Sony VRDVC20

Kind of a long name, ik. Anyway, I prolly should have asked you all if this was a good buy or not before I did, but I didn't think of it. It's already on it's way. So have you heard good or bad htings about? Does it look like a good buy? It's analoge to DVD record option is a littel bonus so we can move stuff from VHS and Beta to DVD, but its primary function will be ripping and burning DVD's. Do you think it will do its job well? Thanx for all and any input ahead of time.

 

What is it?

 

It's a DVD/CD reader and burner. Not only does it burn Dvds from a digital source, your computer or maybe your camera, but it can burn Dvds straight from an analog source. (i.e. VHS/Beta/DVD/Tivo) Through this you can take all your home videos, favorite TV shows that you missed, and Dvds without protection and put on a DVD for long term loss less quality.

I looked at Cnet and everybody seemed to like it except for one person. Does anyone know or have any other information on this unit?

 

In the past few days I bought a SONY 5 DISK DVD player (don´t remember the model.
After plugging it in to my TV it didnot work.
So I took it back to the merchant and exchanged for a TOSHIBA SD-V393 and it works perfectly.
Sometimes the best brand is not the best at all.
In my arsenal I have, SONY, TOSHIBA, JVC, PHILLIPS, SAMSUNG, GO VIDEO.
Price is important, and so is quality.
Some reviews of all of those reviewers cannot be trusted.
Sometimes I think that they are being paid-off to write their reviews.
On my PCs the only CD & DVD reader/writers I use are TDKs. Never had a problem with them.
Through the years I learned to stick with the brands that work for you and have not let U down.
I endorse these products up to the point where they let me down.
When they let me down I search for a new brand.

On the matter of your SONY VRDVC20 I will check some sites and get back with you.

nv0n

 

Thanks a lot n0v0n. By the way, I think I said it before, but I'll say it again, I did do some research of my own. Also, we have a Sony DVD player (5-Disc as well) that has worked for about 3-4 years, we have a Sony Beta machine (Like VHS) that is 20-25 years, and we have a Sony TV 32" that is about 14 years old. All have worked with out fault. Price wasn't the leading factor here, it was "name" and "feature set." I wanted it to be able to read/burn DVD+-R's fairly fast, as well as be able to somehow take analog and convert it to digital. (Be it burn it directly to a DVD or create a file that can be stored on a PC) After I found the model I wanted, then I searched the internet for the lowest price possible... Why pay more for the same amount? As far as Sony goes, they made their name by making the best of the best for a long time. Their quality control, I do admit, has suffered through the years, but they still make good stuff. There is the standard x amount of days return policy with newegg as well, so I'm not totally screwed if it's complete shit out of the box. It would make me think twice about buying from Sony again (Like you said, I'm pretty unforgiving). I bought a malfunctioning DAP from Creative (Zen Micro). The headphone jack kept on malfunctioning, and I had to send it back and get a replacement like 3 times. I've seen some of the new stuff they have, sound cards, speakers, PMP's, etc. but I can't justify buying from them after the whole ordeal I went through. TDK makes good stuff, I have to agree with you on that. I use their CD-R's and DVD+R's all the time for burning purposes. They work like a charm.

Anyway, I started to blabber, thanx for the help. I look forward to some positive responses.

 

Okay, heres a site that I found in the VIDEOMAKER magazine from September 2005.

It talks about your VRD-VC20.

It also has a site, and here´s the address...

VANN´S AUDIO & VIDEO SPECIALISTS
1-866-723-9397

www.vanns.com/yourdvds

I hope that this helps U.

Also try to go into some of the other forums and find some of the senior members.

They have unbelievable info on all these subjects.

If I find anything else I let U know

Good luck

n0v0n

 

Hey man thanbks. You've been real great. Just to let you know it came in the mail. Opened it up, installed the drivers, and gave it a whirl. Already ripped one DVD that I knew had a protection on it (Spider man) and it worked fine. Didn't try to burn anything yet however. If you're interested, tell me, I can keep you updated and maybe make a little review. (Build Quality, overall performance, video recording quality, speed, read/write dependability, etc.) So far seems nice. One complaint. The tray seems to be pretty flimsy. I don't mean to go all hard core on it and stuff, but I'll definately go easy. Also, I ripped Spiderman in like 20 minutes. Is that some sort of record? It seemed really really fast to me.

