| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 1216.1 | | PCBUOA::BAYJ | Jim, Portables | Wed May 21 1997 15:02 | 21 |
| For starters, I like the idea of the VCR setting its own time, though I
have a feeling my braindead cable company doesn't send the signals
needed to do this.
I think I like the idea of setting daylight savings time, too.
I like the marker features, though I don't use it much.
I consider time indexing essential (who cares that Charlie's Angels
starts at 3247?)
I hate that in order to get the video outs on the back to wake up, I
have to hit play for 20 seconds, even if all I wanted was the currently
selected TV channel.
Okay, there's a start.
Next!
jeb
|
| 1216.2 | | QUARK::LIONEL | Free advice is worth every cent | Wed May 21 1997 16:01 | 9 |
| The "set the clock" signal comes over the normal PBS broadcast, so if you get
a PBS station, it should work.
One of my favorite features is a cable-box loopthrough which allows you to
easily switch between viewing/recording a channel directly or one through
the cable box. Sony had this in their VCRs and TVs years ago, but dropped
it.
Steve
|
| 1216.3 | all except jog shuttle... could have done without that. | METALX::SWANSON | Victim of Changes | Wed May 21 1997 16:11 | 49 |
| I have two JVC VCRs.
> It remembers the channel presets across power failures.
> It forgets that it remembers the channel presets, and toggles
> back to its default of "no cable" (which when reset, makes
> everything all fine). It also forgets its programming,
> and the time.
My old one forgets all settings after only a few seconds of power outage.
Highly annoying!
The new one has a feature that sets the clock & date from a signal broadcast
on a PBS station every hour. So after a power outage, the date & time get
set automatically. I forget if the channels also get programmed back in.
There may be an option to turn that on or off.
> I like that it blanks to a blue screen when the TV station on
> the other end goes away, instead of sending static.
> I don't like that its impossible to read the on-screen menus
> when trying to set or forget a station that isn't operating.
Both of mine can be set to have the blue screen or static on stations
that aren't coming in. The blue screen is usually easier on the eyes!
I have not had a problem reading the on-screen menus when on a station that
isn't operating, as long as the blue screen is showing.
I got one with a jog shuttle wheel because I though I would really like that
feature. Turns out it's not as "nifty" as I expected... if you turn the wheel
too fast, it doesn't keep up, and may only move the tape a few frames instead
of the dozen or so "clicks" that the shuttle wheel made. So, if one revolution
of the wheel is 10 "clicks", you can't just spin the wheel 3 revolutions and
expect the tape to advance 1 seconds worth of time. I assume *real* jog shuttle
wheels will allow this, but I guess the home consumers ones don't.
Insert editing is a good feature. It allows you to re-record a section of
tape, and both the start points *AND* end points have perfect edits. No
wavy color bars like you'd get with a VCR that didn't have a flying erase head.
Both JVC VCRs can controlled by the same remote control. There's a switch
you can flip between A or B to choose which VCR to control. Only drawback is
when the power goes out, you have to play some tricks with the remote and
powering on the VCRs to get one of them to respond to the "B" setting.
These are all good feature IMO, but one of the best is indexing. Being able
to place index marks on a tape makes it really easy to find the beginning
of a program.
Ken
|
| 1216.4 | 60% useless...but that 40%!! | ASDG::SBILL | | Fri May 23 1997 11:06 | 39 |
|
AV equipment manufacturers have no clue what the average consumer wants
for features on his/her VCR/TV/Laserdisc player/Satellite reciever/AV
Receiver etc. They pack their equipment with useless stuff that
does more to get in the way than actually help make things more useful.
They add complexity instead of simplicity. Remote controls are a case
in point. I'd say about 60% of every remote controls' buttons are NEVER
used. Yet there are functions that could be added that would be
extremely useful.
I can't complain too much about the VCR that I currently have (but is
probably on its' last legs). It has performed very well and I like most
of the features packaged with it.
I may be a bit wierd but I think one of the best ways to get to the
heart of how good a piece of AV equipment is is to look at the BACK panel.
