14 DAY TRIAL // As high definition camcorders are becoming increasingly popular among consumers, the problem of transferring the filmed content onto other media becomes even more dire, especially since HD content requires a lot more storage space and bandwidth for the transfer operations. And since Sony is one of the most important manufacturers of HD cameras, they've also announced the VRD-MC5, the latest model in their DVDirect Recorder series, a device that can be used for burning high-definition content directly on DVDs, without requiring the presence of an intermediary, namely a computer.
Thus - according to the company - the new VRD-MC5 model can transfer AVCHD videos to DVD discs in their native 1080i HD resolution when connected directly to a Sony hard drive or Memory Stick Handycam camcorder. Moreover, it can record digital photos directly to a DVD as a slideshow or just for photo storage from any of the five most popular digital camera memory cards on the market, as it sports the necessary slots for Memory Stick Pro and Memory Stick Pro Duo media, Compact Flash, Secure Digital (SD/SDHC), and xD-picture cards.
However, the device sports a lot more than just a card reader. Thus, the Sony VRD-MC5 includes Digital Video (i.LINK/FireWire/IEEE-1394) connectors, S-Video, Composite Video inputs, and a USB connector (for Sony hard drive, DVD, and Memory Stick Handycam camcorders). And since we're on the subject of Sony's camcorders, it's worth mentioning the fact that the company recommends the VRD-MC5 to be used with the company's HDR-SR5, HDR-SR7, and HDR-CX7 Handycam camcorders, capable of recording in HD format. Moreover, the device has been fitted with a 2.5-inch color LCD screen for easily previewing video or up to six digital photos at a time, and provides a plethora of useful features, as for example the ability to import JPEG images to serve as the DVD menu background, the ability to import MP3s as audio background for photo DVDs, automatic DVD chaptering every 5, 10 or 15 minutes and stop-timer recording.
"With our newest DVDirect model, users can transfer their high-definition videos to convenient DVDs for enjoying and sharing with family and friends," said Robert DeMoulin, marketing manager for branded storage products in Sony Electronics' IT Products Division. "We enhanced personalization and connectivity to make capturing and saving digital memories simple and fun."
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