[misc.handicap] talking vcrs

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.

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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

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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

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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

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