baxter@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu (05/08/91)
I have a Sony TC-758 10 1/2 inch reel-to-reel deck, which even Sony has been unable to repair (that in itself is a long story of incompetence on Sony's repair facilities!). However, I am looking for something capable of recording several hours of music at a time similar to my old Sony deck. I have heard it mentioned that the relatively new Hi-Fi VHS video decks record the audio track multiplexed with the video, giving the audio tape speed an effective rate of over 100 ips, and therefore good frequency reponse, wow and flutter and other paramenters. Other than using a Hi-Fi deck, I don't know of any other means (except for another reel-to-reel machine, which are getting hard for the average consumer to find and get fixed!) of recording > 2 hour programs. Auto- reverse cassette decks aren't satisfactory, since the deck always seems to run out of tape and reverse right in the middle of the selection that you want to keep. Are there any suggestions to this problem? Kirk Baxter, University of Kansas BAXTER@KUHUB.CC.UKANS.EDU
sethb@fid.Morgan.COM (Seth Breidbart) (05/09/91)
In article <11945@uwm.edu> baxter@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu writes: > I am looking >for something capable of recording several hours of music at a time A dat deck can record for 2 hours. Some of them, using extended play mode, can record for 4 hours. In EP mode, you only get signal up to 15 kHz, but if you're recording from FM radio, the signal is bandwidth-limited to 15 kHz anyway. Seth sethb@fid.morgan.com
strong@tc.fluke.COM (Norm Strong) (05/17/91)
In article <11991@uwm.edu> sethb@fid.Morgan.COM (Seth Breidbart) writes: } }In article <11945@uwm.edu> baxter@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu writes: } }> I am looking }>for something capable of recording several hours of music at a time } }A dat deck can record for 2 hours. Some of them, using extended play }mode, can record for 4 hours. In EP mode, you only get signal up to }15 kHz, but if you're recording from FM radio, the signal is }bandwidth-limited to 15 kHz anyway. Perhaps if we knew how long a recording time you need, we could come up with the perfect recommendation. If your purpose is the longest possible recording without a break, then a Hi-Fi VCR, or one using PCM encoding, will give you 9 hours on a T-180 tape. If you simply want as much time as possible in the smallest space, I would suggest 8mm tape, using the 8-bit non-linear PCM tracks; a single MP-120 cassette will hold 6 4-hour recordings, for a total of 24 hours. -- Norm Strong (strong@tc.fluke.com) 2528 31st S. Seattle WA 98144 USA
winkler@uunet.UU.NET (Dan Winkler) (06/03/91)
It's surprising, but for some purposes a VCR is a much better audio deck than any dedicated audio deck I know of. I use my VHS Hi-Fi VCR to do timed recording of of a 2 hour radio show every week. I can fit 2 hours on a normal video cassette without even using the slower LP or SLP recording modes and without going to a longer tape. I can set up the record time in advance and have recording start and stop without my being there. And the audio quality seems superb. One thing I don't have though is the ability to direct tune to different stations. Right now, I can do timed recording, but only of one station. I wish there were an audio tape recorder that could really do everything a VCR does for video -- store large amounts on 1 tape, do timed recording, and automatically tune to different stations. Does anyone know of such a thing?
jeh@cmkrnl.uucp (06/04/91)
In article <12726@uwm.edu>, decwrl!well.sf.ca.us!well!winkler@uunet.UU.NET (Dan Winkler) writes: > It's surprising, but for some purposes a VCR is a much better audio > deck than any dedicated audio deck I know of. I use my VHS Hi-Fi VCR > to do timed recording of of a 2 hour radio show every week. I do much the same thing with a local jazz show. Only that one is five hours, sometimes stretching to nearly six. > I can fit > 2 hours on a normal video cassette without even using the slower LP or > SLP recording modes and without going to a longer tape. I can set up > the record time in advance and have recording start and stop without my > being there. And the audio quality seems superb. "seems" is the operative word here. The high S/N ratio of VHS HiFi is achieved through the use of a very aggressive, high-ratio (about 2.5:1) compander. As with all companders, its action is sometimes noticeable. But, for recording from FM where the dynamic range is fairly limited anyway (much like tv audio, though not quite as bad as that), it isn't bad. > One thing I don't have though is the ability to direct tune to > different stations. Right now, I can do timed recording, but only of > one station. I wish there were an audio tape recorder that could > really do everything a VCR does for video -- store large amounts on 1 > tape, do timed recording, and automatically tune to different > stations. Does anyone know of such a thing? A VCR all by itself could do this. The FM broadcast band starts just where the low-VHF band ends, so with a few mods to the tuner synthesizer and a different stereo decoder you could program FM recording into your VCR (assuming that the stations you wanted