Tape to DVD Transfer

Video tape conversion to DVD

Video tapes and cassettes can be transferred to DVD in the same manner as any other cassettes. They are transferred maintaining the video format. They can also be converted to another format. Ordinarily such transfer copies are made to DVD RW (Read /Write) discs and each disc can have videos playable for six hours duration. A VHS video tape can be converted and recorded on DVD disc as NTSC standard. The VHS, VHS-C, VHS, S-VHS, and MINI DV have video standards of NTSC, PAL, PAL-N, PAL-M, and SECAM respectively. While NTSC is the basic standard in USA, PAL is the basic standard in Europe and Asia. PAL-N is accepted standard in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay while PAL-M is the standard in Brazil. All these video tapes can be converted to DVD in the same format or any other desired format and once converted to DVD they will no more have the standard and zone constraints. While converting tapes to DVDs, you should also remember that some companies making such conversion have a restriction that such DVDs can be played only on DVD+R player and not on the DVD-R player. The converting companies also ordinarily do not refund your money and you should make it doubly sure that with your player and TV the converted DVD will really play. Get the technical advice as best as you can.

The Price tag

Conversion from tape to DVD will involve a cost, ordinarily towards service charges payable to those facilitating the conversion and transfer. The average rates for simple transfer of tape to DVD are around $18-19 per transfer. The average rate on the other hand, for transfer and conversion comes in the range of $28-$30 per such transfer and conversion. If you are getting such services from a distant place, there may be additional shipping charges, though some companies provide free shipping. There are different modes of shipping and the charges depend upon the mode and time taken for the delivery. The shipping thus comes in the range of $5 -$125 depending on mode of delivery within the United States of America.

Items that you may like to transfer from tape to DVD

Before you consider about the item you wish to transfer from tape to DVD you must take care of the copyright indemnities. You must be careful not to violate any copyright laws that may lead you into future litigations or trouble. Some of the personal items you may like to transfer from old tapes preserved with care to DVD for a much greater longevity could be your wedding video, activities of your children while growing up gradually, materials relating to corporate sales and training, study materials, memorable family events or any other special events etc. Apart from these, there could be other tapes and videos that you may like to preserve. A most useful way to preserve the old tapes in a much better form, is to convert those home videos to DVD, since DVD conversions are quite easy and affordable. VHS tapes can also be converted to DVD and the same manner of conversion can be applied to VHS-C, VHS tapes, Hi8 or any such media.

Converting tape to DVD ? methods

The widely used process of transferring a tape by conversion and transfer to a DVD disc is by using an analog-to-DVD converter. A converter may be a stand alone analog to DV converter. One method is to encode the tape to MPEG-2 and then author a DVD. While this process is time consuming, the best part of it is that it gives you the flexibility to edit the video to your liking and requirements. Sometimes you may feel tired and exhausted since taken together, this may mean multiple hours of work to get each hour of video transfer on DVD. The other method is to capture the video to computer using hardware, as MPEG-2. Then you may author and burn a DVD. You spend one hour for getting video of one hour. With this method you have less scope of editing and can effect only the ?cuts-only? editing. When the original tape is good enough not requiring any editing, this may prove to be a faster and less tiring effort. Moreover, even cheap converters like the analog to MPEG boxes can also provide very good quality transferred video. In the other method there is a requirement of converting VHS to DVD and this could affect the quality of video compression adversely.

The Process

A stand alone DVD recorder works like a VCR. It provides the viewer with a DVD copy of the tape in real time. It is a faster, easier, and perhaps the best way for a layman to transfer a tape to DVD. Of course the DVD/VCR, that have Firewire connections for plugging in a DV/Digital5/DV CAM camcorder, the transfer will be much faster, and quality will also be very good. However, you will need to remember the old saying ?there is no fruit without the root?. If the original analog video has flaws then they may be greatly magnified while you go through the process of transfer or conversion and transfer as the case may be.

Maintenance issues

We often forget some basic things while using electronic devices and the processes provided by them. Old tapes may have a conglomeration of residues and the tape heads need to be cleaned periodically in the VCR or Camcorder, whatever you use for the purpose of transfer or conversion and transfer of tapes to DVDs. Make use of the controls to obtain a softer image version which will allow the MPEG-2 encoder to do a good job. Similarly, a less sharp playback system would be more effective and here also you can use the respective control system of the device used for transfer. To convert Hi8 and 8mm to DVD, you may use a Digital 8 Camcorder with your computer. They have some built in devices for noise control and cleaning the analog video before conversion and as a result the end product, comparatively, is of much superior quality. Time is also an important factor since long hours of transfer require a high quality MPEG-2 encoder. You can of course use the system of half-resolution for transfer or conversion. It means using a resolution of 352x480 in place of the normal 720x480 for NTSC. Another important item would be compressed audio since it is economical in space and provides a high quality video. One of the best audio compression devices available in the market is the Dolby Digital/AC3. When you try transfer or conversion of a DV to DVD, the MPEG-2 compressor needs to be of high quality since the DV takes almost 14 GB space and it has to compressed to a 4.7 GB DVD.

One last point

With the enormous improvement in digital technology, transfer of a tape to DVD or its conversion and transfer, have both become comparatively easy. However, a few finer points need to be noted, like having a good quality converter, Camcorder, or VCR and a high quality MPEG-2 compressor, which might be the exact accessories required to produce a high quality DVD by way of transfer or conversion from your old tape. All said and done, a DVD is a much better quality media and long lasting. A time will come when DVDs may completely replace the use of tapes which are already on steady decline. Tapes tend to run out of life fairly quickly and at present there is no better answer than a DVD disc for preservation of your loved videos.

