[net.video] help needed: buying hifi vcr and TV.

kevin@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU (Wing) (12/05/85)

I am in the process of purchasing a HI FI VCR and a TV to go with it.
I have not begun to read this group regularly, so I don't know what
has gone by in the past; some of my questions may have been answered
before.  First question, are most VCRs capable of generating >= 400
lines of horizontal resolution?  If not, what's typical?  Does having
a TV that has 400 lines of H. resolution make the picture from a VCR
that provides something less than 400 lines of resolution look any
better?  How much overscan do the "best" TVs have (5%?)?  How do MTS
and BTSC differ (are they incompatible, or is one a subset of the other
or what)?  Does dolby Noise reduction make a significant difference
on the linear audio track?  Are VCRs "touchy" enough to warrent extended
warrenties, typically offered by dealers?  Is Super VHS due out soon (by
mid 86)?  I don't want to spend $800 now if new "super" models are to
be released soon for $50-100 more or whatever.  Are VHS machines more
complex/less reliable than Beta?  Any recommendations for or against
anything (VHS or Beta, 19"-25" TV/Monitor), even at the level of I have
blah and blah and like it, would be appreciated; besides, I could use
more activity in my mail box.  Any recommendations on reading material
to help me along with this would also be appreciated.

Thanks,
kevin@berkeley.edu