video-magazine-1987-12

$1.95 DEC.1987 2a> >, > eo = 2&2 Laet, e @

Ts Vines AO ViteS «S. ELECTOR go.y Ifyou're a hi-fi buff, you don't settle for sound as it comes straight from a record, tuner or CD. You amplify the sound, shape it with graphic equalizers, and process it through expanders or noise reduction systems. So why settle for video images as they come off a videocassette? With Akai Audio! | Video Systems you don’t have to. We take picture quality as seriously as sound quality Take, for example, the SS-V20U Audio/Video Selector. It can run the most , sophisticated A/V systems, handling up to six video components with three sets of inputs and outputs for video recorders and three inputs for other video sources. And Akai lets you keep track of what you're doing without having to run back to the main set: there’s a 414” diagonal color monitor with speaker built right in. Switchable external processor loops open your system’s door to the widest range of performance-enhancing equipment, including PCM processors, graphic equalizers, and Audio/Video Processors like our PS-V20U-B. With Color Correction, Chroma Cut, Video Stabilizer, Audio Mixer and Dynamic Noise Reduction, Akai’s PS-V20U is acomponent for the serious videophile. Much more’ than a mere sharpness control, the Image Enhancer circuit restores image quality and | Akai Division, Mitsubishi Electric Sales America, Inc., 225 Old New Brunswick Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 | For the location of your nearest Akai dealer, call Toll-Free 1-800-421-1140 |

SS-V20U-B Audio/Video Selector strengthens contours by overlaying a delayed signal on the original. In sum, you can minimize the loss of image quality during copying, restore old tapes, and create post- production effects that are truly “special” _ Akaieven builds a high-performance Audio/Video Distributor, the DLV5-B, for a multiple editing systems or multi-room installation. You can connect up to 5 VIRs or separate monitors. Which monitor is up to the calibre of this system? The 26-inch diagonal CT-A267-B, the picture of video fidelity. Specially-engineered phosphors and Automatic Picture Lati- tude Circuitry render colors with unsurpassed accuracy. It doesn’t take much to put a hi-fi and a TV together ina see cabinet and call it an Audio/Video system. To build a real criusioideo System:theAkal = = AU dio/Video system, it takes Akai. Where audio and video are one.

FEATURES ae HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 51 52 HEY, BIG SPENDER 58 VCRs, camcorders and TVs for your favorite videophile. By Murray Slovick 63 67 GADGETS FOR GROWNUPS 69 Attachments, add-ons and extras to make your home tapes sparkle. By Myron Berger 71 | VIDEO GAMES BOUNCE BACK 75 Atari, Sega and Nintendo challenge a new generation of joystick junkies. By Lou Kesten 78 VCR STUFFERS | Affordable tapes to solve last-minute gift dilemmas. By Mark Fleischmann 85 DIAL V FOR VIDEO 95 Video telephones are finally becoming affordable. By Frank Vizard 97 STANLEY KUBRICK’S DISTURBING VISIONS A close-up of the Bronx expatriate responsible for Dr. Strangelove, 2001 and Full Metal Jacket. By Richard Gehr READY, AIM, FIRE ; Point-and-shoot camcorders take the guesswork out of videotaping. By Martin Porter THE BIRTH OF THE VCR Invented in America, perfected in Japan. The story behind the machine that revolutionized viewing habits. By James Lardner PROGRAMMING REVIEWS Outrageous Fortune, Harry and the Hendersons, Tin Men, Hoosiers, Yellow Submarine, VIDEOTESTS Project X, Evil Dead 2, more DEPARTMENTS KIDVID/ Pro picks for the holidays DIRECTORY / The latest releases on tape and disc RCA CPR350 SUPER VHS CAMCORDER, 44 | Panasonic PV-4768 VHS HQ Hi-Fi VCR, Sony SL-HF860D Digital-Effects 6 | SuperBeta VCR, Sharp VC-D800U Digital-Effects VHS HQ Hi-Fi VCR. | By Berger-Braithwaite Labs 10 Cover: 14 Unwrap the latest in | CHANNEL ONE / A banner year 16 agenadr, logwa-dpgreitsc,ed Steaepess | FEEDBACK / Letters from readers 28 whiotlhidaoyur sescpteicoina.l P1h4o-tpoa-ge | LATE NEWS / £D Beta takes a bow 36 graph by Jay Brenner. 40 Video Magazine, GAZETTE / Matthew Broderick, Francis Ford Coppola, Crispin Glover, Dennis Hopper, 154 Volume XI, Number 9. Carol Burnett, more NEW PRODUCTS/ Panasonic§ Super VHS VCR and camcorders, Canon 8mm camcorder, more TECHNICALLY SPEAKING / Breaking the speed barrier CAMCORNER / Hot wheels for heavy gear OFF THE AJR / Service with a scowl 4 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

Great visual excitement. . . lightheaged, crazy, fantastic. Peter Miller, SKI WING FIRE & ICE, fresh from theatrical release, is practically and JOHN EAVES (six-time World Cup freestyle title holder). nonstop action. With only enough - va Wily Roger » Spectacular ski footage is accom- time out for some heavy breath- | () _ | panied by a high-powered sound ing between stars SUZY CHAFFEE (\\ y track featuring ALAN PARSONS (World Champion freestyle skier) aaah ee J PROJECT and GARY WRIGHT. smstnne JOHN EAVES ww SUZY CHAFFEE PG <=, warren BY WILLY BOGNER/ american version sy GEORGE SCHLATTER avo DIGBY WOLF oricisat music by HAROLD FALTERMAIER - GARY WRIGHT - PANARAMA - “DOWNHILL STUFF” # JOHN DENVER =torresyPETRA VON OELFFEN assoctare propuicers OLIVER STAHEL + KARL-HEINZ FAESSLER - GIOVANNI MAHLER - HUSSAIN NAJADI « tocarions: ASPEN « ASPEN HIGHLANDS - VAIL » SNOWBIRD ALTA - MAUI (USA); CARIBOOS (CANADA); KITZBUEHEL (AUSTRIA); ST. MORITZ (SWITZERLAND) proo-upuocroceranpnen ao pirecren by WILLY BOGNER A concorbE RELEASE © 1987 WILLY BOGNER FILM Gmb H A Production of Willy Bogner Film GmbH Munchen © MCMLXXXV All Rights Reserved AVAILABLE ON VIDEOCASSETTE AND LASER VIDEODISC DECEMBER 9, 1987 Artwork and Design © 1987 Nelson Entertainment Inc™ 335 North Maple Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90210 Printed in U.S.A. For additional information, circle No. 77 on Reader Service Card.

