video-magazine-1995-12

["BRR en BeenBRE 2\u2019 VALUEomsVato mnle)aal-mial-lel(-)m@Xe)anlelelat\u2014aiis NYiare (ols Waele ols oMm alelinate)alolecm am xe)alexi) MRR RRMARD, Lssvs o00 mare wre Whether you're considering adding to your existing music system, or creating a sophisticated home theater system m5 from scratch, Marantz offers a full range of pure high fidelity components that combine outstanding sound quality and ease of use. Music listeners will appreciate the superb sound of our award winning CD players and CD changers, both of which benefit from shared technologies such as Bitstream D\/A conversion, Philips digital servo laser mechanisms, and audiophile attention to detail\u2014such as co-axial digital output \u2018port on our popular CD players and changers. Home theater fans can assemble a complete system including our Home THX\u201d certified A\/V tuner-controller and power amplifiers, and round out the package with other Marantz components such as our Hi-Fi VCR, laser disc combi player, and analog and digital cassette decks. For remote control convenience, Marantz products employ the patented RC-5 digital serial remote control system for precise component-to-component communication. or coe ry @) 1a *Tod meee _sadunntanee O0s owns mt ~ ane \u00bb* conn ee on ae fe mt a vs m= | ihoo : \/ i(em \\\\ : srties \\\\ gmear eertTyEared FE fl Ff as Marantz products are built to the highest standards of reliability. Marantz audio and A\/V components feature a three year parts and labor warranty, and our VCR and personal LCD TV both feature a one year parts and labor limited warranty. Audition the superb line of Marantz components at your specialist A\/V dealer soon. ERR <B EeeERE DZ\u2019 = PURE HIGH FIDELITY 440 Medinah Road Marantz America, Inc. Roselle, IL 60172-2330 Tel. 708-307-3100 * 708-307-2687 Fax THX is a registered trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd.","Your Ears Had Lips They\u2019d Kiss You NUREALITY Music to Your Ears Easy to Install Once you hear 3D surround sound from the Vivid 3D The Vivid 3D Theater is easy to install with your existing Theater, you won\u2019t want to listen to plain old stereo again. Thanks to patented SRSC@)\u00ae technology, audio system. You can enhance virtually any audio Demo CD For FREE! * the Vivid 3D Theater from NuRealityj configuration including DSS, retrieves actual ambient information lost by VCRs, TVs, receivers, tape RETAILVISION\u00ae traditional stereo processing. NuReality takes advantage of this technology to bring you true-to- decks, FM radios, CD and laser innevanions INNOVATIONS life three-dimensional surround sound from only two speakers. Vivid 3D\u2122 sound enhancement products bring disc players. In addition, the Vivid 3D Theater is fully all your movies, sound tracks and recordings to life. compatible and compliments Dolby Pro Logic\u00ae. Multiple Speakers Surprisingly Affordable \u201cA heightened audio experience Although you only need two speakers and the Vivid and an easy, low-cost way of 3D Theater to create 3D surround sound, the Vivid NuReality offers a complete achieving it...If you want to 3D Theater also adds an entirely new dimension of family of affordable Vivid 3D upe de your system\u2019s sonics realism to multiple speaker combinations. products. The Vivid 3D without replacing the primary Theater retails for only $249.95. Call today to order, hardware, NuReality\u2019s bl box may be just what you\u2019re looking and begin to hear what you\u2019ve for.\u201d - been misisssii ng. Sound and Image Magazine , Winitnetrer 19951995 Like the Vivid 3D Theater, the award- winning Vivid 3D Studio adds a new level of 1S--80c0-c50m1-80m8s6 audio excitement to portable stereo systems. NUREALITY: CIRCLE NO. 63 ON READER SERVICE CARD 2907 Daimler St. Santa Ana, CA 92705 714-442-1080 http:\/\/www.nureality.com *This specially recorded CD recreates the experience of 3D sound from any CD player and is available for 95 shipping and handling charge which is fully credited toward the purchase of a Vivid 3D system. This offer applies ly to Vivid 3D products purchased directly from NuReality. Freight charges, duty or VAT are not included for International orders. \/ rights reserved NuReality and the NuReality logo are registered trademarks of Nureality. SRS and the SRS logo are registered trademark of SRS Labs. All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. \u00a9 1995 NuReality","it VIDEOTEST \u2014 Scene Stealer Sony\u2019s KV-32XBR100 is a world-class 32-inch direct-view TV WE TEST A LOT OF HIGH-END TV SETS HERE AT VIDEO. and it houses a Super Trinitron picture Though not everyone is willing or able to shell out for one, tube and a seven-speaker audio system. our evaluations are universally useful\u2014they help establish The cabinet is designed to fit snugly in a benchmark for all sets to aspire to, and they allow us to a room\u2019s corner, though its dimen- track shifts in the state of TV-design art. The KV-32XBR100 is sions\u201424.7 x 32.7 x 23.1 inches Sony\u2019s flagship direct-view TV, a member of the elite XBR? line. (h\/w\/d)\u2014are slim enough to make mid- As you'll see, it makes a bold statement, and demonstrates that wall placement hassle-free. The moni- Sony\u2019s designers can make a world-class TV, especially when they tor weighs a solid 167 pounds. The aren\u2019t constrained by the need to hit a that. But Sony has stood by 32-inch Shegei SV-32XBR100 stand (shown; modest price point. tubes, they say, because the image de- grades unacceptably with anything $399) is optional. The 32-inch 32XBR100 ($3,300) al- larger. After spending some quality The circuitry resides in a small chas- so incorporates the largest direct-view tube Sony makes. While many manu- time with this set, I see their point. sis that Sony prosaically calls the Ac- facturers have come out with 35-inch Befitting a top-of-the-line model, the sets in the last few years, Sony has kept cess Center. The AC, which measures their top-of-the-line model a 32-incher. 32XBR100 departs from the rest of the 3.3 x 17 x 10.9 inches (h\/w\/d), also Why? Skeptics might say it\u2019s because company\u2019s TV offerings. The set is a Sony\u2019s tube plants aren\u2019t equipped to two-piece component affair that\u2019s de- houses two tuners (for advanced PIP build 35-inch tubes, which means that signed to save space and separate the functions) and a full complement of in- they\u2019d have to buy them from their circuitry from the chassis; this separa- puts and outputs. The two units are competitors\u2014and they don\u2019t want to do tion is said to improve picture quality. joined by a 36-pin multiconnector. (Though the components aren\u2019t avail- The monitor has a v-shaped cabinet, able separately, the monitor has a sin- gle set of A\/V inputs with an S-Video jack, in case it\u2019s used without the AC.) A cover fits over the connection panel, providing a seamless appearance. The AC offers the largest number of VIDEO BY PETER BARRY 51","inputs I\u2019ve seen on a TV set: Its rear ed touchpad whose lights are extin- _ low output; MEDIUM, 9,900\u00b0 K high outpu panel has two antenna inputs and four guished when they\u2019re not used for a full A\/v input sets, all with S-Video few moments. Touch any part of the 16,000\u00b0 K low output; NTSC STD, 6,100\u00b0 jacks in addition to standard RCAs. panel and the whole thing lights up K high output, 3,900\u00b0 K low output; after There\u2019s also an A\/V output set as well with controls for power, channel as fixed and variable audio outs. up\/down, volume up\/down, Tv\/VIDEO NTSC STD calibration, 6,445\u00b0 K high There\u2019s even an unswitched Ac outlet, selection, and SET UP mode. Choose SET and a Control S input and output are on up and the 32XBR100 will automati- and \u201coff hours\u201d to your satisfaction. hand for stringing together other Con- cally scan for available channels and Eight frequently watched channels can trol S products for single-remote opera- store them in memory. The drill for -. be loaded into the FAVORITE CHANNEL tion. The inputs can be assigned on- erasing weak or scrambled channels is register; touch a button on the remote screen labels, which appear for a few simple. and they\u2019ll be displayed around the seconds every time you select a source; main image. There\u2019s a sleep timer that label choices include vcR, 8MM, BETA, As you\u2019d expect, the 32XBR100 is can be programmed for 30, 60, or 90 LD (laserdisc), S-VIDEO, HI-8, AV RECEIV- packed with convenience features. It minutes. And there are adjustments for ER, and Dss. employs a chip that receives xDs (Ex- tilting the image if the Earth\u2019s magnet- tended Data Services) data, which can ic fields throw it off as well as controls The outputs can be configured to suit be broadcast over a TV channel\u2019s verti- for basic magnetic-field alignment. a variety of user scenarios. Three op- cal blanking interval. While some PBS tions are listed in the INPUT\/OUTPUT stations are the only ones currently us- Audio features include the aforemen- STATUS menu: MONITOR OUT, EDIT OUT, ing XDs to broadcast a simple time-of- tioned seven speakers, which fire up and TV OUT. MONITOR OUT sends the se- day signal, it\u2019s likely that most stations through the grating on the rear of the lected video signals to a VCR for mon- will use it to broadcast data like chan- set. The magnificent seven includes itoring of tape edits. EDIT OUT allows nel numbers and show names in the two l-inch tweeters, two 2-inch mid- you to watch one channel and record not-too-distant future. ranges, two 3.25-inch drivers dedicated another. And Ty ouT should be selected to midbass reproduction, and one 3.25- when you have an A\/V receiver connect- The pip function performs all of the inch driver and one 4-inch passive radi- ed to the VIDEO | input and want to con- tricks you\u2019d expect on a high-end set: It ator dedicated to low frequencies. Each trol the signal from it. can take one of three sizes and be driver is powered by 11 watts. The Au- placed in one of four positions; you can DIO menu offers TREBLE, BASS, and BAL- The front of the AC offers an A\/V in- freeze its image or swap it with the ANCE controls as well as MAIN, SAP, and put set with an S-Video jack as well as main image. You can listen to either MONO options for the MTs decoder. The three red running LEDs: one glows main-image or PIP audio. And the relat- speakers can be turned off. when the set is powered, one lights up ed P&P (picture-and-picture) mode dis- when the timer is set, and the last plays two channels in a split-screen The 32XBR100 comes with Sony\u2019s glows when a show is being received in configuration. Remote Commander remote control, stereo. which is preprogrammed to operate CHANNEL BLOCK lets you excise un- many VCRs, LD players, cable boxes, The monitor is far from featureless. suitable programs on a daily or weekly and DSS receivers; it can also be taught Its front panel has a beautiful illuminat- basis; you can dial in specific channels to operate other components that are remote-controlled via infrared signals. 52 DECEMBER 1995 VIDEO The remote has a unique joystick: a small rubber toggle that you can move in eight directions while navigating the menu system. The remote is very well designed and laid out, and the cursor moves very fast. Considering the set\u2019s price, however, the remote should be il- luminated for in-the-dark viewing. Said menu system is extensive\u2014par- ticularly the video options. The PRo- GRAM PALETTE lets you select various picture modes, which have been tai- lored to be compatible with different sources and room-lighting conditions. Your options are STANDARD, MOVIE, SPORTS, NEWS, and GAME. Though they\u2019re preset modes, any adjustments","to a mode remain in memory until fur- the 32XBR100 does a good job with NOW on .. ther adjustments are made. This effec- the gray scale, has an extremely good tively gives you the opportunity to de- power supply that can regulate light Iameatiecs sign five custom viewing modes. You output at any reasonable level, and has really couldn\u2019t ask for more, especially remarkable detail in the upper frequen- BOD Goh Mey we: considering the flexibility\u2014and quali- cies. I also found that the 3-D comb fil- ty\u2014that the 32XBR100 offers in pic- ter is a champ: There was absolutely BATMAN ture adjustment. minimal dot crawl, and colors were FOREVER well saturated and distinct; only yellow Like all new Sony TVs save those in was shifted slightly toward orange. The and 20% off Other Top the V Series, this set offers three color- color decoder is also a winner. temperature options, which Sony calls LaserDis\u00e9 titles... Trinitone settings: HIGH, MEDIUM, and I set BRIGHTNESS to two clicks down NTSC STD (standard). In addition to the from its midpoint, PICTURE to five clicks BOFiehl KFHo standard picture controls, the 32- below its midpoint, SHARPNESS to its XBR100 has an on\/off video noise-re- one-fifth mark, COLOR to three clicks Pulp Fiction duction (NR) circuit, a DYNAMIC PICTURE below its midpoint, and HUE to one Star Trek Generations circuit that enhances contrast, and a click above its midpoint. Rob Roy \u00a2 While You Were Sleeping COLOR CORRECTION circuit that empha- Casper \u00a2 Just Cause \u00a2 Cinderella sizes reds and blues to make skin tones At this point, the 32XBR100 was re- The Santa Clause * Forrest Gump \u201cvivid\u201d (as the owner\u2019s manual puts it). ally looking good, and calibration put The Lion King \u00a2 Disclosure The set also utilizes a 3-D digital comb the icing on the cake. Kevin Miller was Outbreak \u00a2 Legends of the Fall filter, the most advanced filter Sony able to calibrate the set very accurately; Interview With The Vampire makes for consumer-grade sets. measurements after calibration were 6,445 degrees K at high output, 26 True Lies The STANDARD picture mode and footlamberts, and a much-improved NTSC STD color-temperature setting low output of 6,600 degrees K. And the Mention this Ad and get a 20% discount were the most accurate combination, so gray scale tracked from high to low off the Suggested Retail Price on the Titles that\u2019s where I started my adjustment output extremely well. Though the drill. I also switched off NR, DYNAMIC NTSC STD color-temperature setting gets listed above, (Offer expires 2\/29\/1996) PICTURE, and COLOR CORRECTION. At you very close to the appropriate gray this point, the picture looked good, but scale all by itself, a set this fine really Call for our FREE Monthly Laserdisc I noticed that the set was putting out demands calibration; it'll help the set Catalog! Hundreds of New and Recent too much light, and the color appeared realize its heady potential. Releases. All, at least, 15% OFF S.R.P.! to be shifted toward yellow with a red- dish cast overall. Still, all of the colors Now whatever I watched was really PLUS... were nicely saturated, and there was a popping. The image was clear and wonderful naturalness to the image, bright, with excellent detail and color OVERNIGHT which was sharp and showed a tremen- rendition. The new Criterion LD of DELIVERY dous amount of detail. Video noise was RoboCop couldn\u2019t have been sharper or at a minimum. The picture just invites more detailed\u2014and I mean that literal- Overnight Delivery Only $3.75 per Order*! you to sit and watch. ly, unless you get into truly esoteric (and extremely expensive) projection 1 or 100 discs - you pay only $3.75! *Orders TV calibrator and VIDEO contributor systems. Scenes had great depth, and can include \u201cPre-orders\u201d and \u201cBack-orders!\u201d Kevin Miller measured the various colors were beautifully rendered. Very temperatures and light outputs of the impressive. Even the audio system did (Continental U.S. shipments only - certain set before I made any adjustments. a good job; it can handle fairly high areas and shipments over 5-Ibs. may require HIGH read 10,050 degrees K at high volume without breakup and delivers a decent amount of impact. Images this an extra business day) output and off-the-scale (over 16,000 fine deserve a full surround-sound sys- degrees K) at low output; light output tem, though. was a too-healthy 43.7 footlamberts. At MEDIUM, high output measured 9,990 SONY IS POSITIONING THE KV-32XBR100 degrees K and low output was again off the scale; light output was a still-too- as a statement product. It\u2019s their most high 43.4 footlamberts. NTSC STD clocked in at 6,100 degrees K at high expensive direct-view set because it in- Every Laserdisc title available at up to 40% OFF! output and 3,900 degrees K at low out- put, with 36 footlamberts of light; this corporates their largest screen size and Laserdisc Fan Club, Inc. setting\u2019s high\/low figures explain the overall reddish cast I\u2019d noticed earlier. best TV technology. The comb filter, 1058 E. 230th St. (Source Cd. V125) Before fine-tuning the set with the A decoder, and power supply are clearly S~eeN >\u00bb YB Carson, CA 90745 Video Standard test laserdisc, I noted that all of the standard picture controls all first-rate, and together they create a cn (800) 801-DISC(3472) were at their midpoint except PICTURE SCBA CLUB Scena oawyee-e)yy (contrast), which was at its three-quar- stunning image. While I certainly ap- (mention Source Code: V125) ters mark. Test patterns indicated that preciate the unique design, the incredi- bly generous array of inputs, and the For your FREE Laserdisc Catalog, please many useful convenience features, pic- complete and mail the coupon below: Name: tures are what get me going, and the 32XBR100 is a thoroughbred. This is a Address: true reference monitor. a City, State, Zip Code: VIDEO DECEMBER 1995 53 CIRCLE NO. 73 ON READER SERVICE CARD","HULiTtRaAcVhIiSIOPNrouQdulaylitByrings | | To Camcorders! OR OWER FIVE YEARS, image coming in through the lens for Instant Zoom is just a button push Hitachi has led the home focus, white balance, aperture (iris) entertainment industry with the best functioning, high-speed shutter, away! No zoom is faster; wherever you projection TV in picture and sound, backlight compensation and wind with ULTRAVISION. The standards of noise. The VMH710A employs a third have zoomed to, Instant Zoom takes you ~ excellence the ULTRAVISION name has generation 16-bit Digital Signal represented in television are now in Processor (DSP) to regulate these 1.5x closer instantly! That\u2019s valuable \/ camcorders with the introduction this functions rapidly. The result to you are year of the VMH710A! videotapes that are color accurate and when recording a moment that comes The engineers at Hitachi have detailed. Yes, your memories are achieved what few can do: create a preserved with the quality they deserve, quickly! All controls are conveniently camcorder that is innovative and yet, ULTRAVISION quality! affordable. Let\u2019s take a closer look at located on the end of the camcorder, for the camcorder that proudly calls itself AA BATTERY BACKUP... A FIRST! ULTRAVISION! Many camcorder users will tell you easy access when you need them! how frustrating it is to run out of power HI-8 RESOLUTION AND HI-FI STEREO when you most need it. Hitachi\u2019s BLANK SEARCH \/ DATE SEARCH | Clarity and detail are critical to engineers recognized the need and Hitachi engineers recognized | making the picture look the best it can. solved a major hassle for all of us! The that time passes between shooting The ULTRAVISION VMH710A achieves VMH710A has the capability of inserting scenes on videotape. We often over 400 lines of resolution, more than 6 AA alkaline batteries for an additional lose our place on the tape and 42% better than TV programs! The 50 minutes of power! AA Batteries are can easily recorded over a scene VMH710A records images 63% better sold almost everywhere, so you are just a that we intended to keep. Blank than VHS, VHS-C and 8mm standard store away from more power to continue Search was designed to easily resolution camcorders, which achieve no those precious memories! locate the area of tape that is free more than 250 lines of resolution. And and usable. No more mistakes and you'll see that difference on whatever TV COLOR EWE, EIS AND loss of valuable memories! Date you play the videotape on. ULTRAVISION INSTANT ZOOM Search is a simple method locating the sound quality is Hi-Fi stereo, microphone Ease-of-use is a must with any scene you wish