Lesson 7

The Reading Module

Read the text: What is a DVD-recorder?

The best way to understand DVD-recorders is to compare them with VCRs. They are similar both in shape, function and features. You can say about a DVD recorder that it's an optical disk recorder that uses a laser beam to write media on a blank DVD. Usually the term of DVD recorder is applied to standalone units that are used in home theater systems, in studios, etc, but there are other types of DVD recorders and DVD recorder combos out there. For example DVD recorders mounted in a computer are referred to as DVD burners, and in many home theater systems you will find standalone DVD recorders that have an integrated hard-drive.

But there is far more to DVD recorders than that. DVD recorders are now equipped with a number of features that make the DVD recorder a true media device. DVD recorders can record from analog video sources and also most of them can also record from digital sources via Firewire ports. Also most DVD recorders today have included ATSC (HDTV) tuners, used to record media directly from a TV stream.

In the beginning there were three main formats supported by DVD recorders: DVD-RAM, DVD-RW and DVD+RW. Out of these, DVD-RAM is almost obsolete and is not compatible with most DVD recorders out there today. DVD-RW allows you to write and then rewrite data on the DVD, the only downside is that you have to erase the whole disk if you want to modify stored data. Last but not least, the DVD+RW uses the random write access technology that enables you to write and erase data without having to erase the whole disk. Most DVD recorders today support both DVD-RW and DVD+RW standards.

The speed used by the DVD recorder to write data is measured in "X", similar to CD-ROM speeds measurement system. In this system 1X equals to 1.321 MB/s, which is the equivalent of 9X when comparing to CD-ROM writing speeds. The writing speed is only relevant to DVD burners mounted on a computer, that can write data stored on the hard drive, standalone DVD recorders write data in real time (1X speed).

There are some discussions about the fate of the DVD recorder, for some say it will become obsolete as happened with the VCR, but others say that the technical advantages of the DVD recorder will keep in on the market for years to come. For example a DVD recorder has superior audio and video quality, doesn't need rewinding because it uses a chapter index you can jump to at any time, it makes use of playlists, it provides multilingual subtitles, etc. Of course there are some downsides such as the fact that DVDs must be finalized in order to be played (this is not true for DVD+RW and DVD-RW disks that allow random write access). Another downside is that the MPEG-2 standards implemented on most DVD recorders today outputs media of a slightly lesser quality than professionally rendered DVDs.

Considering this, a DVD recorder is a much better choice then a VCR and it's definitely a must have device in your home cinema media center.

I. Reading exercises:

Exercise1. Read and memorize using the dictionary:

optical disk recorder, laser beam, home theatre system, DVD burner, integrated hard-drive, media device, analogue video source, ATSC tuner, TV stream, access technology, CD_ROM speech measurement system, rewinding, chapter index, multilingual subtitle, downside, output media

Exercise 2. Answer the questions:

1. What is the difference between DVD recorders and VCRs?

2. What are three main formats supported by DVD recorders?

3. What can you say about the speed of DVD recorders?

4. How long will the DVD recorder keep its position on the market?

Exercise 3. Match the left part with the right:

1. DVD recorders are similar	1. only relevant to DVD burner mounted on a computer.
2. DVD-RAM is almost obsolete	2. both in shape, function and features.
3. The writing speed is	3. support both DVD-RW and DVD+RW standards.
4. Most DVD recorders today	4. is not compatible with the most DVD recorders out there today.

Exercise 4. Open brackets using the right words:

The DVD+RW uses the random (read/write) access technology that enables you to write and (erase/store) data without having to erase the (part of/whole) disk.

The Speaking Module

II. Speaking exercises:

Exercise 1. Describe optical disk recorder; Firewire ports; random write access technology; CD-ROM speeds measurement system; rewinding using the suggested words and expressions as in the example:

optical disk recorder DVD reorder; uses; to write media; blank DVD example: You can say about a DVD recorder that it’s an optical disk recorder that uses a laser beam to write media on a blank DVD.

Firewire ports DVD recorder; analogue video source; can record; digital sources

random write access technology the DVD+RW; enables; erase data; the whole disk; support

CD-ROM speeds measurement system by the DVD recorder; is measured in “X”; equals; is the equivalent; writing speed

rewinding audio and video quality; it uses; at any time; use of playlist; multilingual subtitles

Exercise 2. Ask questions to the given answers:

1. Question: ____________________________________ ?

Answer: The best way to understand DVD recorders is to compare them with VCRs.

2. Question: ____________________________________ ?

Answer: Most DVD recorders today have included ATSC tuners.

3. Question: ____________________________________ ?

Answer: The only downside of DVD-RW is that you have to erase the whole disk.

The Writing Module

III. Writing exercises:

Exercise 1. Complete the sentences with the suggested words: market; discussions; advantages; become

There are some ______ about the fate of the DVD recorder, for some say it will _____ obsolete as happened with the VCR, but others say that the technical ______ of the DVD recorder will keep in on the ______ for years to come.

Exercise 2. Fill in the table with words and expressions from the text:

	Parts	Technical advantages	Formats
example: DVD recorders include	ATSC turners used to record media directly from a TV stream.
A DVD recorder has
A DVD recorder supports
A DVD recorder uses

Exercise 3. Compose a story on one of the topics (up to 40 words):

“Three main formats of DVD recorders”

“DVD recorder technical advantages”

“A DVD recorder and a VCR”