FOR SOME PEOPLE, 1987—A banner year NEXOCTEHPITNGTHCEOMLEASUGEHASS.Y... For innovations both evolutionary and revolutionary, 1987 is a year to remember. also starring The drama began in January with JVC’s surprise announcement of the new for- JEFF ALTMAN mat upgrade, Super VHS. By fall, S-VHS blank tapes, VCRs and camcorders were ROSEANNE BARR off the assembly lines and onto store shelves, along with TVs featuring the Y/C SAM KINISON connectors necessary to achieve the full benefit of Super VHS. Also in January, BOB NELSON Sony announced its enhanced subformat, Extended-Definition Beta. Equipment and tapes will be available in the United States by spring or summer '88. JERRY SEINFELD Meanwhile, driven partly by the specter of a Super VHS-supplied picture ROBERT TOWNSEND whose quality is better than broadcast, the race to find an acceptable high definition TV system (with a horizontal resolution of 1,000 lines or more) shifted into high AVAILABLE gear. Europe’s D2-Mac system debuted in Germany in October, while Japan’s pub- ON VIDEOCASSETTE lic TV network, NHK, announced it would begin broadcasting in its high-definition MUSE system in 1989. Also in early October, in an apparent attempt to head off CSFaRi7Ncoaieond9enr.rfdacdvoild.irteecmireaotniaoln, ORION U.S. adoption of these or other HD systems, NBC and GE/RCA announced they would broadcast Advanced Compatible Television (ACTV) by 1989. (See this HOME VIDEO issue’s “Late News.”) ©1987 Orion Home Video, All Rights Reserved. Beyond such changes, and their enormous implications, 1987 saw an unusually © 1986 Paper Clip Productions, inc. All Rights Reserved. high number of technical advances: monitors with better resolution, VCRs with new digital enhancements, TVs with more sophisticated stereo and surround Rodney Dangerfield Photo by Barbara Waltz/Onyx, sound, sharper LCD TVs and camcorders with high-speed shutters. There were other “firsts,” such as Panasonic’s bar code programmer and Toshiba’s light pen VCR, Akai’s Quick Start VCRs, a $1,000 electronic still camera from Casio and even a camcorder for kids. There were the usual red herrings, too. Last January, Samsung introduced, in prototype, a small camcorder using 4 mm DAT cassettes for video pictures. The company has yet to deliver. In mid-year, preceded by much fanfare, came CD-Vid- eo. Its peculiar combination of five minutes of audio/video followed by 20 minutes of audio (at exorbitant prices for both discs and players) elicited more boos than bravos—and very few discs to support it. Clearly, however, the year was a feast for videophiles. This month’s issue re- flects that, with a holiday menu of some of the year’s most appealing video treats. Next month, we’ll be back with our annual picks of the year’s best equipment, pre-recorded tapes and discs. So stay tuned! BFARRIBEADRMAN 6 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

— Ournew4T TV looks so gc WVexe (<Yoi(s(veheve kale aime | Introducing the Sony KPR-41DS1 Designer Series VVaTikel eaValiecscom o)[ct ql0)0) s of ou Videoscope” projection TV. With brightness that rivals improved color phospho t-focusing .. ., .direct-view TV monitor/receivers. And styling that design of our black-tint two-layer screen, t delivers a * “leaves most of them far behind. . panoramic view from up to a full 160. fat wy ti TY The KPR-41DS1 is designed to project a whole new The full Sony Videoscope line starts with the image. With sleek compact lines. Charcoal gray cabinetry. beauty you see here—which comes with a matching, - Marble black accent. Dual stereo speaker systems, and top-mounting Video Caddy™ shelf for your VCR. And full-function remote control. extends to space-saving models in a variety. of styles ‘But that’s all we can show you here. When you see it and finishes. inaction, you'll appreciate much more. - They all look so good that even when they're off, ‘” ‘The sharpness of up to 500-line horizontal resolution they'll turn you on. with direct video input. The performance of Liquid Videoscope.. SONY Cooled/Coupled picture tubes—a Sony invention. The ao me fe vi © 1987 Sony Corporation of America marks of Sony. Sony, Videoscope and Video Caddy are For additional information, circle No. 78 on Reader Service Card

“A terrific film...a ‘10’ on the Franklin Scale.” VIDEO —Gary Franklin magazine Betrayal. Bloodshed. | Bonnie Bedelia Nick Mancuso President and Managing Director, Jay Rosenfield Acclaimed actors Bonnie Bedelia (“Heart Like a Wheel,” “Violets Are Editor-in-Chief, Judith H. Sawyer Blue,” “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?”) and Nick Mancuso (“Heart- Managing Editor, Stan Pinkwas breakers,” “Ticket To Heaven,” TV's “Stingray”) star in this powerful and Technical Editor, Lancelot Braithwaite provocative psychological drama, one of the premiere projects of Senior Editor, Programming, Ira Robbins Associate Editor, Lou Kesten Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute. Assistant Editors, Adam Philips, Dan Wishnoff Grace McKenzie, a newly ordained female minister, and Angel, a Contributing Editors: Bob Angus, Ivan Berger, Bob Brewin, Steve Daly (Directory), Mark strangely charismatic cult leader, become reluctantly involved and form Fleischmann, Frank Lovece, Marianne Meyer an uneasy alliance when Grace’s daughter mysteriously vanishes. Amid (Kidvid), Timothy Onosko, Wolf Schneider, Murray Slovick, Roderick Woodcock deceit, betrayal and a soul-searching quest for the reasons behind the Editorial Assistant, Lily Schwartzberg girl’s disappearance, the two adversaries eventually come to respect one another—even as their relationship advances toward a tragic, violent, Design Consultant, Steve Phillips Design, Inc. Art Director, Lonnie Heller yet inevitable conclusion. Associate Art Director, Kristina Juzaitis Engrossing, thought-provoking and thoroughly captivating, DEATH Art Assistant, Pat Griswold Production Manager, James LoGrasso OF AN ANGEL will haunt your memories long after it’s over. Production Assistant, Lisa Harvey Typesetting, Janet M. Holland Coming soon on Videocassette Publisher, Debra E. Halpert ©Copyright 1987 New Star Vice President, Circulation & Special Projects, FcSaRi7NCooidne5aenr.rdfacdiovld.trieeimcroaentailon, Rena Adler Circulation Director, Joseph Muccigrosso Circulation Assistant, Simon Schatzmann Financial Officer, Albert Mineo Business Manager, Janette Evans Assistant to the President, Gabriel Macari National Advertising Director, Eric C. Schwartz Promotion Director, Luanne Rao East Coast Sales, Beth Cahill, Linda DeRogatis Classified Sales, Donna Josephs Midwest Sales, Milton Gerber West Coast Sales, Jill Harris; Advertising Assistant, Terry Kite Ad Coordinator, Mary Au National Editorial & Sales: 460 West 34 Street, N.Y., NY 10001; (212) 947-6500 Midwest Sales Office: Gerber & Associates, 1309 North Rand Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60004; (312) 253-7500 West Coast Sales Office: 16661 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA 91436; (818) 905-5303 COMMUNICATIONS I @& NCORPORAED VIDEO (ISSN 0147-8907) is published monthly by Reese Communications Inc., 460 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001. Second-class postage paid at New York, NY and additional Mailing office. © 1987 by Reese Communications Inc. All rights reserved. © under Universal, International, and Pan American Copyright Conventions, Reproduction of editorial or Pictorial content in any manner is prohibited. Single copy price $1.95; $2.50 in Canada; £2.00 Sterling in U.K. One-year subscription (12 issues) $12.00; Canada $16.00 U.S.; foreign, air mail, $37.00 U.S. Address subscription orders, change of address, correspondence and inquiries to: VIDEO, P.O. Box 56293, Boulder, Colorado 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, P.0. Box 56293, Boulder, Colorado 80322-6293 8 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

