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 Terapin MINE Storage UnitTHE Personal & Portable Storage Solution! Coming Soon!!!Presenting a revolutionary new edge in digital lifestyle. Store, play, network and access the internet with one easy touch. Your complete digital information manager like nothing anyone has seen... Terapin's Mine is a powerful, handheld, internet enabled, personal data storage device ready to meet all of your digital information needs at work and at play.
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Home movies will never look the same again, now
you can put them on a CD and play them back on MANY DVD or VCD players and most multimedia
PC. The Terapin CD Audio/Video Recorder is as simple to use as a VCR - all
you do is put in a blank CD-R or CD-RW and you can
record straight from your camcorder, from broadcast
programs, or transfer old recordings from video tapes to
CD.
Your memories will be clearer and more vivid, and unlike
tape, they'll last virtually forever.
THE FIRST CONSUMER DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER Everyone knows the advantages CDs have over cassette tapes - the quality is far superior, CDs don't jam and require minimal maintenance. Tapes are inherently lower quality, and get worse with time; digitally recorded CDs maintain their high quality for life.
Now Terapin's CD Audio/Video Recorder (the first consumer digital audio and video recorder) brings all these advantages to the world of video.
KEEP OLD MEMORIES ALIVE
Family memories were meant to last forever. Now your
home movies can remain as clear and enjoyable as the
day you first made them, for generations.
If you have older recordings stored on video tapes,
transfer them to CD and they can last a lifetime. You can
even transfer your old audio recordings (cassettes or
vinyl records) onto audio CD. Or compile your favorite
tracks from various audio CDs onto one convenient CD.
Check out Jim Bask's Hands on review of the Terapin
Download Terapin's DVD Player Cross Reference Sheet! A Complete List of Over 50 DVD Players Compatible with CDR and CDRW Playback!
The quality of the recordings is VHS video quality. The audio output is MPEG I audio
quality. The output of the recorded media depends on your input source. Example if
your input source is from a VHS source, then you will get VHS quality. If your source
is from a DVD source, you will get MPEG I video quality.
The machine also accepts digital audio source in to be recorded onto CD.
Yes. The recording time is based on the CD-R or CD-RW media. Currently, 74 minutes
is available. But there are some 80 minutes just coming out.
The Terapin CD Audio Video recorder records up to 74 minutes (present CD
availability). You will need 2 CDs to complete the movie recording.
Yes, it is real time recording.
The Terapin CD Audio Video Recorder can record both Audio & Video input signals,
which means that you can compile all your favorite songs into a CD-R/CD-RW with our
Terapin CD Audio Video Recorder. All you need is to plug in an audio source (from Hi
Fi system, Discman etc) using standard RCA jacks or digital optical input.
| Audio (Playback) | ||
| Frequency Response | 20Hz to 20KHz (+/- 2dB) | |
| Output Voltage | 2Vrms | |
| Signal to noise ratio | 95dB (A-wtd) | |
| Dynamic range | 95dB (1KHz, A-wtd) | |
| THD | 0.005% | |
| CH Separation | 96dB | |
| Audio (Record/Playback) | ||
| Signal to noise ratio | 90dB (A-wtd) | |
| Dynamic range | 90dB (1KHz, A-wtd) | |
| THD | TBA | |
| Input/Output | ||
| Analog Input (L/R) | 2 stereo channel | |
| Analog Output (L/R) | 1 stereo channel | |
| Optical In | 1 | |
| Coaxial In | 1 | |
| Coaxial Out | 1 | |
| S-Video In | 1 | |
| S-Video Out | 1 | |
| Comp. Video In | 2 | |
| Comp. Video Out | 1 | |
| Video (Record/Playback) | ||
| Signal to noise ratio | TBA | |
| Dynamic range | TBA | |
| THD | TBA | |
| General | ||
| Compatible format | CD-DA, VideoCD | |
| Compatible CD media | CD-R, CD-RW | |
| Channel | Stereo | |
| Power Consumption | 100-240V AC 50Hz | |
| Dimensions (approx) | 403mm(w) x 322mm(d) x 117mm(h) | |
Unit Design * * * * *
Have you seen the picture on our web site? It just looks soooo cool. The unit looks like a space aged VCR with a tortoise-like shell with obviously has no other purpose than to add some flair. I personally like the extra-touch and appreciate the attention to detail.
