video-magazine-1992-06

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That means it costs Wenntatverctenial avon aleUaleesareere of $7500. ate MITSUBISHI Thats a fair sum of money, even for an ardent videophile. But,as the © 1992 Mitsubishi Electronics America, Inc. For the name of your nearest dealer call toll-free 1-800-374-2222. saying goes, You get what you pay for.” Namely, the most advanced 35” direct-view TV weve ever offered. A unique digital ghost reduction circuit subdues those stationary ghosts that are typical of broadcast signals. While our dual conver- sion tuner improves the image re- jection ratio, along with various other cable-signal irregularities. The CRT has the industry’ finest phosphor pitch, plus a very- large-aperture electron gun, for an amazingly bright, sharp picture. A special high-contrast coating on our Diamond Visior* picture tube increases the contrast by 20%. And tocompletelyseparate black & white and colorelements, while maintaining maximum picture res- olution, we designed a true three dimensional digital comb filter. The new CS-35X7. Like we said, the best 35” TValot of money can buy. a’e MITSUBISHI TECHNICALLY, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE” Circle 5 on Reader Service Card.

VIDEO. FEATURES HDTV OLYMPIAD 34 Five challengers go for the gold. By David Lachenbruch TAPES & DISCS 48 VIDEOTESTS CAMCORDERS ’92 SPECIAL SECTION 50 DEPARTMENTS HAVE IT YOUR WAY 54 Whatever your shooting tastes, there’s a camcorder made just for you. 56 By Brent Butterworth HANDS-ON TEST: CANON A LA CARTE 58 Extra lenses turn a camcorder into a system. By Ty Harrington CALL OF THE WILD 60 A restless lens, an eye for game and the thrill of the hunt captured on tape. By Ty Harrington 62 MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES As different versions of videotapes increase, so do the audience’s choices. 63 By April P. Bernard 69 INSTALLATION OF THE MONTH: THEATER IN THE ROUND An offbeat room steals the spotlight in a personal playground. By Stan Pinkwas 14 ROUND TWO Cover: New programs, selling strategies and motion video may bring CD-I Hot new camcorders for and CDTV closer to home in their second year. By Ron Goldberg 92 include Sharp's REVIEWS For the Boys, The Last Boy Scout, M*A*S*H and Camelot on laserdisc, more 6 8mm VL-MX7U Twin- EDITOR’S CHOICE / Empire of the Air. By Kenneth Korman Cam and Minolta’s two- DIRECTORY / The latest releases on tape and disc gh CCD Hi8 Pro 8-918. SONY EV-S3000 Hi8 VCR, 10 Photo by Vittorio Sartor RCA Pro850 8mm camcorder, Sharp XV-S250ZU LCD projector, JVC GR-AX50U VHS-C camcorder. By Berger-Braithwaite Labs 30 Video Magazine CHANNEL ONE / The meaning of obsolete FEEDBACK / Letters from readers 32 Volume XVI GAZETTE / Ed Sullivan’s best, Bruce Springsteen on satellite TV, more 122 Number 3 HANDS-ON TEST / RoomTunes NEW PRODUCTS / Big-tube Sony TVs, editing accessories, more OFF THE AIR / Can Congress cure cable’s video disability? ky VIDEO Magazine (ISSN 1044-7288) is published monthly by Reese Communications, Inc., 460 W. 34 St., New York, NY 10001. Second-class postage paid at New York, NY and additional mailing office. © 1992 Reese Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. © under Universal, Intemational, and Pan American Copyright Conventions. Reproduction of editorial or pictorial content in any manner The is prohibited. Single copy price $2.50; $2.95 in Canada; £2.50 in U.K. One-year subscription (12 issues) $15.; Canada, $22.47 (includes GST #R125938423) U.S.; foreign, air mail, $40 U.S. Canadian Audit —_international publication permit #546488. Address subscription orders, change of address, correspondence and inquiries to: VIDEO, Box 56293, Boulder, CO 80322-6293, or call toll-free 800-365-1008. Bureau —Change of address takes 60 days to process: send old address label, new address, and zip code. All material listed in this magazine is subject to manufacturer's change without notice, and publisher assumes no responsibility for such change. Printed in the U.S.A. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VIDEO, Box 56293, Boulder, CO 80322-6293. For microform copies of issues or articles, write to: Serials Acquisition Dept., University Microfilms, Inc., 300 North Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48106. 4 VIDEO JUNE 1992

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HOW TO BUY CHANNEL ONE A/V RECEIVERS The meaning of obsolete The audio/video receiver is the There’s been a lot of talk lately about how new video technologies will centerpiece of the home theater — render their predecessors obsolete. Yet history has shown that by any its strength defines the possibili- strict definition of “obsolete,” this contention is almost always wrong. ties of the entire system. It has to have enough features to satisfy Webster describes obsolete as “no longer in use or no longer use- ful” and, alternatively, as “of a kind or style no longer current.” Many both audiophiles and videophiles. video veterans remember when television was going to obsolete radio An example of a well- and movies, color was going to obsolete black-and-white, VCRs were going to obsolete movie theaters. But these “obsolete” technologies rounded a/v receiverisSherwood’s adapted to changing times, altering to survive in different forms. new RV-6010R, their first model offering Dolby Pro Logic. The AM radio ceded soap operas, sitcoms and vaudeville routines to RV-6010R has five amplifier television, becoming instead the outlet for the music that defined the channels with each having its own \"50s and ’60s. Color and black-and-white television made their peace pre-out/main-in jacks — making at the outset, enabling viewers to enjoy Casablanca on a new color TV the unit easily expandable. In its set in glorious black-and-white. Movie theaters shifted to bigger Pro Logic mode, the RV-6010R screens, spectacles and a bawdy realism that couldn’t be broadcast un- pumps 105 watts to the front chan- censored into living rooms. The VCR gave us more control over what nels, 18 watts to the rear surround we watch and when we watch it. A new type of retail outle—tthe vid- channels and 30 watts for the cen- eo store—appeared and prospered. Even last year, after all, Americans ter dialogue channel. purchased nearly a million black-and-white TV sets, nearly 40 years after color hit the market. In addition to the five-chan- nel Pro Logic, Sherwood’s receiver In recent months, talk about the threat of new technologies has fo- cused on the potential impact that electronic delivery systems (so- boasts three called video on demand) and high-definition TV may have on two more sur- video era mainsta—ytshe video retail store and the conventional TV round modes. set. It’s only natural that new delivery systems will pressure existing It also has technology to adapt, but we think there will continue to be an impor- test tone and tant role for the video store, as a place to buy and rent home video digital delay programs, for many years to come. The video store helped lay the time control foundation for the video era, and the trip to the video store—to for manipu- browse, to chat about movies, to recommend or get a recommenda- lation and customizing all of the tion —has quickly become an integral element of the American scene. surround effects. The most unique feature of In the case of HDTV, however, there’s potential in the latest FCC the 6010R is its Discrete Ampli- proposal to render the 200-million-plus NTSC sets now in homes “no fier Stage (DAS). Discrete ampli- longer useful” by the year 2008 without some type of converter to en- fiers deliver better power handling able them to receive HDTV signals. Of course, 2008, the year the FCC capabilities and heat dissipation proposes that broadcasters stop delivering NTSC signals, is a long way than integrated circuits (ICs), off. There’s a lot of time to come up with alternatives, including which many manufacturers use in HDTV-ready conventional sets. But if the FCC’s timetable is adopted, place of discrete amplifiers. it will have finally found a way, at least for broadcast purposes, to ob- The Sherwood RV-6010R solete the conventional television set. is just one example of a high- powered a/v receiver. There are a James M. Barry host of models currently available Editor to choose from. For more infor- mation on what to look for in an audio/video receiver, as well as a selection of models to choose from, contact your nearest PARA dealer. PARA is an association of eo, ae aa retailers. To locate a a dealer near you, call: B“sUa|PdOjaIDpEIAeIDaDayS (816) 444-3500 VIDEO JUNE 1992

VIDEO FEEDBACK President and Managing Director, The merits of XS free market work will always maximize Jay Rosenfield We, too, applaud your article (“Audio competition, produce the most progress Executive Vice President, Input,” Jan. ’92) that discussed ration- and provide the best products at the Edward M. Milarsky ally the differences between our pat- lowest price. ented XS Stereo technology and stereo Editor, James M. Barry that incorporates the dbx noise reduc- Mark C. Syverson tion system. Unlike Mr. Craft of dbx Managing Editor, Stan Pinkwas (““Feedback,” Apr. ’92), however, we see Lawrence, Kansas Technical Editor, Lancelot Braithwaite no “labeling controversy.” What we see Senior Editors, Kenneth Korman, is an outstanding new technology that Birth of an Animation: Bob Thomas’ book traces Brent Butterworth delivers stereo sound from today’s com- the colorful history of Walt Disney animation. Assistant Editors, Brian Clark, pact TV cabinets with self-contained April P. Bernard speakers. Our customers’ reactions have New kid on the block Contributing Editors: Bob Angus, Mavis shown the true test of stereo lies not in Arthur, Bob Barlow, Frank Beacham, Ivan machine tests but in the actual listening I am a new subscriber (my first issue ar- Berger, James Caruso, Steve Daly, Steve experience. When put to that test, XS rived three days ago), and you have al- Ditlea, Bruce Eder, Ron Goldberg, Ty Stereo is a clear winner. ready cost me money with your review Harrington, David Lachenbruch, Frank of Bob Thomas’ Disney’s Art of Anima- Lovece, Gordon McComb, Marianne James A. Gatman, tion. |bought the book that day. The re- Meyer, Rich Warren, Stewart Wolpin, General Manager, view was exactly right, and I’m pleased Roderick Woodcock Core-Line TV Product Management to be alerted to something of such value. Thomson Consumer Electronics Art Director, Lonnie Heller Your movie reviews seem to be just as Associate Art Director, Vera Naughton Defending your cable much on the mark, and if your equip- Art Assistant, Luis Ramos Jr. ment information is on the same level, Production Manager, James LoGrasso After reading all the complaints about my future purchases will be very satisfy- Production Assistant, Gaye Whyte cable TV (“Reader Forum,” Apr. ’92), I ing. Typesetting, Janet M. Holland must set the record straight. I work for a cable company and, while I’ll agree that Margot Greig Publisher, Eric C. Schwartz no industry is perfect, let’s get real. Ca- Arlington, Virginia ble is just one part of the entertainment Vice President, Circulation picture in the ’90s. Cable companies are For the record and Special Projects, Rena Adler going out of their way to try to be com- Circulation Assistant, Elizabeth Moss patible with an electronics industry that Our “Videotest” of the Mitsubishi HS- Newsstand Sales Director, Gerald Levine in and of itself is not compatible. Re- Marketing Director, Luanne Rao garding service, what other industry pro- CX7U S-VHS camcorder (Apr. ’92) in- Financial Officer, Albert Mineo | vides free service calls and will even Business Manager, Janette Evans adjust the bill until a service call can correctly stated that Panasonic’s image Assistant Business Manager, solve the problem? If you have a prob- Lily Schwartzberg lem with your cable system, work with stabilization system only corrects for up- it, and I’m sure you'll be happy, just like Corporate Offices, Editorial & Sales: 460 85 percent of cable subscribers are. and-down movement. Like Mitsubishi's West 34 Street, New York, NY 10001; 212-947-6500, 212-947-6727 (fax) Larry Martin system, Panasonic’s corrects for side-to- West Coast Sales Office: Linda DeRogatis, Fairfield, Ohio Associate Publisher; Cynthia Gallivan, side movement as well. The difference is West Coast Advertising Manager; 1453 Now is the time for all freedom-loving that Mitsubishi’s system is designed to Third Street, Suite 490, Santa Monica, CA individuals to contact the U.S. House of 90401; 213-393-5057, 213-393-5538 (fax) Representatives to fight passage of the distinguish between shaking and inten- Chicago Sales Office: Milton Gerber, Media cable regulation bill. Today’s cable pro- Plus, 4409 RFD Stonehaven Drive, Long gramming is the result of many years of tional camera movement. a ‘Grove, IL 60047;708-913-5400, struggle against the odds. Cable perse- 708-913-5403 (fax); 405 North Wabash, vered because its customers voted with Video Magazine welcomes your comments. Chicago, IL 60611; 312-644-0001, their dollars to support cable. Rather Please include a phone number, but not a 312-644-0930 (fax) than regulating cable, we should elimi- return envelope as the volume of mail does Detroit Sales Office: John Kennedy & nate existing regulation, especially the not permit replies. Letters may be edited for Associates, 16899 Village Lane, Grosse venal “franchise” rights that local gov- clarity and space. Address correspondence Pointe, MI 48230; 313-886-4399, ernments have created. Letting a truly to Feedback, Video Magazine, 460 West 34 313-354-1482 (fax) Street, New York, NY 10001. Editor-in-Chief, Art Levis (1936-1991) REESE @ CIONMCMORUPNOIRCAATTEIDONS JUNE 1992 VIDEO 7

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GAZETTEEDITED BY KENNETH KORMAN A really big shoo winner Andrew Solt from more than father watched for Louis Armstrong, and I could see groups like the Beatles By the time his Sunday evening variety 1,000 episodes of the show. and the Rolling Stones.” show ended its 23-year run in 1971, Ed Sullivan seemed like a quaint joke, an Solt, who has made a career of com- Solt plans to present the Sullivan anachronistic artifact of vaudeville-era piling archival footage into television material in a series of projects that will show business. include more videos and a syndicated shows and feature documentaries, was television series. These first two tapes But nostalgia makes everything old are meant as an introduction, which new again, and the first two volumes of born in London and never saw the Sul- meant that he had to trim down many of The Very Best of the Ed Sullivan Show the performances to get as wide a variety (Buena Vista) are a baby boomer’s treas- livan show until his family moved to as possible. “We paced the tapes like an ure-trove. Each video features more actual Ed Sullivan show, with something than 80 live performances, mostly from America when he was II. “It was one of for everyone. Sullivan basically had the 50s and ’60s, compiled by Emmy- the first things about the States that I three types of ac—tpopsular singers, comics and the novelty acts. We wanted loved,” Solt recalls. “It was something the introductory tapes to be fast-paced with a good cross-section.” the whole family would watch together. Even two tapes running nearly 100 My mother loved stuff like Richard Bur- minutes each barely dented the wealth of performances presented on the show, ton and Julie Andrews doing scenes almost all of which Solt found in pristine from Camelot, my = condition. “CBS was always very proud of the show—it was its jewel, and they went to pains to preserve it. The Sul- livan show was always state-of-the-art. When other programs were still using two-camera setups, Sullivan was the first to use three, and the show always had the best kinescope equipment.” —M. Faust Bruce takes a shot at TV Your Host of Hosts: Seclusion apparently hasn’t been too CBS's legendary Ed Sul- livan, surrounded by guests easy on megastar Bruce Springsteen, who recently resurfaced from a five-year the Rolling Stones (top), hiatus with two new albums, Human Touch and Lucky Town. Springsteen Jerry Lewis (center) and Di- spent part of that time moving his base ana Ross (bottom). of operations from the New Jersey shore to the relative luxury of Beverly Hills, but he now appears somewhat less than satisfied with the spoils of fame and for- tune. Witness the song “57 Channels (and Nothin’ On)” from Human Touch: Well now home entertainment was my baby’s wish So I hopped into town for a satellite dish I tied it to the top of my Japanese car I came home and pointed it out into the stars A message came back from the great beyond There's fifty-seven channels and nothin’ on

