[sci.electronics] Panasonic 7400 S-VHS questions

bill@bilver.UUCP (Bill Vermillion) (05/28/89)

My first VCR was a BETA I, in 1977.  Briefly flirted with VHS from
1979 to 1981, and back to BETA.   Currently actively using SONY
SHLF-100, SHF600, and and NEC 65. (Have a GE VHS for playback
primarily).

I have been eyeing the EDB Betas.  The 9500 is fairly expensive.  I
have been wanting to upgrade to a higher resolution unit as the Betas
are really noticeable on my 35" direct view set.

The $20.00 per tape on the ED's looks awfully steep after buying tapes
in quantity in the $3 - $4 range.  (The original Beta I tapes ere
$18.00 each for 1 hour but I have been spoiled.).

I have thought about the ED Beta, but the new HI-8 specs looks awfully
good but I haven't seen one myself.

But recently Panasonic has discontinued their 7400 model.  This is a
portable S-VHS, flying erase, dual meters, has time code capability,
etc.  Pricing on these units new, but discontinued is just about $2k.

Has anybody in netland (who reads this) used the 7400's.  What is your
opinion, how does it compare to the Super Beta's or HI-8.  This is a
pro unit so you don't see them everywhere.

Recommendations! Comments!  Anything.

I have thought about check the local pro-video suppliers and renting
one for a day.  (Could be a cheap insurance policy!).  But I would
like some feed back from someone who has actually used one.

bill


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Bill Vermillion - UUCP: {uiucuxc,hoptoad,petsd}!peora!rtmvax!bilver!bill
                      : bill@bilver.UUCP

phil@diablo.amd.com (Phil Ngai) (05/30/89)

In article <214@bilver.UUCP> bill@bilver.UUCP (Bill Vermillion) writes:
|I have been eyeing the EDB Betas.  The 9500 is fairly expensive.  I
|have been wanting to upgrade to a higher resolution unit as the Betas
|are really noticeable on my 35" direct view set.

I just saw a 7500 ED Beta in the back of Video for about $1400.
That's not so bad.

|But recently Panasonic has discontinued their 7400 model.  This is a
|portable S-VHS, flying erase, dual meters, has time code capability,
|etc.  Pricing on these units new, but discontinued is just about $2k.

Does it have time shifting capability? (do you care?)



--
Phil Ngai, phil@diablo.amd.com		{uunet,decwrl,ucbvax}!amdcad!phil
"In California, the reward for saving water is a lower quota."