LOOKING FOR GOOD MOVIES? OWN ANY THREE, JUST 49 EACH. PLUS SHIPPING/HANDLING WITH MEMBERSHIP BLOCKBUSTERS FUNNY LADY 1850092 4 HOLLYWOOD’S JAWS 7000082 RETURN OF THE JEDI 3547042 2168042 BEND » ’ GREATEST 4005032 SCARFACE (1983) THE STING GHOSTBUSTERS ? 4742012 BLADE RUNNER 3104092 FDEARYRIOSFFBUELLER’S Ss & TCHITEIZAEFNRIKCAANNE QUEEN = 05551011002322 4273022 TTHHEE BBLRUEEASKFABSRTOTHCELRUSB 22111187103622 THE KARATE KID II : 1894072 DUCK SOUP 1024002 ALIENS THE DEER HUNTER 2124152 REBECCA 0664072 3609092 DOUBLE INDEMNITY 2104012 PEGGY SUE GOT TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD 1022282 3629052 MUSICALS MARRIED THE GLENN MILLER 2130092 HLIOTRTRLEORSSHOP OF 6279092 STORY 2132072 TTHOER MMAUN CH KNEW “DUNDEE © THE GODFATHER I 2114092 TPURPLE VERTIGO 2136032 wa SOUTH PACIFIC 3506112 4297042 6301032 0018422 hoes orsae ne THE ome OF OKLAHOMA! 0054052 1 GODFATHER SNERY WINE setae 0039212 MY FAIR LADY 3507022 0008512 STAR WARS 0564162 | BODY HEAT 6020032 | THE WAY WE WERE 1529002 | MAD MAX: THE BEDROOM WINDOW 4942032 TORN CURTAIN 2135042 | THE BIG CHILL 1527022 | STRIPES 3630022 WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE | 5601022 | THE RIGHT STUFF 6043062 | APASSAGETO INDIA 1513162 |BEYOND THUNDERDOME 6089012 | BLACK WIDOW BEVERLY HILLS COP 2013272 * 1741002 |THE DAY THE EARTH 1209072 LEGAL EAGLES 2053102 | STAR TREK Il— 2131082 WUTHERING HEIGHTS 3126032 | STOOD STILL THE NAME OF 1027072 TNHAETIOKNAARLATELAMKIPDOON'S 2102032 _|THE WRATH OF KHAN |A VIEWTO A KILL 0989052 | PRIZZI'S HONOR 0576042 _| THE ROSE 1710092 | OPUEET OF AFRICA |TBHEECRGAOZDYS MUST 4802022 | THE BIRDS 0910092 ANIMAL HOUSE WEES 7340042__| THE NATURAL ¥ 1649052 ||TSHTERIKEEMSPIRBEACK 3617172 STAR TREK— PLACES IN THE HEART 0978082 THE MOTION PICTURE 2116072 2115082 BIG ADVENTURE 6098002 GUNG HO 4225012 THE GRADUATE 3103002 THE FLY (1986) 2128032 is RISKY BUSINESS 6033082 __| THE ROAD WARRIOR 5502022 | BRAZIL 2016162 2035132 _| MASH {iz BONNIE & CLYDE 6028052 __|_KING KONG (ORIGINAL) 2134052 6072002 _| TRADING PLACES 2017152 __| SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE + 013292 0002322 | JAGGED EDGE 1813052 |MY BEAUTIFUL 5149012 | SCOAUMLELOMTAN LAUNDRETTE 5660020073222__2| __| STHTEARSETARREKCHIlFOR SPOCK WESTERNS A ROOM WITH A VIEW 3615012 THE SEVEN SAMURAI 3108052 REAR WINDOW DUEL IN THE SUN 7341032 | SUPERMAN 0013132__| PSYCHO HIGH NOON 4016042 THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING DR. STRANGELOVE * 1521082 BLONDE VENUS FORT APACHE 5526042 0858032__| 0012142 | THOROUGHLY MODERN BLAZING SADDLES TPHAELE MRAINDERWHO sia TTHHEE MSUESAIRCCHEMRASN 661104207402 12| NSOTTAOGREICOOUASCH 07516173123522] TMAIILL-IPEAN 27198525006027 SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE 2092052 THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL 3225032 __| MAD MAX 7109052 [ae WHITE, areata Ae BLUE VELVET 5150072 | REBEL WITHOUT STAY SLIM 5162032 TOP HAT 0029752 | A CAUSE 6101132__| THE AWFUL TRUTH 7855042 ACTION/ADVENTURE LOST HORIZON 1916012 MARNIE 2133062 __| ONE CRAZY SUMMER 6276042 DRAGNET 2105002 HEARTBREAK RIDGE 6289172 FANNY & ALEXANDER 3112092 FAMILY FARE wnt PATTON 0043092 FROM HERE TO CuaRLorte's RIVERARG 0894092 Oka ee 4a27es THE BOY WHO COULD FLY 5146042 ROMANCING THE STONE Wi 1810082 6017082 4269082 WILD STRAWBERRIES 3514032 DIRTY HARRY DOCTOR DOOLITTLE 0732212 ROUND MIDNIGHT 6295012__| |_KSIPSISDEORF WTOHEMAN YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES | 4218002 POUND PUPPIES 7902042 JANE FONDA’S 5112042 | FUNNY GIRL SUPERMAN 0013132 NEW WORKOUT 3671032 |TOOTSIE 3187092 SMAULRVPAHDYO'RS LAW —| s4e87r9i00e2 JEWEL OF THE NILE 3553052 | POLICE ACADEMY THE MUPPETS TAKE COCOON 1511002 _| THE HUSTLER 0939062 MANHATTAN 0923042 THE BRIDGE ON THE HELLO DOLLY 7509042 | JANE FONDA’S HEIDI 0565072 RIVER KWAI 1606062 |ASOLDIERS STORY * ANNIE 1516052 GIANT 6080002__| TERMS OF ENDEARMENT 6049002 | LOW IMPACT AEROBICS 5139032 41151144005722 ___|| TTHREUEKIGLRLIITNG FIELDS 0609052 | CLHEISSLEDRRENGODOFA 4294072 THE CARE BEARS 1862052 WLIATWNREESNSCE OF ARABIA 6082082 _| CHARIOTS OF FIRE 1733022__| 3636062 AN AMERICAN TAIL =MOVIE II GREMLINS 2014182 | PROJECT X ; * 2028122 | THE MORNING AFTER 5152052 2184042 CHARLOTTE’S WEB 6084062 | JUMPIN’ JACK FLASH 3627072 6014012 __| CRIMES OF THE HEART 5153042 2095022 * NOT AVAILABLE IN BETA. Now you can own any three Advance Selection box in coupon.) Club works. If you’re not satisfied, to order. Just call 24-hours a day: movies here for just $2.49 each (plus About every four weeks (up to return everything within 10 days for ]. 800-CBS-4804 shipping/handling) with member- a full, prompt refund with no further (in Indiana 1-800-742-1200), Or mail ship in the CBS Video Club! Movies 13 times a year) we'll send you our obligation. the coupon. for less than the price of movie CBS Video Club Magazine, review- creditF3 orcarfdastaenrd soeurrvicteo,llH -furseee your tickets, less than the price of most ing our Director’s Selection plus number 1400 NoCrtBh SFruitrVidgIe ADveEnueO, TerrCe LHauUte,BIN 47811 rentals, and they’re yours for keeps! many alternate movies. Up to four times a year you may also receive CBS VIDEO CLUB Advance Selection Choose from the best, too. Special Selection offers, usually SAVE UP TO $60 MORE— Return of the Jedi, Charlotte’s Web at a discount off regular Club 1400 North Fruitridge Avenue and more. There’s no membership prices, for a total of up to 17 buying HAVE LESS TO BUY LATER! fee, and you don't have to buy a lot opportunities. Dept. BC3, P.O. Box 1111, Terre Haute, IN 47811 of movies. Order a fourth movie now for only $19.95— CHOOSE FROM HUNDREDS Yes, please enroll me in the CBS Video Club and your membership obligation is Just buy five more within the OF HIT MOVIES under the terms outlined in this advertisement. next two years. The movies you As a member, I need buy just five more movies immediately reduced (you then need buy order will be mailed and billed As a member, you'll always only 4 more, instead of 5). at regular Club prices, which have a wide range of choices. If at regular Club prices within the next two years. currently range from $29.95 to you want the Director’s Selection, Just fill in the number of your first selection $79.95, plus shipping and handling. don't do a thing. It will arrive auto- Send me these # below, and add $19.95, plus $1.50 shipping/ (Extra-long films and specials may matically. If you prefer an alternate 3 movies for $2.49 each handling, to your $10.47 payment. cost a bit more.) title, or none at all, just return the card provided by the date plus $3.00 shipping/ BONUS PLAN—SAVE 50% specified. handling (that’s $10.47) After buying five movies at You'll always have two full regular Club prices in the next two weeks to decide. (If you ever re- ## years, you can cancel. Or stay with ceive a movie without having had a us and save even more under our full two weeks to decide, send it Check one: 1 VHS (1 BETA X44/X46 current Bonus Plan. With each back at our expense.) There’s a toll- Please check how paying: X45/X47 movie you buy, the plan currently free number to call if you have any C My check is enclosed. allows you to help yourself to an- questions or service requests. C) Charge my introductory movies and future Club purchases to: other movie of equal value or less at 50% off. (And you can save as much Join today and we'll send your MasterCard (Diners Club O American Express (] VISA as $60 more right now—see the three movies for just $2.49 each along with more details on how the Account # Expiration Date Signature Name Phone ( ) Address City State Zip Note: CBS Video Club reserves the right to reject any application or cancel any membership. st--oo4ntrrOffer limited to continental U.S. (excluding Alaska) and Canada. Canadian residents will be serviced from Toronto (offer may vary). Applicable sales tax added to all orders. V72/F87