TV series Fawlty Towers — take note: Ba- they're taking a point. If they remember sil lives, at least in a manner of speaking. Cleese learned from Fawlty’s mistakes the joke, they’ve learned what we’re try- and, with four partners, started Video Arts in 1972 expressly to produce hu- ing to teach them.” morous corporate training films. The programs, which feature Cleese in a va- Cleese must be doing something riety of Fawlty-esque situations, are now tight: Video Arts has won more than available on video for rent or sale to the 200 awards, including the National Edu- USS. public. cational Film & Video Festival’s Golden Over the last 20 years, Video Arts has created 125 half-hour programs. Apple. To business folk, however, the More than 110,000 organizations throughout the world have used them to real sign of the company’s success would th tune of $26 million in revenues. The programs take advantage of Cleese’s rep- probably be its 1989 sale to an outside utation and comedic skills to cover busi- conglomerate. Basil Fawltys of the ness topics such as customer relations, Cross Boss: Rocker Bruce Springsteen won't set- and are accompanied by detailed train- world, take note. (For more informa- tle for reruns (or anything else) on satellite TV. ing booklets. tion, contact Video Arts at 8614 W. Ca- In one instance, Cleese plays a rude hotel staff member who learns about talpa Avenue, Chicago, IL 60656, or call courtesy from the Patron Saint of Hospi- After the Boss loses his baby because 800-553-0091.) —Tom Soter tality; in another, he’s an inefficient he just can’t get her to couch-potato board chairman who dreams he is hauled before a court for the negligent heaven, he decides to take matters into conduct of meetings. All the videos Widescreen video were prepared with the help of manage- shapes a thriller his own hands in a way that has tempted ment consultants. viewers since the dawn of television. By his own admission, Cleese —a for- mer member of Monty Python’s Flying The final verse: Circus and co-writer/star of A Fish Called Wan—endvisaioned Video Arts So I bought a .44 Magnum 7 At a press confer- it was solid steel cast ence following the And in the blessed’name of Elvis premiere of Cape Fear (MCA/Uni- well I just let it blast versal), director Martin Scorsese ‘Til my TV lay in pieces stated there were two reasons why there at my feet he chose this terri- And they busted me for disturbing CapeFear’Robert DeNiro fying film for his the almighty peace. first foray into the widescreen format— and neither has anything to do with his Judge said, “What you got in film’s theatrical presentation. your defense son?” “T’ve always wanted to shoot in “Fifty-seven channels and nothin’ on” widescreen, but I’ve never done it be- cause of the eventual panning and scan- We can hardly wait for the music ning they do for television,” Scorsese explained. “But since [the advent of] video. —KK video and now, especially, laserdiscs, most films that are shot in widescreen : aa 3 are presented that way at home through the letterbox format.” Madcap Mentor: Think or Sink, advises John Cleese (left) in a series of business training tapes. The director also found inspiration John Cleese’s purely as a money-making venture. But in forthcoming video technology. “Be- lost episodes he’s quick to add that he’s stayed with it yond laserdiscs, I’m keeping an eye to- because he finds the subject matter fas- ward high-definition television, in which Fans of John Cleese’s exasperated know- the screen will be wider than today’s nothing Basil Fawlty—the pompously cinating. Humor has always been key. sets. I think we can now safely shoot inept innkeeper from the classic British “The right way to use comedy is to make movies in widescreen and know that at a sure all the humor arises out of the teaching points themselves,” Cleese told certain point in time, even broadcast us. “Every time the audience laughs, television audiences will see the proper aspect ratio.” Until HDTV arrives, thrill-seekers will have to content themselves with the letterboxed laserdisc of Cape Fear ($34.98), which hits stores on June Il. —KK JUNE 1992 VIDEO 11

The public’s appetite by, has gone out of business. According for prerecorded vid- to company officials, the integrated cir- eos will continue to cuit has made building components grow dramatically from kits rather pointless. e Philips has over the next five eliminated the biggest problem of TV years, predicted Joe watching—having to hoist yourself from Annechino, vice the sofa to change channels when you president of mer- can’t find the remote control. The com- chandising for Orion pany’s new 35-inch set has a button Home Entertainment, at this spring’s that, when pressed, causes the remote to annual meeting of the International As- chirp from its hiding place. e Aiwa plans sociation of Magnetic and Optical Me- On the Level: Cutaway of the new XBR? picture a rousing return to the U.S. video mar- tube, which Sony says is the flattest in the industry. ket with the industry’s first affordable dia Manufacturers. According to multistandard VCRs, priced from $400 Annechino, prerecorded videos will generate nearly $12 billion in revenues year-e—nSodny is conspicuous in its re- to $500. The new decks will convert this year, growing to more than $17 bil- luctance to follow suit, all the more so PAL to NTSC, or vice versa. e Beta still lion in 1997. About 62 percent will be since the company is aggressively devel- lives! Last year Dearborn, Michigan’s from rentals, and 38 percent from sales. oping HDTV production equipment. Adray Appliance shut down its Beta By 1997, sales are projected to grow to The reason, say Sony insiders, is that the business for lack of product. But the dis- 43 percent of the total. e Now it’s the company believes it makes more sense covery of a new stash of Paramount “ScabCam”: During the contentious to wait at least until the Federal Com- movies on Beta has brought Adray back confrontations between Caterpillar and munications Commission selects an in. Betaphiles can score great videos like United Auto Workers in Hinsdale, Illi- HDTV standard in 1993. e Sony may Star Trek, Indiana Jones and Eddie Mur- nois, this spring, union members used have stolen some of HDTV’s thunder phy movies for $5.99 or less. Call camcorders to document their brethren with its XBR2 (or XBR Squared) line— 313-274-9500 for a title list. e Don’t put who crossed picket lines and returned to three new sets with high-contrast faces off that video editing session much long- work. At one point, Caterpillar said 800 that are much flatter than standard er—the deadline for the Video Maga- union members had crossed, a number Trinitrons. The demonstration we just zine/Scotch Videocassette Contest is the union disputed. Let’s go to the vid- saw of two 32-inch models indicates a June 30. Grand prize is $5,000 worth of eotape! @ With several manufacturers new standard of quality for NTSC. e the video and audio equipment of your considering adding widescreen NTSC We're sad to report that Heathkit, the choice. Send entries to: Video/Scotch TV sets within the next year —and mod- company that gave thousands of elec- Contest, Video Magazine, 460 West 34 els by RCA and ProScan promised by | tronics buffs their first taste of the hob- | Street, New York, NY 10001. s MAKING A GREAT VIDEO After using your camcorder the first time, you realize that the built-in microphone INCLUDES QUALITY SOUND T00! ‘3:picks up sounds from all directions, don’t want. And, when shooting from a distance, you can’t hear your subject's voice clearly. Azden, the leader in quality audio for video, offers a full line of microphones to make your sound as good as your pictures. This powerful professional oneal ‘ miniature VHF wireless system has 2 igle a range of over 300 feet. Itallows Full-size directional mic. you to shoot from a distance and pick up your subject's voice bg Allows you to zoom in clearly. It has 2 switchable on subject's voice, frequencies, and itcomes with 2 reducing side noises. _ Range 35-40 feet. ee Headset with boom mic Mini directional mixer for recording sound ss mic for palm-sized from 2 add-on mics and a belt, and the mini receiver can for adding narration as camcorders. Slide personal stereo, while attach to the camera (shoe mount YOU shoot. Your voice switch for adjusting & velcro included) or be kept in becomes the dominant width of sound pick-up you're shooting. Only _ your breast _p_ocket. 0seoundnrecoerdeDd. lOr, use pattern. Low cutfilter, 2 es 1/4\" itcan be aivieewrsend ( GeH\"y

JVC's Video Titler Gives Your Home Videos The Professional Touch Wonder | Wonderfu Wonderful World obi Titling 0 Wonderful World of Titl- ing World of Titl- Wonderful World of Titl- World of Titl- ing Wonderful ing Wonderful ing JX-T88 = Standard-size keyboard with rubber keypads Video Titler = Characters available in four sizes, in any of 8 colors = Outlined and boxed character effects vJiVdCeoo,nwceithagtahienJXe-xTp8a8ndVsidtehoe Tpiottleenrt.iaAldodf | ™%10-7pag-e mlemcoaarpaybniliintcgyludwiuintghaa2csccegrnotlleleptatgeerss :z AIO : = Built-in Standard Signal Generator (SSG) tviatrlieosuns aelahnagguaagesS,elcoalohrs paend psizoes. aGive = Sbu-iVltH-Sin cYo/mCpasteipbalreatowirt/hmixSe-rVideo terminals and your home-videos the true professional = Return monitor function touch, from JVC — The Inventor Of VHS. _ wTitle memory backup function Video Editing Processor AV Selector AV Selector VC COMPANY OF AMERICA ™ Easy-to-operate desktop design # 16 ™ 7 sets of audio/video in and out lines; all J DIVISION OF US JVC CORP. distinctive wipes by combining 5 basic including S-Video terminals ™ Remote @ 4 AV inputs, 3 AV outputs, plus a monitor patterns ™ 8 background colors, plus control provided ® Dual operation with key output with 2 sets of audio jacks 41 Slater Drive, Elmwood Park, N.J. 07407 color-bar chart ® RGB color balancing with lock function ™ Video/audio processor loop = Compatible with Super VHS VCRs @ Front joystick controller # Separate video/audio ® Auxiliary audio inputs ® Two sets of panel AV inputs including an S-Video JVC CANADA INC. faders @ Color intensity adjustment @ Image monitor outputs with S-Video terminals; one terminal ™ Dubbing/editing possible between 21 Finchdene Square, Scarborough Ontario M1X 1A7 enhancer ™ Audio mixing with level meter with a Y/C separator circuit up to 3 VCRs # Remote control for input/ mode selection and power ON/OFF ™ Headphone jack with volume ® Built-in Y/C separator @ Initial setting switch for timer operation

V|BERGER-BRAITHWAITE LABS he. DNR COUNTER RESET TW/VTR TAPE SPEED INPUT SELECT sp/LP Nie cto)alts] PHONE LEVEL 23R4EC5L6EVE7L 89 AUDIO MONITOR 7 % PCM, Mix= (Hsit-oF!A) In the EV-S3000 a timebase corrector (TBC) that Sony's first new straightens horizontal lines and delivers consumer Hi8 VCR, Sony outdid more accurate color, so dubs do not VCR in almost itself in creating a show as much generation loss. The pic- three years, the ture should be stable enough to feed a true Hi8 editor’s EV-S3000, is one of the most power- delight. It offers Video Toaster, as Sony’s other timebase- ful editing decks we’ve tested. Its corrected products can. The EV-S3000 timebase corrector delivers a rock- the surface sim- also incorporates two-level dynamic steady picture with no distortion of plicity of a $200 straight lines and colors, thus mini- noise reduction (DNR) to make noisy mizing generation loss in editing. Two SONY department-store tapes more palatable. The lower noise- levels of dynamic noise reduction special, with all reduction level is the normal operating make even noisy tapes usable. Pic- the power of a pre- mode while the higher level is available ture quality and ease of use are excel- for very noisy pictures. The deck also lent, and audio quality is very good to cise editing VCR excellent, so our overall rating is ex- provides outstandingly stable and de- cellent. At $1,900, it’s expensive, but Hi8 VER in a few extra con- tailed still frames. oh, what a dream editing machine! nections and dedi- Its audio provisions are equally im- cated buttons. It does not include an pressive. Stereo PCM digital audio tracks let you perform audio dubs of edit controller that memorizes scenes much higher quality than those you can and cuts them together automatically. do on VHS and Beta machines, which But ifyou’re willing to edit scenes one by have only a linear analog track for dub- one, you can get as precise a finished bing. It also has stereo AFM hi-fi sound, video as you could with a fancy LANC to reap the sonic benefits of the many newer 8mm and Hi8 camcorders with editing controller. That’s not the end of the story. It has sony EV-s3000 Price: $1,900 Weight & Size (h/w/d): Remote Pause: LANC Remote Control: IR speed, timer record in- Hi8 VER 13.5 lbs; 4 x 18 x 13 wireless with LCD dis- put select, normal/ inches 5-pin and 3-pin (master play, shuttle ring and CATV, transmit, 10-digit keypad, enter, frame, Jacks: front—head- or slave), Control S exposed buttons for forward, reverse, 1/10x phones, mono mic, slow, 1/5x slow, x2, tim- 3-pin LANC and S-vid- Front-Panel Controls: power, TV/VCR, timer er onscreen, tape eo/video/stereo audio; buttons for power, record on/off, timer re- speed, input select, in- rear—RF input and out- dex, index mark, index put. Control $ in, 5-pin eject, clear, DNR, cord clear, timer record erase, command mode, LANC, S-video/video/ counter reset, TV/VTR, menu, execute, cursors stereo audio input, check, data screen, §-video/video/stereo tape speed, input se- Audio: hi-fi AFM ster- audio line and monitor counter reset, pause, eo, PCM digital stereo outputs lect, timer check, timer record with safety, in- record on/off, quick tim- Tuning Method: Tape Formats & er, index mark, index dex, channel up, frequency synthesis Speeds: Hi8, 8mm; erase, edit, audio dub, channel down, locking SP LP channel/index up and Cable Tuning Range: reverse search, rewind/ A-8, 2 to 13, A to W, Video Heads: 2 down. rewind/search, W+1 to W+58, A-5 to play. fast forward/ search, play, stop, fast A-1, W+59 to W+84 Cue & Review Search: 9x search, stop, pause, re- forward/search and Timer: 6-event/1-month Fast Forward/Rewind cord; slide switch for locking forward search; Special Features: still Time: 4-1/4 min. for frame, bidirectional 120-min. tape PCM/AFM/mix audio; TV control exposed but- frame advance, 1/5x rotary control for head- tons—power, TV/video, phone level: shuttle dial channel up and down, and buttons for player/ volume up and down; recorder shuttle mode, covered VCR controls— rockers for day, turn on frame advance forward and reverse, synchro- hours and minutes, turn edit standby and start off hours and minutes, channel, and buttons for clock set/start, tape MPLVEOHISRODSETOITLGELRSOATPHS: 14 VIDEO JUNE 1992

