DVDirect - Sony's latest 'Why-didn't-I-think-of-that?' killer product

[Bob Crabtree]

Sony's VRD-MC3 DVDirect recorder lets you burn video and photos to DVD from a whole lot of sources without needing a PC. Among the supported sources are camcorders (tape, DVD, hard disk), digital stills cameras, memory cards, VCRs and HDD recorders including, it seems, PVRs such as those for Sky, Telewest and Freeview.

To us, that makes it one of those "Why-didn't-I-think-of-that?" products that's certain to sell in big numbers – if the price is right.

Two models will be arriving in Europe in October - the all-singing-dancing VRD-MC3, at around £239 inc VAT, and a cheaper, video-only variant, the £189 VRD-VC30.

Lots more good info in this HEXUS.headline. And let us know here whether you think the prices are right.

[MiLaMber]

Cetainly a good idea in general.
The ability to record from a Sky+ box to this device is certainly the most fascinating use, but probably the only use for me, as anything else can be done via a pc, and whats teh point buying something which in the main only replicates what u can already do..

Having said that, its still a tempting device.

[Rack]

Cetainly a good idea in general.
The ability to record from a Sky+ box to this device is certainly the most fascinating use, but probably the only use for me, as anything else can be done via a pc, and whats teh point buying something which in the main only replicates what u can already do..

Having said that, its still a tempting device.

For a lot of people, recording from the PC is too complicated.

My parents have a colour printer and a PC, but they still bought a docking station with 3"x4" printer for their digital camera for ~£100.

[Bob Crabtree]

I've just updated the story to put right a whole bunch of errors (and omissions) caused by misleading facts (and the absence of some critical stuff) in the info that Sony Europe provided to me.

Grrr!!

[Bob Crabtree]

For a lot of people, recording from the PC is too complicated.

My parents have a colour printer and a PC, but they still bought a docking station with 3"x4" printer for their digital camera for ~£100.

And that is the very reason why, in my view, this ought to sell like hot-cakes, if the price is right.

I just don't know what that "right" price is.

And, truth is, doing things directly as made possible with the DVDirect recorders, is a whole lot faster and a whole lot less hassle than using a PC.

The results might not be quite so good, in terms of editing and the like, but what people need and want is fast-and-dirty and this gives it to them.

I'm really keen for us to do a review but October seems such a long way away.

[Funkstar]

I really like the look of this.

We have an underwater camera system at work that has a built in Sony Video Walkman. This records to Digital8 tapes. In theory we could replace that with one of these units. Very cool.

[DR]

I can't wait to pick one up

[Funkstar]

actually it's a shame there is a standard tray at the front. Would be better if it was more like a pertavle CD player and had a lid on the top to reveal the spindle/lens..... well for us it would be better anyway

[autopilot]

Not something i would ever buy, a PC with all it's many applications will always offer far more functionality, control and creativity.

But it's a extremley good idea. Many people struggle with PC's and i dont like the fact that almost every new electronic consumer device needs a PC. I think your right bob, they will sell well if the price is right (A £300 Dell PC can do everthing this can and 1,00,000 things more). Hopefully the market for this kind of thing will take off other people will start making them, offering more choice and better prices. But the price quoted seems pretty good for a new and unique product, esspecially from Sony.