The cheaper ones will have fewer connections. You can tell right away
if it's stereo or mono. My current VCR has one RCA video out but TWO
audio outs (I think this is best for home theater). I haven't seen ONE
new VCR out there that has this anymore (including the brand I
currently own). My FIL bought a top-of-the-line ($$$) Sony that has only one
set of RCA outputs for both audio and video. I was REALLY ANNOYED when
I discovered this because he had asked me to hook everything up for
him and this cut the flexibility WAY down. The really annoying thing
about that VCR was that they had included STARSIGHT buttons in a
prominent place on the remote. It really bugs me that they just assume
that you're willing to pay for something extra like that. I also set it
to get the time automatically from the PBS station but for some reason
it would always set it to the wrong time (WAY off) so I had to shut if
off and set it the regular way.
I have lots of pet peeves about AV equipment, but I gotta admit that I
really enjoy all these gadgets. What the manufacturers seem to forget
though is that not everybody is like me. Most want to turn it on and
have it work without having to fiddle with everything.
I could go on about this stuff forever...
Steve B.
|
| 1216.5 | | PCBUOA::BAYJ | Jim, Portables | Fri May 23 1997 12:37 | 55 |
| Speaking of Sony, I stopped by Circuit City Express yesterday, and
found the Sony SLV-960HF, MSRP $499, for $349. Their web page only
lists two models higher than this one. It looked pretty nice, though
I've never owned Sony equipment before. I like that the front controls
were minimized (though I don't know why) and that the front input jacks
were hidden behind the front panel. It seemed pretty well equipped,
feature-wise, with many features I probably won't use, but some that I
like.
I have a couple of questions. Regarding the cable mouse, does that
simply mean an LED on a cord that you place in front of the cable box
receiver, or is there actually a standard that allows the VCR to plug
into the cable box? And what is S-link?
Lastly, how much better is Super VHS than VHS? I read an article that
said that Super VHS at slow speed (EP) is better than VHS at high
speed (SP). That sounds really impressive, but is it? I figure that I
had my last VCR for seven years (and the one before that for 11!) so if
I eventually get a wide screen TV, this will drive it, until HDTV and
DVD are mainstream (and I mean MAIN, as in dirt cheap, many moons from
now). Would Super VHS do a noticably better job, or should I stick
with VHS?
jeb
(P.S. Here are the specs for the Sony from their web page:
VHS Hi-Fi Stereo; MTS stereo TV reception
4 Head Dual Azimuth Recording and Playback
VideoDirector Home PC Editing Package and 'Smart Cable' Included
Flying Erase Head and Audio/Video Insert capability for
professional-looking edits
Sony's 'LS' Feature Package including ChildLoc, Auto Tape Speed,
Glow-In-The-Dark Remote
Sony Cable Mouse system lets the VCR control channel selection on most
cable or DSS boxes
VHS Hi-Fi stereo; MTS stereo TV reception
VCR Plus+ System: Timer programming
AutoClock sets the VCR clock automatically
Sony's LS feature package:
Sony's cable mouse 3 controller for DDS or Cable Box Control
Glow-in-the-dark, Multi-Brand TV Remote5 with Sony Shuttle
Easy Setup
Sharpness Control
Childloc circuitry
Auto Tape Speed
S-Link
Index Search
Multi-Lingual On-Screen Help with Enhanced Color Menu
Camcorder Friendly Front Panel A/V Inputs
Commercial Skip Button
APC II-Adaptive Picture Control for Superb Picture Quality
9 lbs 15 oz (4.5kg)
17' x 4 3/8'x 12 1/4' (430 x 109 x 323mm)
|
| 1216.6 | | GEMGRP::WEISSMAN | | Fri May 23 1997 12:55 | 7 |
| one of my pet peeves is that they seem to be putting cheaper MTS decoders into
VCR's. My 10 years old JVC 7000 SVHS VCR has a much better MTS decoder than my
one year old Mits 760 SVHS VCR. They also don't seem to list the specs on the
the MTS decoders in the sales literature or the manual.
re. -.1 yes SVHS at EP speed is better than VHS at SP speed - in fact it's
"almost" as good as SVHS at SP speed
|
| 1216.7 | | PCBUOA::BAYJ | Jim, Portables | Fri May 23 1997 13:21 | 13 |
| >re. -.1 yes SVHS at EP speed is better than VHS at SP speed - in fact
>it's "almost" as good as SVHS at SP speed
Ah! I take this to mean its roughly the same quality at either speed?