110-220 Volt Electronics and video transfers. We do VCR, VIDEO, VIDEO TRANSFERS, from tape to DVD or tape. VIDEO STANDARDS CONVERSIONS,PAL,SECAM,NTSC,PAL,NTSC,VIDEO TAPE TRANSFER. Done Electronics stores such as http://www.planetomni.com With a multisystem TV, such as a plasma, CRT tube type, LCD or DLP, you'll likely need a codefree (sometimes called region free) DVD player. These exist in many forms. When used with a PAL-NTSC TV you'll be able to see the full 625 lines of resolution available in the PAL system and the full 525 lines used in the USA NTSC system. There exists a converting type of DVD player which is codefree in that it can read all of the world's 6 regions and both standards, PAL and NTSC. 140,000 other products are available here: http://www.planetomni.com Tel. # 800-514-2984

Top 3 Ways to Buy an LCD TV

This may come as a surprise to you. Just like other types of big screen TVs, LCD flat screen TVs have some disadvantages, as well. Yes, it's true. For example, LCD TVs have lower contrast ratios than plasmas, because they have a harder time reproducing deep black and dark grays. Their screen also tend to be thicker than plasma screens.

However, a LCD flat screen TV is not susceptible to burn-in and usually is less expensive than plasma televisions. LCD TVs also run cooler than plasma TVs, thereby minimizing the need for noisy fan cooling. Many LCD sets can double as a PC monitors, as well. In terms of longevity, LCD flat screen TVs can last up to 60,000 hours, whereas plasma TVs, on average, last 30,000 to 40,000 hours.

Ready To Buy a LCD Flat Screen TV?

So, you are all set to buy your first LCD flat screen TV? Cool! Here are some shopping tips before you set you mind on a particular model.

1. Check The Black-When you are shopping for your LCD flat screen TV, bring along a DVD movie that has dimly lit scenes. Use this to check for good black reproduction. Don't worry, the sales people won't think you are odd-maybe slightly obsessive, but not weird.

2. Remote Control-A good remote could be the difference between relaxation and frustration. Make sure that the remote control has backlighting so you can see you options in the dark. Also, make sure that the remote is comfortable. It is going to be in your hand a lot! 170-degree Viewing Angles-Try to find a LCD flat screen TV that has 170-degree viewing angles so that you may watch the image from anywhere in the room.

3. HD-Ready-HDTV stands for high-definition television. So, a HDTV is a television with a built-in digital tuner that shows high-definition broadcasts in true high-definition resolution. We recommend that you buy a LCD flat screen TV that is HD-ready, so that you may view HD programming- it's the wave of the future.

So, look around before you buy the perfect LCD flat screen TV for your home. You should understand that there are some disadvantages to each kind of television format, and nothing can reach perfection-yet. Well, except for maybe a jumbo 65-inch Sharp Aquos TV. LCD TVs can be simply awesome if you know what you are doing when you shop for them.

There is more than meets the eye when LCD TV shopping. These points only scratch the surface (if that!). Find out all the insider info on LCD TVs today.

Roger Wembley is author of ?The LCD TV Guide.? Get your copy at http://www.ilcdtv.com

Discount Camcorders

Some of the most important factors that buyers should consider when buying a camcorder are the features. A buyer should know what features they want and need, because it can affect the cost of the camcorder. A buyer's budget plays a significant role in the type of camcorder that is purchased. This is true, because there are a variety of choices when it comes to brands, models, features and format. This all makes choices difficult for a buyer, because anyone wants the most that money can buy.

For newer and more expensive models, especially those that can record in high definition video (HDV), finding the best deals can be equally challenging. Fortunately, this kind of technology is affordable, as there are a number of good sources for discounts.

Two of the best sources for good deals on camcorders are discount electronics stores and the Internet. Discount electronics stores get their products at wholesale prices and only charge a small markup. The intense competition on the Internet has also contributed to the very low prices that are offered online, especially at auction sites. If a buyer has the patience to look at a number of discounts stores and an even larger number of web sites that offer camcorders, there are some fabulous deals to be had.

However, buyers should be careful of unscrupulous dealers who might trick them into buying ?cheap? camcorders that, in the long run, are more expensive because all the accessories are not included in the price and have to be purchased separately at outrageous prices. To avoid becoming a victim, make sure that you buy from a reputable dealer. When buying online, check out the company by going to certain sites that offer reviews on companies that sell camcorders.

There are a number of sources that offer good deals on camcorders. Discount electronic shops and the Internet are two of these sources. However, buyers should not be enamored with some of the very cheap deals offered, as they may find themselves the victim of unscrupulous dealers. Given this, a good amount of research and vigilance can help people avoid such a scenario.

Camcorders provides detailed information on Camcorders, Digital Camcorders, Camcorder Batteries, DVD Camcorders and more. Camcorders is affiliated with DVD Digital Camcorders.

Plasma TV Screens ? Pros Cons and Advice

Plasma TVs are widely popular, due to the advantages they offer. In this article, we'll go over a few of the pros and cons of Plasma screens, as well as tips for buying a plasma TV.

The Pros of Plasma Screen TVs

Plasma screens are very shallow (slim line profile) ? usually the screen will take up about 2 inches, and the entire TV or finished screen will be just a few inches deep. This means that your TV takes up very little room, and is easily mounted on a wall.

Plasma screens also have an excellent contrast, and can display nearly perfectly dark black. Plasma screens can also display very bright colors. This makes them ideal for watching movies.

Plasma screens can also come in extra large sizes. The largest plasma screen in the world is 103 inches across. You can easily buy plasma screens up to about 65 inches.