FEEDBAGK Raising the standard enough. Some tape store owners are try- generational loss when editing from one tape ing to drive Beta out of the market by to another. These switches remove a low- Judith Sawyer’s “Forcing a New Standard” offering kickbacks to owners of Beta ma- pass filter from the video output, allowing slightly higher frequencies to be recorded. (“Channel One,” Oct. ’87) hits the nail on chines who decide to opt for the VHS for- Thus the output signal shows a lower loss mat. You should report on some of these when re-recorded. the head. We should be working right now scams, including this one. As long as con- sumers are under the impression that Mail order heroes to establish a new high-definition TV stand- pre-recorded Beta tapes are becoming scarce, no amount of of coverage will keep With regard to Doug Garr’s “Stock Split- ard. The longer we wait, the more it will Beta in the running. ting Cam Scams” (‘‘Off the Air,” July 87), I thought you would like to know there are cost. Alan Bronstein Alan Koontz also some good guys out there. I tele- Berkeley Springs, W. Va. phoned ten mail order houses for a cam- Elkins Park, Penn. corder and was about to give up. I then called Camera World in Portland, Oregon Asking for a broadcasting standard as good Many report the declining sales of Beta and was sold what I wanted, at the price | as HDTV is not enough. If those who es- wanted, and it was delivered two days lat- tablished the current standard did not leave pre-recorded movies as if it’s startling er. No fuss, no bait and switch and I didn’t room for improvements beyond the tech- have to pay my outrageous local sales tax. nology then available, we would not now news. With VHS-only rental stores every- have color or MTS. We need a new stand- H. Lon Harper ard that allows at least a 50 percent in- where, and suggested prices of Beta titles Houston, Tex. crease in capability beyond that available from current technology and that is fully between $79.95 and $99.95, those among Timer burnout compatible with current technology. us who want to buy Beta cannot afford to. I IownaJVC HR-D570U VCR and its clock Jan R. Harrington loses a full minute a month. You reviewed urge the studios to consider the over 12 and praised it (“Videotests,” May ’87) for New York, N.Y. its video and audio performance. Ijust wish million Beta VCRs in use in the United you had tested its clock. I do a lot of de- layed program timer recording, so an accu- States today, and lower the prices of Beta rate clock is a must. It burns me up that I spent almost $1,000 for a top-of-the-line titles so consumers will be able to support VCR with a clock like the kind I might buy for $1.98 to stick on my car’s dashboard. Looking good this format. Wes Bartley Robert H. Bosma I enjoyed the new look of your September Mobile, Ala. Hyattsville, Md. issue immensely. Then came the October issue and it was even better. The redesign You’re not the only one with that thought: Corrections makes the entire magazine look rejuvenat- ed. The sealed section of adult advertising Paramount Home Video has just an- eThe price for Drake’s PRC/U Universal is a very good idea. Yours is the first publi- nounced a ceiling on all future Beta releases remote control in “One for All and All in cation I’ve seen to use it. It shows that you of $29.95. One” (Oct. ’87) should have read $119.95. genuinely care about your readers. e“Cassette Rentals” and “Cassette Sales” Buttons, buttons in October’s “Top 10s” were inadvertantly M. Craig Rutherford reversed: the rental column showed sales Scarborough, Ontario, Canada Roderick Woodcock notes in “Technically and the sales column showed rentals. # Speaking” (Sept. ’87) that he recently ac- I was pleasantly surprised to find the adult quired a JVC HR-D756 VCR in addition to Video Magazine welcomes your comments. his Sony HF-900 Betamax and Toshiba M- Please include a phone number, but not a advertising in a sealed section in your Oc- 5900 VCRs _ and has found magic buttons self-addressed envelope with your letter as on all three machines which appear to do the volume of mail does not permit replies. tober ’87 issue. It’s a creative way to han- the same thing. He dubs them all “edit All letters may be edited for clarity and switches.” This is misleading. An edit space. Address correspondence to Feedback, dle the tastes and values of a variety of switch allows for the immediate, complete Video Magazine, 460 West 34 Street, New removal of a part of the signal encoded on York, NY 10001. readers. Wayne G. Detweiler the tape. It seems out of place to refer to Toshiba’s “high picture switch” and JVC’s Nashville, Tenn. “dub mode switch” as “edit switches” when they have nothing to do with editing. About your so-called new look: no thanks. Please call them by their given names. Vid- Save us from designers who make every- eo equipment is confusing enough as it is. thing look good and work bad. Video Maga- zine is supposed to be read, not just gazed Christopher Thomas at. More information please. New Fairfield, Conn. Edward Claymore The confusion here is the result of different San Francisco, Calif. manufacturers calling edit switches by dif- ferent names. Dubbing is the normal mode Beta conspiracy? of editing. The “dub mode switch” and the “high picture switch” are both used to reduce I observed in Video Magazine’s January 1987 issue that you “hoped” Beta would catch up with VHS. But hope is not 10 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

Whether \"Tis Better To Give Or Receive IsA Tough Decision a ___ al 1| . | ly LONGER VERSION i Yi ces = t ae ~ XOUNG, THE MOTION PICTURE BIEVIERI-vsAILS ‘ Your Pavgere Movies On Wdenerscce Beverly Hills Cop * Clue® * D.A.R.Y.L. * Explorers * 48 HRS. * Gung Ho ° Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom™ Irving Berlin’s White Christmas * Nutcracker: The Motion Picture * Paramount Comedy Theater, Vol. I- Well-Developed * Pretty In Pink Raiders Of The Lost Ark™ * Star Trek®: The Motion Picture * Star Trek® II: The Wrath of Khan * Star Trek® III: The Search For Spock Summer Rental * The Red Shoes * Windham Hill —Seasons * Witness * Young Sherlock Holmes +19E?ACH itVHS Beta The greatest performer iin the business.™ Price is suggested retail and higher in Canada. fAi-fi &TCP1RA¢loi9Miaelrc8grspt7hae.uCSPPioTTRtarmstofrierasarevocgarpskteuid.audnsermtemoesaurrnekdt For additional information. circle No. 10 on Reader Service Card.

Monumental Pioneer's Revolutionary 40” Projection Monitor ‘To go into all the reasons why the Lenticular Screen result in dazzling, new Pioneer SD-P401 is the best projec- tion monitor you can buy would require a true-to-life color. great deal of engineering explanation... You may gather from all this that we Anexplanation of what our Dynam- take video very seriously at Pioneer. So that you can have the finest picture ever ic Focus circuit, Interlace Optimizer seen ona projection monitor. With black- circuit, Time Compression Border er blacks, whiter whites. Greater contrast Correction circuit and Wideband Comb Filter do to give you video with 560 lines and truer color. Plus the sharpest picture horizontal and 400 lines vertical resolu- tion—pictures so sharp you can practical- you've ever seen, period. Pictures as lycount the blades of grass in ameadow. bright and sharp and clear when seen way off to the side as they are when Or just how our Direct-Coupled viewed straight-on. Liquid-Cooled Lens System, Single The SD-P401 is of course fully cable- Front-Surface Mirror Dynamic Picture capable. Stereo-capable too, with its Optimizer, 160mm Power Lenses and MTS decoder It has all the inputs and Super High Voltage CRI’s work together outputs needed for the most complex to yield a once-unreachable 350 foot- A/V system. And it’ only 23 inches deep. lamberts of brightness. Ifyoure impressed with what went Or how our High Voltage Stabiliza- into this monitor, you'll be doubly tion circuit, Dynamic Gamma Circuitry delighted to see what comes out of it. So and Dynamic Black Level Correction see the SD-P401 at your Pioneer dealer circuit deliver superior contrast, contrast today, and see for yourself why this big so startling you’ve never seen the likes of picture istoday’s revolution in high itbefore. resolution. For more information, call Or why our Color Noise Reduction circuit and Double-Sided Black Matrix 1-800- 421-1404. d) PIONEER Not Evolutionary, Revolutionary, ©1987 Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., Long Beach,CA Actual closed-circuit picture shown. For additional information, circle No. 65 on Reader Service Card.



