video-magazine-1991-05

BIRTH OF A BRAGS The Inside Story Of A Bois aauaan MASTER MIXER | We Hands-On Report x | SLEEK. SEXY CAMCORDERS | TAPES& SLIDES Brateoseniiiia DAN oNS _ VIDEOTESTS ~ 2VHS VCRs ~ 26° Monitor Receiver

NOW YOU CAN HAVE A PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY OF YOUR HOME VIDEOS. THE SONY COLOR VIDEO PRINTER. yParobiuonuttcearInamcamfagirnienneuzdeteoegjaiunyvsdotiun'tgsvheeaiytzo.eguorItenxaahfcoatbcmrltiye,lletivahaiecndtheroi3msg”ihxntau4ets”xeepccoroloenofsdrsaioplvnrii,ifdneet—op.arTseaocciststhuieaallvllyel,iytmhtcoeaonghrsoieilgssdht,tsT.htsoeomfniple1uew8.t00SiTdnohineyfynfoeurCrpeVunPswt-ahlGsl5tae0itl0b.luitCmtoaolgnoesr.aVniNddoeiwon © COPYRIGHT 1991 SONY CORPORATION OF AMERICA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. SONY IS ATRADEMARK OF SONY.

Its a Sony But that’s just part of the pictureT.heCVP-G500 can combine four different pictures in one. Create a 25 frame repeat image. Dazzle you with picture-in-picture. Even capture superimposed titles from your camcorder. You already know how your camcorder lets you hold the memory in your mind's eye. The Sony Color Video Printer lets you hold the memory in your hand. Ss O NY.

FEATURES BIRTH OF A BRAND 24 Behind the scenes with RCA as high technology meets hard reality in the launch 30 TAPES & DISCS of a major new line of high-end components. By Bob Barlow 44 VIDEOTESTS FIELDS OF DREAMS 46 DEPARTMENTS Virtual reality systems propel video on a daring new quest for total immersion. 48 By Nancy Stedman 51 HANDS ON TEST: MASTER MIXER Dissolves, wipes and F/X fuel a breakthrough editing console, 53 Panasonic's WJ-AVE5. By Brent Butterworth 64 HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT 12 Forgotten gems, from Hitchcock flicks to Bardot strips, quietly power a revival of public domain titles on tape. By Chris Farnesworth. 1 Cover: SPECIAL REPORT ZCSm|NSOm] Dawn of a new brand— 6 sleek camcorders break new ground. By Brent Butterworth RCA’s ProScan TV sets INSTALLATION OF THE MONTH: A ROOM WITH TWO VIEWS 102 ana iaserdisc player. Slides find a home in a media room that does the right thing. By Stan Pinkwas Photograph by Bob Forrest REVIEWS Miller's Crossing, Henry & June, Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams, Predator 2, Video Magazine Tune In Tomorrow..., Gremlins and Gremlins 2 on laserdisc, more Volume XV DIRECTORY / The latest releases on tape and disc Number 2 BANG & OLUFSEN MX-5500 MONITOR/RECEIVER, Hitachi VT-F441A VHS VCR, Goldstar GVH-9000M VHS VCR, Sansui RZ-9500AV audio/video receiver. By Berger-Braithwaite Labs CHANNEL ONE / Fly the virtual skies. FEEDBACK / Letters from readers LATE NEWS / Fuji’s new LCD projector, Stormin’ Norman on video, more GAZETTE / Gene Wilder, pay-per-view cassettes, more NEW PRODUCTS / Panasonic combi player, MicroKey/AV, multimedia effects board, more OFF THE AIR / Rating movies—your way ky The 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 Audit office. © 1991 Reese Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. © under Universal, International, and Pan American Copyright Conventions. Reproduction of editorial or pictorial content in any manner Bureau |S Prohibited. Single copy price $2.50; $2.95 in Canada; £2.50 in U.K. One-year subscription (12 issues) $15.; Canada, $21 U.S.; foreign, air mail, $40 U.S. Address subscription orders, change of address, correspondence and inquiries to: VIDEO, Box 56293, Boulder, CO 80322-6293. 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 MAY 1991

2 out, bottom ofthe 9th. N@liebocione-eibie is easy to do provided you have the right equipment. wireless remote control capability. And each (256) Canon lens is expertly crafted so you get a Qo That’s why Canon has a full line of advanced, i>e clear, sharp image. So whichever model 8® simple to use 8mm camcorders, each de- you choose, you'll be well equipped i5s) whether youre looking to save the signed to help you relive The E61 features an canov'str® inning, the game or the whole season. ie} those moments long ® 8x power zoom lens and Canon This summer look into a Canon & camcorder. After all, there'll be some Cc after the action is over. a2 lux low-light rating. ° memorable moments out there just xv From the affordable E61 to the waiting to be caught. 2) compact E08 to the sophisti- 2 ® cated L1 with interchangeable rQi lenses, every Canon camcorder Canon sC9c gives you versatile features like E 2re [e} =9c se) Oo 5 w autofocus power zoom lenses and Canovisoii.on 8 ba siincEesThe Official Cz 4 aaa Enjoy easy extend: Available only in U.S, © 1991 Canon USA, Inc,, One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, NY 11042 Ask for details at par

HOW TO BUY... CHANNEL ONE Subwoofers Fly the virtual skies T. experience the driving bass of a music Several years ago, I began taking flying les- sons. Each weekend for six months or so, I video or the booming special effects of a terrorized the birds of southern New Jersey, swooping, stalling and diving in a tiny movie, your home theater system must Cessna. For a variety of reasons, I grounded myself and have yet to earn a pilot’s li- faithfully reproduce the lowest frequencies. “g cense. But last month I went flying once — again, this time in a small, airless room on A subwoofer is capable of reaching down to LoS the ninth floor of an aging mid-Manhattan office building. this low end of the audio spectrum to allow With minimal movement of my right you to experience what you might not hear / hand, I zoomed through several three-di- = \\ mensional worlds, climbing, banking and otherwise. accelerating at will. In the course of ten If you’re in the market for a subwoofer, minutes, I flew through a cluttered kitchen (opening the refrigerator, turning off the light), swept into the skies over Seattle (barnstorming you're probably looking for a component that through skyscrapers, diving at a whale swimming in the harbor), then plummeted down the inside of a tall smokestack at breakneck speed. will reproduce frequencies lower than your In fact, I never moved at all. I “lived” the entire experience vicari- main speaker system is capable of. A ously via the exciting new near-science of virtual reality, all the while sitting in a swivel chair and wearing elaborate goggles with built-in subwoofer’s flat response should delve con- LCD video monitors. siderably lower than 100 Hz, in some cases The real-time sensation of traveling through an alternate, electron- ically generated universe is eerie and exhilarating. And, as technology as low as 20 Hz. progresses, the next few years will see unimaginable leaps made in our ability to manipulate and experience a new reality. For more on virtual Some models only reality, see page 30. And if you’re offered a chance to go flying, jump at it. You'll be glad you did. goaslowas50 Hz, r A a response that Ever wonder what's behind the decision to launch a new video prod- uct name? We did, and when Thomson Consumer Electronics decided some main speak- to introduce a high-end line of RCA products under the ProScan brand, our editorial instincts told us to go after the story. For an insid- ers might also be er’s look behind the ProScan decision, turn to contributing editor Bob Professional able to achieve. Barlow’s intriguing “Birth of a Brand” piece on page 24. AudioVideo Response should Pel. Retailers not exceed 150 Hz, Art Levis Editor-in-Chief Association otherwise it will reproduce mid-range frequencies best left to the main speaker system. Low-end response is often dictated by the size as well as the quality of the enclo- sure. Aside from response specifications, try to look at models with enclosures 18 inches or larger. If you’re looking into a passive subwoofer, keep in mind that another factor in low-end response is the efficiency of your amplifier. To avoid this variable, a majority of manufacturers are now turning to active subwoofers with built-in amplifiers. These types may actually be preferable since they pair the amplifier with exactly the right driver and subwoofer enclosure. If the subwoofer is designed to repro- duce low frequencies properly, then you should be able to place it anywhere in the room for a clean, deep sound. Of course, there are some places — such as up against a wall — that will make it sound even better. In these cases, experimentation is the key to optimum success. Finally, a good showroom demonstra- tion is important. Try to listen to a compact disc with deep bass and special effects to determine accurate low-end reproduction. Of course, you'll be listening to a complete loudspeaker system, so listen to how the subwoofer complements the main speakers. And remember that a knowledgeable sales- person will help you find a model that fits both your personal sound requirements and your budget. Information for this column was provided by Peter Soderberg of Paradyme Audio/Video. To find your local dealer, call: 816-444-3500 6 VIDEO MAY 1991

HR-FC100 FULL-SIZE OR COMPACT VHS AT YOUR CONVENIENCE! FULL-SIZE COMPACT Yes, it’s just one convenient step to play back or record either Full-Size VHS or Compact VHS cassettes on the HR-FC100. Just place the cassette in the VCR. No adapters. No additional cables. No need to explore the back panel of your TV. The HR-FC100’s new VHS Multi-Loading Mechanism easily loads your tape correctly and automatically. If you already own a Compact VHS camcorder, you can play back your video footage through the HR-FC100 with “‘one-touch’’ ease. If you haven’t decided on a camcorder format, the HR-FC100 might be the compelling reason to choose Compact VHS. KEY FEATURES = Full-Size/Compact VHS compatibility: Directly accepts both full-size and compact VHS cassettes. a Oval-Cut DA-4 Head System for quality SP/EP recording and playback, and special-effects playback including reverse slow, plus Video Stabilizer for stable pictures. = Quick-Response Full-Loading mechanism for immediate VCR operation. = Sophisticated Multi-Color On-Screen Menu system for timer programming, clock setting, VCR status setting, and auto channel programming. w Digital Tracking for best possible viewing quality. a Duet Editing for simultaneous control of two JVC decks in editing. a JVC Intelligent Blank Search System with automatic remaining tape time display. @ 181-Channel cable-compatible frequency synthesized tuner. a Advanced 1-month/8-event remote-programmable timer. a Realtime Go-To/Search, Index Search, and Full/Segment Repeat Playback. RECEIVE A FREE REMOTE CONTROL AND BLANK TAPE KIT WITH THE PURCHASE OF A JVC HR-FC100* J VG Free Tare AND REMOTE OFFER FOR HR-FC100U Customer Name Address: ‘Store Name Date Purchased —____ Unit Serial Number AR oat abled ulfreRtete Couponanret puctae (CoofStye Se7, RMV 100 REMOTE ThisoffermustbemailedbyOctober3,10 andigodonan purchasemade TC20XR TAPE between March 1991 through Septemt 30, 1991 Please 4-6 weel delivery. For more information, see an authorized JVC dealer near you. ’% J VC *This offer valid March, 1991 through September, 1991 VHS: The Cniversal Video Language

FEEDBAGKEDITED BY BRIAN CLARK VIDEO Preparing for tomorrow VCR hookup is simpler. Utilize your President and Managing Director, Video 2 inputs and connect a center- Jay Rosenfield January's “Tomorrow” column (“New channel preamp output to the monitor’s Video 2 audio input. Your VCR video Editor-in-Chief, Art Levis TV breaks the widescreen barrier’’) is out connects to your monitor’s Video 2 Managing Editor, Stan Pinkwas inputs. With this setup, the center- Technical Editor, Lancelot Braithwaite interesting and exciting, but presents a channel information sounds like it is Senior Editors, Kenneth Korman, Brent coming from the screen. Bill Brodnick Butterworth European viewpoint. The questions Assistant Editors, Brian Clark, Cleveland, Ohio April P. Bernard American consumers need answered be- Contributing Editors: Bob Angus, Mavis Editor’s reply: With a rear-projection set Arthur, Bob Barlow, Ivan Berger, Warren fore purchasing a widescreen TV set are with high-quality two-way speakers, this Berger, James Caruso, Steve Daly, Bruce may be an acceptable compromise. How- Eder, Mark Fleischmann (Directory), Ty different: How will standard NTSC and ever, few direct-view sets have speakers Harrington, Lawrence B. Johnson, David whose characteristics mesh with high-fidel- Lachenbruch, Frank Lovece, Gordon HDTV signals be displayed and at what ity speakers. It can be done, but we feel it is McComb, Marianne Meyer, David Ranada, a temporary solution at best. Murray Slovick, Mike Ueda (Japan), quality level? Will the first generation of Roderick Woodcock Editorial Assistant, Lily Schwartzberg widescreen TV sets be able to display Art Director, Lonnie Heller HDTV signals? How will home libraries Associate Art Director, Kristina Juzaitis Art Assistant, Luis Ramos Jr. of VHS tapes be affected? In preparation Production Manager, James LoGrasso Production Assistant, Janet Barrett for widescreen TV should | purchase Typesetting, Janet M. Holland only letterboxed laserdiscs? And how Vice President, Circulation and Special Projects, Rena Adler long will it be before widescreen-com- Newsstand Sales Director, Gerald Levine Circulation Assistant, Elizabeth Moss patible camcorders and VCRs are avail- Financial Officer, Albert Mineo Business Manager, Janette Evans able? Michael Hurn Assistant to the President, Leslie Dionicio Plano, Texas Publisher, Eric C. Schwartz Editor's reply: These issues have yet to be Associate Publisher/National Advertising resolved. We suspect widescreen sets will be Director, Linda DeRogatis manufactured for the U.S. before an Marketing Director, Luanne Rao East Coast Sales, Dina Redding-Berrigan, HDTV standard is chosen, although manu- Annette Y. Schnur facturers will probably hold off until they Classified Sales, Mary Au have an idea which standard the Federal Midwest Sales, Milton Gerber, Carolyn Communications Commission may be lean- Bowman ing toward. West Coast Sales, Cynthia Gallivan West Coast Advertising Assistant, Caryn Surround substitute Open Wide: Lynch mobs are forming over Media's de- Cannova cision to forgo a widescreen release of Wild at Heart. Ad Coordinator, Maria Sozio In “Easing Into Super Sound” (Mar. ’91), The neverending story National Editorial & Sales: 460 West 34 Bob Barlow writes that the sound com- Street, New York, NY 10001; 212-947-6500, ing from monitor/receiver speakers is It’s with anger and frustration that I 212-947-6727 (fax) not a decoded center channel and that write concerning Sol Louis Siegel’s re- Midwest Sales Office: Gerber/Kamikow, the speakers are not up to par for center- view of Wild at Heart (Mar. ’91). Not 60 Revere Drive, Suite 915, Northbrook, IL channel sound. I've found a solution to that I have cross words for Siege—lhis 60062; 708-291-8900, 708-291-8905 (fax) both problems. comments were direct and to the point. West Coast Sales Office: 1453 Third Street, But he missed a golden opportunity. He Suite 490, Santa Monica, CA 90401; To obtain true center-channel sound states that “the cropping of the wide- 213-393-5057, 213-393-5538 (fax) information from your monitor, route screen image...hurts, with some shots Japan Representatives: Mike Ueda, Nobuo actually squeezed to make them fit.” As Shoji, CES International, New Nishishin the “monitor video out” (a constant an admirer of director David Lynch, I'd Building, 1-18-2 Nishi Shinbashi, Minato- tuner signal) to the monitor’s Video 1 in- like to read an interview with the corpo- ku, Tokyo 105; 03-3592-1531 (phone), put, then connect a center-channel pre- rate wizard at Media Home Entertain- 03-3592-1532 (fax) amp audio output (from a center- ment who decided to issue the film channel amp—probably a tape monitor without letterboxing on VHS. While REESE out) to the monitor’s Video 1 audio in- some claim letterboxing deters people COMMUNICATIONS puts. When you want to watch a sur- from buying or renting movies, I think @& INCORPORATED round sound TV show, just switch the anyone who consciously picks up Wild at monitor to Video 1. Heart for home viewing will be expect- ing all of Lynch's vision, not just what Video Magazine welcomes ‘your comments. some desk-bound flunkie has chosen to Please include a phone number, but not a show us. I, for one, demand Media issue return envelope as the volume of mail does it letterboxed. Immediately. not permit replies. Letters may be edited for clarity and space. Address correspondence Raymond F. Young to Feedback, Video Magazine, 460 West 34 Street, New York, NY 10001. Lynbrook, New York 8 VIDEO MAY 1991