Ease-of-use * * * * *
It looks like a VCR, connects like a VCR and works like a VCR (and it has no clock to set)! I found the unit extremely easy to set-up and use, even when I added it to my already crowded home theater system or computer desk. It includes composite cables but has just about every other popular connection found on today's consumer electronics. Unfortunately it does not come with a very comprehensive instruction manual, which brings me to my next rating:
Instruction Manual * *
I will not make any apologies for the instruction manual but I would also warn you to not be frightened away just yet! It is apparent that the instruction manual was not originally written in English and there are some features that probably can be covered in more detail or in non-technical terms. I have spent a lot of time using the unit and will try to address each part of the instruction manual and expand on the areas that I feel need improvement.
Speed * * * * ˝
I couldn't give the full 5 stars for speed because the unit is actually real-time plus slightly more than two-minutes. As I explained before, it records the same as a VCR but if you want to play a disc on a DVD or Computer you need to finalize the disk (Terapin spells it Finalise). The finalization process takes 2-mintues and there is a “Prepare VCD” mode prior to finalization that may take 15-60 seconds. There is also a 1-2 second pause when you manually insert chapter points while recording or when you insert a new disc prior to recording. Once you become familiar with the unit, you should be able to anticipate these pauses and still create a high-quality video or audio CD despite these technical limitations.
Quality * * * (add an extra star for audio)
The Terapin CD Audio/Video Recorder uses MPEG-1 video compression and is equivalent to VHS quality. I recorded the Mets victory on Monday night (which gave them the trip to the World Series) and did notice a computerized, “pixelated” look on high-action scenes and graphic overlays. Overall, I was extremely satisfied with the quality and think that most people would agree. When it comes to audio quality I had to add an extra star just because the unit supports digital coax (on the back) and digital optical (on the front) audio input connections to duplicate music CDs and DVD soundtracks.
Other features * * * * *
General Information
There is not much I really need to add to this area other than emphasizing the “Note” that appears in the “Recording Media” section. The note clearly states that unfinalized discs can only be played on your recorder, not on any other CD player.
Controls and Connections
Front panel controls
Rear panel controls
Please pay extra special attention to the in and output connections and remember in goes to out and out goes to in (i.e. The VCR ouput gets connected to the Terapin inputs so the audio and video is being fed FROM the VCR TO the CD Recorder). I also point this out because most electronics have the composite audio and video connections in a row while the Terapin unit has a separate audio and video layout as follows.
| Standard | Terapin CD Audio/Video Recorder | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IN VIDEO OUT VIDEO | IN LEFT OUT LEFT | IN RIGHT OUT RIGHT | IN VIDEO OUT VIDEO |
OUT LEFT OUT RIGHT | IN LEFT IN RIGHT |
The Terapin owners manual also neglects to point out the front panel connections hidden just below the CD tray. Here you will find another set of composite audio and video connections plus the digital optical connection (shipped with a protective plug which should remain in unless being used).
Remote Control
Although the remote is pretty self explanatory, the buttons are pretty small and close to each other and pressing the wrong button while recording may mean your creating a coaster instead of a video/audio CD. Navigate carefully, and you will have no problems at all!
Installation
There are several set-up configurations used as examples in the Terapin owner's manual and there are many more possible variations. You should use the highest quality connection available to you. S-Video connections are better than Composite if you are connecting a DVD or S-Video VCR to creat a VideoCD. Digital Audio connections are higher quality than the stereo left and right cables if you are using a digital CD or DVD as a source to create an AudioCD. The digital audio connections are available to support the automatic synchronization feature when creating an AudioCD from a digital CD player and may not be used when creating a VideoCD.
