e-smith@utah-cs.UUCP (Eric L. Smith) (02/18/86)
So far I have gotten quite a few replies to my questions about the
Sony SL-HF 900 high end SuperBeta HiFi VCR.
1) The editing features can not be completely controlled by the remote.
Further, the accuracy of edit points is unclear, as the elapsed time
counters only show seconds, not frames. This should still be alright
for doing single frame insertion editing if I use SMPTE vertical
interval time code, and can switch from play to record precisely (which
I am not sure I can do).
2) There appears to be some controversy over whether the SL-HF 900 has
flying erase heads. Two people responded that it doesn't; I can't
understand how the edits I have seen are so clean if it really doesn't.
3) The timer programming apparently can only select the input source to be
one of two RF inputs, one of which is for a fixed channel (like the output
of a cable TV decoder).
4) The remote and the VCR both have switches to select VCR1/VCR2 operation,
so there is no problem controlling two units with two remotes or one
GE Command Central.
5) The thing on top of the SL-HF 900 in the brochure is an 8mm edit
controller. This will send commands to the SL-HF 900, but gets no
feedback.
Well, overall I would say that based on the replies I have recieved to date,
it would appear that the SL-HF 900 is without question the most capable VCR
on the consumer market, but it still is not quite at the professional level as
Sony would have us believe. I plan to get one with the month, and will
probably pick up a second soon after.
Thanks again to all the people who have replied to my questions.
--
Eric L. Smith (801) 581-8100 e-smith@utah-cs.arpa ...decvax!utah-cs!e-smith
3118 Merrill Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the
University of Utah, my friends, enemies, computer, or even me. :-)spencer@oberon.UUCP (Randy Spencer) (02/27/86)
> 2) There appears to be some controversy over whether the SL-HF 900 has > flying erase heads. Two people responded that it doesn't; I can't > understand how the edits I have seen are so clean if it really doesn't. > >Eric L. Smith (801) 581-8100 e-smith@utah-cs.arpa ...decvax!utah-cs!e-smith The SL-HF 900 does not have flying erase heads. No consumer beta has flying erase heads. 8mm is currently the only format that incorporates this feature. Way back when Sony introduced the SL-2000 (Still my favorite beta) then incorporated a feature called backspace editing. When I got my SL-2700 I feel they perfected this. I don't really get much better edits with my HF 900. Infact if you want to see the difference between flying and not try to insert edit over the same space of tape more than once. This gets really bad. The more you insert (to a point) the worse it gets. This is because all it is doing recording with the erase head off. Flying erase is the only way to go. I now have the 8mm Sony camcorder and am looking at the desktops (I just don't want to miss out on some features by buying too soon.) I *LOVE* flying erase. If you are off to do any serious production get 8mm. It is the most portable, it is the best for acurate edits, and there are *no* pre-recorded tapes to distract you from production. I don't work for Sony or 8mm corp of America :') -- ============================================================================== Randal Spencer - Student DEC Consulting - University of Southern California (213) 743-5363 UUCP...!{uscvax,sdcrdcf,engvax,scgvaxd,smeagol}!oberon!spencer Arpa: Spencer@USC-ECL or Spencer@USC-Oberon Bitnet: Spencer@USCVAXQ Home: 937 N. Beverly Glen Bl. Bel Air California 90077 (213) 470-0428 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------