to review with ease. and recording. Better than 90db of audio camcorder. The VMH710A has been Each time you begin to record, the quality is achieved! designed to be user-friendly. We see in date is imprinted on a memory chip. color; the viewfinder of the VMH710A is In playback mode, use this method to A.A.I.T. AND D.S.P. Ill color so that no details of a scene will be easily locate the memory by the date How a camera interprets the image missed! To keep your videotapes stable, you recorded it! it sees makes the difference between Hitachi engineers developed an ordinary and extraordinary! Hitachi Electronic Image Stabilizer (EIS) that CONCLUSION engineers developed years ago a maintains picture quality while These are just a few of the thoughtful and technology that utilized the benefits of smoothing out any extra motion. Using innovative features that make the VMH710A microprocessors. Called Advanced angular motion sensors, the camcorder a breakthrough in performance. Visit Artificial Intelligence Technology will determine if you are shaking the your local Authorized Dealer today and (A.A.1.T.), the software controls the camcorder and respond properly. And experience for yourself the quality and value of the ULTRAVISION VMH710A! And see for yourself how Hitachi engineers made a quality camcorder affordable to you! For more information about the Hitachi VMH710A please call: 1-800-HITACHI CIRCLE NO, 56 ON READER SERVICE CARD","Pursuing the standard of excellence set by the VME55A & VME5S8A top-rated camcorders, two years in a row. #1 rated by a leading consumer magazine a ULTRA\/ISION VMH710A CAMCORDERDOUBLE AA BATTERY PACK | The new standard in performance and value! | | | |","ynamic Duo Yamaha unveils a killer AC-3 system IF YOU\u2019VE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH THE NEWS IN THE HOME- work like this: An AC-3-ready LD theater arena, you\u2019ve undoubtedly heard that Dolby Labs player would plug directly into the has unveiled their newest surround-sound technology, DDP-1. The digital AC-3 bit stream a \u201c5.1-channel\u201d digital format widely known as AC-3. encoded on a laserdisc would be con- A growing number of new laserdiscs\u2014including Amadeus, Batman veyed to the DDP-1, which would de- Forever, Dr. Zhivago, and The Lion King\u2014have AC-3 encoding, it\u2019s modulate and decode it; integral digi- written into the HDTV format, and it\u2019s almost certain to be included tal-to-analog (D\/A) converters would in the new digital videodisc format we\u2019ll see next year. Virtually all transform this bit stream into front-left, new LD players are AC-3-ready, and Master\u2014and delivers far more func- center, front-right, rear-left, rear-right, older models with pcm digital audio tionality. and low-frequency-effects (LFE) analog sections can be retrofitted to include signals. Then the DDP-1 would pass the requisite output. The missing link, Home-theater enthusiasts who aren\u2019t the five \u201csatellite\u201d signals to the 2090, rolling in cash will appreciate Yama- which would route them to its five for the most part, has been AC-3 de- ha\u2019s two-component approach. Though coder\/processors. Until recently, only we'll undoubtedly see more affordable built-in amplifier channels (more on one esoteric component\u2014Enlightened AC-3 components over the next 9 to 24 the LFE channel in a bit). Three front Audio Designs\u2019 $6,000 TheaterMas- months, the RX-V2090 ($1,499) and and two rear speakers\u2014plus, perhaps, ter\u2014has included the AC-3 goods. DDP-1 ($599)\u2014along with the two a subwoofer\u2014would be connected to Joined by two Pioneer AC-3-equipped new Pioneer models\u2014represent the the 2090 in normal fashion. A\/V receivers, Yamaha\u2019s RX-V2090 least expensive path to AC-3 surround AC-3-ready A\/V receiver and DDP-1 sound. At the same time, it can be a Beyond its AC-3-readiness, the 2090 add-on AC-3 processor rewrite the sta- two-step approach\u2014buy the 2090 and is similar to Yamaha\u2019s other topnotch tus quo. And though the Yamaha duo you can add the DDP-1 whenever it\u2019s A\/V receivers. It\u2019s a big component\u2014 isn\u2019t exactly inexpensive, it is roughly economically feasible. nearly 6 inches tall and over 15 inches one-third the cost of EAD\u2019s Theater- deep, the 2090 tips the scales at a port- A 2090\/DDP-1 AC-3 system would ly 39 pounds. Power output is rated at 100 watts for each of the three front channels (from 20\u201420,000 Hz with 0.015 percent THD into 8 ohms) and 35 watts to each of four surround-channel 56 BY DANIEL KUMIN VIDEO","outputs (at 1,000 Hz with 0.08 percent the A\/V sets (VCR1 and VCR2) provide nels (and four surround speakers), are THD into 8 ohms)\u2014as with other higher full input\/output video ports, and each part of Yamaha\u2019s Cinema-DSP pro- end Yamaha receivers, the 2090 has video set offers both composite and S- gram, which the company proffers as power and connections for a second set Video jacks. And there are line-level an alternative to THX\u2019s enhancement of \u201ceffects\u201d channels (more on them in audio outputs for all seven channels of Pro Logic. plus a subwoofer line-out. In sum, the a bit). Yamaha gets an A+ for expandability. According to the owner\u2019s manual, the This big-and-tall tailoring leaves an DPL-ENHANCED mode employs digital Speaker connection is by way of signal processing (DSP) to \u201csimulate the ample front panel, which allows rela- heavy binding posts, which also accept multi-speaker system\u201d of a commercial tively comfy button spacing. All of the single-banana jacks all around. The cinema; it does this by widening the spacing on the four surround-channel surround soundfield and spreading it 2090\u2019s controls save volume, tone, and jacks is nonstandard, however, so con- noticeably forward, somewhat similar record-out selection are of the pushbut- ventional dual-bananas don\u2019t fit. As to what THX processing and dipole ton variety, with logical groupings for with most Yamaha designs, the 2090 surround speakers accomplish. The surround, source-selection, and tuner includes dual center-channel speaker 70MM MOVIE THEATER mode goes fur- functions. On one hand, ergonomics outputs. (I wouldn\u2019t use two center ther, with a greater surround spread and are impaired by the keys\u2019 similar speakers for any reason.) additional psp effects to the front sur- shapes and their tough-to-read white- round speakers, widening and deepen- on-black graphics; on the other, they\u2019re The 2090\u2019s line-level subwoofer jack ing the front stage. Like other Dsp- helped by the inclusion of a swing- is rated to have a cutoff at 200 Hz and a equipped Yamahas, the 2090 also offers down panel, which conceals easily ac- several other modes: TV THEATER, cessible tone and balance controls, a mild slope of 6 dB per octave (a lower SPORTS, STADIUM, ROCK CONCERT, JAZZ tone-defeat key, one marked BASS EXx- cutoff and a steeper slope are prefer- CLUB, CHURCH, and CONCERT HALL. TENSION (which triggers an unusual able in most systems). And there\u2019s no low-frequency boost in the main left\/ corresponding high-pass filtering on You only get one user-adjustable DsP right outputs), and a VIDEO AUX conve- the main left\/center\/right outputs; parameter, however (surround delay); nience set of audio\/video inputs, which though that\u2019s surprising given the some high-end Yamaha DsP processors includes an S-Video jack. 2090\u2019s price tag, a high-pass filter is and preamps provide extensive control usually provided by powered sub- over surround parameters. And, as with The hidden compartment also in- most A\/V receivers, the 2090 has only cludes a rotary-switch selector for woofers (and one is featured on the one memory register for channel levels: sending audio and video signals to all DDP-1). The channel balance you arrive at in of the record outputs, independent of the DPL mode is applied to all sur- whatever you\u2019re currently monitoring. Like many high-end A\/v receivers, round modes\u2014so if you want, say, a This simple and intuitive layout is tra- the 2090 provides a multiroom option. different balance for listening to classi- ditional on Yamaha gear, and I prefer it In this case, it\u2019s a line-level setup, so cal CDs in the CONCERT HALL mode, to the more common multikey record- the secondary room or area will require you\u2019llhave to rebalance each time. out selectors on most A\/V components. a power amplifier as well as speakers. A video output is part of the scheme, The densely populated remote uses The 2090\u2019s large amber display is however, so the second room or area different background colors to delin- simple and, by current standards, rela- gets fully independent control of both eate control groups, and the master-vol- tively simple, reading out text and data audio and video source selection. The ume keys are oversized, as are the DE- appropriate to the current source and to 2090 even comes with a second remote LAY TIME keys. But there are still many any commands entered. In addition, the control for use in that second room or identically sized keys, and by-feel op- big Yamaha can deliver on-screen dis- area; it offers source selection and ba- eration of anything much beyond vol- plays to a TV. These plain-jane text sic transport controls. Optional infrared ume and source selection was a stretch. banners, which appear at the bottom of receiver and emitter components the screen, merely duplicate the basics THE DDP-1 IS A MUCH SMALLER AND\u2014 of the front-panel messages, but they (WCX-10 and IRX-10\/20) are required externally, at least\u2014simpler device. It get the job done. to complete a multiroom installation. measures 4.9 x 17.1 x 13.8 inches Around back, the 2090 has an exten- The 2090 offers three primary movie- (h\/w\/d) and has only a handful of front- sive but sensibly spaced jackfield. sound surround modes: Pro Logic, DPL- panel buttons. Back-panel connections There are inputs for four A\/v compo- ENHANCED, and 70MM MOVIE THEATER. include an RCA input for the dedicated nents, including the front-panel VIDEO Dolby decoding is performed in the dig- AC-3 output of an AC-3-ready LD AUX set, and four audio sources. Two of ital domain, and the two other modes, player plus optical and coaxial AC-3 which employ all four surround chan- digital inputs for future AC-3-ready sources. YAMAHA As mentioned, the DDP-1 decodes the AC-3 bit stream into fully discrete left, center, right, left-surround, right- surround, and low-frequency-effects channels, performing 20-bit D\/A con- version on all of them along the way. The analog signals are tapped via six back-panel RCA output jacks. VIDEO DECEMBER 1995 57","YAMAHA RX-V2090 right surround levels and delay, the lev- an LFE input means that the sub channel el of the LFE channel (if it\u2019s used inde- will be folded into the decoder\u2019s main \u201cMeasurements by Start Labs pendently), and overall output as well channels in most systems. This ar- as select the phantom center mode. rangement doesn\u2019t result in a loss of \\\\PPL-mode power (maximum, at 1,000 Hz, bass information, though it does as- 1% THD plus noise, one channel driven): One unusual feature is CENTER DELAY, sume that you'll use a single subwoofer main, 118 watts into 8 ohms, 184 into which lets you delay the center-channel to handle LFE information and any low _ 4ohms; center, 116 into 8 ohms, 185 into signal by 0 to 5 ms. This should enable frequencies you decide to siphon out of _ 4 ohms; surround, 45 into 8 ohms, 63 into you to \u201ctime-align\u201d the three front the main left\/right channels. No doubt, speakers\u2014in other words, you should the vast majority of AC-3 users will _ 4ohms be able to make the output of the three take this route. But the 2090\u2019s layout DPL-mode dynamic power: main, 138 front speakers arrive at your ears si- does limit flexibility somewhat. Also watts into 8 ohms, 215 into 4 ohms; multaneously. Equal arrival times are note that the DDP-1 doesn\u2019t perform the ideal when multiple speakers are Pro Logic decoding, so the A\/v compo- center, 136 into 8 ohms, 213 into 4 ohms; used for music reproduction. Nice. nent it\u2019s paired with should. _ surround, 46 into 8 ohms, 72 into 4 ohms Another unusual\u2014and very cool\u2014 INTEGRATING YAMAHA\u2019S DUO INTO MY -DPL-mode channel separation (at 1,000 feature is that the DDP-1 lets you ad- home-theater setup was a simple task just dynamic range during AC-3 opera- (except for those nonstandard sur- Hz, 1-volt input): FR\/FL, 50 dB; FL\/FR, 50 tion. A menu lets you choose MAX or round-channel banana jacks). As men- dB; C\/FL, 40 dB; C\/FR, 39 dB; R\/FL, 37 STANDARD. Select the latter and you get tioned, Yamaha\u2019s two Cinema-DSP he dB; R\/FR, 33 dB; FL\/C, 59 dB; FR\/C, 59 two more parameters that let you adjust modes make use of four surround high-level cut and low-level boost inde- speakers: two in the rear, and two in dB; R\/C, 34 dB; FL\/R, 44 dB; FR\/R, 44 dB; pendently, from 0 to 1.0 in 0.2-incre- the front (a back-panel switch can be C\/R, 41 dB ment steps. set to mix the front-effects signal to the DPL-mode THD plus noise (at rated power main left\/right speakers in a five-speak- into 8 ohms): main, 0.09%; center, 0.1%; The DDP-1 doesn\u2019t come with a re- er system). I used Rock Solid satellites surround, 0.28% mote control, so any adjustments to it at all four surround locations. Follow- DPL-mode S\/N (A-weighted, referenced to have to be made at the front panel. This ing the manual\u2019s guidelines, I located 1 watt, into 8 ohms): main, 81 dB; center, isn\u2019t much of a hassle, though dynamic the front-effects speakers about | foot _ 81 dB; surround, 72 dB range adjustments are better made from behind and 2 feet outside of the main -DPL-mode frequency response (at 1 the listening position\u2014this is do-able, left\/right pair; the rear surrounds were watt): main, 20-20,000 Hz +0, \u20140.8 dB; of course, but only when you enlist the placed to the sides and about even with center, 20-20,000 Hz +0, \u20141.2 dB; services of a helper. the listening position, firing in toward surround, 20-7,000 Hz +0.3, -3 dB the front. The main speakers were Stereo power (maximum, at 1,000 Hz, 1% The inability to route the DDP-1\u2019s THD plus noise, both channels driven): LFE channel to the 2090 may be puz- __ 114 watts into 8 ohms, 186 into 4 ohms zling, but it shouldn\u2019t prove trouble- Stereo frequency response (at 1 watt): some. As mentioned, the 2090\u2019s lack of 20-20,000 Hz +0, \u20140.2 BASS EXTENSION mode: +5 dB at 50 Hz, THE SHORT FORM --12 dB at 20 Hz Vv YAMAHA RX-V2090 | It\u2019s important to emphasize that the Component type: A\/V receiver DDP-1 is an add-on decoder\/proces- Price: $1,499 : sor\u2014not an AC-3-equipped A\/V pre- amp. The only way to get the five pri- Target: Serious home-theater enthus mary AC-3 signals to your system is to Minimum requirements\\\": 27-inch TV set, Hi-Fi ve connect the DDP-1\u2019s outputs to a five- or six-channel A\/v preamplifier or an and surround speakers A\/V receiver with the requisite inputs\u2014 like the 2090. In this case, the DDP-1\u2019s KEY FEATURES | : subwoofer output could be connected a Digital Dolby Pro Logic decoding m Two digital Pro Logic er to a powered subwoofer or a passive- sub\/amplifier combo, though it would m Seven other digital surround modes m Rated to deliver 100 be active only when you\u2019re enjoying an AC-3-encoded program. If dedicating a watts x 4 m BASS EXTENSION loudness circuit m Five line-leve sub to AC-3-only use doesn\u2019t make hookup of optional DDP-1 Dolby Surround AC-3 demodulator\/d sense, the DDP-1\u2019s sub output should be left \u201copen\u201d and the processor should level outputs for all seven channels m Four A\/V input be set to its MAIN-LARGE mode, which jacks m Two A\/V input\/output sets m Four audio inputs mixes LFE bass to the main left\/right inputs = Line-level subwoofer pe at 200-H: channels. limits flexibility when DDP-1 is ee = Gets aRnAL for fut Other DDP-1 setup routines are man- of front and surround power = Excellent Dolby Pro Lox aged via the front panel\u2019s display and surround and music modes were superior totl MODE, MENU, and up\/down keys. You A\/V receivers m A first-rate A\/V receiver can set center and rear speakers for full-range or high-pass-filtered opera- Circle 12 onreader se ,icecard tion; the built-in high-pass filter has a cutoff of 90 Hz and a slope of 12 dB *To maximize its potential per octave. You can also adjust left and 58 DECEMBER 1995 VIDEO","\u2014\u2014 Ts AE WE aT RR We aR Movie Butts, Boston Acoustics Home Theater Options Audiophiles, Tightwads, \u2014\u2014SubSat Three-Piece Systems Lend Us Youie tare. Tiny satellites and big theater \u201c2s...Incredible sound from compact ==... \u00a9 THE $699 SUBSAT6 II THEATER SYSTEM FILLS YOUR ROOM WITH GREAT SOUND. YET, IT WON'T EMPTY YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. || ; i Good news. You don't have to sell Aunt Edna's priceless figurine collection to have a The $699 MSRP six-piece SubSat\u00e9 II spectacular home theater. The SubSat\u00e9 II system, a five-time HiFi Grand Prix Award Theater Package includes four Winner, features four sculpted wide-dispersion SubSat satellites. These tiny \u201csats,\u201d as we SubSat\u00e9 II Satellites, a PV12 subwoofer affectionately call them, sit on stands, shelves or hang on your walls. Down below, the and CR1 center channel speaker. PV12 subwoofer provides exceptional lows. And in the middle is a CR1 broad-dispersion center channel speaker. This is a complete system, designed and tuned for smooth pans and true theater envelopment. Stereo Review called the SubSat6, \u201cSuperior.\u201d To learn more, lend an ear to your Boston dealer. They'll pay you back with interest. 