HowToDoThings.com Home Theater & Audio

How To Convert VHS to DVD

Staff468 — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:04:00 -0600

There's more than one reason to convert your old VHS tapes to DVD. VHS tapes and VCRs are fast becoming an obsolete technology-many may argue that they already are. If there's any footage that you want to preserve that's currently in a VHS format, now's the time. VCRs are still available, as are services and machines that will help you convert your VHS tapes to DVD. If you continue to wait, you'll see fewer and fewer opportunities to make this change and save your VHS footage.

Another concern is damage. Even if your VCR doesn't eat your VHS tape, the film in it will slowly degrade over time-whether you play it often or you don't. VHS tapes can start falling apart in as little as 3 years, whereas DVDs can last anywhere form 20 to (some say) even 250 years. Whether it's your favorite blockbuster movie or a sentimental home video, you should make the switch from VHS to DVD sooner rather than later.

How To Remove Scratches From a DVD

Harry255 — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 13:22:00 -0500

So you are watching your favorite movie on DVD and all of a sudden it starts to stutter and skip or just plain stop dead. You eject the DVD and see that it has some good-sized scratches on the surface. You are worried this is the end of your favorite DVD, but have no fear -- there are some ways to get this bad boy fixed.

How To Transfer DVR Recordings to DVD

Staff468 — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 16:57:00 -0600

With all the advancements in technology today you'd think it would be simple to create a DVD of a show or program that you recorded on your DVR. Although it can be done, it's not necessarily as straightforward as you might think. It takes a little extra time setting up your home video system and, usually, an additional investment in some extra hardware as well.

Connect your DVD recorder to your TiVo or DVR. If you have a DVD recorder (or burner), you can hook it up directly to your DVR and create DVDs of your recorded shows and movies. You can connect your DVR, DVD recorder and TV together using RCA composite cables (the red, yellow and white cable), S-Video cables or the traditional coaxial cable. Coaxial cables produce the lowest quality picture, so opt for RCA cables or an RCA/S-Video cable combination if possible. Whichever cables you are using, the setup will be similar:

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How To Access DVR Through Your Computer

Brian197 — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 15:51:00 -0500

If you are purchasing a DVR system directly from your cable or satellite provider, you'll probably reap the same great rewards as TiVo but at a fraction of the price. However, more recently a cheap alternative has come about for DVRs, which provides all the great options and functionality, but can be done right on your home computer. Here's how to access DVR through your computer.

How To Repair a Scratched CD

Harry255 — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 08:11:00 -0500

These days while most of us are putting all our music from our CD collection onto MP3 players, we are finding that our old compact discs are not faring so well with the years. Smudges, scratches and spots can turn a CD into an unlistenable useless round thingy, much like a perfectly intact Michael Bolton CD. Even if it looks like there is a lot of damage to a CD's surface, there maybe an easy fix that'll have you back listening uninterrupted in no time. Let us investigate.

How To Find Vintage Reel to Reel Tape Recorders

Harry255 — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 22:06:00 -0600

Reel to reel tape recorders were the standard for recording for decades until digital media took over sometime in the 1990's. For some audiophiles, they are still the king. Artists today still prefer analog tape's natural, warm sound to the clean and (what they consider) sterile sound of a digital recording. If you are in this camp and are looking for an old reel to reel tape recorder to record your next LP, or are just in the market for a vintage collectible, here's where to look.

Look on the internet. Of course you have to start with the number one site to get practically anything -- eBay. Search "reel to reel recorder" and you will find pages and pages of recorders to peruse. If you are in the market for a particular recorder, just search for it to see results.

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How To Stream Music To Your Xbox 360 on a Wireless Network

Brad276 — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 11:14:00 -0600

The way we listen to music has changed over the past few years. Many people have gone from CDs to digital tracks that are stored on our computers. One of the biggest challenges has been having music on your computer that you want to listen to in your living room. Thanks to the Microsoft Xbox 360, if you have a wireless network and a Windows-based PC, you can now listen to the music on your computer through your Xbox 360.

To get started, you have to first have a wireless network set up and the Xbox 360 able to receive that signal.

Purchase a wireless high speed internet router. I recommend visiting www.xbox.com and looking at the list of approved routers, as some will conflict with the Xbox. The installation of a router will be well outlined in the instructions that you receive with the router.

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How To Buy a Big Screen TV

Brian197 — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 13:31:00 -0500

The home theater craze has caught on, but when buying your big screen TV, there are many options and companies open to you that you'll need to carefully consider. Follow these steps and guidelines, and you'll be on the fast track to making a smart purchase that fits your home theater needs!

How To Use a DVR

Victoria116 — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 03:25:00 -0500

These days, many cable companies offer the option of renting a Digital Video Recorder, or DVR. A DVR is a revolutionary way to enjoy television and it's quite simple to use. Here are some tips on how to use a DVR:

Programming shows. You can pre-program any show you want to record with the simple touch of a button on your DVR remote control. All you have to do is do a search for the show you want to record, by typing the first four letters of the show's title under the Search screen. Once you find the show you want to record, you just select the red Record button. The show will automatically record at the time the show is scheduled to air. You can also choose the Record option from the "TV Guide" screen - just click on any upcoming show and hit the red Record button.

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How To Compare DVD/VCR Combo Players

Harry255 — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 11:53:00 -0600

When the VCR/DVD combo came out I thought it was the greatest invention ever. Even now it is still a good component to have in your audio visual arsenal. You may not use the VCR part of the unit as much as the DVD but it is still good to have for those random VHS tapes you unearth during spring cleaning or movies that aren't yet available on DVD. Whatever you use it for, you want to have the right model for your particular situation, be it hi-fi or just for a spare bedroom TV. Here are a few things to look for in your search.