Weekly Site Roundup (09/01/03)

ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT
DVD Recorders: Top Picks
DVD recorders have not only arrived on the scene, but sales are finally beginning to take off. With prices becoming more affordable, the DVD recorder is now a serious option for home video recording. Check out my latest update on some of the top entries in the current field of DVD recorders. Be sure to check in for future updates.

HOME ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY NEWS HEADLINES
Sharp Sees LCD TV Demand Up, but Market Share Down (Reuters)
Sony Fighting To Become Top Dog In Flat-Screens (U.S. News And World Report)
Sony Fighting To Become Top Dog In Flat-Screens (Taipei Times)
Yamaha Debuts the RX-Z9: 9.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Audio Revolution)
SRS Labs' Circle Surround Continues To Gain Momentum... (SRS Labs)
Consumer Spending Hopes Lift Best Buy, RadioShack (Reuters)
Samsung Unveils 100-Hour DirecTV DVR (TWICE)

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
BK Precision: Model 1253 HDTV Test Pattern Generator
How do you insure that your getting the most out of your HDTV? Calibrate with a test pattern generator. With all the test parameters you need, the BK model 1253 not only provides you with an excellent calibration tool, it is up to a $1,000 less than comparable test instruments made by other makers.
Manufacturer's Site

FEATURED LINKS THIS WEEK
Audiophile Systems
U.S. Distributor for select high-end audio component makers from the U.K. and Canada.
Featured in the Audio Components Subject Page.

TIVO
If you haven't heard about TIVO, you are missing out on exciting alternative to the VCR, which records video on a hard disc intead of tape or DVD.
Featured in the VCRs Subject Page.

FROM THE HOME THEATER FORUM
How To Make Copies Of DVDs To VHS Tapes
From LIZARD223:
I have a friend who needs to know why some of the copies he makes of DVD movies to VHS work fine and some don't. He has an older VCR and a new DVD player. Is this Macrovision protection? Oh and he doesn't have true stereo ins and outs on the VCR which I wonder about??? Also he was curious about whether the Go Video systems actually copy a movie to VHS tape or are there encryption problems? They claim "one button" copying, but is this the case?
Join in on the discussion.

ELSEWHERE ON ABOUT.COM
A New Digital SLR At A Consumer Digital Price
Digital finally takes on film as Canon introduces the new Digital Rebel SLR digital camera. At 6 megapixels, interchangeable lenses, and full auto/manual controls, and its $999 price finally brings consumers an affordable digital camera option that rivals 35mm film. For additional details, check out the above report by Erick Hanneman, About Cameras Guide.

FROM THE MAILBOX
From Linda:
I don't know if you can answer my question but I thought I would try. I purchased a TV VCR combo unit for our camper. As more & more movies are more readily available in the DVD format I thought we would be able to simple hook a DVD player to our combo TV to play movies. To my surprise DVD players are copy protected to the point that they won't even let you view a DVD if it is hooked up to a VCR. Well this makes it tough since our TV is a combo unit. So my question is is there a way to disconnect the VCR portion or buy an adaptor of some sort that would by pass the VCR (that is built into the TV) so that we can view DVD's on this TV?

From Your Guide:
Try using an RF modulator -- this will enable you to hook up your DVD player to the antenna/RF connector on the TV/VCR combo -- as long as you don't turn on the VCR for recording -- this should work -- however, there is no 100% gaurantee this method will work on all TV/VCR combos. RF modulators are available at stores such as Best Buy and Radio Shack and basic ones cost about $30. I have written an article on this topic as well thay may help explain things further: http://hometheater.about.com/cs/dvdlaserdisc/a/aadvdrfmoda.htm.

FINAL WORDS

Special Announcement: My homepage has a new look with daily news postings in addition to my weekly article postings. Be sure to check out the new look at: About Home Theater

If you need more great info on home theater and audio, with an emphasis on the higher end, be sure to check out About.com's related partner sites:

Audio Video Interiors.
Home Theater Magazine.
Stereophile Guide To Home Theater.
Stereophile Magazine.

Lastly, I would like your feedback on this Weekly Site Update Page. If you have any comments, either positve or negative, just let me know.

A Special Reminder: Although I update this site regularly, sometimes I miss broken links, this is especially a concern as old product listings expire and new ones have different link addresses. If you encounter any broken links in my articles or listings, just bring it to my attention so I can correct the address or delete it from the site if it has expired and can no longer be accessed.

For a look at earlier Home Theater Nooz and Vewz Weekly Updates, CLICK HERE