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Sony's latest DVDirect camcorder-to-DVD recorder creates AVCHD DVDs with 5.1 sound

by Nilay Patel posted Jul 7th 2009 at 12:57PM


It's some 60 percent smaller in size, but other than that Sony's new VRD-MC6 DVDirect looks and acts an awful lot like the previous VRD-MC10 and VRD-MC5: it can take 1080i video with 5.1 audio off your Handycam's drive or Memory Stick and shoot out an AVCHD DVD that plays back on compatible Blu-ray drives like the PS3. If you're not into the all-Sony seamless end-to-end HD experience, you can also bring in SD video over FireWire, composite, or USB to churn out regular old DVDs with automatic chaptering and custom menu backgrounds, or you can go totally old-school and just drop in an SD card full of photos and MP3s to generate a slideshow. Yeah, it's not nerd heaven and you won't be editing Oscar-winners here, but at $230 it's a pretty painless way for everyone else to archive and share their videos. Ships in September.

Sony Optiarc Europe lets loose 24x AD-7240S DVD burner

by Darren Murph posted Mar 3rd 2009 at 4:31AM


While we're not totally in agreement with Sony Optiarc Europe's claim that its AD-7240S DVD burner (AD-7220 A/S pictured) is the first on the planet to achieve a 24x burn rate, we won't deny the awesomeness. Inappropriately hailed as a "speed miracle," the drive features the company's Auto Strategy Technology in order to ensure perfect burns every time. You should also know that it'll toast blank CDs at up to 48x and dual-layer DVD-Rs at 12x. Nah, it's no Blu-ray burner, but it's not like you can even afford that kind of optical media, anyway.

[Via TG Daily]

Sony brings two DVDirect Handycam-to-DVD writers to the US

by Darren Murph posted Jan 7th 2009 at 7:18PM


While it's certainly not the most invigorating release from Sony today, those stuck with too much video on their Handycams will be head over heels. The firm is expanding its DVDirect line by two, and while one of 'em (the VRD-MC10) has been released in Japan previously, this marks the first time it'll ship to American consumers. Said unit incorporates HDMI, component and composite inputs, and features the ability to transfer AVCHD-quality video to DVD; it also includes an i.LINK (FireWire 400) port as well as a USB socket for use with a wider range of devices. Moreover, the MC10 touts a 5-in-1 multicard reader for taking flash-based media straight to DVD, and the 2.7-inch LCD is just fine for previewing things beforehand. The DVDirect Express VRD-P1 DVD writer is tailor made to work quickly and easily with some of Sony's newly announced camcorders, and the lack of advanced functionality means it'll only run $150 (compared to the $300 stick on the MC10) when it ships in March.

Gallery: Sony brings two DVDirect Handycam-to-DVD writers to the US

Plextor reveals PX-Q840U / PX-806SA Qflix-enabled DVD burners

by Darren Murph posted Nov 3rd 2008 at 12:01AM


Hot on the heels of Pioneer's latest Qflix-enabled duo comes a fresh pair from Plextor. The PX-806SA (internal) and PX-Q840U (external) both feature Sonic Solution's sophisticated burn technology that enables users to imprint CinemaNow movies onto specially-keyed blank DVD media. Yes, you actually need proprietary media for this to work -- fun, right? Anywho, the drives come bundled with Roxio Venue / Creator 10 CE software alongside a pair of recordable Qflix discs, and both should be available right now in North / South America for $89.99 and $149.99, respectively. Full release after the break.

Gallery: Plextor reveals PX-Q840U / PX-806SA Qflix-enabled DVD burners

Continue reading Plextor reveals PX-Q840U / PX-806SA Qflix-enabled DVD burners

Pioneer intros DVR-2920Q and DVR-X162Q Qflix-enabled DVD burners

by Darren Murph posted Oct 22nd 2008 at 9:45AM


Ah, Qflix. That snazzy burn technology that enables users to toast CinemaNow flicks onto specially-keyed blank DVD media for playback in your DVD player. For the eight people out there that still find this appealing, Pioneer is looking to compete with a handful of rivals by introducing the internal DVR-2920Q and external DVR-X162Q DVD / CD writers, both of which are Qflix-enabled. Each drive is also bundled with Roxio Venue software to facilitate the whole download-to-DVD process, and the Roxio CinePlayer will allow you to play back the resulting disc right on your PC (should you so choose). Mum's the word on a price / release date, but the pair ought to be hitting soon enough.

Dell offers up Qflix drives to burn CinemaNow movies to DVD

by Steven Kim posted Sep 16th 2008 at 9:52AM

Dell Qflix DVD burner
It's been almost a full year since we first saw DataPlay's CSS-compliant DVD burner, so let's recap the model -- you download a DRM-protected movie to your PC, grab a piece of specially-keyed blank DVD media, use the DataPlay burner to commit the movie to disc and then enjoy your oh-so-legal fun on the run. For all of you who want to live that dream right now, Dell has brought out its $120 Qflix drive bundle so you can save your CinemaNow movies to Qflix DVD media using the included drive, software and two pieces of media (in case one coasters). Seriously, what else are you going to use for long-term archiving of your movies -- hard drives or something?

[Via Electronista]

DataPlay unveils CSS-friendly external DVD burner

by Darren Murph posted Sep 28th 2007 at 2:27AM


Just a week after the DVD CCA approved an unexciting (and incredibly restrictive) download-to-burn scheme, DataPlay has unveiled what it calls the "world's first CSS-managed recording DVD burner." Of course, this isn't the first time we've heard about this type of setup, and as it turns out, DataPlay is actually "participating in the Qflix technology and IP licensing program." The aptly-named MovieWriter is an external USB 2.0 device that is "capable of writing CSS encrypted content for playback on standard DVD players," but alas, you'll be forced to pick up the presumably expensive CSS-MR pre-keyed recordable discs through Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden before any burning can take place. Currently, no pricetag is being listed, but we are told that the outfit is already planning an internal version for OEMs to integrate into pre-fabricated machines. [Warning: PDF read link]

DTR's PDR DVD writer heaps on DRM when burning

by Darren Murph posted May 7th 2007 at 3:31AM

Sure, there's been more than a few attempts to offer up DRM-laced burns, and while the overall success level is certainly debatable, DTR is giving the whole secure writing thing a go anyway. The company, which specializes in making sure that content guardians rest easy, has announced a two-faced DVD burner that can write both normal, non-protected discs or "burn secure downloaded content." Apparently, the Protected Disk Recorder (PDR) will arrive in an external flavor that can connect to "PCs, game consoles, and more" via USB, and while it can reportedly add-in whatever flavor of protection the manufacturer wants, DTR also states that its new device can "provide additional access control functions which further enhance the security of downloaded media." Currently, we've seen no details in regard to price or the actual target market, but if history continues to repeat itself, this is just another layer of DRM waiting to be cracked. [Warning: PDF read link]




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