DVD Recorders: Getting Started
IMO, these sd work 'like a VCR' as far as recording and playback. There are models w/ harddrives, VHS players, etc. built in, but to me that's overboard.Bells and WhistlesThe VHS option is not bad, but you most likely already have one you can plug into the inputs of the DVD recorder.I have a DVD recorder for archiving TiVo shows as opposed to accessing my TiVo from my PC. This is nice because it means I can also archive VHS tapes, camcorder tapes, etc. w/no extra work.I do have a TV card in my PC so I can do this, but using the DVD recorder is easier.My motto is: buy what you WILL use and not what you CAN use.I've bought lots of things that CAN do a lot, but in reality I don't use all the extra features.
Not in all cases, but in this case, I say pass on the bells and whistles.Again, there are models w/ all types of features, but if you buy one that is a DVR, DVD recorder, VCR, TV tuner all in one and one part breaks, it's all broke.Realize Something About TechnologyRemember - this is new technology and will only get better and cheaper. If you buy the top of the line today, it's going to be out of date and/or cheap tomorrow. Test the waters w/ a 'good' model and upgrade when the time is right.Editing Your RecordingsChances are - you won't. It's a pain for the most part and usually requires DVD-RAM or DVD-RW discs to do it and they're more expensive. If you have a lot of free time for this, you're a rare person.I was looking for this type of solution in getting ready for having a baby and I knew I wasn't going to be sifting through and editing hours of video.If you're really interested in editing, look in to PC options.
Pinnacle, ArcSoft, Adobe, etc. - they have good solutions for that.DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-RWDVD+R and DVD-R are like VHS and Beta: they're both ok right now, but eventually we'll probably land on one or the other. It seems to be leaning towards DVD-R which tend to be less expensive also.Many recorders and players do both, but cost more. I say save some money, pick one (probably DVD-R) and move on. If you pick the wrong one, chances are in a couple years you'll be buying a new one anyway.
Moreover, you'll probably be able to get a cheap one w/ a built in converter or two trays to duplicate one to the other.DVD-RAM and DVD-RW are the rewritable types. They're more expensive and for my purposes aren't worth worrying about.My RecommendationI got the Panasonic DMR-E55K:It records to DVD-R like a VCR. I don't use it to record live TV so I don't use VCR+, but it has it. Also, it has TimeSlip which lets you watch something while it's recording (start recording "24" at 8pm and start watching it from the begining at 8:20 to speed thru commercials like a TiVo). Again, I don't use this, but it has it.Plain and simple, it records my TiVo, camcorder, digital camera (RCA cable output), VCR, etc.
to DVD - that's what I want it to do and that's what it does. It's easy, creates a good menu w/ thumbnails and my chosen titles, it's a name brand w/ good reviews and was fairly cheap (there was a rebate at the time).Also, it plays CDs and mp3 CDs w/ a good interface so not only does it replace a CD player, but since you can put so many songs on one CD, it replaces a CD changer.An interesting trick: If you have a digital camera w/ RCA cable output, you can hook it directly into the dvd recorder and create a quick slide-show dvd. Many cameras even have a slide show function built in! You can use the sound from a music channel, CD, etc.SummaryIf you're going gung-ho into all the nitty gritty about DVD recorders, you're either just starting here or haven't bothered to read this far. If you're looking for a good, relatively cheap solution to digitize your tapes, archive TiVo, etc., I recommend the Panasonic DMR-E55K..
Bear Cahill is a software engineer in the Dallas, TX area and runs a few websites: The Armchair Geek (www.thearmchairgeek.com), Webpage Hosting Info (www.webpagehostinginfo.com), Go To College Online (www.gotocollegeonline.com) and The Video Exchange Community (www.videoexchange.org)Your Refilled Cartridges Can Pay Some Bills
Ever thought about putting your refilling talent to work for you? I'm not talking about starting an inkjet refilling business, however, there's nothing stopping you from doing that. What I mean is if you enjoy refilling inkjet cartridges there are ways that you can sell them and make some money without a whole lot of effort. Many people think that a refilling business is the type that people bring you their cartridges, you refill them, and they pay you and leave. That's the hard way to do it. A much easier way is to obtain empty cartridges, refill them and sell them.
The trick is where to get the empties so you don't go broke in the process. Another thing to realize is you only want to refill cartridges that have print heads on them. Most HP and Lexmark cartridges fall into that category. Most Canons and all Epson's won't.The easiest place to sell your cartridges is on eBay. You can also sell them to your friends, neighbors and work associates.
If you sell them on eBay...
Your Refilled Cartridges Can Pay Some Bills
Cheap airfare > Your Refilled Cartridges Can Pay Some Bills
Voice over IP Offers Your Business an Inexpensive Alternative To Toll Free Numbers
New businesses can now let their customers contact them for free or inexpensively with the use of Voice over IP telephony, without having to lease the ever more expensive toll free numbers offered by many telecoms companies around the world. With Voice over IP telephony, local numbers can be setup in scores of towns and cities across a country at relatively low costs. These can then connect to a central Voice over IP service provider, which will allow free or low rate calls to you from your customers.Internet telephony or Voice over IP as it is more commonly known has been hailed as the next big thing in the telecommunications world for quite some time. In the past it has been plagued with poor sound and connection quality, as well as complex and frustrating installations.With huge advances in Voice over IP technology in the last few years, you no longer have to sit at your computer in order to make a phone call over the Internet using Voice over IP. It is now possible to use an ordinary...