1 ACOUSTICS Get a copy of our awesome music and speaker \u2018zine: Number 03. Write to BA, 70 Broadway, Lynnfield, MA 01940","B&W 803-IIs, center-channel chores on certain passages of dialogue, and it On the power side of things, the 2090 were handled by a single HTM center also changed the timbre of surround was very capable. With stereo-mode speaker, and I added B&W\u2019s 800ASW details. It was pretty cool with sci-fi listening and acoustic music, the big active subwoofer to the mix. I wired movies, as it enlarged and opened up Yamaha easily drove the front B& Ws Mitsubishi\u2019s M-V7057 AC-3-ready LD surround effects. to concert-hall levels, delivering solid player to the DDP-1\u2019s AC-3 input and bottom end (even when the subwoofer ran RCA cables from its outputs to the Of the other psp modes, I liked wasn\u2019t connected) and excellent dy- 2090\u2019s five inputs. SPORTS, JAZZ CLUB, and HALL. I also namic impact, clarity, and depth; there found all of the 2090\u2019s \u201cextra\u201d modes was plenty of kick to rock, too. Channel balance was set using the re- to be superior to those offered by many ceiver\u2019s built-in noise sequencer and an other A\/V components, with smoother, The 2090\u2019s surround power was sub- SPL meter. The 2090 balanced up nice- more organic-sounding reverberation stantial considering its modest rating. ly, though the right channel sounded and more natural balance. The surrounds held their own when I (and measured) a tad strong, requiring cranked the receiver up to truly cine- a small adjustment. The unit main- AC-3 via the DDP-1 and 2090 sound- matic levels, with good overall quality tained its four-channel equilibrium ed flat-out terrific. I heard the same im- and punch. The surround amps did clip within about 1 dB over a good range (at provements I noted on my initial AC-3 least 20 dB); this means that it\u2019ll keep voyage, which employed the much a bit before the main channels on big, channels balanced at real-world levels. broadband transients\u2014but only at ex- more costly EAD TheaterMaster [see tremely high levels. Pro Logic performance was excel- \u201cSurrounded,\u201d September 1995]: Dia- lent: smooth, precise, quiet, and with logue was clearer and more precisely Video quality was fine. An A\/B com- very minimal leakage of dialogue to the defined, ambience was more spacious parison of a direct LD\/TV hookup to main or surround channels, or vice ver- and involving, and discrete-panned sur- the same signal passed through the sa. Left-center-right pans were even round effects were simply mind-blow- 2090 showed essentially no change\u2014 and natural, and there was an abun- ing. I also heard the extra-rich bass certainly nothing I can quantify (or dance of standard DPL ambience. plan to worry about). Tonal balance was accurate: The 2090 content I\u2019ve come to expect of AC-3, didn\u2019t have the unpleasant brightness of and, in practice, low-frequency perfor- FM radio reception was very good. some A\/V models, and it was very quiet. mance didn\u2019t suffer from the 2090\u2019s Sound quality from moderate to strong lack of a sub input. There was a terrific stations was quiet, clean, and musical, The DPL-ENHANCED mode had a very balance between low- and high-level though weak and distant stations didn\u2019t subtle effect most of the time. It was effects. And the DDP-1\u2019s STANDARD dy- fare quite as well. AM results were par unnoticeable with dialogue and in namic-range mode worked beautifully, for the course these days, which is to scenes that had little surround informa- with dialogue always audible even at say dismal. tion, becoming more pronounced only low listening levels, while exploding in segments with lots of surround activ- smart-bombs and the like didn\u2019t rattle I tried out the 2090\u2019s multiroom ity. I actually preferred it to straight the floors or wake the kids. mode with a living room-to-office DPL on some occasions. hookup via 60-foot RCA cables, and it The DDP-1 was almost as quiet, worked flawlessly. Picture and sound 70MM MOVIE THEATER had major im- clean, and musical as a CD. I didn\u2019t quality were nearly identical to that in _pact with big soundtrack events, and it hear anything resembling a data-reduc- the living room, and there were no op- was very dramatic with big-action se- tion artifact, and AC-3 presentations erational or performance glitches as the quences. Though it was never obnox- were usually superior to their Pro Log- two systems were individually run ious, it did impose a very slight echo ic counterparts in terms of tonality and through their paces. This is a great, rare definition. feature: genuine multisource audio and video in one package. If you can ac- commodate the cables and add an amp, it means you can clone your A\/V system to a bedroom, den, or other area for a relatively small outlay. YAMAHA\u2019S HIGH-QUALITY MULTIROOM function underscores the RX-V2090\u2019s great strength: You get a lot for your money. There\u2019s high-end Pro Logic performance, ample inputs and outputs, plenty of high-quality power, and Yamaha\u2019s unique seven-speaker DsP modes for music and supercharged movie listening. The DDP-1 is equally impressive, delivering impeccable AC- 3 performance and two clever adjust- ment modes in a simple, hassle-free package. I have no reservations about recommending this duo as a conscious- ness-raising introduction to the won- ders of AC-3 digital surround sound. @ 60 DECEMBER 1995 VIDEO","Listen Past the Equipment and Experience the Music as Intended Once in a while an comes along which represents a significant step forward in advancing the current state- of-the-art. We feel our new ST Series amplifiers exemplify this unique distinction. A new approach to low-noise, low distortion signal-path has produced a line of amplifiers which is actually quieter and more transparent than any source material currently available. Bryston ST amplifiers, from the top: 8B ST 4 channel 120 wpc, 5B ST 3 channel 120 wpe, 4B ST 250 wpe stereo, 7B ST 500 watts mono. Not shown is the 3B ST 120 wpe stereo. The Bryston ST innovation: our Completely separate power Switchable gold plated RCA ultra-linear \u201cinput buffer-with- supplies for each channel elimi- unbalanced and XLR-1\/4 inch gain\u201d substantially lowers the nate any crosstalk to ensure firm balanced inputs, with equal distortion and inherent noise focus and completely accurate gain, allows flexibility for multi- floor \u2014 hearing is believing. imaging of musical instruments. channel system configurations. Bryston Ltd, P.O. Box 2170, 677 Neal Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, Bresne Canada K9J 7Y4_ Tel: (705) 742-5325 Fax: (705) 742-0882 CIRCLE NO. 48 ON READER SERVICE CARD","Heads First Toshiba\u2019s M-761 is a topnotch VHS Hi-Fi VCR 822 HI-FI VCRS ARE THE COMMON DENOMINATOR OF HIGH- when the button is set to the former po- performance home video. Though videophiles add sition and you start up in the SLP mode, ) laserdisc players to their systems, anyone who\u2019s serious while the latter position can be used if about home-theater performance has a Hi-Fi VCR\u2014or you see noise in the picture. more than one. And it\u2019s no wonder, since picture quality is good, sound quality is terrific, taping is a simple process, and high-quality VCR Plus+ programming is on hand, prerecorded tapes are abundant. Toshiba\u2019s M-761 approaches the and cable-box control is available pinnacle of VHS performance\u2014thanks, perhaps, to some unusual whether you use VCR Plus+ or not. The VCR\u2019s six-event timer is easy to tape-head provisions and some clever fers a variable-speed shuttle dial and program via direct numeric input if digital circuitry. It provides excellent pause, stop, and play buttons; the shut- you choose not to use VCR Plus+ (or playback of prerecorded movies and tle dials in 5x and 9x search in sp and can\u2019t figure it out). The M-761 lets you excels at making slow-speed SLP-mode 15X and 27x search in SLP as well as 4 record from two different antenna in- recordings, a critical feature if you plan and \u201c1s slow mo. Power and eject but- puts, utilizing an A\/B selector switch to do a lot of time-shift viewing. tons are on the left side of the front that can be purchased at your local Ra- panel. Popping the flip-down panel on dio Shack for about $6. This is handy if The M-761 ($499) looks rather ordi- this side reveals a set of A\/V input you're receiving programming from nary, though its shiny square silver feet jacks, a cable-box jack (more on that in both an antenna and cable TV, though are ... different. The display panel is the setup procedure may keep you busy green, and it provides comprehensive a bit), and buttons for initiating record- for a while. readouts of time, elapsed time, selected ing, changing channels, and, unusually, input, and transport mode. Displays of Cable-box control can be arranged in both current and elapsed time include selecting a set of 19-micron heads; in one of two ways. First, there\u2019s a small sum, the M-761 has six heads. window in the near-left corner of the hours, minutes, and seconds; unusually, VCR\u2019s top; the idea is that you place the seconds readout is smaller than its Found on an increasing number of your cable box on top of the VCR, and partners. The display can\u2019t be dimmed VCRs with high-end aspirations, 19- infrared box-control signals pass manually, and it doesn\u2019t dim automati- micron heads are optimized for SLP through the VCR\u2019s window and into cally when power is shut down. recording and playback. The head but- the cable box through its front-panel ton has AUTO and OFF positions\u2014the window. (The owner\u2019s manual lists 50 The right side of the front panel of- special heads kick in automatically brands of compatible cable boxes.) Second, the cable-box jack in the hid- 62 BY CLIFF ROTH den front-panel compartment can be VIDEO","used with an optional infrared \u201cwand.\u201d tions, stand out at the remote\u2019s bottom. BY THE NUMBERS a Missing in action: The clock in the STANDBY turns the TV on and selects the VCR input. REW\/OFF initiates re- Measurements by Berger\u2014Braithwaite Labs_ front-panel display doesn\u2019t set itself au- winding and powers down the VCR tomatically, so you\u2019ll see a flashing and TV when that drill is completed. Horizontal resolution: 240 lines ' 12:00 until you set it manually (or un- And PROGRAM MENU turns on the TV, Picture S\/N ratio: unweighted video, 45.3 plug the VCR!). Fortunately, setting selects its VCR input, turns on the M- dB (SP), 45.5 dB (SLP); weighted video, \u00b0 the clock is relatively easy. There\u2019s no 761, and brings up the VCR Plus+ pro- _ 48.7 dB (SP), 49.2 dB (SLP); chroma AM, 2 way to use the timer or to select an in- gramming menu. These are nice conve- _ 50.2 dB (SP), 47.3 dB (SLP); chroma PM, put or tape speed from the front panel niences, especially for neophytes or the technically challenged. _ 48.8 dB (SP), 46.4 dB (SLP) (the remote handles this action). The 44-button universal remote con- The remote\u2019s AUDIO SELECT button Audio frequency response: Hi-Fi, 20- lets you choose between listening to ~ 20,000 Hz +0.2, \u20142.8 dB; linear, 140- trol looks cool, though it\u2019s a bit busy. It stereo Hi-Fi, left-only, right-only, or the lacks the shuttle ring found on the deck linear track; indicators in the display 11,000 Hz (SP), 100\u20144,000 Hz (SLP) itself, but basic transport controls are keep you informed of your choices. arranged in a futuristic-looking ring. The setup menu lets you arrange for Audio dynamic range: Hi-Fi, 86.1 dB It\u2019s compatible with 88 TV brands. A recording SAP (bilingual) TV broad- slide switch in the top-left corner se- casts on one of a tape\u2019s Hi-Fi tracks. benefit to using them, either\u2014sLp play- lects VCR or TV control; a subtle or- The M-761 also has the ability to do back looked equally fine with and with- ange color scheme indicates which but- simulcast recording, which takes the out them. tons work with the TV. Three separate picture from the VCR\u2019s TV tuner and buttons let you power up and change sound from the line-input jacks; when Still-frame and slow-motion picture channels on a compatible cable box\u2014 the VCR is connected to a stereo re- quality were jittery at both speeds. this works in conjunction with the box- ceiver or preamp\/tuner combo (and the Rapid-search picture quality was very control window or IR wand. You can programming powers-that-be comply), good, however. The M-761 also has activate the timer as well as eject tapes you can use this setup to get your double-speed playback with audio, You via the remote. soundtrack from an FM station. can\u2019t actually watch tapes at double- speed with intelligible sound, though, The remote also dials in the 4 and \/s Picture quality was excellent for the since the pitch is likewise doubled. slow-mo action. And it offers the two VHS format at both sp and sLp. Play- (Some older VCRs offer pitch correc- sets of search speeds (5X and 9x at sp, back of color-bar and multiburst test 15X and 27x at SLP). To get the fastest patterns was universally excellent at tion, which I love because I can select both speeds, with minimal interference double-speed play, slow down the au- search speed with the remote, however, at the borders between colors and prac- you have to hold down its FF or REW tically no rainbow shimmer in the high- dio, and see the entire evening news in frequency burst patterns; this indicates button\u2014introducing hassle potential, good, tight comb filtering. I never saw just 15 minutes.) since pressing these same buttons only any noise when the 19-micron heads Besides looking at test patterns, I ran momentarily stops the tape and switch- were in use, but I didn\u2019t perceive any es to high-speed fast-forward and re- some rented movies through the M- wind action. 761, including Endless Summer II, The Three distinctly blue buttons, which surf footage in this documentary access the M-761\u2019s \u201c\u2018Intel-a-Play\u201d func- showed off the VCR\u2019s excellent ability to render detail to the limits of the VHS TOSHIBA M-761 format. I also stopped a standard T-120 Component type: VHS Hi-Fi VCR tape just before its end and checked rewind time\u2014it clocked in at a very Price: $499 impressive 1:45. Target: Movie buffs and time-shifters Minimum requirements\u2019: 27-inch TV, A\/V receiver, main, center, Hi-Fi audio quality was very good to excellent; frequency response deviated and surround speakers less than 3 dB throughout the entire au- dio spectrum. Audio quality from the KEY FEATURES linear track at SP speed was very good, = VCR Plus+ programming m Cable-box control m Variable-speed shuttle dial on though it did a little worse than other comparably priced decks at SLP; linear- front panel (5X and 9X in SP, 15X and 27x in SLP) m 19-micron record\/play track quality isn\u2019t much of an issue, of heads m Intel-a-Play convenience functions m 6-event\/365-day timer = Double- course, unless you have lots of older speed playback with audio m Universal remote tapes that have linear tracks. SUMMARY TOSHIBA\u2019S M-761 IS A GREAT PERFORMER. = Excellent picture quality m Excels at making slow-speed SLP-mode recordings m= Clock doesn't set itself automatically m Hi-Fi audio was extremely Picture quality is excellent at both the good m= VCR Plus+ and cable-box control make time-shift recording a snap sp and SLP speeds, so it will be equally = Intel-a-Play functions save time and make things easier for neophytes m= Approaches the pinnacle of VHS performance comfortable playing movies and time- Circle 114 on reader service card shifting off-air or off-cable programs. _ \u201cTo maximize its potential Its Hi-Fi audio section was a winner. And VCR Plus+ and cable-box control make time-shifting a snap. About the only thing I truly missed was the abili- ty to control my DSS receiver for time- shifting. If DSS isn\u2019t part of your plan but a topnotch Hi-Fi VCR is, Toshiba has you covered. | VIDEO DECEMBER 1995 63","Why just listen to music when you can have a full-on kick-in-the-gut experience? Klipsch subs give you all the low, rumbling bass you need to turn your volume control into a Richter Scale. And our subs deliver the clean, tight detail that brings recorded music to life. For home theater, nothing makes watching a blockbuster movie more exciting than a Klipsch powered subwoofer. 1-800-KLIPSCH Klipsch: y\u2018S\u00a9oO6us|6diy A Legend in Sound: \u2122 SWV SWS8 SW 10 SW12 CIRCLE NO. 70 ON READER SERVICE CARD","shooting for the stars > ith the TS1126GW, GE joins corporate sibling RCA in offering a DSS satellite system. The TS1126GW ($579) includes an 18-inch-wide dish with a single LNB, a receiver, and a color-coded 30-button remote control. Fea- tures include S-Video and composite output jacks, a wide- band data port for HDTV, satellite and antenna inputs, and an RF output. Circle 115 on reader service card < pack it in AD\u2019s Model 917 A\/V preamp\/tuner\/processor ($699) has four audio inputs, three video inputs, one video output, one monitor output, and a subwoofer output; all video connections feature both composite and S-Video jacks. Processing modes include Dolby Pro Logic and the digitally derived HALL, STADIUM, and CLUB. The 917 gen- erates on-screen displays. Circle 116 on reader service card center stage > anon\u2019s SC-20 center-channel speaker ($299) utilizes a 5-inch passive radiator to extend low-bass re- sponse. Rated to handle up to 100 watts, the magnetically shielded SC-20 measures 5.8 x 20 x 6 inches (h\/w\/d). In addition to the radiator, the speaker has a 0.75-inch tweet- er and a 5-inch mid\/woofer. Frequency response is rated at 65 to 20,000 Hz +3 dB. Circle 117 on reader service card < let it wide ioneer\u2019s SD-P5183-K Pro Vision rear-projection TV set ($2,699) has a 5l-inch Cinema Wide screen in the 16:10.7 aspect ratio. The vertical-contour circuit is said to provide crisp edge definition, while dual-dynam- ic-focus circuitry is said to assure sharp focus and 830 lines of horizontal resolution. Other features include a three-line digital comb filter, a nine-point digital conver- gence system, and auto flesh-tone averaging. Conve- nience features include single-tuner PIP, channel lock, and a preprogrammed universal remote control. Circle 118 on reader service card VIDEO DECEMBER 1995 65","under control > CA says the VR725HF ($699) is the first four-head Hi- Fi VCR with DSS control capabilities. Compatible with RCA\u2018\u2019s DSS systems, the 725 can be programmed to record video and audio signals via the DSS receiver. Pro- gramming features include the VCR Plus+ system and ca- ble-box control. Other features include a universal re- mote, a front-panel shuttle ring, a rear S-Video input, and front RCA inputs. Circle 119 on reader service card <4 switchback | ounterpoint\u2019s HC-828 video switcher ($1,595) offers six | sets of A\/V inputs; five sets of composite and S-Video | connectors are located on the rear panel, while one set of composite inputs is located on the front panel. Proprietary video circuitry is on hand to reduce differential-phase, differ- Ces q BPE on, ential-gain, and chroma-delay distortion. The 828, which ~ measures a sleek 2.75 x 19 x 11 inches (h\/w\/d), is NTSC- and PAL-compatible. Circle 120 on reader service card full frontal > aradigm\u2019s LCR-450 speaker ($399 each) is designed to be used as a main left\/right and\/or center speaker in a home-theater system. Capable of either horizontal or vertical placement, the 450, which measures 21 x 8 x 11.5 inches (h\/w\/d) when oriented vertically, employs a 1-inch tweeter and two 6.5-inch midrange\/woofers. The enclo- sure features MDF baffles and interlocking full-perimeter bracing. Frequency response is given as 45 to 20,000 Hz, sensitivity as 90 dB, and power-handling range as 50 to 175 watts. Circle 121 on reader service card < package deal herwood seeks to simplify the process of turning a TV and Hi-Fi VCR into a home theater with the HTS-100 surround-sound system ($599). The 100 includes the com- pany\u2019s RV-4050 A\/V receiver (which features a Dolby Pro Logic decoder), the SP-150W subwoofer, and five SP-150S satellites (three for the front, two for the rear). In surround mode, the 4050 is rated to deliver 50 watts to each of the front speakers and 10 watts to each rear speaker. The re- ceiver has four audio inputs, two video inputs, and one video output. A universal remote and installation accessories are included. Circle 122 on reader service card 66 DECEMBER 1995 VIDEO","AT LEAST 4018) VAXNe From our value packed new TX-sV424 up to our breakthrough THX model HOME THEATE'R@]N RTEHCEEIB TX-SV919, ONKYO has written the perfect home theater script, sin cnone with award-winning performances for both In the first few seconds of the movie you'll hear the ONKYO difference. Differences that only oversized transformers and discrete output stages can deliver. Differences that allow ONKYO receivers to supply the power hungry demands of today\u2019s special effects laden soundtracks. Whether yourelistening to whispers or weapons. And as the movie develops, you'll find yourself in a multi-dimensional soundfield directly inside the on-screen action. That's because ONKYO utilizes the most advanced DSP technology, like the latest 24 Bit Microprocessor from Motorola, capable oftaking the director's vision and making ityours. Simply put, with an ONKYO home theater receiver, movies stop being enjoyable\u2014and become memorable, So while you may not always\u2019agree on what to watch, with ONKYO there's simply no argument. = we : ONKYO USA CORPORATION 200 Williams Drive, Ramsey, NJ 07446 201-825-7950 E-Mail ONKYO @ NIS.NET CIRCLE NO. 72 ON READER SERVICE CARD","< trifecta itachi\u2019s VTUX605A four-head Hi-Fi VCR ($549) is packed with a trio of user-friendly features. Tape Navigation makes searching for a recorded program a one-button maneuver. VCR Plus+ and cable-box control | HITACHI simplify the programming process for standard TV and \u00a9 CATV. And the illuminated remote makes operation in the | dark a snap. Circle 123 on reader service card : ghostbuster > agnavox\u2019s ImageLock GC2010 \u201cghost-canceler\u201d ($150) is designed to eliminate multiple TV images. The 2010, which measures 2 x 6 x 6.5 inches (h\/w\/d), re- ceives and processes ghost-cancelation reference (GCR) signals; Magnavox says these signals are broadcast by more than 60 percent of U.S. broadcasters over line 19 of the vertical blanking interval. The 2010 can be attached to virtually any VCR or cable box via a standard RF or com- posite jack. Circle 124 on reader service card < concerto in n erk\u2019s The Concerto A\/V display system ($499) is part of the Nomi line. Manufactured from tempered glass and steel, The Concerto measures 37.5 x 22.5 x 20.5 inch- es (h\/w\/d). Its six shelves, which measure 0.25 x 22.5 x 17 inches (h\/w\/d), accommodate