Is a DVD VCR Recorder Right For You?

A DVD VCR recorder may, at first sight, seem like an ugly combo of old technology
with new. However, there are many advantages to be had from a DVD VCR recorder,
also known as DVD VHS recorder or DVD VCR combo recorder.

The first and most obvious advantage is that it provides an easy way to copy your
old VHS tapes to DVD and thus preserve them for much longer than they would last
on a VHS tape. Just stick the tap and blank DVD into the machine, press a button
and, bingo, you're ropey old VHS tapes can be consigned to the trash, to be
replaced by a shiny, new DVD disc.

Saving space is another advantage of having a DVD VCR recorder. Many people like
to keep hold of old VHS tapes for all sorts of reasons, but having a DVD recorder
and a VCR takes up space, plug sockets, and adds to the jungle of wires behind the
TV.

However, it's not all good news. A DVD VCR recorder has one distinct disadvantage
over having two separate units and its one that affects every area where technology
combines multiple functions into one device. Put simply, if your VCR breaks, you've
lost your DVD recorder to. And vice versa. Whereas, if you had separate VHS and
DVD machines, when one breaks and you need to send it off to be repaired, you still
have the other.

If this potential problem doesn't put you off, and you decide a DVD VHS recorder is
right for you, there are a number of things you should look out for. If possible go
for a device which records to DVD-RAM as well as DVD-R or DVD+R. This allows
you to timeshift your DVD recording, meaning you can watch the start of a program
while still recording the end of it, or pause and rewind live TV. Timeshifting is
incredibly useful and will change the way you watch TV.

You should also look for a device which plays back DVDs using progressive scan.
This means that rather than splitting each frame into two fields and displaying each
one alternately, the entire frame is shown on screen at the same time. This improves
the quality of the picture when watching DVD players.

If you have lots of VHS tapes that you want to carry on watching or want to record to
DVD, it's possible that a DVD VCR recorder could be right for you.

Kenny Hemphill is the editor and publisher of The HDTV Tuner, a site which aims to cut through the confusion surrounding HDTV and provide surfers with up to date, accurate and easy to read information on HDTV.

AP - Oil prices fell below $54 a barrel Thursday as dismal U.S. economic data and rising crude inventories outweighed the possibility of production cuts by OPEC and Russia.

Pro Tools Mixing - the Insider Secrets For Mixing Inside Pro Tools to Get Stellar Productions

Mixing In The Box. It is a term that used to have a certain amount of scorn behind it. But today, doing a complete ProTools based production from composition, through to pre-producton, recording and mixdown is finally a legit choice.

Sure, who doesn't love a nice SSL console and ATR tape machine, but the cost of using that kind of equipment makes it hard on a producers purse strings. So the question remains - can you have street cred and mix in the box?

You bet!

Heart Of In The Box Mixes

ProTools is a great platform with tons of options. And it certainly has the facilities to make mixing easy, but lets get to the bottom line of what makes a ProTools mix shine. The bottom line is that if you want a professional sounding production you simply cannot mix in the box without using plugins. Plugins are the heart and soul of sound manipulation.

The good news is that you don't need to have 10,000 plugins to get the job done. Just a few select choices can make all the difference. Picking the correct plugins is simple if you know what you are shooting for. And here's how to choose what is right.

The Classic Mixing Touch

You have a particular sound in your head, a particular mix polish and sheen that you want to achieve. Most likely it is similar to what one of your big shot heros has done. The simple solution is to copy what they use. Do some google research and find out what those guys use for their mixdown and steal it.

"But Buster, my hero mixes on analogue gear," you say.

No problem. Most every piece of analogue gear has been copied and is now available in plugin form.

For instance if you were going for a Tom Lord Alge style mix you would definitely want to have some SSL emulating plugs because Tom mixes on an SSL 4000. Well good news there are currently at least two major brands on the market.

You would also want a plugin that replicates and Teletronix 1176 and an Urei LA-3 in since he uses those for vocal compression and drum overheads, and bass, and even acoustic guitars at times. Good news again, there are scores of companies making those plugs.

You would also want to get your hands on some 22564 style plug ins because Tom uses those for his drum sounds to compress before going into the SSL.

Three sets of plugins and you have practically recreated the Tom Lord-Alge sound pallet.

When it comes to Pro Tools mixing, the bottom line is that regardless of which plugs you have you still need to know how to use them and mixing is a combination of skills. Pick up the tips for free on the Music Producer newsletter Click Here http://www.musicproducersecrets.info

E! Online - Madrod has finally made its public debut.