chikarma@hpindda.HP.COM (Sanjay Chikarmane) (03/29/88)
I recently purchased a VCR (Sanyo VHR3250HQ), which according to the manufacturer's specifications is cable ready and can receive channels 1-12(VHF) and 13-83(UHF). The model was reviewed in a very recent Consumer Reports, and rated 2nd best in a very recent Consumer Reports. While its reception of the VHF channels is very good, I find that it is virtually unable to tune in to the UHF channels. I can receive these channels quite well on my TV, and a many UHF channels in this area have strong signals - KTEH channel 54 (San Jose, CA) for instance. But the VCR's lack of sensitivity to the UHF channels prevents me from being able to record anything from those channels. I know a couple of friends with other VCRs having the same problem. Do any of you experts out there have an insight into this problem? Are VCRs inherently less sensitive to UHF than TVs? I am considering returning this model and trying another one, but that one could well have the same problem. If anyone out there has or knows of a VCR which decent UHF reception, I would be interested in knowing the make & model. Thanks, Sanjay Chikarmane ucbvax!hplabs!hpda!hpinddf!chikarma (408)447-3428
jbn@glacier.STANFORD.EDU (John B. Nagle) (03/30/88)
In some previous discussions on UHF channel allocation, someone pointed out, correctly, that the selectivity of the UHF tuners in most TV sets is abysmal. Adjacent-channel interference is common, as is interference from harmonics of other channels. Are there any standalone UHF tuners (UHF in, composite video out, as few other functions as possible) with better selectivity? John Nagle
c4s@rayssdb.ray.com (Charles A. Sefranek) (04/01/88)
In article <3230001@hpindda.HP.COM> chikarma@hpindda.HP.COM (Sanjay Chikarmane) writes: > ... >While its reception of the VHF channels is very good, I find that >it is virtually unable to tune in to the UHF channels. I can receive >these channels quite well on my TV, ... > >I know a couple of friends with other VCRs having the same problem. > ... Before you return it, try one thing - BE SURE THE VCR IS NOT SETTING DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE TV !! I'm not sure why, but many times the TV interferes with the operation of equipment directly below it, especially the bottom left corner of the TV. I think the flyback transformer may be here. I just rescued a friend's VCR from a similar fate. Simply moving it farther away from the TV restored it to full hi-quality operation. -- Charlie Sefranek (work): {cbosgd,gatech,necntc,ukma}!rayssd!rayssdb!c4s or c4s@rayssdb.RAY.COM (home): ... rayssd!rayssdb!galaxia!cals01!cals -- -- Charlie Sefranek (work): {cbosgd,gatech,necntc,ukma}!rayssd!rayssdb!c4s or c4s@rayssdb.RAY.COM (home): ... rayssd!rayssdb!galaxia!cals01!cals
Scott_Lawrence_Statton@cup.portal.com (04/03/88)
Another reason to not put your VCR near your television.... (A story) A friend of mine and I were experimenting with measuring how much delay there was between two stations picking up the same programming (During the daytime KRCB (Then 22) Rohnert Park, rebroadcast KQED channel 9 Educational TV) -- anyway, we discovered that the local oscialltor of the BIG TV totally >OBLITERATED< the entire IF strip of the little one .... Moving them farther apart helped 100%..... duhhhhhhh what's a .SIGNATURE? Scott_Lawrence_Statton@cup.portal.com [soon to have name shortened]
mbutts@mntgfx.mentor.com (Mike Butts) (04/05/88)
In article <3230001@hpindda.HP.COM> chikarma@hpindda.HP.COM (Sanjay Chikarmane) writes: > ... >While its reception of the VHF channels is very good, I find that >it is virtually unable to tune in to the UHF channels. I can receive >these channels quite well on my TV, ... > While we're on the subject, I've had trouble with limited dynamic range on **VHF** on two current VCRs. On a new Quasar (Matsushita) unit, and on a new JVC unit, both middle-priced and both with "digital" (i.e. synthesized) tuning, I've seen serious grainy-ness (i.e. video noise), which looked like a weak or mistuned signal, due to an overly **strong** signal. This is only on some VHF channels, not all. The signal source was admittedly stronger than most: a multi-element beam on the roof looking at the towers, about 5 miles away. (The beam is to eliminate ghosting, not, obviously, to increase signal strength.) I found that the signal was much improved with an attenuator. Across the supposed 20db range of a Radio Shack variable attenuator, I can get grainy-ness at either end, too strong or too weak. In the middle it's nice and crisp. Awfully poor dynamic range, if you ask me. I also observed the UHF weakness others have mentioned, so I had to kludge up a split un-attenuated bypass path for my UHF. Neither the synthesized Sony monitor/TV, nor the 1983 analog-thumbwheel-tuned Magnavox (Matsushita) VCR, has these problems. I hope someone else can improve their reception with these pointers. P.S. I love the JVC VCR, otherwise. -- Mike Butts, Research Engineer KC7IT 503-626-1302 Mentor Graphics Corp., 8500 SW Creekside Place, Beaverton OR 97005 ...!{sequent,tessi,apollo}!mntgfx!mbutts OR mbutts@pdx.MENTOR.COM These are my opinions, & not necessarily those of Mentor Graphics.