standard-size audio and video components, and its rear spine can be used to con- ceal cables and wires. Circle 125 on reader service card window on the world > enith\u2019s SR3247 32-inch TV ($1,800) features an ad- vanced StarSight decoder; subscribe to StarSight\u2019s on-screen program-guide service and a PIP-type window will be displayed in the guide\u2019s basic program grid. The supplied Z-Trak remote control employs a trackball for easy navigation of StarSight\u2019s grids. The 3247\u2019s single- tuner PIP can be viewed as one variable-size window or six individual windows. Features include an icon-based on- screen menu system, channel lock, and one S-Video input. Circle 126 on reader service card ic) 68 DECEMBER 1995 VIDEO","KEF Home Theatre. Sit where you like. The great thing about KEF Home Theatre is that everyone experiences the same superb sound quality, wherever tl No more scrambling for the best seat; no more being tied to a \u2018sweet spot\u2019 \u2014 just stunning e clarity, uncannily realistic effects and action that leaps out of the screen. The reason is simple. Unlike conventi revolutionary Uni-Q\u00ae technology creates a highly detailed sound stage over an exceptionally wide area \u2014 and with identical Uni-Q drivers on all five channels, the same high quality sound is heard throughout the room. As you would expect from the manufacturers of some of the world\u2019s finest loudspeakers, it\u2019s compatible with virtually all quality receivers and hi-fi systems. The compact, discreetly stylish cabin ible to COR8SN7OIANE.RRACVDDLIEECRE \/ position and easy to install. Whether you\u2019re a first time surround sound buyer or upgrading your e> listen to KEF Home Theatre before you decide. At the price, nothing else compares. The experience of sound MODELS SHOWN ARE THE 80C CENTRE CHANNEL SPEAKER, 60S FRONT\/SURROUND SPEAKERS AND 30B POWERED SUBWOOFER. KEF AND UNI-Q ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS. UNI-Q IS PROTECTED UNDER GB PATENT 2 236929. WORLDWIDE PATENTS PENDING FOR DETAILS ON KEF HOME THEATRE PLEASE WRITE TO: KEF ELECTRONICS OF AMERICA, INC, 89 DOUG BROWN WAY, HOLLISTON, MA. 01746 USA. TEL: 508 429 3600.","BiMiminens n shiny badges impression Fewer parts, better parts, better sound. Fate) | BU ies \u00a9] AND AU Do ol 3OR\/Gova kine pe EG COO, MMe PPiOte ON reais |. S CIRCLE NO. 88 ON READER SERVICE CARD","SHORTWAR E Land of the Giants remote is a universal programmable make an adjustment to one of them and model that controls TVs, VCRs, and the set puts you in the CUSTOM mode. Zenith PVR-6069 cable boxes and has buttons that glow The 6069 also offers an AUTO FLESH cir- 60-Inch Rear Projector in the dark; the second remote controls cuit plus a double crosshair pattern for the TV and can be programmed to con- adjusting convergence. HB HERE ARE BIG-SCREEN TVS, AND trol most VCRs; it features a trackball then there are bigger-screen TVs, to simplify StarSight navigation. The menu system wasn\u2019t great, er- which, in relative terms, we really gonomically. While it was easy to should think of as giant-screen On the audio side, the 6069\u2019s ampli- make adjustments, menu graphics for fiers send 10 watts to each of its two all of the picture controls remain on- TVs. These monster rear-projectors, built-in speakers and 10 watts total screen, taking up about two-thirds of which start with screens measuring 60 through its rear-speaker terminals. The the picture area and blocking most of or 61 inches, are fairly common today; Dolby Pro Logic decoder can be set for the image or test pattern. This makes Mitsubishi and ProScan have pushed phantom or normal operation; the the fine-tuning process harder than it their screen sizes up to a gargantuan 70 phantom mode mixes DPL\u2019s center- needs to be. and 80 inches, respectively. Zenith\u2019s channel signal into the set\u2019s two speak- PVR-6069, with its 60-inch screen, is ers. The decoder also offers CONCERT Out-of-the-box performance as one of the smaller giants. And though HALL, THEATER, NIGHT CLUB, and STADI- judged with The Abyss laserdisc was the company clearly set out to build a UM surround-sound modes. about average for a giant-screen set: TV whose main priority is slapping a The picture was very noisy, with slight- huge, high-impact picture in your face, In addition to the basic picture con- ly oversaturated color and poor conver- the 6069 ($3,399) also offers plenty of trols, the 6069\u2019s vIDEO menu offers gence. I found that the only difference useful features and inputs. three PICTURE PREF(erence) viewing op- between PRESET and THEATER is that tions: PRESET, THEATER, and CUSTOM. THEATER has a lower CONTRAST setting. The set measures a substantial 57.7 x The first two settings are inviolable; In both modes, BRIGHTNESS, SHARPNESS, 51 x 27.5 inches (h\/w\/d) and weighs a VIDEO DECEMBER 1995 71 healthy 240 pounds; the cabinet is actu- ally fairly slim in terms of depth, limit- ing the amount of living-room real es- tate it'll consume. It features Zenith\u2019s Delta 79 projection lens system, which uses 7-inch rectangular tubes and a Black Matrix screen. Internally, a digi- tal three-line comb filter is used, and the set employs velocity scan modula- tion, which heightens contrast. Integrating the 6069 into a home the- ater is simple thanks to the generous array of jacks. There are two antenna inputs, three composite video inputs, two S-Video inputs, three audio inputs, a set of A\/V outputs, and a set of vari- able audio outputs for hookup to an A\/v receiver or a similar device. Speaker terminals are provided for driving op- tional rear speakers with the set\u2019s built- in amplifier and Dolby Pro Logic de- coder. Uniquely, the 6069\u2019s third set of A\/V inputs are on the top-rear of the cabinet, for easy connection of a cam- corder or videogame console; this is neater and more convenient than hav- ing these jacks on the front panel. The 6069 incorporates a StarSight decoder, which will display TV Guide- like listings on-screen when you sub- scribe to the service [see \u201cTour Guides,\u201d page 26, for more on Star- Sight]. Other features include single- tuner PIP, two color-temperature set- tings, and two remote controls. One","and COLOR were all preset to the middle laserdisc, I brought BRIGHTNESS down Value Added position of their respective graphics. CONTRAST was set at the three-quarters four clicks from its midpoint. CONTRAST ProScan PSLD46 mark in THEATER and to maximum in Laserdisc Player PRESET; the THEATER setting produced was lowered by three clicks, resulting 13.7 footlamberts of light on the high HOUGH THE 5-INCH DIGITAL VIDEO- output window (100 IRE). TINT was in 9.7 footlamberts of peak light out- discs (DVDs) we\u2019ll be seeing in 9 just below its midpoint. The set mea- or 12 months promise somewhat sured 420 lines of horizontal resolution put. COLOR and TINT were reduced by better picture quality and more convenience than 12-inch laserdiscs Zenith PVR-6069 two clicks, but reds still looked hot and (LDs), the LD format remains a legiti- 12345678910 mate contender for entertainment-relat- the picture remained oversaturated. ed disposable income for two com- and 500 vertical from a laser source. pelling reasons: It\u2019ll take years for Overscan was a high 8 percent. Both SHARPNESS was brought down to the DVD to match LD\u2019s vast library of color-temperature settings measured movies, and LD players\u2014always top- 5,800 degrees Kelvin on the top end of one-quarter mark. I turned off the AUTO notch performers\u2014are terrific values the gray scale and 14,500 degrees these days. ProScan\u2019s PSLD46 illus- Kelvin on the bottom of the scale. FLESH circuit and converged the set as trates the latter point handily. Gray-scale delineation was average. best I could. The PSLD46 ($599) delivers almost Using the A Video Standard test all of the format\u2019s advantages at a very Unfortunately, the 6069 can\u2019t be fully reasonable price. And it boasts all of the format\u2019s important features, includ- calibrated. Specifically, I wasn\u2019t able to ing an AC-3 output, automatic side changing, and a convenient secondary adjust the low output level of the gray disc tray just for playing music CDs. scale, though I could adjust its top, to The front panel has a pleasant, func- tional look. The display is amber (the 6,325 degrees Kelvin. As a result, col- new trend in displays, it seems), and it can be disabled. The THEATER MODE, ors weren\u2019t completely accurate, there accessed by a front-panel button, man- was significant video noise in the pic- ture, and it was hard to discern subtle details in dark scenes. There\u2019s no denying the impact of a 60-inch picture, though. And Zenith\u2019s PVR-6069 delivers one, along with several truly useful features. It also has a slim cabinet and a generous number of inputs and outputs, so it\u2019s simple to integrate into a home theater. If you don\u2019t mind sacrificing videophile-grade accuracy, the 6069 can loom large in your life. \u2014Kevin Miller YouNEVER KNOW WHEN YOU'LL NEED A FULLY CHARGED CAMCORDER BATTERY, Life\u2019s full of surprises. What shouldn\u2019t be a surprise is a dead battery just when you want to record that once-in-a-lifetime shot. That\u2019s why we created the Lenmar RediCell\u2122, the only camcorder battery designed to keep on charging until you need it. Since it\u2019s a NoMEM\u00ae battery, it won\u2019t build up a memory like nickel-cadmiums, so it can remain charging day after day and always deliver 100% at a moment's notice. Sort of like your adrenaline. Ask your Lenmar dealer for the new RediCell Battery. So you can be ready for whatever memorable event sneaks up on you next. PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS For the name of your nearest Lenmar dealer, and a catalog of our other Camcorder Performance Products call: 800\/424-2703 \u00a91995 Lenmar Enterprises, Inc CIRCLE NO. 59 ON READER SERVICE CARD","They're on display in the | Design Museum in London. | They've won a Design of The AND) M 0 V I E S 1 Year Award in Tokyo. And they've quickly become one 3' : of the decade's best selling small loudspeakers. m Why | \\\\| are Solid speakers so wildly successful? Simply because they produce superb, high quality sound that one would expect only from speakers many times their size and price. m The reason? They're acoustically engineered by world-renowned B&W Loudspeakers. The same people who created the legendary B&W Matrix 801 \u2014 the speaker used for nearly eighty percent of all classical recordings. m The Solid HCM!, for example, handles up to 150 watts of power. So you can crank up the volume with minimum distortion. Plus it\u2019s magnetically shielded, making it equally suitable for music or movies. m Start with a single pair. Then build a complete home theater system including a PowerBass subwoofer to capture the earth-shaking realism of heroic adventure films like Jurassic Park. m Call 1.800.370.3742 for the name of the Solid dealer nearest you. And find out how to get big sound without spending big money. Ssscou_ ics They play big. Rock Solid Sounds of America 54 Concord Street North Reading, MA 01864-2699 1.800.370.3742 TEL 1.508.664.4109 FAX CIRCLE NO, 49 ON READER SERVICE CARD","pearance and performance, and compe- tition among these brands may help drive prices even lower. Though the 46 PROSCAN doesn\u2019t provide special-effects play- back for CLV discs, this circuitry adds hundreds of dollars to the bottom line, and it isn\u2019t a problem if you generally enjoy movies straight through. The 46 is equipped to help you make the most of that enjoyment. \u2014Cliff Roth ages faster disc startup and side-switch and functional layout, it\u2019s easy to use, Six-Packed times by disabling the table-of-con- and it includes a multispeed shuttle tents, random-play, and elapsed- control. Nice touches include separate Parasound HCA-806 time\/time-remaining features; in this buttons for frame advance, slow mo- Six-Channel Power Amp mode, a side change took 11 seconds, tion, and rapid-speed playback. roughly average for the format. The ARASOUND\u2019S HCA-806 IS THE LATEST dedicated CD tray has its own set of Picture quality was excellent\u2014tech- high-end multichannel amp to hit open\/close buttons. nical editor Lance Braithwaite mea- the streets in search of its share of sured peak horizontal resolution at a home-theater and multiroom-audio There\u2019s no jog\/shuttle controls on the very impressive 420 lines. Special-ef- gold. The 806 delivers six fully inde- player\u2014a sacrifice that was made to fects picture quality was excellent with pendent 80-watt channels (all channels keep the price down. Instead, you get CAV discs; besides still frame, you get driven at 8 ohms, with less than 0.05 motion-control buttons: PLAY is ar- forward and reverse step frame, slow ranged in between a set of forward and motion at 4, , or 40 normal speed, and percent THD from 20\u201420,000 Hz; or 120 reverse SCAN\/SEARCH buttons, with STOP double-speed playback (with muted watts at 4 ohms). Channels 3 and 4 as and PAUSE positioned above and below, sound), all of which looked superb. No well as 5 and 6 can be bridged, provid- respectively. special effects are available when play- ing one or two 180-watt channels, re- ing CLV discs; the shuttle dial continues spectively, into 8-ohm loads. You also get an interesting two-mode to work with them, but the picture memory feature. Activate the first flashes, rolls, or has a big horizontal The 50-pound 806 ($1,150) is built mode (by pressing MEMORY once) and bar across the screen, and the slow-mo along the lines of a Sherman tank: the 46 picks up playback where you controls don\u2019t function at all. heavy-metal chassis, deep heatsinking left off, whether you pressed STOP or along both sides (thoughtfully radiused actually turned the player off. The sec- As mentioned, the 46 is compatible on top to reduce arm-gashing), gold- ond mode (activated by pressing MEMO- with the new generation of AC-3-en- plated connectors, and a pro-style, 19- RY twice) gives you a synopsis: It plays coded LDs, and soundtracks channeled inch rackmount form. The rear panel brief portions of each chapter in the through the dedicated AC-3 output had supplies six unbalanced RCA inputs, disc up to the stop point and then re- all of the precision, clarity, and spa- each flanked by a large, solid input- sumes normal playback. I wish Pro- ciousness we\u2019re coming to expect of trim knob, and six pairs of heavy five- Scan had put this feature on the remote the new 5.1-channel digital surround- way binding-post speaker outputs. Two control. sound format. The standard digital au- mini-toggles change channel pairs 3\/4 dio output had excellent frequency re- and 5\/6 to bridged mode, and two others Besides automatic side changing, sponse, though analog tracks sounded a loop inputs 1\/2 to channels 3\/4 and 5\/6, playback creature comforts include notch below the best that the format for multiroom installations. The only four-mode repeat (of an A-B segment, can deliver. front-panel control is a power switch, one side, both sides, or a chapter), ran- with standby and operation LEDs plus dom play, and 24-chapter programma- ProScan\u2019s PSLD46 strikes an excel- six more marked OVERLOAD. ble playback. The HI-LITE INTRO button lent balance between features and plays the first few seconds of each price. Astute shoppers will note a re- Inside, the 806 is no less impressive. chapter on an LD or a few seconds semblance to similarly priced models A single massive toroidal transformer from the 1-minute mark of each song from Denon and Pioneer, both in ap- serves the entire power supply, with on a music CD. 90,000 pF of \u201ccomputer-grade\u201d filter- ing capacitance, a high-current detach- Audio-related features include the able power cord, and no fewer than 20 ability to choose between digital and protective fuses (and six relays) at vari- analog audio tracks, including left-only ous circuit points. Other components and right-only playback from both digi- (and assembly) are all very good grade: tal and analog sources, as well as the Parasound says that the 806 employs ability to manually switch on CX noise polystyrene bypass caps, a Class A reduction for analog tracks (both via . matched-JFET input stage, and an un- the remote). An optical digital output usually high-biased Class A\/B opera- jack is provided for hooking the 46 to tion mode that\u2019s closer to Class A\u2014 an external D\/A converter or an A\/V re- this makes the amp idle a bit warmer ceiver that has an optical digital input. than is typical, though it never got what I considered to be hot. Output power The 34-button remote has a compact arrives via 24 \u201c50-MHz, 15-ampere be- 74 DECEMBER 1995 VIDEO","ta-matched\u201d complementary-pair tran- PARASOUNG sistors. Fit and finish were quite good, and the 806\u2019s heavy-gauge sheet-metal and 6 into the center-channel speaker, but never harsh, \u201cfast,\u201d but never spitty is simple but well crafted. in order to exercise all six output chan- nels and to demand the most of at least or brittle, solid and imposing down After I\u2019d hefted the 806 into position two of them. (rear-panel rack handles made this pos- low, but never bloated or heavy. Detail, sible, if not exactly easy), hooking up The 806 drove this speaker assem- the amp was a simple matter of cabling blage effortlessly, never getting partic- midrange balance and definition, and it to my THX-certified preamp\/Pro ularly hot and never with even a glim- Logic decoder and five banana-plugged mering of its overload lights. And don\u2019t soundstage presentation were all top- speaker wires. The amp drove B&W be deceived by the relatively modest on-paper ratings. This is one powerful notch. The 806 was also almost dead 803-IIs (main left\/right), their HTM amplifier: It\u2019s rated to yield a peak cur- center, and their SCM-8 dipole-sur- rent capacity of 30 amperes per chan- round speakers\u2014all are medium-high nel; to put this in perspective, 30 am- peres into a 1-ohm load is 900 watts. sensitivity\u2014in a room of about 1,700 cubic feet. For this evaluation, I ran the In any event, the 806 delivers a huge 803-IIs full-range with no subwoofer amount of impact without any hint of connected, and I bridged channels 5 stress. And the amp\u2019s sound was al- most perfectly neutral\u2014open and airy, quiet in terms of electrical noise and Parasound HCA-806 very nearly so mechanically. (There 5 6 7 8 9:10 was a faint mechanical buzz from the COSMETICS transformer, but I could detect it only by stooping with my ear almost direct- EASE OF USE e ly on the top cover in a silent room.) Parasound\u2019s HCA-806 is clearly an excellent amplifier, and it\u2019s also an im- pressive value. If you need six channels of serious power and can budget $191.66 for each, I recommend the 806 highly. \u2014Daniel Kumin fem | HE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE? (Bie CONSERVATIVE? anon\u2019s Wide Dispersion Sound Loud- with your stereo or as part of a com- speakers are anything but conservative. plete home theater system. Our S-C10 They\u2019re a true revolution in sound. And one that is stereo listening area \u2014 a sweet spot\u2014 far greater and $-C20 Centre Channel Speakers, with their destined to change the way you listen to music or than that of ordinary speakers. 