LATE NEWSEDITED BY STAN PINKWAS TV/CDeluxe: Sony's KV-27AVR TV has a CD player 1,050, doubling vertical resolution, in the in the middle of the right hand compartment. 5:3 aspect ratio used for most wide-screen films. Today’s TVs use a 4:3 ratio. NBC sats ACTV will be compatible with the NTSC standard and deliver clearer, shar- per pictures. An early look at an ACTV demonstration in Ottawa showed a test pattern resolution of 440 horizontal lines and a picture quality about the same as Super VHS. Bellcore, short for Bell Communica- tions Research, plans to digitally transmit TV programs to broadcast customers in early 1989 using fiber optics to distribute the signals. The experiment represents a radical departure from the current method of transmission, which uses satellites to distribute analog signals. ABC and Fox Broadcasting will participate in Bellcore’s eight-city test, which includes Los Ange- les, New York, Atlanta, Boston, Washing- . : ton D.C., St. Louis, Minneapolis and Indi- - a anapolis. Tubes with a er records and plays back flickerless 3D ED takes a bow difference—and a CD videos. The 3.7-pound machine uses twin “microcamera heads” with twin 300,000- Extended-Definition Beta, Sony’s answer Proving again that too much is never pixel CCD sensors to shoot two pictures to Super VHS, finally has a U.S. arrival enough, Sony is introducing Trinitron TVs simultaneously, one for each eye, effec- date: sometime next summer. An ED Beta with picture tubes measuring 45 and 34 tively doubling the number of scanning camcorder may accompany two VCRs. inches diagonally—in addition to a unique fields from 60 to 120. The first ED Beta decks, recently 27-inch set with a built-in CD player. The launched in Japan, have 500 lines of hori- 45-inch TV, due in about a year, will weigh The 3D-CAM plays back the in-depth zontal resolution and Y/C jacks and cost 250 pounds and cost about $14,000. It’s images directly on a double-scan TV or $1,331 and $2,077. The high-end model intended for public spaces rather than liv- through an ordinary VCR with an adapter adds digital effects and a full menu of edit- ing rooms. Not so the 34-inch Family Ster- to process the 3D images. The camcorder ing features. New ED-Metal vid- eo TV, which should migrate stateside late comes with liquid crystal diode glasses that eotape—costing $20 and $25 for one- and in 1988 after debuting this month in Japan synchronize the rapid pulse of double im- two-hour cassettes—will accompany the for about $2,350. The junior giant comes ages so that a viewer sees only one at a equipment. with Y/C jacks for Super VHS and Extend- time, alternately with each eye. This cre- ed-Definition Beta as well as what Sony ates an illusion of depth. Toshiba hopes to ‘Platoon’ takes a hit describes as “new” picture and color cir- bring in the consumer version for under cuitry. It weighs 160 pounds. $2,100. A release date has not yet been The Platoon reversal we warned about in announced. The TV/CD—the first we’ve heard October’s “Late News” has come to pass. about—debuted in Japan just before it ar- Beefing up broadcasts rived for sale here. It features a Trinitron A federal court barred HBO from shipping Microblack monitor in a console design, Announcements by NBC and Bellcore, the stereo TV and FM tuners and a $2,300 research arm of the regional phone compa- 350,000 copies of Platoon to stores around price tag. nies, lend weight to a growing belief that the next video revolution—high quality the country just as the trucks were due to 3D’s new dimension program transmission—is gathering mo- mentum. NBC’s bid, made with the David roll. Vestron Video, which is suing Pla- Shoot-it-yourself 3D is finally a reality. It Sarnoff Research Center, is an enhanced will be for professionals at first—and con- broadcast standard called Advanced Com- toon’s maker, Hemdale Films, over rights sumers later—but Toshiba says its forth- patible Television (ACTV), which promis- coming 3D-CAM VHS-Compact camcord- es to boost the present 525 scan lines to to the epic, obtained the injunction—which also ordered HBO to recall unsold copies of Hoosiers, At presstime, Hemdale and HBO were still fighting the injunction. If your rental store has Platoon as you're reading this, you’ll know they won. ia 14 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

Lots Of People Work The Graveyard Shift... Cops Firemen Waitresses Cab Drivers favirelVampires. ARNOLD H. BRUCK Evite STEPHEN R. FLAKS, in association with CINEMA VENTURES, INC. presentsa LIGHTSHOW COMMUNICATIONS piosuction oo GRAVEYARD SHIFT Starring SILVIO OLIVIERO, HELEN PAPAS ana CLIFF STOKER Associate Producers PETER BOBORAS, RICHARD BORCHIVER Music by NICHOLAS PIKE Edited by ROBERT BERGMAN and NORMAN SMITH Director of Cinematography ROBERT BERGMAN Supervising producer LESTER BERMAN ; Executive producers TAN al @) FB) ise BRUCK and STEPHEN ie FLAKS Produced by MICHAEL BOCKNER written and directed by GERARD CICCORITTI FRR mera aera vis 5 F ¥ PARENT OR ADULT GUARDIAN }@® Pyi-fij AVAILABLE ON VIDEOCASSETTE AND LASERDISC JANUARY 27, 1988 VHS, Beta #70011 Hl1/0 (ed ‘BJTUaJ4PUad/O0GelaOpI4Ul~uNeNDO1OJaA9NeYNSIUyPUOPJeU! © 1986 Cinema Ventures, Inc. Artwork and Design © 1987 Virgin Vision Inc.™ Los Angeles, CA 90077 ate VISION

GAZETTE__EDITED BY IRA ROBBINS AND ADAM PHILIPS Point and Shoot: Richard Donner (left) directs Mel Gibson in ‘Lethal: Weapon.’ Lethal Weapon’s less a life, worth a stunt. Believe me, I’m movies on the big screen first. overly protective of my cast and crew.” “J don’t have the video market in mind top gun One of the highlights is the bloody cli- when Imake a movie. I’ve always felt that if mactic brawl between Gibson and | a film was made for the theater, I’d like to Gary Busey. Donner recalls, “I really hat- | see it first that way. Then ifIwant to study “T never thought in a million years we'd ed the fight scene that we first shot. It it, I'll get the tape.” Donner does admit have a film this big,” explains Lethal Weap- looked too choreographed. It lacked spon- that video can be a boon to lost films, like on director Richard Donner. “But I knew taneity. So we decided to do it all over his own Inside Moves. “Ladyhawke was the film felt different. It wasn’t just another again. What I wanted was an old-fash- a film of mine that never made it big in the- buddy film. There’s a special relationship ioned free-for-all. We pretty much impro- aters, yet a lot of people saw it at home.” vised the whole thing. The fight was also Regarding the controversial process of between Mel [Gibson] and Danny [Glover] very symbolic. Mel was really fighting with on screen.” himself. At the start of the film, he had no colorizing black & white movies, Donner has a surprising opinion. “I know this isn’t It also has some spectacular stunt respect for life, not even his own. At the a very popular thing to say, but if work. The car crashes and helicopter an- tics look especially dangerous. “Remem- end, he gives this crazed killer back his life, people will see movies they otherwise ber, we’re illusionists,” says the man who if he’s willing to fight for it.” would have never seen, then it’s worth it. also directed The Omen and Superman. While Donner is understandably excit- As long as they’re not touching the original, “The stunts in Lethal Weapon were very ed about Lethal Weapon hitting home vid- it doesn’t bother me.” —Lowell Goldman carefully planned. There’s not a limb, much Valse ae fea aiitasa0 Yi 16 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

