Terapin TX-0002 Audio/Video CD Recorder , Gray

by Terapin Technology

Product Details

Supplementary Guide [178kb PDF]

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Data Sheet [763kb PDF]

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Product Manual [665kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 15 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00007FGP7
• Item model number: TX-0002-US-C
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,882 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #43 in Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Stereo Components > CD Players & Recorders > CD Recorders
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Terapin Technology's TX-0002 audio/video CD recorder carries all the convenience of a full-featured standalone/component audio CD recorder and adds the choice ability to record (and play) video CDs, too--essentially a lesser version of the DVD-Video disc and compatible with most DVD players. VCD traffics in MPEG1 video with resolution of either 352 x 240 (in NTSC) or 352 x 288 (in PAL), or approximately VHS quality. You can store about 74 minutes of audio/video on a VCD and the traditional 80 minutes on a 700 MB audio-only disc.

As simple to use as a VCR, the TX-0002 captures composite- and S-video sources from a camcorder, VCR, broadcast TV (through cable-box or VCR connection), DVD player (with applicable non-Macrovision-protected discs). You can program each CD with up to 99 tracks, convenient reference points to make video or audio segments easy to navigate.

When it comes to choosing blank media, be aware that you can use affordable data/computer-grade CD-R and rewriteable CD-RW discs when recording VCDs but will need to use designated "audio" or "music" CD-R/CD-RW discs for creating audio-only CDs.

As an audio recorder, the unit accepts analog and digital-audio inputs (via coaxial or optical terminals) from CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes, vinyl records, or tuners. (Be sure to use the phono input on your receiver or integrated amplifier, rather than routing a turntable directly into the TX-0002.) You can compile tracks from various audio CDs onto a single new CD. Front-panel AV inputs foster simple connections with camcorders, VCRs, MP3 players, minidisc players, and other devices.

Other features include a full onscreen display, Disc View (which splits the screen and the action into nine video frames, allowing quick scene selection), time search, slow motion and fast forward/rewind playback (at three different speeds), compatibility with both American NTSC and European PAL video formats, and automatic record synchronization (1 track or all tracks) from external digital-audio sources via the coaxial or optical inputs (audio applications only).

What's in the Box
CD recorder, 2 analog audio/composite-video cables (with red, white and yellow plugs), an AC power cord, a remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, and a warranty card.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great cd-r recording, if you fix overheating problem, February 23, 2004

By 

FERNANDO CASSIA "-Writer and Computer Geek-" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Terapin TX-0002 Audio/Video CD Recorder , Gray (Electronics)

Before I start let me clarify that this Video-CD recorder is NOT for everyone. For instance, my mother could never use it... it has too many buttons and there is no single-button operation (except for Video-CD playback). Recording involves pressing the menu button, selecting the video and audio source, hit record, waiting for the "Record ready" message, and then pressing the "confirm" button.

With that in mind, for the video and techno-geek, this unit is very nice. I will start by listing the good points:

1. You can record around 73 minutes of video on 650mb CD-R media
- or 79 minutes of video on 700mb (80 min) media.
2. You can use CD-R OR CD-RW (rewritable) media.
3. The unit has composite video (RCA plugs), stereo sound (RCA) inputs and outputs in the back, and a secondary set of inputs in the front.
4. The unit has s-video input and output connectors in the back.
5. The unit has digital audio input!
6. In addition to TV programs, movies, etc, you can also record CD-Audio to cdr-audio media.
7. The unit records in MPEG1 video cd format but with EXCELLENT image quality, much better than the dazzle 1 or other PC-based mpeg1 hardware encoders. There is no pixelation, if the source image quality is clear and good.
8. You can play back recorded programs on CD in the unit OR on any Pentium 1 - 100Mhz or higher PC running Windows, Linux, or MacOS.
9. You can see what the recording is going to look like by hooking your Terapin's video-out to the Video-IN of your TV (what you see is what you get, no surprises!).

..and here's the bad:
1. You need to "finalize" the disc before a disc runs out of space, otherwise, you can't play it back on a PC.
2. The unit overheats. The manual recommends turning the unit off to let it cool down after 4 hours of continued use. This can be easily fixed by opening the unit (voids warranty), and drilling a few holes to let the hot air get out. Yes, the company should have thought about this, but after you do this, the unit works flawlessly.
3. There is no TV-out or TV-tuner in the unit, you need to hook it to a VCR via the rca video and audio connectors to tune into tv/catv programs

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars videophile, December 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Terapin TX-0002 Audio/Video CD Recorder , Gray (Electronics)

Love the product. Very surprise that the company did not mass produce this product. This product could have replaced the VCR.
I have not tried the latest DVD-Recorder. Since the CDRW price is so low relatively to the DVD disc, this product is a great alternative. I use it for mostly storing vacation videocam from the VHS-C to the disc (great storage of memories). Again, great product.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great image quality - Overheating problem but can be fixed, November 6, 2003

By 

FERNANDO CASSIA "-Writer and Computer Geek-" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Terapin TX-0002 Audio/Video CD Recorder , Gray (Electronics)

Before I start let me clarify that this Video-CD recorder is NOT for everyone. For instance, my mother could never use it... it has too many buttons and there is no single-button operation (except for Video-CD playback). Recording involves pressing the menu button, selecting the video and audio source, hit record, waiting for the "Record ready" message, and then pressing the "confirm" button.

With that in mind, for the video and techno-geek, this unit is very nice. I will start by listing the good points:

1. You can record around 73 minutes of video on 650mb CD-R media
- or 79 minutes of video on 700mb (80 min) media.
2. You can use CD-R OR CD-RW (rewritable) media.
3. The unit has composite video (RCA plugs), stereo sound (RCA) inputs and outputs in the back, and a secondary set of inputs in the front.
4. The unit has s-video input and output connectors in the back.
5. The unit has digital audio input!
6. In addition to TV programs, movies, etc, you can also record CD-Audio to cdr-audio media.
7. The unit records in MPEG1 video cd format but with EXCELLENT image quality, much better than the dazzle 1 or other PC-based mpeg1 hardware encoders. There is no pixelation, if the source image quality is clear and good.
8. You can play back recorded programs on CD in the unit OR on any Pentium 1 - 100Mhz or higher PC running Windows, Linux, or MacOS.
9. You can see what the recording is going to look like by hooking your Terapin's video-out to the Video-IN of your TV (what you see is what you get, no surprises!).

The bad:
1. You need to "finalize" the disc before a disc runs out of space, otherwise, you can't play it back on a PC.
2. The unit overheats. The manual recommends turning the unit off to let it cool down after 4 hours of continued use. This can be easily fixed by opening the unit (voids warranty), and drilling a few holes to let the hot air get out. Yes, the company should have thought about this, but after you do this, the unit works flawlessly.
3. There is no TV-out or TV-tuner in the unit, you need to hook it to a VCR via the rca video and audio connectors to tune into tv/catv programs