To play a Sony Handycam MiniDVD on a computer, you would need to finalize the disc and then use a DVD player program as explained below.
MiniDVD camcorders were popular once upon a time. Some folks preferred them over tape-based camcorders.
The main reason for their popularity was mini DVDs provided playback ease.
With a tape-based camcorder, you would need the camcorder to play back your tape.
Also, you would need to undergo the hassle of connecting your camcorder to your TV.
Playing, a tape from a camcorder isn’t the most convenient thing to do. Even if you have a camcorder remote.
If you want the ease of playback, you can buy an 8mm or MiniDV VCR or player. Most folks would need to break the bank to do it.
A mini DVD, on the other hand, can easily be played back on a DVD player and a computer with a DVD drive.
But then playing back a MiniDVD on a computer may not be as easy as it seems.
But what if your Mini DVD won’t play on a computer,
Here’s how to play a Sony Handycam MiniDVD on a computer. The method applies to other DVD camcorders as well.
Finalize Disc
If you have been using DVD camcorders a lot, you would have heard of the term finalize the disc.
Finalizing a MiniDVD
A Mini DVD doesn’t work like a tape. You can record on a tape and then play it back on a TV. You can then remove the tape and continue recording on it.
That’s not the case with a mini DVD.
You have to close the disc first before you can read it on a device away from your DVD camcorder.
You’ll be reminded that finalizing a disc will not allow you to record on it anymore.
This is a major drawback of the DVD camcorder. With a tape, you can just play and record on it without having to finalize it.
What if You Don’t Have a Camcorder?
So, how do you finalize a Mini DVD if you don’t have a camcorder?
Finalizing with a Computer
You may finalize a MiniDVD with a computer. However, you would need a paid program called CDRoller.
This data recovery software, among others, will help you finalize a Mini DVD without the need for a camcorder.
It would be a worthwhile investment if you have many unfinalized discs.
Buying a DVD Camcorder
You may want to buy a DVD camcorder if you have many MiniDVD discs to finalize.
If so, buy a DVD camcorder of the same brand as the faulty unit.
Tape to Digital Service
If you have only a single DVD or two to finalize, then you may want to send your disc(s) to a tape-to-DVD/digital service.
These services usually have many DVD camcorder models. They can do the disc finalization job for you.
How to Play a MiniDVD on a Computer
If you’ve finalized Sony Handycam MiniDVD, you would need a DVD drive and DVD player software to view your disc.
DVD Drive
Most computers don’t come with built-in DVD drives these days. But you can always affordably buy an external DVD drive.
A MiniDVD can easily fit into a DVD drive try. Just place it on the ‘middle ring’ as shown below.
DVD Player Software
If you’re on a Windows 10 computer, you’ll have no luck.
Since Windows 8, there hasn’t been a built-in DVD player in your operating system.
So, you’ll have to make do with a third-party DVD player like the VLC Media Player.
Read more on how to play a MiniDVD on a Windows computer.
You’ve learned how to play a Sony Handycam MiniDVD on a computer. Now, go ahead and give it a try.
