DVR: Digital Video Recording. What You Need To Know
by: Joe Leech
The Digital Revolution is upon us.... In fact, it?s been
sneaking up on us for a long time with devices such
as calculators, digital watches, and many other
consumer goods, not to mention the devices we
actually use but see very little of. Such devices are
common to us in "the first person" in the form of
many automotive controls in our car, and indirectly
common to us if we fly.. things like aircraft engines,
etc.
But the first area possibly to have a major impact in
terms of comparison has been in the cameras we
use. This effects us both in camcorders and
in the
still cameras. While the purist will probably always
win the argument that the film camera gives greater
quality control than the digital, there are those who
would argue against this principal very vociferously.
Now, most Americans who own a TV are about to
experience first hand another upward leap on the
scale of digital technology as our televisions will be
mandated to use digital transmission and reception
technology within the next few years. Yes, for many
years our current televisions will still work.. possibly
with adapters, and the upgrade is not too unlike the
upgrade from the old AM radio to FM, or if you are a
"ham" from AM to SSB.
Sometimes we have to wonder if progress takes
place simply for progress own sake.. or to justify
some new selling point or to create obsolescence so
the engine of progress can march on.
Without going into a technical discussion of digital
Vs its predecessor, analog, and going the
comparisons of an analog watch (one with hands)
to digital, suffice it to say that in this case, the move
to digital technology in most cases DOES bring
substantial benefits. Clarity, use of less power,
higher resolution when it comes to video.. these are
but a few. However, it is not the scope of this article
to lead into a technical discussion which could fill
pages, but to "segway" and introduce one to the
subject of DVR: Digital Video Recording.
The DVR is on the way "in" and the old recording
devices are on they way out at about the same
speed as your old 33 1/3d and 45 RPM records..
and the VHS tape you use. Probably half the of
reader base of this article owns and has used a DVD
player by now, and you see the many advantages of
not having to contend with tape that gets tangled in
heads some times, must be rewound, and has
limited audio and surround sound capability.
Recording with the VCR has always been a
challenge, particularly if one wants to record
multiple programs at multiple times, or do an
extended recording. Instant and simultaneous
replay is virtually impossible.
With DVR, which by the way not only applies to the
entertainment area, all of these things become
things of the past, and options open up that were
not previously available.
One can either own equipment and record on site,
with the most commonly known device being the
TiVo.. although there are devices now made by
virtually every known electronic manufacturer. The
only question in buying one of these is, "Will this
become obsolete in 36 months?"
A web site
referred to in the resource block goes further into
evaluating this.
The other option is to let a outside source do the
recording. Many of the TV cable providers offer this
as an optional service now. You don?t have to buy a
thing.. only be a subscriber to their DIGITAL service
(which we all will be eventually).
In the meantime, the only question is, "Do I want
these benefits now enough to pay the cost for
them?".
That?s an individual question.
In the meantime, this article gives those who have
come across it some general background, and the
opportunity to prepare some questions before
wondering into your TV and Electronics dealership.
We suggest you prepare by doing searches on terms
like HDTV; "digital ready", "digital TV converters";
"Digital Recorders". Ask about the total number of
inputs; the total recording time; Ask if you can make
a copy of the recording onto a CD or DVD, and will it
play universally, or only on the machine it was
recorded on.
Many questions.. but in the end, all of us will soon
be in the DVR owner ranks.
About The Author
Joe Leech has been involved with electronics since getting his first "ham" license in high school, and keeping up with DVR technology is just natural.
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Keep The Kids Entertained While Traveling!
Keep The Kids Entertained While Traveling!
by: Kevin Anthony
Family vacations can be one of the most anticipated highlights of the year. Maybe it is crossing several states to a favorite amusement park or driving 100 miles to see the grandparents.
Whatever your case may be, if the kids are going they will need to be entertained while traveling to make it easier on everyone.
Today there are many items to keep the kids entertained while traveling compared to 10 years ago.
Keep in mind that some of these ideas that I will be giving you are not only for traveling but will also get lots of use after returning home.
Kids love pictures, so you might consider buying an inexpensive digital camera that they can take their own pictures with.
Handheld video games are another big hit with not only the kids but mom and dad might like the blackjack or poker handheld games also.
Whatever your destination may be, just...
Keep The Kids Entertained While Traveling!
Dvd > Keep The Kids Entertained While Traveling!
LCD TV Checklist: Are you Prepared?
LCD TV Checklist: Are you Prepared?
by: Tim Jeffries
LCD flat screen TVs provide a superior picture as compared to a traditional television - and they can come in more attractive styles to boot.
A flat screen LCD TV can be mounted on a wall, under a cabinet, on the ceiling? or can sit on a stand or on top of furniture.
LCD TVs are versatile, flexible, and provide a better entertainment experience? but how do they work?
LCD flat screen TVs, and LCD technology itself, is based on the properties of polarized light.
LCD TVs consist of two, perpendicularly arranged panes of polarized glass "stuck together" by a liquid-crystal-filled polymer solution. When they are exposed to electrical currents, the crystals untwist to varying degrees, permitting specific amounts and colors of light to pass though them.
Flat screen LCD TVs are, in effect, projection TVs that depend on an extremely bright lamp as their light source,...
Dvd > LCD TV Checklist: Are you Prepared?
Don't Use Markers to Label CDs and DVDs
Don't Use Markers to Label CDs and DVDs
by: Adam Platzer
Many people use markers to write on the surface of their CDs and DVDs when labeling their media.
What most people do not know is that using markers, such as Sharpies, ballpoint pens, or any other sharp object can be very damaging to the media.
Most markers contain chemicals that create oxidation, which can deteriorate the CD or DVD.
The oxidation can ruin the aluminum, which covers the surface of the media and ultimately can destroy the data on the disc.
Additionally, these types of markers can damage the physical structure of the disc.
There are a couple of ways to avoid these problems.
Special pens are now sold which are made specifically for writing on media.
One brand is called Staedtler Lumocolor CD/DVD Markers (pictured to the right).
Another tip to keep in mind is that off the shelf markers can be used on media that has...
Dvd > Don't Use Markers to Label CDs and DVDs
Easy Guide to Buy Digital Camcorders and DVD Camcorders
Easy Guide to Buy Digital Camcorders and DVD Camcorders
by: Gagandeep Dhaliwal
A camcorder is a portmanteau word made by combining 'Camera' and 'recorder'. A camcorder is a portable television camera and videocassette recorder. It is an electronic device for recording video images and audio onto a storage device. It contains both camera and recorder in one unit. The camcorders generally contain digital cameras. A camcorder having digital camera or digital technology is known as digital camcorder. A camcorder having dvd facility is dvd camcorder. A camcorder is powered with a camcorder battery.
Sony introduced the first camcorder in 1983, followed by Kodak in 1984. The first camcorders combined the video-camera with an existing full-size VHS/Betamax recorder. These camcorders were large devices that required a sturdy tripod or strong shoulders to stably support the camera's bulk. The majority of these were designed for right-handed...
Easy Guide to Buy Digital Camcorders and DVD Camcorders
Dvd > Easy Guide to Buy Digital Camcorders and DVD Camcorders