[net.video] Info on RCA VLP-970 , Panasonic PV-9600A and Hitachi VT-98A

albert@ucbvax.ARPA (Anthony Albert) (10/13/85)

I'm interested in getting a portable VHS Hi-Fi VCR with built-in MTS. Does
anyone have any information on these three, or any others?
In particular I am interested in:

1. Whether the machine can record and/or play dolby stereo linear audio
2. If the machine has manual audio input level controls, and whether these are
   on the recorder or the tuner part
3. What kind of special effects it has e.g., reverse play, speed search, etc.
4. What is a good price. For instance, I saw an ad for the Hitachi for $775,
   whereas the RCA is about $1000.
-- 
				Anthony Albert
				..!ucbvax!albert
				albert@ucbvax.berkeley.edu

heneghan@ihu1m.UUCP (Joe Heneghan) (10/14/85)

> I'm interested in getting a portable VHS Hi-Fi VCR with built-in MTS. Does
> anyone have any information on these three, or any others?
> In particular I am interested in:
> 
> 1. Whether the machine can record and/or play dolby stereo linear audio

The RCA 970 (=RCA950+decoder) overdubs and plays in linear stereo
but not with dolby.

> 2. If the machine has manual audio input level controls, and whether these are
>    on the recorder or the tuner part

The RCA 970 has the manual levels on the tuner part. The automatic level
setting for the linear audio is good, it goes to about +3 db, where you'd
probably set it yourself.

> 3. What kind of special effects it has e.g., reverse play, speed search, etc.
Special Effects for the 970 (950):

	*video overdub
	*audio overdub
	*14 event programming for up to a year
	*switchable outlet
	*13 station memory i.e. you don't have to key in the station
	*immediate programming (you're tired so you can tape the rest
	 of the show and the vcr shuts itself off.
	*memory search (the unit searchs for a mark on the tape at
	 high speed
	*charge light tells you when the battery is done charging
	*displays- flouroscan date and channel, vu meters w/peak hold
		   lcd display on player recorder w tape speed,battery
		   strength, and if in hifi, counter and time left
	*auto tracking
	*3 speed
	*hifi, mix, linear
	*front loading (first portable vhs to do this)
	*2x speed mode
	*slow motion
	*frame at a time
	*fast forward and reverse/cue
	*powerful remote
	*display functions on screen
	*manual sound level in hifi
	*docking design (like a backplane -no cableing)
	*each button has a light to show it's on

** I'm sure I've forgotten something !! **

> 4. What is a good price. For instance, I saw an ad for the Hitachi for $775,
>    whereas the RCA is about $1000.

I paid $1050.00, the best price I could find for the RCA 950.

				Joe Heneghan