Voice over IP Offers Your Business an Inexpensive Alternative To Toll Free Numbers
Cheap airfare > Voice over IP Offers Your Business an Inexpensive Alternative To Toll Free Numbers
Finally Something Other Than a Pixel Page
(ContentDesk) June 28, 2006 -- Pixel pages have been and gone recently, more been and less gone in some peoples opinions! Every now and then variations come about but they are all based on one thing, Pixels. As an advertising method pixels are yet to be proven. Many see them as more of a novelty for your company rather than a successful way of attracting visitors to your site. Since the start of June 2006 a new site has been launched that will provide cheap effective advertising that can not only be seen by it's visitors, but encourages new and existing visitors to look at the adverts on a daily basis.Firsttothetreasure.com claims to hold the internet's only real treasure Map. They claim this map holds the key to many lost treasures of an old folklore.
They offer this treasure map to be viewed by the public for free. They then invite the sites visitors to assist them in locating the lost treasure. On finding any treasure, the visitors are rewarded with prizes which range from...
Finally Something Other Than a Pixel Page
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AssistKatrinaVictims.org Site Is Launched to Benefit Victims of Hurricane Katrina
(ContentDesk) September 8, 2005 -- A new website has been created by a suburban Chicago family to aggregate information sources related to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The site provides links to online information sources for cash donations, care packages, volunteers, missing persons, survivor lists, and families opening their homes to evacuees.
Visitors are encouraged to submit information sites which will be reviewed by the site's editors for legitimacy."I continue to hear stories about websites which take advantage of the national interest and goodwill brought about by this disaster.
Everything from selling cheap bracelets while advertising the proceeds go to charity to people creating "phishing" sites which steal cash donations.
I wanted to provide a creative way to help the people whose lives have been turned upside down by this tragedy."
The site also features an area for visitors to post their own sentiments about the tragedy in...
Cheap airfare > AssistKatrinaVictims.org Site Is Launched to Benefit Victims of Hurricane Katrina
Ninety Percent of Business Cards Get Dumped Because of Poor Planning
Springfield, MO (ContentDesk) September 1, 2004 -- Many entrepreneurs waste money on poorly designed business cards and as a result, 90 percent of them get dumped. That's according to Chris Brunner, President of GreatFX Business Cards (http://www.greatfxbusinesscards.com), who has just published a free guide, "Unforgettable
Business Cards," to stop the waste and help businesses use their cards to generate more profits."Most business cards are designed with little thought and handed out with little thought. It's hardly surprising then that many are discarded without a second thought," says Brunner.
"Contact information alone doesn't make your card memorable or desirable. You've got to add some marketing sparkle to your cards so that people will remember you and want to do business with you." Brunner believes that a well-designed business card with a strong business message, when handed out appropriately,...
Cheap airfare > Ninety Percent of Business Cards Get Dumped Because of Poor Planning
We Bought A House For $17,500
Good Homes Under $50,000?
My wife Ana and I found cheap homes for sale all over during a seven-week cross-country trip, and we even bought one in a pretty little town in the mountains of western Montana. We paid $17,500, spent almost $2000 to fix it up the way we liked it, and lived there for several months before selling it for $28,000. You can see a photo of our little pink house on our website http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com. This wasn't a fluke. There really are great towns where you can still find cheap homes for sale.Cheap Homes, Nice Town: An Example
In Anaconda, Montana you can fish for trout, go to a three-dollar-movie in a beautiful old art-deco theatre (named the 5th most beautiful theater in the U.S., according to the Smithsonian), drop some nickles in a slot machine (a dozen casinos), eat at a fine restaurant, stop by the bar for a dollar beer,... We Bought A House For $17,500
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Is An All Inclusive Resort Right For You?
All-inclusive resorts can really help vacationers get the most out of their travel dollars. Today, over 400 hotels in the Caribbean and Mexico are either all-inclusive resorts or offer all inclusive packages. Destinations such as Aruba, Cancun, St. Thomas, and Bahamas have an infrastructure that is well suited to all-inclusive and not all inclusive resorts because there is a wide election of restaurants and amenities for tourism. Jamaica and the Dominican Republic on the other hand don't have the tourism infrastructure in place and are best suited for all inclusive vacations.You'll want to consider carefully before choosing an all inclusive resort.
Resorts do vary -- some are designed for couples, some for singles, some for gays and some for families. Some cater to a younger or older crowd. There are also some that offer clothing-optional activities. For obvious reasons, most of those don't allow children under 18.The resorts come in all shapes and sizes. Some include airfare...
Is An All Inclusive Resort Right For You?
Cheap airfare > Is An All Inclusive Resort Right For You?
AssistKatrinaVictims.org Site Is Launched to Benefit Victims of Hurricane Katrina
(ContentDesk) September 8, 2005 -- A new website has been created by a suburban Chicago family to aggregate information sources related to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The site provides links to online information sources for cash donations, care packages, volunteers, missing persons, survivor lists, and families opening their homes to evacuees.
Visitors are encouraged to submit information sites which will be reviewed by the site's editors for legitimacy."I continue to hear stories about websites which take advantage of the national interest and goodwill brought about by this disaster.
Everything from selling cheap bracelets while advertising the proceeds go to charity to people creating "phishing" sites which steal cash donations.
I wanted to provide a creative way to help the people whose lives have been turned upside down by this tragedy."
The site also features an area for visitors to post their own sentiments about the tragedy in...
Cheap airfare > AssistKatrinaVictims.org Site Is Launched to Benefit Victims of Hurricane Katrina