The RCA Pro825 Sportable is a shoe-style 8mm camcorder with large controls and a plain-English manual that make it easy to use. It also has some ad- vanced features — like synchro edit, manual Frame Fixer: VIDEOTEST RCA’s Pro825 iris and a high-speed Sony's EV-S3000 Sportable cam- shutt—ewhrich make 638 corder is the most it serviceable for incorporates a timebase | those who want a bit expel sity e.o17 more than a point- corrector, which elimi- RCA’s current line and-shoot. With a of 8mm cam- good picture, average nates picture instabil- corders, except for audio and very good the Hi8 Pro880. It ities caused by the ease of use, it’s a good tape transport. offers an infrared buy at $1,249. autofocus system | RCA E RECORDER EV-S3000 NTSC that works faster —J and is more stable al. This position works well, because it than through-the- | picks up very little camcorder noise. An camcorder lens types, but has | external mic jack and a wind-noise filter | stereo sound. The AFM and PCM | more limitations. For instance, you can’t switch also occupy the stalk. tracks can be mixed during playback. It | use it when shooting through glass. The lens may be rotated for direct | does not record or play the special mul- The Pro825 uses a rotary control for manual focus, but you won’t need it tiple PCM digital tracks on some earlier manual iris, which permits more accu- muc—hthe internal mechanism pro- Hi8/8mm VCRs, which are used for au- | rate compensation for unusual lighting vides quick, accurate autofocusing. A le- | dio-only recording of up to 24 hours of and shooting. Returning to auto expo- ver on the left side allows manual music on a single 8mm tape. sure is as simple as turning the knob to zooming, a useful feature that has be- Other convenient features include its click-stopped center position. Five come a rarity. The run/stop and zoom auto index marking with manual add high shutter speeds let you achieve clear controls occupy their usual places. Oth- | and erase; a data screen function with stills and slow motion on fast action er camera controls, such as the manual counter, speed and operation informa- shots. A two-page titler lets you super- | iris knob, the autofocus on/off slider and | tion; an easy-to-use programming sys- impose two titles separately, each one | the shutter-speed selector, sit along the | tem; and a system of onscreen help | line of 16 characters. left side for easy access. The viewfinder messages. Both the VCR and the remote The viewfinder onscreen display is slides backward and can be tilted up for carry an edit shuttle ring. The front pan- uncluttered and can even be turned off. low-angle shooting. el has inputs for easy camcorder hookup. For convenience during shooting, the | Using the camcorder is fairly easy | LANC connectors reside on both the play and search controls are always ac- thanks in part to the unusually well- front and rear panels, and it also has tive, providing faster edit search capa- written owner’s manual. There are only Control S output for Sony equipment bility. A dedicated review button gives without LANC. a few options missing, most notably you a quick look at the last few seconds manual white balance. The fader is the continued on page 17 of the previous take. The larger chassis hold-down type that shows exactly what permits big buttons with very little dou- the camera is recording in the finder. On | and 1/10x slow motion, 49.9, LP 49.2: chroma bling of functions, which enhances ease 2x speed play, index- of operation. A wide range of supplied this camcorder the rewind/search, play ing, shuttle dial, flying AM—SP 43.4, LP 43.2; and optional accessories makes it a com- and fast forward/search buttons are ac- erase head, audio dub, chroma PM—SP 40.4, tive even in the record mode if you press LP 39.4 plete video-making system. The most unusual-looking compo- insert edit, counter Audio Frequency and hold them down. That capability memory, DNR, TBC, Response: AFM—20 nent of the Pro825 is its microphone, makes it easy to find the correct spots read and display data Hz-20 kHz, +0.5/-3.1 which sticks out front farther than usu- for insert edits (which RCA prefers to code, and preroll syn- dB; digital—20 Hz-15 | call AV dub). You can also view any part kHz, +0/-3 dB chro edit Absent Features: RC Dynamic Range: AFM—76.4 dB, digi- time code, edit monitor, tal—89.3 dB jog dial, titles/graphics Audio Distortion: | REShUsLT ; i AFM—0.3%, | Horizontal Resolution: digital—0.4% | Hi8—400 lines, | 8mm—250 lines S/N Ratios (4B): RATINGS unweighted Hi8 lumi- Picture: excellent nance—SP 45.1, LP Audio: 44.8; weighted Hi8 lu- very good/excellent minance—SP 52.4, LP 50.6; 8mm unweighted Ease of Use: excellent video—SP 45, LP 43.8; Overall: excellent | weighted video—SP JUNE 1992 VIDEO

VIDEOTESTS of the recorded material with sound if RCA Prog2s Auto Fade: hold-down Tape Format & Speed: flying erase head, edit type, to black 8mm SP search, switchable you use headphones. You may have to 8mm Camcorder wind-noise filter Shutter Speeds (sec.): Video Heads: 4 get accustomed to the notion that nor- normal (1/60), 1/120, Absent Features: digi- mal shutter speed is the off position on 1/250, 1/1,000, 1/2,000 Edit Search: forward, tal audio, manual white the shutter switch. 1/10,000 play and reverse in balance, frame ad- camcorder pause mode vance, slow motion, The audio/video in/out connector plus quick review speed play, time code, auto macro focus accepts both the supplied video output White Balance: auto Cue & Review Search: 9x forward, 7x reverse RESULTS and RF output cables and the optional Viewfinder: electronic, input or synchro edit cable. If used, the with diopter and on- Fast Forward/Rewind Horizontal Resolution: screen indicators for Time: approx. 8 min. 250 lines input cable must be plugged in first and Price: $1,249 high shutter speeds, for P6-120 dew/no tape/protected/ S/N Ratios (dB): un- a connector on the back of its plug will Weight & Size (h/wid): tape end, tape type/ Remote Pause: use weighted video—41,7, 2.3 Ibs. without cas- length, battery level, optional synchro edit weighted video—48.5, accept any one of the three output ca- sette or battery; 4-3/8 x time counter/memory/ cable chroma AM—42.4, bles. The optional synchro edit cable al- 4x 12 inches time remaining, trans- chroma PM—37.7 port status/function, Remote Control: IR lows the Pro825 to start and stop Image Sensor: date and time wireless with buttons Audio Frequency 1/2-inch CCD for A/V dub, play, re- Response: 20 Hz-10 synchro edit-equipped RCA and Hitachi Viewfinder Controls: wind/search, fast for- kHz, +0.2/-3 dB; down Lens: {/1.4, 8x diopter focus, ward/search, pause/still 10.5 dB at 20 kHz VCRs automatically when editing. The (8.7-70mm) power positioning and stop zoom with telemacro Hi-Fi Dynamic Range: camcorder does not accept conventional and macro ranges VCR Controls: rewind/ Audio: hi-fi AFM stereo 74.6 dB search, play, fast for- A/V cables with RCA-type plugs on Filter Diameter: 46mm ward/search, stop, Titles/Graphics: char- Audio Distortion: 0.4% pause, record start/stop acter graphics—2 each end. You may use the remote only Minimum Focusing and A/V dub pages, each 1 line of RATINGS Distance: 31 inches 16 characters for playback or edit search because it exclusive of macro Microphone: stereo Picture: good does not have any of the camera func- electret condenser Special Features: still tions. Ease of use is very good. Autofocus: IR switch- frame, insert edit, in- Audio: average able to manual with Jacks: external mic, dexing, counter Picture quality is good, about what one-shot AF headphones and A/V memory, auto rewind, Ease of Use: in/out with synchro edit very good we expect from a standard 8mm cam- Minimum Illumination: corder of this type. Audio quality meas- 3.8 lux for 50 IRE Overall: good ures average, aided by the wind switch and mic jack. We rate the Pro825 good Iris: auto/rotary manual overa—lilt’s simple enough for anyone to operate, but it still carries most of the features advanced shooters need. 8 Real guts. Inside this simple black box is a video powerhouse! Videonics Video EditMaker is the only tool you need to create professional-looking videos, complete with titles, graphics, and special effects. Only Video EditMaker offers all this: A patented “Universal” editing method that works with S-Video connections for full compatibility with S-VHS or virtually any VCR and camcorder. Hi8 equipment. Compatibility with Control-L (found on most 8-mm and Hi8 Video EditMaker is an “all-in-one” editing suite for less than $700*. camcorders) and Panasonic 5-pin edit control for faster, automatic editing. Call 1-800-338-EDIT for a spec sheet and the name ofa dealer near you. Sony-RC and VITC timecode support for superior editing Y@_VIDEONICS accuracy (within + 3 frames when using an RC timecode camcorder such as the Sony CCD-V801). Memory to store thousands of scenes (edit points). A built-in titler with 12 title styles and 64 colors. A built-in 1370 Dell Avenue * Campbell, CA * 95008 * 408-866-8300 special effects generator and 22 graphics. © 1992 Videonics, Inc. * U.S. suggested retail price. Price and specifications are subjecttochange without notice. Videonics logo and Video EditMaker are trademarks of Videonics, Inc. VHS is a trademark of JVC. Hi8 is a trademark of Sony. 16 VIDEO JUNE 1992 Circle 2 on Reader Service Card.

OONY VER ty menu gives choices for sharpness, roll capability, which allows it to create slow tracking, TBC and Hi8 auto. The tighter edits when used with the follow- continued from page 15 tuner menu allows normal/CATV ing Sony camcorders as players: CCD- FX410, CCD-FX510, CCD-V701 and The uncluttered front panel has a ranges, auto preset, manual set, AFT CCD-V801. shuttle ring with indicators above it for and fine tuning. still, forward and reverse, plus buttons With the CCD-V801, which has RC for forward and reverse frame advance. Hidden in all of the simplicity is a re- time code, edits become almost frame- Other buttons determine whether these ally powerful editing VCR. Part of that accurate. It will read and display the controls affect the player or the re- power comes from its ability to act as ei- V801’s data code, which carries hour, corder. There are also synchro edit ther the master or slave in synchro edit mode. Another part comes from its pre- continued on page 53| standby and start/stop buttons. io if=|a& J> 1 Listy Most of the controls hide behind a «a fold-down panel. Besides the typical controls for the tuner and the tape ylgu“y atl ~>t, ! transport, there is a rotary headphone level control, a PCM/mix/hi-fi audio == switch and a DNR button. A smaller compartment holds jacks for S-video/ if video/stereo audio input, submini (three-pin) LANC and headphones. jyuiar4 Along with RF input and output for FOoseceees antenna or cable hookup, the back pan- el has a duplicate set of A/V inputs and The MAX: 1000 two outputs. The monitor output carries a line conditioner/surge protector the onscreen displays, while the line output, which is intended for recording, by PANAMAX does not. There are also Control S and five-pin LANC jacks. Designed for the discriminating audiophile who The Panamax printed circuit board features our exclusive balanced circuitry for On its surface, the remote control wants the sound quality improvements that can optimum performance and control. has basic functions, like a shuttle dial only be obtained with superb, low-source Superior components, design and cratts- with 1/5x, Ix, 2x and search speeds in ei- impedance line conditioning. The MAX 1000 manship enable us to back the MAX 1000 ther direction; transport controls like continuously monitors and filters AC power and with the “Panamax Lifetime Product & play and stop; and volume, channel, provides the most technically advanced power Connected Equipment Warranty. power and input controls for Sony TV sets. A window reveals an LCD display protection available. that provides information on program- ming, time, tape speed and other func- 1. Line Voltage LED Indicator - 8. Two Unswitched \"Always On\" 10. Two \"Delayed Turn-On\" AC tions. The top surface folds up to reveal Constantly monitors AC voltage. Outlets - Provide power when the Outlets - 10 to 15 second delayed six rockers for programming, frame ad MAX 1000 is plugged in. Compon- Start-up/shut-down prevents amp- vance and slow-motion buttons, and 2. Indicator Light - Shows the ents with clocks or programmable lifier \"thump\". menu cursor and control buttons. MAX 1000 is plugged in, and that features remain in operation. there is clean = to the \"Always 11. Coax In/Out Connection - With 8mm software, which is now On\", (Un-switched) outlets. 9. Four Switched Outlets - AC Coax line protection. readily available, even the kids will be wer for the system accessories. comfortable using the EV-S3000 as a 3. Master On/Off Switch - Con- ower controlled by front panel standard VCR. The remote’s LCD pro- trols power to the \"Switched\" and grammer makes timeshifting easy. It’s a \"Delayed Turn On\" outlets. switch or by the master control. bit like Panasonic’s LCD Program Direc- tor, except that instead of using thumb- 4. Eight AC Outlets - Provide FRONT PANEL wheels, you use dedicated rockers to continuously monitored, filtered select the day, turn on hours, turn on and protected power. Call 1-800-952-5409. Ask for Dept. PE 41 minutes, turn off hours, turn off minutes and channel. When all is complete, a 5. Circuit Breaker -15 AMP transmit reminder flashes on the display and a touch of the transmit button sends 6. Ten ft. AC Power Cord (14 AWG) the event to the VCR. 7. Six ft. AC Master Control Some functions are available Power-Sensing Cable - Connects through a nested menu system with to master control unit (18 AWG). pages for auto functions, setup, picture adjust and tuner presetting. Each offers PANAMAX. *THE PANAMAX LIFETIME WARRANTY - Panamax will repair or replace any equipment a submenu with a wide range of choices. The auto menu offers various combina- damaged by a power surge while properly connected to a Panamax surge protector. tions of play, stop, rewind, go to zero, See actual warranty for details. timer record and power off. The setup menu allows selections for master/slave Circ le 3 on Reader Service Card. LANC operation, shuttle mode, auto stereo, auto antenna select, auto SAP and data code display. The picture quali- JUNE 1992 VIDEO 17

TAKE IT ALL | | | _ GRAND *15,000” PRIZE YOU can take home over $15,000 worth of the latest, greatest, and most up-to-date video equipment available today. Fill out the Official Entry Form for VIDEO Magazine's exciting new “Winner Take All’ home video sweepstakes. The prizes will include: % State of the Art Projection Television * Deluxe Videocassette Recorder * Pioneer Laser Karaoke Combination Player, Model #CLD-V820 * Fisher 31” Television, Model #PC2631 % Deluxe Camcorder x ParkerVision’s CameraMan Camcorder Accessory ++ Philip’s CD-Interactive LaserDisc Player x Mitsubishi's HTS-100 Home Theater System + Videonics Video Equalizer -+ JBL Signature Series S-1 Pedestal Subwoofer + Panamax Max 1000 Home Theater Surge Protector + NADY’s Wireless Mic System ~ Image Entertainment’s Collector's Edition of Fantasia & Pioneer LDCA LaserDisc Collection “+ Arkon’s TC-600 Turbo CamCharger * Optech’s Compact Video Strap % Opsin’s Eyeopener Video Accessory +e Kenko’s Compact Lens Set * Kenko’s Assorted Filter Set All this can be yours simply by filling out the coupon below and mailing it in, or dropping itoff at the special sweepstakes box set up at this summer’s Consumer Electronics Show at McCormick Place in Chicago. So don’t delay. Act today for your chance at over $15,000 worth of prizes. Remember, It’s winner take all*. *4,000 VIDEO Magazine t-shirts will also be awarded as 2nd prizes. OFFICIAL RULES py MAGAZINE'S “WINNER TAKE ALL” EE NO PURCHASE OR OBLIGATION NECESSARY To enter, hand print on an Official Entry Form your name, address and phone number (manually or mechanically reproduced copies of the Official Entry Form are unacceptable) and mail it via first class (limit: ‘one entry per envelope) to: VIDEO Magazine's “Winner Take All” Sweepstakes, P.O. Box 4789, Blair, NE 68009 OR, IF ATTENDING THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW, DEPOSIT YOUR ENTRY IN THE SPECIAL DEPOSITORY PROVIDED. Mail-in entries must be received at prize’headquarters by June 30, 1992; depository entries must be deposited no later than May 31, 1992. Prizes: Grand Prize—A front projection television, VCR, Camcorder, Karaoke Laserdisc Player, CameraMan, CD-Interactive Laser Player, Video Equalizer, Home Theater Surge Protector, Compact Video Strap. Camcorder Charger, Subwoofer, Camcorder Mic System, 31” Color Television, Camcorder Eye Accessory, an Instant Home Theater Accessory, assorted Filter and Compac: Lens Sets, an assortment of video discs and the LaserDisc version of “Fantasia (approx. retail value: $15,200); 1,000 runner- eae VIDEO Magazine t-shirt one size fits all (approx. retail value: $12.95 each). Winners will be selected in random drawings, to be conducted no later than July 31, 4992, from amongst all eligible entries deposited and received at sweepstakes headquarters, by DL. Blair, Inc., an independent judging organization whose decisions are final. No responsibility is assumed for lost, late or misdirected | entries. Mutilated or illegible entries will be disqualified | Sweepstakes open only to residents of the U.S. (except Puerto Rico), 18 years or | older. Employees and members of their immediate families of Reese Communica~ | tions. Inc., their advertising, promotion and sweepstakes agencies are not eligible. Winners will be notified by mail, One prize per family. No substitutions of prizes permitted. Chances of winning are determined by the number of entries received at Sweepstakes headquarters. Taxes are the sole responsibility of the winners. All prizes will be awarded. Offer is subject to all federal, state and local jaws and Tegulations and is void wherever prohibited by law. Potential Grand Prize winner must sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility and Release of Liability within thirty (30) days of attempted notification. Noncompliance within that time period will Tesuit in disqualification and an alternate winner will be selected. Any prize or prize Notification returned as undeliverable will result in the awarding of that prize to an alternate winner. Entry and acceptance of any prize offered constitutes permission to use winner's name, ee ‘or other likeness for the purpose of advertising. trade and promotion on behalf of Reese Communications, Inc. without further compensation to the winner, unless prohibited by law. For a list of winners Ree after ie 31, 1992), send a self-addressed, ould eee to: VIDEO Magazine's “Winner Take All” Winners P.0. Box 4824, air,

HOME WITH INERTAKE ALL- WLAa WEEPSTAKES TAVKE1 EQIT ALL WHINONMEER WTIATKHE TAHLEL \\ SWEEPSTAKES Ss Be NAME YO uU\\_ ADDRESS CA AG > CITY : STATE ZIP WI Ni PHONE A Are you currently a subscriber to VIDEO Magazine? YES NO OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM ... ENTER NOW!!! No purchase or obligation necessary. Entries must be received no later than midnight, June 30, 1992.

