lionel@orphan.DEC (Steve Lionel) (07/11/84)
ucbvax!upstill wanted opinions on the Proton monitors and on a Beta Hi-Fi unit with MPX out and 2X sound. As for the Proton, their equipment has been consistently rated the best. I have the 600M 19" monitor and have never seen a clearer, sharper picture. The company is apparently quite reliable, (and so is the equipment according to my dealer). Proton also makes a series of FM tuners and receiver that are among the worlds best performers, all at reasonable cost. If you can afford the Proton, it makes no sense to look at anything else. The 600M monitor is $650, the 619 receiver is $850 (locally). The tuner in the 619 is supposedly the same as in their separat tuner, but the 619 lacks VIR circuitry. I run my 600M with the VIR off and get better color, so you aren't missing much. As for Beta Hi-Fi units, you should insist on an MPX out jack. Are you sure that the Sony 2710 doesn't have 2X with sound? This feature requires that you recorded with Beta Hi-Fi, so trying it out on a non-Hi-Fi tape won't tell you. You might also look for Sony's new SL-HFR100 and SL-HFR300 VCRs. Neither of these is very fancy, but I do think that the HFR100 has 2X with sound and MPX out. It's a two-piece unit; both together go for about $700. Without an MPX out jack you won't be able to decode stereo broadcasts. Note also that the chart and text in Video Review contained many inaccuracies, especially when discussing units with MPX out. Steve Lionel ARPA: lionel%orphan.DEC@decwrl.ARPA UUCP: decwrl!rhea!orphan!lionel MCI: Steve Lionel (177-0623)