GoVideo VR 1940 DVD Recorder/VCR Combo

GoVideo VR 1940 DVD Recorder/VCR Combo
Manufacturer: GoVideo
Product Type: CE

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Create your own DVDs, archive camcorder footage and VHS tapes, and record your favorite television shows to high-quality, long lasting DVD discs.
Amazon.com Product Description
GoVideo's VR1940 takes all the convenience of a VCR, mirrors it in a DVD recorder, then dishes up a component with the ability to record to either of the 2 major DVD formats (plus and minus R/RW) and VHS videocassette. The deck can copy VHS tapes to DVD and DVDs to VHS at the touch of a button (except where prohibited by copy-protection technology). For camcorder owners, transferring home movies to DVD has never been easier. A front-panel IEEE 1394 DV input accepts feeds from digital camcorders for easy recording to DVD and for playback on your TV. You get 8-event, 1-month timer recording and you can choose whether to record to tape or disc for each program item.

GoVideo's EZ-Guide simplifies DVD recording, from setup to editing. You can record your favorite television shows and treasured home videos to high-quality, long-lasting DVD+R (write-once) and DVD+RW (rewriteable) discs. The recorder's built-in NTSC TV tuner and onscreen user interface permits up to eight timer recordings over a single month, with five recording speeds providing between 1 and 6 hours of content on each 4.7 GB DVD. The unit automatically creates a new disc title every time you start a new recording. You can then add chapters to these recordings manually or have them automatically inserted at 5- to 30-minute intervals.

DVD+RW media require no finalizing--you can record, eject, and play them with minimal fuss, thanks to "background formatting." This feature, which lowers total burning time, is an advantage over the "dash" formats. Other DVD+RW advantages include on-disc content editing and multisession writing.

DoMiNoFX helps you create better-looking DVDs by digitally improving the input signal using 3 patented processes: TrueScan Pro, TrueView Pro, and PerfectView Pro. A technology called CleanCopy offers one-touch improvement and archiving of your VHS tapes to long-lasting DVDs. CleanCopy automatically enhances picture and sound quality for keeping your memories vivid.

The VR1940 is a first-rate DVD player, too. Movie fans will love GoVideo's AutoPlay DVD feature, which automatically skips ads, movie trailers, and disc menus, jumping right to the start of the main attraction. Simply place the disc in the tray, press the play key, and the movie will start without interruption. YourDVD, another GoVideo exclusive, simplifies your DVD player use by permanently storing the set-up preferences that--on most DVD players--need to be checked or unchecked every time you load a new DVD.

Other features include progressive-scan video outputs and support for MP3 and JPEG CDs. A variety of video and audio inputs--including front-panel connections for fast, temporary hookups--grant connection to virtually all televisions and home theater components. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.

And, unlike all other DVD/VCR combination products, the VR1940 will connect to your television and deliver DVD or VHS signals using any of its available video connections, including S-video and component-/progressive-scan video outputs. Now you can view both DVD and VHS content without having to change connections or switch TV inputs.

To help you navigate the transition from VCR to DVD recording, GoVideo's "white-glove customer care" includes free telephone assistance in making your first recording, should you need it.

What's in the Box
DVD player/recorder, a blank DVD+RW disc, a remote control, remote batteries, an RF coaxial audio/video cable (3 feet), a stereo analog audio/composite-video interconnect (3 feet), and a user's manual.

Average customer rating: 3.5 Best Organizer In The W O R L D! Interesting but... KISS for replacing your address book YO 520 Review Sharp Yo-520

Sharp YO-520P Memo Master Manufacturer: Sharp Product Group: CE Binding: Electronics ASIN: B00004U9O5

Amazon.com Review

The YO-520 has 1 MB of system memory, which is low for a handheld PDA but on the upper end for a $50 organizer. It also synchronizes data with your desktop PC, albeit through a slower serial port connection (though most of the data transfers you'll be doing won't be large enough to warrant a faster connection).

Close to the size of a PDA, this foldout organizer features only a 20-column-by-5-line screen, but does offer a bright backlight behind the display. Most of the space of the organizer is taken up by its myriad Chiclet-size keys--an entire keyboard and calculator are replicated on the unit. Additional buttons take you to the different applications built into the YO-520, including a calendar, scheduler, to-do list, expense calculator, and date reminder.

Programming the YO-520 isn't as easy as with your average PDA, where you click with the stylus until you find the settings. We found it was necessary to keep the manual handy, as we were constantly using secondary key functions to change the preferences.

In addition to synchronizing with data on your PC through the simple but thorough PIM (personal information management) software, the PC connection lets you download files from MyWizard.com and transfer them to your YO-520. These programs include sports schedules, college class notes, literature, and more. There is also a handy Info to Go feature at the MyWizard site to convert text from any Web site into a format readable on your YO-520.

While it won't be kicking the Palms out of dedicated PDA users' hands, Sharp's YO-520 provides more power and connectivity than your average organizer, and it would work well for users who need an inexpensive and portable PIM. --J. Curtis

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