Preparing video files for your portable video player is sometimes a major pain in the ass. Sure, you can spend countless hours importing DVD's (tutorial) or looping your TV output through a FireWire enabled camcorder, but then you have to edit and convert this video to a format compatible with your particular video player. And people who own multiple players probably spend more time converting video formats for their devices than they do enjoying them.

A simple task, such as recording your favorite TV show for your iPod or PSP, can become a major headache. But thanks to the Neuros Technology, it's not one without a solution.

The Neuros MPEG-4 Recorder 2

When I first read a press release about the Neuros Recorder 2 , I immediately knew it was going to be very useful for both my iPod and PSP. The Neuros Recorder 2 is a little digital recording device that allows you to effortlessly capture video content for a variety of portable MPEG-4 video players. Video you record with the Neuros Recorder 2 can be played on devices such as the Sony PSP, iPod Video, SmartPhone, Neuros 442 as well as most video capable PDAs.

The Unpacking

When you first open the box for the Neuros Recorder 2, here's what you will find inside:

• Neuros MPEG-4 Recorder 2
• User Manual
• Power Cable
• Remote Control
• RCA Audio/Video cables (2)
  

As you can see from the photos, the Neuros Recorder 2 is just a tiny black box. The remote control is almost as big as the recorder itself.

Installation & Setup

Installing the Neuros MPEG-4 Video Recorder 2 is very easy. There are only 3 cables: video in, video out and a power cable. Ports for all 3 of these cables are located in the rear of the device (see image).

The input of the Neuros Recorder 2 can be connected to any video device with RCA cables (yellow, red, white) such as cable or satellite TV boxes, DVD players, VCRs, stereo receivers, camcorders, video game system like the Sony PlayStation and a variety of PVR's.

Personally, I own a TiVo Series 2, which has 2 video outputs. So I plugged the input cable from the Neuros Recorder 2 into the second output of the TiVo. I then plugged the output of the Neuros Recorder 2 into an AUX input for my TV.

This setup allows me to 1) record whatever is playing on my TiVo and 2) playback any media (audio, video, images) from the Neuros on my TV. I can even download Sony PSP videos from the Internet, transfer them to my Memory Stick using a media card reader and then watch them on my TV using the Neuros Recorder 2.

Capturing video with the Neuros Recorder 2

How does the Neuros Recorder 2 work? You simply pop in a compatible storage card and press record. The Neuros Recorder 2 will then record anything on your TV screen. Analog video in. MPEG-4 video out. It's that simple.

You can probably come up with a million ways that the Neuros Recorder 2 could make your life easier. Such as...

• Want to show a friend how to perform some tricky PlayStation game move?
• Got a video clip on VHS that you want to digitize and email to a friend?
• Need to get an episode of Family Guy off your TiVo and onto your Sony PSP?
• Going on vacation and need to quickly digitize some DVD's to watch on your iPod Video on the plane?
• Want to record your favorite morning news program everyday and watch it on the bus or train ride to work?
  

As you can see from some of the images in this review, the Neuros Recorder 2 is pretty small. Actually, it's only slightly bigger than a Video iPod. Part of the reason this device is so small is because it doesn't have any internal storage.

The Neuros Recorder 2 only records video files directly to Memory Sticks (Duo and Pro Duo), CompactFlash cards (CF) or Hitachi Microdrives. This can be a pro or con depending the the portable video device you are using.

Sony PSP Users
Sony PSP users will love the convenience of being able to record directly onto a Memory Stick Pro Duo card. Just hit record on the Neuros Recorder 2's remote control and instantly have a fresh recording to watch on your PSP. A 1GB Memory Stick can record up to 111 minutes of VGA quality video or up to 250 minutes at QVGA quality.

iPod Users
The Neuros Recorder 2 can record iPod Video compatible MPEG-4 video files. However, since the iPod lacks an external memory card input, iPod users will need to purchase a separate memory card reader (only about $20). You then need to transfer the video files off the memory card and onto your iPod via iTunes.

PDA & SmartPhone Users
Does your PDA or SmartPhone have a Memory Stick or CompactFlash slot? If so, you can pop a memory card out of the Neuros Recorder 2 and into your device. If not, you will need to use a memory card reader and transfer the MPEG-4 video from the card to your PDA or SmartPhone.

Digital Camera Users
Although the idea of watching a movie on your digital camera may seem weird, it may be possible if you have a MPEG-4 compatible camera. Many still and video cameras use Hitachi Microdrives and CompactFlash cards for storage. Is this practical? Not really. But it could come in handy if you find yourself in a jam. Just cross your fingers that your camera has a headphone jack.

