here's mine
3ccd mini-dv > firewire > dvd-r standalone panasonic dmr-hs2
or
3ccd mini-dv > firewire > p4 2.5ghz > premier > sony dvd architect
or
s-vhs, vhs, dvd or cable > standalone or pc
got the standalone halloween 02 and it's perfect for mini-dv transfers, including dubbing over the audio w/ better audio (manually like the vcr method, but more precise). then got the computer, and it was perfect for making copies (can do it on the standalone if i leave the show on its hard drive). now, even though i edit a lot of projects on the computer, i still use the standalone for all kinds of things. my favorite thing about it is that i can pause anything on cable tv like tivo. never wanted tivo or satellite, i just like cable and my cable internet package too much, so the hard drive on the standalone (some models don't have one), let's me start a recording (from any input source) and start watching it from the beginning while it's still recording the end. in other words, the laser multitasks so well that you can hit record, then wait 3 seconds and press play and pause. go get some beer, come back and skip commercials (changes the whole way i multitask at home).
few years ago though, i wish i had bought a standalone vcd recorder. would be a usefull extra toy for all kinds of stuff. when friends ask me to record sopranos, i have to burn them a dvd or switch cables and trouble myself with vhs (and i don't keep blanks anymore like i used to). would love to be able to burn all kinds of stuff to vcd, easily on a standalone unit.
video obsessive compulsive disorder. or vocd.