Features:

• Record video to DVD from DV or analog video source – Playable in most home DVD players
• Record AVCHD video from Sony HDD/MemoryStick Handycam Camcorder to DVD playable in most Blu-ray Disc™ players
• Backup digital photos to DVD or create photo slideshow on DVD from Memory card or Sony HDD/Memory Stick Handycam camcorder via USB
• Playback/viewing on built in 2.5” LCD display, only discs created by

Editor Reviews:

Product Description:
records high-definition video to DVD from select Sony AVCHD hard drive and Memory Stick® camcorders * playback of high-definition recordings requires an AVCHD-compatible Blu-ray Disc player -- not possible on a standard DVD player * records from Sony hard disk drive Handycam camcorders at up to 6X speed * records digital photos to DVD from Memory Stick, Memory Stick Duo, SD Memory Card, xD Picture Card, and CompactFlash® memory cards * 2-1/2" LCD screen for previewing digital photos and video *

Rating : - Best AVCHD burner ! ! !
The Sony VRDMC5 DVDirect is utterly fantastic !! I bought a Sony HDR-SR11 High-Def. camcorder on the day it was released by Sony, Mar. 6, '08. Sony HDR-SR11 10MP 60GB High Definition Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom I bought the DVDirect a couple days later on sale at Best Buy.

You can't always trust what you read in these reviews. Most of the negative reviews for this Sony DVDirect are from those that didn't read the "details" before purchasing. I read the details, and there were no surprises. The DVDirect works so well, I haven't even installed the software that came with the camera. The DVDirect does NOT use your computer, and doesn't need to.

Turn it on, it prompts you to connect your camcorder, VCR, or flash card. You push a button and insert a blank DVD. It prompts you to burn the entire contents of the hard drive, or by date, or individual clip, or playlist. Then you push the big button. I burned a 58 minute High-Def video (AVCHD file in HD-FH, the highest quality), in about 10 minutes. The burned disc pops out automatically, if you recorded in AVCHD. I played it in my Play Station 3, as it requires a Blu-ray Disc player. It results are jaw-dropping on my Vizio 52". It is better quality than broadcast high-def!

It also makes photo DVD's, from a camcorder or most types of flash cards. There is a preview window. With all of the still-inadequate AVCHD editing software out there, the DVDirect almost makes them moot.

My only caution. . . I do not know how it works with other brands of camcorders, especially those that are not HDD.