TAKE IT ALL |) | | A magazines’ | GRAND *15,000” PRIZE YOU can take home over $15,000 worth of the latest, greatest, and most up-to-date video equipment available today. Fill out the Official Entry Form for VIDEO Magazine's exciting new “Winner Take All’ home video sweepstakes. The prizes will include: * State of the Art Projection Television + Deluxe Videocassette Recorder x Pioneer Laser Karaoke Combination Player, Model #CLD-V820 x Fisher 31” Television, Model #PC2631 * Deluxe Camcorder ~ ParkerVision’s C++amVNeiArdDeaYoM’“na+sincAsWrikCrVoaeinmld’ceessoosrTdECqeM-uri6acl0i0ASzceycrsTeuts*resbmooJrBy~LC*a*SmIiCmghanPaghairetlguirepEer’nstSexeCrrDti-aeOIispnnttmeeSerc-na1htc’’tsPsievdCeeCosotmlLalpaelacscteSotrurD'bisVwsiocdEoedfioPetlriaoSynterr*ao«pfP+xaFna%MnaitmOatpasssiuxiabni’Ms*shaix'PEsiy1oe0noH0ep0TeeSrnH-eo1rLm0D0eCViATHdheoeoLmaaetsAeecrrTcDhSeieussarsctgoeerrCyoPlSrloyetscettcietoomnr ve Kenko’s Compact Lens Set * Kenko’s Assorted Filter Set All this can be yours simply by filling out the coupon below and mailing it in, or dropping it off at the special sweepstakes box set up at this summer's Consumer Electronics Show at McCormick Place in Chicago. So don’t delay. Act today for your chance at over $15,000 worth of prizes. Remember, It’s winner take all*. *1,000 VIDEO Magazine t-shirts will also be awarded as 2nd prizes. OFFICIAL RULES PLACE VIDEO MAGAZINE'S “WINNER TAKE ALL” STAMP SWEEPS HERE WO PURCHASE OR OBLIGATION NECESSARY VIDEO MAGAZINE’S To enter, hand print on an Official Entry Form yout WINNER TAKE ALL SWEEPSTAKES name, address and phone number (manually P.O. Box 4789 mechanically reproduced copies of the Official | Blair, NE 68009 Form are unacceptable) and mail it via first class one entry per envelope) to: VIDEO Magazine's “Wir All’ Sweepstakes, P.O. Box 4789, Blair, NE 680 ATTENDING THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHC YOUR ENTRY IN THE SPECIAL DEPOSITORY PRO entries must be received at prize’ headquarters by depository entries must be deposited no later thar Prizes: Grand Prize—A front projection televisio Karaoke Laserdisc Player, CameraMan, CD-interac Equalizer, Home Theater Surge Protector, Compac Charger, Subwooter, Camcorder Mic System, Sit Eye Accessory, an instant Home Theater es ead] Lens Sets, an assortment of video discs and the (approx. retail value’ $15,200); 1,000 runner-up a one size fits all (approx. retail value: $12.95 | Winners will be selected in random drawings, to be 1992, from ai all eligible entries deposite: headquarters, by D.L. Blair, Inc.. an independe decisions are final. No responsibility is assume entries. Mutilated or illegible entries will be disqu: , Sweepstakes open only to residents of the U.S. (€ older. Employees and members of their immediate tions, inc., their advertising, promotion and sweep ! Winners will be notified by mail. One prize per fa permitted. Chances of winning are determined byt sweepstakes headquarters. Taxes are the sole re prizes will be awarded. Offer is subject to all fe Tegulations and is void wherever prohibited by la must sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility and (30) days of attempted notification. Noncomplia’ result in disqualification and an alternate winner w. Notification returned as undeliverable will result in alternate winner. Entry and acceptance of a prizt to use winner's name, photograph or other likenes trade and promotion on behalf of Reese Commi compensation to the winner, unless prohibited by For a list of winners (available after August 31, stamped envelope to: VIDEO Magazine's \" inner) Blair, NE 68009



VIDEOTESTS VIDEOTEST Sharp, the leader and standard- 639 bearer in LCD projection, has in- SHARP troduced its best U.S.-market pro- LCD jector ever, the Projector, XV-S250ZU. Three new 2.8- inch TFT active- matrix LCD pan- els of 217,945 pix- slls exchh oolff.es tion of 400 lines, a big improvement used to control retractable screens. It Pixel Power: over the 290-line resolution of last year’s has no provisions for audio. More pixels, better res- XV-120ZU (“Videotests,” June 91). It’s olution, a brighter also considerably brighter, and more The XV-S250ZU is almost exactly picture and easier the same size and weight as the servicing help make convenient to use. XV-120ZU. It looks like a fat briefcase Sharp's new LCD pro- A new wireless remote control al- with the lens sticking out one end and a folding handle centered on the top. The jector the best it's lows a user to operate almost all func- top panel holds a power button and a introduced. button that activates a crosshair pattern tions, including power, source selection for focusing. Nearby sit indicators for Shiar ps & Vie and picture adjustment. The lamp can lamp replacement and temperature. $250ZU brings now be replaced by the user, avoiding LCD projection, costly shop service. The projector uses a A compartment along the side of the new /4.5, 105-210mm zoom lens that al- top panel contains buttons for input se- today’s most lows it to be placed as close as five feet, promising video display technology, three inches from the screen. This gives lect, menu system control, blue screen into its second generation. At 400 the user more mounting options than lines, the projector's resolution great- with previous models. The lens may be replaced with wide-angle or long-throw ly exceeds that of past Sharp models. lenses by Buhl or Navitar, for rooms that Sharp also improved brightness, and added a wireless remote and a user- require longer or shorter projector-to- replaceable lamp. A 2x zoom lens screen distances. produces images from 40 inches diag- onal to 150 inches. It produces a very It carries two video and two S-video good to excellent picture, and inputs. The remote offers two nice con- couldn't be much easier to operate. It veniences particularly appropriate for is a little costly, but its convenience and very good to excellent overall home theater use. A tone sounds to let performance justify the $6,500 price. you know that an RF command has been sent (it may be switched off), and the remote touch pad is backlit for easy operation in the dark. There is also a 12- volt DC output, which is frequently Sharp KV-S2507U |Pree: s.so0 §-video 2, beep, on- chroic mirror optical screen, adjust check, system, image revers- LeoProjector Weight & Size: reset, status select, vid- ing for rear projection, lp Ibs.; 12-3/8 x 9 x eo adjustment -, video 5 picture adjustment 17-3/8 inches adjustment select, video memories, consumer Picture S/N (dB): lumi- Color Temperature: adjustment +, and but- replaceable lamp unit nance—57. video—55, 6,300 Kelvins Screen Size: 40 to 150 ton for panel backlight chroma AM—63, inches measured diag- Absent Features: chroma PM—62 RATINGS onally, depending on Inputs: 2 S-video, tuner. speakers, internal zoom setting and dis- 2—video audio amplifier, head- Accuracy of Colors: Picture: tance to screen phone jack very good/excellent very good/excellent Sonar aan Remote Control: IR RESULTS Screen Brightness: Ease of Use: excellent wireless with touch Special Features: di- variable with screen pads for power, video Horizontal Resolution: size and reflectance Overall: 1, video 2, S-video 1, 400 lines very good/excellent 22 VIDEO JUNE 1992

RS646 Audio/Video Receiver with Dolby Pro-Logic® Surround Sound & 120 Watts x 2, minimum / Compared to thisit receiviSer, every other component icseejust an RMS power into 8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz with no more eg accessory after the fact. The Fisher RS646 Pro-Logic® than 0.05% T.H.D. Receiver provides the power, the control, and the & 5-Channel Dolby Pro- Logic® Surround Sound connections to transform your audio and video components i3 nto a home theater. Wit: h the Fis: her RS646 A/V ReceivAer, & 20 Watts x 2, Rear Speakers, minimum RMS power into 8 ohms, 20Hz- 20kHz with no more than 0.4% T.H.D. & 20 Watts x 1, Center Channel, minimum RMS power into 8 ohms, 20Hz- 20kHz with no more than 0.02% T.H.D. @ True Audio/Video Switching @ Class A-I| Circuitry & Phantom/Normal Centel B Separ| and C’ & Calib & Input & Powe & Super and Sw; & Auto @ 30-St BA,B, A i @ Power Sitcom: @ Power Off 7otr rnc. ® Motor-Driven Volume Control & 8 Inputs, including 3 sets oF Aditi and idols aputs -neupiadany ® 7-Band Graphic Equalizer with Rotary Controls & AM/FM Quartz PLL DDigeitlalaSiynnthesizer & a30 eStation Raendp weed RDia Fease everythini g else iAs pure entertais,nment. input via 10-Key Pad VCR - VCR/Video Dubbing & 44-Function Wireless ae FP| FISH ER Dolby and Pro Logic are registered PEO 7 VABpe=S] tr darks of Dolby Laboratories .../rust your senses. Licensing Corp. Circle 60 on Reader Service Card.

on/off and image reverse for rear projec- On the right side, a detachable grille entire lamp assembly is replaced at once. covers spongelike and fine-screen filters It’s possible—but very difficult —to re- tion. Backlit panels surround the but- tons. A status select button lets the user for the air cooling intake. The user must place only the lamp. Lamp assemblies choose one of five memorized sets of pic- clean these filters every 100 hours. The ture quality adjustments. An adjust rear panel carries the input jacks and cost $230 each, lamps $200 each. check button calls up a display of cur- the DC output. Adjustable feet allow rent picture settings: picture, brightness, The remote control operates most of the unit to tilt upward. the functions offered on the projector’s color, tint and sharpness. The onscreen A back panel covers the lamp cage. button activates a display that shows control panel. A button near the bottom Be careful when replacing the lamp, be- which input and picture memory is ac- activates the backlight, which goes out tive. cause it needs up to an hour to cool. Sharp designed the projector so that the after about five seconds. Setting up the projector is simple. Just select a support that places the pro- jector at the right height for the size pic- ture you want, plug in the power cord and a signal source. The lens should be 4-3/4 to 18-1/2 inches above the bottom of the screen depending on the distance from the screen. A 40-inch picture can be produced No more poor audio quality from on board camcorder microphones at distances of 5-1/4 to 10-1/2 feet. The projector achieves a maximum picture or miles of mic cords chasing after you as you tape! Meet Nady’s size of 150 inches at 18-1/3 to 24-1/4 inches from the screen, but Sharp rec- newest, ultra compact, easy to use wireless micro- ommends a maximum picture size of 80 phones, with the best ® sound, the best price — inches. Larger images are dimmer be- cause the same quantity of light is used from the world’s best i selling wireless micro- for all image sizes. Since there is no au- dio circuitry, you'll need to supply a sep- phone company, Nady of course! arate sound system. Using the projector is equally simple. Turn on the power, select the input and adjust the picture to fill the screen. Fo- cus the picture, using the focus pattern if you wish. The onscreen picture quality adjustments work like those on most TV sets. The user-replaceable lamp is a wel- come change, but changing the lamp is a chore. Ease of use is excellent. The horizontal resolution is rated at and measures 400 lines, about a 30 per- cent improvement over previous mod- els. Some pixel structure is still visible, but it is not very disturbing. Since we have no direct way to measure picture signal-to-noise ratios from LCD screens, our judgments are based on comparisons to a direct-view screen. Accuracy of col- ors is very good to excellent. Sharp rates brightness at 300 lux, but brightness var- ies with screen size and reflectance. Compared to the other LCD projector New Surface mount technology in its price class, the Philips/Magnavox (SMT) compact design More than 200 feet range LC-1000 (‘‘Videotests,” Aug. ’91), the Professional quality sound State of the art companding noise Unparalled dynamic range of image is slightly less smooth. The pic- reduction 120 db New, rugged all metal two chan- ture is very good to excellent, for an New, ultra compact VHF receiver nel receiver and lapel transmitter and lapel transmitter overall very good to excellent. r New, all metal handheld mic New, all metal handheld mic Headphone jack, balanced output TECH TIPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA‘AL Headphone jack with volume con- NADY SYSTEMS, INC. Trap tip trol for convenient monitoring 6701 Bay Street Optional rotating rubber duck Emeryville, CA 94608 An FM trap can work wonders for your receiver antenna 510/652-2411 cable TV reception. Just install one in Belt clip or shoe mount receiver the cable line before it enters your video equipment. It will cut any interference NADY. WE GET THE MIC WHERE THE ACTION IS—WITHOUT WIRES! caused by strong FM signals. Circle 7 on Reader Service Card. Allen D. Skocelas Manistee, Michigan 24 VIDEO JUNE 1992

introducing 20/20 hearing. NEW L-SERIES. JBL’s SIGNATURE SOUND BREAKS OUT OF THE BOX. THE SHAPE’S TALLER, NARROWER. AND SOUND IS PUSHED “UBL, UGH THE HIGHEST PERFORMANCE SYSTEM WE VE EVER BUILT. LISTEN. AND YOU'LL NEVER LOOK AT SOUND THE SAME AGAIN. meen oolowM-toR aepeoeiToS.me2t40 CROSSWAYS: PARK WEST, WOODBURY, ON EW. YOR K- Ti Nitag7 = 15 89O.0) 3356) 45)8 ARMAN INTERNATIONAL COMPANY - 1N CANADA CONTACT: GOULD MARKETING, INC. 3003 ETINGIN, MONTREAL, QC, CANADA H45 1Y7 + 514 333 444) Circle 71 on Reader Service Card. |