Broderick’s Clocking In: primate project Francis Coppola brings his directorial magic to Faerie Tale Theater's ‘Rip Van Winkle.’ When Matthew Broderick was first in- troduced to his ProjectX co-star, “He took my hand and put his face on it.” Such a greeting might be considered gauche, even by Hollywood standards but, Broderick explains, “Chimps have to get used to your smell first,” so no one complained. Arthur, the original chimp signed to play opposite Broderick, “peaked too ear- ly” and was replaced by a younger, more docile understudy. All told, this adventure about cruel military experimentation on chimps and one airman’s attempt to save them required 16 simians, each of whom had a separate trainer. Their spoken com- mands during the action made it necessary to dub the dialogue later. “It was distract- ing,” admits the actor. “I guess it helped improve my concentration.” The 25-year-old has mostly played teenagers up to now—the clean-cut high school hacker in WarGames, the wisecracking student con-man in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, a South African youth in Francis Coppola, years, Coppola reinterprets Rip as an video godfather American mystic and early environmen- Master Harold and the Boys—so he’s talist. In many ways, Francis Coppola is the pleased at the transition to an adult role. “I godfather of video. Long before anyone in One important visual experiment Cop- Hollywood, he was experimenting with pola used involved the Catskill Mountains. liked playing somebody who had a whole electronic alternatives to traditional film “The point was to have the scenery and the techniques and openly proclaiming that vid- settings connect with the main ideas of the character built into him. He goes through a eo would inevitably replace celluloid com- story,” Coppola says, “almost as if the sce- pletely. real change, from beginning to end.” nery were a character. We have one Only recently, however, Coppola scene, for instance, where Rip is out there With his next project, a film of Neil found the opportunity to direct specifically sleeping on the mountain and, since he’s for television, using video as the medium cold, you see the whole mountain shiver. Simon’s Biloxi Blues, nearing release, for Rip Van Winkle, the final entry in Shel- To pull that off, we used a new technology ley Duvall’s widely acclaimed Faerie Tale that enabled us to have simultaneous per- Broderick’s career is on hold, pending the Theatre. Televised on cable earlier this year, and now available (with the rest of spectives from three cameras. You see a resolution of manslaughter charges facing the series) on home video, Coppola’s effort lot of depth, but it’s an illusion created by is one of the most innovative Faerie Tales the technology.” him in Ireland. He was driving a car which and a true work of art. There are other unusual special effect was involved in a fatal accident there earli- “I saw that Shelley was doing excellent sequences, but Coppola’s masterful sense stuff,” Coppola says. “I also saw that it was of visual design and rich use of video color er this year. —Jami Bernard a quicker, less expensive way of doing tele- are equally striking. “It was an attempt to vision. So when the chance arrived, I was make nice-looking television,” he com- Chimp Chat: very anxious to do it.” Featuring Harry ments. “To show people that TV looks so SCC.IOPMPOONLPAI:ETRI/SYGMA Matthew Broderick Dean Stanton as the indolent but good-na- ' simplistic, put side by side with cinema, not and his furry co- tured legend who goes to sleep for 20 because of the medium but because of the star in ‘Project X.’ way it’s produced. The Faerie Tale people have been on to it all along, but this was my chance to try it and do my best.” —Ric Gentry DECEMBER 1987 VIDEO 17

ioGAZETTE She’s the boss Objet Video The Woman Entrepreneur: Do You Have What It Takes? is something alto- gether different for United Entertainment, a company better known for horror films. The original production stars Dr. Robert Hisrich of the University of Tulsa and fea- tures several successful women—such as Lillian Vernon, who parlayed a $2,000 investment into a $137 million mail- order business bearing her name—who tell Potato Patch Dept.: Meet Telly Tater, 14 their stories. Hisrich also provides a quiz to inches of prime couch spud. We're not sure measure feelings of independence, control what it’s for, either. But those feeling the need and willingness to live a risky life. for such a viewing com- panion can write to The $24.95 video is based on the book Video Vegetable, Inc., Box 4107, Albany, NY The Woman Entrepreneur: Starting, 12204. Financing and Managing a Successful New 5. Jumpin’ Jack Flash (—) 1986. Business, which Hisrich co-authored with 106m. (R) $34.95. CBS/Fox. Candida Bush. —MF 6. Little Shop of Hor- ee rors (—) 1986. 93m. (PG-13) $34.98. TOP CASSETTE SALES 1987. 30m. $12.95. 1987. 107m. (PG-13) 7. Disney's Sing- Warner. 10s Lorimar. $79.98. Vestron. Alongs: Heigh-Ho! 1. An American Tail (9) 1987. 22m. (G) 7. Crimes of the (—) 1986. 81m. (G) 10. Sleeping Beauty 9. Over the Top (—_) $14.95. Disney. Heart (—) 1986. $29.95. MCA. (6) 1959. 75m. (G) 1986. 94m. (PG) 105m. (PG-13) $29.95. Disney. $89.95. Warner. 8. Here’s Pluto! (5) $36.95. Image. 2. Crocodile Dundee 1987. 30m. (G) (1) 1986, 98m. (PG) CASSETTE RENTALS 10. The Color Purple $14.95. Disney. 8. Round Midnight $29.95. (2) 1986. 154m. (—) 1986. 131m. (R) Paramount. 1. Crocodile Dundee (PG-13) $89.95. 9. Dumbo (7) 1941. $39.98. Warner. (—) 1986. 98m. Warner. 64m. (G) $29.95. 3. Callanetics (4) (PG) $29.95. Disney. 9. Hannah and Her 1986. 60m. $19.95. Paramount. KID VIDEO Sisters (1) 1986 MCA. 10. The Transform- 103m. (PG-13) 2. An American Tail 1. An American Tail ers: The Movie (—) $39.95. Image. 4. Jane Fonda’s Low (—) 1986. 81m. (G) (—) 1986. 81m. (G) 1986. 89m. (G) Impact Aerobic Work- $29.95. MCA. $29.95. MCA. $14.95. FHE. 10. Aliens (3) 1986. out (3) 1986. 50m. 138m. (R) $44.95. $39.95. Lorimar. 3. Black Widow (3) 2. Sleeping Beauty DISC SALES CBS/Fox. 1987. 106m. (R) (1) 1959. 75m. (G) 5. Top Gun (3) 1986. $79.95. CBS/Fox. $29.95. Disney. 1. Crocodile Dundee ‘Numbers in parentheses 110m. (PG) $26.95. (—) 1986. 98m. indicate position last month Paramount. 4. The Bedroom Win- 3. Here’s Mickey! (2) (PG) $29.95. dow (7) 1987. 112m. 1987. 30m. (G) Paramount. te 1987 by Billboard 6. Jane Fonda’s New (R) $79.98. Vestron. $14.95. Disney. Workout (7) 1985. 2. The Golden Child Ppuebrlmiiicsastiioonn.s. Reprinted by 90m. $39.95. 5. From the Hip (—) 4. Pinocchio (3) (—) 1986. 93m. Lorimar. 1986. 112m. (PG) 1940. 87m. (G) (PG-13) $29.95. $89.95. Lorimar. $29.95. Disney. Paramount. 7. Kathy Smith’s Body Basics (8) 6. Mannequin (—) 5. Here’s Donald! (4) 3. Top Gun (7) 1986. 1985. 60m. $29.95. 1987. 90m. (PG) 1987. 30m. (G) 110m. (PG) $29.95. JCI. $89.95. Media. $14.95. Disney. Paramount. 8. Here’s Mickey! (5) 7. The Mission (—) 6. Winnie the Pooh 4. The Mosquito 1987. 30m. (G) 1986. 125m. (PG) and a Day for Eeyore Coast (—) 1986. | $14.95. Disney. $89.95. Warner. (8) 1983. 25m. (G) 118m. (PG) $39.98. $14.95. Disney. Warner. 9. Playboy Video 8. Light of Day (—) Centerfold #6 (—) BELLISSIMO 18 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

nae ee fe ' ey i ie , Jungle combat. iitarmy deserters. Eelene He fire-power. Romantic love. | Richard Hatch (“Dynasty”; “Battlestar Galactica”) stars as a Vietnam Vet forced to fight| a lethal new war, thirteen years later. He returns in search of the woman he left behind. He finds a crazed army of old enemies, waiting to hunt him down with a vengeance. Tatcee Cl The blistering action never stops in “Heated ba” Ld : es Vengeance’ Hunt it down at your video store. a aae ny INf EA A MEDIA HOME a For additional information, circle No. 90 on Reader Service Card.