The Cons of Plasma Screen TVs

Plasma screens begin losing their brightness after about 2,000 hours of use. The latest model plasma screens will be half as bright as they originally were after about 60,000 hours of use.

Plasma screens are very fragile, so they are hard to install and ship. Of course, they are also at an increased risk of breaking.

Above about 6,000 elevation, Plasma screens will emit a humming noise. Very few people will have an issue with this, though, as very few people live above 6,000 feet elevation.

Tips for buying a Plasma Screen TV

As with any other electronic, it's important to shop around and get the best product at the best price. Check online review and shopping comparison sites.

Also, be wary of advertised contrast ratios. Since there is no standardized measurement method, it is very difficult to compare contrast ratios between manufacturers.

Visit Plasma TV Guide UK for Sony Plasma TV Reviews and more.

HDTV: Buying Guide Part One

There?s never been a better time than now to buy a high-definition television (HDTV). Whether your primary source of television programming is local over-the-air broadcasts, cable or digital satellite TV, you will find that there is now a wealth of high-definition programs available. If you have a standard-definition television you will also enjoy all of your widescreen-format DVDs that much more on a HDTV. And with Toshiba now shipping their first-generation HD-DVD players and Blu-Ray players coming to North America next month, there are even more reasons why it makes sense to take the plunge and buy an HDTV.

Now that you?re convinced you need to go out and buy a brand new HDTV the question is what type of unit to buy. First, you should decide what size HDTV makes sense for you. Because HDTV?s have a wider aspect ratio (16:9) compared to a standard television (4:3) you will want to choose a larger diagonal screen size for your new HDTV than you might expect. CNET has a great guide you can check to find out the right size that meets your needs.

Now that you?ve chosen what size HDTV to get the next question is what type of technology you should look at. Older CRT analog televisions were all based on the same basic technology, but now you have a potentially confusing array of choices: LCD, plasma, DLP, LCoS, and D-ILA. LCD and plasma are both flat panel technologies that can be mounted on walls. If you?re looking for an HDTV less than 42 inches then LCD is probably your best choice. Plasma is a better choice for HDTVs over 42 inches, as current LCD units get very expensive in larger size formats.

I just pre-ordered the new Samsung HLS-5087W 50 inch rear projection DLP HDTV. Many believe that DLP technology offers the best price/performance in the 50 inch plus category of HDTV today. Sony has made a large investment in LCoS technology which it brands as SRXD, while JVC brands their LCoS line D-ILA. LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) is most similar to DLP (Digital Light Projection) technology, however many believe the DLP camp has made faster progress on reducing manufacturing costs to offer consumers a better price/performance ratio. While rear projection DLP HDTVs lack the flat panel appeal of LCD and plasma units, they are much lighter and have far less depth than the CRT televisions of the past.

You?ve chosen the right size and technology for your new HDTV, and now you?re trying to understand what is 720p versus 1080i versus 1080p. Let me help you out here ? don?t bother getting a 720p today. I?d recommend at least a 1080i, better yet a 1080p. My new Samsung is both 1080p input as well as output. In order to understand what all of these strange numbers mean, well, you?ve have to wait until my next article.

James Ambras is a consumer technology enthusiast of the highest degree, and his 'Tech Talk' series appears each month at http://blog.peerflix.com. Jim's day job is as the VP of Engineering for Peerflix, the leading online destination to trade DVDs. For more information, visit http://www.peerflix.com.

What Makes an HDTV High Definition?

You keep hearing about it ? new high definition DVDs, high definition camcorders, and high definition TVs. And you probably know that high definition means higher quality video, but beyond that it may all be just a bit fuzzy.

If you?re a TV and you want to be labeled as an HDTV, then you need to have one of three formats ? 720p, 1080i, or 1080p, with 1080p being the best of the three. The main difference in these formats is resolution. A 720p TV will have a resolution or 1280 pixels by 720 lines. A 1080i or 1080p will have a resolution of 1920 pixels by 1080 lines.

The other factor is the letter behind the number, p and i. They refer to the way the image is built up. The p stands for progressive and the i stands for interlaced. When using an interlaced scan, only half the lines (for a 1080i, that?s 540 lines) are displayed at a time. The lines are alternated so fast (1/30th of a second) that your eyes interpret the two images to be just one. In progressive, all of the lines are displayed at the same time, which provides a smoother looking picture. (Lines are displayed every 1/60th of a second).

Now in a perfect world, we?d all have 103? 1080p plasma displays in our living rooms, however, unfortunately we don?t live in a perfect world, so we have to figure out which HDTV, if any, best suits our needs.

The first question to be asking yourself is what am I going to use it for? Do you watch a lot of movies? Do you plan on getting HD channels from your cable or satellite provider? Are you willing to upgrade the rest of you A/V equipment? These are important questions because if you don?t plan on upgrading to a new DVD player (HD-DVD or Blu-ray), and you don?t want to spend the extra money on an HD box from your cable or satellite provider, then an HDTV probably isn?t for you. You can go buy a nice big screen TV and save yourself several thousand dollars in the process and still just as nice a picture from your standard television programming and standard DVDs as you would with a high definition display.

For those of you who do plan on upgrading the rest of your equipment, then an HDTV may be an investment you?ll want to consider.

Gary Ruplinger is a writer for PlasmaGeeks.com. Be sure to visit his site to learn more about Plasma TVs and HDTVs.

Eliminating that Terrible Hum From Your Home Theater Speakers

You've all heard it, that dreaded 60Hz hum through the speakers of a home theater or house audio system. Hopefully you heard it at a friend's house and not your own. It can drive you completely nuts. You may have even tried, unsuccessfully, to fix the little noise problem. That can make you even more crazy. What causes that horrendous noise through your speakers?