VIDEQTESTS VIDEOTEST With the GR- AX50U, JVC car- 640 ties the basic VC VHS-C subcom- pact design it has VHS-C used for two years CRMICOAEY to a new level. The GR-AX50U packs a surprising number of useful |features, most no- tably a color en- racy utes covered, powered accessory shoe on the we've tested. The gain up slightly in- Bright Idea: front of the camcorder. The three-watt creases the noise level when engaged, JVC’s GR-AX50U but in situations where additional light- comes with a three-watt light provides enough illumination to ing is not possible, it lets you gather video light that slides onto a hidden, powered improve picture quality in most home serviceable images. accessory shoe. shooting situations. Because the light The full-range autofocus system fo- gets its power from the camcorder bat- JVC's VHS-C GR- tery, it reduces the life of the supplied cuses almost to the surface of the lens in AX50U offers an battery from about 45 minutes of normal wide-angle mode and to about 40 inches uncommonly wide shooting to about 30 minutes with the range of features for a subcompact camcorder, includ- light on. ing a color LCD viewfinder, a three- Almost as useful is the color LCD watt color enhancement light pow- ered by the camcorder battery, an en- viewfinder, which lets you evaluate the core button that repeats a selected picture for color clashes that would not segment in playback and a gain-up be obvious in a black-and-white view- mode for low-light shooting. We rate finder. For those who prefer to shoot picture quality good, audio quality without a video light, a gain-up function average to fair, and ease of use good provides a rated light sensitivity of 1 lux. to very good. It is a bit pricey at $1,500, but its features make it We measured it at 1.6 lux for 50 IRE well worth considering. with gain up, making the GR-AX50U one of the best low-light performers JVC GR-ANSOU Minimum Illumination: Viewfinder Controls: or wireless ViS-C diopter focus, bright- 2.9 lux normal, ness, positioning Remote Control: 1.6 lux gain up optional wired (RM- VCR Controls: stop, EV20U) or wireless Camcorder Iris: auto pause, play, rewind/ (RM-EV50U), both with search, fast forward/ VCR controls, record Price: $1,500 Auto Fade: search and encore 10- start/stop and editing trigger-operated second repeat controls Weight & Size (h/w/d): Shutter Speeds (sec.): Microphone: Audio: linear mono Absent Features: Audio Frequency camcorder—1.8 Ibs., auto (1/60-1/100), nor- electret condenser frame advance, slow Response: SP—100 battery—0.4 Ibs., light— Titles/Graphics: motion, speed play, Hz-5 kHz, EP—100 mal (1/60), 1/100, Jacks: mic power, mic, 1-page digital superim- auto rewind, A/V input Hz-3 kHz 0.5 Ibs.; 4-5/8 x 4-1/2 x earphone, remote and 1/250, 1/500, 1/1,000, A/V out pose in 8 colors RESULTS Audio S/N: 41.1 dB 9 inches 1/4,000 Tape Format & Special Features: color Horizontal Resolution: Audio Distortion: 1.2% Speeds: VHS-C, SP/EP LCD viewfinder, video 240 lines Image Sensor: White Balance: auto light, letterbox switch, RATINGS 1/3-inch CCD Viewfinder: electronic Video Heads: 4 trigger alarm, age re- S/N Ratios (dB): un- cording, wind filter weighted video—42.9 Picture: good Lens: {/1.4; 8x with diopter and on- Cue & Review Search: switch, counter memo- SP, 38.9 EP; weighted (6.7-54mm) power screen indicators for locking/non-locking—3x ry, still frame, digital video—49.3 SP, 45.8 Audio: average/fair zoom SP, 7x EP tracking and flying EP: chroma-AM—44.3 shutter speed, focus, erase head; indexing, SP, 36.3 EP; chroma Ease of Use: Filter Diameter: 43mm record speed, operating Fast Forward/Rewind audio dub, insert edit, PM—40.2 SP, 35.2 EP good/very good Time: 3-1/4 min. for animation, time-lapse Minimum Focusing mode, gain up, fader, TC-30 and self-timer available Overall: good Distance: about 40 time remaining, title col- only on remotes inches in tele, almost to or, cassette, counter/ Remote Pause: wired face of lens in WA memory, low clock bat- tery, low battery, AF Autofocus: TTL detection zone, dew, head clog, date, time, age 26 VIDEO JUNE 1992

Introducing The Sharp TwinCam. aante , With Two Lenses, It Does What No Single Lens Camcorder Can. PICTURE-IN-PICTURE eo) eSg e i 4 ol | BUILT-IN 62° WIDE-ANGLE LENS Finally, someone has created a camcorder with distinct advantages. The remarkable TwinCam™ from Sharp. The only camcorder in the world to build two lenses into Fone sleek, lightweight design. « The first lens is an exclusive wide-angle lens — to capture an entire scene, not just a part of it. The second lens is a _powerful zoom lens — to catch small but important details. Together, these two lenses let you combine wide-angle nd close up shots in one frame with TwinCam’s unique icture-in-picture feature. Or switch between the two scenes the touch of a button, creating an instant 12X zoom. _ TwinCam is even available with an LCD color viewfinder, you can view in full-color while shooting. So why not move videos to a new level? Experience the exceptional Sharp TwinCam at your rest Sharp Dealer. See why TwinCam is the camcorder t truly stands alone. 1-800-BE-SHARP pTwinCam. The Worlds Only Camcorder With Two Built-In Lenses. Model Shown VL-MX7U FROM SHARP MINDS COME SHARP PRODUCTS\" Circle 8 on Reader Service Card.

in telephoto mode. Surprisingly, it ad- and tele ranges. In addition to selectable Another major attraction, of course, justs the tele setting to a wider angle if fixed shutter speeds up to 1/4,000-sec- is the VHS-C format. Using the supplied the subject is too close for focusing. You ond, the GR-AX50U offers an auto adapter, you can play your tapes in any almost never have to focus manually un- mode which automatically sets the shut- VHS VCR. However, all current cam- less the light level is too low. ter speed to 1/100-second as long as corders, regardless of format, can easily there is enough light. This lets you get be connected to a VHS VCR for play- With 16:9 TV sets just around the crisper still frames and slow motion on playback without manually selecting a back or dubbing. JVC supplies an audio/ corner, the GR-AX50U’s cinema mode high shutter speed. video/remote output cable, but not an may prove very useful. It lets you shoot letterboxed pictures, with black bars Other desirable features include a RF adapter, so you can’t connect the across the top and bottom. JVC has one-page digital superimposer for titles GR-AX50U directly to TV sets lacking shown prototype TV sets that will dig- and graphics in eight colors with either itally expand and crop these pictures so A/V inputs. that the image fills a 16:9 screen, and the negative or positive images, age super- With the light attached, the GR- black bars disappear. imposing in addition to date and time, AX50U looks a bit like a toy train en- The 8x zoom offers a standard 40- digital auto tracking and encore, which gine with a large headlight. A small pan- degree angle of view at its widest, but lets you repeat a 10-second recorded seg- conversion lenses can extend the wide ment at the touch of a button. el on the sloping front of the camcorder covers the powered light shoe. JVC continued on page 120 _SeOLeES = SATELLITE TVaz. | APE EEA, ee The Highest Resolution Video so a The Most Dynamic Digital Sound til Discount Prices ¢ Don’t Pay Cable “Name Brands Only” NBO (Name Brands Only) has helped thousands experience the technical advantages of satellite TV, and we've helped them install it easily and quickly all by themselves. Order Our CALL NOW w/ REMOTE CONTROL FREE 800 346-6466 S Starts at atalog To Learn More About NBO’S SATELLITE TV SYSTEMS. 29... (o.a.c.) Incls. Decoder & Programming Pkg. Circle 4 on Reader Service Card. VIDEO TAPES FROM OVERSEAS? NO PROBLEM View or record them © with our award winning 50/60 Hz Digital Frame Converter VCR! This new international VCR plays any VHS standard in the world with no vertical hold problems. You can even make copies of foreign tapes and because the 50/60 has a cable ready tuner and RF modulator, you can use it as a regular VCR with aregular TV set. The 50/60 is the only Multistandard VCR made in the USA and therefore based on an NTSC deck. NTSC features, ease and low cost of service, make it your best choice. Call today and ask for our special offer. ©1992 Toll Free 1-800 749-8779 or (305) ail INSTANT REPLAY 2601 S. Bayshore Dr., Coconut Grove, FL. 33133 A Member of the ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION Circle 57 on Reader Service Card. np8 VIDEO JUNE 1992

~~ : cs Philips Presents Zy CD-Interactive CA as When the engineers from Philips invented ©1992 Philips Consumer Electronics Company. CD audio, they knew they were at the A Division of North American Philips Corporation. forefront of a remarkable new technology. Naturally, they continued to evolve their idea. The result of their effort isthe latest Philips innovation: CD-Interactive. The Philips CD-Interactive player connects quickly and easily to both your television eee andstereo system. By simply inserting a CD-| title into the player, you can then use the special ‘‘thumbstick’’ remote to chart your own course along the CD-| disc, controlling everything you see and hear And because CD-I is a global standard, the Philips CD-Interactive player will be compatible with all forthcoming CD-I titles. It is also backwards compatible with 3\" and 5\" audio CDs, CD Graphics, CD ROM-XA “‘bridge”’ discs, and forward compatible with the new Photo CDs. Philips CD-Interactive is clearly the next generation of both television and CD audio. Once you've experienced CD-I, we think you'll find it impossible to get itout ofyour system. ra PHILIPS .

SATELLITE IV ek | FREE 56 page ROOMTUNES 1992 A sound solution CATALOG for problem rooms IBUYERS GUIDE BY BRENT BUTTERWORTH barricade to trip up standing waves in AND KENNETH KORMAN the lower frequencies and to maintain ALL MAJOR BRANDS the integrity of the high frequencies. SAVE 30%-60% We've always wanted to get more con- “We're really the first company to ap- with trol over the sound of our listening room proach the room as an acoustical de- 100% Satisfaction at Video Magazine, but because we try vice,” Green says. | Guaranteed out so many different systems, with big- We’ve since used RoomTunes with | Manufacturers Include: Chaparral screen TV sets on one end of the room many other audio systems, and just a few Drake Echostar and direct-views on the other, we’ve minutes of experimentation generally General Instruments Houston Tracker been unable to settle on an appropriate, enable us to adapt them for any situa- Panasonic flexible acoustical treatment. So when tion. They’re especially remarkable in STS Toshiba we found out about RoomTun—efrsee- their ability to help the listener hear Uniden standing, fiberglass-filled panels and minute differences in component perfor- | _ CALL NOW! other devices specially made for improv- mance and speaker placement. Standard | ing the sound of any room—we called two-channel audio also sounds purer 1-800-334-6455 218-739-5231 Int'l their inventor, Michael Green, for help. ° Skyvision, Inc® Green arrived with boxes holding 1028 Frontier Dr., eight RoomTunes, each of which is Fergus Falls, MN 56537 about four feet high and one foot wide. INSTALL YOURSELF He also brought four CornerTunes and CRS5oaie8enracdvdl.iecre 30 VIDEO JUNE 1992 four EchoTunes, both small, pillowlike versions of the RoomTunes. He spent about 30 minutes positioning the panels, clapping and humming to find the acoustical trouble spots in the room. Green set the RoomTunes along the wall, one in each corner, about three feet in front of our main speakers, and one each against the front and back walls. He also mounted a triangular Cor- nerTune in each upper corner and a rectangular EchoTune centered on the upper edge of each wall. As soon as we entered our listening room, we were amazed. We could even hear a big difference in the sound of the room’s ambient noise. The effect is hauntin—git makes even a large room seem intimate. Carry a Tune: RoomTunes can be selected and We played some of our favorite sur- positioned to make almost any room sound good. round-sound scenes, listening for such | effects as the circling helicopter at the beginning of Apocalypse Now, and a cat | and less fatiguing. With RoomTunes, the | thrown across a room—and seemingly | sound of your audio/video system is sud- | above viewers’ heads—in one of Dick denly up to its designers and you—not | Tracy’s opening scenes. In every case, up to the construction company that | the directionality of the effects was sig- | built your house or apartment. nificantly more pronounced than with- | Green concurs that you don’t need | out the RoomTunes. Sounds traveling an installer—or even expertly trained | across the front three speakers were per- ears —to reap significant benefits from | these products. A pamphlet that comes | fectly localized. Green defines his hard-to-categorize with the RoomTunes explains the con- | products as sonic barricades or pressure- cepts behind them and includes some | zone controllers. “RoomTunes dampen suggested floor plans. The floor plans | the sound selectively, away from the lis- provide a good starting point, but it’s | tener,” Green told us. In addition, best to view the task of tuning your | continued on page 102 | RoomTunes’ reflective surfaces act as a

\\P 4 Philips CD-Interactive 4t,y Every CD-Interactive title is a uniquely .2, /: $ he crafted key, designed to unlock the potential ©1992 Philips €ansumer Electronics Company. “lp of yourtelevision. A Division oNforth American Philips Corporation. ¥, As the leading developer of CD-1 titles, Philips is working closely with the world's most renowned publishing and entertainment companies. Time Life, The Smithsonian Institution, Children’s Television Workshop, ABC Sports Presents, and Mercury Records are just a few of the groups already involved in the production of CD-I titles. The current CD-| catalog covers a wide spectrum of interactive games, how-tos, B children’s pro- = grams, museum tours, musical jukeboxes and , historical journeys. ? coming year And with the introduction of Photo CD processing, you will be able to create your own CD-I family albums. The doors CD-Interactive can open are endless. And the entertainment and educational opportunities it brings Into your home will revolutionize your entire concept of what television has to offer PHILIPS

BY BRIAN CLARK MULTILINGUAL EDITING AID Y Sony's Trinitron JVC's JX-T88 video titer can add text to your vid- XB TV goes eos in seven languages, while storing 10 pages of flat-screen. titles in any of four character sizes and eight col- ors. It is S-VHS compatible and connects to other TRINITRON SQUARED Y editing gear. Priced at $449, it offers superimposi- tion and scrolling, fade and a standard signal Sony’s new TV line, Trinitron XBR, consists of one 27- and two 32-inch models. All feature the Super generator. Trinitron picture tube, which Sony claims is the flat- test in the industry, and enhanced picture characteristics. The three models are the 27XBR95S ($1,899), the 32XBR95S ($2,599, shown below) and the 32XBR90S ($2,299). The Digital Signal Processing Axis audio system offers a variety of soundfields and detachable speakers. EDITING POWERHOUSE a The Videonics EditMaker ($699) is compatible with more components than any other edit controller yet offered. It operates VCRs and camcorders using Sony’s LANC or Panasonic's five-pin system, plus VITC and RC time codes and any machine con- trolled by an infrared remote. In addition, the EditMaker adds titles, graphics and special effects. Bogen 3169 CiTnhee SuVpierdeLoighTtwreiigphotd The 3169 combines Bogen 3001 Sturdy legs feature 3 TELEPHOTO CANON Y Tripod Legs with a 3130 Fluid click-stop spread angles The E250 ($1,499) is Canon's first 8mm camcorder with a 12x zoom lens. It uses the two-field meter- Head. It's easy to use and easy and are made of tubular ing system and includes automatic backlight compensation. Other features include hi-fi stereo to handle. The Bogen 3001 hard-finish aluminum and each sound, digital title memory and three scroll patterns. Tripod is the lightest (about 3 ~ has asure-grip, quick-acting, novsion® los.) and the smallest (folds /fY | \\ non-fouling lever lock. e0 to 20 1/2 in.), but one of | \\ Add the Poratable Video Dolly = the most versatile tripods or the Lightweight Tripod we offer. Spreader and you have rock- Top it with the Bogen solid support for smooth 3130 QR Micro Fluid pans and tilts. Head -- which features See the Bogen 3169 Cine a Quick Release Plate Video Tripod with QR thatallowsyouto ff | | | |\\ Micro Fluid Head at your detach the cam- yes > \\ dealer or contact era with the flip y EN TRS , \\ Bogen Photo Corp. of a lever -- and 565 E. Crescent Ave. you have the Ramsey, N.J. ideal set-up for // 07446-0506 VCRCamerasup // (201) 818-9500 to 6 lbs. We don't sell anything \\ we wouldn't buy ourselves. e 32. VIDEO JUNE 1992 Circle 54 on Reader Service Card.

inthe fy *CD-Lwallp ey le... give CD-I 4 j Okay. So we've told you Harry Somerfield San Francisco Chronicle T h c zg the next genera- tion of both tele- Brent Butterworth U, ar / vision and audio. Paneth Korman / Video And we've year s 1004.System i5 one of the gone on and on oa eh New\" about our amazing selection of CD-I titles. But because our opinion is, admittedly, more than a little biased, we wouldn't dream of asking you to settle for our word on tt. We would, however like you to consider the opinions of electronics writers from coast to coast who've had the chance -ae Philips CD-Interactive system s in 5cleneeee achie vements Review after review Philips Johnathon Takiff nd lechnology. Daily News heralds CD-| as the CD-Interactive Frank Vizard future of home enter- = tainment and a format Rolling Stone that's here to stay. Popular Science even went so far as to call it one of 1991's 100 greatest Mm achievements in science and technology. Of course, the opinion that matters most is, ultimately, yours. So we'd like , 4 to encourage you to take your own CD-| test drive. For the name of the Philips dealer nearest you, call 1-800-223-7772. , ra PHILIPS ©1992 Philips Consumer Electronics Company eg* vp) A Division of North American Philips Corporation

