I bought myself a terrific camcorder, the Sony DCR DVD403 DVD handycam, to take movies of our children.

The camcorder uses MiniDV tapes and allows me to take either still pictures or video.  The camcorder is super easy to use, and I even understood what all of the buttons on the camcorder did simply by reading the manual.

In no time I was recording birthday parties, first tricycle rides, trips to the zoo, etc.  I would rewind my tape and play it for anyone who was willing to watch my videos on the 2 inch by 2 inch LCD screen. After I had filled up three of the MiniDV tapes it became obvious I needed to get the video off of the camcorder.

I am no technical expert, so I tried all kinds of things. Editing software that promised I could download the video onto my computer, a Plextor PX 708UFSWR Dual Format DVD Burner.
120 dollars later I had myself a coaster maker. Seems one has to be an expert to pick out what kind of DVD to buy for these burners.

One day I was reading an in flight magazine that had an article about the Sony VRD VC20 DVD RW Writer. The article was a review that stated that ANYONE could make DVDs with the push of a button or two. Meaning even I could turn my home movies into DVDs. The price was nearly 400 dollars, but my results were guaranteed.

I was extremely skeptical, but bought one on sale for only 200 dollars.  I pulled out the two pages of directions, with pictures, connected my camcorder to the writer using a Firewire, and put in the required DVD formatting tape. I literally pressed the play button on my camcorder, and two buttons on the Sony VRD VC20 and it worked. I made a DVD that I can play in my home DVD player or computer! Now my relatives all have copies of our home movies on DVD. I could not be happier. I am even getting really brave and I am thinking of copying some old home movies we have on VHS tapes onto DVD. If you are technology challenged, and maybe even a little fearful about DVD burners, I highly recommend this product or later versions of this product.