More often than not humming through your speakers is caused by a grounding problem. There are three main ground problems that cause problems in an audio / video system. These are ground loops, improper grounding and lack of a ground altogether. The other possible culprits that can cause noise are bad cables, a faulty piece of equipment or electrical noise from a lighting dimmer or electric motor. There are steps you can take to troubleshoot the noise and eliminate it from you theater.

The first step is find out where it is coming from. Disconnect your source and display equipment from your receiver or surround sound processor. If the noise stops, connect them back to the receiver or processor on at a time until the noise returns. When the hum comes back, you found where the noise is entering your system. Note that if you are connecting remote equipment, such as running the signal from your theater room DVD player to the TV in the bedroom, your chances to pick up noise increase dramatically. With such long runs, noise can be induced into the long cable runs from adjacent electrical wiring. It is also easy to create a ground loop, because the equipment is plugged into two different, widely separated outlets, on different electrical circuits.

If the noise is caused by a cable box, the noise is likely caused by the cable TV ground. To test this theory, disconnect the incoming cable TV feed to the rear of the cable box or TV while they are still connected to the rest of the system. If the noise is eliminated by disconnecting the TV cable, the problem is the cable TV ground. You can electrically decouple the cable TV feed from your system with a ground breaking transformer. These are available from many sources. Be advised that many newer, digital cable TV systems require any device in the signal chain to pass a full 1,000 Mhz. Some of the older ground break transformers will not do this. Be sure to check the specifications of whatever device you are purchasing to verify it will pass the digital cable TV signal.

If the noise is from your projector, TV, or monitor, it is most likely caused because the video display device is plugged into a different outlet than the other a/v equipment. It could be on a different circuit as well. These circuits may have two different ground potentials. That is, the resistance to ground is different on each circuit. A difference in resistance to ground from one ground point to another can cause the dreaded ground loop. If you get a ground loop, current flows between the two components. If the current flows through the components internal audio signal ground, you will get a hum.

You can use an isolation transformer, similar to the type used for cable TV ground problems, to eliminate the electrical connection from one component to the other. These transformers are inserted in line with the audio signal connection between the two components. If there is no audio connection between the components, the problem may be current flowing through the video portion. In this case, a video isolation transformer should be used to eliminate the ground loop.

Sometimes power conditioners will stop noise problems by placing equipment on different, electrically isolated outlets. This is done using isolation transformers. Sometimes this is ineffective however, due to the differences in internal construction of different power conditioning equipment. Some safety regulations, such as UL 1950, specify that an isolation transformer is only allowed to isolate the hot and neutral wires; the grounding wire must be passed straight through. If this is the case, the ground loop problem may still exist because many communication circuits are connected to the grounding conductor and not the neutral. In this case, the isolation transformer, or any power conditioner or UPS with an isolation transformer will have absolutely no affect on the grounding problem.

The noise may be generated externally, from a dimmer or refrigerator compressor for example, and coming in through the main power input on the audio video equipment. In this case, a high quality power conditioner may be effective in reducing or eliminating the noise problem. You may also find that one of the signal interconnecting cables in your system is faulty. This can also cause noise problems. Check for this by swapping the cables with one that you know to be good.

You can solve most noise problems in your home theater or multi room audio/video system by taking the systematic, step-by-step approach. Work your way up the signal chain, eliminating each piece of equipment as you go. If you have nothing connected to your speakers except the speaker wiring, and they still hum, the problem is noise induced into the speaker wiring from adjacent power cables. Other than that case, most problems are caused by ground problems, which you can find, and solve, if you take it one step at a time.

Steve has 15 yrs in the consumer electronics industry. He is a CEDIA certified designer with ISF and THX certificates. His experience includes: installer and programmer; system designer; business unit director for an a/v importer; sales rep for a CE distributor; and principal of a $1.5M+ CEDIA firm. He's now senior sales engineer for Digital Cinema Design in Redmond, WA. For more information on how to make your home theater better, and what's on the horizon, including CEDIA and CES show reports, see The Home Theater and Automation Guide

DVD Replication Services

Like their CD predecessors, DVDs store audio, video and other forms of digital data. A number of government, business, educational and other organizations use DVDs to spread information in the form of sales presentations, lectures, documentaries and other forms of multimedia communication. For this purpose, when multiple copies need to be produced from a master DVD, professional DVD replicating services are required.

DVD replication services are usually needed for the replication of discs in numbers above 500. If only a short run is asked for, the costs could be prohibitive as a result of setup expenses. Setup costs generally include the manufacturing of a glass master from which the discs will be pressed. Moreover, subscribers to replication services might also require the production and printing of artwork and paper parts as parts of the complete package.

It has been observed that some replicating companies are great at high volumes only, while others excel at low runs. Some can process fast turns, i.e., finish work within the scheduled time, while others make empty promises. Those capable of maintaining consistently fast turnaround times will usually demand a higher price. A few could be low-cost leaders, but others may have special printing or packaging capabilities.

Volume is another factor you must take into consideration. You should remember that the larger the volume, the less the cost per piece.

DVDs are mostly printed using either silkscreen, offset, or thermal technology, each having its own strengths and weaknesses. Although widely used, many of the designs created by graphic artists today are too complicated to be effectively printed using silkscreen technology. Offset printing gives a much higher resolution, allowing for more color control and finer detail. Monocolor thermal printing is the fastest and least expensive of them. Consider all these factors, i.e., cost and quality, before choosing your replicating plant.

DVD Replication provides detailed information on DVD Replication, DVD Replication Services, DVD-ROM Replication, Cheap DVD Replication and more. DVD Replication is affiliated with DVD Copy Software.