LATE NEWSEDITED BY BRENT BUTTERWORTH Pocket Projector: Fuji's LCD video projec- tor is the size of two stacked VHS cassettes. Fuji shows palm-size provement over the current system’s 15 Ifyou want to get LCD projector kHz upper limit. Expect to see the new more out of your system incorporated into Hi8 VCRs and video camera, put A pint-sized projector recently demon- camcorders within two years. strated by Fuji may soon give Sharp more under it. some stiff competition in the LCD pro- Stormin’ Norman jection field. The Fujix Handy Video invades home video When the action starts, count on the Projector throws a six- to 40-inch image Bogen 3165 Cine-Video Tripod's un- on any flat white surface. The one- The war in the gulf is over, but the war shakeable stability, smooth pans and pound, seven-inch-long unit features to capitalize on it has just begun. ABC tilts and rugged strength. stereo audio, and is powered by a cam- News has introduced what will probably corder battery or AC. Fuji plans to mar- be the first in a blitzkrieg of Gulf War It features tubular hard-finish alu- ket the $500 projector in Japan soon. If videos to hit the market. Schwarzkopf: minum legs with sure-grip locks for the projector makes it to the U.S., it How the War Was Won captures allied easy set-up and quick adjustments. And could infuse the slow-moving personal commander General “Stormin’ ” Nor- a precision-built Bogen 3160 XL Fluid video field with new zest—and much man Schwarzkopfs instantly legendary Head features a quick release plate and is bigger pictures. briefing on the tactics used to win the designed for video cameras up to 9 pounds. war, augmented with commentary by Meanwhile, Sharp is pushing LCD ABC news anchor Peter Jennings and For the full story, see your dealer or projection to new frontiers with a high- two military analysts. The 75-minute, write: Bogen Photo Corp., 565 E. definition projector for the Japanese $20 tape will be distributed by MPI Crescent Ave., P.O. Box 506, Ramsey, market. The XH-L100 uses three 5.5- Home Video. NJ 07446-0506. inch, 1.2-million-pixel LCDs and a zoom lens to produce HDTV images from 40 Camcorder merges still to 200 inches. The $60,000 projector and motion video displays images in both NTSC and MUSE (Japan’s HDTV system). Better hi-fi for Hi8 Hitachi is demonstrating an 8mm cam- FaiR1NcSCooin6daeen.rfrdacodvild.riteecmiearotniaoln, corder that records a digital still picture The pending arrival of 16-bit digital au- every 12 seconds. The camcorder re- dio for Super VHS is spurring 8mm cords motion video and AFM audio manufacturers to upgrade their current tracks normally, and substitutes digital eight-bit digital audio system. Eleven still data for the PCM digital audio manufactu—irneclrudsing Sony, Canon, tracks. Hitachi says the still images have Matsushita, Sanyo and Hitachi— have 768 lines of horizontal resolution. The agreed on a standard for 16-bit Hi8 digi- company plans to introduce the feature tal audio. Frequency response of the in consumer camcorders, and says it will new system is said to range from 5 Hertz add $150 to $200 to the cost of a Hi8 to 22 kilohertz, roughly equivalent to that of CDs and DATs, and a big im- machine. Sony insists the system must be standardized before it is marketed. m We don't sell anything we wouldn't buy ourselves.

tHEEDITED BY KENNETH KORMAN Pay-per-view on cassette? This tape will self-destruct after 25 plays. Sound like something out of Mission Im- possible? Not any more. It describes an experimental new procedure that some hope will soon become an accepted part of the home-video market. The idea goes like this: Certain mov- ies would be released on a new self-eras- ing videocassette called Showcase and sold to video rental stores at a lower- than-usual cost. The purpose, according to the cassette’s manufacturer, Rank Man About Town: Duffy Bergman (Gene Wilder) has his fertility evaluated in Funny About Love. Video Services, is to enable video stores to stock a higher volume of hot new ti- Wild About things. I found that by going to work tles and avoid sending customers home Wilder each day, and getting in touch with the empty-handed when these titles have all feelings I had for Gilda, I felt better each been rented for the night. By charging by the play rather than by the day, the theo- Two years ago, love was anything but night when I came home. It was very ry goes, everybody wins. And the tapes funny for Gene Wilder. He had put aside therapeutic.” can be easily disposed of—or recycled — his acting career to help his wife, Gilda Radner, fight cancer, a fight she ulti- Wilder credits video for his easy re- after they’ve self-destructed. mately lost. He tried to escape his grief entry into acting. “I hadn’t worked for a A little counter built into each cas- while, so I thought no one would be in- through traveling, putting aside sette makes the new payment system thoughts of his work and his future. But when he finally accepted a movie role— terested in me. But thanks to video, no possible. Each viewing of the tape incurs one forgot about me. People would say, an additional charge. But film buffs will his first in years —he found work to be ‘What do you mean you haven't been be able to study their favorite sequence around? | just watched Young Franken- a second time, provided it’s not too long: the best therapy. stein last night.’ ” The tapes are designed to permit an ex- Wilder’s role in Funny About Love —Brent Butterworth | tra 20 minutes of rewind time before (Paramount Home Video), a light, ma- ture comedy directed by Leonard Ni- moy, is a departure from his raucous stints in movies such as Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and Silver Streak. He plays Duffy Bergman, a successful car- toonist whose idea of what he wants from life changes almost as fast as his cartoons change frames. His feelings for Meg (Christine Lahti) swing from non- committal affection to deep devotion, culminating in the couple’s frustrating failure to conceive a child. “Gilda and I had gone through the in vitro fertilization process ourselves, so doing Funny About Love brought back many of the feelings I experienced with her,” Wilder told us. In fact, working on ‘oefilm helped him recover from losing er, ICLALAILMRUPDSB “I had a lot of grief Icouldn’t express easily —we’re taught from an early age that boys aren't supposed to cry about 10 VIDEO MAY 1991

clicking off another official viewing. As a about having to sell traditional cassettes result, viewers would be well-advised to take copious notes on the placement of as “used” when the demand for a title interesting sequen—cleengsthy high- dries up. In any case, Rank will soon speed scanning could be very costly. And if a roommate or a family member test-market the tapes in Sacramento. wants to watch the tape, it might be wise to get the cash up front. Time will tell if the idea can ever take Rank is as tight-lipped about the off, or if it will self-destruct before its new technology as an allied commander at a military briefing. But John Thrasher, very first play. —ZJon Silberg Tower Video’s vice president for video purchases, says he was approached to do Have camcorder, RAN a test market about a year ago, at which will travel time he was willing to give it a shot. He yaPs Bry hasn't heard much about it since then, When Jim Jianging grows up, he’d but he’s had time to formulate some like to be a television cameraman. As it 7 An» uat4’ c © questions. First, he wonders if his cus- happens, there’s a good chance the tomers would actually want to rent a Shanghai nine-year-old won’t have to Cub Reporter: Jim Jianging is one of many Shang- tape they could only watch once. And wait that long. Though his camcorder is hai kids getting a head start on a video career. second, why is such a complex tape de- nearly as large as he is, he may be sup- sign cheaper? He suggested that a sim- plying footage to Shanghai Television by in video the techniques of on-camera in- pler way to get more copies of a hot title this time next year as part of a projected terviewing, lighting, camera placement, out there would be to lower the prices of weekly half-hour program by and about and editing and producing a finished standard cassettes. Finally he expressed kids. product. concern at the idea of “disposable cas- Jianqing is part of the Little Masters, Nowadays when an accredited Little settes.” an eight-year-old weekly newspaper Masters reporter sets out to interview a whose staffers start at age five but must government official like Premier Li Peng After all, with concern for the envi- retire when they turn 15. Two years ago, or a visiting celebrity like former British the newspaper, which claims to be the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Jian-. ronment running high, this bréak- largest of its type in the world, started a qing or some other Little Masters cam- through in built-in obsolescence doesn’t eraperson will be there as well, along sound like something the world’s been video department not only to document with one of the newspaper's pint-sized holding its breath for. And retailers its own activities and to show the public still photographers. seem more upset about purchase prices what it does, but to produce instruction- exceeding the $100 mark than they do al tapes for training new staff members The newspaper has spilled out of its and to teach youngsters with an interest Shanghai apartment to occupy the en- tire building as well as an adjacent struc- Start Your Camcorders. Homemade videos are now ture. Only a small amount of space is being accepted for Sony's 1991 Visions of U.S. contest. allotted to the video section, and its All entries must be produced and submitted on VHS, equipment is limited to a full-size Pan- Beta or 8mm cassettes, and should be no longer than 30 asonic camcorder, a Hitachi video- minutes —though shorter lengths are recommended. The cassette recorder and a 19-inch color monitor. Little Masters hopes to add a contest’s four categories are fiction, non-fiction, experi- video editor sometime this year, along with a second VCR. mental and music video, and the four prize-winners will receive Sony camcorders. Best of all, Visions of U.S. pro- At the moment, Jianqging and his vides a unique opportunity to have your work seen by colleagues perform only rudimentary entertainment-industry giants. This year’s judges include Francis Ford Cop- editing, re-recording from the output of pola, Rob Reiner, David Byrne, Johnny Depp and big-time film producer the camcorder. However, they do have Kathleen Kennedy (E.T., Who Framed Roger Rabbit). The deadline is June 15. the assistance of Shanghai Television, For entry information, write to Visions of U.S., Box 200, Hollywood, CA whose staffers have volunteered to teach 90078, or call 213-856-7743. the kids the ropes. And when the televi- sion show becomes a reality, the kids will Vive la France. Chicago-based Home Vision Classics has acquired video be able to use the station’s state-of-the- rights to one of film history’s most sought-after classics: Marcel Carne’s Chil- art equipment to produce a more profes- dren of Paradise (1945). Often referred to as the Gone With the Wind of French sional-looking product. cinema, and unanimously hailed as one of the very best films ever made, this grand epic of 19th-century Paris has seldom been seen theatrically outside ma- —Robert Angus jor metropolitan areas. And it has never been available on video in any form. Home Vision expects to release it on cassette in August or September, and a laserdisc version is also in the works. MAY 1991 VIDEO 1 1

VIDEOTESTS VIDEOTEST NUMBER 585 Bang & Olufsen monitor/receiver Bang & Olufsen has improved the Be- Stylish System: ovision MX 5000 introduced last year Bang & Olufsen’s MX (““Videotests,” Mar. 90) by substituting a better picture tube with less geometric 5500 monitor, VX 5000 distortion, and by adding two-way com- VCR, Beolink 5000 re- munication between the remote control and the TV set. The company is re- mote control (below nowned for its design—some of its prod- right) and optional Be- ucts are in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art —so the ele- olink 7000 (below left) gance of the MX 5500 comes as no sur- remote. prise. Externally, the MX 5500 is identical to the earlier model. It comes in white, circuitry uses the trade name Vi- even allows automatic skip tuning and red, blue, black or gray. The Beolink sionClear. reordering of channels. 5000 remote supplied with the monitor controls all other Bang & Olufsen com- Electronic functions such as tuning, The system connects to a pair of ponents. Its LCD screen displays status channel memory, picture adjustment, powered speakers through a Power Link audio/video switching, signal routing socket that carries data as well as audio and operating information transmitted and interaction between components signals. Separate sockets are provided from the TV set. Bang & Olufsen sells are computer-controlled. The computer the monitor, the remote, the VX 5000 for unpowered speakers. A multipin Super VHS VCR and a motorized stand as one package, the Video System 5500. Screen Size: LCD readout and but- record start, record stop Auxiliary Stereo 26 inches measured tons for TV, status, and return Audio Output: The MX 5500 uses a specially pro- diagonally radio, satellite, store, 7-pin in/out two-way duced RCA black matrix picture tube ANN, phono, CDY, link, VCR 1 Connector: data link designed for brightness, contrast and Speaker Size: CD, videotape, light, 21-pin jack with lines high resolution. A switchable-mode two 3-inch drivers for video, S-video, External Speaker power supply provides a stable picture audio tape, 10-digit RGB, fast blanking, Connectors: even when AC voltage fluctuates widely. Type of Tuning: keypad, text, go to, re- data and audio 8-pin for active speak- The monitor uses proprietary technolo- frequency synthesis set, standby and mute; ers, and two 2-pin gy to enhance, automatic contrast set- arranged in concentric Video/Stereo jacks for standard Method of Tuning: circles with play in the Audio Input: speakers tings and “permanent color truth.” The scan or direct access 1, RCA-type pin jacks only from remote center are buttons for Internal Audio Beavision vee left, up, right and down $-Video Input: 1 Amplifier Power: MX-5w50w0 e SMuXgg5e5s0t0e—d$2,P5ri0c0e;: CS Broadcast Tuning in the inner circle; and 4 WICh Range: more for menu, picture, Video/Stereo Monitor/ Receiver 5000 stand—$400; sys- 2 to 13, 14 to 83 Audio Output: Accessories: tem including VX 5000 sound, stop, volume up 1, RCA-type pin jacks Beolink 5000 remote Cable Tuning Range: and volume down in VCR—$5,100 125 channels—2 to 13, the outer circle; on the Video/Stereo Audio RESULTS A-5 to A-1, A to W, back are buttons for Tuner Output: Weight: W+1 to +84 shift, program, turn, 21-pin jack to and from Horizontal Resolution: 105.8 pounds Remote Control: descrambler 400+ lines IR wireless remote with store, clear, video re- Dimensions: cord, audio record, 26-1/2 x 25-1/2 x 18-3/4 (h/w/d) Power Requirements: 120 VAC, 60 Hz Power Consumption: full operation—120 W; audio only—27 W; standby—27 W VPMLIEOHSDROESTOIOTLGELRSOATPHS: 12 VIDEO MAY 1991

connector carries power and direction Hitachi VHS VCR The rear panel has F-connectors for RF input and output, RCA-type jacks information to a motorized stand, which Hitachi's VT-F441A VCR is unusual be- for video/stereo audio input and output, remembers it and returns to a stored di- cause it has a built-in cleaner that auto- and a submini phone jack for edit in. rection, and may be controlled from the matically wipes the heads each time a remote. This feature lets the TV set face cassette is inserted or ejected. This not The transport controls on the re- forward when it is off, but swivel to a only solves the problem of underclean- better viewing angle when turned on. ing, it prevents overcleaning, which is mote include index search, slow motion, Connection to the VCR is through a more dangerous than undercleaning be- single 21-pin cable that carries audio, cause some cassette-type cleaners can frame advance, tape speed, auto track- video and data signals. cause premature head wear, and others ing and the more common buttons. For- deposit more debris than they remove. ward of these are buttons for power and Description. The MX 5500 looks This feature, introduced by Hitachi, is guide. The guide button calls up the In- much smaller than it is, thanks to clever starting to appear on other brands. telascan menus. styling. Most of the front is occupied by a contrast-enhancing glass plate in front A second feature that is equally Other buttons set the remote to handy is the Intelascan I] Guide Menu. control a second Hitachi VCR, most TV of the picture tube. The black area be- It reduces most of the setup options to sets and most cable converter boxes. low the tube conceals two three-inch plain English or French. Another menu The remainder are for tuning and TV speakers. Almost completely hidden at option, Problem Guide, lists the com- the bottom right are a headphone jack, a mon causes of malfunctions and their operation. program step button that turns on the cures. Although Intelascan reduces the Operation. Hookup is straightfor- set and steps you through the channels, need to refer to the manual, users and a standby/on switch. should still read it. ward and well-detailed in the manual. The Intelascan menu simplifies setup The jack panel has connectors for The VCR's Spectra Sonic option of- fers two levels of bass boo—smtusic and and even troubleshooting, should it be speakers, the motorized stand, auxiliary/ mov—iwheich are particularly useful necessary. If in doubt about a function, a line input, two Power Links, S-video in- when the VCR is not connected to a user can cycle through the menu options put, and A/V input and output. Two 21- good audio system. Other useful func- as a reminder of how the VCR options pin connectors interface the MX 5500 tions include two search speeds, slow are set. Programming the timer is easy with an EIA IS-15 decoder and the VX motion, frame advance, 30-second for- because it prompts the user in plain En- 5000 VCR. Stepped forward on the right glish or French. side are six F-connectors for RF inputs ward skip, index search, auto index, par- A, B and C, and outputs 1, 2 and 3. In- ental lock and remote control of two Controlling the VCR from the front put C and output 3 are for a cable de- Hitachi VCRs, most TV sets and most panel is simple because there are few cable converter boxes. controls. Operation from the remote is coder. equally easy once the user gets accus- Operation. There are few controls Description. The VT-F441A is tomed to the layout. The only cryptic light and compact. Its front panel has a on the MX 5500—almost everything is wide black stripe across its face. There button name is AVX, which switches be- controlled from the remote. Using the are no exposed controls on the front tween tuner, simulcast and line input. If set can be sheer pleasure when the com- panel. The stripe camouflages the cas- puter performs useful tasks like turning sette hatch and the infrared sensor. The the user already has a Hitachi VCR, he lower part of the panel’s right end swings or she can switch this one to be con- continued on page 19 down to reveal transport, tuner and in- trolled by the VCR 2 commands and stant-record timer controls. use VCR 1 for the older Hitachi. Oper- Snowiness; output—10 Hz-20 kHz, ational ease is very good. Video S/N: +0.8/-0.9 dB Peformance. The horizontal reso- Chroma AM S/N: as dB lution is 240 to 250 lines with an un- 60.7 dB : weighted video signal-to-noise ratio of 6C0h.r1omdaB PM SIN: so liga 47.2 decibels at SP, 45.7 dB at LP and 44 dB at EP. The weighted video S/N is Screen Brightness: 0.3s%tortion: 53.4 dB at SP, 51.6 dB at LP and 50.5 dB 29.1 footlamberts at EP. The chroma AM S/N is 46.2 dB at RATINGS SP, 42.9 dB at LP and 38.8 dB at EP. The Accuracy of Colors: very good Picture Quality: continued on page 20 very good Audio Frequency A Manual You Can’t Lose: Hitachi's VT-F441A includes an onscreen owner's manual. Audio Quality: Response: excellent internal amplifiers—85 Operational Ease: Hz-9 kHz; Power Link very good Overall Performance: very good MAY 1991 VIDEO 13

