The new VCR combos..

On another note does anyone have one of those VCR/DVD combos by Toshiba? I am seemingly having problems recording on it, it does record fine the most part but when I play back you would see a line stick in the middle of the picture about 3 or 4mins in. It would blink for a second or two but then it'll be Generally fine. Has anyone have this problem.

I absolutely hate VCR/DVD combos. The concept of a VCR/DVD player is good on paper, however the actual truth is far from sound. The biggest problem with VCR/DVD Combos is that, if one thing goes wrong with the player, you need to send the sucker away. When its sent away for say the VCR, you'll now be with out the DVD player as well. Most of these players have been designed with the worlds worst parts. I had three of these suckers and each were from Toshiba. They were crap, crap and mega crap. First the VCR tape drive crapped out on the play head, then it was the record head. Finally the DVD craped out and I sent it away from the second one under warranty. All three that I owned had the same problems, but not always in the same order of crapping out. Basically, Jayn. You would be better off with buying two seperate players, a VCR and DVD player. You can buy some real inexpensive players these days. I basically stay away from Wal-Mart, but you can buy VCRs and DVD players of good quality. Try the Memorex brand of VCRs and DVD players, they utilize the standardized parts found in all VCRs and DVD players, even some lower models also feature some interesting features as well. Like JPG CDs, MP3 CDs VCDs and so on.

Yea I figured that I did told my parents about it but they said there's little they can do saying VCRs are disappearing. But I'll see if I can get a real VCR

Yeah, I too grew up in the age of VHS, but now it all seems be going the way of the dinosaur. You can also try pawn shops, but that is more of a 50/50 chance of getting a good VCR vs. a crappy one.

I recently dug out my SANSUI VCR. SANSUI was a lower model name of VCRs, but was the best of the best when it came to cheapies. I own well over 400 VHS movies and now going through my collection. I'm watching my VHS copy of the "Predator".

I personally wouldn't get involved in VCRs. The media of the Cassette tape was put to rest in Janrurary. They won't even make them anymore.

I know and a few years back, video renting places like BlockBuster have removed all VHS copies in favour for for DVDs. Even DVDs are being replaced by both HD DVD and BlueRay Disks.

This was one of the main reasons why I used my PVR for my Mac and copied my family's home videos that counted for over 4 hours of vacations and random home videos starting back from 1989 to 1996. I then proceeded to edit the videos together removing the static breaks and random VHS artifacts. Following this, I put the whole shebang through iDVD(only for Mac of course) and put out two DVDs, one for my Mum and Dad and one of my sisters who rent the same residence.

Speaking of the move in technology..I really don't like how everyone is now used to DVDs and they want to switch to Blu-Ray and HDVD. I'm like. WTF?! We just got used to DVDs, which are completely fine, why change?

Its simple, when VHS came out, it was light years ahead of everything. But back then, new technology that changed the world was developed at a slower pace. With our grasp on technology today, new technology is a year to year thing.

Take for instance the new Apple iPhone. Apple has developed one of the first finger touch screens exclusively for the iPhone. Yes, tha means no stylus pens, you just use your fingers on the wide screen. Other companies are putting out some of the newest stuff, but back when VHS was a baby tech, it was harder. Today, its easier to produce newer and better technology. It may seem that we are just getting used to DVDs, just remember that DVDs aer still cheaper than HD DVDs and BlueRay Disks. DVDs will be around for some time still.

My old VCR seems like it's about to bite the dust. And I just replaced my DVD player not too long ago (and it was only a couple years old, never trust Apex). Magnavox seems the way to go.

Its simple, when VHS came out, it was light years ahead of everything. But back then, new technology that changed the world was developed at a slower pace. With our grasp on technology today, new technology is a year to year thing.

Take for instance the new Apple iPhone. Apple has developed one of the first finger touch screens exclusively for the iPhone. Yes, tha means no stylus pens, you just use your fingers on the wide screen. Other companies are putting out some of the newest stuff, but back when VHS was a baby tech, it was harder. Today, its easier to produce newer and better technology. It may seem that we are just getting used to DVDs, just remember that DVDs aer still cheaper than HD DVDs and BlueRay Disks. DVDs will be around for some time still.

What I'm talking about is how these companies push the newer formats onto the people, knowing they'll be pressured by peers to getting them.

True, but remember that the same thing happened when VHS format came out as well. There was practically no market for movies on the home market until VHS came out. Though SONY had its Beta technology, SONY was going to hold onto their Beta machine design. Then came along JVC who were the original manufactures of VHS technology. They let every comapny willing to pay JVC a royalty fee, make their own VCP/VCR(VCPs are ancient history now, and they were plainly players and not recorders.). SONY's beta player ate the dust when there was one beta player to 9 out of 10 homes.