No More Distractions with Noise Reduction Headphones

Sleeping ? If you have trouble sleeping, noise reduction headphones may aid you in getting some rest. Barking dogs, traffic, and awake family members can contribute to sleepless nights, and for those who are sensitive to noise when they're trying to sleep, noise reduction headphones create a sound-free environment so they can rest.

Playing Music ? Musicians often use noise reduction headphones to help them block out sounds that may interfere with them hearing their instrument. Once the background noise is blocked, they are free to concentrate purely on the sounds they are making rather than the sounds around them. This creates an environment of total immersion into their music and allows them to perfect their work without being in a studio.

Autistic Students ? Noise reduction headphones can also be used in the classroom to help autistic children. Often classroom environments can be distracting to children with autism. Headphones for the children help teachers instruct each student individually so others aren?t confused or distracted by the instructions for the other students.

Studying ? Noise reduction headphones are very useful in situations where you need peace and quiet but can't always control the environment. Students who are studying may find noise reduction headphones helpful in blocking out the distracting sounds around them. Headphones create a peaceful world in which they can focus on their work, rather than environmental noises or the sounds of others.

Working ? If you work in a cubical or an open-plan office but find yourself regularly distracted by people walking by, phones ringing, others talking, and the general chaos that can be office life, noise reduction headphones can make a difference. They can help you focus on the task at hand rather than everything going on around you which can boost your productivity and the quality of your work.

Noisy Neighbors ? Living in an apartment building, condo or townhouse may include noisy neighbors. Depending on the thickness of your walls and ceiling, you may hear your neighbors walking around above, or hear their music or talking. Noise reduction headphones can block these sounds so you can enjoy being at home, even if the neighbors are loud.

These are only a few examples of the sorts of noise disturbances you may come across in daily life. Where once you had no choice but to be distracted, noise reduction headphones put you in control. Never again do you have to experience a sleepless night or a ruined project. Noise reduction headphones can be used to block out the noises around you: voices, car engines, train noises, barking dogs, loud offices, airplane engine noise, city sounds, loud neighbors, etc.

Lee Blue is a musician and home studio recording artist; he uses Extreme Isolation headphones in his recording studio and his office to block out environmental distractions. Learn more about noise reduction headphones. Web: http://www.quietheadphones.com/

Small Ipod Small Headphones

Ipods are the next wave in portable listening devices. Once, people listened to music on battery powered portable radios. Then came the convenience of choosing your own music by carrying about the bulky Walkmans that played cassette tapes. Then those Walkmans slimmed down to something a little more portable. Then CD players became the must-have item. Those, too, started out rather bulky but then became small and portable.

Today, the must have music device are Ipods. They hold a small hard disk drive inside of them that stores many songs (sometimes hundreds). Depending on the unit that you own, it likely has many of the popular features of most music playing devices, including play, random, and repeat. Many Ipods are coming with additional features now, too, that include photos, video, cameras, and cell phones.

Of course owning an Ipod means that you HAVE the music in the palm of your hand (after all, Ipods are extremely light and portable) but now you need to get it from your Ipod to your ears. Ipods can store high quality music so you shouldn't be tempted to save your money by spending a dollar on cheap headphones at the dollar store. Instead, if you like the music you're listening to, you should be willing to spend a little extra to actually hear the music and enjoy it. You need Ipod headphones.

Makers of Ipod headphones and other portable listening devices include Maxell, Sennheiser, Shure, Sony, Phillips, and Koss. Each of these companies, and the many others that make Ipod headphones, offer a variety of equipment: it varies in comfort level, affordability, durability, and ability to accurately transmit the sound. As well, there are other features you'll want to consider. Let's look at comfort level:

Ipod headphones are most frequently the earbud style, meaning they are small, semi-circular speakers that fit right into the end of your ear canal and point the speaker into your ear canal. They can produce a fairly good sound, however, if the earbuds are too big for your ears, you will experience discomfort. Supra-aural headphones (which are the second most common type for portable listening devices) are simply speakers surrounded by pads that just sit on your ears, usually with a band that goes over your head. There are other kinds, as well, include canalbuds (which are more comfortable and go right into your ear canal) as well as circumaural which don't just sit on your ears but encompass them entirely - like you've seen professional musicians listening to while they record.

Canalbuds are extremely comfortable because they are encased in a soft housing, unlike earbuds which often tend to be mass produced in a plastic housing. Supra-aural Ipod headphones can be comfortable but they can mess up your hair, which isn't nice. Circumaural headphones are great for transmitting sound but they can be heavy so if they are too tight, they'll cause a headache. Comfort level is an important consideration when looking to buy Ipod headphones for your portable listening enjoyment.

For quality headphones from Shure, Koss, Sennheiser, Bose, AKG, Ultimate Ears, Ipod and MP3, Etymotic and others...go to www.HeadphoneWareHouse.com. Whether you're looking for canal earphones, earbuds, or noise cancelling headphones, Headphone Warehouse carries only the best in quality head phones

1080p The Future is Now!

First, we all watched NTSC video at 480i, and we liked it, because we knew no better. Then some intrepid(and well off) home theater enthusiasts were lucky enough to enjoy 480p, thanks to the Faroudja LD-100 line doubler or Runco IDTV set ups. Because the Faroudja units cost $20,000.00 in the early ?90?s, and only worked with data or graphics grade projectors, they were not exactly mass market. As technology improved, prices decreased, and more people could enjoy progressive scan video in their home theaters.

