD plays on my mac DVD player but I can't get it to open on my QT pro so I can convert to the necessary movie extensions. The Finder wont show any folders on the DVD. Can anyone help me with being able to load these files and then convert using quick time Pro?
Thanks
Skip

I found this info about the recorder in a Google search:
Disk /dev/hdc: 250.0 GB, 250059350016 bytes
Disk /dev/hdc: 255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hdc1 1 10 80000+ 83 Linux
/dev/hdc2 10 20 80000+ 83 Linux
/dev/hdc3 20 30402 244036536+ 83 Linux
Partitions 1 and 2 are ext2 filesystems storing the firmware files (locked up in a signed+encrypted cramfs image, so hacking will be hard). Partition 3 is encrypted xfs. Until someone cracks the encryption, no directory listing and no TS files (plus no guarantee that Sony is using TS files to store the content anyway). Breaking the encryption on any of this stuff may be tough since the manual acknowledges that they are using GNU Privacy Guard. On the other hand, since people have reported being able to update multiple units from the same Sony-provided USB flash drive, that would seem to indicate that the firmware isn't individually signed and encrypted for each unit, making it more significant if someone does manage to figure out the keys and signing scheme.
Sony does this kind of stuff all the time. It's similar to Macrovision protection on VHS tape recordings.
My guess is that the encryption is passed on to the DVD copy of the file which allows viewing but not any duplication or conversion.

How can I easily take clips burned using a Sony VRD MC3 Unit?

When I burn clips using the Sony VRD MC3, the clips will play on my computer but the finder does not show any files on the DVD. I think Sony creates it that way.
I was able to copy by creating a dmg image on the desktop and then burning to a new DVD. However, it would not be recognized by the DVD player on my macbook Pro like the original that came out of the VRD MC3. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Skip

Is there anyone out there who can help me with this?

Importing Sony DVDirect Video on DVD into FCE

Hello...good wishes,
I've been recording video from a Canon XL2 directly to DVD using a Sony VRD-VC20 DVDirect DVD Burner. When I try to import this video material into Final Cut Express, FCE does not recognize the format.
Apple Support says that the XL2 Camcorder is a supported device in FCE, but is not able to be conclusive regarding video recorded to DVD using the Sony DVDirect Burner.
The only way I've found to get any of this video into FCE is to play the DVD's in a standard DVD player' record the video back onto DV tape, and import them through the XL2. This is a daunting, funky proposition given the hours and hours of video I need to edit - and I worry about degradation of quality using this process.
Are there any third party drivers written out there or do any of you have ideas how I can get this video from DVD to FCE?
Thanks~

I use a Sony VRD-VC20 to burn Tivo recordings and VHS tapes to DVD. I just picked up a program called Cinematize2. It's a DVD clip extractor that retails for about $50 US. It allows you to set an in and out point on a DVD and extract the clip into a format compatible with FCP/FCE. Previously I used MPEG Streamclip 1.3.1 which allows you to export mpeg2 files to Quicktime, AVI, or DV format for use in FCP/FCE. Mpeg Streamclip also allows you to set in and out points before exporting. The link to download MPEG Streamclip 1.5.1 is: http://www.alfanet.it/squared5/mpegstreamclip.html.
In order to use the MPEG2 playback and converter feature you will also need the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component. You can buy it from Apple (www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2) for about $30 US. If you have either Final Cut Pro or DVD Studio Pro, then the component is already installed and you don't have to buy it; but you may need to download the latest version from Apple (www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/download).

Sony - DVDirect MC5; Will it work?

I am in quite a dilemma trying to transfer old home movies from a Sony TRV260 camcorder to DVD. I recently purchased a Windows Vista computer not realizing that software for my old camcorder is not compatible with Windows Vista! There is a patch available for download, but am unable to obtain it due to my extremely slow dial-up internet access. (I tried downloading on another computer, but it would not continue because that computer was not Vista!)
I saw the :
Sony - DVDirect 16x External Double-Layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Drive
Model: VRD-MC5 | SKU: 8470923
on sale in this weeks ad.
However, it has some very bad reviews about working properly & Sony's poor customer service which I've already experienced.
Does ANYBODY know if this device will work with Sony TRV260?
Are there any special circumstances, exceptions, etc. I should be aware of?
Does anyone else have ideas regarding turning these old tapes into DVD's?
HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi jennlynd,
I read through the manual for the Sony DVDirect external DVD drive model VRD-MC5 and it says it works with any Sony Handycam Digital8 camcorder. The Sony TRV260 camcorder is a Sony Handycam Digital8 camcorder so this DVD drive should work fine to copy your videos to a DVD.
Another option you have is to have us convert your videos to DVD, and if you want to learn more about this service you can read more about it here. I hope this helps!
Thanks for posting,
Allan
Community Connector
Best Buy® Corporate
Allan|Senior Social Media Specialist | Best Buy® Corporate
Private Message

