DVDirect MC5

PC World (US online)

Video-transfer device is a quick, convenient way to get content onto DVD without firing up a PC.

Pros

  • Supports HD video, very easy to use

Cons

  • Can't connect to a PC

Bottom Line

Though the MC5 is easy to use, we had to search for a format function hidden in the setup menu to reuse Nero-burned +RW and -RW media. The MC5 does nothing you can't do with a PC and a DVD burner, but for videographers on the go, it's both quicker and more convenient.

Would you buy this?

  • Price

    $ 299.00 (AUD)

The $299 MC5 is the latest in Sony's DVDirect series of stand-alone video transfer devices, and for quick, easy burning of photos and video to DVD without using a PC, you can't beat it. The big news is that the MC5 is the first DVDirect model to support HD video.

However, it doesn't create Blu-ray or HD DVD discs, but rather the AVCHD format, which is basically h.264/MPEG-4 video burned to DVD (still high definition, but the discs won't hold much). Nonetheless, it looks good. Other new features include the ability to import a JPEG file from a memory card to serve as the DVD menu background, or an MP3 file to provide background music for photo slideshows.

Unlike past versions, though, the MC5 won't talk to a computer -- despite having both USB and FireWire ports. You can pick up a DVD burner from $65, so this is not a huge consideration. It immediately recognised the Sony HDR-SR7 camcorder we attached and started the AVCHD disc creation wizard.

We burned two test DVDs with the MC5: one was a slideshow created from files on an SD flash memory card (the MC5 also reads Compact Flash, xD-Picture Card, and all Memory Stick media); the other contained HD footage from the camcorder. (To view the AVCHD discs that the MC5 creates, you need software like Cyberlink's PowerDVD, a Blu-ray player, or a DVD player that supports the format.) Both projects required virtually no intervention on our part, burned quickly, and looked great -- especially the AVCHD disc.

User Comments

Be the first to comment.

Make your own

Comment
Review
This will be kept private.
0.00
Users posting comments agree to the PC World comments policy.

Most Popular

Samsung Galaxy S III vs. HTC One X: Head-to-head
What's the difference between an Intel Core i3, i5 and i7?
The new iPhone 5: rumours, tech specs, Liquidmetal, 3D cameras, 4-inch display and more
Apple iPad 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Tablet showdown
How do I connect my TV to the Internet?

Best Deals on PCWorld

Digital VideoView all »
Digital CamerasView all »
NotebooksView all »
Desktop PCsView all »
TabletsView all »