Fast forward 15 years or so. Now you can get a DVD player with Faroudja progressive scan technology on a chip for under $200.00. Just about every TV and projector you can buy takes progressive scan video. Indeed, digital TVs and home theater projectors will convert video to progressive scan, because they require progressive scan video at the sets native resolution to function. If the video is not in the proper format, it will be converted inside the set. Most DLP or LCD imaging chips used in consumer TVs and projectors now have native vertical resolutions of either 480, 576 or 720 lines. Most LCD and plasma displays have 480, 720 or 768 lines.

In the fall of 2005, manufacturers started showing the latest generation of video products. Behold! 1080p! Why all the fuss? Because 1080p is the top dog in HDTV, that?s why. It has the highest resolution of all the 18 approved HDTV formats, with 1920 x 1080 pixels. There are two 1080 resolutions approved for HDTV, 1080/60i and 1080/30p. The advantage of 1080p over 1080i is that, like a computer monitor, a 1080p display will show all 1080 lines with every video field, whereas a 1080i device will only show ? at a time. Digital displays require progressive video, so any 1080i program material is deinterlaced inside the set, converting it to 1080p. Up until the advent of 1080p displays, it was also down converted to the native resolution of the imaging chip or flat panel.

One caveat at this point, amazingly enough, many of the first generation 1080p TVs do not accept a 1080p input. Huh?? You read that correctly. It?s true, of the first 1080p sets introduced, only the HP units will actually accept a 1080p input. The Mitsubishi will accept 1080p, but only through its computer input. Most of the flat panel displays don?t seem to have this limitation and will accept 1080p.

At this point in time, there is no commercially available 1080p program material, with the exception of some Microsoft Windows Media HD discs. With respect to HDTV you can get 720p or 1080i, but no 1080p at this time. Fox, ESPN and ABC broadcast in 720p. while CBS, NBC, TNT, the WB and HD Net all use 1080i. Soon, however, Sony will release Blu-Ray Disc and Toshiba, DH-DVD. HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disc will have the capability to support 1080p. When the time comes, you?ll be able to just buy or rent a disc and enjoy 1080p in all it?s splendor. Good News! Netflix has announced they will rent both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD as soon as they are introduced.

Find out more about how to have a spectaular home theater, enjoy your favorite audio video throughout your home, or set up the latest in home automation. Go to Home Theater and Automation for a complete guide with news, how to articles, CES and CEDIA reports, and a forum.

Copy DVDs

DVDs have now become the most reliable data storage mechanisms in the fast-developing IT world. Consequently, much of this data has to be occasionally transferred from DVDs to another storage medium, which may be the computer hard drive or other CDs.

It is possible to copy information to and from DVDs. Different types of data can be copied into a single DVD without losing any of its features. Video and audio files can be copied with maximum clarity. A 2-hour video file can be copied into a DVD Recordable Disc (DVD-R), whereas a DVD Rewritable Disc (DVD-RW) has a multiple recording option.

A DVD writer (burner) is a tool essential to copy DVDs. It is configured to write the copied information which may be in data, audio or video format. Many software companies are coming forward with their copy DVD tool. This will help you to copy DVDs into the hard drive or to another blank DVD. Many of these tools can be easily downloaded through the internet. Trial versions are also available for some.

Copy DVD movie software is one of the most popular software products sought after by many movie freaks. Some of the best demanded copy DVD packages available in the market are Super DVD ripper, DVDFab Platinum, and Magic DVD Copier. VSO Software and DVD Copy Express software are used to copy DVD movies.

In some instances, it is illegal to copy a DVD. Before copying a DVD, it is crucial to check whether it is copyrighted. Illegal copying of data is a criminal offence.

DVDs provides detailed information on DVDs, Buy DVDs, Copy DVDs, Cheap DVDs and more. DVDs is affiliated with Top DVD Rentals.

Headrest DVD Players

A headrest DVD player is a DVD player that attaches to the headrest of your seat. That way, the controls are handy, so that you do not have to take your eyes of the rode in order to switch functions and otherwise press the buttons to control your DVD experience. Today, watching movies ranks as one of the most popular forms of entertainment. With the raging popularity of DVDs, watching of movies has virtually been taken out of the theatres and brought successfully into the confines of your homes. With regards to quality output, DVD players emphasize a much greater reality edge than previous movie player devices. DVD players enable you to make use of the amazing features of both video and audio outputs.

A DVD player formatted into your home entertainment system supports your desire to watch minus the possible interruptions of advertisements and noise from other people ? making for a very pleasurable experience.

DVD players have evolved from the regular dimension it originally had to the evolution of headrest DVD players -- another experience to behold. Headrest DVD players come as an additional feature included according to the specification of your car. There are modernized and luxurious lines of cars that make headrest DVD players so movie viewing can be enjoyed. They can also be purchased from a myriad of department stores and online markets.

With DVD players, you can be assured you are getting the highest quality output of the sound and picture. Moreover, the onset of headrest DVD players takes movie viewing to a higher level.

DVD Players provides detailed information on DVD Players, Portable DVD Players, Headrest DVD Players, Free DVD Movie Players and more. DVD Players is affiliated with Portable DVD Player Reviews.

A Digital Camcorders Review What You Should Know Before You Buy

There has been such rapid changes and improvements in the field of camcorders over the last ten years or so that it may be confusing when you start looking to buy one today. There are a handful of competing formats that you should be aware of and know what they mean before you buy. So here is a digital camcorders review on what you should know before you buy:

* First of all the old bulky VHS camcorders of yesteryear are gone. They have given way to much improved versions that are lighter, smaller and produce much better video. However, you can still use VHS tapes for playback if you choose a VHS-C type of camcorder. This is an analog camcorder that records to tape that can be used in a VCR but the tape itself is small and compact to eliminate the big bulk of the old VHS camcorders, Once you record the video, you just place it into an adapter that lets you pop it into the VCR just as you would with any movie and view your video. Although they are small and compact, these are some of the most inexpensive camcorders that are available today and can be had for just a couple hundred dollars at many places both online and offline.

