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Companies that gather video using camcorders often need to archive them. A common method of doing that is using the DV interface of the camcorder and linking it to a PC or Mac. Looking to take the computer out of the equation, Sony is offering the VRD- MC1, a device with a built-in DVD burner and small display. This allows an individual with limited computer skills to transfer video to a DVD without using a PC. When testing the unit with a Digital 8 tape recorder, it worked well with digital tapes but did not convert analog Hi8 tapes to digital through the digital interface, though it could be done through an analog connection. That's likely to be a bugaboo more for consumers with old tapes than for corporate users gathering video with today's digital devices. And while it may be hard to justify the cost of a device that's already built into most PCs, the VRD-MC1, nonetheless, is a snap to use for nontechnical types.