VIDEOTESTS VHS H@ What a Character: Goldstar's GVH-9000M generates text in four sizes, and superimposes it during recording or playback. VIDEOTEST NUMBER 587 produces a high-speed Jet Search. doesn’t look much like a VCR except for the clock display at the right of the front Goldstar VHS It has a 181-channel cable-ready tun- panel. The display area surrounds the hi-fi VCR er capable of MTS stereo/SAP/mono op- power button. The front panel serves as the door to a control compartment. In- The GVH-9000M, Goldstar’s top-of- eration, an eight-event/one-year timer, side, the cassette hatch occupies almost the-line VCR, would please any interior the full width of the compartment. Be- decorator. Its dark gray front panel cov- onscreen programming with program re- ers almost all of the controls—only the view, onscreen display, a quick timer low it sit the transport and tuner con- power button is exposed. It is a three- trols, a headphone jack, a volume speed machine with four video heads, with delay, an auto power/play/rewind/ control, video/stereo audio input jacks, hi-fi audio and playback effects at all eject/off sequence, superimposable tit- tape speeds. The effects include double- ling in four sizes, a front audio/video in- and slide switches for edit, stereo/mono/ speed playback, still, slow motion and put with priority over the rear input and SAP, left/stereo/right and hi-fi/normal. two search speeds. A single touch of the a headphone jack with a level control. search button provides a low-speed The rear holds rotary controls for SP search, while holding down the button There are no manual level controls for the hi-fi sound,\\ and both it and the linear track sound levels are automatic only. Despite its titling capability, this is not an editing deck —it has no remote pause jack, flying erase head or insert ca- pability. Description. The GVH-9000M Goldstar Video Heads: 4 cord safety, pause/still, on remote start locator/index/cue, | +0/-2.7 dB all speeds; GVA-S000M stop. record speed, re- remote pause linear—100 Hz-10 kHz, VHS VER Slow Motion: cord. frame advance, Preset Method: SP: 100 Hz-5 kHz, LP; 1/6x to 1/32x slow speed down. slow, auto program plus add RESULTS 100 Hz-4 kHz, EP DATA slow speed up. tracking and erase Cue & Review Search: up and and down. Broadcast Tuning Horizontal Resolution: Hi-Fi Dynamic Range: Suggested Price: locking—5x. SP: 10x. clock/counter. counter Range: 230-240 lines 86.3 dB $500 LP; 15x, EP; non-lock- reset: under slider—TV 2 to 13. 14 to 69 ing Jet Search—7x, preset. tuner/simulcast/ Video S/N, Linear Audio S/N: Weight: SP: 15x, LP: 21x, EP AV. QSR start, QSR Cable Tuning Range: Unweighted: 13.2 pounds length. auto program. 4A. 2 to 13. A to W. SP—44.1 dB: LP—37.5 40.1 dB Fast Forward/ add and erase W+1 to W+58, A-5 to dB: EP—40.3 dB Dimensions: Rewind Time: A-1, W-59 to W+84 Audio Distortion: 3-1/2 x 16-1/2 x 13-1/4 approx. 4-1/2 min. for Counter Digits: 4 Video S/N, Weighted: hi-fi—0.3%; inches (h/w/d) 7-120 AFT: always on SP—50 dB: LP—46.7 linear—1.2% Power Requirements: Linear Audio: mono dB; EP—48 dB 120 VAC, 60 Hz Remote: Timer: RATINGS Power Consumption: IR wireless with a Hi-Fi AFM Audio: 8-event/1-year Chroma AM S/N; 31 W switch for TVVCR stereo SP—44.8 dB: LP—32.7 Picture Quality: commands and buttons Special Features: dB: EP—32.3 dB good/very good Tape Format: VHS for power, channel up Tuning Method: still frame. frame ad- and down, 10-digit key- frequency synthesis vance, 2x speed play, Chroma PM S/N: Audio Quality: Tape Speeds: pad, 100. menu. clear, separate eject, counter SP—40.8 dB; LP—32.6 average/good SP. LP EP display, TV/VCR, mute, Channel Selectors: memory. auto rewind dB; EP—33.3 dB volume up and down, programmable up and Operational Ease: rewind/search. play/2x, down buttons on VCR; Absent Features: Audio Frequency very good fast forward/search, re- scan plus direct access insert edit, video dub, Response: audio dub. program hi-fi-20 Hz-20 kHz, Overall Performance: good/very good 14 VIDEO MAY 1991

ly ONNooww VYoou iCvanGaUnselSloeunsdiSEEftoffeecucttsnsd. Just Like The Pros! and EP vertical lock, switches for dynamic range of 86.3 dB and a total imagine the sound of a drum roll or laughter as someone stumbles I CATV/broadcast and channel 3/4 out- . appluase as you come on screen. . . cartoon boinks, bangs and | put, F-connectors for VHF/UHF input harmonic distortion of 0.4 percent. The whistles while children play. All sound effects that are important | and output, and video/stereo audio jacks for an entertaining video. Sounds you can now add to your library for input and output. frequency response of the mono linear of accessories. I I The remote control operates the track is 100 Hz to 10 kHz at SP, 100 Hz to Our audio cassettes were originally created for fun and entertain- I ment. Adventure Sounds for kids, Environmental tapes for relaxa- I VCR and Goldstar, Sanyo, Toshiba, 5 kHz at LP and 100 Hz to 4 kHz at EP, tion and Create A Message for answering machine messages. I RCA and Zenith TV sets. It has the usu- However, many video enthusiasts have found they are also great I al transport and tuner controls. It also all with an audio S/N of 40.1 dB and a fer video production. Now you can add that unique and fun ele- controls the VCR’s titler. Buttons on the ment to your productions - use sound effects just like the pros. numerical keypad double to cycle — All Tapes Have A 30 Day Unconditional Guarantee. — through the character set, move the cur- sor and change the size of the charac- total harmonic distortion of 1.2 percent. /YOMAVURG CREATE A MESSAGE i SOMES 45 Different Sound Effects I ters. Audio quality is average to good. (10 to 30 seconds in length) I The remote controls many functions 40 MINUTE AMBIENT 1. Cartoon Sounds I Conclusion. The Goldstar STEREO SOUND 2. Police Raid through onscreen menus with options *‘Just like being there’’ 3. Construction Site | for titler, clock set, normal program, dai- GVH-9000M is an attractive hi-fi VCR AS1 In Dinosaur Land 4. Screaming Baby & Kids ly program, weekly program and pro- AS2 At The Construction Site 5. Heavenly Harp I gram review. Its unusual buttons include with good to very good picture quality, AS3 At The Car Race Track 6. Shopping Mall I clear, which lets a user back up to cor- AS4 In The Kitchen 7. Combat Zone I rect programming entries; TV preset, average to good audio quality and very ASS In The Office 8. In the Bathtub I which selects what type of TV set the AS6 At The Farm I remote will control; and the QSR good ease of operation. Overall perfor- AS7 Cartoon Sounds 9. Airport Terminal I (quick-set recording) buttons, which I most manufacturers label OTR or ITR. mance is good to very good. At a sug- with Playful Music 10. Office Sounds I A sliding cover conceals the QSR, TV AS8 In Space 11. Evacuation Siren I preset, channel programming and input gested price of $500, it is an attractive ENVIRONMENTAL TAPES 12. Pool Hall I select buttons. 60 MINUTE AMBIENT option. r] STEREO SOUND 14, Fist Fight Operation. Using the VCR is easy. _] ES1 Soothing Ocean Sounds 15. Wild Pigs There is a single RF input, which works ii ES2 Gentle Babbling Stream 16. Out the Door fine for cable and single-band antennas, ES3 Spring Rain but is more difficult to use if both VHF TECH TIP 00ES4 Summer Evening Sounds 17. Workshop and UHF bands are needed or if there ES5 Jungle Sounds 18. Dinner Crowd are scrambled cable channels. The front 19. Cheering Crowd compartment has only basic transport, 20. Haunted House tuning and audio controls. The front And Many More! A/V input is convenient because using it + 30 DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE * requires no manual switching. The primary control is the remote, ALL TAPES $9.95 ea. —NO P.0. BOXES —— 1 I on which most of the buttons have self- Kill the lights Mase checks payable to: Name. explanatory legends. A few functions !l could be confusing, like the doubling up If you've never acquired a taste for let- D1e2jp6et6t.awWaVyeMsntworthW.ay cfietoys of the numerical keys for titling, the terboxed movies, try watching them | menu system, the onscreen display, the with the lights off. The picture size | San Jose, CA 95121 State, Zip mute and volume controls (which affect won't change, but you'll forget about the O check/money order F | only the TV, not the VCR), TV preset black bars because they will vanish into and auto program, which is cryptically the background darkness of the room. I O Visa O Mastercard He Price of I called A. Prog. The clock and counter | share a display; the counter memory Sonny Shrivastava enclosed (U.S. funds only) assettes | functions only when the counter is dis- Danville, California Card No. 7% Sales Tax played on the VCR. Ease of operation is (CA residents only), | very good. : S($h3i.p5p0i‘ngU.S&.)Handling I| SEix‘pginraetsu.re FCiaS7NcRooi3enadoenrrf.dacvodildir.teecmireaotniaoln, Performance. The GVH-9000M has a horizontal resolution of 230 to 240 Daytime Phone. $10.00 other). lines with an unweighted video signal- to-noise ratio of 44.1 decibels at SP, 37.5 l* Use your credit cardandcall TOTAL. dB at LP and 40.3 dB at EP. The weight- Getaways (408) 972-4108 (U.S. funds only) ed video S/N is 50 dB at SP, 46.7 dB at LP and 48 dB at EP. The chroma AM | No order will be processed Please use separate sheet S/N is 44.8 dB at SP, 32.7 dB at LP and if needed 32.3 dB at EP. The chroma PM S/N is without payment Allow 2 - 6 weeks for delivery a ee et et 40.8 dB at SP, 32.6 dB at LP and 33.3 dB eee om ee ome ee ee a at EP. The measurements at SP are very Nady’s 151 VR Wireless Camcorder good, but those at LP and EP are aver- Microphones—The Clear Audio Choice! age. Video quality is good to very good. By putting the microphone “where the action is”, the Nady 151 VR The audio frequency response of the Wireless System delivers crisp, clear, precise professional quality audio. No stereo hi-fi tracks is 20 hertz to 20 kilo- more ambient noise problems. No more camcorder motor noise. And it’s hertz, +0/-2.7 dB at all speeds, with a compatible with all camcorders and video cameras with an audio input. Nady’s 151 VR range is over 250 feet. The 151 VR wireless transmitter clips on a belt where it can’t be seen. The attached lavalier mic is positioned near the speaker’s mouth on a tie, coat, shirt, etc. Or choose the high quality, sleek handheld mic transmitter. Both are powered by a 9V battery. For the very best in audio for video, the choice is clear—Nady. For best pricing, call: Nady 151VR receiver Nationwide: 800/222/8228 In CA: 800/624/1784 15 Day Money Back Guarantee Add $5 per order for shipping and handling. Most orders shipped NADY 151.VR within 48 hours. Special delivery services available. CA residents add applicable sales tax. Visa and MasterCard accepted. Mail check or money order to: Nady 151 VR lapel mic wih nl ))))) 1900 Powell Street, Suite 1135 Emeryville, CA 94608 CFRS1cNaiooi9eandenr.rfdacvdoildi.rteecmireaotniaoln, Nady 151 VR handheld mic MAY 1991 VIDEO 15

VIDEOTESTS Sf ” ESSacaEseuDe Memory Machine: Four surround memories let Sansui’s RZ-9500AV store settings for delay time, balance, tone, and center and rear channel level. VIDEOTEST NUMBER 588 nectors are provided, but the receiver fiers may feed two speaker systems singly does not convert one type of video to Sansui audio/video the other. It accepts inputs from one or together; a switch at the back allows recelver turntable, one CD player, two audio correct impedance matching. tape recorders, two VCRs and a laser- Sansui’s RZ-9500AV audio/video re- disc player. Outputs are provided for There is no subwoofer output but a ceiver is designed to give cost-conscious two audio tape recorders, two VCRs and super bass control can help compensate buyers a fair helping of desirable fea- five preamplifiers. Jumpers connect the for speakers with weak bass response. It tures. It offers an AM/FM tuner, A/V preamplifier outputs to the amplifier in- provides eight decibels of boost or cut at switching, a Dolby Pro-Logic surround puts, and external signal processors may 50 Hertz; the conventional tone con- decoder and five channels of amplifica- be connected in place of the jumpers. trols are active at 100 Hz and 10 kilohertz. tion. It even provides for bidirectional dubbing between two VCRs. The two front amplifiers are rated at The RZ-9500AV offers Dolby Pro-Logic, Both video and S-video signal con- 100 watts per channel, the two rear channels at 30 watts per channel and the center channel at 40 watts, all into eight ohms. The front-channel ampli- i with variations, variable Spatial, memory call, Stereo Audio Outputs: center channel—40 Video Crosstalk: Salis rear-channel delay and surround/ambience off, 2—tape/DAT 1, tape/ Wich into 8 ohms at 58.3 dB RZ-9500 NW 5 channels of amplifica- control up, contro! DAT 2 0.03% THD down, center level, rear Accessories: Audio Frequency A/V Receiver =|\" level. delay time, bal- Preamplifier Audio remote control with bat- Response: ance. super bass, bass, Output: teries, AM loop antenna 20 Hz-20 kHz, +0.2/-0.7 DATA Remote Control: treble, equalizer call, 5 channels—lett front, with mounting bracket, dB programmable IR wire- equalizer on/off, mute, right front, left rear, FM dipole, 300-75 ohm Suggested Price: less with switches for volume up, volume right rear, center antenna transformer Audio S/N: $770 audio/video and learn/ down and 6 blanks 78.6 dB Amplifier Audio RESULTS Weight: use; indicators for Video/Stereo Inputs: Total Harmonic 30.6 pounds transmit and learn; and Audio Inputs: 5 channels, as above, Video Bandpass: Distortion: 3—VCR 1, VCR 2, la- jumpered to preamp 10 mHz front—0.037% at 100 Dimensions: buttons for power, re- serdisc outputs W: center—0.04% at 40 5-7/8 x 17 x 16-1/8 Luminance S/N, W: rear—0.04% at 30 inches (h/w/d) cord/mute, pause, stop, S-Video Inputs: Headphone Jack: Unweighted: 62.1 dB Ww play. rewind, fast for- 3—VCR 1, VCR 2, la- 1/4-inch stereo Power Requirements: serdisc Luminance S/N, RATINGS 120 VAC, 60 Hz ward. direction, tape 1, External Speaker Weighted: 63.8 dB Video/Stereo Connectors: Picture Quality: Power Consumption: tape 2. disc, stop, Audio Outputs: spring-loaded clips for Video S/N, very good 575 W pause/play, forward 2—VCR 1, VCR 2 all five channels Unweighted: 63.8 dB Audio Quality: Special Features: scan. reverse scan, Video Output: 1 Internal Audio Video S/N, Weighted: good to very good input switching for 3 track forward, track re- Amplifier Power: 66.5 dB video and 5 audio verse, CD, laserdisc, a $-Video Output: 1 front channels—100 Operational Ease: sources, AM/FM tuner Wich into 8 ohms at Chroma AM S/N: excellent on receiver; with auto/manual tuning 10-digit keypad, VCR 1, Stereo Audio Inputs: 0.02% THD; rear chan- 68.3 dB good on remote and programmable call VCR 2, tuning up, tun- 4—CD. phono, tape/ nels—30 W/ch into 8 letters, Dolby Pro-Logic ing down. source direct, DAT 1, tape/DAT 2 ohms at 0.03% THD; Chroma PM S/N: Overall Performance: and three hall settings cable/FM, band. pro- 50.1 dB very good gram scan/call, phono, tuner, Dolby Pro-Logic, natural, hall, stadium, test tone. center mode, 16 VIDEO MAY 1991

natural, hall and stadium surround modes, which can be customized. It also 800-558-0003has a phantom center-channel mode and spatial enhancement. In short, the receiver offers as much as possible while keeping cost low. Description. When the receiver is | switched on, its large, comprehensive HOURS:CST aes display lights up in easy-to-read orange. To its left are the power button and a MON - FRI standby indicator; at its right are a large calibrated volume control and a loud- Computg#bility9AM-9PM ness switch. A ten-digit keypad and but- SAT | tons for scan tuning, direct tuning, 11AM-5PM character, clear, memory and enter emerge from the display face. P.O. Box 17882 Consumer oLlectronics The lower half of the front panel Milwaukee, WI holds selectors for VCRI, VCR2, laser- 7 NOv53217 disc, video dub, source direct, tape 1/DAT, tape 2/monitor, CD, phono and tuner, plus up/down pairs for tuning and control. More buttons are on hand to se- lect the parameter being adjusted: super bass, bass, treble, balance, center chan- nel, rear level and delay. Below the tuning buttons are | switches for cable/FM antenna, FM/AM and auto/manual tuning. Buttons nearby AUTHORIZED DEALER: select the surround mode, four groups of memorized settings, the test tone, the | Canon c SONY. center mode and spatial enhancement. Also up front are a 1/4-inch stereo head- phone jack and switches for main A speakers, main B speakers and rear/cen- ter channel. TOSHIBA PIONEER Across the top run antenna con- nectors, the CD input, the rear speaker connectors, the center speaker connec- tors, the power cord and two switched k ”, Panasonic AC outlets. Across the bottom are the Panasonic <:2Riryeone Industrial turntable grounding screw, the other au- dio and A/V inputs and outputs, the preamp outputs, the power amp inputs and the speaker connectors. There is Nikon RICOH also a video monitor output and a sys- tem control jack for interfacing with other Sansui components. The surface of the remote is divided 5 Year Warranties Available! into four areas. The area furthest for- ward contains the power button; switches and indicators for programming #AMBICO the remote; and VCR/audio tape deck controls. The next group controls a CD 0870 - 20 Watt Light or laserdisc player. On a dark titanium gray background are a ten-digit keypad VO86500 -Light & Battery . and buttons for VCR 1 and VCR 2, plus 0311 - Close up/wide view 0341 - Hemispheric Lens 03100 - Autofocus Set three blank ones. The fourth group con- - Lens Guard ... $42 tains most of the receiver controls. - Telecine conve: V0612 - Telecine w/macro Operation. Hooking up the 0617 - Print Transfer ..... $46 RZ-9500AV is easy because the inputs and outputs are unmistakably marked. V0651 - All in One Transfer . $87 VO759 - 2Way VHS Rewinder ... $29 V0758 - 2Way 8mm Rewinder $39 Using it is equally easy because of the AZDEN’ SUPER VHS grouping of the controls: power at the left, volume at the right, source switch- ing across the middle with groups for JOG SHUTTLE tuning, surround/ambience mode and sound quality. Setting station presets and identification is straightforward, as FiaC2cSNRoonida0oeenrfrd.acdoivld.rtieemciaerotniaoln, MAY 1991 VIDEO 17