Anyway, once again. Thanx for being so nice. I'll be sure to read up on that site you gave me.

 

I´m glad that SONY lived up to your expectations.
It´s sad that all manufacturers are cutting corners to save on production costs.
If you take care of your hardware it will last U a long long time.
I still have the mother of all DVD recorders...a RICOH...still working after all these years.

I was also told that to rip the DVDs it is better to rip at 4x.

Also avoid using cheap media.

When buying DVDs ensure that they are made in JAPAN, they are the best.

TAIYO YUDENs are the best, you can check around the forum.

Take care and happy burning

n0v0n

 

I'm in Hong Kong with an IBM Thinkpad X40 (XP) and a new VRD-VC20. (It worked great for dubbing videotapes directly!)

But in the rush to pack, I forgot to install the drivers to the laptop, so although the laptop can recognize the hardware, it can't use it because it can't install the drivers. Is it possible for someone to email me a zipfile with the installation files? I'd really appreciate it. David Gerrold, dgerrold@gmail.com. Thanks!!

 

@dgerrold

Did U try the HP site or the site that U need to make the download?

Specify exactly what U need.


n0v0n

 

@dgerrold

I sent U an e-mail with the info

Good luck!!

n0v0n

 

Hey, sorry i couldn't get back to you quicker. I'm not exaclt y sure what you're looking for. I have the instalation CD, do you wan't me to like rip these or something? or has the problem already been solved?

I'd be glad to be of service. If you have any problems with your unit let me know. I wrote a revierw somewhere in here, it'd be nice if you could back up my thoughts on it and maybe even add a thing or two if you like. Like I said in my review, I'll be doing testing on high medium and low quality.

For reference. Does anybody know a good piece of capture software. I'm looking to take a couple screen shots of each video file being played asa reference to quality.

Thanks...

 

Didn't get the email from n0v0n yet, sorry.

Why would HP be of help here? The computer is an IBM Thinkpad X40, and the VRD-VC20 is a Sony unit.

To Kingsora, if you could rip me a copy of the installation disc, that would be a lifesaver.

You can mail it to

David Gerrold
Next Step Asia Ltd
Basement B, East Ocean Centre
98 Granville Rd.
Kowloon
Hong Kong

My gmail address is dgerrold(a)gmail.com.

Thanks!! If there's anything I can do to repay the favor just ask!

David

 

@dgerrold

The e-mail I sent u, returned.

Go to the SONY website and download the drives U need.

Sorry for the inconvinience

n0v0n

 

There's a lot of stuff on the disc. I don't think it will allow me to send a folder of this size. (655MB) Do you know of another way to send files? I can use AIM, but that is slow, it would take like 4 hours to send it...

Lemme know.

___________
Edit: There's a folder called "Drivers," I may only need to send that one. (37.3 KB) That's not bad at all...

 

to: n0v0n

Sorry, but Sony doesn't have the drivers posted on their website, they have everything else EXCEPT the drivers. Their tech support hasn't replied to three email msgs.

If you've got a link to drivers that works, I'll be surprised (and embarrassed) because I spent three hours searching the web. And it usually doesn't take more than a few minutes to find drivers.

 

to Kingsora:

Try the drivers folder, let's see if that works. Thanks!!

dgerrold@gmail.com

 

@dgerrold

try this site, it shows the product and the downloads that U need.
or dvdexplorer.com

http://sony.storagesupport.com

...and being that U R in JAPAN...Sony should be just around the corner.

Did U try some electronic shop there in Japan?
I will try another source ans will let U know

 

By the soudns of his last post "Thanks!!!" I think w/e I sent him worked. Thanks for your help n0v0n. You've been great. I just ripped the cd and e-mailed him the floder that said "drivers"....

 

to n0v0n: I'm in Hong Kong, not Japan. Hong Kong is a special administrative district of the People's Republic of China, so technically, I'm in China, although Hong Kong is functioning in a kind of legal twilight zone until 2047 when the administrative district expires.

to Kingsora: The email attachment hasn't shown up. Apparently gmail doesn't like attachments. Try these accounts. davgerrold@compuserve.com or dgerrold@pacbell.net. We're not there yet, but I think the light at the end of the tunnel isn't a train.