4 unique two-way design, are perfect for dialogue movies at home. The end resultis that now, reproduction. And our $-B20 Sub-Bass Take, for example, our $-25s and $-35s. more people can enjoy the Speaker brings plenty of bass to your music Designed and built in the U.K., these same great stereo sound, \u2014\u2014s.c10 Conte Ca or to those deep home , uniquely engineered speakers Our Wide Dispersion Sound Loud- theater sound effects. use a system of firing sound speakers come with a wide array of options To learn more about onto a specially designed too. In addition to our $-25s and S-35s, we the perfect candidate for speaker of your j | SV-15s with S-B20 Sub-Bass acoustic mirror to produce a offer our SV-15 speakers which can be used house, call us at 1-800-OK-CANON. \u00a9 1995 Canon U.S.A., Inc. CIRCLE NO. 8 ON READER SERVICE CARD |","| coal (aeles inlTHS Redefined JVC's GR-SZ9 represents the latest refinements in quality, creativity, and simplicity. Like a bright F1.2 lens and Digital Signal Processing for stunningly clear high- definition images \u2014 ideal for Super VHS high-resolution regordifig, A wider-than-ever selection of digi- tal spegial effects that let you shoot professional style videos. And interactive in-viewfinder menus that make operation more user friendly than ever. The GR-SZ9 Compact Super VHS Hi- Fi Stereo Camcorder. It\u2019s excellence redefined. Definitely by JVC. Tl Super ibys-\u00a729 sie The Logical Choice 2) He jComoact mViistsa Technically Perfect. Perfectly Simple. GR-SZ9y CIRCLE NO. 12 ON READER SERVICE CARD Super VHS elie","TRENDS & TECHNOLOG Y TUNE UP: Gemini\u2019s G2000 amplified TV antenna of power, or level, it should have. The lower the signal ley- el, the more snow and other artifacts\u2014and, therefore, the lower the picture quality. The trouble is, you can\u2019t easily spot low-level video signals coming out of an antenna or cable connector, so you may not even be aware that a prob- \u2019 lem exists. J ) A weak video signal is probably the culprit if all of your \u2019 ; channels are performing poorly. The cause of this weak- a a ness can vary, however. Maybe your antenna is old and , \u2019 \u00a9ew~~o~e o==w\u00a9\u201ce \u201cwVwee needs to be replaced, or maybe the connection on the an- tenna or outdoor cable drop is corroded. Or perhaps the length of the cable between the antenna or outdoor cable drop is too long, and the signal is weakened by the distance it must travel to get to your TV. We\u2019ve recently outlined the steps you can take to attack these common sources of video noise [Ghosts in the Machine,\u201d October 1995], but what do you do if you\u2019ve tried them all and still have noise? The answer may be an outdoor antenna amplifier. Outdoor antenna amplifiers, like Radio Shack\u2019s Model 15-1117 in-line coax amp ($18) or Gemini\u2019s DA 900 ($25), are designed to be attached as close to the antenna or cable outlet as you can get them\u2014that means outside, just beyond the antenna\/cable junction. Power for the am- plifier comes from an AC adaptor that you plug in inside the house (obviously, you need to find some means of get- ting the coax cable that links the amp and the adaptor in- side your home). The adaptor sits between the incoming Simple, Low-Cost Accessories cable and your TV or VCR. Power is fed from the adaptor Can Make Distortion Disappear via the coax cable to the amplifier; when they\u2019re properly ON\u2019T YOU JUST HATE IT WHEN YOUR KNOW-IT-ALL p] neighbor loudly announces during a house party installed, the electricity in the cable doesn\u2019t harm your TV, that you\u2019ve got snow on Channel 8? And don\u2019t you VCR, or other video gear. just hate it even more when he\u2019s right? You\u2019ve lived with poor reception because you thought you had to\u2014you\u2019ve Outdoor antenna amps peak at about $30. The more ex- tried better antennas, better cables, even a better TV. But no matter what you\u2019ve tried, those ugly, blizzard-filled pic- pensive models tend to amplify more. The $18 Radio tures remain. Shack model mentioned above boosts the signal by 10 dB, Don\u2019t give up hope just yet. Depending on your video setup, a simple, affordable fix may be all that stands be- for example (that\u2019s about three times normal, since each tween you and a crystal-clear picture (not to mention that pesky neighbor). Your problem may be a common one: a increase of 3 dB doubles signal strength), while the $25 weak signal. Or it might be the vestiges of the copy-protec- Gemini model boosts VHF signals by 28 dB (almost 10 tion signal routinely added to most prerecorded videos. Whatever the source of your video dilemma, it pays to times normal). Radio Shack\u2019s 15-1108 ($40) boosts VHF look into the many low-cost solutions that are available signals by 25 dB. before taking more drastic and expensive measures. An outdoor antenna amplifier improves picture quality because it helps prevent the signal from getting weak in the first place. And it\u2019s especially handy when the length of the cable between the antenna or outdoor cable outlet and your TV is more than about 100 feet. Be sure to place the amplifier as close to the antenna or cable outlet as you can. Otherwise, you\u2019li end up amplifying the snow that\u2019s in the signal. Imagine enlarging a fuzzy photo- Antenna Amplifiers. Imagine that you graph\u2014all you get is a bigger fuzzy have low water pressure in your house. When you turn on the faucet in the photograph. The same is true when you kitchen, water just trickles out. Fortu- nately, you can immediately see the amplify a weak signal. problem, so you call a plumber to get it fixed. (Then, when you get the NEW TECH*80 | Amplified Antennas. If you\u2019re looking plumber\u2019s bill, you call the doctor to defibrillate your heart.) Now imagine a to improve TV performance but don\u2019t \u201clow-pressure\u201d video signal coming from your antenna or cable outlet\u2014a use cable or an outdoor antenna, try re- signal that just doesn\u2019t have the amount placing your good old-fashioned \u201crabbit ears\u201d with an amplified set-top antenna. Models like Recoton\u2019s Powerwave 500 VIDEOTES8T3 ($30), Gemini\u2019s G2000 ($55), and Ra- dio Shack\u2019s Color Supreme 200 ($60) are superior to rabbit ears in terms of VIDEO DECEMBER 1995 77","improving the reception of weak sig- Radio Shack broadcasting towers, are known to . nals, and they may even make snowy Model 15-1962 cause wavy lines and audio distortion video processor on channel 6 or 7. The FM trap simply channels look (relatively) crystal clear. attaches to the antenna input of your Using an amplified indoor antenna is One cure is to buy a new TV, since TV or VCR. virtually all new sets are specifically e A CB\/ham filter (about $4) removes no different than using the \u201cpassive\u201d designed to ignore the Macrovision the. frequencies used by citizen-band one you have now. The only difference pulses. If that\u2019s not in the cards, you and amateur radio transceivers. CB\/ is that an amplified antenna has to be can consider the purchase of a video ham interference can occur on virtually plugged into a power strip or wall out- stabilizer,\u2018 which may remove or mask any channel, often showing up as dis- let. Signal boost varies between mod- the Macrovision pulses. (You'll proba- torted sound and briskly moving lines els, but most increase signal strength bly find advertisements for stabilizers in the picture. As with the FM trap, the by at least 20 dB, which is about seven in the \u201cClassifieds\u201d section at the back CB\/ham filter attaches to the antenna times normal. Gemini\u2019s G2000 boosts of this issue.) input of your TV or VCR, the signal by a healthy 45 dB. e Use a TV static\/noise filter (about If you have trouble finding a video If an amplified indoor antenna stabilizer, you can probably thank $12) to reduce or eliminate the interfer- doesn\u2019t provide the signal strength you Macrovision. They\u2019ve patented almost ence caused by electrical devices that need, you might look into Radio two dozen designs of \u201cMacrovision emit strong radio-frequency (RF) Shack\u2019s Model 15-1611 ($55), an am- busters\u201d\u2014devices that defeat Macrovi- waves\u2014the ignition of an old car is a plified VHF\/UHF\/FM antenna that\u2019s sion. These patents were taken out common source. These filters attach to small enough to fit snugly under your specifically to keep other companies the antenna terminals of your TV and home\u2019s eaves or even in the attic. The from selling them, thereby thwarting VCR, and they\u2019re mostly used with antenna contains its own amplifier, the whole process. Macrovision has older 300-ohm twin-lead antenna cable which boosts UHF signals\u2014often the been known to file lawsuits against rather than the coaxial type of cable ones that need amplification the companies that build and sell video sta- that\u2019s popular today. most\u2014by 20 to 25 dB. bilizers that encroach on their patents. @ Plug your VCR and\/or TV into an Ac- Video Stabilizers. Broadcast and cable The net effect: Few name-brand com- interference filter (about $13) to reduce TV aren\u2019t the only video sources that panies build video stabilizers that are interference from electrical devices that can look noisy, of course. Since 1985, meant to compensate for the Macrovi- transmit \u201cnoise\u201d through the wiring of most prerecorded videos have con- sion signal. The stabilizers you'll find your house. Examples of noisy appli- tained the Macrovision anticopying sig- start at about $40, though \u201cprofession- ances include refrigerators, dimmer nal, which is designed to add unaccept- al-level\u201d models\u2014such as Showtime switches, and the ballast transformers able distortion to dubs without Video Ventures\u2019 Universal Stabilizer\u2014 used in fluorescent-lamp fixtures. interfering with straight playback. The can hit $280. e An in-line attenuator (about $6) re- idea is to discourage \u201ccasual\u201d copying duces an incoming RF signal that\u2019s too of rental tapes, since the studios want LOW SIGNAL LEVELS AND MACROVISION strong for your VCR or TV. A \u201ctoo- you to buy your own copy if you want aren\u2019t the only causes of poor pictures, strong\u201d signal appears to have too the movie for your library. of course. TVs and VCRs are subject to much contrast; in extreme cases, the all forms of interference. If your recep- picture is inverted\u2014whites become Macrovision for VHS (it isn\u2019t applied tion is plagued by interference, check black, and blacks become white. Atten- out the following products from the in- uators are available as fixed models, to laserdiscs or Beta and 8mm tapes) terference-busters arsenal. All are which typically reduce the signal by 6 works by injecting strong pulses in the available at Radio Shack, TV and radio dB, and as variable models, which al- supply stores, and many home-im- low you to \u201cdial in\u201d the amount of at- vertical blanking interval (vBI) between provement outlets. tentuation you need, from 0 to over 20 each video frame. (You can see the vBI e An FM trap (about $4) removes the dB. \u2014Gordon McComb if your TV is equipped with a vertical- entire FM broadcast band (88 to 108 hold control: Turn the control so the MHz), preventing FM radio signals picture just starts to roll; the vBI is that from reaching your TV. FM signals, es- pecially strong ones from nearby dark bar between the frames.) These pulses upset the automatic gain control used during recording. Try to copy a Macrovision-protected tape and you\u2019ll be subjected to a picture that alternate- ly looks too bright or too dark. Macrovision pulses interfere with straight playback on certain TVs, how- ever, particularly older models, by causing timing problems in the TV\u2019s sync circuits. What you\u2019ll see is a rolling picture or one that bends near the top. If your TV exhibits these mal- adies while you\u2019re watching a prere- corded tape, the culprit could be Macrovision. 78 DECEMBER 1995 VIDEO","Ont DUIKACHIAL GIVES YOU 50% MORK TIME TO SHOOT YOUR OWIN FAIVIILY CLASSICS, Now, Duracell f MEMORY gives you more time to capture those special i j moments with your family. } Advanced nickel metal f COLOR\/MODE | hydride (NiMH) technology makes DURACELL\u00ae :| SUPOENR\/IOMFPFOSE Rechargeable Batteries last up to 50% longer than ;MN standard nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries. \\\\ Best of all, there are no memory effect problems, and you can top off the charge any time! } | i | *Duracell DR11 lasts up to 50% longer than standard Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries. DURACELL\u00ae Rechargeable Camcorder Batteries are now available in retail stores near you. CIRCLE NO. 91 ON READER SERVICE CARD","NEW TECH esigned for use with Windows-based PCs, Video- 8) labs\u2019 Digital Studio ($819) includes a color video camera, a video capture board\/frame grabber, and Video Studio 2 editing software. The FlexCam camera has a 0.33-inch CCD, an 18-inch gooseneck, and a built- in stereo microphone. The T230Pro capture board has 2 MB of VRAM. Full-motion images can be captured at speeds of up to 30 fps with 16.7 million colors. Digital Studio can also be used to enhance videogames. Circle 130 on reader service card he DCR-VX700 digital camcorder ($2,999) is a scaled-down version of Sony\u2019s DCR-VX1000. The 700 employs a single 410,000-pixel CCD, four-mode programmable autoexposure, and digital fade, over- lap, and slide\/wipe effects. Many of the 1000\u2019s manu- al functions are automated on the 700. Other fea- tures include Super SteadyShot image stabilization, a 180,000-pixel color viewfinder, the DV format\u2019s Photo Mode, a DV interface, 20x digital zoom, and 10X optical zoom. Circle 131 on reader service card rail chacgitel asio\u2019s QV-10 digital camera ($995) has a 1.8-inch Cu LCD screen, which allows users to immedi- ately decide whether to store or delete newly captured images. Images can be transferred to a PC or Macintosh via the supplied connection kit or to a video source such as a TV or VCR. The camera, which measures 2.6 x 5.1 x 1.6 inches (h\/w\/d), holds up to 96 color still images in memory and features a 0.2-inch CCD and a high-speed shutter. Circle 132 on reader service card a > ee PV-LCD35 DisplayMate ($350), a 3.5- inch color LCD screen, attaches to the battery mount of all Panasonic and Quasar IO and XL Series camcorders manufactured since 1993. The 35 can swivel up to 180 degrees on both its vertical and hori- zontal axes, and brightness, tint, and color can be ad- justed. When not in use, the LCD can be folded against the cam\u2019s body. A built-in speaker is included. Circle 133 on reader service card a 80 DECEMBER 1995 VIDEO","ES5000 Hi8 VIDEO CAMCORDER E itcatches your eye, then it tracks Introducing the ES5000 But there\u2019s more to the ES5000 it. It\u2019s the sleek new Canon ES5000. with the world\u2019s first than just what meets the eye. Consider Eye Control System. its many other sophisticated features. The only camcorder that offers an auto- Like a powerful 20x Optical\/40x Digital focus system and special functions that Canon's new Eye Controlled Focus is operated by the movement of your eye. Zoom, Canon\u2019s renowned Optical are solely controlled by the movement of Image Stabilization system, a Super- your eye. Other ES5000 functions can be activated through High Resolution 180,000-pixel Color our exclusive Eye Control technology as well. You can Viewfinder, and a high-quality Hi8 for- To operate the ES5000\u2019s Eye Con- start and stop recording, display dates and titles, fade, mat for truly professional results. Add to trolled Focus, simply look through the operate digital effects and more, all with just a glance. all that its sleek, ergonomic metallic viewfinder, direct your eye to any subject design and you begin to see why the within the frame, and the camcorder super-compact ES5000 is the biggest automatically focuses there. Redirect news in camcorders today. your eye somewhere else within the frame and instantly the camcorder For more information on the ES5000, refocuses at the new position. Never simply call us at 1-800-OK-CANON. before has autofocusing been smoother We're sure you'll find it to be an eye- or simpler. With the ES5000 what you opening experience. see is literally what you shoot. \u00a9 1995 Canon U.S.A., Inc. Canon CIRCLE NO. 41 ON READER SERVICE CARD","JVC | YouA ResCoalnutKieoenp. The clearest picture, the best available sound, professional- style editing and dozens of features to speed up and simplify video operations. That's a lot to expect from any VCR, yet here it is. JVC's top-of-the-line HR-S7200 ISM pemeroyanyo) (oltompLoynplemuate (ere) entertainment package. oe Shui a ww2 ou00 .Na eo Super VHS with 400+ lines \\\\\\\\ | of horizontal resolution delivers stunning oF \\\\ \\\\ . \\\\ \\\\ \\\\\\\\ clarity. Expressive colors and sharp contours are \u2014 made possible by Digital Live Circuitry, the latest picture improvement technology that challenges the performance of even professional VCRs. This high performance lets you record high-quality satellite and cable programs* while maintaining their original quality. Super VHS also keeps its high resolution after editing, and lives up to your highest expectations when viewed on the latest high-resolution large-screen TVs. And to maximize the impact of your home theater experience, there\u2019s Hi-Fi VHS Stereo sound. All this, plus accelerated tape transport, easy-to-use editing utilities, unified remote control capabilities, and much more. The HR-S7200 is waiting for you at your nearest JVC dealer. All you have to do is decide that you want the best there is. HR-S7200U Super VHS \\\"ii BTia8date0ahelbere tt gaarees om we 17.0N ew (CUU -_\u2014 = 7 Se \u201cWhen connected to external DSS\u2122 Digital Satellite System or cable system. CIRCLE NO. 3 ON READER SERVICE CARD","The Shootist Panasonic\u2019s PV-DV1000 DV camcorder 823 THE NEW DIGITAL VIDEO (DV) FORMAT, THE FIRST enough resolution to ace manual fo- cusing. digital videocassette format for consumers, is clearly the biggest thing to happen to camcorders in several Tapes are loaded from inside a sealed compartment that\u2019s located on years. DV promises to supersede both Hi8 and the cam\u2019s right: You pop open one panel, which reveals the menu, tape- Super-VHS as the format of choice for semi-pro low-budget transport, and editing buttons, then slide a lever to pop open a larger video production, and well-heeled videographers who want to cover, which exposes the eject but- ton. The same compartment holds the take amazingly sharp videos with incredibly accurate colors need lithium-ion battery. The other side of the cam holds the manual-override look nowhere else. The format has also benefitted from an controls and a small LCD status screen that shows time-code num- unusual degree of cooperation be- suitable for everyday use as well as bers, manual settings, and audio- tween Panasonic and Sony, who\u2019ve travel applications. recording choices. set aside a decade of competition in the 8mm and VHS-C arenas to si- The DV1000 is a beautiful device. The DV1000 has an unusual pow- multaneously bring out the first DV Its all-black finish and round, tubular er-up scheme: Panasonic has aban- camcorders. The PV-DV1000 is shape are reminiscent of the fancy doned the common three-position Panasonic\u2019s first (and, so far, only) Super-8 and 16mm amateur film CAMERA-OFF-VCR power switch. consumer DV camcorder, and, like cameras of the 50s and \u201960s, with a Here, the switch that we\u2019ve come to the Sony DCR-VX1000 [\u201cVIDEO touch of nightscope and bazooka think of as the standby switch\u2014the mixed in. The viewfinder is the most lever surrounding the run\/pause but- Test,\u201d November 1995], it provides a distinctive design element: It\u2019s a big ton\u2014is the power switch. The cam thrilling introduction to the format. tube, as wide as the lens, that tilts up always powers up in the CAMERA to an angle of 90 degrees and incor- mode. To go into VCR mode, you Like professional video cameras, porates a magnifying lens and rubber have to press a button on top of the the PV-DV1000 ($4,200) has three eyecup. When tilted all the way camcorder; tiny lights indicate the separate image-sensor chips for cap- down, the finder is in-line with the selected mode. Confusion over this turing red, green, and blue light. Un- lens, making the camcorder very in- arrangement could lead some users to like pro models, however, the tuitive to point. The finder employs a DV1000 weighs just under 2.75 bright color LCD screen with 83 pounds fully loaded with a battery and tape. This makes the cam very 180,000-pixel resolution\u2014that\u2019s VIDEO BY CLIFF ROTH","accidentally erase a tape or two. cessed by popping open a tiny panel 330 to 250 lines in this mode. The optical range of the zoom lens is that\u2019s located along the cam\u2019s left side. The Electronic Image Stabilizer This feature makes it easy to zoom in 10X, the same figure that Sony\u2019s DCR- on someone\u2019s face, lock the exposure, (EIS) also reduces picture detail; I VX1000 offers. Digital electronics ex- and then zoom out for proper fram- measured a vertical resolution of about tend the range to 20x, but resolution ing\u2014a kind