are memorizing surround characteristics background shades. If you darken the on the rear. From the remote, operation and programming the remote. room for watching video the shading may not help. An overlay is provided is good. The remote is a little difficult to background shades. Operation from the master because there are so many simi- receiver is excellent, except for the sur- Performance. The receiver has a lar buttons; however, the grouping of like buttons helps, as do the different round balance control, which is placed video bandpass of 10 megahertz and is not likely to compromise the horizontal resolution of any consumer source. The ™ _ DON’T MISS THE ACTIO? luminance signal-to-noise ratio is 62.1 decibels unweighted and 63.8 dB weighted. The video S/N is 63.8 dB un- \"Ss weighted and 66.5 dB weighted, while Ww the chroma AM S/N is 68.3 dB and the chroma PM S/N is 50.1 dB. These measurements were taken with only one active video source. If more than one is active, crosstalk be- tween channels lowers the video S/N to 58.3 dB. Video quality is very good. The audio frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.2/-0.7 dB worst case for all inputs. All inputs except phono pass 10 Hz to more than 50 kHz with slightly looser tolerance. The audio S/N is 78.6 dB, which is just average. The Eyeopener The Dolby Pro-Logic decoder is very - You Can Clearly See j Both The Viewfinder good at keeping dialogue out of the rear And Your channels, but some does leak into the Surroundings front left and right channels, which is not so good. The other surround and THE SOLUTION - When you flip the Eyeopener into ambience effects are pleasing. The super position you instantly feel at ease to move (without tripping), you bass control helps, but a subwoofer out- “| know what is going on around you, and you can see and plan your put would be appreciated. Tuner quality ‘] next shot. You are much more comfortable and relaxed with both is good with a usable mono sensitivity of + | cyes comfortably and naturally open. 11.2 dBf and stereo with 50 dB quieting —<JINNOVATIVE DESIGN - The Eyeopener can be of 38.2 dBf. Overall audio quality is good installed on any video camera, from the smallest 8mm camcorder to the largest to very good. professional broadcast camera. The Eyeopener is adjustable for perfect positioning, can be fully retracted out of the way when not in use, weighs less Conclusion. The RZ-9500AV is a than 1/4 ounce, and is manufactured using only high quality materials. U.S. Patents 4729648, 4810789 lot less expensive than some top A/V re- MUST TRY - The only| To order send $9.95 ea. + $2.00 shipping/handling or ceivers. If offers very good video quality, way to really understand how well the Eyeopener worksis to CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-869-8154 M-F &-5PST good to very good audio quality, excel- try it for yourself. You will] pi 30 day money back satisfaction guarantee lent operational ease at the receiver and love this product - thousands] opsiy iIncoRPORATED shipped within 24 hours good operation from the remote. Its 11807 North Creek Parkway South KH) eel ee ‘[JBB“UJOOZDPUO/FNIOUPDADOYDIDHDEOIWSYPOPJDUo!f customers already do. Suite #106, Bothell, WA 98011 overall performance is very good. B he Eyeopener is a trademark of Opsin Inc. ©1991 Opsininc. All rights reserved. SY MOVIES TYHOEUY'TROEO! JAMMING Bi, When playing back a rented movie you may notice & annoying flashes, streaks, color lightening and darkening, etc. _ 4 4 * Macrovision and all current copy protection and jamming. } Giving you a crystal clear picture. So good, we back it 100% el #V-2010 with our 3 year warranty. *Digital state of the art Highest Quality - 3 Year Warranty -30 day money back guarantee *100% guaranteed and effective Battery Included - Durable Metal Case *Works on all TV'S, VCR's, Beta, Cable ORDER TOLL FREE *Completely automatic no adjustments 1-800-624-1150 *Uses one 9 volt battery, lasts over a year *NoJ/“‘BJJUZOO‘PDO}EFOUUINPOODAODJHDIWEDOJWYSPJPODJU! AC adaptor to take up valuable plug space FOR INFORMATION AND OUR FREE CATALOG CALL 402-554-0383 OR WRITE *No power supply cable to ad to the wire jungle EVERQUEST CO. 875 So. 72nd St. Omaha, Ne. 68114 18 VIDEO MAY 1991

BANG & OLUFSEN same operating pattern carries through earlier model. We have become more for all system devices. continued from page 13 accustomed to the picture, so we rate it However, the user must forget al- on the set, turning it to face you, and most everything he or she knows about very good, but with the caveat that it is starting playback when you select video- tape. However, it can be frustrating operating video equipment and start noticeably less bright and punchy than when a user wants to connect a signal from scratch. Operating the Video Sys- source to a specific output, for which tem 5500 is much like learning to drive typical U.S. sets. there i$ no designated instruction. Many on the other side of the road. We rate The audio frequency response of the multistep operations are combined to ease of operation as very good—a com- save time, but if the designers didn’t pro- promise between its excellent and weak internal amplifiers is 85 Hertz to 9 kilo- gram the operation you want into the aspects. system, you're out of luck. hertz at the -3 dB points, as rated. At Performance. The MX 5500 has a Many features are accessed through horizontal resolution of more than 400 the Power Link output and at the line menus, which can be tedious at times. lines. The video signal-to-noise ratio, or Some buttons on the remote perform snowiness, is 52.7 decibels. The chroma level connections, it is 10 Hz to 20 kHz, multiple functions dictated by the last AM S/N is 60.7 dB and the chroma PM option used. For example, the buttons S/N is 60.1 dB. With a screen brightness +0.8/-0.9 dB. The audio S/N is 58 dB with left and right arrows scroll through of 29.1 footlamberts, the MX 5500 looks dimmer than competing sets on the U.S. from RF sources and 85.6 dB from line menus, fast forward and rewind the market, but this is by design. Bang & Olufsen feels our typical sets are too sources with a total harmonic distortion VCR, select sources and regulate slow- hard on the eyes, and that viewers will motion speed. Most users will eventually become accustomed to the dimmer pic- of 0.3 percent. Except for the limitations learn the system, but will constantly ture. need to refer to the manual at first. of the internal speakers, audio perfor- Color is also less brilliant than on The remote also operates the VCR, mance is excellent. a CD player, an audio tape deck, a pho- competing sets. To our eyes it seems as if Conclusion. The MX 5500 looks nograph, a radio and even suitably wired the picture is muted by a slight haze. room lights. We tried it with the new The major change from the previous terrific and produces excellent sound Beosystem 2500 compact audio system model is that the picture tube exhibits and were pleased to discover that the less geometric distortion. The measure- with outboard speakers. Although it has ments are slightly better than on the a dimmer picture than usual and re- strained color, it will undoubtedly find a following. As the heart of an A/V sys- tem, it is more complete than any moni- tor we've seen, except for custom designs. ff the manufacturer designed what you want into the system, you will be very happy. Our overall rating of very good is a result of slowly becoming ac- customed to the unusual picture and our experience working with the monitor as part of an integrated system. 2| Introducing the first cordless video light with computerized auto exposure. And the second. Vuto CV 300 Auto CV-20SA 18-30 watts HO with Auto Sensar All camcorders need lights. And for perfect videos they need the smartest Auto Sensor video lights on the market. Hach gives you perfect exposure W hile enhancing color and detail. And the CV-20SA also takes Sony-style rechargeable camcorder batteries. See these top rated: models and the full line of Sunpak video lights at fine photographic and video stores. Because anything less is acompromise i aotHacl LEME STee ea 0R60 a, 2 y

Muaieonia Hitachi Channel Selectors: VI-FAAIA programmable scan on “SPECIALISTS VAS VCR VCR: scan plus direct access on remote 1160 HAMBURG TPK., WAYNE, N.J. 07470 continued from page 13 Preset Method: FORMORE INFO: CONVENIENT FAX # auto program with man- chroma PM S/N is 42.6 dB at SP, 37.9 (201) 696-6531 (201) 633-1476 ual add and erase dB at LP and 37.1 dB at EP. WE WILL MATCH OR BEAT ANY LEGITIMATE PRICE Broadcast Tuning The horizontal resolution is typical Range: for VHS, and all of the SP measure- TOLL FREE:.... 1 (800) 444-6300 2 to 13, 14 to 69 ments are very good to excellent. Those at EP are good to very good and those at FBAESSTT SPERRIVCIECSE! DATA Cable Tuning Range: LP are good. Video quality is very good. 2 to 13. A-5 to A-1,A 8mm DIGITAL Suggested Price: to W, W+1 to W+84 The audio frequency response of the PALM SIZE $550 STEREO Timer: hi-fi tracks is 20 Hertz to 15 kilohertz, Weight: 8-event/1-month + 0.1/-1.8 dB, down 3.5 dB at 20 kHz 10.7 pounds with a dynamic range of 86.6 dB and a Special Features: total harmonic distortion of 0.3 percent. Dimensions: still frame. frame ad- On the mono linear track, frequency re- 3-1/2 x 14-5/8 x 12-3/4 vance, remote pause, sponse at the -3 dB points is 75 Hz to 10 inches (h/w/d) counter memory. sepa- rate eject (on remote), kHz at SP, to 7 kHz at LP and to 5 kHz Power Requirements: auto rewind, channel 120 VAC, 60 Hz lock to: BP. Power Consumption: Absent Features: The linear track audio S/N is 41.2 dB 21 W flying erase head. speed play, audio dub, and the total harmonic distortion is 1.2 Tape Format: VHS video dub, insert edit percent. Audio quality is good to very Tape Speeds: SPLP EP good with special praise for the linear Video Heads: 4 track frequency response. Slow Motion: Accessories: Conclusion. The VT-F441A de- 1/5x to 1/30x remote contro! with bat- teries, antenna cable serves attention for its Intelascan II sys- Cue & Review (Search): RESULTS tem. The VCR's very good video quality locking—3x, SP; 6x, LP; 9x, EP; non-lock- Horizontal Resolution: and ease of operation plus very good to ing—5x, SP; 10x, LP; 240-250 lines 15x, EP good audio quality yield a very good Video S/N, PALM SIZE Fast Forward/ Unweighted: overall performance rating. At a sug- Rewind Time: SP—47.2 dB; LP—45.7 ¢8:1 ZOOM approx. 5 min. for dB; EP—44 dB gested price of $550, it is a very good @ HI-Fl STEREO e WIRELESS REMOTE T-120 Video S/N, Weighted: value that we recommend highly. B SP—53.4 dB; LP—51.6 BEST Remote: dB; EP—50.5 dB Calling Video Readers DIGITAL IR wireless with buttons EFFECTS for power. VCR 1, VCR Chroma AM SIN: All magazines get reader mail, but 2. CATV. TV, VCRI/TV, © 8:1 ZOOM AVX. eject. guide, dis- SP—46.2 dB; LP—42.9 Video Magazine's correspondence is @ HI-Fl STEREO play. clear, memory, dB; EP—38.8 dB © 180° FLEXIGRIP counter remaining, 10- filled with solutions as well as quer- digit keypad. 100/enter, Chroma PM S/N: a=ast=PRICES ALWAYS COMPETITIVE previous channel, mute, SP—42.6 dB; LP—37.9 ies, insights, personal reports, feed- = volume up and down, dB; EP—37.1 dB We ship within 24 hours. channel up and down, back about equipment, the informed All prices quoted inciude manufacturer's standard index, slow, slow speed Audio Frequency accessories & U.S. Warranty. All units are factory minus and plus, rewind/ Response: chatter of the country’s unofficial search, play, fast for- hi-fi—20 Hz-15 kHz, P‘[4JBUJOZUOIOZNOUDPNNYODDEDYEsWSJYeJPaOPlJDeUd]. We are an AUTHORIZED DEALER for ALL ward/search, record (2 +0,1/-1.8 dB. -3.5 dB at video experts. This summer, in our NAME BRANDS WE SELL! 10 DAY EXCHANGE. buttons), pause/still, 20 kHz: linear, -3 dB: S & H NON-REFUNDABLE! stop. frame advance, SP—75 Hz-10 kHz: August issue, we're calling on you to 20 VIDEO MAY 1991 record speed, auto LP—75 Hz-7 kHz: tracking and manual EP—75 Hz-5 kHz share your experience with fellow tracking up and down; also operates second Hi-Fi Dynamic Range: videophiles. Hitachi VCRs, most TV 88.6 dB sets and cable convert- Send us your best tips, your er boxes Linear Audio S/N: 41.2 dB toughest questions, your keenest ob- Counter Digits: Audio Distortion: servations. If you have a collection, a 5—hours:mins:secs hi-fi—0.3%: linear—1.2% system, an installation or an adven- ture you'd like others to learn about, let us know. We also invite you to speak your piece about video as you see it. We'll publish the essay that best grabs our interest in Off the Air and award the teader whose article is selected a full Program Start RATINGS author’s fee. (Submissions should be Locator/index/Cue: VISS—search up to 99 Picture Quality: typed, double-spaced and no longer index marks in either very good than three pages.) direction Audio Quality: There'll be much more, but we Linear Audio: mono good/very good hope you'll take the opportunity to join Video Magazine in creating this special reader self-portrait. Send con- Hi-Fi AFM Audio: Operational Ease: stereo very good tributions to Reader Issue, Video Tuning Method: Overall Performance: Magazine, 460 West 34 Street, New |frequency synthesis very good York, NY 10001. Py

NEW PRODUGTSEDITED BY BRIAN CLARK Haakeoute SPECIALISTS FORMORE INFO: CONVENIENT FAX # (201) 696-6531 (201) 633-1476 WE WILL MATCH OR BEAT ANY LEGITIMATE PRICE TOLL FREE:.... 1 (800) 444-6300 FAST SERVICE BEST PRICES! ‘9 viWEpAEREoAnics FRANCHISE DEALER! peacoat eeenenene > VIDEO EDITING Digital features highlight combi player P© R16OWCIPEESS SBOY RCOMBINING 5 BASIC PATTERNS Panasonic's new combi player, the LX-101, incorporates several advances from its © COLOR BALANCING w/JOYSTICK CONTROLLER costlier players. Picture features include digital time-base correction and digital © 8 BACKGROUND COLORS, PLUS YC separation. A shuttle dial allows noise-free scanning on both CAV and CLV discs. Audio features include MASH digital-to-analog conversion circuitry. The COLOR BAR CHART LX-101 boasts 430 lines of horizontal resolution, and a 38-key remote control. Ran- © COMPATIBLE w/SUPER VHS dom play, track search and intro scan are additional features. & 8mm HI-BAND Price: $600. @ VIDEO ENHANCER JIX-SV55 For additional information, circle No. 152 on Reader Service Card. SS LT © 6-SPEED VERTICAL i CHARACTER aRESR S & TYPEWRITER SCROLLING GENERATOR @ TITLE ZOOMING V6 © 8-PAGE MEMORY CG 0 ® 200 CUTS — 100 SCENES @ ACCURATE TO WITHIN 3 FRAMES © AUDIO MIXING INCLUDING FADE IN/OUT © COMPATIBLE w/VHS, BETA, 8mm, SUPER-VHS © 6 VIDEO INPUTS/ 3 OUTPUTS © TOP OF THE LINE a © VHF WIRELESS SYSTEM Video Associates offers multimedia tool © 1500 ft. RANGE oe © COMES W/2 MICROPHONES. Video Associates’ MicroKey/AV enables any IBM AT-compatible computer to out- put any combination of graphics, motion video and sound to VCRs or monitors. PRICES ALWAYS COMPETITIVE CSiFa2RNcoaeoi2ndenr.fdacdvoild.irteecmieraotniaoln, MicroKey/AV consists of separate video and audio cards and accepts NTSC, PAL, composite and S-video signals. MicroKey/AV can capture still images from a video o=st= camera, record audio into digital audio computer files and allow the editing of au- dio tracks. It has a sampling rate of up to 32 kilohertz. Included are a software We ship within 24 hours. package, a microphone, headphones, a cable and connectors. All prices quoted include manufacturer's standard Price: Under $3,000. accessories & U.S. Warranty. All units are factory For additional information, circle No. 153 on Reader Service Card. sealed. We are an AUTHORIZED DEALER for ALL NAME BRANDS WE SELL! |0 DAY EXCHANGE. S & H NON-REFUNDABLE! MAY 1991 VIDEO 21

luaieonie NEW PRODUCTS C [SPECIALISTS NHT designs specialty speaker FOR MORE INFO: CONVENIENT FAX # (201) 696-6531 (201) 633-1476 California speaker manufacturer Now Hear This designed the VT-1 Tower WE WILL MATCH OR BEAT ANY LEGITIMATE PRICE loudspeaker specifically for video appli- cations in home theaters. The magnet- TOLL FREE:.... 1 (800) 444-6300 ically shielded VT-1 uses a proprietary technique, which NHT calls Tuned Col- FAST SERVICE, umn Loading, to deal with the low fre- quency requirements of video sound. VHS: Eight-segment assembler automates editin The speaker will perform as a front chores, placing desired scenes in any order. H speaker or as part of a surround system. Circuitry and digital auto- It measures 40 inches tall and 5-1/2 tracking ensure quality video inches deep and wide. The VT-1 uses and fuss-free playback. two 4-1/2-inch woofers and a one-inch tweeter. Price: $329.95. For additional information, circle no. 158 on Reader Service Card. S-VHS: Feature-laden deck offers the utmost in scene-finding convenience. Full-featured remote with display dupli- cates on-screen programming capabilities. S-VHS: Hi-Fi stereo, VHSC & VHS combo, jog Sony delivers low-priced A/V selector shuttle, digital A/V track with dual screen programming. Sony’s SB-V66S audio/video selector has four sets of video inputs and two sets of video outputs. One set of inputs is on the front for easy camcorder connection. Bidirectional dubbing can be accomplished while watching a third source. S-video connectors are on all video inputs and outputs. Price: $129.95. For additional information, circle No. 159 on Reader Service Card. S-VHS: Title/date recording adds personal WHS) DA4neap touch. Bargraph-style “tape time remaining” display eliminates recording ON SCREEN PROGRAMMING / DOUBLE AZIMUTH surprises. Synchro-edit feature simplifies dubbing. POWER = @eeCT S-VHS: Optical scanner digitizes graphics for Sanyo VCR simplifies programming superimposition. Other digital tricks include color correction, fades, wipes, Sanyo’s VHR9385 VHS VCR offers simplified onscreen programming. The four- negative/positive, titles, and head double azimuth design permits such special effects as variable-speed slow mo- noise reduction. tion and frame advance. The VHS Index Search System includes index scan, which plays the first five seconds of each indexed portion before going to the next PRICES ALWAYS COMPETITIVE index point. Go To Play allows users to choose the point in real time to fast for- ward or rewind to, while Go To Record begins recording at that point. VISA | Rete C.0.0. Price: $329.95. We ship within 24 hours. All prices quoted include manufacturer's standard For additional information, circle No. 160 on Reader Service Card. accessories & U.S. Warranty. All units are factory sealed. We are an AUTHORIZED DEALER for ALL NAMEDBJ|J‘EU‘IOZ/[UONIPDOADNUDNIDGODOeKWSyIIDOPJDU! BRANDS WE SELL! 10 DAY EXCHANGE. S & H NON-REFUNDABLE! 22 VIDEO MAY 1991

