sl@cmu-ri-isl1.ARPA (Simon Lowenfeld) (08/31/85)
This is not really a summary, but more observations on hi-fi vcr's, which I'm posting because I can't respond individually to all the requests for a summary. First, the bottom line: I decided to not buy a vcr now, but wait a couple of months. The reason is that I couldn't find a satisfactory one. Sources of information: Video&Sound (A High Fidelity Publication - vol.4), Tape Recording Buyers Guide '85, Consumer Reports Sept. 85 and brochures received from various manufacturers. Criteria and assumptions: Video: I assumed that the picture is essentially very good on all top of the line models. This is based simply on watching quite a few vcr's in showrooms. As far as I'm concerned, I couldn't tell the difference in picture quality. The one exception is super beta, but I'm not considering beta. I also didn't give much weight to various video features which are essentially only slightly different from one unit to another (e.g., scan speeds, slo-mo, etc.) Video dub and sharpness control I thought to be nice. Programability: OTR is a nice feature. Also, based on what many people told me, on-screen programming may be really important. The feedback it provides practically eliminates mistakes. Audio: this is the real problem area. There are 3 things I looked for. 1.Built-in MTS decoder. If you don't get one, your vcr will be obsolete very fast, as more and more stations go stereo. Of course, you can get a separate decoder (if the vcr has the right jack) but that is an additional $100 to $200 plus an extra box around the tv. 2.dolby stereo on the linear track - this may not be needed in the future, but right now many movies you rent are in dolby stereo. Also, if you already have a library of tapes in dolby stereo. 3.performance: make sure SNR (and dynamic range) is in 80dB range, and THD is less than .5%. I expect a main use for my vcr to be to tape my friends' CDs. Other audio features: dubbing, jacks for microphones and headphones. At this point I have a table of 25 top of the line models vs. 26 features. There are many holes, due either to lack of info, or to contradictions between the sources I used. Since I'm not going to type in the whole damn thing, here are some salient (lack of) features and observations: - just about the best vcr out there right now seems to be the top of the line RCA. However, it is really made by hitachi, which sells it at lower price (so why would anybody ever by an rca?) The VT98A however does not have dolby and I can't tell if it has mts decoding (CR says yes, but the rca 950 does not). - another good choice is the panasonic 1740. shortcomings: no dolby and no on-screen programming. Also, it's a table top (the hitachi/rca) has the docking interface, so it's basically both portable and table-top. - CR lists the Mitsubishi HS430UR to have ALL the features, but there are 2 problems: the CR listing is FULL of errors, and, if the 430 is an expanded 400, it only has 2 video heads. CR lists it with 4, but so is the 400 which I know has 2 heads. I didn't get info from Mitsubishi yet. - there are many other top of the line models to consider; they all have some missing features as compared to the above mentioned models. Included here is the Fisher FVH840 I mentioned in an earlier post, which I was told by several people is pretty crapy. However, you may want to keep an eye on models by GE (5018 and 5030), JVC (725), NEC (895 and 961), Sansui (9900), Sharp (489), as well as the panasonic cousins (quasar, magnavox, sylvania, etc.) The hope: a number of manufacturers mentioned that their product line will be significantly increased during fall (probably before xmas), so I hope that within the next couple of months a miracle will happen and somebody will offer a machine which has what for me are obviously needed features.
heneghan@ihu1m.UUCP (Joe Heneghan) (09/04/85)
> thing, here are some salient (lack of) features and observations: > - just about the best vcr out there right now seems to be the top of the line > RCA. However, it is really made by hitachi, which sells it at lower price (so > why would anybody ever by an rca?) The VT98A however does not have dolby and > I can't tell if it has mts decoding (CR says yes, but the rca 950 does not). For ~$125.00 RCA sells an MTS box that plugs into the RF port. The RCA also has manual level setting for the audio when recording in HiFi on their 950. No other HiFi portable has this. It's also the first front loading portable (86' model). Joe Henegan