Its supposed to have 2G capability and only allows 8 min.recording

don't know what program you are using to make the recording(s) with, but have you checked to make sure that the program is set to record more than 7-8 mins of speech? (some programs, like youtube, etc only allow about 10 mins recording for certain formats)

or that there may not be enough memory allocated for the program / file format being used?

i just got 1 from someone haveing the crackle prob recording also. if i find the fix i will post it here..

I turned my recorder on one day and only had 20 min of recording time and it was nothing on it took me awhile but i figured it out you have to put it on your pc and reformat it when i did that i got back my 26 hrs of recording time hope that helps

Try reformatting the yamaha 2G Pocketrak using the setting under Common. THe online manual mentions that if one uses the PCM setting for a lot of recording, it's a good idea to reformat more often.

Down-conversion Capability
The HVR-1500 has a built-in down-conversion capability that allows 1080i recordings to be output as 480i and 576i signals from the i.LINK and SD-SDI interfaces. These signals can also be output from the analogue component, composite, or S-Video connectors. This allows 1080i recordings to be edited using non-linear editing systems running DV editing software or to be viewed on an SD monitor. When down-converting the 1080i recording, the aspect ratio displayed can be converted from 16:9 to 4:3. Display modes can be selected from Squeeze, Letterbox, or Edge crop.

If I were you I would feed the video from the camcorder into your computer via the dv link cable where you can edit it frame by frame using ulead or similar.

If your phone is 2g capable it will already operate at 2G speeds. That aspect you can't control since the 2G aspect is hardware controlled not software. You can disable your cellphone from accessing the internet. To do this, delete the gateway numbers as well as the password for your internet settings and you'll no longer be able to log onto the internet.
Ciza

there is a firmware fix on the sony website
VRDMC5 System Software Upgrade Important Notes: New Features:
1) Allows VRD-MC5 to record video directly from a MemoryStick Duo memory card recorded using a Sony's MemoryStick Handycam Camcorder or an HDD/DVD Handycam Camcorder with Hybrid recording capability. Supplemental Operating Instruction
2) Allows VRD-MC5 to record video incrementally from multiple recording media in a Sony's Handycam Camcorder with Hybrid recording capability.

Improvements:
1) Fixes recording problem with no audio using a Digital8 Handycam Camcorder recorded through IEEE-1394 or i.LINK connection.
2) Corrects signal detections with a MiniDV Handycam Camcorder as copy-protected.

Version: 30R2 File Type: zip File Size: 4.11 mb Date: 01/06/2008 Download & Installation Instructions: Please download the attached VRDMC5 System software update file (SNDF8U30.DA2) and unzip it in a folder of your choice on the computer. Also print and read the attached instructions prior to executing the System Software Update.
Attachment Size VRDMC5 System Software Updater.zip 4.11 MB VRDMC5 System Software Update Instructions.pdf