Eliminating AOL pop-up ads, 8mm-VHS tape converter
Original publication July 18, 2002
Q: I use AOL for my internet service and I am constantly hit with annoying ads that pop up almost every time I sign on. Is there any way I can get rid of them?
-Eric Abati, South Hills
A: You can easily eliminate the pop-up ads. After you sign on to AOL, click on the “keyword” button on the top right of the screen, and a box will pop up. Type in marketing preferences, then click Go. You will then be able to set your preference for the pop-up ads, among others. Click Pop-Up, then Continue, then No on the following prompts and you’ll never see those annoying pop-up ads again!
Q: I have a Hi8 Sony camcorder and I’d like to play the tapes in my VHS VCR. I’ve looked everywhere for an adapter, but can’t find one anywhere. Do they make one, and where can I get it?
-Jennifer Moulton, Castle Shannon
A: No such device exists. Hi8 and VHS systems both record analog video signals on tape, but are not compatible for playback. VHS-C tapes are the only type that can be played back in a VCR with an adapter. Compared to Hi8 or other modern video formats, VHS-C offers much lower video quality and much shorter recording time. Your best bet is to use your Hi8 as intended and just connect the camcorder to your TV’s video inputs, and play back the tapes from the camera. If you need to dub tapes, or would really much rather play back from the VCR, put a blank tape into the VCR and plug the camcorder’s audio and video outputs (yellow and white , or yellow, white and red connectors) into your VCR’s corresponding inputs. Select the video input on your VCR and press record, then press play on the camcorder. The camcorder will send the signal to the VCR, which will copy it onto theVHS tape. When you watch the dubbed copy you will see a loss in picture quality compared to watching Hi8 directly, but it may be good enough for you. It’s also an easy way to copy your videos for friends and family.