HELP! Which Sony DVDirect will work

I am an electronics dummy. PLEASE HELP!!
I am planning on buying a Sony DCR-SX44 Handycam. I want to be able to burn DVD's without a computer. There are 2 DVDirects available the VRD-P1 and the VRD-MC6. My questions are will either one work with this camcorder if so, is there any reason why I should by the more expensive. Also, what is the difference in DVD+R and DVD-R. Will my standard DVD player work for both?
Here are links to the three products listed.
Camcorder
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+Camcorder+with+2.7%22+LCD+Monitor+-+Silver/9753742.p?id=121816739...
VRD- P1
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+DVDirect+Express+6x+External+USB+2.0+DVD%26%23177%3BR+Drive/92624...
VRD-MC6
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+DVDirect+16x+External+USB+2.0+Double-Layer+DVD%26%23177%3BRW+Driv...

Hi mojo33,
Both of these drives should work fine for burning your video footage to a
DVD without being connected to a computer. The main difference between the two
is that the Sony VRD-MC6 has a 16x write speed, while the Sony VRD-P1 has a 6x write speed. From what I understand this would mean that a
typical movie will burn to a DVD on 6x drive in about 20-30 minutes,
while a drive that writes data at 16x could have a movie burned to a DVD in
5-10 minutes.
Another key difference is that the Sony VRD-MC6 can
burn data to a dual layer DVD which can hold up to 8.5 GB of information, while
the Sony VRD-P1 only records to normal DVDs that hold 4.7 GB of data. From what
I understand DVD+R and DVD-R discs are very close, and most DVD players will
play both kinds of discs (check the specifications of your DVD player to see
what type of discs it accepts). DVD-R is the older technology, and thus has a
greater compatibility with DVD players.
Whether or not the additional cost for the Sony VRD-MC6 is worth it really
depends on if you believe the faster write speed, and ability to record to dual
layer DVDs is important to you.
Thanks for posting,
Allan|Senior Social Media Specialist | Best Buy® Corporate
Private Message

Sony DVDirect

I purchased a Sony DVDirect external burner to salvage my VHS tapes before they dry out and rot (some are 20+ years old). This device connects to a VCR without a computer, and I have been doing that with all my old home movie tapes. It also connects to a computer via USB. This I haven't tried yet (trying to finish the VCR work first). Although the literature & bundled software (Nero Express)only mention Windows, the Sony folks told me it would work with an Apple computer, but they don't include OS X software or otherwise support that.
Does anyone have any experience with the external Sony DVDirect connected to the Mac?
Andy

Have a look here and see if it helps...
http://asp2.wlv.ac.uk/its/website/selfhelp/help/nero/helpwithnero.asp
Cheers....Don

Sony - DVDirect 16x External USB 2.0 Double-Layer DVD±RW Drive

I posted this in another subject, but I really need professional opinions. We are getting ready to start our basketball season, and I would like to have video equipment that would record at great quality and could be easily and quickly transferred to a dvd.
My thoughts were to purchase the Sony - DVDirect 16x External USB 2.0 Double-Layer DVD±RW Drive. This seems to allow you to burn from the camera. What is everyone's thoughts on this product and would a Sony - High-Definition DVD Camcorder with 120GB Hard Disk Drive and 2.7" LCD Monitor - Black be a useful purchase with this drive?

