Category: accessible Devices
I haven't really watched tv since we got Fios over a year ago cause I got sick of inaccessible menus, having a billion channels and having to use more than a single remote. But I want to convert my dvds to vhs, and if I do eventually start watching tv again, I want to be able to tape shows that I like. So has anyone had experience with either a talking vcr or a talking remote control? If so, which one? What are/were it's advantages and it's disadvantages? I already have several vcrs that I have to try out and I'm looking for one that can handle highfi, since I heard that's the best type out there in this format. So if one of the truly accessible ones can do it, please let me know. Thanks.
Why in the world would you want to convert your DVDs to VHS? Less accessible, more prone to breaking, less supported, requires a lotof work and there certainly will be no work on accessibility for the vhs, as opposed to the descriptive video work that is happening with some DVDs.
It's basically like burning your mp3s to cd and then recording them to a casette.
What advantage could you possibly get from using outdated media?
lol. was wondering the same thing. you know you can also buy a dvd player/ recorder. so if your still wanting to record your tv shows you can do so on a dvd. not sure why one would want to go back to vhs? but to each there own i guess. lol!
I think we should put more effort into making the pencil and cave carvings accessible.
But, all kidding aside, why VCR, why dos (although it seems that idea fizzled out, although may be you just got it working), why outdated memory cards when SD cards with hundred times more memory are available, why the technology avertion?
Newer isnot always better, true, but in many cases it is, and you seem to assume olderis better, which is just as prejudice really.
But, hey, free country and all that, but I just find you're making life exceedingly difficult for yourself by insisting on adapting outdated ideas and devices rather than spend an hour learning to use the new stuff.
I don't like dvds and never have. Vhs is far more accessible. No menus, no having to choose scenes or find the start of the film because it doesn't automatically start when I put the media in the machine, no dealing with getting the stupid program started in the first place in the computer so I can watch the film. I like watching things on a television anyway if using something other than youtube and dvd players don't talk or read menus. I don't like descriptive video 98% of the time cause they over describe things and ruin the movie for me. I also record from mp3s, internet radio and sometimes from records if I wana back them up, to cassette but don't do that as often now since I have my Zenstone. to me, the vhs just seems right somehow. I'd say the same for Beta MAX (which actually stopped being produced only a few years ago, still in the 21st century) but I've never used those. One huge advantage is that they don't scratch like cds and dvds and hense don't skip. The delicate nature of cds is also why I save all of those to mp3 or cassette and then put them away. Finally, I like things on magnetic tape for whatever reason. I'm just used to it I guess. Anyway, back to the original question. Which is better?
My moto is if it's not broken don't fix it. And if something works well for me, why should I upgrade just because some no trend took over the market, particularly when the technology I'm using is nice and stable? Granted, in this case, I'd choose a video in my computer over a vhs tape if I wanted stability, but still. Why should I throw out all my videos, floppies, records, compact flash cards, computers etc if they're still working and if they still serve me?
As for why DOS, it's simply a better os all around. It's more straight forward, less clunky, text-based and faster. I don't mean the limited MS varieties but the modern ones.
you know you would be alot better off using something like DVD audio extractor and ripping your dvds to mp3s. otherwise get aDVD player hook up its out put to a vcr ins like where you would plug a tv in hit play on the dvd and record on the vcr
Yeah, we've got one of those combo players. makes everything nice and easy. I just need to get those really good quality tapes and I'll be set.
Okay, here's the thing. We have a regular DVD, a portable DVD, and one of the combos and as far as we've noticed, you put the disc in, push play, and the thing goes automatically. Besides, DVD's take up far less space, don't tend to get eaten by the machine, or wear the tape out.
As for talking VCR or remotes? Well, in all my research I haven't heard of any unles I missed something and that's rare, but I would guess they would be rather expensive.
You can play your movie in the DVD player and record it onto VHS in the other part of the combo player, but remember to have a good place to store them and lots of room.
However, as long as you know what the buttons on the player are for, you can easily play DVD movies or VHS ones, even if you do have to label them.
I'll check my research again and let you know if I missed something about talking ones. If there are, you'd probably be better off getting the talking remote as it's probably cheaper.
Actually, what we should be complaining about is why the stupid satellite/cable companies haven't come out with a talking menu system for their services yet? We can't use the stupid menus on the tv screens to check show times, titles, who stars in them or anything.