of semi-automatic com- 300 lines and a horizontal resolution of suffers noticeably when you\u2019ve zoomed pensation for backlight or spotlight ex- about 380 lines when it was engaged. all the way in, especially when you\u2019re posure situations. Three other buttons When I combined EIS and the wide- watching a tape on a big-screen TV. in this compartment activate manual screen mode, I measured just 200 lines The power zoom operates at just two focus, boost video gain (by up to 12 of vertical resolution and 250 lines of speeds, taking about 11 or 5 seconds, horizontal resolution. respectively, to sweep from full wide dB), and select white balance; an ex- angle to full telephoto (optical range cellent manual setting performs both The culprits are the image sensors, only). The TURBO-ZOOM mode takes black- and white-balance adjustments. \u2014 whose combined resolution is barely about 1.5 seconds to go to the most ex- treme zoom setting in either direction, Recorded images had excellent pic- Eeeae aS but you can only use it when the tape is ture quality. Technical editor Lance BY THE NUMBERS paused. Braithwaite measured 480 lines of hor- izontal resolution on playback (and Measurements by Berger\u2014Braithwaite Labs The manual-focus ring is located around the lens, and it\u2019s very intuitive 400 lines in the viewfinder). Image Horizontal resolution: camera, 500 lines; to use, with smooth results. The 6\u201460- quality was striking, with loads of de- EVF, 400 lines; VCR, 480 lines mm lens has an f1.6 speed rating and a tail. And there was an incredible stabil- 60-mm filter-thread diameter. The lens ity to recorded images; the picture ap- Camera S\/N (at analog video output): comes with a detachable protective fil- peared rock solid. Subjects with 49.7 dB ter that\u2019s attached to a rubber anti-flare vertical edges, such as poles and build- lens hood. ings, appeared perfectly straight, with Playback picture S\/N (at analog none of the jaggedness that shows up outputs): unweighted luminance, 58.2 dB; The manual iris override is adjusted in other formats. weighted luminance, 62 dB; unweighted by a knob located below the lens in the video, 58.2 dB; weighted video, 69.5 dB; cam\u2019s front-left corner. A button in its As always, image quality falls off as chroma AM, 64.4 dB; chroma PM, 60.1 dB center selects between iris and high- you start dialing in special effects. speed shutter adjustments, both of Widescreen recording is a good exam- Minimum illumination: 10.6 lux for 50 IRE; which get displayed in the viewfinder. ple: Videos taken with this function, 5 lux for 30 IRE In manual-iris mode, the display shows which is accessed via a slide switch degree of adjustment instead of ab- Audio frequency response: 12-bit, 30\u2014 solute f-stop numbers, from f\u20146 to f+6 that\u2019s located below the viewfinder, 15,000 Hz +0, \u20143 dB; 16-bit, 20-20,000 calibrated in one-stop increments. You looked really impressive when first Hz +0, -1 dB can see absolute f-stop readings, how- viewed on a widescreen set, but when ever, if you use the excellent auto-ex- you look close you\u2019ll notice that reso- Audio dynamic range: 12-bit, 73.8 dB; posure lock button, which can be ac- lution suffers. A quick test with a stan- 16-bit, >90 dB dard resolution chart revealed that ver- tical resolution dropped from about Audio THD plus noise: 12-bit, 0.4%; 16- bit, 0.2% scale enough to satisfy the data-thirsty needs of the DV format [for more on DV\u2019s inner workings, see \u201cDV Nation,\u201d No- vember 1995]. Each of the three sen- sors has 270,000 pixels, and the resul- tant \u201cpure-camera\u201d horizontal reso- lution (without recording or playing back) measured 500 lines, which is ex- actly what the DV format is capable of capturing on tape. The sensors are fine for straight recording, but start using just a subset of the picture\u2014for letter- boxed (widescreen) images, image sta- bilization, or digital zooming\u2014and picture quality falls below the format\u2019s impressive specs. Our measurements also revealed that the DV1000\u2019s image-processing cir- cuitry creates video noise. While we wouldn\u2019t object to its degree if the cam was an analog model, it\u2019s a quality- limiting factor in a digital system. Lance measured a 10-dB falloff in the luminance S\/N when he compared low- level tapes recorded by the DV1000 and Sony\u2019s DCR-VX1000. Note that we were able to actually see this differ- ence only when shooting in low light. 84 DECEMBER 1995 VIDEO","Still and slow-motion playback were bit soundtrack essentially places it on a Ken Crane\u2019s Is The Largest rock-steady and totally free of jitter, but par with a digital-audio-tape (DAT) Laser Disc Mail Order the picture appeared to be just a field recorder, though its microphone mini- Retailer In The U.S. and not a frame, so vertical resolution jack and audio-preamp circuitry weak- was reduced. The FRAME RECORD en the chain somewhat. But the ability - Fastest Availability On New Titles! mode gets around this problem, but the to perform glitch-free in-camera video- * Most Orders Shipped Same Day! picture still appeared jittery at normal insert edits while monitoring 16-bit * 20% Discount On All Titles! playback speed. The PHOTO MODE, in sound makes the DV1000 the one and * Free 2nd Day Air UPS Shipping which a still frame occupies 6. seconds only camcorder for videographers who of playback time, worked as adver- need truly high-quality audio in their In The Continental U.S.A. tised. Fast searching, as with Sony\u2019s productions. * Visa, Mastercard, Discover, DCR-VX1000, exhibited block-like AMEX, Checks, And C.O.D. digital motion artifacts; fast-forward Connections include a standard set of * $1.50 Handling Charge and rewind times for a 60-minute tape line-level A\/V outputs and an S-Video were just over | minute each. output via an adaptor cable; a flat ra- Per Order Shipped. zor-blade-size 36-pin connector slips The battery lasted about an hour with into a slot in the cam\u2019s back. Unlike Suggested Retail On normal use. It can be recharged within Sony\u2019s DV cams, the DV1000 doesn\u2019t the cam by hooking up the power-adap- provide digital audio connections, nor \u00a2 Every Pre-Ordered tor cord. An LED meter on the adaptor are there line-level A\/V inputs or a digi- New Release indicates charge progress; it takes tal video input and output. This is per- about 80 minutes to suck in a full haps the DV1000\u2019s biggest weakness \u00ab Every Title In Stock charge. An innovative power-save compared with Sony\u2019s VX1000: Be- \u00a2 Every Back-Order function automatically turns off the cause DV recordings are digital, they finder, zoom, and autofocus whenever can theoretically be copied over and 1-800-624-3078 the cam is pointing down. over with no degradation, making the 1-800-626-1768 format perfect for editing. But the 1-714-892-8369 The DV1000\u2019s built-in audio record- DV1000\u2019s lack of a connector for digi- ing and dubbing capabilities are excel- tal dubbing prevents you from making (Fax Number) lent, and should turn the head of any- digital copies. (That 36-pin connector one who wants to make music videos. may allow digital dubbing, among oth- ForA Free Catalog The cam offers nearly all of the audio er things, in the future.) On the other flexibility that the DV format provides: hand, the absence of DV-format VCRs Ken Crane\u2019s LaserDisc You can switch between CD-quality makes the editing capabilities built into 15251 Beach Blvd. 16-bit stereo recording (with 44.1-kHz a DV cam of paramount importance\u2014 sampling) or four channels of slightly and that\u2019s where the DV1000 excels. Westminster, CA 92683 lower quality 12-bit recording (with 32-kHz sampling). Sony\u2019s first DV If you can live with the cam\u2019s analog- CIRCLE NO. 37 ON READER SERVICE CARD cams don\u2019t offer the 16-bit mode. output jacks as part of your editing sys- tem, then you can hook the cam up to Our tests confirm that the 12-bit an existing edit controller via the five- mode limits frequency response to pin, mini-DIN \u201cSystem E\u201d edit-control about 15,000 Hz at the high end, but interface, which is located on the back your compensation is the ability to add, of the camcorder. With this hookup, via the audio-dub feature, such things you get the benefits of time code and as music, narration, and sound effects automated insert editing from the mi- to previously recorded tapes\u2014without crophone jack and camera. recording over the two original tracks captured on the scene. If you don\u2019t in- PANASONIC HAS A WINNER IN THE PV- tend to add more audio later, stick with the excellent 16-bit mode. DV1000. For starters, the format has a The PLAYBACK menu lets you listen higher horizontal resolution and better to either pair of 12-bit stereo tracks by themselves or you can mix them to- S\/N than any other camcorder format. gether. You can also monitor just the left or right channel from each pair. And, despite its steep price, this cam Two notable audio-related omissions: a manual level-control override, and a still represents an excellent value. headphone level control. When making comparisons to Sony\u2019s In any case, the DV1000\u2019s built-in audio recording and editing capabili- DCR-VX1000, it\u2019s up to you to deter- ties put this cam in a category by itself. Its ability to record a high-quality 16- mine which features you really need; for the record, I love this cam\u2019s audio\/video editing capabilities. In any case, one thing\u2019s certain: The DV1000 offers pro-grade quality and features at a semi-pro price. | VIDEO DECEMBER 1995 85","eee Al MASTE R REL we oO NG ORIGINAL MASTER RECORDING ULZIADISC I] \u2014W\\\\\\\\\u2014 The GAIN Systern il \u2014_ UDCD 647 GERRY MULLIGAN\/PAUl DESMOND - CAT STEVENS QUARTET Bob Marley and The W; UDCD 648 Sieimeging : JOAN BAEZ Count Buses an Meaornctos tre DIAMONDS & RUST NEW RELEASE upcb 646 NEW RELEASE UDCD 652 NEW RELEA Better Sounding Music. Upgrade to Ultradisc II\u201d Your favorite artists sound surprisingly better on Ultradisc II\u2122 Why? Because Mobile Fidelity\u2019s mastering technology is a cut above\u2014and you can hear the difference. As the creators of the 24k gold audiophile CD, we have developed major advances such as The GAIN Systern\u2122 a proprietary mastering system that uses the highest grade of digital technology available. Starting with the original master tapes, we are able to capture every last nuance of the original recording. What does this mean? You'll hear music like you\u2019ve never heard it before! Ultradisc I The Original 24K Gold Audiophile Compact Disc. To receive a color catalog or The GAIN System\u2122 technical paper, call 800\u00b0423\u00a25759. e fidelity 105 Morris Street * Sebastopol, CA 95472 Ww URL ad!dress: http:\/\/wiww.moefgi.com\/","OFTVVIKE The latest and greatest on tape and disc CRIMSON TIDE and their factions bark commands at Scott Calvin (Allen) is thrust into the N THE $100-MILLION BLOCKBUSTER each other, slam clips into pistols, stage Santa role on Christmas Eve when the Crimson Tide, the men onboard the mutinies, and in general clamber furi- genuine article injures himself after ously on steel deck grating while direc- falling from his roof and into a snow nuclear submarine the USS Alabama tor Tony Scott and his camera race to bank. Scott becomes subject to \u201cthe sweat bullets and, occasionally, blood catch up with it all. There\u2019s a nice cat- clause\u201d by donning Santa\u2019s costume and-mouse sequence with a Russian sub and, against his will, magically finish- as their captain (Gene Hackman) and (though The Hunt for Red October cov- ing the overnight deliveries with his executive officer (Denzel Washington) ered similar ground to better effect). wide-eyed son (Eric Lloyd) in tow. square off over whether to launch their Crimson Tide really is an actor\u2019s When another Christmas season ap- missiles against renegade Russians led movie\u2014just count the closeups\u2014and by a loose cannon clearly patterned af- Washington and Hackman have no trou- X-massive: Clause\u2019s Lloyd, Allen ter Vladimir Zhirinovsky. Damn the ble submerging any thoughts that you\u2019ve p.c. mongers\u2014it\u2019s full testosterone seen it all before. \u00a9 \u2014Andy Wickstrom proaches, Scott packs on weight, grows ahead in Tide (Hollywood\/Image; VHS, priced for rental, CLV disc, $45), a riv- THE SANTA CLAUSE a new beard every night, and gradually eting Cold War drama that isn\u2019t chilled ROWNUPS SECRETLY WISH THERE by its curious timing. comes to accept his fate. Santa cleverly Gia; was a Santa Claus, so when Like Slim Pickens\u2019 bomber in Dr. a movie treats the myth of jolly St. answers age-old questions like how Strangelove, the Alabama has been or- Nick seriously, it\u2019s sure to be a winner. dered to strike in response to satellite- Having the lovable Tim Allen in the Santa can make all his rounds in just confirmed news that the Russian rebels starring role couldn\u2019t hurt, of course, are readying their own nukes. Then a and The Santa Clause (Disney\/Image; one night and how he gets into homes second order is received\u2014but it\u2019s cut VHS, $23, cLv disc, $30) became last off mid-message as the sub loses radio year\u2019s $100 million-plus holiday-sea- contact! The quandary: Do they launch son extravaganza. Now that Santa has their missiles as initially ordered, or slid down the home-video chimney, wait until radio contact can be re-estab- watching it should become a regular lished and the second order is received Christmas ritual \u2018round the ol\u2019 electron- ... and risk annihilation? ic hearth. The debate is strung out as the officers As a less-than-perfect divorced dad, In the web: Tide\u2019s Washington, Hackman that lack chimneys. For kids, it offers a fantastic North Pole toy factory and the sight of flying elves, but there\u2019s enough honest warmth and sprightly humor to bring a twinkle to grownup eyes\u2014even without the spiked eggnog. \u2014AW KISS OF DEATH ANS OF TV\u2019S NYPD BLUE WERE IN- | ee when carrot-topped David Caruso left the show last fall to pursue a movie career. And while Kiss of Death, Caruso\u2019s first post-Blue feature, may not introduce us to the next Brando, it shows that he\u2019s got good taste. Director Barbet Schroeder (Reversal of Fortune, Single White Female) takes a brooding look into New York\u2019s small- time criminal underworld in Death (FoxVideo\/Image; VHS, priced for rental, CLV disc, $40), and the film re- mains atmospheric and unpredictable to the bitter end. It tells the story of an VIDEO DECEMBER 1995 87","SOFT V\\\\V\\\\KESOFTV\\\\VikESOFT WIRESOFTVVIRESOFTWVRESC \u00a9 Je Lip service: Caruso and Cage in Death ex-con (Caruso) who agrees to help his cousin (Michael Rappaport) out on one last job, only to be caught, sent to prison, and later forced to finger an up- and-coming crime boss, Big Junior (a way-pumped Nicholas Cage). And it doesn\u2019t matter one whit that we\u2019ve seen Cage do this psycho shtick before; you simply can\u2019t take your eyes off the guy for a second. Credit also goes to screenwriter and novelist extraordi- naire Richard Price (The Color of Mon- ey, Clockers), who clearly has the criminal mind down cold. Consider Kiss of Death a classic Saturday night rental. \u2014Ken Korman in Cannes, where\u2014oh, you get the age; VHS, priced for rental, CLv disc, picture. The resolution may not sur- FRENCH KISS prise, but you\u2019ll be charmed to pieces $40) are pithier than anyone you\u2019ve ever ela FROM THE EARNEST- by the stars and the script\u2019s barbs about impossible Americans, intolera- been rung up by down at the local mini ness that hobbled his Grand ble Frenchmen, and the battle of the Canyon and Wyatt Earp, filmmaker sexes. Needless to say, the best scenes mart. Completed on just a $27,575 bud- Lawrence Kasdan takes a stab at di- thrive on the sassy repartee between Ryan and Kline. With both actors do- get and a 21-day shoot, Smith\u2019s black- recting French Kiss (FoxVideo\/Image; ing such wonderful reaction takes, it\u2019s too bad the VHS version\u2019s cropping and-white slice of dead-end life cap- VHS, priced for rental, CLV disc, $40), cuts some killer two-shots in half. In a romantic comedy with a continental this case, it\u2019s the 2.35:1 laserdisc that tured awards at both Sundance and twist. It\u2019s a satisfying souffle. wins the full Kiss of approval. \u2014\u2014-AW Cannes. His immediate reward: direct- Great characterizations by Meg CLERKS Ryan as Kate, an all-American pixie, T\u2019S JUST ANOTHER DAY IN THE LIFE ing Mallrats, which stars noted bad girl and Kevin Kline as Luc, a Gallic con iat Quick Stop Groceries in Leonardo, Shannen Doherty. (Ah, Hollywood.) man, are crucial to overcoming the New Jersey, but writer\/director\/ac- story\u2019s sitcom-like premise: Kate\u2019s fi- tor Kevin Smith makes sure that the ti- Clerks follows the Saturday doldrums anc\u00e9, staying in Paris for a conference, tle characters in Clerks (Miramax\/Im- is seduced by a French nymphet. Kate faced by Dante, the goateed counter then flies overseas to win him back, jockey, and his buddy Randal, who only to cross paths with Luc, who uses her purse to smuggle stolen gems, mans the video store next door\u2014at least which in turn vanish. They all end up when he hasn\u2019t locked up and come over to bug Dante, that is. Randal\u2019s phi- losophy: \u201cThis job would be great if it wasn\u2019t for the ----ing customers.\u201d (We soon learn that the feeling is mutual.) The 1.85:1 LD offers a number of swell extras, including goofy sec- ondary audio-track commentary by French twist: Ryan and Kline Smith and 25 minutes of supplemental click in French Kiss scenes, including the film\u2019s original ending, which (wisely) was cut in its entirety. Though Dante ultimately con- cludes that \u201clife is a series of down endings,\u201d Clerks will leave you on a positive note. \u2014Mike Mettler THE BASKETBALL DIARIES F BRILLIANT 20-YEAR-OLD LEONARDO DiCaprio ever appears in a movie that\u2019s half as good as he is, consider him a shoe-in for a much-deserved Academy Award. With a little more work, The Basketball Diaries (Poly- gram; VHS, priced for rental, CLV disc, $35) could have been his ticket to Os- carville. The book on which it\u2019s based\u2014Jim Carroll\u2019s impressionistic autobiography\u2014remains essential","NIRESOFT VWIRESOFT WIRESOFT VVIRESOFT \\\\VVIKESOFTVVIk reading for anyone with an attraction to THE PEREZ FAMILY many characters with too little continu- FTER SPENDING 20 YEARS IN A New York\u2019s seamy underside (count Cuban prison, farmer Juan Perez ity. And it doesn\u2019t help that none of the Newt Gingrich out), and DiCaprio is (Alfred Molina) is sent to Florida as leading players are even remotely part of the Mariel boatlift of 1979-80. perfect for the lead role of the troubled, But when he arrives, he\u2019s too embar- Cuban\u2014especially Tomei, whose ridicu- rassed to join his wife (Anjelica Hus- street-savvy anti-hero. But where Car- lous accent makes Kevin Costner sound ton), who has waited patiently for his roll\u2019s tome is concerned with time, return. Instead, he becomes part of a like Sir John Gielgud. \u2014M. Faust surrogate family assembled by a starry- place, and feel, the film heads straight eyed laborer (Marisa Tomei). Whatever director Mira Nair wants to say about for quick-fix music-video territory: Just the travails of the Marielistos and the VANYA ON 42ND STREET melting pot of South Florida in The = ARLIER THIS DECADE, ANDRE GREG- when you think you\u2019re about to be im- Perez Family (Hallmark\/Image; VHS, priced for rental, CLV disc, $40) gets ory presented an intimate staging of mersed in some real depth or drama, lost in a story that tries to follow too Chekhov\u2019s Uncle Vanya on Broadway, with characters dressed in street the music swells and Carroll\u2019s gang is clothes, no sets to speak of, and mini- mal props. In the film version, which suddenly playing basketball in a torren- has been retitled Vanya on 42nd Street (Columbia TriStar\/Image; VHS, priced tial rainstorm. Diaries\u2019 biggest revela- for rental, CLV discs, $40), director tion: Mark Wahlberg, formerly known as rapper and underwear model Marky Mark, actually passes muster as one of Carroll\u2019s cronies. \u2014KK NOW IN STORES THE BABYSITTER Willy. Dolby AC-3 Surround. (PG) 98 min. priced for rental. LD letterboxed (1.85:1) 1995. Alicia Silverstone, J.T. Walsh, Jeremy VHS priced for rental. LD letterboxed $35. Columbia Tristar\/Image. London; dir. Guy Ferland. Suburbanite (2.35:1) $35. Warner. adults pursue teenage babysitter Silver- THE OLD DARK HOUSE stone, with devastating consequences. JURY DUTY 1932. B&W. Melvyn Douglas, Boris Karloff, Stereo. (R) 90 min. VHS priced for rental. LD 1995. Pauly Shore, Tia Carrere; dir. John Charles Laughton, Raymond Massey; dir. letterboxed (1.85:1) $35. Republic\/Image. Fortenberry. A slacker juror in need of food, James Whale. The original house-of-horror shelter, and the $5-a-day stipend votes a no- classic, filled with macabre humor and won- BAD BOYS torious killer \u201cnot guilty\u201d in order to prolong derfully eccentric characters. The laserdisc 1995. Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, T\u00e9a the trial and stay sequestered with Wayne's edition includes audio commentaries, a fil- Leoni; dir. Michael Bay. A streetwise Lethal World\u2019s Carrere. Dolby Surround. (R) 88 mography, and stills. Mono. (NR) 71 Weapon for the latter half of the 90s, with min. VHS priced for rental. LD (1.85:1) $35. the stars appealingly playing against type. Columbia TriStar\/Image. min. VHS $25, full-frame CAV LD, $40. Kino\/ Dolby Surround. (R) 119 min. VHS Image. priced for rental. LD letterboxed (1.85:1) $35. Columbia TriStar\/Image. THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW DOLORES CLAIBORNE 20TH-ANNIVERSARY 1995. Kathy Bates, Jennifer Jason SPECIAL EDITION Leigh; dir. Taylor Hackford. Bates has 1974. Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Bar- never been scarier than as an ordinary ry Bostwick, Meat Loaf, Little Nell; dir. mother trying to protect her daughter Jim Sharman. Let's do the time warp (Jason Leigh) from the secrets of their again! This THX-approved widescreen shared past. Based on the Stephen transfer of one of the first interactive King bestseller. Dolby Surround. (R) drag musicals includes an audience- 131 min. VHS priced for rental. LD let- participation audio track, restored terboxed (1.85:1) $35. Columbia Tri- scenes, singalong sections, a documen- Star\/Image. tary, a 24-karat-gold soundtrack CD, and a book. Toast not included. Stereo. DO THE RIGHT THING (R) 98 min. LD letterboxed (1.85:1) 1989. Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, Rosie Mad about Drew: Mad Love\u2019s O\u2019Donnell, Barrymore $125. Twentieth Century Fox\/Image. Perez, Giancarlo Esposito, Ossie Davis, SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE 1972. Michael Sacks, Sharon Gans; dir. John Turturro; dir. Spike Lee. The Criterion MAD LOVE George Roy Hill. Time slips both forward and back for novelist Kurt Vonnegut's timid hero Collection does right by Lee\u2019s brilliant and 1995. Drew Barrymore, Chris O'Donnell; dir. Billy Pilgrim. With a Bach score performed by Glenn Gould. Mono. 104 min. LD letter- debate-provoking film with a new digital Antonia Bird. A new twist on the traditional boxed (1.85:1) $35. MCA\/Universal\/Image. transfer, audio commentaries, rehearsal and kids-in-love-and-on-the-lam movie, as a free production footage, stills, a making-of docu- bird (Barrymore) turns out to be a bit cuck- mentary, and rapper Chuck D discussing the 00. Dolby Digital Stereo. (PG-13) 96 min. film's pivotal song, Public Enemy's \u201cFight the VHS priced for rental. LD letterboxed Power.\u201d Dolby Surround. (R) 120 min. LD (1.85:1) $40. Touchstone\/Image. SWIMMING WITH SHARKS letterboxed (1.85:1) $100. The Criterion Col- 1995. Frank Whaley, Kevin Spacey; dir. lection\/Image. NINA TAKES A LOVER George Huang. A corporate newcomer tries 1995. Laura San Giacomo, Paul Rhys, to please his demanding boss until he real- FREE WILLY 2: THE ADVENTURE HOME Michael O'Keefe; dir. Alan Jacobs. An Amer- izes that giving his all to the job includes his 1995. Jason James Richter, Michael Mad- ican wife learns what French women have girlfriend. Dolby Surround. (R) 93 min. VHS sen; dir. Dwight Little. An oil spill threatens always known: Monogamy is not always the priced for rental. LD letterboxed (1.85:1) to turn the lovable killer whale into slick best policy. Ultra Stereo. (R) 100 min. VHS $35. Pioneer\/Vidmark. \u2014 Josef Krebs VIDEO DECEMBER 1995 89","OFT V\\\\IRESOFTVVIRESOFT VVIRESOFT VViRE SOFT VVIKESC LABELS FOR LESS DESTINY TURNS ON THE RADIO his great friendship with Renfro, was SOMETIMES THE SEXES JUST SHOULDN\u2019T UENTIN TARANTINO-MANIA IS PROB- well worth the effort. Director Peter mix. Take Paramount's Double Cross, Dead on Sight, and Fugitive Among Us Q:, the only thing that got this Horton (thirtysomething) pushes plenty ($15 each), in which men attack women and women plunge men into webs of se- trifle into movie theaters, where it died of hot buttons to make easy emotional duction and murder. Other studios have seen the wisdom of keeping the boys and a quick death. Though prominently fea- points, and there\u2019s a clunker of a death the girls apart. Columbia TriStar offers tured in the film\u2019s ad campaign, Taran- scene, but thankfully the film\u2019s excesses Judy Holliday in The Solid Gold Cadillac, Anne Bancroft in The Pumpkin Eater, and tino merely pops in and out of Destiny don\u2019t overwhelm its noble goals and Joan Crawford as Queen Bee ($20 each). MCA\/Universal, which briefly takes the Turns on the Radio (HBO\/Pioneer; genteel spirit. \u2014AW high road with the Susan Sarandon- Winona Ryder showcase Little Women VHS, priced for rental, CLV disc, $40). ($20), feels that guys should hang out with sharks in Jaws: Collector\u2019s Edition, that He plays the malevolent spirit of Las O NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE Van Damme is better just taking on tarmac The Complex Sessions in Street Fighter ($20 each), that peace is Vegas, who\u2014well, it\u2019s really more hell by sending Fonda, Heston, Coburn, O HUMAN HIGHWAY Mitchum, and Wagner off to fight the battle trouble to explain than it\u2019s worth. Suf- OCKER NEIL YOUNG HAS ALWAYS fice it to say that the movie revolves > See himself as a series of contradictions. Is he a folkie, a head- around the efforts of a bank robber (Dy- banger, a techno-nerd, a revisionist, or a revolutionary? With Young, it\u2019s usual- lan McDermott) to regain both the loot ly a smattering of all of the above, and two recent home-video offerings show and the girlfriend (Nancy Travis) he him putting a number of these traits on display, both good and bad. Neil Young lost when he was sent to prison. Ulti- & Crazy Horse: The Complex Sessions (Lumivision\/Warner\/Reprise; VHS, mately, Destiny will be enjoyed most by $20, CAV disc, $30) showcases Neil and those who value kitschy style and snap- longtime sidekicks Crazy Horse as they hammer out four tunes from his plat- py dialogue more than plotting. A sup- inum-selling 1994 album Sleeps With Angels. Smartly directed by Jonathan porting cast of familiar faces and a Demme, Complex boils 10 straight hours of live performance shot in a Los score that mixes surf-rock guitar with Angeles recording studio last October down to a taut 30 minutes. Memphis soul grooves keep the film Unfortunately, there\u2019s no getting from totally dragging\u2014and kudos to around the fact that Human Highway (Warner\/Reprise; VHS, $20, CLv disc, whoever came up with the character $30), one of Young\u2019s longtime pet pro- name \u201cVinnie Vidivici.\u201d \u2014MF Jaws\u2019 Dreyfuss, Scheider THE CURE ANT TO SEE A MOVIE ABOUT A of Midway, and that Hudson, Peppard, kid and his best friend who has and a bunch of buddies are the best bet AIDS? The Cure (MCA\/Universal\/Im- age; VHS, priced for rental, CLV disc, for taking Tobruk ($15 each). Warner, $35) didn\u2019t exactly pack them in at the- aters, and it\u2019s easy to understand why. meanwhile, sends the boys out for a drink Most adults who weren\u2019t immediately turned off by the subject matter would in Interview With the Vampire, but they still probably rather see fellow adults learn- all end up as Grumpy Old Men ($15 ing to deal with such tragedy, and few 10-year-olds can handle such a devas- each). Perhaps the best philosophies of tating topic, even with appealing young the lot come from Hallmark; boys will be actors like Joseph Mazzello (Jurassic boys in The Loneliness of the Long Dis- Park) and Brad Renfro (The Client) an- choring the proceedings. The Cure tance Runner ($15), and girls will be girls might find its audience on video, how- ever, in families who are ready to dis- in Desert Hearts ($30). But Buena Vista cuss the issues that the movie raises: in- tolerance of outsiders, the price of hastens to point out that when it all comes ignorance, the fear of disease, delin- right down to it, we\u2019re all just Mother\u2019s quent parents, and simple mortality. Boys ($20) and girls. \u2014JK Mazzello and Renfro are a modern Tom and Huck as they set off on a raft Louis Malle (who collaborated with down the mighty Mississippi River, heading toward a miracle AIDS cure in Gregory and Wallace Shawn on 1981\u2019s New Orleans they read about in a su- permarket tabloid. Predictably, they sublime My Dinner With Andr\u00e9) has sen- never reach New Orleans and (this is sitively preserved the production\u2019s close- hardly a giveaway) Mazzello eventually dies in a hospital, but The Cure con- knit feel. There\u2019s no barrier between you vinces us that his attempt at living, and and the lost hopes and opportunities of Chekhov\u2019s melancholy characters; in fact, Chekhov has never seemed more universal. Shawn is somewhat miscast in the title role, but Julianne Moore and Brooke Smith are absolutely radiant, and Gregory\u2019s hand-picked cast exceeds the sum of its parts. The LD is properly let- terboxed at 1.85:1, with intelligent side breaks and generous chapter stops, though the colors do come across as a bit drab. \u2014Sol Louis Siegel Glass act: The Cure\u2019s Renfro, Mazzello 90 DECEMBER 1995 VIDEO","NIRESOFT V\\\\VIRESOFT VVikE SOFT VVIRESOFT VVIKESOFTVVik jects, is an unmitigated disaster. Co-di- THX-approved, AC-3 encoded, 1.85:1 of interactive supplements that smooth- rected by Young (under the name all-cav package ($100) is well worth ly integrate animation, still-frame Bernard Shakey) and actor Dean Stock- the wait. Most of Disney\u2019s LD sets are graphics, text, interview footage, a pre- well, Highway is an off-kilter cautionary saddled with items like hardback books existing studio documentary, and a tale about the dangers of nuclear war or music CDs, which are usually avail- print portfolio of concept-art litho- and was quickly pulled from theaters able separately and don\u2019t fit all that graphs. Most remarkably, this set\u2019s al- when it debuted in 1983. A few musical gracefully in LD-sized packaging. The ternate audio track has the first full- moments are noteworthy, though: new- Lion King Collector\u2019s Edition skips the length director\u2019s commentary allowed wavers Devo perform the catchy \u201cWor- padding. Instead, we get three full sides for an animated Disney film. Directors ried Man\u201d while decked out in glowing ES eee ae eee jumpsuits, and, in a dream sequence, ; Young teams with them for a raucous techno-jam on \u201cHey Hey, My My,\u201d which sounds like it\u2019s being sung on he- lium. \u201cShakey\u201d is quoted as saying, \u201cEi- VANDEISIEEN AUDIO ther you get it or you don\u2019t.\u201d It\u2019s a safe bet that most people will fall into the latter category. \u2014MM FIRST WORKS Phase-correct Phase-correct Three driver, IRST WORKS (RHINO; VHS ONLY, $40 main speaker main speaker 300 watt amplified subwoofer 7 each), a two-volume collection con- \u201cLegendary \u201cThe standard \u201cRocks the sisting of a series of 20-minute conver- performance for affordable foundation.\u201d sations with a number of America\u2019s on both films speakers.\u201d leading film directors, demonstrates and music.\u201d Oe Phase-correct that the giants of contemporary cine- center speaker ma\u2014including Martin Scorsese, Spike \u201cUltimate realism.\u201d Lee, Oliver Stone, Roger Corman, Ron Howard, and seven others\u2014started _\u2014|WsMy small and are just as human as the rest of us. Besides this news (which bud- Phase-correct ding directors especially should find wall-mount encouraging), the interviews lend in- loudspeaker sight into where the artists came from and the experiences that helped form Ultra high- \u201cThe ideal their style. It also allows them to pass surround on some sage advice. Even more re- In its pursuit of per- performance tt speaker.\u201d vealing are the student films\u2014includ- fection, specialty phase-correct ing John Milius\u2019 Marcello, I\u2019m So audio has estab- Bored, a really bad La Dolce Vita pas- lished high-fidelity main speaker tiche, and Scorsese\u2019s brilliantly inven- standards that only tive Murray It\u2019s You\u2014that are segued the best speakers The ulitimate embodiment with the interviews; some are shown in can reach. their entirety. And it\u2019s most interesting of the VANDERSTEEN to see that even during his days as a fa- vored Scorsese pupil, Oliver Stone was boxless full-range design. already developing that heavy-handed style we\u2019ve come to know so well. \u201cIncomparable detail and resolution.\u201d \u2014JK Now your home theater system can meet these standards. A VANDERSTEEN THE LION KING phase-correct home theater system creates a coherent and expansive sound-field COLLECTOR\u2019S EDITION with exceptional detail and superior dialog intelligibility. You will hear why \u201cboxless\u201d is definitely better as the system's incredible realism heightens F PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE, THEN LASER- your emotional involvement in your films. disc fans must be ready for saint- hood. It took a full year for The Lion For almost 20 years, VANDERSTEEN AUDIO has built affordable loudspeakers true King, Disney\u2019s all-time animated box- to both science and music. If you are looking for a system that convincingly office champ, to make its way from reproduces every nuance of a film as easily as it conveys the essence of music, cassette to a special-edition laserdisc we can direct you to your nearest carefully selected VANDERSTEEN dealer. box set. But this beautiful four-disc, DIMENSIONAL PURITY = \\\\\/ANIIDERSTEEN AUD VIDEO DECEMBER 1995 91 Please write or call for a brochure 116 West ae St, Hanford, CA 93230 ; and the name of your nearest dealer. (209) 582-0324 CIRCLE NO. 10 ON READER SERVICE CARD","SOFWTV KESOFT VVIRESOFT WWIRESOFTV\\\\VIRESOFTVVIRE SC Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers and pro- old-fashioned musicals, and, to make sets, only as unacceptable pan-and- ducer Don Hahn gleefully trace the matters worse, Barbra Streisand\u2019s Fun- scans. First-time letterboxed evoca- film\u2019s evolution and point out details ny Girl opened the same day.) Star! only visible on the disc version. Even may lack the depth that made Wise\u2019s tions of The Gauntlet (1977; $35), a the side breaks are so carefully planned West Side Story unforgettable, but comedic rollercoaster ride with a fan- that you'll barely notice them. After there\u2019s plenty here to enjoy. At least tastic bus trip, and Firefox (1982; $40), years of near-misses, Disney has finally modern audiences now have the oppor- a surprisingly somber but heart-stop- perfected the special-edition LD set. tunity to judge for themselves. |.\u2014KK ping invasion into Cold War espionage that predates Tom Clancy-inspired cin- \u2014KK Oi THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES ema and combines it with Top Gun-like O PALE RIDER effects, are equally worthy. Your day STAR! O THE GAUNTLET W FIREFOX will indeed be made. \u2014Mel Neuhaus NOWN MAINLY FOR ITS COLOSSAL wee WAITING FOR THE WIDE- box-office failure when it was first THE VAL LEWTON COLLECTION screen version of The Bridges of released in 1968 and its subsequent Madison County, Clint Eastwood buffs, CROSS BETWEEN ORSON WELLES butchering in the editing room as 20th action fans, and general supporters of Century Fox tried in vain to recoup a the LD format can joyously bide their A: Roger Corman, Val Lewton huge investment, Star! (Fox Video; time with the release of four essential CLV\/CAV discs, $80) finally gets its due letterboxed editions of \u201970s and \u201980s headed a B-movie department at RKO in this gorgeous 2.2:1 widescreen Eastwood favorites: The Outlaw Josey laserdisc edition, transferred from the Wales, Pale Rider, The Gauntlet, and in the \u201940s, and the series of horror original 65MM Todd-AO negative. Fif- Firefox (Warner; all CLV\/CAV discs). teen show-stopping musical numbers These platters, all immaculately films he made there holds a special highlight director Robert Wise\u2019s 3-hour pressed by Sony, presented in the cor- epic, which tells the true story of rect 2.35:1 Panavision dimensions, and place in film history. The nine films Gertrude Lawrence, the toast of musical mixed in digital stereo surround, are theater in the \u201920s and \u00b030s. It\u2019s a tour- superb examples of the star\/director\u2019s that compose The Val Lewton Collec- command of the elongated aspect ratio tion (Turner\/Image; CLV discs, $180) de-force for star Julie Andrews, who as well as being a diverse selection of spent a full year making the movie and raucous comedy, fast-paced excitement, give the viewer the opportunity to see who delivers the performance of her suspenseful thrills, and topnotch dra- life. Aside from restoring the film to its ma. Josey Wales (1976; $40) and Pale the remarkable consistency of style and full glory, the discs use the full comple- Rider (1985; $40), both previously ment of interactive extras to show how available in the Eastwood Special Col- storytelling that this producer, working passionately Wise, Andrews, and com- lector\u2019s Edition box set, have never pany still believe in the picture, which been offered as individually scoped with a roster of directors that included initially fell victim to bad timing. (The late-\u201960s just wasn\u2019t a good time for Jacques Tourneur, Robert Wise and Mark Robson, helped create. From the outset, Lewton, given complete creative freedom but a low budget, produced films that are closer to Cocteau\u2019s Beau- ty and the Beast than other popular scare flicks of the era. Though Tour- neur\u2019s Cat People (1942), I Walked With a Zombie (1943), and The Leop- ard Man (1943) are superior in terms of both story and poetic visualization, Wise\u2019s Curse of the Cat People (1944) and The Body Snatcher (1945), along with Robson\u2019s The Seventh Victim (1943), Isle of the Dead (1945), The Ghost Ship (1943), and Bedlam (1946), all share breathtakingly beautiful cine- matography and a dreamlike atmos- phere. Kudos to Image for collecting Lewton\u2019s complete output into one high-quality set. Horror has never been so beautiful. \u2014JK Bus stop: Clint Eastwood and Sandra Locke in The Gauntlet PHANTOM OF THE OPERA\/ PARANOIAC HANTOM OF THE OPERA\/PARANOI- Pp: (MCA\/Universal; CLV\/CAV disc, $60), a fabulously transferred, LDC- pressed pairing of two Hammer Stu- dios classics of the early-\u201960s, is chock full of the ghoulishly good stuff that horror fanatics\u2019 nightmares are made of. Phantom, made during the British studio\u2019s peak in 1962, was the compa- 92 DECEMBER 1995 VIDEO","ny\u2019s most extravagant production at the One of a series of eerie black-and- dersson) is enchanting . . . but mentally time; coinciding with Universal\u2019s 50th white mysteries that the studio dubbed anniversary, this elegant remake of the \u201cmini Hitchcocks,\u201d Paranoiac, luxuri- ill. His teenaged son (Lars Passgard) is Gaston Leroux novel almost snared the ously composed in coffin-shaped title participation of Cary Grant, but the 2.35:1 HammerScope (and, like Phan- plagued by repressed sexuality. And bill was handily filled by Herbert Lom tom, complemented by digital mono (best known, perhaps, as the boss In- sound), is directed with creepy panache the young woman\u2019s doctor\/husband spector Clouseau drove insane in The by Freddie Francis and acted with Pink Panther series). It\u2019s the ultimate histrionics by a game cast, particularly (Max Von Sydow) is helpless but fasci- humane take on this oft-filmed tale (and a