ReZoom

Granted, computers are integrated into almost every element of our lives, but that doesn't mean they're always the easiest tool, particularly when all you want to do is transfer media such as digital photos and videos.

Sony's newest DVDirect DVD recorder the VRD-MC5 is designed to cut out the middleman -- in this case, your PC.

The hang-up with using a PC for everything is that the software doesn't always match up and when you're dealing in videos, and you can quickly stress out your memory stores. The VRD-MC5 can store six hours of standard-def video, 95 minutes of AVCHD video or 2,000 digital pictures. It can pull standard home video from sources like a camcorder or VCR via connectivity options like FireWire, S-video, composite video and USB.

Sony packed in some flexible editing software in the form of optional visual backgrounds, stop-timer recording and background music for JPEGs, but the manufacturer must not have thought you'd do too much editing since it only built in a slight 2.5-inch color screen to preview the media before you burn. And being Sony (which is pushing a new line of HD digital camcorders), it's obviously capable of handling AVCHD.

The VRD-MC5 hits store this months, retailing for about $230.