Just look how Walkmen/Diskmen were treated when the first solid state memory chip powered MP3 players came out. I stayed out of the MP3 player scene until I bought my old iPod Photo, well because I am Mac head and anything from apple is king in my book.

Once again, When the VHS and such came out, it wasn't advancing like it is between DVDs and Blu Ray.People actually had time to get used to the new DVD when it was released in 1996, just like they had gotten used to the VHS when it first came. The sudden push for a new media, HDDVD and Blu-Ray, is coming too quickly for the many who just now switched to DVD. Even though the DVD will be around, itsd one hell of a mindjob on those who felt they just updated enough to keep in the 'circle.'

I actually don't know how the Walkman/Diskman were treated when the MP3 Players came out. I've actually never even touched an iPod or MP3 Player.

I actually don't know how the Walkman/Diskman were treated when the MP3 Players came out. I've actually never even touched an iPod or MP3 Player.

For one thing, I have not even seen a single person use a diskman let alone a Cassette walkman in over 8 years. Its all sold memory now. I can't even remember when I last used a CD for music. Sure i'll buy CDs, but I use iTunes combined with the CDDA track listing software to download the Tracknames and Artist info and import the music as AAC format and then trans the new songs to my iPod.

I've seen one or two people using a discman. I've been thinking of getting an Ipod but I'm not so sure if I really want to carry my music with me.

If you were to get one of the new 5th generation iPods, you'll also have the ability to sync videos to the iPod and play newer cooler gaems designed for the 5th gen iPod.

Now that I have owned an iPod for neraly two years, I can't even imagine a day with out my trusty iPod.

I play music the DIY way: play music through the mic of a voice recorder and play it back. Sound quality has much room for improvement, but I haven't found the software needed to employ the MP3 feature of the recorder (yes, it is solid state electronics. No CDs or tapes).

I'm sure regular DVDs will still be around for awhile yet. If not for one major reason. Most people don't have HD Television sets yet. Until A: HD-DVD and/or Blu Ray drops drastically in price or the percentage of people who own HD TVs goes way up, I doubt you'll have to worry any time soon. Though you may miss out on some bonus features the extra storage capacity would/could permit of the new formats.

I've seen one or two people using a discman. I've been thinking of getting an Ipod but I'm not so sure if I really want to carry my music with me.

Until Christmas 2005, I had been using my old first-gen Panasonic Shockwave CD player for music on the road. At that point I was gifted a (requested) black 5.0 Gen iPod (grrs at the pesky 5.5 gens) Since then, I can't believe how i lived without having -all- of my music with me wherever I go. I love just having my entire library on shuffle and let it shuffle randomly through some 3500 songs. I've found a new appreciation for my music new and old. That and its fantastic being able to pull up -any- song I have that I suddenly get an urge to listen to. I just wish they would put a more powerful driver for the headphone jack into the iPods. Its not that hard for a bass-heavy song to cause distortion, though I have a few work arounds that I've been meaning to try. The audio from the dock-connector sounds fantastic. I use that whenever I can.

Actually, my dad let me have his MP3 player several months ago. But I haven't gotten around to downloading songs onto it, yet.

Oh I didn't know anyone has a issue with these so called players. It's seems like that everywhere I go..

Until Christmas 2005, I had been using my old first-gen Panasonic Shockwave CD player for music on the road. At that point I was gifted a (requested) black 5.0 Gen iPod (grrs at the pesky 5.5 gens) Since then, I can't believe how i lived without having -all- of my music with me wherever I go. I love just having my entire library on shuffle and let it shuffle randomly through some 3500 songs. I've found a new appreciation for my music new and old. That and its fantastic being able to pull up -any- song I have that I suddenly get an urge to listen to. I just wish they would put a more powerful driver for the headphone jack into the iPods. Its not that hard for a bass-heavy song to cause distortion, though I have a few work arounds that I've been meaning to try. The audio from the dock-connector sounds fantastic. I use that whenever I can.

I know exactly how you feel, Xavier. My 30GB Black 5Gen iPod rocks! I have however given up completely on those idiotic iPod headphones. I found a pair of decent head phones from SONY called the MDR-XD200. The MDR-XD200 headphone is large, but thats the way I like my headphones. I hate those damn ear bud jobs, because they either break too fast or have god awful sound quality...or both, if your luck totally got flushed down the drain. I too preferably use a Dock powered sound system too. the Logic3 Dock Station is awesome and designed not only for the new 5Gen iPods, but has the proper adapters to use iPods from way back as 1st Generation. The sound quality is superb and has a pretty decent little sub-woofer speaker built into the back. I am currently listening to some music that I have gathered from various DOOM platforms. I am currently listening to the Orchestrated versions of the original DOOM music that was created for the DOOMed DOOM for the Panasonic 3DO Game Console(the game sucked, but the re-vamped music was worth 50 dollars back in the day). If I wanted to, I can even watch my movies in full 3D sound with the Logic3's 3D sound system. The draw back, is of course the smaller than normal screen size.