So I can choose scenes, go through the menus and play extras etc on a dvd player? I've never seen one that would let me do that. Yes, there are definitely several different remotes and vcrs out there. I know
http://www.cobolt.co.uk
used to make one of those remotes, though not sure if they still do. I think some of the other large places like Independent Living Aids and Maxaids had them too. Sharp made a talking vcr for the mainstream, and I know that one or two others existed but I can't remember the brands off hand. Someone told me that they had an Obtonica? They couldn't remember the name. As for complaining about the menus on the tv, I certainly do enough of that. If they're gonna force people to switch to this stuff, then make it fucking accessible! I hate how they have a weather station and a tv guide station and how, for me, they just have music on them while my family can read what's on the screen. And what's up with the stupid recorders like Tivo etc? Oh boy, don't get me started on that. That's why I want one of these. Look up whatever online, set my remote/recorder and be done with it.
actually some cable or satallite providers are allowing you to view schedules and schedule your DVR to tape stuff from the web now Somebody did a talking dvd player but that was hell of expensive from what i heard like a grand or something like that. There are also tv guides online now do a google search to find some.
Well, that's cool about the player. I didn't know they did that. I'm fairly sure I'll go with the remote, cause I've already got several vcrs and some of those are really high quality, but I'll check out the players too, just to be fair.
Okay, did a search and yes, there are/were actually talking vcr's, but rather expensive. There are talking remotes, but it looks like the remote needs to be specifically for the correct brand of vcr, but I'm still checking.
Oh no! I thought they were universal remotes. Woops. Well, maybe, I've got one of the vcrs needed for them. I'm sure the ones that talk have gone down in price. *smile*
I have a combo DVD/VCR player from panasonic. However, i needed to delete a DVD the other day but the TV screen menu was inacessible; my friend had to delete the disk for me. These inacessible menus are lousy for us. Any ideas how I can delete DVD disks any other way? Now that we have gone digital in the U.s. my player won't let me record on video tape any more just disks. I guess I should be glad I can even record.
Wait. It won't let you record? Do you mean from dvd to vhs or from the tv to vhs? Wow! I didn't think that the switch would make it impossible to record stuff as it was playing. Can anyone else varify or deny this?
Who makes the talking DVD machine, mentioned in post 12?
I've never heard of one, and I'd really love to know the info, if such a thing exists.
As to VCRs, I thought Zenith made a talking VCR years ago. How many years ago, I don't know, and I never saw one of them. I planned to buy one, but the technology changed before that happened. I held on to my Panasonic VCrs as long as possible, even bought an extra, because I knew exactly how to make that particular model work. Makes me sad now. When I think of all the *hours* I put into making tapes, it makes my head ache! I finally had to just get rid of all those boxes because they were too cumbersome to move, everytime I moved house. Not practical.
Because DVD is so inaccessible, usually, I've almost given up TV/movie watching entirely. Same with carting around old records, even though I still love them.
lol Oh yeah. Thanks for reminding me of all those records that have now gotta come up here. haha What was your model of vcr if I may ask?
I can't record from VHS from TV. Impossible, but can record on disks. So does a talking remote control actually read the TV screen or just tell you what buttons are on the remote? May sound like a dumb question, but am a senior who isn't quite up on all the technology like you young people. I heard of a remote called harmony but have to further research that. I don't know if it talks.
you can erase your dvds on the computer taht should be accessible with a screen reader. and if you have a digital to analog converter you should be able to record to a vcr still
Okay, my turn to ask a dumb question. We've using Fios from Verizon but our tvs were originally analogue. Does that mean that we can do it? This is reeeeally gonna suck if we can't. If not though, can I record directly from a computer to video while watching live tv? I did see some video capture software on Amazon that goes the other way.
Tiffany, I'm sorry, I don't recall the model numbers of my VCRs. I haven't had them for several years now.
The remote that I have seen is from Cobalt.
The remote only tells you what buttons have been Prest. If you have the right kind of VCR you can program some of the BASIC feachers of it. Such as when to start recording something. You can also switch the channels on it. You hear the numbers as they are being Prest. One last thing about this is. After pressing a button on the remote you hear a beep. When the VCR receives your command you hear one more beep. Now as to what VCR's work with this remote. I think some of the LG ones work with it. And some other motile that i can't remember at the moment
Hope this helps someone.
It definitely helps and thanks. I was considering the one from Cobolt but wasn't sure of exactly what it did. So it will allow me to set times for things in advance and which channel to tape from or do I need to do the last on my own?
It can tell you that to. But you have to make sure that the VCR is getting the signals from the remote. I herd about this a long time ago so you might want to check with Cobalt to make sure.
I actually stumbled on a talking remote from
http://www.independentliving.com
But they're not in stock. They say it works with all sorts of things, not just tvs and vcrs. I'll have to see if anyone else has one. I'd definitely like to get one for the holidays.