were on the cable; but while we're dreaming, why not add another antenna input, switchable via programming). I doubt anyone will ever market such a thing, though, because the market isn't very large. Most of the public does not perceive radio as a source of "programs" that happen at specific times; rather, it's aural wallpaper, to be switched on and off as desired. But if you are willing to buy some additional equipment, you may be able to do what you want, even with off-the-shelf hardware. There isn't (to my knowledge) one single unit that will do what you want, but: - There is at least one portable radio with the capability to switch on automatically at four different times (one-day, four-event, in VCR terms), with a different station and different duration for each time. It's the Sony ICF 2010, a shortwave portable -- but it includes FM (mono only). On-time duration can be 15, 30, or 60 minutes. - Several fancy component FM tuners have a "program" capability. The stations you want to record in sequence must be among those stored in the tuner's presets. You push the "program" button, then push the preset-recall buttons in the desired order. You then put the tuner into "auto" mode and plug it into a timer. Then, each time the timer supplies power, the tuner advances to the next preset in the program. At minimum this requires you to buy one of these tuners, plus an outboard AC timer. - The "outboard AC timer" could be an X-10 appliance module and timer controller; the timer controller provides two "on" and two "off" times per module ID (one-day repeating, two-event). Or, if you are into home automation, use the X-10 computer interface, which can store LOTS of on/off cycles (7-day, 255 events). Or it could be an "audio timer". Lots of manufacturers used to sell these. Essentially this is just a digital alarm clock in a cabinet that will fit with a stack of audio gear, and controlling a switched outlet rather than a buzzer. For both the "programmable" tuner and the timer, check your local used audio equipment dealers. My JVC tuner does this, and I have an Akai audio timer that has a seven-day, four-event program capacity; it cost me all of $95 used. Also, an audio timer shows up in the DAK catalog every now and then. - I've seen several JVC VCRs with back-panel AC outlets that can be set to be switched on and off along with the rest of the VCR, rather than staying on all the time. This would obviously provide the most convenient way to use a programmable tuner -- program the station sequence into the tuner, program the VCR with the start and end times, and plug the tuner into the back of the VCR. If you're contemplating buying a VCR anytime soon, you might look for one with this feature. --- Jamie Hanrahan, Kernel Mode Consulting, San Diego CA Internet: jeh@dcs.simpact.com, hanrahan@eisner.decus.org, or jeh@crash.cts.com Uucp: ...{crash,scubed,decwrl}!simpact!cmkrnl!jeh
mpurtell@iastate.edu (Purtell Michael J) (06/05/91)
Another idea for recording FM broadcasts to VCR from various stations at
various times is a programmable remote control. You've seen the generic
remote control units that can control 5 or whatever remote control devices.
I've heard of at least one that can be programmed to generate controls signals
at specific times. So, as long as you have a tuner and VCR that can be remote
controled, your problem is solve. (with a small investment)
A more sophisticated solution is to use a micro computer to generate the remote
control signals. I've heard of devices that you can connect to a personal
computer that can learn and send any remote control signal. Then program
the computer to command your VCR and tuner to do whatever you want.
--
-- Michael Purtell -- | "In a hundred years, | There's an Old Irish Recipe for
mpurtell@iastate.edu | we'll all be dead." | Longevity: Leave the Table
Iowa State University | -- The January Man | Hungry. Leave the Bed Sleepy.
"slow is real" | Leave the Tavern Thirsty.chip@mips.com (Chip Hoover) (06/10/91)
In article <12726@uwm.edu>, decwrl!well.sf.ca.us!well!winkler@uunet.UU.NET (Dan Winkler) writes: > One thing I don't have though is the ability to direct tune to > different stations. Right now, I can do timed recording, but only of > one station. I wish there were an audio tape recorder that could > really do everything a VCR does for video -- store large amounts on 1 > tape, do timed recording, and automatically tune to different > stations. Does anyone know of such a thing? One option would be to find one of those universal remotes that can be programmed to send out a sequence of commands at a given time. You could have it turn on the tuner, set the station, turn on the VCR, start it recording and there you have it! Of course, this would require a tuner with IR remote control. It would also require the universal remote to be able to send out sequences of commands from mixed IR sources (although, if that weren't possible, I suppose you could have it send out the tuner commands at one time and the VCR commands a minute later). I *think* universal remotes like this exist and shouldn't cost much more than any of the other things people have suggested. Good Luck! Chip Hoover lever.com!briarpatch!chip San Francisco, CA mtdiablo.Concord.CA.US!briarpatch!chip