Therefore, the question is, how much better than VHS SP is S-VHS SP?
Worthwhile, or just for purists?
(BTW, I'm already aware that this applies only to my own recordings off
of TV or from another S-VHS source; rental places don't typically carry
S-VHS tapes).
jeb
|
| 1216.8 | | QUARK::LIONEL | Free advice is worth every cent | Fri May 23 1997 14:25 | 4 |
| Yes, a "cable mouse" is an IR emitter on a cord which you place "in view" of
your cable box.
Steve
|
| 1216.9 | | GEMGRP::WEISSMAN | | Fri May 23 1997 14:31 | 7 |
| re .7
SVHS is significantly better than VHS in my opinion. An SVHS recording is
virtually indistinguishable from the original broadcast whereas VHS is quite a
bit grainier and less detailed. You're right - there isn't much rental material
on SVHS - so it's really only useful for taping off-the-air broadcasts and those
with SVHS camcorders. I wouldn't say it's only for purists but many people do
find VHS adequate.
|
| 1216.10 | | PCBUOA::BAYJ | Jim, Portables | Tue May 27 1997 16:06 | 88 |
| Sony 975, $379 from Circuit City
Well, I picked up the Sony 975 this weekend. Its their top of the line
with the exception of their sole SVHS system. I have to admit, it
didn't knock my socks off.
With the Sonys, it was between the 960 and the 975. The 960 is priced
higher, but the 975 is newer. The 960 features a commercial skip
feature (manually activated) and has a cable for connecting the VCR to
a computer. With the supplied software, you can control the VCR with
the computer. This is apparently targeted at people doing their own
editing, which I wasn't much interested in.
The 975 features a COMB filter. I like the idea of essentially
upgrading my TV by attaching it to a VCR that is technologically
superior to it. However, Sony has attenuated this by assuming that if
the VCR is on, then it is going to be used for playing or recording.
As soon as the VCR turns on, the tape is wrapped around the capstan,
and essentially sits in pause mode, although there is no video from the
tape displayed. The upside, is when you hit play, the video begins
IMMEDIATELY. The down side, is that everytime you turn on the VCR with
a tape in it, the heads are spinning in pause mode for 5-10 minutes,
before the VCR decides that you must not REALLY want to play a tape.
Other details...
I plugged it in, and by the time I sat down on the couch, it had
already found a station that transmits time information, and set
itself. Unfortunately the display only gives the time, not the day of
the week information, so it took a while before I could convince myself
that it had set itself correctly. As a consequence, when I switch to
channel 6, it also displays the call sign, WGBH. Unfortunately, it
wasn't able to dig up that information from any other channels, and it
doesn't allow manual entering of the station IDs.
It seems that Sony considers VCR Plus to be the most important feature.
It has something called VCR Plus Gold, that searches for a VCR Plus
source (based partly on zip code) and synchronizes the VCR Plus source
with the local programming channels. Unfortunately, since I apparently
don't have a VCR Plus source, none of these features work. In fact,
not only that, but I just noticed that the TV guide that comes with the
Worcester Telegram doesn't bother with the VCR Plus codes at all, so
not only can't I set it up automatically, if I did, I still don't have
the codes I need to use it!!!! :-((((((
Another difference between the 975 and 960 is the jog shuttle (975 has
it, 960 doesn't). I suppose since the 960 has the PC interface, they
deemed on-box controls redundant. I don't agree, but I also don't
edit, so I don't care. However, it works nicely from the remote.