Hi classact,
It sounds like this drive should work for standard definition footage, but as Entropy stated in your other thread on this issue you are going to want a Blu-ray burner drive for High Definition footage. I also agree with Entropy in that you are better off streaming your video footage to a computer (with a Blu-ray burner drive) than investing in this external drive. When it comes to burning/uploading video footage there is no quick process if you want to retain quality without investing in a computer with a very fast processor (and of course enough RAM).
This camcorder should meet or exceed your expectations, but I am personally partial to flash drive based camcorders. You can store a lot more footage on a hard drive based camcorder, which does mean that you won't have to upload your footage as often, but the less moving parts a camcorder has the longer it will last.
I hope this helps!
Allan|Senior Social Media Specialist | Best Buy® Corporate
Private Message

Sony DVDirect and iMovie

I just purchased a Sony DVDirect recorder to convert some old VHS tapes to DVD. My question is "Can I import these or rather have iMovie read the DVDs that are created by DVDirect? It doesn't support firewire so I don't think I can import direct. But what do I need to convert the MPEG-2 encoded file to something iMovie can read. And , lastly, is there a better or easier way to do this? I do NOT have a digital camcorder to facilitate transfer.
micky
iMac Mac OS X (10.4.8)

* DVDxDV (free trial, 25$, Pro: 90$)
* Apple mpeg2 plugin (29$) + Streamclip (free)
* Cinematize >60$
* Mpeg2Works >25$ + Apple plug-in
* Toast 6/7 allows converting to dv/insert dvd, hit apple-k
* connect a miniDV Camcorder with analogue input to a DVD-player and transfer disk to tape/use as converter
non of these apps override copyprotection mechanisms as on commercial dvds...
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6018.shtml

Sony DVDirect and FCP

I use a Sony DVDirect VRDVC20 to burn screening copies of shows for clients. It has composite, s-video, and FW video inputs. Normally I send FCP output to a converter box and use the s-video output from the converter box into the Sony unit. This works and the quality is fine but I'd like to use the FW input. The unit accepts a FW input from a DV camera, but when I use the FW output direct from FCP the unit doesn't recognize the signal. When I go into the FCP video ouput settings it shows "[missing]Apple FW NTSC." Sony says the unit is not supported by the MAC OS. How is the video signal carried by a FW cable from a camera different from the the FCP video signal coming out of the MAC via FW? There obviously is a difference between these signals. Is there a way around this, or is there a setting in FCP that I have wrong?

firewire is a bi directional communication protocol. If sony says it doesn't talk FCP it doesn't. There are a number of devices that do not play well with FCP.
I do not believe there are user controllable settings in FCP regarding Firewire other than
1. Firewire or Firewire BASIC '
2. Controllable or non-controllable devices.
Your recorder is a non-controllable device. Try that and see what happens.
x

Import from camcorder to Mac

Hey everyone, I've got a bit of a problem here. Here's what I'm trying to do:
I need to import video from a Sony TRV815 Hi-8 camcorder to one of two computers: The first is an eMac running OSX v10.3.9 and iMovie v4.0.1, and the other a Macbook running OSX v10.5.4 and iMovie HD v6.0.3. The eMac has about 30 free GB of hard drive space, whereas the Macbook only has 7. I'm thinking of editing most of the movie on the eMac, then moving the shorter clips to the Macbook to do the final cut w/ effects and music.
The problem is, the camcorder only has regular RCA/S-Video output. I have an ADS Tech Instant VideoMPX RCA-to-USB converter, but I just found out that it was made for use with Windows and not Mac.
Likewise, I also have a Sony DVDirect VRD-VC10 DVD Drive. This only works on Windows, but it also runs standalone, which would allow me to record from the camcorder to a DVD, then rip from the DVD to my hard drive using Handbrake.
Basically what I'm asking is: Is there any way for me to get the video from the camcorder to the Mac, possibly using a program other than iMovie? Thanks!

I don't see your import problem as the biggest obstacle here. Your lack of sufficient hard drive space makes this impossible. DV, the required format for import, will consume 13GB per hour AND you need at least 25GB of extra free space to prevent crashes and freezing of the programme.
Resolve this problem first.

New Year Video Transfer/Edit Project - Need Advice

All you experts out there, please tell us if this plan will work?
We have 3 large boxes of family videos that we need to transfer to DVD.
We are about to purchase video-to-DVD transfer equipment. (Sony DVDirect VRD-MC5?)
We have iMovie, but haven't used it yet. We realize there will be a steep learning curve, but we did buy some books to help and have plenty of time to learn.
Plan: 1) Transfer, unedited, the videos to DVD using the Sony. Apparently this requires little oversight. 2) Load the DVD to iMovie for editing. One of us works a night job that often has a lot of down time that can be used to edit these DVDs. 3) Burn a new DVD, the "keeper" and then make copies for all the kids.
Is this our best option? Thanks for sharing your experience!