Split Personality: bly—adult (X-rated) video, which rose Willem Dafoe, star of ‘Platoon,’ has no prob- from 10 to 13 percent in the stores that lem playing good guys or bad guys. stocked it. VHS accounted for 93 percent of dollar volume in ’86, as against 84 in 1985; Beta continued to slide. The littler cassette’s drop into single-digit territory mirrored a similar decline in equipment sales reported by the Electronic Industries Association. Nearly all of VSDA’s members reported that sales (as opposed to rentals) rose last year. “The market for pre-recorded video- cassettes is shifting from rental to sales this year,” confirms David Rosen of Link Resources, a New York-based research service. Rosen predicts that, by 1990, cas- sette sales will generate 61 percent of the revenue from pre-recorded tapes at the retail level. —MF Walk this way Willem Dafoe dissect his roles too much. In fact, he all | Walking is the subject of a new videotape, plays the good, Stepping Out, sponsored by Sanka de- bad and ugly but disassociates himself from them. caffeinated coffee and co-produced by “Even now, when I talk about Platoon, Walking Magazine. Rita Moreno hosts the In Platoon, out on video this month, Willem tape and chairs (no pun intended) National Dafoe is a good guy—saintly, in fact, his I still don’t know anything about Vietnam, arms raised to heaven as he falls to his but I know something about soldiering, ” he Walking Week, which Sanka also sponsors. knees in the poster that heralded the Os- says. The company spent several weeks in The program includes walking tours of car-winning Vietnam epic. In Streets ofFire training in the Philippine jungle, “so we Washington, San Francisco and other cit- and To Live and Die in L.A., he was the could handle weapons sleekly, learn land ies, suggestions for carry-along snacks or bad guy—treal bad. “Playing good or bad, it navigation. We felt incredible responsibili- light lunches, a fitness test devised by a really somehow feels the same,” says the ty to get the details right, out of guilt or University of Massachusetts Medical Cen- actor. “What makes the character good or ter cardiologist, warmups and cooldowns, bad is just a function of the story. I respect or whatever. But when real vets approached Streets of Fire and Platoon with and a segment on walking wear—shoes, the same degree of humor.” come up to me, it makes me nervous—I feel a little dishonest. A shared experience The role of Sergeant Elias, the pla- toon’s moral center, was offered to him is implied, but I made a film and they went Walk for Health: when director Oliver Stone’s wife saw to war.” —Jami Bernard Rita Moreno hosts the - Dafoe at his meanest in To Live and Die in L.A. She called Oliver over to the TV set, | low-stress exercise and he saw something of Sgt. Elias in the performance. Playing by video ‘Stepping Out.’ In real life, the handsome, slightly the numbers self-effacing Dafoe is good at being a father to his four-year-old son and bad at obeying What’s the most popular category in pre- orders. “I’ve got a real problem with au- thority.” Dafoe calls himself “raw energy” recorded video? Action/adventure, quoth in the hands of a director and tries not to the 1986 Video Software Dealers Associa- tion’s annual survey of video dealers. Ac- rain gear and “fannypacks.” tion/adventure has long topped the list, Sanka is pushing walking as part of a though it dropped one point from 1985 to commitment to health andfitness. To get 18 percent in 1986. Most categories, in the 55-minute tape send one Sanka proof- fact, dropped; the biggest loser was music ’ of-purchase (you knew there had to be a video (from 5 percent to a piddling 2). The catch) and $14.95 to Stepping Out Video, only genres to register gains were foreign General Foods, Box 6656, Kankakee, IL 60902. —MF WSMFRDJIAIOYTFNMLRGAOEOLEMEMNE:AMON—:;D. 20 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

ANNOUNCING STAR TREK: THE COLLECTOR’S EDITION Here at last is the Collector’s Edition video- cassette includes two breakthrough STAR complete episodes in TREK fans have been waiting for: the exclusive consecutive Stardates. Collectors’ Edition from BUILD A STAR TREK CBS Video Library of the COLLECTOR’S LIBRARY. original famed TV series. Beam aboard the Enter- Complete and uncut— prise when Kirk battles a without the commercial mutated superman and interruptions and crude outwits a deadly space editing of reruns. probe. Visit the planet Vulcan, where Spock must SAVE $20 ON YOUR fight Kirk to the death. FIRST VIDEOCASSETTE. Meet Spock’s parents in “Journey to Babel.” Kirk’s Your charter voyage TAKE YOUR FIRSTSTAR TREK Romulan counterpart in begins with two of STAR “Balance of Terror.” And TREK’s most memorable VIDEOCASSETTE, “THE MENAGERIE the dangerous Khan in episodes — “Menagerie PARTS 1 AND 2’, FOR ONLY “The Space Seed.” Parts 1 and 2”—on a single Collector’s Edition plus shipping & handling Each double-adventure with subscription videocassette is yours to cassette. preview for 10 days risk- free. Each is yours to keep Stardate 3012.4. Spock for only $24.95 plus $2.45 is accused of mutiny when shipping, handling and he takes control of the applicable sales tax. There Enterprise then defends y iSno minimum number himself with an astounding you must buy and ‘you reenactment of the first may cancel at any time. journey of the Starship. For fastest service, Preview this double-adventure cassette for 10 days risk-free. If you’re not delighted, simply use your credit card return it within 10 days for a full refund. Or to order and call toll keep it and save $20 off the regular price. Pay free 1-800/CBS-4804. just $4.95 plus $2.45 shipping, handling and (In Indiana, call applicable sales tax. 1-800/742-1200.) Thereafter, you'll receive a new STAR TREK cassette about every six weeks. Each Seeeeerccseesesesessseesesevesece eeccecce @eeeeeesceccscesecccccss L] YES, transport “The Menagerie— Parts 1 and 2” to my home for only $4.95 plus $2.45 shipping and handling (and applicable sales tax) and enter my subscription to STAR TREK: The Collector’s Edition under the terms described in this ad. Check one: Send ODVHS OBETA Check method of payment: [ Check enclosed made payable to CBS Video Library. $15 C] Charge my STAR TREK purchases, beginning with my first cassette, to: S16 American Express [] Visa (] MasterCard 1 Diner’s Club Account No. Exp. Date Name Signature Address Apt. Phone Number City State , Zip IfIdo not choose to keep “The Menagerie”, I will return it within 10 days for a full refund or for credit to my charge account. Note: All Subscriptions subject to review. CBS Video Library reserves the right to reject or cancel any subscription, Offer limited to continental U.S. Applicable sales tax added to all orders. ePeeoeseeseeeeeseeseseeeseseeMaeisletso: CBS Video Library, STAR TREK Collector's Edition, Dept. ZE8, 1400 N. Fruitridge Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47811 eee ee ee ee Pewee eee eresesereseseseseseserereeeeeeeeseseseeereees .

