caf@cdi.UUCP (06/11/83)
G2 obtained from 1983 Summer CES: Pioneer does not charge extra for CX encoding of LV soundtracks. The decision whether or not to CX is based on a technical evaluation of each source program. No mention was made as to what the criteria were. Expect a subtle change in emphasis on new software now that LV has amassed a suitable initial corpus of titles. Previously, the goal was to get as many titles available as quickly and cheaply as possible. SOP for LV transfers on movies is to digitize the audio, process it, and then sync it back up for the actual mastering operation. Unfortunately, only Warner is currently willing to "go the extra mile" to re-mix movie soundtracks just for the benfit of LV golden ears. 2001 on LV was seen at CES, but there was so much noise in the booth it was impossible to determine whether the soundtrack is as horrid as it was in theatres and on previous video formats. There has been talk that the producer was asked to do a new transfer of 2001 for LV. Keep your fingers crossed! (Likewise re Forbidden Planet, which was originally recorded in stereo.) An informal poll of LV users is taking place to determine the sales potential of a $50 CAV version of Star Wars. There is now (for the first time) serious talk about making some movies available in CAV. There has been talk of Empire Strikes Back coming out, and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Order your CAV versions NOW!! Very recently mastered CLV's use a new technique called Constant Angular(?) Acceleration (CAA) whereby the tracks at the end of a side (where crosstalk has been worst) are further apart than at the center. (Of the several recent CLV's I've seen, only the Pirates of Penzance shows any discernable crosstalk.) A deal has been struck with an European orginization which will result in two dozen or so operas over the next two years. In addition, the NY Metropolitan Opera will appear on LV. Expect to see some quality blue titles in LV before too long. A basic player selling for $299 was also discussed. With the CED software price advantage (vs. LV) rapidly eroding, a cheap LV player (that does not damage records with a needle!) could be significant in battles between the formats. Expect to see the low-key LV advertising program currently stressing special interest magazines to expand to mass media, perhaps in time for the Christmas buying season. -- Chuck Forsberg, Chief Engr, Computer Development Inc. 6700 S. W. 105th, Beaverton OR 97005 (503) 646-1599 cdi!caf