Given what you have said, I think the EyeTV Hybrid might be a good solution for you, although the Sony box may be OK too, but it will give you fewer options in the future if you or your kids decide to edit or move to the internet.
With the EyeTV Hybrid, you hook it up to the VHS VCR through the red, white and yellow cables out the back. It goes in to EyeTV software on the Mac. At this point, you can transfer it directly to some DVD burning software called [Toast|http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/toast/titanium/overview.html], and never get iMovie involved. If you decide later to send to iMovie for editing, [EyeTV|http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/products/hybrid/product1.en.htm l] can send it there.
I have found that with the new iMovie 08, I can edit these videos rather quickly, cut out all the jerky camera pans, cut out the redundant scenes, and add titles and music. A movie that would take me a week in iMovie 6, I can now do in an evening.
My biggest advice would be to think through how you will use the video... e.g. DVD, iPod, internet, AppleTV, iMovie, anything you can think of that you will actually use in the near future.
Then, get the hardware and software you need and pick one tape and work it through the whole workflow so you understand everything from front to back. Then you can start picking up the speed and just doing the imports, etc.
1) Where do we purchase a "digital analog converter"? Is there a brand name that works well? You >>make a good point about working with the original. Do we understand correctly that we'd use this >>converter to transfer a VHS playing in a VCR directly to iMovie where it could be saved and edited, >>burn a DVD, and then move on to the next VHS tape?
Canopus sells digital audio converters, which converts your analog into DV format, which is a good format for editing. The EyeTV, mentioned above, will take your analog and save it is MPEG2, which is the format that DVD players use, but requires some extra conversion before you edit it. So if you are primarily doing editing, go with the Canopus. If you are going straight to DVD, the EyeTV is fine.
2) Does the Wii work like the Sony playbox? These are new things for us..., but we do have a Wii >> now - got it for Christmas.
Enjoy your Wii. I have heard they are great, but it will not help you play video (that I know of). The reason that some people use the Playstation 3 is that it has a built in BluRay player that can play high definition movies, and i has the added quality that you don't have to burn a BluRay DVD to put high definition content on it. You can use a thumb drive, for example. Not really relevant to your application.
3) Does an Apple TV actually store the movies then? Can they later be downloaded, edited, and >> saved to DVD or whatever is the latest thing? (Obviously we don't have an Apple TV and don't >> know a thing about them.) Would this be a quick fix? If we could store them now, be able to
view them easily, and later, as we have time, we could edit and burn them to a DVD, that might >> be worth the money.
With the Apple TV, you can either store the movies on your Mac, or you can store them on the Apple TV. Usually, you would want to use the TV to watch edited movies, not long unedited ones. When a movie is ready for TV, it is already in a format that can be burned (h.264). If you ever watch movies on an iPhone, it is the same format, but a better picture because the video is created at larger dimensions and at a higher data rate. The TV is primarily a convenience, because you can pick your movies off a menu. You don't have to get up and change DVDs.

VRD-VC20 Transfer Questions..please

Hi
I am using WinXP HOME SP3, 500HDD and 200HDD onboard with an INTEL Q6600 Quad CPU, NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT GPU, and 3.33MB DDR. NERO9
A friend of mine bought a VRDVC20 DVDirect Transfer device and could not figure this out. They bought it at Best Buy for $230.00. I told her I had bunches of old VHC Camcorder tapes I wanted to burn onto DVD. I also purchased the Studio 12 Pinnacle hardware and software and still trying to figure that out too.
This DVDirect VRD-VC20 came with NERO6 Software, (because it is old) but I already have Nero 9 NeroVision v.6.0.6.0 / Express v.9.0.9.4 / Burning Rom v. 9.0.9.4 with all the Nero9 Apps. Installed on my computer, so I should ONLY install the Application and NO NERO software.
I went to the eSupport page here and it shows both the firmware and software update. VIDEO CAPTURE PLUG-IN v.1.9.3I, & VIDEO CAPTURE UPDATE v.1308) Will any of these downloads mess up my already onboard Pinnacle Studio 12 capture software?
I have (1) a VCR, (2) an Analog JVC 1997 Camcorder, and also a Pinnacle Studio 12 program on board my computer.
The Included Sony software Disc is REV. 6.10W, and I may need to find a possible upgrade to this software.
Before I hook this up, is it possible to capture from analog camera/VCR burn it to computer, then edit any of the bad places out, then use Nero9 to burn, or is this unit strictly for straight non-editable video transfer?
Can you hook the SONY burner up to the front AV jacks of the VCR and pause and record onto DVD while watching on the TV screen exactly what you wish to record, or do you just record blind using the VCR and the SONY burner separate of the TV?
On the box, the Write speed is 16X Max burning, if I connect it to the computer, so it's Ok if my DVD Rom writes only to 8X? or do I need a faster DVR-DVD Burner? The same with burning/writing to the disc inside the machine?
Any tricks, precautions I should know about, or is this a waste of time? Thanks for any info on this.