HOW TO GET YOUR FOOTAGE IN THE DOOR. ENTER THE 7™ ANNUAL VISIONS OF U.S. HOME VIDEO CONTEST Here’s your opportunity to create an original video production and have your work judged by video professionals — with the chance to win valuable Sony prizes. The contest, sponsored by Sony and administered by the American Film Institute, is an invitation for you fo express your vision — on 8mm, VHS or Beta. Just choose a category — fiction, non-fiction, music video or experimental — and start shooting. Submit your work by June 15, 1991 and a distinguished panel of judges comprised of LeVar Burton, Johnny Depp, David Byrne, Tom Parks, Kathleen Kennedy, Rob Reiner, Jerry Kramer and Debbie Allen will begin the judging process. You'll be in competition for an exciting selection of Sony Video 8° products, and everyone who enters will receive a bonus blank videocassette. To find out more about how you can get your footagein the door, call (213)856-7743 or write Visions of U.S., 2.0. Box 200, Hollywood, (A 90078 \\ D| THE 7\"ANNUAL VISIONSOF U.S. VIDEO CONTEST

BY BOB BARLOW ebruary 1989. The scene: a subterra- PrOSCAN nean conference room at the U.S. cre.” The products they had struggled to Pro Power: headquarters of Thomson Consumer create were shot down by the very peo- Electronics in Indianapolis. A small ple to whom they were meant to appeal. ProScan’s 31-inch Se- group of men sit dejected and silent un- The team’s best try was 180 degrees off der the unforgiving glare of fluorescent the mark, and the project’s original ries 50 set includes a deadline of mid-1990 seemed perilously bright Invar tube. lig—hwontdesring where they had gone near. With a $30 million commitment wrong. from Thomson's French parent company petitive world of consumer electronics. hanging in the balance, the team re- Consumers are already loyal to familiar The mandate had been clear. Devel- brands of TV sets and VCRs. Even a op for RCA (which Thomson owns) a turned to the drawing boards, subdued company with the clout of RCA, which line of high-performance consumer vid- and determined. sells more TV sets in the U.S. than any- eo products. Components more striking one else, takes an enormous gamble by than RCA’s main line. Equipment that New brands are never easy to bring introducing a new line of components would make RCA competitive in the into the world, especially the ultra-com- under its own name. Money, prestige and marketplace position are all visibly small but growing—and more profita- at risk. ble—high end of the video market. Sty- lish trendsetters that would lend pizzazz In the end, RCA produced a line of to the image of the entire RCA brand. six TV sets and one laserdisc player, all of which go by the brand name ProScan. Months earlier, the men had set out to create such a line under the vague project name “Brand New.” Designers sketched. Engineers toiled. Finally, in February, the proj- ect team pre- sented their ideas, in the form of a handsome array of mock products, to the toughest audi- ence they could think of—a panel of consumers. It was, as one team member re- calls, ‘‘a massa- Behind the scenes with RCA as high technology meets hard 24 VIDEO MAY 1991

Bwf ot8 lt agaa t tt wet OUn e Work in Progress: Front and rear views of an ear- V6eTILAnb Gets ly ProScan TV design illustrate the emphasis on IWleg Paved WTO simplicity and advanced forms. Fun VOTALL Seu pruned Bae ces : Minanies sede PAGS Identity Kit: Concept sketches by industrial design chief Louis Lenzi highlight ProScan’s key elements. eo Se nees a ia They’re technically advanced and ele- “We faced an interesting challenge,” from the business end as from the prod- uct perspective.” gant in appearance. Initial acceptance explains Marty Holleran, Thomson Con- sumer Electronics president and CEO. It might be worthwhile to consider by dealers and the public is promising. “We had to raise the image of RCA in for a moment what the term “high end” the eyes of consumers. They way we de- actually means. In spite of many defini- But back in 1988, when the project be- cided to do that was through Pro- tions in common usage, most industry gan, ProScan was only a gleam in RCA’s Scan. We had ventured into the high professionals would agree that a “high- end before, with the Dimensia system. end” video component shares all or eye —and its success was far from guar- most of the following characteristics: Unfortunately, that was not particularly better sound and a better picture than anteed. well executed. As a product, it was ter- tific, but not as a business approach. conventional counterparts, more of the The project started as a response to latest technological advances, more “That’s one of the reasons we’re so convenience features (but not neces- advice RCA had sought about the best sarily as many showy bells and whistles) confident about ProScan,” Holleran and, in general, higher prices. ways to maintain its strength in what ev- continues. “It’s a business play. And it’s been thought through as thoroughly eryone agreed was shaping up as a rocky new decade. RCA had turned to Telesis, a consulting firm specializing in compet- itive strategy. The firm’s advice, in a nutshell, was to go after the high end. reality in the launch of a major line of high-end components. MAY 1991 VIDEO 25

BIRTH OFABRAND Why should a company like RCA, The composition of RCA’s ProScan project team varied whose bread-and-butter products are well-built, solidly performing ‘‘mid- A Team as the products moved from concept to reality. But its range’ TV sets, even think about the high end? Present at core was a diverse group of video marketing and design the Creation: professionals. “The high end was a significant ProScan’s principal piece of the market in which we were shapers included (left e Gary Savadove, customer satisfaction and business not particularly strong,” explains Gary to right) Gregory Van development manager, headed the effort. He created the Savadove, RCA’s customer satisfaction Acker, Gary Barker, manager and a key team member. “We Gary Savadove, business plan and a timetable for the line’s launch. knew we had to go after it because, al- Louis Lenzi and e Sunil Mehrotra, RCA brand management chief, led though it only accounts for about 12 per- Ben Flint. cent of sales, those sales generate a third the marketing effort—in particular shaping the crucial of the dollars in this industry. But we focus group studies. knew very little about how to approach the high end.” e Louis Lenzi Jr., RCA industrial design manager, cre- RCA faced the challenge by trying a ated ProScan’s unique look and identity, including the radically different approach. ‘We did know we had to be different in almost owner's manuals. every way from standard RCA operating procedures,” recalls Savadove. “The e Gregory Van Acker, ProScan marketing and sales Trial Run; Mock TV cabinet with side-mounted support chief, designed ProScan University and runs the speakers tests the look of two shades of gray. marketing and consumer service operations. product, the service, the support, the marketing, the dealing with retailers and e Gary Barker, product liaison manager, developed consumers — everything would have to feature packages for ProScan models and the plan that be special or unique: what we called ‘business as unusual.’ integrates the line into RCA’s other TV and video opera- “We did one very smart thing. We tions. didn’t try to cram the project through the organization. We set up a team out- e Ben Flint, sales planning and logistics manager, side the system and set it up to draw on the expertise of a small group of people familiarized RCA dealers with the ProScan program and who would not get bogged down in the organized service and parts programs. —BB bureaucracy.” senior enough to be good leaders, but Hundreds of focus groups in ten other The team expanded and contracted not so entrenched that they'd be afraid major markets were also conducted to during the 18 months it took to develop to go out on a limb,” notes Savadove. find out what features high-end custom- the ProScan line and its marketing plan. ers want most. Usually, it consisted of about a dozen BACK ON TRACK people, experts in marketing, sales, The team was just a few months old Team members hit the road to ob- product development, engineering, re- serve the responses firsthand, the better search, manufacturing, public relations, when the February ‘“‘massacre” struck. to incorporate findings unadulterated advertising, finance and industrial de- To get back on the track, recalls Sav- into the final product. “You would say sign, among other specialties (see “Pr. adove, “we started asking questions.” goodbye to your family for three weeks,” Scan’s A Team”). ‘‘We chose people recalls Louis Lenzi, ProScan’s industrial A lot of questions. design manager. “And you'd be think- Ultimately, some 500 consumers ing, ‘If this is Wednesday, we must be in were chosen to represent a broad sam- pling of high-end buyers. These were Cincinnati.’ You'd sit behind the glass men and women, couples and singles in during a focus group and die a thousand Los Angeles, Cincinnati and Stamford, deaths if they hated your design. But Connecticut. They were interviewed to when they loved it...” determine their design preferences. Watching Lenzi’s face as he reacted 26 VIDEO MAY 1991

to the responses of focus group partici- front of the set, with a narrow “wrap” ProtoScan: pants became a favorite pastime of other section in front and a sculpted back. To Earthy colors and strik- ing controls highlight team members. maintain compactness, speakers are early ProScan design. “Tt wasn’t easy,” says Lenzi. mounted below the picture tube. On But it was invaluable. On the design models with three-way speakers, tweeter the set, it looks great coming out of the and midrange drivers are on the front of box,” notes Lenzi. side, the team learned that high-end the set, and bass drivers are enclosed on the sides. But even if looks, as the studies also consumers want such things as a picture indicated, count for a lot in the high tube that is larger than the cabinet (im- Extra attention was paid to second- probable though this may be), compact- ary ‘quality cues,” which led to clean, ness and a style that emphasizes simple control panels, unobtrusive function rather than trendy design. speaker grilles, ventilation slots hidden in fluting detail and a painted back. In response, the design of the TV “Even though people aren’t going to sets now in the line follows the contour of the convex picture tube itself. In each spend a lot of time staring at the back of model, the tube is nearly flush with the NAMING THE BABY:FROM ROBOSGAN 10PROSCAN After creating an entirely new Wave, a strong contender, was ruled out because it line of high-end components, didn’t convey enough concrete information about the RCA’s Pro-Scan team still faced a task of major product itself. Eura evoked the line’s European styling, but didn’t communicate any technology benefits. Images importance — coming up with was simply too soft. | a name for the line. During “ProScan was the only finalist that expressed what much of its development, the we wanted to express,” says team member Gary Sav- working name for the project adove, “It says high-tech, advanced, leading edge. The was simply “Brand New” (the ‘pro’ part says professional and the ‘scan’ part suggests notion of “Brand X” was nixed moments after it was sug- gested). But by late 1989, it was clearly time to come up IMAGES with an official identity. television. But it was a very emotional issue, and the The decision set into motion a process not unlike that of naming a new baby. The team turned to sources team was bitterly divided at times. There was a lot of inside and outside of Thomson for ideas. On the inside, everyone from executives to cafeteria workers was can- support for Wave.” vassed for suggestions. For outside help, the team con- tacted Namelab, the San Francisco-based company re- Ironically, the ProScan name has been an RCA prop- sponsible for such successful logos as GEO, Lumina and erty since the early 80s, notes Joe Clayton, vice presi- Compaq, among countless others. Contrary to popular belief, most such firms do not dent of RCA’s television division. “Before GE or Thom- use computers to generate names. At Namelab a small son got here, ProScan was a registered trademark. It group of professional linguists considers a set of messages the client is trying to express with a particular project sounds great, and we own the rights to it, so that gave it and compiles a table of morphemes, or basic word ele- ments, that reflect those messages. Then, as Namelab an advantage.” In fact, in Europe, ProScan is applied to Thomson's line of professional broadcast equipment. President Ira Bachrach explains, What names didn’t make the short list? Here are “From those mor- some of the more memorable candidates from the origi- phemes, we create a new word to order.” nal 700-plus list: Premiere, Rainbow, UltraTech, Apollo, Between the names supplied by Namelab and those Genesis, Merlin, Phoenix, Socrates, Black Ball, Cyco- culled internally, the team at RCA ended up with more than 700 potential designations. After a series of screen- Lops, RoboScan, ThunderVision and —believe it or ing sessio—ntshe final two of which were conducted not — Yuppie- Vision. —BB among consumers —four finalists emerged: Wave, Eura, ROSCA Images and ProScan. MAY 1991 VIDEO

BIRTH OFABRAND INSIDE PROSCAN end, they aren’t everything. So the team an abundance of clearly labeled inputs examined consumer preferences on the performance front, and discovered an and outputs (to make the sets easy to interesting phenomenon: High-end con- sumers are slightly schizophrenic crea- hook up to other audio and video gear) tures. They are pleased with the performance and reliability of today’s and a constellation of service policies, high-end TV sets, but dissatisfied with including a one-year in-home warranty, the fact that their very sophistication makes them difficult to operate. a national network of.repair centers, an The team decided to take this di- owner’s club and a 24-hours-a-day/ chotomy and run with it. Ultimately, it inspired the ProScan slogan: “So ad- oe “800” information vanced. Yet so simple.” ine. “It’s more than just a cute piece of advertising copy,” says Savadove. “As SECOND TIME AT BAT we developed every component of every By the middle of 1989, the team had piece of hardware, we used it as a kind of screen. We would literally ask at every developed its second attempt at a prod- step, ‘Is this so advanced, yet so simple?’ uct line— more than a dozen products based on the “So advanced. Yet so sim- If not, we'd make a change.” ple” philosophy. They unveiled the Responding to the “so advanced” Top Gun: ProScan’s 35-incher packs it all in—Invar RISKY BUSINESS side of the equation, the team developed tube, PIP, zoom, Dolby Surround and an equalizer. In the rough, tough consumer are- three elements: improved picture quali- permits the sets to operate in a wider na, a big name and deep pockets ty, a number of high-performance audio performance range. Anti-static elements are no guarantee of success. Almost features and, on selected models, an ar- further enhance the picture by keeping dust from building up on the tube’s sur- every large video manufacturer has ray of digital special effects. face. A wide-band video amplifier was miscalculated the market at one The picture improvements indicate specified to boost detail and resolution, time or another. In fact, one need look no further than RCA itself to the seriousness with which the team ap- a dynamic gamma correction circuit to illustrate the perils of launching proached the performance end of its automatically heighten brightness and contrast levels, and a digital comb filter new equipment. task. For the line's top sets, the team se- to eliminate edge crawls, hanging dots lected a so-called “high-drive” picture and moire-type distortions. Back in 1984, barely three years tube with an Invar shadow mask that after its debut, RCA laid to rest its On the “so simple” side were a mul- titude of convenience and service fea- promising CED videodisc player, — tures: a color-coded universal remote, ironically at a moment of surging The Art With a product line as different as ProScan, you don’t sales. Even though CED players OfThe produced better pictures than bale just deliver it to dealers around the country and say, VCRs, they fell victimto the unex- » pectedly rapid growth of VCR sales, “Here’s the stuff—now sell it.” To teach dealers the best VCR price drops and the booming videocassette rental business. For- ways to market ProScan equipment, RCA created Pro- Scan University. “Like a real university, you have to take tunately for RCA at the time, it a major —that's product information —but ProScan Uni- was also selling more VCRs in the | versity also offers a lot of minors in important back- U.S. than anyone else. —BB ground information,” explains Gregory Van Acker, RCA’s marketing and sales support manager. The training starts with a two-hour course on laser- products at a specially convened adviso- ry council of key RCA retailers. “We did disc designed to help dealers properly sell the products. a lot better, but there were still changes Vignett—esosme humorous, some serio—uasre used to be made,” Savadove says. “Some things that worked for consumers, throughout the session to help salespeople increase their strangely enough, didn’t work for re- tailers.” For instance, an entire subline of success rate “by up to 25 percent.” ; VCRs was quashed by dealers, who felt “We teach that three main things turn consumers the products too closely resembled RCA’s main-line decks. off, and this comes straight from the consumers,” says The team had also brought several Van Acker. “These are a lack of product knowledge, in- console TV models to the meeting, only difference and what we call technobabble. We show to be advised by dealers to “start with salespeople how to avoid all three.” And to ensure the continued on page 80 information sinks in, Van Acker’s staff, in the guise of or- dinary consumers, takes to the road to visit ProScan dealers. —BB 28 VIDEO MAY 1991