If you really want to get some use out of your Neuros Recorder 2 you should try to get the biggest memory card possible. Aim for a 512 MB memory card or bigger. Some Microdrives go as high as 6GBs.

For one of my first tests, I recorded a 5 minute clip using the PDA SmartPhone setting. It came out to about 13 MBs. So a 30 minute show will probably be about 78 MBs.

Here's a list of all Neuros Recorder 2 compatible storage media cards:

• Memory Sticks:
  
  • Sony MS Duo (tested up to 128MB)
    
  • Sony MS Pro Duo (tested up to 2GB)
    
  • SanDisk MS Pro Duo (tested up to 1GB)
    
    
• Compact Flash:
  
  • Type I and Type II
    
  • Hitachi Microdrives with CF type II interface (tested up to 6GB)
    
  • IBM 1GB Microdrive
    
  • SanDisk CF (tested up to 1GB)
    
  • Protec CF 256MB
    
  • Pretect CF 128MB
    
  • Hagwara sys_com CF 512MB
    
  • Kingston CF 512MB
    
  • PQI CF 128MB

Using the Neuros Recorder 2 as a Media Player

Because the Neuros Recorder 2 can handle a wide range of media formats, you can use it like a multimedia VCR. Here's a list all compatible audio, video and image files the Neuros Recorder 2 can playback on your TV or home entertainment system:

• Video Compatibility:
  • MPEG-4 SP with MPEG-1 Layer 3 (MP3)
    
  • DivX 3.11@ CIF Resolution; DivX 4.x,5.x,30fps up to D1 resolution
  • Quicktime 6; MPEG-4 AAC-LC stereo, MP4 format at up to resolution
  • ASF, AVI, MP4
    
    
• Image Compatibility:
  • JPEG decoder (baseline), BMP, GIF (non animated)
    
  • Max Resolution = 16M or 4096 x 4096 px
    
    
• Audio Compatibility:
  • Stereo MP3/WMA CBR & VBR at 320kbps or lower
  • Stereo MPEG-4 AAC-LC decoding

Neuros Technology is constantly expanding this list of compatible files so please check their web site for updated information and for any firmware upgrades.

Final Thoughts

For something that's roughly the size of a man's wallet, the Neuros Recorder 2 packs a big punch in a tiny package. Its small size makes it easy to integrate into any existing home-theater system that needs a simple digital recording and playback solution.

Although I have a lot of praise for this unit, there was one thing that bugged me. Personally, I'm a big fan of the plug-and-play philosophy. Unfortunately the Neuros Recorder 2 can't be instantly used right out of the box. To really use this device and make it part of your daily routine, you will need to purchase two additional items: a separate a memory card reader for your computer and a large storage card(s). The memory card reader will allow you to copy files you've recorded with the Neuros Recorder 2 off the card for archive on your computer as well as copy MPEG-4 videos onto the card for viewing on your TV or portable video player. It's understandable why Neuros didn't include a storage card and card reader with this unit. May people already own these items and probably don't want to spend extra money on something they already have. However, one possible solution could be to add a USB 2 port to the back of future models of the Neuros Recorder. This could allow people to use the Neuros Recorder as a card reader as well as possibly use their existing hard drives for storage like El Gato's EyeTV.

Despite my little personal gripe about memory card readers and storage, the Neuros MPEG-4 Recorder 2 makes converting analog video content into MPEG-4 files an easy and effortless real time experience. People who own multiple MPEG-4 compatible video gadgets like SmartPhones and Video iPods will find the Neuros Recorder 2 a great way to build up a cross-gadget-compatible video library. A sticker on the box of the Neuros Recorder 2 calls it "A VCR for the iPod and PSP." That's an excellent way to put it.

If you own a Sony PSP and want an easy way to record analog video onto a Memory Stick, the Neuros Recorder 2 is what you have been looking for.

This item is available for purchase from Amazon.com Neuros Technology is a manufacturer and marketer of innovative, easy-to-use portable media devices. The Chicago-based company has previously released the Neuros Digital Audio Computer, an award-winning line of portable audio players; the Neuros 442 Portable Media Player/Recorder; and the Neuros MPEG-4 Recorder. Neuros is committed to an open, community-oriented development environment that encourages customers and programmers to participate in the Neuros design process all the way from concept to post-production enhancements. Rating: Requirements: Storage: Memory Stick and/or CompactFlash card Portable Playback: Sony PSP, iPod Video, SmartPhone, Neuros 442 or a MPEG-4 compatible PDA Manufacturer: Neuros Technology