Another slight downer: the remote can control my RCA TV, but barely.
volume and channel up and down work, but direct channel entry does not.
And to switch the TV between the VCR and normal modes requires keying
in the special channel "91", which means if I forget to switch to VCR,
and start surfing, I half to drag my lazy butt across the room to reset
to VCR if I want to switch back.
Another thing I hate about VCR remotes: why don't they include
flashback and mute????? If they REALLY want to let you use their
remote to control the TV, those are only *THE* most important buttons!
The Sony seems to have tried to greatly simplify things. One thing
they did right was they eliminated the "timer" button. If the VCR is
"off", then the timer is engaged; if on, it is not (I believe). I wish
there were a time button that essentially says "ignore the current
state - if a timer event occurs, HONOR IT". I think thats the idea
behind child-loc, but it approaches it from the wrong angle, IMHO.
BTW, this unit does not have child-loc.
The acid test was a tape I have been trying to rent for some time
called Dragon Heart. Basically, we put it in the old VCR, which
promptly died. When I tried the tape in this VCR, it was at least
watchable, but I had to switch from stereo to mono, because the sound
kept cutting in and out. Apparently their anti-dubbing protection was
a trifle overdone, and the Sony wasn't quite up to the task.
For being full of features, the owner's manual was quite brief, with
over half of it dedicated to how to hook it up. I suppose in order to
make something idiot-proof, you have to minimize the interactions with
the controls as much as possible.
Anyway, I am now considering returning it for either the Magnavox or
the JVC (my last two VCRs were JVC).
Any additional feedback welcome.
jeb
|
| 1216.11 | | QUARK::LIONEL | Free advice is worth every cent | Tue May 27 1997 16:26 | 5 |
| Regarding the WGBH station display - in the Boston area, WGBH is the only
station sending the XDS signal, which your VCR is evidently interpreting.
My Sony TV also has this capability.
Steve
|
| 1216.12 | | HYDRA::SCHAFER | Mark Schafer, SPE MRO | Tue May 27 1997 17:23 | 5 |
| the Worcestor MA paper eliminated the "plus" codes some time ago,
making their TV listings almost useless. I guess you have to get TV
Guide, since I don't believe the stations list the codes anywhere else.
Mark
|
| 1216.13 | | PCBUOA::BAYJ | Jim, Portables | Thu May 29 1997 13:47 | 18 |
| Anyone know anything about the Panasonic PV-S7670?
It lists for $550, and is available from Crutchfield for $399. It
sounds like it has most of the features of all the other popular VCRs,
but its Super-VHS!
At that proce, I feel like there has to be something wrong with this
picture!
Seems like everyone on earth has had a Panasonic (except me) so I've
had a chance to play with several of them. I didn't much care for
their general design, but if the Super-VHS is good, then I might be
willing to give it a try.
Any thoughts?
jeb
|
| 1216.14 | I sent email to the Worcester paper's webmaster | HYDRA::SCHAFER | Mark Schafer, SPE MRO | Tue Jun 03 1997 12:47 | 30 |
| > ----------
> From: Elizabeth Trimble[SMTP:[email protected]]
> Reply To: [email protected]
> Sent: Saturday, May 31, 1997 6:55 PM
> To: Mark Schafer
> Subject: Re: I: TV info
>
> Mark Schafer wrote:
> >
> > I guess I could not find any information about TV programs on your
> web
> > site. I note that the printed
> > newspaper stopped including VCR Plus codes in the TV listings.
> Maybe
> > this could be part of the added value of the web site.
> >
> > Mark Schafer
>
> I'll ponder this for a while. We have to pay extra money to have the
> VCR+ information, which is why it was dropped from the paper. It is
> very likely, however, that we would provide a link to a site where
> this
> was available, including the local TV channels.
>
> Thanks for writing. We'll be adding many new features over the
> summer.
> --
> Elizabeth Trimble ^ mailto:[email protected]
> Online Manager ^ http://www.telegram.com
>
|