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BY NANCY STEDMAN UHREESA user appear to manipulate objects within the virtual world, and a small computer powers the whole operation. Images come from either video sources or computer-generated 3-D graphics. One of the newest develop- ments is to “paste” video images onto a 3-D graphic environment. Sense8 Cor- poration’s WorldToolKitt—he source of the virtual world described above— makes use of two Digital Video Interac- tive (DVI) boards that compress and de- Virtual reality systems launch video on a daring new quest for total immersion. MM You're flying. You’re soaring through a ence immerses you inside a three- Glove Story: Sensors on VPL glove help users fly, sterile white room in a museum, heading walk and handle objects inside virtual realities. toward a crude landscape painting. dimensional world, a perceived Then it happens: With stomach-rattling space over which you have extraordinary compress video signals. The video speed, you whoosh through the painting control. Because the rules are man- images appear much more textured than into another dimension. You’ve entered made, you can fly through walls, rear- the flat graphic backgrounds. a twilight zone of shimmering rectangu- lar shapes in autumnal hues. Then, range furnitu—reveen obliterate features The WorldToolKit was developed touching the controls, you veer off into a you don’t like. The experience is usually with design uses in mind, but it could be seemingly endless, Crayola-blue sky. a private affair: No one else sees or senses adapted for home entertainment. It’s Destination? Unknown. what you do. In fact, to the casual on- now the only true virtual reality system looker, a virtual reality user resembles a available for less than the price of a Mer- At its best, a virtual reality experi- scuba diver with coordination problems. cedes. lh But the awkward equipment repre- Virtual realities are not entirely new. sents a cutting-edge merger of video and Science-fiction writers have been telling 2: computer technologies. You become im- us about them for decades, from the mersed in this virtual world because of a “feelie” theaters of Aldous Huxley’s Reality Tripping: AGE’s proposed entertainment head-mounted stereoscopic viewer that Brave New World to the Martian head system, with headset, glove and program player. looks something like a scuba mask. The trip Arnold Schwarzenegger takes in To- goggles, known as eyephones, place a tal Recall. However, science is catching small LCD video monitor in front of up to fiction. How close is the average each eye. Each eye receives a slightly consumer to bringing home a virtual video system that will transport him into different image. When your brain fantasy worlds that have been likened to “electronic LSD”? At least a decade, puts them together, you perceive predict experts. But in the worlds of sci- ence and design, the technology has al- depth and distance. ready made an impact. - The typical virtual reality sys- At NASA's Ames Research Center, tem also includes electromagnetic home to the country’s first virtual reality sensors that track head move- ments so that a user’s field of vi- sion moves when he turns his head. A fiber-optic wired glove lets the 30 VIDEO MAY 1991

lab, scientists created a 3-D model of the Headband ~ fuel flow of a booster tank during rocket launches. Examining the virtual model, designers were able to improve the tank's structure. NASA is also experi- menting with a comput- Tracking Sensors er-generated instrument —- \\} panel that’s considerably Star Trick: Two-dimensional view lighter than the real of a multidimensional virtual universe by thing. Sense8’'s WorldToolKit. In a more ambitious LCD Display Visor Eyes on the Prize: Research version of vir- project, the Air Force tual reality eyephones by VPL places an LCD developed a “Super Cockpit” simula- color monitor in front of each eye, and senses tion, which trains pilots to navigate F-16 head motion. jets and other fighter planes. Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, the Super Cockpit is largely controlled by eye movements Power Contrast and voice commands. Volume On the medical front, university labs across the country are experimenting —¥ J with ways to combine complex informa- Plug to Base —— BD N tion bases— from X-rays, magnetic reso- Virtual Video: Video headset pro- nance imaging and ultrasound scans— posed by AGE would let users play virtual re- into digitized 3-D models of actual pa- ality games or watch extra-dimensional vid- tients. The models would help physi- eos, all with surround sound, cians direct radiology treatments to the precise location of cancerous cells. And researchers at MIT and Stan- ford University are working on a tool that would train future surgeons to per- form knee surgery. The virtual knee would provide “force-feedback” — infor- mation on how a surface feels—so that doctors will know, before they cut into a real person, how the textures of skin, cartilage and muscles differ. Working with more whimsical, car- toonlike imagery, architects and de- signers are using virtual reality to shape construction plans. Probably the most sophisticated system available is RB2 (short for “reality built for two”) by VPL Research, the virtual reality field’s top hardware and software supplier. RB2 al- lows two people — say, a client and an ar- chitect —in distant locations to “walk through” the same computer-generated building at the same time. By using gloves, the client and the architect can shift and alter walls, windows, water fountains and the like until they are sat- isfied with the results. Farther in the future, experts believe virtual reality will revolutionize educa- tion. “Imagine teaching kids the Pythag- orean theorem by letting them build a ladder to reach a castle across a moat,” GESPLTHYOEODEIVTNPNEOEH,SYO:NES MAY 1991 VIDEO 31

HELDS OFDREAMS Thomas Furness, head of the Human In- Tour Guide: WorldToolKit's portal to virtual places and one of its realities, a garden with fountain (inset). terface Technology Laboratory at the University of Washington in Seattle, $10,000 for VPL’s headset). Cruder ap- Logitech spokesman. proximations of virtual reality, in which By 1993, it’s possible the first rela- told a reporter. 3-D worlds are represented on conven- Already, Autodesk Inc., a leading tional two-dimensional monitors, are al- tively inexpensive true virtual reality ready within many people's price ranges. system will hit the mass market. supplier of 3-D software, is planning to donate equipment to the Marin School Mattel’s Power Glove, a scaled-down Abrams/Gentile Entertainment (AGE), of Integrated Studies, an experimental version of VPL's glove that works with a developers of Mattel’s Power Glove, public high school. Using 3-D models, special Nintendo cartridge, sells for less promises a Total Virtual Reality system students would team up to solve indus- than $100. that will include a glove, a headset and trial and environmental problems, such game cartridges for less than $400. AGE as silt pollution in San Francisco Bay. In 1992, Logitech, the country’s “The more enticing you can make edu- leading manufacturer of computer technical director Chris Gentile, who cation, the more kids will learn,” con- pointing devices, will introduce a glove reduced the price of VPL’s glove by a tends Joe Oakey, a researcher at that can be used to manipulate design factor of ten, promises to do the same Autodesk. elements in 3-D environments depicted for VPL’s headset. on a monitor. Costing between $500 and What's keeping virtual reality appli- $1,000, the glove will be “much more Even the TVR system’s audio will be cations from sweeping the continent? sensitive and accurate than the Mattel virtual. Headset users will not only hear line,” according to Serge Timachoff, a sounds in a fully dimensional space, but Expense. The helmet for the Super hear the sounds adjust to their location Cockpit, for instance, costs $1 million to changes inside virtual gameworlds. Fit- make. RB2, which requires four comput- ers (one for each eye), carries a price tag of $500,000. It's likely, of course, that prices will plummet. Sense8’s WorldToolKit is a veritable bargain at $18,750 (plus VIRTUAL ART:REALITY ON THE HALF SHELL backlit white background. A computer setup the size of a phone booth recognizes patterns when a person—who is both viewer and player —steps in front of the back- ground. In response, the computer changes the images on the screen every thirtieth of a second. In some of Krueger's 50 Videoplace programs, the viewer's silhouette appears on the screen, moving as he or she moves. In others, the viewer's hand or body movements can change the canned images on the screen. In Krueger’s Broadway Boogie Woogie program, for instance, colored squares bounce around the screen in response to a viewer's gestures. “Rather than program random changes, | rely on human behavior. It makes for a more complex flow of images,” says Krueger, whose book Artificial Reality II will be published Vincent Van Video: Videoplace artist uses his arm as a paintbrush. by Addison Wesley this year. To most aficionados, virtual reality is a way to make the Videoplace, on display at the Con- world exciting and efficient. To Myron Krueger, a com- puter scientist who was one of its early proponents, the necticut State Museum of Natural technology is also a way to make life beautiful. History, is set up in 2-D. But by using Approaching 50, Krueger eschews the usual para- phernalia. “Goggles, gloves and cables tether and multiple screens and cameras, Krueger distance you from the environment,” he complains. In- stead, in a display called Videoplace, Krueger uses a is able to push the images into three projection TV screen and a video camera that faces a dimensions. “When you make a paint- ing, you're finished,” he adds. “But when you create an interactive envi- Onscreen Artpad: Myron Krueger's digital ronment, you're leaving the audience drawing program. something to do.” —NS 32. VIDEO MAY 1991

ted with a video input jack, the headset will also be able to impart extra-dimen- sional qualities to live, taped or broad- cast video feeds. In one possible application cited by Gentile, viewers would be able to watch a network broadcast of a sports event, say the Super Bowl, on one of the head- set's two tiny monitors, then watch (for a fee) a pay-per-view broadcast of the same game on the other monitor. The brain’s convergence of the two images would create a stereoscopic effect that would make viewers feel the Super Bowl H You're locked into a roller coaster speeding faster than action swirling around them. Coming you've ever experienced. You can feel and hear the However, virtual reality is running 5 coaster cab hurting along the tracks. Suddenly, a gap ap- into economic reality: The bottom of in 95-- pears. The cab leaps across —and an incredible stillness takes over, followed quickly by a jolt as the cab safely the electronic toy market has fallen Th fi t lands on the other side. ou—Mtattel, for instance, abandoned e rs plans to introduce a more sophisticated By 1995, if all goes as planned, visitors to SciCom REALITY ON TAPE Virtual City, a new amusement complex outside Osaka, Japan, will be able to clamber aboard this virtual thrill ride, and much more within SciCom’s Perception Circus, the first Theme virtual reality theme park. For the coaster, riders would sit in hydraulically suspended “simcabs” programmed to Virtual reality products may still be mimic actual track vibrations. They would wear video a few years away, but videotapes on Park helmets transmitting the view of remote CCD cameras the subject are here now. Virtual actually hurtling up and Reality (S3C) by Media Magic is an down remote tracks. Ear- hour-long collection of technology phones would transmit demonstrations from leading virtual realistic sounds and fans reality laboratories. would duplicate the rush of The segments are vivid and var- the wind. ied. Virtual Reality Conference: The coaster is just one NCGA 1990 ($40) by Cutting Edge of a number of virtual real- Video is a three-hour tape which presents ten pioneers in the field, ity attractions submitted in =p ;2 including VPL founder Jaron Lanier plans by New York-based ae iE eae |_| and artist Myron Krueger, explain- Abrams/Gentile Entertain- 33 ing the state of the technology and ment to the Japanese its potential. government, which Both tapes may be ordered from is expected to an- Media Magic, Box 507, Nicasio, CA nounce a decision fee: (phone: citi ake: In- later this cr Vis- clude $3 per tape for shipping and Darsiel Univaras: itors to pavilions handling. Apecions to Sa. dedicated to the Power Glove last year—and fi unding for | vCiortmualCitay include (top) realms of Dreams, Ideas, Where cimcnalr seat es and the AGE system is iffy. erception would Virtual reality systems have another | ed videonauts can problem: Quality of the images is low. A | _experience deep-sea be able, in a vir- person looking through VPL eyephones, diving, simulated tual sense, to swim imaginary sea creatures or for example, sees a small, faint grid su- | —space trip (center) underwater and encounter | travel in motion-equipped spaceships to alien planets bpyeprriomdpuocsted ofonthteheliiqmuaidgesc.rysTthale grid is a | with planetary adven- where they could pursue individual adventures in “corpo- displays. tures in“corporate Equally troubling is the poor resolution craters” and high- rate craters” (sponsored by major companies). They |could even become thought waves speeding through the in the tiny video monitors. “Current dis- | Speed virtual coaster structures of the human brain. —NS continued on page 74 ride. PVCSIRPHTCDI1OANIEN0TKCOUTWOSEAM:RS/MITSUBISHI | MAY 1991 VIDEO

The bass thumps out the sweet LacKie You said you soul intro. The spotlight hits. The always wanted to sing like a pro. Well, come COLANG lanva out of the shower and step up to the mic. The disc player plays regular CDs and LaserDisc movies. The Laser Karaoke puts you on center stage. Singing the lead. With your own professional band and backup singers. Right in your liv- ing room. Just hook it into your own audio system and TV, and let the show begin! Go ahead. Belt out those Beach Boys. Jam with Elton John. Croon like Patsy Cline. Ham it up with Hamlisch. Emulate Elvis. Its your turn to be the star! This new combi player plays hundreds of karaoke music video song titles, hits from the 50s through the ’80s, all with on-screen lyrics. It can even remove the lead vocals from 70% of all your CDs, so you and your friends can fill in for your favorites in your own velvet tones. It’s from Pioneer, of course. Where your music never sounded more tender and soulful. And the visual laser resolu- emptations. backup singers fall into place, their forming live like the newest show- _ tion has never been sharper. steps and gestures synchronized to the star's every move. The air stopping attraction from Pioneer: See it, hear it, sing it. Only where is electrified with thunderous applause. Softly, a rich baritone The Combi Disc Player with Laser Pioneer products are sold. For the fiTllaskteheItaHiro.me! Karaoke” (pronounced kar-a-okay). dealer nearest you, call 213-PIONEER. Nothing Catch The Debut Of Americeaa’s Newest Siantgaing Sensatio: n. brings home Rod Poh FOOT GEWTRLS the rush @ PIONEER’ of per- The Art of Entertainment ©1990 Pioneer Laser Entertainment, Inc. (Shown with optional microphone.) For additional information, circle No. 25 on Reader Service Card.

VTOIDADY’EOGRAPHER VIDEO Magazine Advertising Supplement

TO No wires on Canon's E08 works have a headphone jack). with you The transmitter plugs direct- an Arkon ly into nearly all compo- This advanced 8mm When you're shooting a nents’ headphone or audio When Arkon recently intro- video, you want a tool that out jack. duced its “third-generation” IR-500 Infrasound Cordless camcorder works as will react to your every- Why be wired? If freedom most creative impulse — a of motion and private listen- Infrared Headphone System, ing are your priorities, check an extension of ‘your machine that’s designed to out Arkon. reaction was so great that work along with your they decided to discontinue Azden offers all pre-existing models. most creative video thought process and become an extension of great A-for-V Consider the facts: the Euro-styled headsets not your creative soul itself. Azden’s WMS-PRO is a only allow you to listen to powerful VHF _ wireless TV without disturbing oth- impulses. That’s where the Canon microphone system perfect ers, they feature extended EO8 8mm _ camcorder for videography. battery life, improved ease of operation and more com- comes in. It’s been built by some of the industry’s most This small, lightweight fortable fit. Arkon has wireless microphone system embedded the benefits of prestigious industrial design geniuses to have all the right allows you to clearly record five years’ experience in features in the right place at the right time. your subject’s voice when these cordless muffs. shooting videos, even from a Small. That’s the first step. This unit is built to be bal- distance of more than 250 The IR-500’s eight-inch feet! The mini receiver high transmitter/headset anced or cradled, at eye level, above or below you attaches to the camera, or it stand allows for the infrared can be carried in your shirt emitters to be placed in an And smart — it’s got to be smart. The E08 uses industry- pocket. It plugs into the elevated vertical/horizontal camera’s Ext. Mic jack. The acclaimed “fuzzy logic” — a kind of artificial intelligence transmitter clips to the sub- pattern for ject’s belt, and it comes with increased that lets the machine make fast, accurate focus decisions two plug-in microphones: a trans- handheld, and a clip-on. that fine-tune the picture for breathtaking results. And it mission The WMS-PRO has two also adds in superior videographic features like an 8:1 switchable frequencies, so cover- you can record the cleanest age of zoom, auto tracking focus, advanced autofocus macro, and sound. It also comes with a up to monitor earphone and a Ze 0 25-zone evaluated automatic white balance. Colors will be leatherette carrying case. square faerie es: pure, brilliant: just the way you want them. Ideal for interviewing, or Mean- picking up your subject’s while, they The sound has to be right, too. That’s the key to a final pro- voice at great distances, the go the dis- tance with 70 hours running duction that sings. With AFM Hi-Fi stereo, the subtle, evoca- time on AAA alkaline bat- teries, and can also accept tive nuances of the auditory world come through loud and rechargeable nickel cadmi- um types. clear — or soft and muted, if that’s the way you heard them. These headsets couldn’t be easier to use. Arkon has The E08 takes care of vision with features like impressive eliminated the transmitter volume control and modula- 2 lux low-light taping capability and a flying erase head tion lights found on earlier models. Meanwhile, a sup- that eliminates noisy scene transitions. plied mic adapter means that the headphones will Something new is happening in the consumer electronics work with any brand TV you use (even if it doesn’t industry, and something new is happening at Canon. It’s more than technological advances like high-performance CCD imaging chips and high-speed shutters. It’s more than great features like the E08’s seven-color titler, white fade, wireless remote, full viewfinder displays and record search and review. It’s that engineers and designers are starting to think like artists, and they’re building camcorders like the E08 that think that way too. 2 ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

