I bought this expecting that it would serve both as a capture device and a DVD recorder. In the stand-alone mode (not connected to a computer), it is amazingly simple and effective. I was able to convert all of my old home videos to DVD at the push of a button. Of course, it took as long as the length of each VHS tape to convert the files, but it was very simple.

My problems came when I wanted to use it as a normal external DVD-RW drive. The only way to accomplish this is to do it through the included Nero software. Even though that software is very complete and effective, I was disappointed that I could not use any other software to run the DVDirect hardware. That even includes Windows Explorer! If you want to copy files to this drive, you need to use Nero. If you want to delete files from this drive (assuming you are using a DVD-RW disk), you have to use Nero. Windows Explorer treats any disks in the drive as "formatted in a manner not recognized by... Read more

I transfered video directly to the DVD with 15 minutes of reading the manual and hooking up the device. It was easy, with clear instructions. The DVDs paly on any DVD player. I don't see how it could be any easier. Video and audio came through great. I'm very happy with the DVDirect.

All information provided for this recorder advertises ease of use. We bought the recorder so that we could transfer video from our harddrive digital video camera directly to a DVD while we were on vacation. Every time we used the recorder it would reject the first disk inserted. It locked up three times the first time we tried transferring videos. I don't trusts the equipment. I had to find a DVD player while on vacation to be sure that our video was transferred before I would erase it off of the video camera. This is a very touching piece of equipment and requires a lot of patience. I think we are going to return the item, since we were unable to get it to work properly.