BY DAVID LACHENBRUCH OLYMPIA HD Test Pattern: Computer-generated video image 5 systems go for the gold in a federal created by AT&T Bell Labs to challenge the Digital contest for a national HDTV standard. Spectrum Compatible HDTV system with complex motion simulations. When the Summer Olympics begin next HDTV trans- month, a few privileged viewers will be able to watch some of the events on mission TOSHIBA high-definition TV sets. Limited HDTV standard broadcasts were also arranged for the Winter Games. But don’t expect to see sometime in high-definition sports entering your liv- ing room too quickly. The flashy HDTV 1993. broadcasts at Barcelona and Albertville are more like demonstration sports than But don’t trash the old competition events. Here in the U.S., the powers behind telly yet; the HDTV are engaged in a kind of techno- FCC’s mara- logical olympiad in which the prize is not a gold medal but first crack at the multi- thon testing billion-dollar market HDTV is expected process still has a to open once standards are set. With many of the preliminaries already over, way to go. In the the contest now revolves around five fi- nalists, each backed by a coalition of meantime, consum- New Deck Tech: Prototype of first high-definition companies (see ‘‘Who’s Who in VCR for consumers, a special 8mm model created ers can be forgiven for puzzling over a by General Instrument and Toshiba. HDTV”). The judges are the five com- missioners of the Federal Communica- host of important questions, plenty of to answering the others. The most im- tions Commission who expect to declare portant thing we know is that the one of the systems to be the nation’s which are still unanswered, for example: HDTV transmission standard will prob- ably be digital instead of analog, some- When will HDTV broadcasting begin? thing considered virtually impossible How good will it be? When will HDTV David Lachenbruch is editorial director of sets be available? How much will they Television Digest. cost? What programs will be broadcast? Will they completely replace conven- tional television? How long will regular non-HDTV sets be usable? We now know the answers to a few of these questions, and are getting closer 34 VIDEO JUNE 1992

just a few years ago. We also know that mitters, but from cable, direct broadcast pare to that of a 35mm movie, that the screen must use a wide 16:9 aspect ratio digital HDTV broadcasting works, and satellites, videocassettes, laserdiscs and (rather than today’s boxy 4:3 ratio), that that digital HDTV signals, containing a variety of cutting-edge delivery tech- sound must consist of at least two chan- nels and possess CD quality, that picture more than four times the information of nologies. distortions should be eliminated or sharply reduced and that colors should today’s TV signals, can be compressed It’s a different story in Europe and look better. and squeezed into a standard 6-mega- Japan, where two experimental HDTV More exacting criteria are on the ta- hertz TV channel. systems are already up and running. ble in Alexandria, Virginia, where the Advanced Television Test Center is Selecting an HDTV system is often However, they’re analog-based and use evaluating five HDTV systems compet- ing for an FCC declaration as the na- compared with the original choice of a far more spectrum space than today’s tion’s standard. Supervising the center is the Advisory Committee on Advanced black-and-white TV system and, later, conventional TV channels. As a result, the selection of a color TV system by the both systems need satellites to transmit National Television Standards Committee directly to homes. (NTSC). In many ways, it’s a more While there is no universally accept- daunting task, since today’s signals reach ed definition for HDTV, it is generally TV sets not only from terrestrial trans- accepted that picture detail must com- FIRST LOOK AT A HIGH-DEFINITION CONSUMER VCR Let’s jump ahead a few years: HDTV is a reality and cassette for recording and playback. The cassette runs a you're getting it. Tonight, Star Trek: The Next Generation standard two hours. promises a new, cosmos-bending encounter with the Borg. You won’t be home to see it, but do you really The deck uses the DigiCipher HDTV standard devel- want to tape the widescreen Trek on an old-fashioned oped by General Instrument and MIT, which is one of deck? You should be able to use a high-definition VCR, the five systems under consideration as a national trans- but so far there’s been little indication of what such a mission standard. It was unveiled first not to consumers, product might be like. but to 50,000 video professionals gathered at this year’s However, just as we go to press, General Instrument meeting of the National Association of Broadcasters. General Instrument officials say it was designed in part and Toshiba displayed a working prototype of the first to show “the ease with which DigiCipher HD technology digital high-definition VCR intended for consumers. The can be incorporated into consumer products.” Its price is deck uses an 8mm VCR as a mechanical platform for its expected to be “competitive” with high-end consumer advanced circuitry. A special metal-evaporated tape that VCRs. permits high-density recording is packed into an 8mm —Stan Pinkwas JUNE 1992 VIDEO

OLYMPIAD Hi-Def If all goes according to plan, the next generation of vid- Or Bust- eo kids will grow up watching HDTV. The plan is The FCC's 15-Year embodied in a HDTV timetable, outlined below, the Federal Communications Commission would like to es- tablish. The clock starts when the FCC selects a transmission standard: 15 years later, it hopes to see the conversion complete. Barring delays and legal challenges, expect the following: Television Service, a government/indus- Plan February 1993. FCC advisory committee recom- try group the FCC empaneled in 1987 to provide it with the information the FCC mends HDTV transmission system. Five months of field needs to select an “advanced TV” tests begin. standard. Former FCC Chairman Rich- ard Wiley chairs the committee. Late 1993. FCC selects national HDTV standard. 1994-1995. TV stations apply for HDTV licenses. At the start, all the proposed sys- 1996-1998. Stations build HDTV facilities. tems were analog; broadcast stations 1999-2002. Stations develop HDTV programs and would have transmitted actual wave begin HDTV simulcasts, sending same programs to con- forms. Most expected to be compatible with the conventional NTSC format, ventional sets and HDTV sets, which manufacturers with an additional channel used to add the information needed to convert the have already begun selling to consumers. 2008. All TV transmissions in the U.S. are convert- picture to widescreen HDTV parame- ed to high definition. NTSC is phased out and broad- casters return conventional channels to the FCC for re- ters. assignment. But then, dramatically, on June 1, eer Bedigital proposals use a “simulcast” ap- 1990, the deadline for entries into the with their own digital systems. testing process, General Instrument Exploiting the latest data-compres- proach. Standard NTSC broadcasting Corp. proposed a digital transmission sion technology, the new systems would continue on existing assigned system. And everything changed. Most squeeze the HDTV signal into a single channels, but each station would, in ef- other applicants took their proposals conventional TV channel. And, unlike fect, be assigned a second channel for back to the drawing board and came up the original dual-channel systems, the HDTV for “an interim period.” \"SEE\" WHAT YOU’VE BEEN MISSING! (286° The additional channels for HDTV transmissions would be on so-called ta- boo channels, standard VHF and UHF TELESCOPES channels not otherwise usable for analog broadcasts. Taboo channels are kept va- cant because they are so close to stand- ard channels, in terms of geography or spectrum, that their use would create re- ; ~— OR SEND ception problems. = sig The Eyeopener You Can Proponents believe digital TV has learly See Both The Viewfinder Image gy 22, And Your Surroundings O as : the unbeatable advantage of being able gg to operate at lower power levels than NOW analog TV, giving it the ability to exploit OPSINS the taboo channels. Moreover, digital USE modulation on these HDTV channels INCORPORATED would, theoretically, be impervious to BOTH 1 analog interference, and vice versa. JbEYfElSin!tieos N. om op a Ss. DIGITAL FEVER uite 16 So completely has digital fever swept SOQUINTING Bothell, WA 98011 the HDTV field that all analog systems except one have been recast as digital 30 DAY systems or withdrawn. One contender, the Advanced TV Research Consortium Sie baMONEY BACK (which consists of Philips, Thomson, SHIPPING NBC and the Sarnoff Research Center), even withdrew one of its own two sys- The Eyeopener utilizes the fact that berpede ape This new image of the viewfinder tems after the center had tested it. This when your brain combines the THE WAY and your surroundings is was a system called Advanced Compati- images from your two eyes, light WHEN erfectly clear and relaxing to ble TV that the consortium viewed as a steppingstone to full HDTV. It would areas dominate over dark. With the | NOT D look at. When you flip the have allowed the transmission of a wide, Eyeopener your non-viewfinder eye IN Eyeopener into position you improved picture (somewhat shy of sees a black rectangle in the middle HDTV standards) to HDTV sets and a of your surroundings and your \\USE instantly feel at ease to move standard version of the same picture to viewfinder eye sees the rectangular (without tripping), you know viewfinder image in the middle of what is going on around you, and black surroundings. Your brain can you can see and plan your next FULLY STRAPS shot. You are much more now combine these two. ADJUSTABLE \\*/SECURELY }ifcomfortable and relaxed with complementary images into one FOR DIFFERENT) |ONTO ANY | & both eyes comfortably and mental image. EYES EYEPIECE naturally open. U.S. PATENTS 4,729,648 & 4,810,789 The Eyeopener is a trademark of Opsin Inc. (©1992 Opsin Inc. All rights reserved. continued on page 45 Circle 56 on Reader Service Card. 36 VIDEO JUNE.1992

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Hobe Nishelt aoe the moment they are the M-T5010 dual cas- Watching and listening The HTS-100 is con- removed from the sette deck, with Dolby to ahome theater sys- trolled through the tele- carton. B/C, manual bias control tem is one of the finest vision’s remote control and variable intro-scan, enjoyments that a film- and turns on and off At the heart of the and the M-C6010 com- lover can experience with the television. As system is the M-R8010 pact disc changer, which Setting up the home soon as the television is audio/video receiver. handles programming theater — positioning activated, the Instant This model makes use of commands for up to 50, the speakers, setting up Home Theater provides Mitsubishi's extensive five-disc magazines — ambient modes, using Dolby Pro Logic sur- on-screen display sys- giving the listener up to multiple remotes, etc. — round sound with its tem and has Pro Logic 1000 total programmed is one of the most trying four-channel amplifier configurations for Stadi- selections for 250 com- experiences a film-lover pumping 50 watts-per- um, Club and Theater pact discs. The M-C6010 can endure. That is why channel for the left and surround settings. It is the first CD changer Mitsubishi has intro- right channels and 25 drives 125 watts-per- with a video output and duced the HTS-100 watts-per-channel for channel for each of the can produce on-screen Instant Home Theater. the surround speakers. front channels and pro- menus as well as on- vides 25 watts-per-chan- screen labeling of com- The HTS-100 attaches Even the look of the nel to the rear channels. pact disc magazines. to the television audio HTS-100 is simplified. No It is also easy to use, pro- outputs without disturb- blinking LEDs or numer- viding full, step-by-step Whichever type of ing the connection of control through a series home theater set-up the videocassette ous knobs — just a large of on-screen menus. you prefer — simple or recorder or LaserDisc volume control dial that challenging— Mitsubishi player. Connect a couple can also be controlled Other components in has the right system for of speakers and a sub- either by the HTS’s two- the Mitsubishi home yOu. woofer, if desired, and layer programmable theater system include that’s all there is to it. remote or the TV's 9235AVS audio/video remote control. After 0 EL component system. Even the hook-up, the unit will remain out of sight so it Like the characters from For the brain, the look of the will not call attention to The Wizard of Oz, every 9235AVS features 120 itself because of the way home theater needs a watts-per-channel for Mitsubishi it looks, but rather by heart and brain to fully the two front channels, the way it performs. transform the living 20 watts-per-channel for HTS-100 is room into a cinematic the two rear channels For those of you not sensation. Fisher sup- and another 20 watts for simplified discouraged by the plies both these essen- home theater set-up tial parts with their Cover: Home Theater - Hi-Fi Sales/Mesa, AZ procedure, Mitsubishi Blueprint - hyA.M. Rosario, courtesy ofthe also offers all the compo- Image Bank nents necessary to build a dynamic home the- ater/stereo system. Each component is designed for seamless integration with one another from 2 Advertising Supplement

the center channel. To features 600 lines of playing compact discs atmospheres can be this, Fisher adds Dolby horizontal resolution and LaserDiscs. realistically simulated. Pro Logic, a seven-band and a comb filter that eq and front panel a/v provides exceptional Their top-of-the-line Other features include jacks for easy camcorder visuals. The entire sys- model is the CLK-V920, two-sided play, which hook-up. tem fits neatly within the which improves your lets you play both sides included cabinet. vocal performance with of a movie without man- Five speakers bring Digital Signal Processing ually flipping the disc; a the vibrant sounds to lf heart and brain (DSP). nine-step digital key con- life. The two 3-way bass aren’‘t enough, the Fish- troller, for adjusting reflex front speakers er FVH-4903 Hi-Fi mid- The Digital Signal Pro- music to match the key have 12-inch woofers, mount VCR rounds out cessor makes it easy to you prefer; one touch 12-inch passive radia- this system beautifully. adjust both instrumental tors, 4-inch midrange The mid-mount tape and vocal sound tracks TAOS drivers and 3-inch access lends increased to create a variety of lis- tweeters. The surround stability and clarity to the tening environments V920 and center channel pictures produced by while playing CDs, speakers have a 3.5-inch the FVH-4903. The Hi-Fi LaserDisc movies and improves full-range air suspension audio with MTS stereo while singing along with design. The front and and bilingual tuning fits Laser Karaoke discs. You your vocal center channel speakers in perfectly with the can control the musical are equipped with mag- home theater and the “mood” and create the performance netic stray field compen- automatic head cleaner proper atmosphere for sation to better operate helps prolong tape life. the style of song you're Karaoke, which removes with video sources. Like the a/v receiver, this performing (Pop, Jazz or lead vocals from most model also has front Ballad). And you can alter CDs; vocal partner con- Also included with panel a/v jacks, which your voice accordingly trol, which makes lead this system is a 5-disc CD make it easy to put your by making simple adjust- vocals disappear while changer and a double own productions on the ments to the system. you're performing; built- cassette deck with full big screen. Extensive equalization in two-way speaker sys- logic controls, Dolby B and sound field control tem; stereo amplifier and and C and high speed The 9235 gives you a capabilities, thanks to a built-in cassette deck. dubbing. The CD chang- whole home theater sys- the DSP, are possible er offers 32-selection through the digital With the CLK-V920 programming and an 8x tem for under $2200. recreation of reflections you can get off the side- oversampling digital fil- and reverberations that lines and head for the ter. It also utilizes 1-bit The FVH-4903, a perfect simulate ceilings and spotlight — if only in dual digital-to-analog companion for the 9235 floors of selected your own living room. (D/A) converters for sep- or any audio/video sys- venues. With the sur- arate digital processing tem, has a suggested round function, “hall,” that provides extraordi- retail price of about “stage,” and “arena” nary sounds. $500. For the heart, the Fisher technology 9235AVS comes supplies enough heart equipped with a 27-inch and mind to take any monitor/receiver that home theater environ- ment to new levels of If you've ever had stars in entertainment wizardry. your eyes and a song in your heart get ready for Karaoke combination an exciting home theater players are the ideal cen- addition. Pioneer Laser terpieces of your home Entertainment's Laser theater system, letting you sing-along to your favorite music while also 3 Advertising Supplement