TODAY'S VIDEOGRAPHER WMS-PRO at $250 is a Hitachi Camcorder etaway's “must have” tool for videog- Sound F/X raphy. Twists & Shoots There isn’t a professional RRR RS Hitachi changed the face of video design with the intro- videographer in the world Bogen tilts who doesn’t have a library of and pans duction of the thin and compact VM-C1A VHS-C “twist sound effects. They’re used to add drama and realism to Panning, tilting, find- & shoot” camcorder. Easy to transport, the unit automat- video productions. ing the perfect angle. Every videographer has to do ically sets for action with a twist of the camera body. Now you can have the it, but no matter how good same thing at home, thanks you are, it’s the tripod head Hitachi has taken this revolutionary design one step to Getaways. Their audio that’s going to make the ulti- cassettes — which run under mate difference. further with the introduc- A revolutionary $10 — include environ- tion of the newest “twist & ments from “Soothing If it doesn’t have smooth Ocean Sounds” to “Jungle action and if it doesn’t offer shoot, the VM-G2A) design offers easy- Sounds” to “Summer the right kind of support, which packs along a com- to-use handling and Evening Sounds,” a com- your best camera action is puter-generated graphics pendium of night birds, lost forever. display titler. crickets and frogs. VIDEO recommends This feature furnishes advanced graphics Getaways also has an using a fluid-head tripod for full-color computer-gener- titling. “Adventure Sounds” series, the best leverage and the ated graphic illustrations. targeted primarily at chil- best bump-free ride. In dren, that can also soup up a addition, you should use a Twenty-four pages in all, video production. These unit with a quick-release there is a graphic illustra- include sound bites of growl- mechanism for instant maneuverability. tion for every video occa- ing dinosaurs, zooming cars Bogen has just introduced sion — from vacations to home events. The Hitachi title at the race track, office the QR Micro Fluid Head, library even includes a “curtain call,” a theater-type cur- background noises (com- and it fits the bill to a tee. plete with clicking key- It weighs only two pounds, tain that raises or lowers and places “The End” at the boards and ringing phones) including the adjustable — even barnyard noises. handle, but holds cam- close of the segment. The \"Kids Growing\" theme provides five choices of There are 14 tapes to corders up to nine pounds. choose from, so call (408) It pans smoothly to a full graphics to be superimposed: a baby creeping across 972-4108 today and start 360 degrees, and can be tilt- your own collection. ed up or down to 90 the screen; baby shoes; a cake with candles; a graduation degrees. It has both pan and cap; or colorful wedding bells. Go wireless tilt locks along with contin- with Nady uously adjustable drag. The Otherwise, the VM-C2A is as full-featured as a cam- adjustable handle can be corder comes, featuring amorphous record/playback After all the care and atten- positioned so that it’s either tion you’ve put into assem- on the left or the right. heads, flying erase head, twin infra-red beam auto focus, bling your camcorder and editing gear, shouldn’t you Try it. You'll feel the dif- a dual macro lens, 6X power zoom, 4-lux minimum illu- pay attention to the quality ference. mination and even a auto-flickerless sensor, which auto- of your original soundtracks? Too often, it’s the only matically compensates for 50 cycle fluorescent lighting. neglected piece in an other- The VM-C2A has a suggested retail price of $1,049.95. wise completed picture. The graphics titler and full-featured package puts an Not with Nady. For under exciting, new videographic twist on Hitachi’s home $200, you can get their 151 video innovations. ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT 3

TODAY'S VIDEOGRAPHER JVC GR-S707U Nady is well known in professional audio/video for —_ JVC: All in the family their 501 VR system — fre- quently used in electronic VR wireless microphone sys- JVC invented VHS, and each year they continue to devel- news gathering and field tem; it’s easy to use and deliv- production. With the 151 ers sonic results that make an op the technology which has reached over 300 million VR, you get the same immediate, high-impact dif- attention to detail and ference. Ambient noise households worldwide. For the serious videographer or for technological know-how (wind, traffic, the cam- that makes Nady the corder’s zoom motor) are those who just want to have fun, JVC camcorders offer choice of the networks. eliminated and all you hear is what you want something for everyone. What more could you ask to hear. for? Consider the GR-AX7U; it’s not much taller than a play- With the provid- _Saaeeras ed handheld or ing card yet offers full feature sophistication. This palm- Eyeopener lavalier mic, your sized camcorder weighs in at from Opsin subject can be up to a mere 1.7 pounds, and still VCS new line of So you say your viewfinder 250 feet away from the cam- provides only a limited corder — and if you can see manages to pack a 6:1 power camcorders pack view, and it bother you to your subject through the keep one eye closed while viewfinder, you’re guaran- zoom, flying erase head, shooting a long video. teed good audio reception. high-speed shutter, digital Open both your eyes, and Nady’s high-technology discover that your problem companding noise reduction superimpose, full range auto video power with has just been solved by The circuitry delivers a dynamic Eyeopener from Opsin, Inc. range of over 110 dB, with focus with auto macro and no background hiss or over- The Eyeopener attaches load distortion. In short, the other advanced features into conveniences. to the viewfinder of your 151 VR sounds as good as a its diminutive frame. camcorder, and lets you hardwire mic, without the shoot your videos without hassle of a cord. For the video enthusiast, having to strain or squint. The 151 VR operates on the GR-65U, Compact VHS shooter teams a flying erase VHF high-band, and can be This neat item allows you ordered with either of two head with insert editing, audio dubbing, master edit control to frame all of your shots standard VHF frequencies. perfectly while simultane- That means you can operate and other multiple user-friendly features for high-end ously watching what is two units at once without going on around you. any interference. shooting, editing and viewing. The Eyeopener allows Where to use your wireless The world’s smallest Super VHS deck, the SC-FOO7U is a your brain to combine the images from your two eyes mic? If you’re staging a pro- compact Super VHS Modular Component Video System into one mental image that duction, the possibilities are is clear and relaxing to endless. But family users can that includes a compact deck, a color LCD monitor, a tiny look at. This remarkable put the 151 VR on stage to optical effect provides you tape a child’s recital — or CCD camera and a system carrying case. with maximum vision of clip the lavalier on a narra- the viewfinder and your tor to ensure that the viewer If you’re a true videophile, The GR-S707U Super VHS-C surroundings. will always know what’s going on. Virtually anyone Hi-Fi Camcorder was designed for you. Professional-quality It works on all cam- with a camcorder has a use corders and adjusts to all for this wireless mic system. picture and sound complement features like auto color users (with or without glasses). The Eyeopener is tracking, automatic gain control, animation, variable time virtually indestructible, and retracts completely out lapse, self-timer and multiple-speed shutter. Completing of the way when not in use. the picture is an incredible menu of editing capabilities. Like the GR-S707U, the GR-S505 features VHS Hi-Fi audio and Super VHS-C picture clarity, packed into a streamlined chassis that makes shooting a breeze. Its 8:1 zoom, auto macro, and all-new Electronic Manual Focus Ring and 4-page, 8-color digital superimpose will leave you wondering how JVC manages to include so much in such a compact, ergonomic design. 4 ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

TODAY'S VIDEOGRAPHER Rost rescues 7th Annual Sony Visions ‘ your NiCad batteries Isn’t it time you got some con‘TpEaA wl recognition for your fabulous videography? The American Are you sick and tired of Film Institute thinks so, and CeeDeeeNe battery problems? Sony does too. Of waiting three weeks for The 7th Annual Visions of that epic event, and missing USS. contest, administered by it because your two hour AFI and sponsored by Sony, NiCad battery only lasted Magnavox bows is an exciting competition for 20 minutes? Simm camcorders that challenges you to submit With Rost’s innovative your original video creation D’CHARG, you'll never feel to be reviewed by a panel of that frustration again. pros — including Rob NiCad batteries have the Reiner, Levar Burton, David tendency to lose their full With its new entry, Freedom of choice. That’s Byrne, Johnny Depp and charge potential when you what it’s all about, isn’t it? Francis Coppola. Categories include fiction, Magnavox now Well, Magnavox aims to nonfiction, experimental give you just that. In a sur- and music video. One grand offers videographers prise announcement early prize winner will be selected this year, the consumer elec- from all the entries. In addi- a choice from every tronics giant noted for its tion, a special Young Peo- ultra-high quality VHS and ples Merit Award will be recharge them before they’re SVHS and VHS compact presented to a contestant 17 fully drained — and who years old or younger. Entries camcorder category. gear made public its intent can be in Beta, VHS or to introduce two 8mm cam- 8mm and must be produced corders in the American marketplace in April. doesn’t pop the battery back Now 8mm lovers can have the Magnavox quality they and submitted on 1/2” cas- in the charger after a shoot- expect in the format they prefer. But VHS fans take heart: settes (interformat editing is ing session?. Magnavox is still offering a full range of products in this allowed). Tapes should be D’CHARG prevents that popular format range. They’ve just added some offerings so under 20 minutes long. The that all their buyers can have a choice. criteria? Originality is most annoying video problem by draining those batteries to a The first Magnavox 8mm camcorder, the CVM-720, fea- important, the judges say, very low level, making them tures an 8:1, f1.4 zoom lens with a CCD imager that boasts but quality of performances four lux sensitivity for low-light taping. Meanwhile, a fly- and technical execution will ready to receive a full charge also be taken into account. without “memory effect.” ing-erase head makes for seam-free scene transitions while The whole D'CHARG pro- a two-speed shutter lets you capture the action no matter The winners will walk cess usually takes only a how fast it may be. away not only with a mere 45 minutes. Other CVM-720 features include full-range digital auto tremendous honor, but with D’CHARG can also save focus, auto date/time recording, auto tracking and edit high-end Sony video gear as all but the most severely search, For power, this model comes with a one-hour bat- well. The grand prize is a reprogrammed batteries; tery, an AC battery charger and an RF adapter. It packs a CCD-V101 Handycam 8mm sometimes draining them lot in a compact frame that weighs just 1.61 pounds with- Hi8 camcorder. With over and charging them up three out the battery. For camcording on the go, it’s a unit to be 400 lines of horizontal reso- or four times is all it takes. contended with. lution, hi-fi sound and a But with this unique and The second Magnavox 8mm debut, the CVM-710, offers wireless remotes, it’s one of inexpensive battery mainte- a 6:1, f1.4 zoom lens with two lux low-light taping capabili- the best on the market. The nance device, you can avoid ty. It comes with all of the same features that are sure to first prize is a Sony CCD- the NiCad power drain make the CVM-720 a popular choice on the retail shelves. F77 Handycam, while sec- problem altogether. So why Choice — it is, after all, the bottom line. And whatever ond prize will take a CCD- have battery woes when you you want, Magnavox has a camcorder model that fits the F55. Third prize is a CCD- don’t need to? bill. F33; the five runners up will ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT 5

TODAY'S VIDEOGRAPHER receive a FD-230 Watch- ing” zone. Of course, with the unit’s wire- man Personal TV. less remote control, / you can command Meanwhile, the features like record, award for the dause, title/memo, date, rewind and stop Young Peoples from across the room. You can even adjust the digi- Merit is a CCD- tized image or color right from the remote. TR4 cam- Topnotch features run from active fuzzy logic iris, corder, an EV- white balance and autofocus (with macro and manual C3 video cassette override) to wide range high speed shutter. The addition recorder/player and an RM- of fuzzy logic-controlled E300 remote editing con- backlight correction makes sure you always get the best troller/titler/digital superim- looking shot possible. The SV-10’s built-in digitizer lets poser. you make personalized pre- sentations; it holds one title Sony’s industry leadership page that can be stored in one of eight colors, includ- extends to promoting video Mix by Panasonic ing title reverse. For the final touch, a fader control as an expressive art form in adds professionalism to your scene transitions, as does the America. So if you’re unit’s flying erase head. In short, it’s an amazing serious about getting amount of camcorder packed into a sleek, compact recognition for your work, There’s never been more interest in editing video at home frame. Give one a test drive; than today, and there’s never been a unit more suited to doing you'll see what we mean. send in an entry. Accessory You've got until June 15. it than the Panasonic WJ-AVE5. This new A/V mixer is not only packed with digital effects — checklist it offers 96 wipe patterns as well. The unit employs a special So you've gotten the digital section that has two independent digital field memories. hottest camcorder to come These store images for impressive effects like still, mosaic, off the video production strobe, and paint, which adds a splash of vivid colors to the line in the history of con- sumer electronics. But video image. All of the effects are available in various steps, believe us — if you don’t and can be used together and in conjunction with the wipe have the proper array of Sunpak is making a major patterns. The menu is extensive, the looks unbelievable. production accessories — new contribution to the The wipes themselves — too extensive to list in full — those handy, on-sight 8mm format this year — in include artistic effects like diamonds, rectangles, circles and physical trappings that the form of their new SV-10 other shapes, along with the full battery of simple top-to-bot- make a shoot go well — camcorder. Unique, com- you're begging for disaster. tom, left-to-right (and vice versa) options. Boundaries can be pact, and loaded with high- Why? Because even a end features, the SV-10 sharp, soft, or even colored. This new model camcorder with image sta- exemplifies modern industri- The results are extraordinarily professional. al design and technological prowess. The WJ-AVE5 also offers a opens up enormous Unlike conventional cam- Picture-in-Picture function, corders, the Sunpak SV-10 with selectable image posi- home editing is truly user-friendly. Perfect tioning and wipe. For even in form and balance, this smart shooter is designed for more control, try the superim- possibilities. two-hand use, binocular pose feature; it lets you use style. Besides fitting natural- images from two sources and ly in your grip, it offers hori- zontal tape positioning for even add an outline or special effects. An optional WJ-TTL5 maximum mechanical sta- character generator gives a full menu of pro titling choices. bility. Other features include sophisticated fade-in and fade-out All the commonly-used functions, in any color and at any speed, along with a digital controls (such as record, pause, zoom, etc.) are easy to synchronizer that lets you mix images from any two video sources without worrying about the timing of the frames (even reach, while special keys you in S-Video: a major plus). don’t want to hit while tap- On the audio side, the mixer accommodates three stereo ing (like date/time adjust or inputs and a mic input — allowing you to tailor soundtracks memo reset) are positioned easily and effectively. A clearly-visible audio level meter well away from the “finger- ensures easy monitoring. If making beautiful, professional-looking videos is at the top of your list of priorities, look into the Panasonic WJ-AVE5. You won't be disappointed. 6 ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

TODAY'S VIDEOGRAPHER blization works better on a Realistic packs fully-charged batteries tripod. Because even if features & benefits compatible with your gear. your unit has one lux sen- That way you’re safe. For full feature offerings, Radio Shack’s new, sitivity, a light takes fidelity picture reproduction / Extra tapes. Need we say more? away the darkness. and an amazing menu of friendly VHS cam- Because even the high-tech paraphernalia in a Features & world’s most expen- fast facts sive gear gets ruined cost-effective camcorder, corder packs techno- you can’t go wrong with Camcorder features change if subjected to rain, so quickly it’s hard to keep Realistic. track of them. Here’s a list snow or mud. To ven- of some of the latest and They’re available at your logical punch. greatest. ture out without the local Radio Shack, where, e Animation. By letting right accessories is a crime, you shoot a frame at a time, by the way, you can also get those all-important production an animation feature allows pure and simple. you to use drawings or fig- accessories like tripods, lights, batteries, mics, and cleaners So what do you need to urines for your own in-liv- all in the same stop. ing-motion productions. get the most out of your Note: tripod required. video gear? Here’s a quick Realistic makes a full family of VHS MovieMakers. Sen- checklist: e Auto Image Stablization. sational videos are “automatic” with the Realistic Model Whether it’s accomplished Y A good tripod. Pick a digitally (digital electronic sturdy model, adequate for 102 full-size shooter; it features a variable high-speed shut- image stablization: D-EIS), the weight of your cam- electronically (EIS) or via a corder. Look for good, fluid ter for blur-free action shots and a 270,000 pixel, two lux mechanical, gyroscope-like fixture that goes over the action and a quick release CCD image sensor for crystal-clear pictures even in the lens assembly, a little image lever for easy maneuver- stabilization can go a long dimmest twilight. way in cleaning up your lit- ability. Make sure your tri- tle shakes and quivers. The 8:1 power zoom features macro, and can capture both pod is intended for video, e Color-Enhancement wide-angle and telephoto shots. And once you’ve gotten the Light. These little lights, not 35mm cameras. often about 10 watts, sit perfect picture, you can title it with a built-in character gen- atop the shoe-mount of your / A good video light. A camcorder, adding that little light is essential, and if you erator. Other features include a flying erase head, audio/video burst of illumination needed do a great deal of night to get great color reproduc- fade-in and fade-out, auto iris and white balance. tion in low light situations. shooting, you’ll need a The Realistic Model 126 has a powerful 12:1 power con- e Digital Effects. For the variety of lights in various fun and the funky, there’s a tinuous zoom lens with macro and variable zoom speed. digital effect for everything. strengths and sizes. Make sure to get a unit built for This full-size VHS unit also features auto focus, iris and Picture these: mirror image, your particular applica- white balance, along with an automatic high-speed shutter image inverse, mosaic, tions, and remember that if variable to 1/2000 of a second. When it comes time to tai- strobe and solarization, color you’re going to shoot on wipes and fades. lor your scenes, use its audio/video insert editing for dub- location, you'll need lots of e Digital Gain Up. This bing from external sources. digital feature lets you battery juice to run it. extend the low light capabil- Y A sturdy case or bag. Into 8mm? Try the Realistic Model 152. It delivers the ities of your camcorder — often down to levels as low Whether you choose a downscaled convenience of this diminutive format with as one lux. That adds up to hard case or a lighter soft mere candlelight. case, a good container for AFM Hi-Fi mono sound, an 8:1 power zoom with macro, your all-important gear is three lux sensitivity and a flying erase head. Its “Title Graph- an absolute essential. Look for a sturdy build, a good ics Grabber” character generator allows you to store title text warranty, and if possible, pick a model made by the or simple graphics to insert into a tape in any of five colors. people who manufactured your camcorder or one It’s a lot of power in a small, easy-to-use package. from the major case-and- bag brand names. Y Extra batteries. Don’t be foolish — stash some extra power. Never leave for a location shoot with- out at least one (and preferably two or three) ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT 7