* 8mm camcorders also record to tape but the tapes are even smaller than those used by VHS-C camcorders. The disadvantage is that you can not play them through the VCR, but you can connect the camcorder straight to the TV and play it that way. Hi8 camcorders are just more advanced, better quality versions of an 8mm camcorder that produces the very best picture and sound that you can get this side of digital itself.

* Digital camcorders - These are currently the most expensive camcorders available but they are also becoming surprisingly more affordable too as time goes on. They record video images in digital format which allows them to be much more vivid and sharp, and the sound is vastly improved over the old analog camcorders. Because everything is recorded digitally there is no loss of detail when copies are made and this is a big advantage for some. Of course digital files themselves would take up huge amounts of disk space, so most digital camcorders still record to tape for the extra storage space capacity that tapes offer. The miniDV category of digital camcorders is extremely small and records to tapes that are even smaller than 8mm, while still recording hours worth of video at a time.

So many people think that all camcorders they find are now digital camcorders, but as this digital camcorders review indicates, you can still run across a lot of analog camcorders out there as well, and they are usually easily spotted by their lower price. If they will do the job for you, that may be all you need. But if you want the best audio and video possible consider either the miniDV or the 8mm digital camcorder instead.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including audio and video. You can find out more about digital camcorders review and cannon camcorders by visiting our Home Theater website.

Video Scaler Audio/Video Processors

A video scalar converts a video signal between arbitrary resolutions. It is mainly used to convert interlaced signals of low resolution, such as, composite video signals or s-video, into higher resolution non-interlaced, like the ones in HDTV. Composite video signals are those which carries all information - the red, blue, and green signals and sometimes audio as well. S-video (separate video) is an analogue video signal in which the video data is carried separately - brightness and colour. This is unlike the composite video signal. Interlacing is a technique, by which the picture quality is improved, without consuming any extra bandwidth. Interlaced signals have flickering effect while non-interlaced ones do not.

Video scalar Audio/Video Processors are available for analogue and digital inputs and outputs or, more commonly, both combined. As an example, a video scalar would convert an analogue VGA signal into digital signal for display on a monitor. In this case the resolution of the video signal may be of low quality, creating distorted image. A scalar can increase the resolution substantially to the correct level.

A video Scalar turns a standard television into a high definition TV (HDTV). The scalar lets you connect the standard definition enabled equipment, like, DVD player, video game, VCR, etc., to HDTV display devices, such as Plasma or LCD screen TVs. A video scalar can provide multiple refresh rate outputs. For example, with a converted PAL video signal at its input, a video scalar can display video on projectors that do not support 50Hz refresh rates.

DCDi is a video mode algorithm and has been designed for video displays featuring fast moving sports events. It removes the jagged edges along the diagonal lines, which are mainly caused by interpolation. DCDi monitors this edge transmission and fills in the gaps. This technology was developed and introduced few years back, and broadcasters like CBS used it to up-convert NTSC to High Definition (HD).

No matter at what resolution the picture is delivered, be it 480i from your VCR, 480p from your DVD player, 720p from your set-top box or 1080i over Digital Visual Interface (DVI) or High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), the video processor/scalier will perfectly match the output to the optimum resolution of your display. It is your complete audio video hub, providing simultaneous audio/video switching with automatic video.

DVDi technology as used in video processor/scalar is a series of mathematical formula (algorithm) meant for video. If you want to watch a film on your TV, you would wonder how this technology will behave under the circumstances. In making a video out of a film, if the transition from a film to video is not done properly, it results in 'bad editing'. The video processor within the video processor/scalar unit will switch modes, such as, film vs. video - video vs. film, in order to avoid artifacts. The processor switched from film to video as soon as it encounters these bad editing portions. This may result in loss of resolution, which is minimised by the video processor/scalar, being motion adaptive. Then there are those jagged areas along the diagonal edges. DCDi hides these areas in such a way that you never realise when it changes from and to film mode, Watching a movie with DCDi technology built-in video processor/scalar, makes the experience more enjoyable, owing to the fact that those annoying artifacts have all vanished, providing a continuous high definition picture viewing experience.

We offer VIDEO PROCESSORES, VIDEO UPSCALING, VIDEO RESOLUTION CONVERTING,VIDEO UPCONVERTING, PROCESSING OF THE VIDEO SIGNAL USING DVDO and ZINWELL.You'll be able to operate a multisystem TV in 99% of the world. Their dual voltage design allows them to be plugged into either a 110 voltage source or a 220 voltage source. In some cases, the plug on the television will not fit your country's outlet, so an inexpensive plug-adapter will be needed. They can generally be picked up at an electronics store such as http://www.planetomni.com for $1.95. With a multisystem TV, such as a plasma, CRT tube type, LCD or DLP, you'll likely need a codefree (sometimes called region free) DVD player. These exist in many forms. When used with a PAL-NTSC TV you'll be able to see the full 625 lines of resolution available in the PAL system and the full 525 lines used in the USA NTSC system. There exists a converting type of DVD player which is codefree in that it can read all of the world's 6 regions and both standards, PAL and NTSC. 140,000 products are available here: http://www.planetomni.com Tel. # 800-815-9380

Video Converting VCR

The conflict of Zones The globe has been divided into six zones, each of them practicing a different standard. However, the basic standards are three in number. These are NTSC that is ordinarily followed in North America, PAL-M, PAL-N followed in South America, PAL in Europe and Asia and SECAM in France and a few other countries. Most of the countries do not use a pure version but rely on a combination of the standards. The basic problem that lies in all these is that, none of these standards are compatible to the other. To overcome this problem, engineers and scientists came out with Video converting VCR that can play different video tapes having any of the mentioned standards. Therefore, a PAL standard tape can be played on an NTSC TV or a SECAM standard tape can be viewed on a PAL compatible device.