mn eta Nae dre JBL has elevated the entertainment. For home pany founder James B. home theatrical experi- movies, it complements Lansing developed ence with the recent high resolution video movie theater speakers debut of Synthesis One, with clarity, musicality, for the first “talkie,” the the ultimate audio/video and the ambience of sur- Jazz Singer. In the mid- system. Based upon round sound. For music, 1980s, Star Wars saga acclaimed professional it delivers uncompromis- director/producer designs the company ing fidelity and the most George Lucas and his has installed in the critical digital audio speci- company Lucasfilm world’s premier movie fications. It is the first sys- developed the THX sys- theaters and concert tem from one manufac- tem in cooperation with halls, Synthesis has been turer that offers all the JBL, resulting in a new developed for those components — loud- dimension in movie the- who demand the high- speakers, crossovers, EQs, ater sound. est performance and amplifiers, surround pro- maximum perfection for cessor, and even the pro- The Synthesis system both their sights and jection TV. is built upon two com- sounds. plements of drivers, Synthesis is the latest which are dedicated to The Synthesis name chapter in a tradition of their own audio or video itself defines an innova- theatrical sound design application, coupled tive approach to home that began when com- with an electronically- SYNTHESIS ONE COMPONENTS Left and Right Front Loudspeakers: Theater Mode: Constant-directivi- ty horn with a 2-inch titanium-dome compression driver; two 8-inch cone mid-bass drivers with 2-inch edge-wound ribbon-wire voice coils for high efficiency. Music Mode: 1-inch titanium-dome tweeter with a cast metal faceplate; two 5-inch mineral-filled polypropylene-cone midranges with 1.25-inch edge-wound ribbon-wire voice coils; the same two 8-inch cone mid-bass drivers that were described above. Center Front Loudspeaker: Constant-directivity horn as described above (with a neodymium magnet in the shielded version); two 8-inch cone drivers as described above. Subwoofers: 18-inch cone woofer with 4-inch edge-wound ribbon- wire voice coil, SFG and cast aluminum frame in a bass reflex enclosure. Surround Loudspeakers:A “dipole” configuration of two of the constant- directivity horns and 8-inch cone mid-bass described above. Surround Decoder:Asurround-sound decoder with remote control, offer- ing THX™ and Dolby Pro-Logic™ playback modes for video soundtracks, two “movie” modes, five music modes, an enhanced mono mode and stereo bypass. There are separate level controls for all output channels, as well as an automatic input calibration, which maintains correct Dolby calibration for input signals of different levels. Signal Processing Package: This accepts the line-level outputs from the surround decoder, provides level and equalization adjustments, and elec- tronic crossovers for certain loudspeakers. The active equalizers are 4th- order Linkwitz-Riley, with an adjustable phase shifter to compensate for different locations of the acoustic centers of drivers. Equalizers for the main systems provide for fine tuning of system performance in 1/3-octave bands over the frequency range 100 Hz to 800 Hz, and in 2/3-octave bands at higher frequencies. The equalizer for the subwoofer permits 1/6-octave adjustments of loudspeaker/room response from 16 Hz to 80 Hz. All sig- nal feeds from the SPP to the individual power amplifiers are by balanced lines. The power supply is a remote package. Power Amplifiers: $150 (1): 75 watts-per-channel into 4 ohms. Variable- speed fan cooling; $300 (5):150 watts-per-channel into 4 ohms. Variable- speed fan cooling. Sequencer: Automatically sequences the turning on of the system components, as well as providing RF noise suppression. 4 Advertising Supplement

activated relay that transcends the technol- The JBL legacy has grown commensurate with pop- allows automatic switch- ogy. Every home installa- ular entertainment in the 20th century: ing between the movie tion undergoes a metic- and music modes. Each ulous certification 1928. Company founder James B. Lansing devel- complement of drivers procedure that guaran- ops movie theater speakers for the first “talkie,” the is electronically-equal- tees factory-specified Jazz Singer. Sight and sound merge on screen for ized for optimum tonal performance. Synthesis the very first time. balance and perfor- dealers are thoroughly mance. trained in audio/video 1955. JBL’s international leadership in loudspeak- installation and test and er design is confirmed when its Hartsfield System is Dual subwoofers and measurement proce- called the “dream speaker” by LIFE magazine. The concert-quality ampli- dures. And Synthesis modern era of popular hi-fidelity is born. fiers combine with direct customers receive an radiators for music play- exclusive \"no downtime 1969. JBL sound reinforcement loudspeakers are back and a compression policy\" that guarantees on stage at Woodstock when the concept of live driver and horn combi- that any problem will be music events on a grand scale is born, and when nation for video sound fully resolved within just world attention turns to a cultural revolution in playback. The film-indus- 48 hours. music, electronics and the age of stereo sound. try standard Dolby Pro Logic and ten supple- Synthesis provides 1979. JBL monitors become the professional mentary surround set- discriminating con- standard, with Billboard magazine finding that tings can all be selected. sumers with a new And Synthesis accom- dimension in sight and seven out of every 10 professional recording stu- modates virtually any sound, which explains dios mix and record their albums using JBLs. audio or video source. why JBL describes their Video signals are pro- newest product as not 1985. Star Wars saga director/producer George jected by an optional just a home theater sys- Lucas and his company Lucasfilm develop the THX data-grade projection tem — but a home system in cooperation with JBL to create the ulti- television. entertainment experi- mate movie theater sound experience. ence. Synthesis innovation 1990. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sci- ences remodels its entire sound system, including its famed Samuel Goldwyn Theater, using JBL loud- speakers and electronic components. Today. A new era in home entertainment is her- alded with the introduction of Synthesis, the only audio/video system maximized to recreate the ulti- mate in both music and movie playback in the 5 Advertising Supplement

tos abe tor and Corotor IIfeed- hehok horns, and Chaparral's new PowerPak. band co-boresight accu- Chaparral, creator of the racy. first home satellite sys- tems, has been market- Chaparral's Power- ing its products to enthusiastic consumers The Polarotor includes Pak goes one step fur- who desire the highest audio/video quality since a patented probe design ther. PowerPak pro- the 1970s. With the advent of home theater, and a heavy duty servo vides home theater Chaparral’s products are now perfectly positioned motor that that makes it systems with the clean- to maximize the poten- tial of music and video one of the most efficient est picture and clearest programming at home. collector designs avail- sound available in one An example of their able. Optional adjustable reliable package. It commitment to home theater is the Monterey scalar rings customize combines Chaparral's 90, Chaparral’s top-of- the-line satellite receiver. reception for each dish — top quality feedhorns The Monterey 90 com- plements VCRs and minimizing terrestrial with their new state-of- LaserDisc players with video performance that interference. The Coro- the-art, low-noise LNB. is Superior to standard broadcast or cable TV. tor Il dual-band feed- It is pre-assembled for Picture-in-picture enables you to view two horn has all the abilities easy installation and it is program sources at once and its Dolby Sur- sounds as they were of the Polarotor, but 100 percent made in round Sound decoder lets you receive satellite intended for theatrical NSTANT.REDLAYadds to itKu as well as C- the U.S.A. release. A unique four- way switcher offers quick selection between audio/video sources and its digital stereo sound capability enables you to download audio from the skies with all the These VCRs play PAL or sonic quality of a com- SECAM (in addition to pact disc. Its on-screen NTSC) tapes on all Ameri- menus and prompts can (NTSC) TVs or moni- make the Monterey 90 tors. New technology easy to use, and its inte- enables the 50/60 to take grated VideoCipher Home theater is an inter- the output from a descrambler offers unin- national trend that tran- PAL/SECAM tape and con- terrupted access to hun- scends national bound- vert itto the 525 line dreds of premium satel- aries. However, NTSC standard. Unlike lite programs. incompatibility between previous systems Other features VCRs and tapes based on designed to provide this include parental lock- the various video stan- capability, the 50/60 VCR outs (to keep the little dards has gotten in the requires no TV vertical ones from seeing what way of international free hold contro! because the they shouldn’t), a pro- trade of videotapes — new technology elimi- grammable event timer, until now. Instant nates picture rolling. a favorite channel menu, Replay’s 50/60 line of These VCRs integrate C/Ku band compatibility, translating VCRs literally easily into the home the- and a full-function lets you play foreign films ater because they also remote control. All this is (on video) at home. incorporate standard delivered in an attractive The new 50/60 digital NTSC VCR features. All casing with large LED frame standards convert- models are made in the digital displays. er VCRs are the first VCRs U.S.A. and include an To pull the signals with built-in standards integrated NTSC tuner, down to earth, Chaparral conversion, eliminating timer and a full-function complements the Mon- the need for any external wireless remote. The terey 90 and the entire equipment to view tapes standard NTSC signal and Chaparral receiver line that have been processed the converted NTSC out- with top quality made-in- in any format other than put are available as com- the-U.S.A. collectors. the North American NTSC posite video and RF. These include the Polaro- system. The 50/60 VCRs are 6 Advertising Supplement

ns available in a range of VHS, Owners of earlier Image S-VHS and World Traveler Translator VCRs may have models. The World Travel- their units retrofitted with PROJECTION er not only performs the the 50/60 digital frame S-Video, cable TV, satel- lite TV, tuner, VCR, conversion described, but standards module to allow LaserDisc, camcorder, video game, etc. — and also plays NTSC and complete compatibility prepare yourself for one of the largest and SECAM on PAL TVS. It with all TVs, monitors, and Sharp is making home clearest pictures ever displayed at home. Also incorporates multiple projection systems. theater crystal clear with included with the SharpVision unit are tuners enabling itto For more information the continued develop- several convenience functions like a Reverse record off the air virtually call Instant Replay at 1- ment of liquid crystal Image Video command that converts the unit PleasaR in the wMorlOd.N: (B800O) 7A49-8779. ay display (LCD) projection into a rear projector and ALLS a lighted remote con- technology. trol with back-lit keys for easy operation even The new SharpVision ina darkened room. XV-S250ZU LCD video Big screen television sales have been bol- projector features three stered by the number of sports fans who feel like 3-inch LCD panels that they are part of the action, but with a unit as produce a 650,000 total versatile as the XV- $250ZU, the limitations of pixel picture (two and a where and what you can display are limited only by Philips home theater effects; clear view control; half times the number your imagination. brings it all together in remote convergence the form of an innova- adjustment; video noise found in previous mod- Now any tive audio/video package reduction; 160-degree size room that is easy-to-assemble wide-angle screen with els) with 400 lines of hor- can have a all by yourself. 400 foot-Lamberts peak big picture brightness and a CCD izontal resolution. Other The new Model comb filter with 650+ lines T5240RA1 features a tra- of horizontal resolution. picture improvements ditional oak furniture package, 52-inch in-wall It is also a veritable include the reduction of projection TV, a 100- wall of sound, since the watt-per-channel ampli- audio capabilities of the projection distance. fier (FA95OPBK), a dual 52NP52B include a 125- auto reverse cassette watt six-amplifier stereo Now any size room deck (FC930PBK), a digital hi-fi system, Dolby Pro compact cassette player can have a big picture — (DCC9OOPBK), a multi- Logic surround sound, disc combination player subwoofer output, 5- a projection distance of (CDV400PBK), a 4-head band equalizer with Hi-Fi VCR (VR6615AT), a three presets, and two ten feet produces an 80- pair of three-way speak- 6-inch woofers with two ers, and a pair of two- 41-inch dome tweeters. inch picture and 12.5 feet way speakers. To make it all come together, the Don’t be scared off by will give a 100-inch package also supplies a all the specifications.The six-outlet surge protec- entire system can be image. What's more, the tor, audio/video coupler easily set up by one per- (jack pack extender), son using the installa*ion image is convergence heat dissipation fan and book and videotape and, a 12-foot RF cable. once together, all com- free and the unit does ponents can be con- Once assembled, this trolled via Philips’ Unire- not require any special wall of sight is something mote control. to behold. The big picture installation procedures. projected by the 52-inch Philips’ T5240RA1 has 52NP52B provides numer- a suggested retail price The Sharp projection pic- ous features including: of $9000 and gives you picture-in-picture with everything you need to ture can be tweaked via build a substantial home freeze, swap, position, theater — with the grati- several adjustment con- preview and strobe special fication of having done it all by yourself. trols on the unit. These include picture, bright- ness, color, tint, sharp- ness, level adjust, blue screen and focus pattern. All that is required to inte- grate the portable, 28-pound XV-S250ZU | into your | | home the- ateristo | attach any | © video [ source — 7 Advertising Supplement

robs HIGHER of satellite industry plus it holds the cam- SHINING SKYVISION news, tech tips and corder steadier than any CONDITION other items of interest human can. Not only Over the past dozen to the satellite TV con- that, but the audio is You may have invested sumer. The program is improved thanks to the years, Skyvision, Inc., has aired on satellite G6, wireless mic built right in a super home theater become the world lead- transponder 13 Tues- into the remote. And system and find that day, Wednesday and you can even take con- er in providing quality Thursday evenings at trol of many cam- there are still some satellite TV systems 8:00 pm Central Time, corders’ zoom and annoying glitches. For directly to the con- with an extra hour at record functions right example, there's that sumer. Skyvision offers a 9:00 pm Central on from the Wand. speaker “thump” every 100 percent satisfaction Wednesdays. time someone turns on guarantee, affording CameraMan puts you customers worldwide For a free 56-page in the action and makes your components in the what they want most — catalog call 1-800-543- all your video produc- wrong order. And there peace of mind. 3025. For an internation- tions look their best on al catalog (outside the the home theater screen. is Electromagnetic Inter- The Skyvision catalog is continental U.S. and the largest and most Canada), call 1-218-739- SATELLITE ference (EMI), which can comprehensive catalog 5231. Or write to Skyvi- SAVINGS be the result of electric sion Inc. at 1010 Frontier motors, such as those in and buyer's guide in the Drive, Fergus Falls, MN When the time comes industry today. The latest 56537. For the interna- to add satellite capabili- washing machines oper- edition of the Skyvision tional catalog, please ties to your home the- catalog reviews over 35 enclose $8.00 shipping, ater, NBO (Name Brands ating nearby. Radio Fre- IRDs (integrated receiver which will be refunded Only), located in Carls- quency Interference descramblers) and with your first purchase. bad, California, cuts out (RFI) may also be pre- receivers and has almost the middleman and 20 pages of in-depth SHOOT ‘N delivers great deals sent. STAR through direct mail. Aside from such information on IRDs alone. The catalog also has a spe- Parkervision’s CameraMan NBO offers many con- annoyances, there are cial educational section brings the home video venient services to help dangers to your expen- which features valuable enthusiast unprecedent- you buy and set-up a sive equipment too — educational materials. ed flexibility as well as bet- satellite system, including such as lightning and Skyvision also produces an ter, steadier videos. And 100 percent financing, other power variation International catalog that the producer can now be which can be as low as problems. Well the Max features information for astar in his own works as §29/month, do-it-yourself 1000 Line Conditioner well. All this thanks to this installation, a toll-free help from Panamax will take various regions of the ingenious device. phone number and ten- care of these problems. world and the equipment minute dish alignment. It eliminates up to 99.7 By mounting your percent of all EMI and necessary to receive a camcorder (virtually any NBO also carries more RFI interference. variety of signals. model will fit) on Cam- than just satellite equip- eraMan, you free your- ment. They have a full- The MAX 1000 Each purchase of a self from camera oper- line of direct view moni- responds within one satellite system includes ating restrictions while tor/receivers, LaserDisc nanosecond to stop a Skyvision’s innovative CameraMan operates units and Pro Logic sur- power surge before it Skyvision Do-It-Yourself your camcorder for you. round sound equipment Installation Video, the But you still have all the to round out the home even reaches your most popular and most say — you can program theater. At NBO you'll equipment. A sequential used service/educational CameraMan with a series find the top names like start-up/shut-down pre- tool available. Skyvision of movements or oper- RCA, Pioneer, Bose, DCM also provides a free cus- ate it from the remote and others. vents turn-on “thumps” tomer technical hotline. control Wand. It does full from being magnified by 360° pans and 50° tilts, For more information your amplifier and dam- What's more, the and a free catalog, call company produces The NBO at (800) 346-6466 aging your speakers. Skyvision Show, an The MAX1000 lets you hour-long instructional and entertainment pro- hear only the things that gram that is broadcast on satellite with do-it- you want to. It also yourselfers in mind. The comes with a lifetime Skyvision Show consists guarantee and Panamax guarantees, also for life, any equipment that's plugged into it against damage due to prob- lems it is designed to prevent. 8 Advertising Supplement

