Customer Reviews
Operates as advertised: Sublime 
2007-11-16
I've used this device now to archive an 8-tape set of teaching videos my staff has had limited ability to access while stuck on VHS. The transfer process is incredibly simple. Turn on the device, format your DVD (a wide range are compatible), set your quality setting, start the tape and HIT THE BIG RED BUTTON. Navigation through the basic menu is simple. One thing that's led to a few DVD-coasters: remember to stop the burner *before the end of the DVD's recording limit*. Going over the time limit seems to lock up the device.
But as a quick tool to get video off tapes and into your DVD player--this is it. It's too bad that Sony has Apple-issues. The included software is PC-only and consumer-grade stuff all around. But I didn't buy this for use with a computer. I bought it to not have to tie up my computer on these long burns. And for that this device excels.
I have used this device with VHS and miniDV tapes as well as Sony HDD cameras. The quality of the final product is a great representation of the source material. Don't expect your VHS to look brilliant in the transfer. It will at least be able to pause on single frames once digital. HDD footage however was great.
Ok for VHS, but a problem with Hi-8 
2007-10-27
When I first set this up it worked like a dream to copy VHS tapes, even using a non-Sony VCR. Then I tried to use it with a Firewire per the instruction manual to copy Hi-8 tapes from a Sony digital camcorder (DCR-TRV310). I get a message saying "recording will begin once the tape has rewound," but when rewound recording does not start, and I can't make it start, even when pressing the "play" button again manually on the camcorder, or by starting over with the tape rewound. I can't figure this problem out, since the camcorder works fine when, e.g., connected to a TV so I don't think that's the problem. Has anyone else had this problem? Could it somehow relate to the Hi-8 tapes, which were recorded with an earlier-generation Sony camcorder? Somehow if that were the issue I wouldn't expect it to be this problem, as compared to some kind of error message. Any solutions? I suspect that if I call Sony they'll tell me it's the camcorder's fault (although it's a Sony!)and I doubt that.
Sony DVD Recorder 
2007-10-17
I purchased this recorder to be used exclusively to transfer all my old VHS tapes onto DVDs. For this application it has performed perfectly. So far I have transferred about 40 tapes without a single failure. It permits me a certain amount of editing, ie, deleting portions, shuffling tapes, and it also allows to load anywhere from one to six hours on a DVD (with quality reduction at the longer times.) Good device.
Great Product 2007-10-15
We purchased the DVDirect to record some old movies taken with our movie camera of several past family reunions. I was very pleased at how easy to use the DVDirect is. We have since used it to record photos from our digital camera to make a slide show as well. This is a great item! And the process of purchasing it through Amazon was fast and smooth!!! Thanks!!
Note to Sony: This Is BALONEY! 
2007-09-29
If you want to understand how Sony lost its vaunted reputation and leadership role in consumer electronics, look no further than the VRDMC3. It's a smartly packaged great idea that has been ruined by poor quality execution that will waste your money and MANY hours of your time, as well.
But first, some background: as a professional television network exec, I'm actually more forgiving than the average consumer when it comes to understanding the still imperfect process of burning DVDs. Even from pro production companies, I receive burned DVDs that either will not play or have problems when playing. So when I ordered the VRDMC3, I wasn't expecting perfect performance, especially at the price. If it worked as advertised 80-90% of the time, I would have been happy. However, the success rate I've had with it thus far is more like 33%. Two-thirds of the time, it will begin the recording process, continue anywhere from 30 to just near completion at 60 minutes, and then abruptly quit with a "Failed to Record" message. All you can do is toss the disc and start all over again. It has turned the process of using this machine into one of dread--everytime you load a new disc, you wonder if this time it will make it through.
This is not a compatibility issue--I have all Sony equipment and have been using Sony DVD blanks. It quits when dubbing from my Hi 8 camcorder as well as my mini-DV camcorder. It quits regardless of whether the connection is component video, S-video or Firewire, and it quits no matter if the blank is a +R, -R, etc.
The one positive about the VRDMC3 is that when it does work, it actually does so quite well. In fact, the video quality of a recorded DVD actually exceeded my expectations. If this deck worked consistently, I'd be giving it four or five stars, which it would deserve given the modest price for the functionality offered.
But no product can be excused when it fails to perform most of the time. And many other reviews here (and elsewhere) report a high rate of failure. Sony should be ashamed for selling a product to consumers that was clearly not ready for the market. So save yourself both money and angst and steer clear of the VRDMC3.
Sony VRD MC5 2008-01-14
This unit did not work for me. I mean it did nothing at all. Would NOT recomend to others. I am sending it back. Did NOT work as advertised.Very disapointed. thanks SONY.
Sony DVDirect 2008-01-12
Product does a great shop recording from my vcr tapes. So glad I purchased it.
dvd direct 2007-12-30
Easy to use. got good shipping. have already converted 1/2 our old vhs tapes to dvd and will then edit for content.
Better Than Expected 2007-12-23
I own this Sony VRD-MC3 for about a year now, and it performs better than my expectation. At first I used it mainly as an independent DVD recorder without connect it to a PC. After the internal (in my PC) DVD burner started to trash many new recordable DVDs, I connected the Sony VRD-MC3 to the PC and windows XP detected it without any problem. It has not failed me so far including all DVDs that the internal DVD burner failed before. Now if I want to use it with a PC, I just go to the menu and set it to PC mode; and if not I just set it to no PC. This device is more than an external DVD burner, it can be use even without connect to a PC which many reviews already mention.
The Nero 7 come with it was a bonus for me. I wanted to buy a software package similar to Nero, and found that it is already included with this burner. The software at the time cost about $xx which is already included for free. Before install Nero, I first created a restore point in XP (I do this before any installation that I am not sure of...). After installed the included copy of Nero 7 the system seemed to work fine, I did not notice any problem. I have the option of upgrade Nero 7 to a newer version for free. I took the option and upgraded. For some reason, XP become very un-responsive after the upgrade. Without spending time to find out why, I un-installed Nero and restore XP back to the pre-installation restore point. I then re-install the included copy of Nero 7 and do a few tests. This copy of Nero 7 has been working fine for me since. I have been using it for about a year now.
I think the Sony VRD-MC3 and the included Nero 7 price is very reasonable.
The one and only... 2007-12-07
Since i can't give it less than a single star...if this was a letter grade i'd give it an F minus!!!
Right now i'm in my SEVENTH hour trying to record my cousin's wedding video for his widow, one of the only moving image recordings she has of him...so you can understand why she's reluctant to give it out to one of the photo stores in the neighbourhood.
RIGHT NOW the PAUSE light is on although the RECORDING time meter is still running, and when i tried to view it on my computer on previous recordings i got no picture, although when i went to Roxio there was 4.4 gigs on the disc!
Of course, when you go to the Sony site it's IMPOSSIBLE to get any tech support, and i can't blame it all on the Vista since it doesn't play on the regular DVD player...so it looks like Sony is no longer the premier name in electronics:(