Converting Multi-System VCR ? An improvement over customary Multi System VCR A multi system VCR is different from a converting Multi-system VCR, with the Multi system VCR capable of playing video tapes from anywhere in the world. But the constraint is that the video tapes must conform to the standards used by the VCR. This is not the case with a converting Multi System VCR. An ordinary Multi System VCR will not allow you to view a PAL tape on a NTSC Television and vice versa. Where-as, a Converting Multi System VCR, converts the incompatible signals into the system friendly signals making viewing possible You may think of using a converter or other extraneous accessories by tagging them to Multi System VCR to avail the same results, but the picture quality may have to be greatly compromised.

Brand choice Whether you are purchasing a Multi System VCR or a converting Multi System VCR, it is always better to go for a branded product. There are many named and famed companies on the fray dealing with these products but only one ended up being available for the last 5 years. The only converting VCR is the Samsung SV-5000W model, has since been discontinued but still www.planetomni.com has a few left. In case they run out you?ll need a regular multisystem VCR such as JVCs, Hitachi, Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, Sharp, etc., that take the prime positions among the Multi System VCRs in the market today. The choices are often made on the basis of clarity of picture, performance, sound system, and above all the longevity. The companies are also the best providers for many of such products, including the video converting VCRs. With these VCRs (PAL-NTSC or PAL-SECAM-NTSC) you?ll need either a video standards converter such as the famous TENLABs or a PAL-SECAM-NTSC TV.

What a user should look about while going for a video converting VCR The first and foremost issue will be compatibility. If you are in United States then you will like a Video converting VCR that will allow you play PAL tape on a NTSC TV and if you are in Europe you will like NTSC or SECAM tapes to be played properly on your PAL TV. Sometimes there will be companies that will require the buyer to have an additional converter with the machine purchased. Such converter works as an interface, between the VCR and the TV, and converts the non-compatible signals from other systems or standards into compatible ones, facilitating viewing the disc without any hassle. Sometimes, the video converting VCR may require a PAL/NTSC video converter instead of multi system TV. In a few instances, some TV manufacturers incorporate direct conversion of incompatible signal standards.

World standards on video tapes requiring a video converting VCR In general, there are three standards which are widely followed the world over. These are NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. All other systems followed anywhere and elsewhere are offshoots of these parent standards. The NTSC system was introduced in United States way back in 1953, simultaneously with the coming of the first colour TV. While NTSC is used mostly in America, some other countries like Japan use the same standard. NTSC uses 525 lines per. PAL came in Europe during 1960. France is the only exception using SECAM. SECAM or Sequential Color with Memory standard also came up along side PAL in the 1960?s and uses identical bandwidth and lines per frame. The only difference between PAL and SECAM is that SECAM transmits color signals sequentially. This standard is most popular in France. NTSC is not popular outside North America. SECAM is mostly used in those countries which were either under the French dominion during the days of colonialism or are the countries neighbouring France. PAL is used in South America, most of the Asian and African countries and Europe.

The alternative form Use of video tapes is on the decline today due to use of DVD, the newer version of home entertainment component. However, DVDs suffer from the same problems of region and standard compatibility. The DVD version of the video converting VCR is a region-free DVD, also known as code-free DVD player that can play any CD of any standard on a non-compatible device, by converting the non-standard signals into the compatible ones. A DVD obtained in France will have SECAM format whereas one obtained in UK will have PAL, and both can be played on a NTSC TV, provided that it is multipurpose, with a region free DVD player. Prices of such region free DVD players vary with brand and their specifications.

The price tag A separate video converter coming from any of the leading companies like Hitachi, Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, or Sharp will cost somewhere around $350. But the services provided by a branded item are mostly better than cheap non-branded versions. But the competitive commercial market today has forced many of companies to come up with models with competitive prices within the range of $100. Some companies like the Samsung has come up with Hi-Fi multi-system with tape conversion and world wide TV tuner costing around $400. There are different models with cost range from $500 to $1,200 for Multi System VCR converter and SVHS Playback systems.

The impact It was not without reasons, that even in ancient day?s, man preferred to express their message through pictures instead of words and expressions. It is easier to comprehend the message delivered through visual presentations, and with effect, the language does not constitute a bar to the understanding of the expression. Not surprising therefore, the video and visuals continue to be popular and will remain popular for sometimes to come

110-220 Volt Electronics - A multisystem TV is a TV capable of receiving and displaying different video systems like PAL, SECAM and NTSC. You'll be able to operate a multisystem TV in 99% of the world. Their dual voltage design allows them to be plugged into either a 110 voltage source or a 220 voltage source. In some cases, the plug on the television will not fit your country's outlet, so an inexpensive plug-adapter will be needed. They can generally be picked up at an electronics store such as www.planetomni.com for $1.95. With a multisystem TV, such as a plasma, CRT tube type, LCD or DLP, you'll likely need a codefree (sometimes called region free) DVD player. These exist in many forms. When used with a PAL-NTSC TV you'll be able to see the full 625 lines of resolution available in the PAL system and the full 525 lines used in the USA NTSC system. There exists a converting type of DVD player which is codefree in that it can read all of the world's 6 regions and both standards, PAL and NTSC. 140,000 other products are available here: www.planetomni.com Tel. # 800-514-2984