Sony® DVD Handycam® DVD+RW 8cm Disc Frequently Asked Questions for VAIO® Computers

VAIO® Computer Compatibility

These questions are applicable to DVD+RW discs recorded on the following DVD Handycam Models: DCR-DVD92, DVR-DVD103, DVR-DVD203, DVR-DVD403, DCR-DVD7.

1.1 Will 8cm DVD+RW discs recorded by the DVD Handycam® play on a VAIO computer?

• Only VAIO computers manufactured after April 2004 supports the playback of a DVD+RW 8cm disc. Please refer to Appendix A for a list of VAIO models that plays 8cm DVD+RW discs.

1.2 Why does the image recorded on a DVD+RW not play back in the wide aspect ratio (16:9) "letterbox" aspect ratio that it was recorded in?

• As of March 2005, there is no confirmed software that recognizes the wide aspect ratio (16:9) recorded on a DVD+RW disc.

1.3 Images recorded in wide aspect ratio (16:9) on DVD+RW media are not present in the correct aspect ratio when played back on my computer. What should I do?

• If you use WinDVD® or PowerDVD® preinstalled on VAIO® computers, you can display the images in wide aspect ratio (16:9) by changing the software settings. Please refer to your DVD playback software User Guide.

1.4 Can I play an 8cm DVD+RW disc on my VAIO computer if it is finalized?

• No, finalized 8cm DVD+RW discs will not play on VAIO computers.

1.5 My computer was purchased before April 2004 will Sony be providing an upgrade service so that my VAIO® computer can play back a DVD+RW 8cm disc?

• We have no plans to provide the upgrade. If you wish to play back a disc recorded by the new DVD Handycam on your VAIO®, we recommend using a DVD-RW or DVD-R 8cm disc.

1.6 I have already recorded on a DVD+RW 8cm disc. How can I play it back?

• Copy the contents of the 8 cm DVD+RW disc to a standard DVD-R/RW disc using Picture Package supplied with the DVD Handycam. For details about the Picture Package operation, please contact Pixela User Support Center.
  • Pixela User Support Center:
  • Web site: http://www.ppackage.com

1.7 Is image quality affected when the contents of a DVD+RW disc is copied to a DVD-RW disc using Picture Package?

• Images are transferred as digital data from a DVD+RW disc to the computer, so there is no deterioration in the image quality. No encoding or decoding occurs during the transfer process from a DVD+RW to the computer. Since Picture Package works with digital data, the image quality does not deteriorate during the transfer process.

1.8 What other Sony products can play 8cm DVD+RW discs?

• Standard 8cm DVD+RW discs recorded by the DVD Handycam® can be played back on Sony DVD players and/or recorders identified on the Compatibility list (attached as Appendix B).

1.9 Why does the VAIO peripheral PCGA-DDRW1, which was released before April 2004, support 8cm DVD+RW playback?

• Standard 8cm DVD+RW playback capability depends on the specifications of the adopted DVD drive. Among the products released before April 2004, the PCGA-DDRW1 is the only model that we have confirmed playback compatibility with 8cm DVD+RW discs.

1.10 Would there be any damage if you try to play back 8cm DVD+RW discs on VAIO Computers released before April 2004?

• There would be no damage to the disc or the product. The product would simply not play back the disc.