scene-gnashing Oliver Reed. \u2014MN certainly the most obvious influence on nated by her condition. They\u2019re all os- Andrew Lloyd Webber\u2019s musical inter- THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY pretation), affording master director HERE ARE FIVE CHARACTERS IN tensibly tormented by the daughter\u2019s Terence Fisher his most personal work. Through a Glass, Darkly, Ingmar The faded Eastmancolor on the U.S. latest schizophrenic episode\u2014and by prints has been gloriously restored to Bergman\u2019s 1962 masterpiece. In the eye-popping magnificence; better still, film\u2019s opening shot, the first character, the darker side of human nature. the film\u2019s long-censored gore has been an island, appears as a murky, semi- reinstated. One complaint: Phantom submerged mass. In the second shot, Darkly (The Criterion Collection, was shot in 1.66:1, but it\u2019s presented the other four make their entrance by here full-frame. wading in from the sea. They\u2019re four CLV disc, $50) deservedly won a Best strange beings marooned on a piece of Paranoiac (1963) was adapted from land that\u2019s cut off from the rest of the Foreign Film Oscar, but it also marked Josephine Tey\u2019s Brat Farrar and was world: The writer (Gunnar Bjorn- ingeniously revamped with liberal dos- strand) is guilt-ridden for having sacri- the start of a new period for Bergman. es of sex and patented Hammer horror ficed family obligations in search of to conform with the post-Psycho \u201960s. greatness. His daughter (Harriet An- Setting aside the in-your-face symbol- ism and dramatic imagery that domi- nate his previous works, Bergman evinced a thematic starkness and a simple style of storytelling that was perfectly complemented by his new cinematographer, Sven Nykvist. This discipline would continue with further episodes in what was dubbed \u201cThe Faith Trilogy\u201d (1962\u2019s Winter Light and 1963\u2019s The Silence), but Darkly is the most satisfying\u2014and startling\u2014of this unholy trinity. \u2014JK PANASONIC PB50 Orig. PAN RAPID CHARGERS PANASONIC PB80\/88 Orig:PAN........39. SONY NP77H 2400 mah.. CAMCORDER CHARGER\/DISCHARGER SONY 8mm 1500 mah...... CANON 8mm 2000 mah... 6V, 7.2V, 9.6V runs from house or auto. | SHARP BT 70\/80 2400 mah 1 hr. time for Sony, Canon, BH RCA\/HITAC8HImm 2400 mah...........39. Panasonic, RCA\/Hitachi & most other brands Charges 1 battery $44 Charges 2 batteries $69 NEW External Powerpac+ 5 to 7 hours of recording time. OfWeTek.ar, Powerpac+ includes: =6volt @ 10 amps ax sealed lead acid battery. *_HOLIDAYSALE \u2014Sy o\u00a5\u201d ORIGINALPANASONIC \u201c\u00a2 =Heavy duty pouch and belt. =A charger for charging at home aah PB-80\/88 12v 2.3AH $35.00 (optional charging cord for car). #An adaptor of your choice. PB-50 12v 2AH _ $35.00 =12 volt @ 7 amps $95 Rapid Charger\/Discharger For any Panasonic Battery BATTERY TECH, INC. Can use in house or car. Discharges SVaas. w and charges in one automatic cycle, $39.00 28-25 215TH PLACE, BAYSIDE, N.Y. 11360 = FAX:718-631-5117 oe \u201cCharges\/discharges two batteries $49.00 AMERICAN iosiercord\\\\} fmm 800-442-4275CIRCLE NO. 6 ON READER SERVICE CARD EXPRESS VW a Ss | eer","MULTIMEDIA FAST FORWARD HE ABSENCE OF NINTEN- Hill and the Tournament and online program word (TV\u201d Players Club as well as the \u201cvideo\u201d net do: [\u201cFast Forward,\u2019 November do\u2019s Ultra 64 from the digitized swings of PGA 1995]. Though several calls ens of groups holiday-shopping scene pros like Craig Stadler. to Microsoft and DSS pro- devoted to spe- doesn\u2019t appear to be grammer DirecTV were an- cific TV shows, keeping game addicts from swered with polite varia- tape trading, tions on \u201cno comment,\u201d the videogames, and Copy Ritegoing hog wild on Sega\u2019s ij Saturn or Sony\u2019s PlaySta- HE UNITED STATES IS computer-software giant is more. : tion. It may even be spur- leading the world in de- clearly working on su The World ring them on: Saturn has veloping intellectual- system from the Wide Web is been selling briskly, and property law in the In- Accessory manu ~ endless source of Sony reports that 100,000 formation Age. A report coton leaked w information. PlayStation consoles were urging restrictions on the crosoft has licens d inf Ken Pohlman bought over the first week- digital copying of copyright- codes for controlling TVs, notes a number of hot movie end of its release. Both com- ed online works was issued VCRs, and cable boxes from sites in \u201cWeb Watch\u201d (page panies say that demand will by a White House task force its SoleControl division. 24). Information on home- overtake supply when the and presented to a meeting theater hardware is available holiday-shopping season The Site Reportof the World Intellectual at The Consumer Electron- reaches its high point. ics Cyberspace Companion Property Organization in e Acclaim reports that their Geneva, Switzerland. The HE CHAT MAY NOT AL- (http:\/\/www.eia.org\/ceg), Street Fighter: The Movie, goal is an international \u201c\u2018dig- ways be scintillating, which is run by the Elec- | Myst, and Robotica are the ital agenda.\u201d and the entertainment tronic Industries Associa- | best-selling Saturn titles; The report has received a value is sketchy much tion. The Compuserve on- the company\u2019s initial Play- thumbs-up from various of the time, but the online line service has a well- Station releases of both U.S. trade groups, including universe is a motherlode of regarded Consumer Elec- NBA Jam: Tournament Edi- the Software Publishers As- information for couch spuds tronics Video Forum. And tion and Street Fighter: The sociation, the Interactive and home-theater buffs. AOL has a busy site admin- | Movie sold out. Digital Software Associa- Usenet discussion groups, istered by Dolby Labs. | e The EA Sports division of tion, and the Recording In- which are accessible from We can confidently state Electronic Arts released dustry Association of Amer- the Internet and online ser- that the best is yet to come, their first PlayStation pro- ica. The online community vices such as America On- however: VIDEO is sched- gram: PGA Tour 96 includes isn\u2019t happy with the report, line (AOL), let you chat uled to arrive on AOL be- 3-D renderings of Spy Glass however, since it advises with fellow fans and hobby- fore year\u2019s end. \u2014Bill Wolfe that online services should ists, and they\u2019re remain liable for a terrific re- ON E iNSID copyright infringe- source if you\u2019re ments that involve looking for news NEW their services. or sources for specific videos. Thunder Code DSS and Prime- Star subscribers ICROSOFT GOT EVERY- should check in- one buzzing (again), to rec.video. this time by announc- satellite.dbs, ing that they\u2019d like to while laserdisc _ become true entertainment. aficionados will 1 in alt.vid-","\u201cout what I is, [ct rs know) BP OUUFS455\u00a2300)","SOFTWIRE PINNACLE MICRO's Apex 4.6 optical RE-ELECT JFK Aftermath: Re-elect JFK disc drive is said to offer better perfor- mance and dollar-per-megabyte value UADRA\u2019S RE-ELECT JFK ($50) HAS AN Two sections utilize the master\u2019s text than most magnetic hard drives. Avail- OD irresistibie premise: After suffer- able in external (shown) and internal ing a superficial flesh wound during an as a learning tool: \u201cWorks\u201d includes configurations ($1,695), the Apex fea- assassination attempt in Dallas on No- vember 22, 1963, you, in the role of synopses of all 37 plays and a selection tures a maximum data President John F. Kennedy, are back on rate of 6 MBps, a syn- the job just a few days later. You have of his sonnets, while \u201cMyths, Legends, chronous sustained to grapple with the volatile issues of the transfer rate of 4.5 day\u2014The Vietnam War and The Civil and Mysteries\u201d sets out to debunk the Rights Movement, especially\u2014without MBps, and a synchro- losing sight of your primary goals: idea that someone else penned the nous burst transfer rate of up to 10 namely, finding out who tried to kill MBps; in its A\/v mode, the disk\u2019s rotat- you and making sure you\u2019re re-elected works attributed to Shakespeare. ing speed increases as the head in 1964. You can also choose a cam- moves across a disk to maintain a paign slogan, finesse the Civil Rights You\u2019ve pretty much hit the end of the constant data rate of 3.3 MBps. Act past stubborn legislators, attend nu- Rewritable 5.25-inch disks ($199 merous Cabinet meetings, and peruse road when you\u2019ve checked out all of the apiece) store up to 4.6 GB of data with classified FBI documents concerning an average seek time of 17 ms. Di- your attempted assassination. While the clips, but if you aren\u2019t fascinated mensions are 2.9 x 8.4 x 10.6 inches action proceeds at a leisurely pace com- (h\/w\/d) for the external model and 1.6 pared to the run-and-gun style of much enough by then to tackle the plays them- x 5.8 x 8.3 inches for the internal mod- of today\u2019s standard CD-ROM fare, Re- el. Circle 135 on reader service card elect JFK certainly delivers the goods. selves, you\u2019re probably more suited to And when it shows us how different the ba world could have been had JFK lived, it reruns of MacGyver than Macbeth. leaves traditional role-playing games : an far, far behind. (Mac disc) (Windows and Mac discs) \u2014KK $C&T2's MSK-200 ($229) combines a \u2014Ken Korman full-function multimedia keyboard with two 4-inch speakers and a power am- DISCOVERING SHAKESPEARE TRUTHS & FICTIONS plifier that\u2019s rated to deliver 6.5 watts HIS GENTLE INTRODUCTION TO WIL- A Journey From Documentary per channel. Features include a built- liam Shakespeare\u2019s life, times, and to Digital Photography in Omnidirectional microphone, an LED volume readout, and jacks for external works is an antidote for anyone suffer- HAT\u2019S A PHOTOGRAPHER TO DO speakers, an external headphone, and ing from that dreaded affliction known when \u201ccontent doesn\u2019t make an a microphone. Volume, bass, treble, as Bardaphobia\u2014the fear of interpret- appointment with geometry\u201d (transla- and balance controls are provided for ing and understanding Shakespeare\u2019s tion: your pictures don\u2019t turn out the adjusting speaker output. The 200 brilliant works. IVI\u2019s Discovering way you intended)? In Voyager\u2019s Truths comes with a PS\/2 cable adaptor. Cir- Shakespeare ($30) leads you through & Fictions: A Journey From Documen- cle 136 on reader service card the delightful maze of The Bard\u2019s syn- tary to Digital Photography ($40), doc- tax and relentless triple-entendres by umentary photographer Pedro Meyer offering a smorgasbord of 1-minute demonstrates how he circumvents this videos about his boyhood days in Strat- problem by using a computer to digital- ford, his 20-year residency in London, ly combine and alter photographic im- and other fascinating aspects of his ca- ages. With the aid of a large interactive reer. Titillating tidbits, such as his picture gallery, Meyer combines vari- \u201cnasty\u201d marriage to Anne Hathaway ous elements of pictures that don\u2019t quite and the child who arrived something work on their own and digitally mas- less than 9 months later, lend some sages them into a seamless, visually depth to our image of this literary giant. balanced whole. Aided by a brilliant in- 96 DECEMBER 1995 VIDEO","teractive multimedia \u201cLetters\u201d section, has it in for sheep ranchers. According STD ENTERTAINMENT's PS Arcade the artist also examines the impact that to CyberFlix, every conflict that arises joystick ($60) is designed to bring ar- the digital revolution has had on the can be resolved \u201cpeacefully\u201d; a hint cade-style control to users of Sony's world of photography and the ethical book can be purchased at the dry-goods PlayStation game system. The PS has question of a documentary photographer store, and a friendly Chinese curio-sho) altering true-to-life images. Through dealer, appropriately named Help, \u00a2 eight full-size fire buttons, a metal masterful manipulation of pixels, Meyer keep you on the right path. But never base and joystick shaft, four auto-fir- will help you clarify your vision. (Mac forget that Bo; ot Hill i\u2018 s just over yond\u201cer, disc) \u2014Josef Krebs (Mac and Windows discs) \u2014-Pete Hisey ing speeds, and three slow-motion DUST CENTIPEDE\/MILLIPEDE | Speeds; an LED indicator displays the A Tale of the Wired West selected fire and slow-mo setting. Cir- ACK IN THE DAYS WHEN YOU ONL! cle 137 on reader service card HILE CYBERFLIX\u2019S DUST: A TALE OF the Wired West ($60) doesn\u2019t ex- B cca a quarter to play an arcade actly break new ground, it does the \u201cwander, chat, and gather\u201d genre better game, Atari ruled the home-videogame than most. To summarize: It\u2019s 1882, and market with its mighty 2600 system and you\u2019re the stranger in Diamondback, New Mexico. If you play your cards game fare like Asteroids, Missile Com right, you\u2019ll be elected sheriff, tame the town, and maybe even discover hidden mand, and Pac Man. Now Nintendo hi treasure. Quick wits, a winning conver- snapped up the rights to a bunch of How the West was wired: Dust cade classics and reworked them for play sational style, and a little help from newfound friends will help keep you on their handheld Game Boy system. Be- alive through the 5 days the game cov- ers\u2014though having a gun at hand never cause of the limited amount of memory hurts. Each character you meet in Dust (there are 36 of them) is given realistic required, each cartridge offers two com- motivations, and it falls on your shoul- ders to make valuable friends or, if plete games. you\u2019re not careful, spiteful enemies. For example, one carpetbaggerish type is in Both games on the Centipede\/Millipede town to buy up land in anticipation of the railroad coming through, and another cartridge ($30) feature a style of play that I call \u201cthe wave\u201d: Enemies approach in increasingly intense waves, and players must clear one wave before proceeding to the next. In Centipede, you\u2019re trapped in an enchanted forest and must defend yourself from invading hordes of cen- tipedes, scorpions, fleas, and poisonous mushrooms by zapping them with a mag- DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA\u2019s Motion ic wand. In Millipede, you\u2019re again for- Player 2000 daughterboard ($299; est-bound, this time battling spiders, la- $499 with 2 MB of vRAM) enhances the dybugs, and a giant millipede with magic performance of the company\u2019s arrows and the occasional DDT bomb, all Stealth64 Video 3000 Series multime- the while dodging poisonous mushrooms. dia accelerators by relieving the com- (The big difference between the two puters CPU of MPEG-1 processing du- games: the number of legs on your ene- ties. The 2000 provides hardware- mies.) Sure, the graphics are rudimentary accelerated MPEG-1 audio and video and the controls are simplistic, but that\u2019s decompression for 30-fps playback of part of these games\u2019 charm\u2014it\u2019s nice to MPEG-encoded programs, with smooth move past the first level without exhibit- full-motion video on most 486 or better ing the dexterity of a concert pianist. MPCs. The daughterboard utilizes C- Centipede and Millipede are cool re- Cube Microsystems\u2019 MPEG-1 decom- minders that glitzy graphics can only pression chip and the S3 Vision VA in- support a good game, not turn it into one. tegrated circuit for color space (Game Boy cartridge) conversion, scaling, and dithering. It \u2014James K. Willcox also allows for two video windows from independent video sources and video input Capabilities to view live video from NTSC or PAL sources, Circle 138 on reader service card a VIDEO DECEMBER 1995 97","SHORTWARE Power Trio Atlantic Technology M110\/M105 Sub\/Sat System S SILICON-DEVELOPERS AND ANY- one with an engagement ring can tell you, big things sometimes come in small packages. Atlantic Technology\u2019s M110\/M105 multimedia subwoofer\/satellite speaker system brings this rationale to the realm of computer sound. Plain and simple, this the integral low-pass crossover. The Anyone with an ear for good sound will enjoy adjusting the M110\/M105 system punches holes in the theory that two numbers in the button legend refer combo, and the effort won\u2019t be wasted: small speakers can\u2019t sound big. to the audio frequency at which the This little trio sounded damn good\u2014 The M110 satellite ($119 a pair) re- subwoofer\u2019s output begins to roll off. and much larger than its size suggests. I sides in an innocuous package. Its wee Level adjustment is pretty straightfor- _ ran it through my usual gauntlet of ref- erence CD-ROMs and gold-plated au- beige cabinet measures a mere 7 x 4 x ward\u2014after finding a pleasant level diophile CDs, and it sounded rich and 4.25 inches (h\/w\/d); the right speaker with the M110\u2019s level knob, turn the clean. From their positions about 6 in the stereo pair has a headphone M105\u2019s level up until you have a pleas- inches to either side of my monitor, the M110s presented a fairly wide and mini-jack, a power pushbutton, and ing balance between all three speakers. deep \u201csoundstage,\u201d and the M105, which sat in a corner created by my knoblets for volume and treble, but oth- The position you choose for the desk and the wall behind it, added some fairly serious impact. erwise the sats are distinctly plain, with M105\u2019s crossover button should affect only some ridged trim and AT\u2019s wave where you set its level, however. logo to keep them from disappearing. While it may seem like there couldn\u2019t Each satellite has a 3-inch driver. The be much of an audible difference be- plastic cabinets are ported to extend tween these settings, they made the bass response and shielded to prevent M105 sound like two different sub- interference with your monitor. The woofers. The owner\u2019s manual recom- right speaker includes the sats\u2019 ampli- mends the 100-Hz setting for most sys- fiers; real-world power output is rated tems. And it\u2019s a good suggestion, since at 3 watts per channel. Bass is automat- that delivers tighter, more accurate COSMETICS ically boosted with lower volume-level sound\u2014especially if you follow the settings and cut when you crank the manual\u2019s other main setup suggestion volume. Threaded holes in the back and position the M105 against a wall or panel allow wall-mounting. in a corner, which increases the bass PERFORMANCE The M105 subwoofer ($229) is a you hear. If you can\u2019t put the M105 in | rugged little box. It measures 6.6 x 7.1 one of these spots, or if the application CIRCLE 139 ON READER SERVICCAERD x 10.2 inches (h\/w\/d) with its rubber youre running is truly anemic in terms feet, which provide some measure of of bass output, you may want to pop stability. It\u2019s a cosmetic match for the the button out to the 130-Hz position. M110s, though its visuals will probably This simply adds some midbass to the Atlantic Technology\u2019s M110\/M105 be irrelevant, since it\u2019s designed to be M105\u2019s output, which gives the entire package doesn\u2019t produce audiophile- stashed under a desk. One 6.5-inch presentation some potentially welcome grade sonics (no multimedia speakers dual-voice-coil woofer does the sub- boominess. I\u2019ve heard can), but when set up and ad- woofing; power output is given as 45 And then there\u2019s the level factor: justed correctly it makes multimedia watts. \u201cSoft-clipping\u201d circuitry is on While the 100-Hz crossover setting applications and even music CDs hand to keep the M105 from hurting it- tightens up the bass, it also appears to sound extremely good. If you already self\u2014or your ears\u2014if you go a little lower bass output somewhat. You can have trouble tearing yourself away crazy with the volume knob. compensate for this by jacking up the from your MPC or Mac and add this The user features are located on one M105\u2019s level a bit. Conversely, if you set, Isuggest stocking up on snacks and end, The two that you should concern choose the 130-Hz setting, or switch to your favorite beverage\u2014the M110\/ yourself with are the level knob and the it sporadically, you may want to knock M105 will keep you at it for the long HZ 100\/130 pushbutton; the latter sets _ the sub\u2019s level down. haul. \u2014Bill Wolfe 98 DECEMBER 1995 Vii"]