I know exactly how you feel, Xavier. My 30GB Black 5Gen iPod rocks! I have however given up completely on those idiotic iPod headphones. I found a pair of decent head phones from SONY called the MDR-XD200. The MDR-XD200 headphone is large, but thats the way I like my headphones. I hate those damn ear bud jobs, because they either break too fast or have god awful sound quality...or both, if your luck totally got flushed down the drain. I too preferably use a Dock powered sound system too. the Logic3 Dock Station is awesome and designed not only for the new 5Gen iPods, but has the proper adapters to use iPods from way back as 1st Generation. The sound quality is superb and has a pretty decent little sub-woofer speaker built into the back. ..... If I wanted to, I can even watch my movies in full 3D sound with the Logic3's 3D sound system. The draw back, is of course the smaller than normal screen size.

Yeah, the included earbuds are okay, better than most earbuds I've used in the past. Not sure about the 'new' earphones that come with the 5.5g iPod, 2g Nano and 2g shuffle though. I have the 60gb fifth gen iPod. Pisses me off that i can get the 80 gig 5.5 gen model for less than I paid for my 60 now ligrumbles.li I picked up a pair of sony MDR-Q55SL earphones. Kind of a cross between behind the head earphones and earbuds. Pretty compact too.

Its not so much the earphones that's the problem, but the headphone jack in the iPod itself. The iPod is capable of putting out great and rich audio, but the hardware for the jack they used can't handle the lower frequencies as well, causing distortion in the lower frequencies. I've been meaning to go through this site's article to help eliminate the problem: Tweaking the iPod Equalizer[=http://dapreview.net/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.133]Tweaking the iPod Equalizer

Sounds like you have a nice little dock unit for your iPod, though if I recall, the first gen or two iPods didn't have a dock connector as they do now. As for watching your movies, if you get the proper cable, you can output your iPod's video to a TV to watch, rather than relying on the built in screen. You need an video mini-jack to RCA cable. The problem is the cables are so bloody expensive!

BTW, have you discovered the trick to increase battery life on the 5G iPods that came with the last, or second last firmware update?

No I can't say that I have heard of any new tricks to increase battery life. Increased battery life would be sweet, because my battery is starting to suck.

I did manage when I had my old iPod Photo to edit the firmware to use customized graphics for the iPod's menu and such, but the application I used does not yet support the new 5 and 5.5Gen firmware system.

I got a pretty cheap AV cable for about 20Canadian dollars from FutureShop.

I did however use that application called MP3Gain for the Mac on several of my rave & techno songs. I made duplicates of the songs and compared the processed files to the originals. Awesome quality is all I can say. One of the heaviest bassy songs in my iTunes library now rocks ass on my iPod because I processed the mp3 to decrease the dB from 105dB to 89dB. The song is softer now, but the lower dB levels allow the low frequency bass to kick ass with out over-loading my iPod's amplifier.

As for battery life, it seems that we are not getting any help other than a rumor that Apple Inc. may re-design the full blown iPod to feature NAND Flash memory instead of a HDD based design. Basing an iPod Video on flash memory simply means that the whole system will consume less power as it now stands that our iPods today consume a crap load of power just to operate the HardDisk. Built in NAND flash memory will rock the socks off of the iPod industry. Not to mention, the iPhone could benefit from NAND flash memory as well. The iPhone right now is hot! Its awesome, but the specs call for both a 4GB model and 8GB model. Flash memory chips are significantly smaller than a 1.8" HDD and will add functionality to the iPhone as well as prevent the old story of crappy battery life as experienced with HDD based iPods of past years and present. Hopefully, the only thing that will consume the most power is the back-light screens, which by far have the better power saving features than the damn Hard Drives do. One last point before I go is that flash memory would be better handled than the current 1.8" HDDs and the main reason is that Hard Drives are analogue devices. They have moving parts that can be damaged. Flash memory is solid-state with out any annoying damageable parts and is harder to foul up on the file system front. We would theoretically still be able to have HFS+ file systems for iPods owned by peeps like me who base them selves on the Mac and that antiquated Windows file system FAT32 for you windows buffs(i'm not picking on you Windows peeps, its just I come from the other side of the Computer fence). However, I'd like to see a universal file system used exclusively by iTunes for the future iPod. but we all know that won't happen because if it was universal, Apple Inc's idea of making one persons iPod theirs and no one else's would go down the drain. A universal file system for the iPod and iTunes would make it even easier to rip-off music, which of course is not Apple Inc's intention at all. Apple prides itself on the iTunes Music Store and the ability to protect music rights between the Artist and End User.

Well, that was a post and half! Well, lets hope that Apple Inc. does the right thing and goes NAND Flash for iPods, iPhones and all manner of portable devices(aside from computers that is! Hard Drives in comps will be around for years to come yet :D ).

