Sony DVDirect help?

[dvdguy24]

I've been transferring VHS to DVD on my computer for years but i've recently purchased a Sony DVDirect recorder to save time since I wanted simple DVD's - no special menu's or anything for a current project and I wanted it done in real time.

I've noticed that I keep losing the signal while the VHS tape plays. It stars out find, then the small screen says "waiting for input signal" and the recorder will stop the recording - and then start again once it finds the signal. I simply figured this had to do with the VHS tapes themselves and that whenever there was a break in the recording or snow, the DVDirect wouldn't pick up on it - because I've seen that happen with capturing through a capture card on my computer. Not so, because I happened to need to redo a DVD and this time I was missing about 20 seconds less than the first disc picked up.

Is this machine just not "good enough" or do you think it has something to do with the VHS tape itself (these are home videos - not commercial tapes or anything -- just home movies). I think I may have to return this recorder.

Any suggestions/help would be appreciated.

[jjeff]

I've read of a abnormally large amount of problems with those little Sony DVD burners, MC5 comes to mind. In theory they sound nice but like all current standalone Sony DVD recorders they have many issues.
I'd suggest something like a Magnavox 2160a or 513 both of which have a HDD. If you really don't want a HDD or tuner then a Panasonic EA-18 may work nice for you.
I like many things Sony, but current DVDRs isn't one of them.

[dvdguy24]

Thanks for the response. I have a Canopus ADVC 110 for my iMac which works great with iMovie - I actually was able to get the video perfectly through it last night - which tells me it wasn't the tape or the VCR, it was the recorder. What's even more odd is that it picked up the video fine the first time around.

I'll look into your suggestions on other products. It's a shame this Sony recorder isn't the best, I really like the concept.