I had been trying to decide which way to go when burning my numerous HI8 (analog) videos to DVD. I decided to go with the Sony VRD-VC20 DVD Recorder.

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It's a stand alone unit that will take any analog or digital input, and burn it to DVD. I realize I can't edit them with this Sony unit, but I figure I can do that later on after they are in digital format. I haven't yet decided on what hardware/software to get to do the editing. I wasn't sure how well this Sony unit would work or the quality I would wind up with on the DVD's as compared to the origianl HI8 analog tape. I bought the VRD-VC20 at a local Best Buy, knowing that I could return it easily if it didn't meet my needs.

I paid $279.99, (plus I got a $30 rebate to mail in, so it will end up $249.99). I paid the high end for the unit, and probably could have gotten it for less online via another source, but I wanted to be able to quickly return it for a refund if it didn't meet my expectations.

It was very easy to setup, basically just hooked the RCA audio output and S-video output from my video camera to the inputs of the Sony Recorder, and follow a few easy steps. I used DVD-R discs as they are more compatible with older DVD players that connect to tv's. I burned a couple of DVD's from my HI8 analog tapes, and I was extremely happy with the results. The video quality was as good as the original HI8 tape, as was the audio. I was also happy that the audio was in sync with the video. Has anyone tried burning their commercial VHS movie tapes to DVD using this Sony unit?

Also, note that the VRD-VC20 is the second generation and latest unit from Sony. There are some first generation VRD-VC10 units that the stores are trying to get rid of, so be aware of which unit you are getting. I have a Sony VRD-VC10 got last year, the 20 adds a firewire input and will do DVD-r/rw in direct mode. I works very well as a stand alone unit, you can do primitive editing by pressing pause on the VRD-VC20 let your source run then press record when you want copy to the dvd. As long as you use the 1 hour mode or the 2 hour mode the qualiy will be as good as the source. I wish Sony would have use 4 hour mode instead of the that 6 houre mode, it is realy bad makes a DVD look like VHS.

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I'm using mine to back up laser disks and movies from my dish PVR. I have made about 60 DVDs with it. Don't forget it works with a PC also does a great job. The unit is $234 at newegg.