Sony Electronics today expanded its multi-function DVDirect® line-up of DVD writers with two new models that can easily transfer home videos to discs without using a computer.
The new VRD-MC10 model is a step above the VRD-MC5 recorder currently in the market. It incorporates an HDMI™, component, and composite video output for playback on a compatible TV. Meanwhile, the new DVDirect Express VRD-P1 DVD writer is a video transfer solution designed for select new Sony Handycam® camcorders.
DVDirect VRD-MC10 DVD Writer/Player
The VRD-MC10 can transfer AVCHD™ quality video in its native 1080i HD resolution to DVD when connected directly to a compatible Sony Handycam camcorder. It can also be attached to a compatible HDTV via an HDMI cable for playback of the DVDs it creates.
AVCHD quality DVDs created on the DVDirect recorder can be played back on compatible Blu-ray Disc™ devices, including dedicated BD players, PCs with supplied software and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment systems.
The VRD-MC10 model can also transfer standard-definition home videos to DVD from virtually any camcorder, VCR or digital video recorder without the complexity of using a computer. It includes Digital Video (i.LINK®/FireWire®/IEEE-1394), S-video, composite video inputs, and USB (for use with Sony hard drive, DVD, and Memory Stick Handycam camcorders). DVDs recorded in this manner can be played back using the VRD-MC10 or with most consumer DVD players.
In addition, the new model can directly record digital photos to a DVD for photo storage from any of five popular digital camera memory cards. It sports slots for Memory Stick PRO™ and Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media, CompactFlash®, Secure Digital (SD™/SDHC™), and xD-Picture card™. Further, it can record photos via USB from Sony hard drive, DVD and Memory Stick Handycam camcorders.
With a sleek glossy-black premium finish, the recorder has a built-in 2.7-inch color LCD screen for previewing video or up to four digital photos at a time. It also offers four preset menu JPEG images to serve as DVD menu backgrounds; automatic DVD chaptering every 5, 10 or 15 minutes; and stop-timer recording.
Approximately three hours of standard-definition video, 95 minutes of AVCHD video or up to 4,000 digital pictures can be recorded on a 4.7GB DVD+R/+RW disc. Up to about six hours of standard definition video can be recorded on 8.5GB DVD+R double layer discs. The new DVDirect model also supports Dolby® Digital 5.1 surround sound, as well as 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios when paired with compatible camcorders.
DVDirect Express VRD-P1 DVD Writer
The new VRD-P1 DVD writer is a quick and easy solution for directly transferring home videos to a DVD disc without a computer from select new Sony Handycam camcorders, starting with models DCR-SR47, DCR-SR67, DCR-SR87, DCR-SX40, DCR-SX41 and DCR-SX60 announced today.
By attaching this new writer via its built-in, bus-powered USB cable to any of the compatible camcorders, it can transfer standard definition video to disc for playback on most home DVD players. The VRD-P1 model can also play back the DVDs it created onto a compatible television using a Sony Handycam camcorder.
Users have the option to record all of the video contents on the camcorder, only new content captured since the last DVD burn, or selected video clips. In addition, video can span multiple DVDs if the content exceeds the capacity of a single disc.
Availability and Pricing
The VRD-P1 model will be available this month for about $150, while the VRD-MC10 model will start shipping in March for about $300. The currently available VRD-MC5 model will continue to be offered for about $200.
Sony DVDirect recording device products are sold through sonystyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores nationwide, military base exchanges, and at authorized resellers and retailers across the country. Pre-orders for the new VRD-P1 model are now being accepted online at www.sonystyle.com.