TECH TIP: Two configurations to a TV set are shown with a note to disable the “Monitor” mode with these set-ups. The “Monitor” mode allows you to view the video exactly as it would appear when recorded to a Video CD in the MPEG-1 format. This means you are viewing compressed video and not the original signal as it is delivered from the source. You may enable the “Monitor” when you are actually using the unit to create a VideoCD or to view the On-Screen menu but the disable feature allows you to view normal video without disconnecting the Terapin unit after each recording session.
Playback Functions
Although I don't think many of you will be buying this unit to replace your CD player, it does have a lot of cool playback functions like Program Play and Slow Motion. Many of these features operate the same as a CD or DVD player would and the features are pretty self-explanatory.
TECH NOTE: If you are getting "Recover" or "NON AUD" errors please try using a different type of CDR or CDRW before assuming you have a defective recording unit. The Terapin Audio/Video CD Recorder will not work with inexpensive data CDRs and using the incorrect media may result in these errors or in Finalization problems. We recommend using Gold or Platinum Consumer CDRs specifically labeled for CDAudio use. We have also had excellent success with just about every CDRW.
Finalizing A Disc
You will notice that Finalizing is spelled with an S in the Terapin instruction manual. This is one of the most obvious hints that this manual was not written in the US, but hey that's why we're here! The finalizing process takes approximately 2 minutes and prior to that there is a Prepare VCD mode which may take as long as a minute itself. When you hit “Finalize” the unit will ask you to Finalize Disc. Hit “Confirm” and you will launch the Prepare VCD mode and then the Finalize 2-minute warning (2:00) will begin its countdown until the procedure is completed. CAUTION: Once you finalize a disc you cannot add anything to that disc!
TECH TIP: I did experience one or two hiccups with my first few Finalizing attempts that caused the unit to create an Invalid CD. However, I did find an easy solution to whatever was causing the problem. After you record your Video or Audio CD I recommend ejecting the disc and re-inserting it before Finalizing the CD. Once I discovered this trick every CD worked perfectly and I was a very satisfied customer!
Auto mode vs. Manual Mode
Auto mode will automatically insert a chapter point (Track 1, Track 2, etc.) when the CD Recorder detects a 3 second pause from the source unit. This is extremely useful if you are copying an audio CD and want to maintain the tracks selections. However, when recording Video CDs I recommend the Manual Mode, which allows you add chapter points two different ways. One way to manually add a chapter point is to simply hit “Next” while recording. This will interrupt the video for approximately 2 seconds to start the next track. Another way is to stop or pause the recording and then restart it with your next track. When you restart the CD Recorder it will start the next track for easy reference during playback.
TECH TIP: When using Manual mode to change chapter points while recording from a DVD player you can pause your DVD player before hitting “Next” on your CD Recorder. As soon as you see the track change and the counter restarting you can restart your DVD. This will allow you to use the freeze frame as the transition between tracks and is much more pleasant then missing 2 seconds of video. I only recommend this when recording from a DVD because the pause creates a rock-solid still image which can create a dramatic effect between tracks.
Q- Once I fill up a disc will it prompt me to insert a new disc and continue recording?
A- Unfortunately the unit will not prompt you for a new disc, it will simply stop recording when the disc is full. You can use the same “freeze-frame” tip I mention in this article to record a full-length DVD to multiple CDRs.
Q- Where can I play back the CDs?
A- Unfinalized CDs can only be played on the Terapin CD Recorder. Finalized Audio CDs can be played on any CD player or Computer. Finalized Video CDs can be played on any DVD player that supports the VideoCD format (most newer players do! I have a 2-year old unit in my home theater unit which does not support the VideoCD created by Terapin but my newer Panasonic portable DVD plays the VCD back with no problem). The VideoCD can also be played in any computer system with multimedia capability.
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