OLYMPIAD If it’s laughter, a little fright even available in widescreen. continued from page 36 and a lot of creepy weirdos What’s more, the theme song, you're after, you've come to the Hammer-— Addams Groove, is conventional TV sets. Of the five other systems the adviso- right place. On laserdisc, Bm. now available on laserdisc The Addams Family shows from Pioneer Artists: ty committee is now considering, four are digital. The fifth is a version of a Ja- up 60% sharper than on Savas aayWav be eas panese, satellite-delivered system that uses compression to fit its signals into a ordinary videotape and Family on June 18th. standard 6-megahertz TV channel. The committee has closed the doors to other with incredible CD sound to You've never experi- systems on the ground that none is ready to be tested. make your spine tingle. It’s enced any Thing like it. Although lab tests show the four @ PIONEER All rights reserved. digital systems will work, doubting Whe Art of Entertainment Thomases were silenced March 25 by the first on-the-air digital broadcast. I neantles: The DigiCipher system, developed by Se 4GUEEE neee the American TV alliance (composed of General Instrument and MIT), was used 2; to broadcast a short program over the facilities of WETA, Washington’s public ©1992 Pioneer LDCA, Inc., Long Beach, CA. © 1992 Paramount Pictures Corporation. broadcasting station. Call 1-800-421-1621 for astore near you. The transmission went from a digital HDTV video recorder to receiving equipment at the U.S. Capitol, where it was displayed on widescreen HDTV monitors. The signal was also fed to a lo- cal cable TV system. Previously, digital systems had only been demonstrated by closed-circuit transmissions. But there are still skeptics. Professor William Schreiber, one of the early HDTV researchers at MIT’s Media Lab, worries about a “stampede” to unproven digital technology before questions about its possible effe—icnctludsing “ghosts, noise and interferenc—eo”n analog channels are fully answered. One potential problem with digital TV is the so-called cliff effect. Because digital broadcasts are either “on” or “off,” there is no gradual deterioration in fringe areas, as there is with analog transmissions. Thus, at a certain dis- tance from the transmitter, one home could have a perfect picture while the house next door could receive no pic- ture at all. And the boundary between perfect and nothing could move, de- pending on the weather. Two proposed systems — Advanced Digital TV and Digital Spectrum Com- patible HDTV (by Zenith and AT &T) —attack the problem by using two levels of definition. Homes within a sta- tion’s primary area would receive full HDTV, while more distant homes would pifpease with somewhat lower defi- Among the digital proposals, the Digital Spectrum Compatible and ATVA Progressive systems use progres- sive scan techniques to compose a pic- ture with 787.5 lines sent 60 times a second. The other two systems, Ad- Circle 10 on Reader Service Card. JUNE 1992 VIDEO 45

vanced Digital TV and DigiCipher, use comparable to NTSC and able to ac- the withdrawn ACTV system. Zenith’s interlaced systems, in which a picture commodate all existing stations that Digital Spectrum Compatible was on consists of alternate lines transmitted ei- the test bench at presstime, and Ad- ther in two fields 30 times a second or have an HDTV channel. e Audio/video quality. The system’s vanced Digital TV and ATVA Pro- 1,050 lines at a time. In both cases, verti- horizontal and vertical resolution should gressive systems are still to come. cal resolution should be the same, since Although the timetable has slipped each system effectively conveys 1,050 be twice that of NTSC, time resolution lines every thirtieth of a second. should not be less than NTSC, color by about four months so far, the advisory should be better and artifacts less objec- committee expects lab tests to be com- No digital proposal appears, at this tionable. The aspect ratio should be 16:9 plete by early November. It would then writing, to have the inside track. They recommend a system to the FCC next all work, at least in lab demonstrations. and the sound comparable to CDs. However, the feeling is that there is an outside track, and that it’s occupied by e Transmission robustness. The signal February. At about the same time, actu- the Narrow MUSE system, proposed by should be better than NTSC in its cov- al on-the-air field tests will begin in NHK, Japan’s national broadcasting cor- Charlotte, North Carolina—and last poration. This is the case because Nar- erage area. row MUSE is an analog system while the e Services and features. They should until June 1993. Currently, the plan is to FCC, led by Chairman Alfred Sikes, is be better than those available with field-test only the system that wins the leaning strongly toward digital. Second, NTSC, especially regarding added au- lab tests, although the runner-up may be it’s Japanese: World politics and nation- tested as well if early tests show poten- al pride unavoidably will be dragged into dio, captioning and data services. this “scientific” policy issue. e Extensability. The system should tial problems with the winner. PICKING THE STANDARD have a long life and be able to support Wiley believes that HDTV broad- However, the FCC’s advisory com- future enhancements and advances. casting will begin between mid-1995 and mittee has adopted several criteria to evaluate. These are called “target val- e Interoperability. It must be carryable mid-1996, and that the public will also ues” and the chosen system will be the by cable and should be friendly to other be able to buy HDTV sets. However, one that comes closest to meeting them. program delivery media. It should also some Washington insiders are dubious. They are: be compatible with VCRs, satellites and Since so much is at stake, they feel the computers. Data and telecommunica- FCC's decision may be appealed in the e Spectrum utilization. The selected HDTV system’s bandwidth should be tion uses with “simple interfacing hard- courts, leading to a battle that could last | until late 1996. One qualified observer, | ware” are also an objective. e Cost. It should be reasonable to former RCA Technology Vice President broadcasters, cable operators and con- Gordon Bricker, doesn’t think the first HDTV station will go on the air before sumers. The testing center has already eval- July 1997. | uated Narrow MUSE, DigiCipher and Apart from the timetable, there’s varSl BASF ft ao TG1h30 & Extra Quality 46 VIDEO JUNE 1992

FIVE-WAY PLAYOFF: WHO'S WHO IN HDTV Who's on first in the race toward HDTV? The following DigiCipher HDTV five systems proposebdy four coalitions have emerged as Developers: The American Television Alliance (ATVA), finalists in the FCC’s testing process. The winner will be consisting of General Insttument and MIT. declared the nation’s HDTV transmission standard, giv- Basics: A digital system with interlaced scanning, 1,050 ing it a significant advantage as manufacturers develop lines of vertical resolution and 792 lines of horizontal the technology into what’s expected to be a multibillion- resolution. dollar market. Digital Spectrum Compatible HDTV Advanced Digital TV (ADTV) Developers: Zenith, AT&T and Scientific-Atlanta. Developers: The Advanced Television Research Consor- Basics: A digital system with progressive scanning, 787.5 tium, consisting of Thomson Consumer Electronics, lines of vertical resolution and 720 lines of horizontal Philips Consumer Electronics, NBC, the David Sarnoff resolution. Research Center and Compression Labs. Basics: A digital system with interlaced scanning, 1,050 Narrow MUSE lines of vertical resolution and 810 lines of horizontal res- Developer: NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.). olution. Basics: An analog system with interlaced scanning, 1,125 lines of vertical resolution and 650 lines of horizontal ATVA Progressive resolution. Developers: The American Television Alliance (ATVA), consisting of General Instrument and MIT. Note: In interlaced systems, odd-numbered lines are Basics: A digital system with progressive scanning, 787.5 scanned first, then even-numbered lines, producing a full lines of vertical resolution and 720 lines of horizontal image when the two scans are combined. In progressive systems, each line is scanned in order. All the above sys- resolution. tems use a wide, 16:9 aspect ratio. | virtually no agreement about how much about $2,250. Other estimates range up early HDTV sets will sell at a premium HDTV sets will cost, except that they'll to four times the cost of an NTSC set, of about $2,000 over comparable cur- be expensive. Estimates from the adviso- | which would mean $8,000 for a HDTV rent models. ry committee suggest that 35-inch | set comparable to a current 35-incher. In Japan, sets for an analog-based HDTV sets, when introduced, will cost |Zenith President Jerry Pearlman thinks continued on page 119 ... the pioneer and leader of length tape and , the innovator in magnetic media distribution, have gone to - lengths to bring you profit. J. Better. ..not because we've been in business longer, but in business longer because we are better. 2655 NOSTRAND AVENUE ¢ BROOKLYN, NY 11210 718 / 258-0004 ¢ FAX 718 / 258-7469 Circle 11 on Reader Service Card. JUNE 1992. VIDEO 47

CAMCORDER md“2tha, ( Ge ae eee )L BY BRENT BUTTERWORTH Ne eS AVE Super Shots: Summer's when it sizzles, especially for videography. JVC's S-VHS-C GR- The sun shines, the days lengthen and camcorders fly Whatever your $505U (below) and off the shelves. To celebrate the arrival of the year’s shooting tastes, Canon’s Hi8 UCS1 best shooting weather, we’ve prepared a trio of features there’s a camcorder to motivate readers into the field. made just for you. (bottom) both combine nearly broadcast-quality Senior Editor Brent Butterworth starts the cover- video with convenient, age with a survey of the year’s newest, most ingenious compact designs that shooting machines, and the types of videographer best let you carry them suited to use them. Next, contributing editor Ty Har- anywhere. rington takes a hands-on look at the only consumer camcorder with a family of lenses and adapters. Finally, Harrington himself journeys into the field for a person- al account of big-game hunting, video style. Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue or an all-out safari, the following pages should make your season —and help you preserve it. or many people, camcorders are now a basic ingredient of life. And as consum- ers carry home millions of fresh new ma- chines, camcorder makers have begun piling it on, adding new models and fea- tures to suit every taste. No matter if you're a neophyte or a seasoned profes- sional, you can have it your way. But don’t let your hunger for a new camcorder get the best of you. Read the feature menu carefully before buying. It’s easy to get burned by choosing a cam- corder with too few features, or with ex- tras you don’t really need. To help you make the right choice, Video Magazine has chosen some of today’s tastiest cam- corders, and listed them according to the type of shooting for which they’re best suited. You’re sure to find the per- fect camcorder for any video, from a family event to an award-winning docu- mentaty. 48 VIDEO JUNE 1992

FAMILY FUN it uses full-size VHS tapes. Just pop them in your VCR and enjoy. And the Most people buy camcorders to cap- VL-L50 would be right at home on ture priceless memories, like their child’s Wayne's World— its long 12x zoom lens is first steps or their grandparents’ 50th perfect for those extreme close-ups. wedding anniversary. For this type of video, ease of use is extremely impor- With its new FX series of family tant. After all, a family camcorder camcorders, Sony makes 8mm a more should be used by every member of the practical format for those who’d rather family. And chances are, many of your not worry about wires. Both the $1,100 family members would rather sit through CCD-FX410 and the $1,200 CCD- The Bonfire of the Vanities three times FX510 use an AC adapter that doubles than try to gauge proper depth of field. as an audio/video connector. If you leave the adapter connected to your Fortunately, all consumer cam- A/V system, you can just snap the corders offer fully automatic, point-and- adapter plate to the back of the cam- shoot operation. But all automatic func- corder, and you’re ready to watch your tions aren't created equal. Most auto ex- videos. | posure and auto white balance systems | work fine for about 95 percent of the In fact, the FX410 may be Sony’s eas- iest-to-use camcorder ever. There are no shooting you'll do. But you can’t say the fancy bells and whistles to confuse be- ginning shooters. In place of manual same about autofocus (AF) systems. controls, a large dial on the side lets you Some can handle almost anything, but select automatic modes for normal some work well only in optimum condi- tions, like bright sunlight. shooting, portraits, sports and high-speed motion. These Probably the most reliable autofocus modes let you adjust for special system is infrared, like that found on situations without having to Hitachi's $1,099 VM-E23A. This palm- learn photographic theory. The FX510 size 8mm model finds its focus and sticks duplicates these modes, and adds stereo with it, unlike some camcorders that sound. never seem to settle on a focus setting. Hand it to your 5-year-old, explain how KINGS OF THE WILD FRONTIER the little red start/stop button Many of today’s camcorders let you | works, and you'll be amazed— almost every shot will be per- bring back videos of the wildest adven- fectly focused. tures—and bring back the camcorder in one piece. These machines are small but Some through-the-lens AF systems, rugged, designed to withstand the dan- like that found on JVC’s VHS-C GR- gers of rough-and-tumble video ventures. AX5U, match the performance of infra- continued on page 98 red. Its inner focus design allows full- range autofocusing, so a user doesn’t Full Course: have to activate the macro focus manu- Four feature-packed ally for close-ups of small objects. No camcorders (top to bot- matter if the shot is a distant mountain tom)—JVC’s GR-AX5U, Sony CCD-V701, Can- or a beautiful butterfly only an inch on’s Ai Digital and away, the camcorder will usually focus Sony’s CCD-FX510. correctly. The $1,100 GR-AX5U offers another nice convenience, too: VHS-C JUNE 1992 VIDEO 49 tapes will play in any VHS VCR with the help of an adapter included with the camcorder. Sharp's $1,250 VL-L50 Slim- Cam makes playback even easier. Despite its slender, 3-1/4- inch-thick chassis,

CAMCORDER BY TY HARRINGTON Long Ranger: Canon's L1 camcorder with the CL 250mm re- flex lens, which has a telephoto range equiva- lent to a 1,350mm SLR lens. ALAGARIE precis—tehe opposite of the time-con- suming, frustrating task of attaching C-mount lenses, the only format previ- ously available for interchangeable-lens video cameras, from Betacams to 8mm industrial units. Beyond these general attributes, each lens has its own merits and way of | interfacing with the L1 camcorder body. The 3x lens zooms from a room-encom- Extra lenses turn a camcorder into a system. passing 5mm field (comparable to a 35mm camera’s 24mm lens) to a 15mm telephoto setting ideal for portrait shots. At 5mm, the lens offers about as wide an Canon’s Hi8 L1 is the 8x zoom, are of sturdy metal con- angle as is permitted by the Canon L1’s unique among struction, the flip-side of which is added half-inch CCD chip and protruding bat- consumer cam- weight. tery compartment. It is an excellent corders in its abili- In addition, the EOS adapter lets ty to accept a the Ll accept a wide array of Canon variety of inter- 35mm lenses. And the VL bayonet changeable lenses. lens mount locks crisply in The lenses have place. As a result, been introduced changing lenses is gradually, so that they now comprise a fast, smooth, easy and family of four plus an adapter that opens the camcorder to many more 35mm lenses. To see how the LI performs as a sys- tem, I took a hands-on look at the fol- lowing components: the 15x VL lens that comes with the camcorder, the VL 3x zoom, the VL 8x zoom, the CL 250mm reflex lens, a 2x telephoto ex- tender, and the EOS/VL adapter, which I tried with Canon’s EOS- series 4x zoom lens. The 2x extender and all the lenses incorporate bright, sharp, high-quality optics of a standard more often associated with 35mm still photography than consumer camcorders. All except the 250mm lens have mac- ro focusing, but the 250mm, in ad- dition to offering a wide f/1.4 maximum All in the Family: The L1's accessories include (clockwise from top left) a 2x telextender, an 8x zoom aperture, focuses down to a macro-like lens, an adapter for using 35mm lenses from Canon's EOS series, a wide-angle 3x zoom lens, and the 15x zoom lens that comes with the L1 body. All three lenses offer full autofocus, auto iris and power zoom. 50 VIDEO JUNE 1992