mlf@teddy.UUCP (Matt L. Fichtenbaum) (10/17/84)
There are two new VHS Hi-Fi portable VCRs available, made by RCA
and Panasonic (the Panasonic one appears also to be available under
the Quasar brand name). Neither is perfect, as follows:
The RCA (VKP-950, like their previous top-of-line -900 but
with Hi-Fi) puts the hi-fi stuff in the tuner/timer. It
cannot record hi-fi sound as a portable, but it can record
normal (longitudinal) stereo sound compatible with non-hi-fi
VCRs. It can play either. The tuner/timer has recording
level controls and meters, and appears to be usable as a good
home audio deck ("Video" mag reviewed it and liked its audio
performance). Note that VHS hi-fi audio must be recorded at
the same time as the video, so one can't later dub in a hi-fi
sound track over the video one recorded with the portable.
The Panasonic (PV-9600) puts the hi-fi stuff in the deck. It
has, however, no record level controls or meters. The dealer
to whom I spoke didn't know whether it uses automatic level
control (and hence compresses the audio, which I find dis-
agreeable) or assumes that you feed it correct levels. Does
anyone know? The Panasonic also can't play normal longitudinal
audio in stereo, i.e., it provides a mono output. This is
potentially bad when playing prerecorded movies with stereo
non-hi-fi sound.
So it isn't clear which is the better choice for someone who wants
to use his VCR for off-air recording, portable recording with camera,
and good audio work.
I'll post more if I learn any more.