How to Copy a DVD From a Sony DVD Camcorder

Connect a Sony camcorder to a DVD recorder to make video copies on disc.

Sony DVD camcorders record video to a disc inserted into the component. Some Sony camcorders use a full-size (five-inch diameter) DVD for recording, while others use the smaller mini-disc format. You can copy either disc type to a DVD recorder using standard audio-video cables. The time required for copying content from the camcorder to a DVD depends on the length of the video recording.

Things You'll Need

• DVD recorder
• Composite AV cables
• Blank DVDs

Instructions

1. Plug the yellow, white and red ends of the AV cables into the "AV Out" jacks on the side of the Sony camcorder, then toggle the switch above the jacks to "Playback" from "Camera."

2. Insert the plugs on the other end into the DVD recorder's "AV In" jacks, matching the plug colors to the jacks.

3. Turn on the equipment and insert the recorded disc in the Sony camcorder, then insert a blank DVD in the DVD recorder and close the component's media tray.

4. Press the "Record" button on the front panel of the DVD recorder. You must press this button before beginning playback on the camcorder because most DVD recorders take several seconds to initialize and prepare for burning content to the disc. Starting playback before activating the DVD recorder could cause several seconds of the copied program to be lost.

5. Press the "Play" button along the side of the Sony camcorder near the fold-out LCD screen to begin playing the recorded video on DVD.

6. Press the "Stop" button on the DVD recorder when finished, then press the "Menu" button and use the up and down arrow keys to scroll to "Settings." Select "Finalize Disc" to complete the recording and encode the DVD so it can be played on other equipment besides the DVD recorder used to make the copy.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the camcorder's DC power cord to operate the equipment while dubbing. This prevents a dead camcorder battery from ruining a recording session.

• Turn off the camcorder and DVD recorder before connecting the AV cables.

• Do not remove the DVD copy until the recorder finalizes the disc. Removing the disc before finalization will ruin the recording.

References

• PC World: Guide to DVD Recorders
• Columbia ISA: Hook up Camcorder to TV, VCR, DVD Recorder, PC