USER-926178 wrote:
> I went to the eSupport page here and it shows both the firmware and
> software update. VIDEO CAPTURE PLUG-IN v.1.9.3I, & VIDEO CAPTURE
> UPDATE v.1308) Will any of these downloads mess up my already onboard
> Pinnacle Studio 12 capture software?
The Pinnacle Studio 12 software should run fine after the updateâ€“ if you do have any issues with shared files then uninstall and reinstall the software after you run the capture plugin software update.
USER-926178 wrote:
> Before I hook this up, is it possible to capture from analog camera/VCR
> burn it to computer, then edit any of the bad places out, then use Nero9 to
> burn, or is this unit strictly for straight non-editable video transfer?
You can use the VRD-VC20 for both â€“ it can be used to burn from your computer or capture directly from a camcorder or other connected video device.
USER-926178 wrote:
> Can you hook the SONY burner up to the front AV jacks of the VCR and pause
> and record onto DVD while watching on the TV screen exactly what you wish
> to record, or do you just record blind using the VCR and the SONY burner
> separate of the TV?
Yes, the VRD-VC20 will capture whatever is connected, so you can either record blind and convert/edit later or you can pause either the recorder or the device on the fly while monitoring.
USER-926178 wrote:
> On the box, the Write speed is 16X Max burning, if I connect it to the
> computer, so it's Ok if my DVD Rom writes only to 8X? or do I need a faster
> DVR-DVD Burner? The same with burning/writing to the disc inside the
> machine?
Yes, the drive can write at a maximum speed of 16x when using high speed DVD+R or DVD-R discs. When connecting a computer you can specify the write speed with the software. Depending on the type of disc you use you may get better results with a slower speed.

Help in transferring Flip Video to DVDirect

Help. Can't figure out to transfer video from my Flip Video to a DVD using Sony DVDirect. I did it one time a few months ago but have forgotten how I did it and can't seem to figure it out again. When I connect the USB cord the DVDirect says it doesn't recognize the USB device. Can anyone help?

On the VRD-MC10 you can transfer high definition video in native 1080i resolution via USB from compatible Sony AVCHD Handycam camcorders to DVD recorded in H.264 format. The DVDirect will not recognize other camcorders connected in this USB method, however many other devices can be connected either through i-Link or the composite or s-video connectors, or you can use the flash memory slot to transfer the files. Whatever the type of camcorder you have, one or more of the methods will work to transfer video to the DVDirect.

Dvdirect, memory, SDHC card and Pana vid cam

I'm trying to use a dvdirect (VRD-MC6) to copy to disc some video footage shot by a Panasonic videocam. I was hoping it would be as easy as pulling the HDMC card and popping it into the DVDirect. I get an error message. Anybody try this that can suggest a workaround? Thanks

Thank you for your post and welcome to the forums.
The DVDirect has slots for the following memory cards. However, not all memory card operations are supported.
• SD Memory Card – (operation is supported up to 2 Gbytes.)
• SDHC Memory Card- (operation is supported up to 32 Gbytes.)
• xD-Picture Card
• Memory Stick PRO
• Memory Stick Pro Duo
You may connect your camcorder directly to the DVD Recorder and make copies via USB port, DV-IN or AV-IN. Please refer to DVD recorder’s operating manual for recording set up and process.
If you need further assistance, please contact our technical support team: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/suppor ... mdl=VRDMC6

Sony DVDirect VRD-MC3

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for