Donald.Roberts@p0.f5.n119.z1.fidonet.org (Donald Roberts) (04/13/91)
Index Number: 14846 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] Can anyone give me an objective comparison of the Panasonic talking vcr with the Sharp Optonica. The sharp has some great features, most of which are usable by the blind including three of the four methods of indexing. So I would appreciate specifics on the Panasonic, including the model number and the price that one is likely to have to pay if he buys it from a big discounter. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!119!5.0!Donald.Roberts Internet: Donald.Roberts@p0.f5.n119.z1.fidonet.org
Donald.Breda@f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Donald Breda) (04/23/91)
Index Number: 15086 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] Hi Don; Well I don't have the panasonic vcr so i really can't give you an objective comparison. There is one plus about the sharp though that I would like to point out. I think that after using either vcr for a while you would be quite comfortable with them. The sharp is useable right out of the box for a blind person and the panasonci is not. With the panasonic the menus must be read to the blind person and memorized and after that you can use it quite easily. the sharp has a talking remote and when you hit the program button it talks you through programing the vcr. the panasonic doesn't do that it merely confirms how things are set after you have done it. I think they are both good but I would still preferr the sharp. If you buy the sharp from IRTI, you can also get cassette manuals for the unit which helps a lot. ... Abled, Blinktalk and silver in boston -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!460!Donald.Breda Internet: Donald.Breda@f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org
Donald.Roberts@p0.f5.n119.z1.fidonet.org (Donald Roberts) (04/25/91)
Index Number: 15175 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] Thanks Don for your comments regarding both talking vcrs. I have had the Sharp for about eighteen months and really like it. I especially like the fact that the numeric indexing system can easily be used by the blind and also the elapsed time search. The only search that a blind man cannot use on that machine is the tape counter setting. I use my vcrs mostly for audio and was thinking about changing decks for my second machine for tape copying purposes. One thing that you cannot do with the Sharp is to ascertain what is programmed in the machine after you have once entered a program into the machine from the remote. That is, you can do it visually, but you can't do it using audio feedback. Can you somehow do this with the Panasonic? Thanks for any info you can provide. Don Roberts -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!119!5.0!Donald.Roberts Internet: Donald.Roberts@p0.f5.n119.z1.fidonet.org
Rick.Alfaro@f8.n369.z1.fidonet.org (Rick Alfaro) (04/25/91)
Index Number: 15194 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] WS> Rick are they still making that sharp, and can you buy WS>it locally, and what is the model? WS> Walter, I had heard that they were discontinuing those three models, but here is an 800 number of the place where I ordered it. I can't remember the model numbers, but there were 3 different ones. The lowest priced model was a monoral machine for $395, the middle one was stereo for $495, and the high end machine was $695, which was of course stereo as well, but offered better picture resolution. I purchased the middle model. Call this 800 number and ask for Veto. His price was $100 less than it was at BIT. Also, for $2 extra, you got taped instructions which were quite helful when starting up with the machine. The number is: 1-800-322-4784... The machine actually has a brand name of Optonica who is really part of Sharp...Let me know how you make out... Regards, Rick -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!369!8!Rick.Alfaro Internet: Rick.Alfaro@f8.n369.z1.fidonet.org