VideoNow

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The VideoNow is a portable video player released by Tiger Electronics in 2003. The discs store about 30 minutes (half an hour) of video. Video data is stored on the left audio channel with mono audio on the right channel. The video plays at about 15 frames per second. Most of the shows were from Nickelodeon, such as SpongeBob SquarePants and The Fairly OddParents.

Hasbro produced editing software for creating VideoNow Color PVDs called the VideoNow Media Wizard, which came with blank PVD media. A number of unofficial solutions are available for creating the oddly-formatted VideoNow files, including a plug-in for the popular video processing program Virtual Dub. The files can then be burned to a CD-R using standard CD burning software, and the disc cut down to the required size.

As the VideoNow Color will not accept standard 8 cm mini-CDs, some creative users have resorted to cutting down standard 12 cm CD-R discs, though not without problems. Hasbro made recordable PVDs available without the Media Wizard from their online store. However, at least one video has been posted on YouTube showing how Color players can be easily modified to accept standard-sized CDs with a bit of cutting and gluing.[1] Full-sized CDs can hold roughly 42 minutes of total video, and play with no difference in the modified player.

It should also be noted that the VideoNow has very little skip protection.

Types

  • VideoNow - Plays black-and-white disks.
  • VideoNow Color - Plays both black-and-white and color disks.
  • VideoNow Jr. - Rugged variant of the VideoNow Color designed for preschoolers.
  • VideoNow XP - Plays in color, backlit, has a larger screen and includes game playing capabilities and controls. Was made in 2005.
  • VideoNow Color FX - A translucent variation of the VideoNow Color released in 2006.

Accessories

  • VideoNow light: A light for the original VideoNow that requires separate batteries.
  • Carrying case: Made to place VideoNow and PVDs in. There are 3 types, one for the original, and one for the color (There is also a version for the VideoNow Color FX that was the same, but with the VideoNow Color FX logo, while the Other one had the original logo), and the VideoNow XP version.
  • Headphones: VideoNow-branded headphones with a standard 3.5 mm audio jack.
  • VideoNow Media Wizard: Software used to make custom PVDs for the VideoNow Color.
  • VCamNow: VideoNow-branded camcorder that came with a copy of the Media Wizard.

Complete list of shows and movies available on VideoNow

In the UK a different range of discs were produced, presumably for licensing reasons. The PVDs are interchangeable and have no region protection. They included most of the Nickelodeon shows from the US plus:

  • Manchester United Football
  • Arsenal Football
  • A series of three action sport PVDs including Tony Hawks US issue.

The lower age group discs from Disney and Nick Jr were in general not available through UK outlets.

PVDs were issued in waves to retailers - 6 to a box, generally comprising 3 titles. There were 6 waves of PVDs released in the UK, although some popular titles appeared in more than one box.

See also

References

  1. ↑ YouTube - VideoNow Color Mod Uncut Cdr

External links

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