__________ e Fade. Fade eases your Sony lets you edit and clean your tape path at audio and/or video in or out with control least once a month. Never gradually, giving your videos open up a machine to try a professional touch. Many No matter how 24-carat your shoot may have been — no the do-it-yourself method digital units can do this in a matter how crystal-clear the takes and candid the moments with a cotton swab; it voids variety of colors and patterns. — unedited footage is like raw ore. It needs to be crafted to your warranty. perfection, smoothed and molded to make it a production ¢ Flying erase head. A fly- haa | ing erase head, as the name you'll always treasure. implies, backs up (or “flies”) Fortunately, with the melding of professional capabilities Symbolic Logic a tiny amount every time and consumer cost points, the electronics industry is serv- you turn the RECORD ing up an incredible menu of devices that let you tweak They call it “fuzzy logic,” or, if you’re of the Isaac Asimov function off. The result is an your video images to perfection. extremely smooth, noise- variety, you might even say free transition. Sony’s RM-E300 is a Video8 editing controller that “artificial intelligence.” ¢ Time-lapse recording. A allows you to turn your home A lot of today’s higher end time lapse makes the moon camcorders have built-in rise in a moment or a flower The RM-E300 lets videos into professional information-analysis algo- bloom before your eyes. It looking ones. Its rithms that make sophisti- works by shooting one frame cated decisions — like how per given time period. you attack the task programmable auto-edit to set the auto focus or auto- of video editing with function lets you mark edit matic white balance — for e Titler/Character Gener- start and stop points with you. ator. As you might guess, precision through the use of these features let you put two independent shuttle Now, automatic features words (and often simple are nothing new; they’ve graphics) on screen, or over creative control. rings. You can store been around for years. And your videos. There are as information for up to 8 truth be known, they’ve per- many kinds of titlers and scenes from anywhere on formed admirably. But generators as there are man- your tape in memory. At the today’s thinking camcorders ufacturers. Some only super- have breached totally new impose letters from other touch of a button, the scenes are automatically recorded ground. sources, while some let you on your edited tape in the order you selected. “type” in your own. Some Like you, they’re capable of A preview feature permits you to view the having intuitive reactions to offer colors, some a variety segments prior to editing to assure perfect results. The different combinations of of sizes. built-in character generator and digital superimpose lets you superimpose titles and graphics right over moving circumstances. Their com- Keep it clean pictures. With the character generator you can plex internal computers superimpose 4 lines of titles with up to 12 characters per make these tough decisions No matter where you do line in a choice of 8 different colors. Graphics and your shooting — even if it’s handwritten characters can scroll up or down and be in a split-second, and can in a hospital — airborne revise settings on a virtually grime and dust will accumu- shown in reverse. continual basis. It’s really late inside your camcorder’s The RM-E300 lets you edit between 8mm and amazing when you stop and delicate components. Fur- think about it. thermore, putting tapes 1/2-inch Beta or VHS formats. Its S-Video input and inside your machine invari- output provides improved picture quality and connection With this bold new scien- ably results in the accumu- to high band recording systems such as Video Hi8, ED tific breakthrough, logic- lation of oxides, bits of Beta and S-VHS. A built-in wireless emitter allows cord- equipped camcorders can binder and other minute free operation and its infrared remote can memorize maintain perfect autofocus particles that over time will wireless remote commands for decks which do not have even through panning degrade performance and actions where the depth of ultimately damage your Control L or Control S. field changes dramatically. It heads. The solution: a can fine-tune settings for cleaning solution. Go for a optimal results. It will focus wet/dry or wet system from on the correct subject even a reputable manufacturer, where there’s an extreme range of contrasts in your shot. 8 ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Q@rITACHI Twist and Shoot tomers know about theTwist and Shoot, there's a multi- million dollar national advertis- The engineers at Hitachi like all Hitachi camcorders, it’s ing campaign featuring Jamie loaded with sell-up features. Lee Curtis. have just come up with a Revolutionary twin beam The Twist and Shoot. remarkable new twist in video auto focus produces a precise, The new twist in camcorders clear, stable picture. Accushot that’ll give your sales a shot Qnn technology. It’s called the Twist QQ Q fo) and Shoot and it’s the only 2 Q > Q automatically synchronizes in the arm. s3t camcorder that twists open for shutter speed, lens opening and white balance. And Tele- © HITACHI fe} 2 ©1990 Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc. Qg instant shooting. o®g °6z Closed, its super-thin, 276” 3N 3QQ=>) profile makes itthe world’s macro captures objects from ttl nmpensenmemnentt ® rwen thinnest video camcorder. as close as 2% feet. < 5 0) a1QQ9) Open, it’s fully automatic. And To make sure your cus-

BY BRENT BUTTERWORTH MASTER MIXERWe take a hands-on spin with Panasonic's Dissolves, wipes & F/X fuel a breakthrough editing console. We have it pretty sionals. But it’s far less costly than other perimposer, a fader good here at Video components that deliver equivalent re- and a stereo audio mixer. Its Magazine. With the sults: Panasonic’s $3,000 WJ-MX12 pro- rear panel provides more connections top-of-the-line con- than most videophiles will ever need, in- fessional A/V mixer, for example. The cluding jacks for S-video, video, and sumer equipment in stereo audio for both inputs and the par- our editing suite, we WJ-AVE5 brings quality effects to a allel dual outputs. Also present are an can edit with split- level affordable by many video en- external camera input for the superim- second accuracy, thusiasts—especially those g poser, auxiliary stereo audio and micro- devise broadcast-quality graphics and who are building editing phone inputs, and a preview output that produce great special effects. But when suites one component at lets a user sample an effect or a transi- a time, as their bud- tion before putting it on tape. There’s it comes to scene transitions, even gets allow. also an input for an optional character generator. $2,000 editing-oriented VCRs won't let While most us produce anything fancier than a cut pros mix video Even with dozens of buttons, jacks or a fade —tricks any novice could do using tens of and sliders, the mixer proved simple to with a $500 deck. thousands of use. In fact, we never had to look at the dollars worth manual. The switcher has two inputs, la- Why is it so hard for consumers to of genlockable beled 1 and 2, and two output channels, cameras and labeled A and B. The signals from the produce interesting scene transitions VCRs, time-base cor- output channels are blended before like the wipes and dissolves seen on TV? rectors, switchers and sync leaving the mixer. To create a dissolve, Because such transitions require two generators, the WJ-AVE5 relies on synchronized video signals, which until much simpler technology: a digital delay recently could only be produced by ex- that retards the timing of one video sig- pensive professional components. nal to match the other. Surprisingly, this Thanks to Panasonic’s new WJ-AVE5 shortcut does not compromise quality. audio/video mixer, however, amateurs Panasonic recommends the mixer be can now produce dissolves and 93 wipes used only with stable video signals to even more easily than pros do. prevent sync errors, which would result in rolling images. But the WJ-AVE5 Equally important, Panasonic has worked perfectly with every VCR we priced the WJ-AVE5 at $1,900. This is a tried, including a nearly antique Sony considerable investment for non-profes- U-Matic. Letter Box: The mixer only lost synchronization when we fed it a signal from a VHS tape The optional WJ-TTL5 recorded at EP, then turned the VCR’s character generator tracking control rapidly back and forth. We noticed no significant degradation of plugs into the WJ-AVES. the picture when using the mixer, which is surprising given the somewhat noisy nature of many consumer effects de- vices. Switching isn’t the WJ-AVE5’s only talent. It also offers digital effects, a su-* PEBVCPHFRIPUOFD1EITTE0NTOOCUTESTER: 44 VIDEO MAY 1991

just switch output A to input 1, and out- using the WJ-AVE5, we took a fresh Dramatic Exits: By synchronizing incoming video put B to input 2, then hit the mix button look at the first video we edited with it, signals, the WJ-AVE5 can produce dissolves. and pull down on the video slider. One and were amazed. A few judiciously scene will fade out while another fades placed wipes almost made us forget we : ~ Re A in. were watching video we shot ourselves. In Sharp Contrast: Portrait produced using the Wipes are almost as simple. Assign The WJ-AVE5’s digital effects are mixer's digital superimposer and color generator. the inputs and outputs as before, then similar to those on many camcorders hit the wipe button. This activates the and editing VCRs. They include still, Wild Wipes: The mixer performs 93 different wipe control panel above the switcher. strobe, mosaic (pixelization) and paint wipes, along with digital effects like solarization. The mixer has wipes to suit any need— (solarization). All can be used in any the picture was reduced to stark out- side-to-side, top-to-bottom, triangles combination on either or both outputs. lines. We thought it was a great effect, and squares, among many others. The The switcher and the digital effects may but unfortunately, the subject didn’t patterns may be used singly or com- be used at the same time. care for it. bined. A user can multiply any wipe pat- tern into many tiny repeats, reverse the The mixer’s other capabilities add The WJ-AVE5 can also fade images sources and create picture-in-picture ef- versatility to these effects. For example, to black, white or to a background color. fects. by selecting the same input for outputs Its stereo audio mixer blends sound from A and B, and using an effect on only one the A/V inputs, the auxiliary audio in- The mixer also wipes or dissolves output, the user can dissolve into and to any of eight back- out of the effects. This technique adds continued on page 90 ground colors. subtlety to often-abused effects like so- A positioning joy- larization. stick centers some of the wipes (like the Videographers craving the uncon- diamond pattern shown on this page) so ventional should love that a wipe can be targeted on a sub- the WJ-AVE5’s ject’s face or on any other part of a digital superim- scene. The manual explains how to pro- poser. It works duce all these transitions, but it’s more like the superim- fun to just punch the buttons and watch what happens. poser in many Frugal videographers may scoff at camcorders, con- spending nearly two grand for slick tran- sitions, but in the right places, wipes and verting any scene dissolves can really pick up the pace of a into a monochromatic home video. A month after we began image with only posi- tive and negative val- ues. The difference is, the WJ-AVE5 performs this process on live video from ei- ther output or from an exter- nal video camera. Basically, it allows the user to overlay a mono- chromatic version of one scene over full-color video from another. The superimposer can be used for titling, but it works best when used with imagination. For a video tour of a neigh- borhood, we ran shots from camcorder tapes into inputs 1 and 2, then connect- ed a camcorder (used in camera mode) to the external camera input, and aimed the camcorder at the narrator. This let us superimpose an outline of the narra- tor's face in one corner of the video, ef- fectively combining three video images at once. We achieved another interesting ef- fect by setting the superimposer to pro- duce a black outline of a subject’s face, then selecting a white background. The motion of the image was preserved, but MAY 1991 VIDEO 45

BY CHRIS FARNESWORTH HPLIADIDNESNIGHITN Forgotten gems, from Hitchcock flicks to Bardot strips, quietly power a PD revival Public domain videos — those containing Many of today’s PD titles would nev- classic films no longer held in copy- er have appeared in catalogues even five rig—hhtave historically been regarded years ago—take United American Vid- as the bastard stepchildren of the video eo’s release of Mademoiselle Striptease, a industry, and often with good reason. saucy 1956 romp starring Brigitte Bar- The first wave of PD cassettes arrived in dot. It may not rank with Rules of the the mid-’80s and was frequently made from suspect film materials and sub- Game as a classic of French cinema, but standard tape stock, often coming Bardot lends obvious allure to Marc Al- from fly-by-night companies. De- legret’s comedic tale of one girl’s Parisian spite such appealing titles as It’s a misadventures. Also from United Amer- Wonderful Life and Hitchcock’s ican is Roger Corman’s The Last Woman original The Man Who Knew Too on Earth, a bargain-basement end-of-the Much, the public domain business world yarn in which screenwriter Robert quickly burnt itself out. Towne (Chinatown) battles for the con- But the ’90s signaled a renais- siderable charms of Betsy Jones-More- sance in the public domain field. land. Boasting a wider variety of titles than ever before — many of them Star Classics has unearthed a gold offbeat and impossible to find on mine in television cartoons from the ’60s televisi—onPD has made an unlike- with a half-dozen tapes devoted to Gi- ly comeback. The quality has also im- gantor, the jet-powered robot originally proved tremendously, helping to repair imported from Japan (where he was known as Iron Man-28) in 1964. Even PD’s somewhat tainted reputation. The better is Star’s release of a single episode latest generation of titles thus merits a of Eighth Man. Titled “The Armored closer look, not only for tape collectors Man,” this 25-minute tale of an Army but for laserdisc enthusiasts as well. sergeant whose brain is placed inside a Noblesse Oblige: Vivien Leigh is a tormented aris- mechanical body clearly anticipates the tocrat in the public domain Anna Karenina. current Robocop feature film series. Viking Video and Hollywood Select 46 VIDEO MAY 1991

Laying Down the Law: Orson Welles’ The Third Man is now pro- tected by the copyright of the novel on which it's based. al Video have discovered that old black & Days of Yore: white British films still have audiences | My Man Godfrey in the United States, even if they no longer earn blockbuster ratings on TV. (above) and It's a Won- The two companies offer many worth- derful Life (right) were while English classics, including The among the public do- main field’s earliest Captive Heart (1946), a POW drama starring Michael Redgrave and Gordon SuCCeSSseS. Jackson, and The Smallest Show on Earth (1957), a comedy about a broken-down cinema whose employees include Peter companies’ hundreds of B-westerns fea- Who Knew Too Much is the best anyone Sellers and Margaret Rutherford. is likely to see, but the company’s release ture such stars as John Wayne, Bob of Edgar Ulmer’s Detour (1946) is marred by harsh scratches and awkward splices And speaking of British titles, one Steele, Lash LaRue, Gene Autry and on the print. that almost never turns up on TV or in Roy Rogers. The quality may vary, how- More consistent is Republic’s Land- theatersb—ut can now be had for $10 ever, reflecting the fact that many from Viking—is the 1948 version of | B-movies exist only in 16mm dupes. mark Laservision, which has issued su- Anna Karenina with Vivien Leigh. The perb versions of several PD films: Angel The biggest problem facing any PD and the Badman (1946), a John Wayne western with pacifist overtoncs; Blood on movie is far too plodding, but Leigh is label is a steady supply of quality source the Sun (1946), with James Cagney as a reporter battling his way out of Japan; worth watching as the tormented Rus- materials. The problem is even more and George Stevens’ Penny Serenade sian noblewoman. acute for the companies issuing public (1941), starring Cary Grant in a fine dra- matic performance. One category of film that has come domain movies on disc. Back in the mid- Laservision Associates (LVA) has a into its own in public domain is the ’80s, 3M issued a series of PD laser titles more modest catalogue of PD titles, the best of which are Frank Capra’s Meet western. While the major studios tend drawn from the Hal Roach catalogue. continued on page 90 to release only their biggest western ti- Although the tape versions are among tles, two PD companies— Stokey’s Video the best the PD field has to offer, the re- | (Box 426, Selden, NY 11784) and Earl sults on disc are woefully inadequate. Blair Enterprises (Box 87, Toney, AL Image Entertainment recently 35773) —have become veritable clear- jumped into the PD business with un- inghouses of low-budget oaters. The even results—its version of The Man MAY 1991 VIDEO 47

OPEGIALBY BRENT BUTTERWORTH REPORT 6 sleek camcorders break negw round As days lengthen and spring fe- ver starts to spread, videophiles experience a special kind of spring fever—induced by the prospect of new video products. In anticipation of official launches at the Summer Con- sumer Electronics Show in June, manufacturers prepare upcom- ing lines months in advance. Here’s a preview of the coming camcorder season’s hottest mod- els, including an exclusive look at the first time-code camcorder for consumers. Format Free-for-All: GE’s new camcorders include VHS, Compact VHS and 8mm models. The VHS CG701 (left) packs 12x zoom and audio/video dubbing in an elegantly styled cabinet. The striking VHS-C CG696 (center) has A/V dubbing and a unique folding viewfinder. Rounding out the line is the 8mm CG800. It’s High Time: \\ Sony's Hi8 CCD-V801 BFUIIX adds time-code signals xo cue FUI0 IFXOOSMOE th that can be accessed later for frame-accurate editing. The company also plans to introduce a compatible editing controller. Get a Grip: Fuji’s new Fujix-8 F60 8mm includes a detach- able trigger grip that doubles as a tiny tripod or carrying handle. The lens has a built-in wide- angle converter. Super Switcher: Panasonic’s $1,600 PV- $770 combines Super VHS capability with a slim profile. It offers electronic image stabi- lization and 30x digital zoom. 48 VIDEO MAY 1991

Ma Tan é ~ste en eee ieeeee ' Actual Size. Introducing the Magnavox EasyCam 8. It shooting sequence to the next, plus digital effects may weigh under two pounds, but don’t mistake it for more professional-looking home videos. It’s for a lightweight. This compact camcorder has all extremely light sensitive for low-light shooting. the features you need to capture life's biggest— And, with its power zoom, you can capture and smallest—moments. everything from wide angle shots to close-ups. This 8mm camcorder is so small and easy to No matter what size format you choose use, you'll take it everywhere. It has a flying erase | (VHS, VHS-C, or 8mm), when it comes to head to create seamless transitions from one camcorders, Magnavox is smart. Very smart. MAGNAVOX Smart.Very smart? © 1991 Philips Consumer Electronics Company. A Division of North American Philips Corporation.

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