greg@olivej.UUCP (Greg Paley) (01/19/85)
Since getting a HiFi (Beta) VCR at Christmastime, I've been surprised and happy at the large number of HiFi rental tapes available. My own experience is limited to the Beta versions, but I've noticed most of these titles are also in VHS HiFi. Those dubious of the effect of the HiFi (given that it's played back on sound equipment of reasonable quality) should make a point of hearing a demo - the effect is astounding and goes much further than I would have thought to compensating for the small screen video portion. I have two completely separate stereo systems, one used for strictly listening to records, open-reel tapes, cassettes and (eventually) CD's. The other has a 150 w/channel Telefunken receiver with two older AR-12's for reproducing the VCR audio output, simulcasts, and is located in the family room with the TV. The clean and very extended bass response of the AR's is particularly important, as well as sufficient amplifier power in the receiver, for reproducing the more spectacular sound effects in the HiFi movie tapes. In all of these, an audio rating of "mediocre" or "fair" is still miles above the very best of non-HiFi tapes. My own findings with the rental films have been as follows (and I realize that there are bound to be variances from copy to copy): (1) Empire Strikes Back - I rented this primarily for my 4-year-old, but thoroughly enjoyed it. In terms of picture quality and exploitation of the HiFi sound- track this has been the best pre-recorded videotape I've encountered. I know that many sf-lovers found this a disappointing stopping point between the more spectacular "Star Wars" and "Return of the Jedi" but I found the characters more touching and absorbing than I had expected. (2) The Never-Ending Story - A close second to ESB in terms of reproduction quality, both video and audio. The plot is more obviously sentimental than the Lucas and, (sorry for the chauvinism) being a German production (although with primarily American actors) the special effects and cinematography lack the polish and finesse that distinguish the American product at its best. The puppets look like puppets, and there is an overall feeling of stiffness and self-consciousness. My kids loved it, though, and its another very good demo for a HiFi VCR. (3) Ghandi - Both the best and the worst. As a film itself, I enjoyed this the best of all. The "worst" part was due, I think, to getting a bad copy. For one thing, although labelled "Beta HiFi" there was no HiFi track on the film, leading me to suspect that it had been copied using a non-HiFi VCR. The video quality was likewise muddy, suggesting a second or third-generation copy. I plan to retry this from another rental dealer. (4) The Right Stuff - Basically shallow, entertaining fluff. I found less depth and emotion in this than in the kids' movies mentioned above and, though the sound was effect enough, it got rather unnerving to feel my living room was in the middle of a busy landing field. (5) Raiders of the Lost Ark - Quite good picture and sound, but suffers seriously in comparison with ESB, which has more or less set the standard for me. (6) Romancing The Stone - Excellent sound, moderate video quality. It seemed to me that in keeping the length down, too much background got left on the floor of the editing room. The sequence with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner falling in the mudslide is one of the funniest things I've seen in a movie in ages. (7) Around the World in 80 Days - Despite its age, quite good sound (genuine stereo) with excellent spread and depth. Video quality only average, but a delightful film. (8) Splash - Empty-headed but surprisingly charming movie. At $1.00/day rental for our whole family it was fine but I would have felt angry had I paid standard movie admission prices. Fair to good sound and video quality. In addition to other recent (last several years) films there are HiFi versions appearing of a number of older films. Among those which I plan to rent and report on are: (1) A Star Is Born - The Judy Garland/James Mason version. There are two separate versions of the same movie available, of which the HiFi version (in a pink box) also includes the extra footage released in the more recent "restored" version of the film. (2) Rear Window (3) Vertigo (4) Sorry, Wrong Number (I wonder what 1948 HiFi will be like) (5) The Sound of Music I understand that the version to be made available in video shops next month of "Crimes of Passion" (Kathleen Turner/Anthony Perkins) will include footage that had to be removed from the general distribution in order to get it in under the R-rating strictures. - Greg Paley