I am now officially lost with all this talk.

I didn't expect to laugh a full blown discussion, I just wanted to ask if anyone was having trouble recording.. Unforionily I see everyone is..
But strangly it seems I got a hold of one of the better ones, I had mine for 6 months and it hadn't crap out yet..

Which make was it? Toshiba? I like Toshiba for the fact that their idea of a PC laptop does not suck like HP, IBM, ACER, Dell and so on.

@VictorDTarsus;

With the 5.0Gen iPods and one of the latest firmware updates you can go into the settings and adjust the brightness of the LCD backlight. I dropped mine down by at least 75% and its still very usable, plus it doesn't blind me in the dark. Of course the factory default is 100% brightness.

There are new methods of changing the GUI of the 5.0/5.5 gen iPods, there's a few communities out there.

So you managed to get the MP3Gain trick to work? I'll have to do it on my tunes as well. Supposedly tinkering with the equalizer settings can help keep a 'flawless' sound. Glad to hear it worked. Been putting it off doing it to my music.

Actually at least in terms of the last few gen iPods (excluding the Nano and Shuffle, which are and always have been flash based players) use both HDDs and flash memory to extend battery life. The flash memory acts as a 'RAM' for the HDD, meaning the iPod will load 25 minutes or so into the flash memory from the HDD and play it from the flash memory while the HDD is not operating. This is why you probably will notice if you play playlists straight through, instead of picking one song after another manually you'll get better battery life as the iPod can 'predict' and pre-load some or all of the songs in the playlist, or randomly selected songs if shuffle is on.

Not really done much looking into the iPhone, I admit I don't have any real interest or need for the moment. That and being on dialup kind of encourages me away from seeking out images in most cases. Usually a slow and painful process heh.

As for windows and FAT32, Windows 2000 and XP, and likely Vista, unless they've created a new file system (doubtful) both 'prefer' using a newer file system called 'NTFS' which is much more robust than FAT32.

I'm not sure what you mean by giving iTunes/iPod a 'universal file system' and i don't think it would have much of a difference either way. Except perhaps limiting or slowing down using the iPod's disk space as a 'mass storage device' perhaps. What needs to happen is either windows and Mac OS need to settle on a 'standard' file system (like that's going to happen) or make sure both OS's are 'aware' of eachother. In this case, Mac OS is a step ahead, as it can read and handle both FAT32 and NTFS file systems, which is why for users intending to use their iPod on both macs and PCs interchangeably it's recommended they format the iPod under windows, and not a Mac.

I have compared two heay songs to newly imported duplicates that had been processed by MP3Gain. The unproccessed files are now so loud that they are not worth keeping on in my collection. I'll be setting the computer aside tonight to process all of my music with MP3Gain from whatever their dB levels are set at, to 89dB. I also dropped the brightness today from 100% to 10%. Its still illuminated enough to see whats going on the screen, but hopefully the battery will survive a little longer on a single charge with it the backlight brightness that low.

As for file systems, I can at least connect a NTFS formated drive to my Mac and have only read-only access with out any write permissions, however HFS+ can not be mounted in the least to a PC, except through a special program designed to view the contents of a Mac formated iPod on the PC. The biggest barrier yet between Mac and PC is that file system compatibility is still a touchy problem.

I can mount every known file system to my mac becasue its a Mac with the robust power of UNIX under the surface of all the pretty graphics. I can mount old DOS formated early FAT types such as FAT12, 16 and 32 along with NTFS, however as mentioned above, NTFS is restricted to read-only when mounted to a Mac.

As for file systems, I can at least connect a NTFS formated drive to my Mac and have only read-only access with out any write permissions, however HFS+ can not be mounted in the least to a PC, except through a special program designed to view the contents of a Mac formated iPod on the PC. The biggest barrier yet between Mac and PC is that file system compatibility is still a touchy problem.

I can mount every known file system to my mac becasue its a Mac with the robust power of UNIX under the surface of all the pretty graphics. I can mount old DOS formated early FAT types such as FAT12, 16 and 32 along with NTFS, however as mentioned above, NTFS is restricted to read-only when mounted to a Mac.

You might want to check out MacFUSE with the NTFS-3G driver:
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/how-to-read-and-write-ntfs-windows-partition-on-mac-os-x.html

You might want to check out MacFUSE with the NTFS-3G driver:
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/how-to-read-and-write-ntfs-windows-partition-on-mac-os-x.html

Hey thanx Simon 8) . MacFUSE with NTFS-3G has made my life even more simpler 8) .

It is ok though, it does what I need it to do, and it does record ok. Just when you record and play back there will be a line strick across the top of the screen for a moment and you would have to re-record. The only thing is that the sound on the DVD player is a bit crappy but I use my computer for that.