In the Bag: Tim Hunter’s Crispin Glover's neo-teen realism career is on the way up. On the edge with quick and hard. It was quite invigorating.” Director Tim Hunter likes “stuff with a Crispin Glover The young actor’s credits include, hard edge,” and he has two such projects to his credit: movies about teen disaffec- After River's Edge had been shot, ac- among other less academic films, My Tu- tion that are so powerful they almost didn’t cording to Rolling Stone, a line of dialogue tor, Teachers and High School U.S.A., a get into theaters. Over the Edge, a 1979 was inserted to describe star Crispin Glov- film about teens who rebel against their er’s driven teen character, Layne, as a 1983 TV movie (available on videotape), in sterile, restrictive “model community,” speed freak. The film company was afraid which Glover does a highly stylized and starred newcomer Matt Dillon. It was his extremist performance—complete memorable turn as a student simpleton. He “suppressed,” says Hunter, who also co- with bizarre hand gestures, body language was also excellent in last year’s At Close wrote the picture, because of fear that and whining pronouncements—would not Range, starring Sean Penn, but his role young audiences would respond to it with be believed unless it could be attributed to was drastically diminished in the final edit. sympathetic violence. appropriate chemical intervention. But “So much was cut out I can’t tell if what I Glover wasn’t on some renegade ego mis- was originally going for comes through,” Distributors were also initially wary of sion. Director Tim Hunter, he says, “got River's Edge, which he directed, yet both what he wanted. We agreed about how he says ruefully. “I like what’s there, but I films went on to critical acclaim and large things should be.” don’t think it’s complete.” audiences—via cable and video for the for- mer, in theaters for the latter. “Over the In the ensuing controversy over that Glover cemented his oddball reputation Edge has serious partisans,” says Hunter. portrayal, many critics referred to Glov- this summer with two appearances on Late “Teens took it to heart.” er’s 1985 “overnight sensation” role as Mi- Night with David Letterman. In the first, a chael J. Fox’s dad in Back to the Future as belligerent alter-ego attempted a karate The 39-year-old Harvard graduate proof of an erratic muse. Evidently, few kick at Letterman’s head; the host was spent his youth “defining what was impor- remembered how offbeat and edgy Glov- unamused and fled the set. Glover said tant to me and telling myself I would stay er’s timid George McFly actually was amid little during his brief return visit but man- the overall good humor of that warm pic- aged to exhibit some of his eerie meltdown ee ture. The settings may have been drasti- sculpture and reconfigured books and plug cally different, but the actor wasn’t. As Child’s Play: Hunter (left) on the set of ‘River's Edge.’ Glover recalls Back to the Future, “It wasa his art show at a Los Angeles gallery. long ordeal: a six-month shoot. People For fans of intense actors from the dark true to those ideals.” Similar conflicts drive were fired and we had to do a lot of his serious, emphathetic teen movies, like re-shooting.” At the other extreme, Rzv- side—James Dean, Mickey Rourke, Den- Tex. “You view things very passionately ers Edge “was a fast five-week shoot— nis Hopper—Glover’s the find of the year, when you're that age. Emotions are impor- a dangerous, mysterious presence who tant. Questions about love and responsibil- ity and how you want to live are dealt with seems as offbeat and enigmatic as the parts in an intense, undiluted way. That makes he plays. He hasn’t yet picked his next for drama. In the adult world, things be- project. “I want to make sure that my next come shaded and compromised by the de- film is good, so I’ve been waiting. I want to mands of real life.” find a good script and I’m starting to see some. I’m lucky River's Edge came along.” Keanu Reeves, one of River's Edge’s young stars, recalls that the soft-spoken —Ira Robbins director established an immediate rapport with the ensemble cast. “I try to create a calm climate,” says Hunter, “where people can have time to focus on the emotions and thoughts of the characters and find the emotions inside themselves.” —Jami Bernard | DGLOOMVIENRG:UEZ 22 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

SURAT eeye =

BY WOLF SCHNEIDER West Coast Notes Return of the rebel all recently arrived on videocassette. “I think everybody would like their films seen Onscreen and off, he is a legend. Since in a theater,” says Hopper. “If somebody his auspicious debut flanking James Dean enjoys it in a theater they might want to as the teenage gang member Goon in Rebel have it. If they aren’t going to see it in a Without a Cause, Dennis Hopper’s life has theater, I’d rather they see it on video than run a course so violent, so dramatic and so not at all. And hopefully they don’t get a reflective of his times that casting him in a beer during my scenes.” film today immediately lends the project integrity. It was Hopper’s vision— Martina’s as both director and actor—that shaped new racket Easy Rider into a cinematic icon of the ’60s counterculture. That same drive later led “It works—I’m living proof of that,” says him down a self-destructive descent into a tennis champ Martina Navratilova of her straitjacketed hell checked only by anti- exercise video, Martina: Fitness and Con- psychotic drugs. Now that he’s back, with ditioning Workout (RKO). “You see my body and you see the results I get from following this program when you see me on TV to Tape: Carol Burnett picks her personal best. the tennis court.” Navratilova recom- mends the video—which emphasizes Catching up weight training—to the casual and profes- with Carol sional athlete alike. Comedienne Carol Burnett has scanned Don’t ask her how it compares with through the thousand or so sketches that videos by a certain prominent actress. appeared on her long-running (1966-1977) “Aerobics are practically impossible,” she television show and chosen her scoffs. “By the time you learn the exer- favorites for My Personal Best, a pair of cise, they’re on to something else. Left 60-minute videocassettes being released leg, right arm, it’s so confusing.” And by by J2 Communications. She shot some new the way, the outspoken tennis pro recom- material for the project. “I introduce the mends her video over her self-help book. cassette, welcome the audience and ex- “For myself,” she shrugs, “I’d rather get plain how some of the sketches came the video. You see it, so it’s easier to get about. The whole shoot took an hour.” inspired and to pick it up.” There will be other differences from the shows that still air. “A lot of the sketches Comeback King: Dennis Hopper in ‘River's Edge.’ Off the Court: had to be edited for syndication and mu- Tennis star sic.” Guest artists include Elton John and such triumphs as Blue Velvet and Hoosiers, Martina Navratilova the Pointer Sisters. Hopper says his work’s the most important shows off her workout order of the day. techniques in ‘Martina: “T know nothing about the video busi- Fitness and Conditioning ness,” Burnett admits. “I tape All My Chil- “T’'d like to play a professional per- Workout.’ dren and other shows Imight miss. Ithink I son—a doctor, lawyer, architect, engi- rented one movie, and that was The Great neer—somebody that has an external Escape, because one of my kids had never problem, not an internal problem,” says seen it.” Hopper. “Somebody that’s not emotionally disturbed.” One thing she does know about is hu- mor. “What’s funny doesn’t change. Com- If Hollywood can’t imagine it, that’s all edy has changed,” she observes. “It’s fre- right with him. Says Hopper, “If it be- er, looser. You can get away with more.” comes a problem, I’d rather just continue Summarizing her view of entertainment, working—just play nuts. Kooks, maniacs. she complains, “It’s show business. I hate I’m not going to get seriously hung up the fact that people have made it show about it. It will happen in time. Or it won't. business. We started out like little kids I'd never turn down a Blue Velvet or a playing in the sandbox, pretending we River's Edge if they showed up again.” were someone else, and we should keep that fun.” Those films, along with Hoosiers, have 24 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987.

| Pee DISCOVERS AMERICA. For additional information, circle No. 66 on Reader Service Card.

WAIT TILL AMERICA DISCOVERS PHILIPS, PHILIPS PHILIPS The first reviews for the CD 960 compact disc player (top) are in, and the verdict is unanimous: This is the new “CD reference standard.” The FA 960 integrated amplifier (bottom) brings out the true potential of the CD sound—with 100 watts per channel at 8 ohms (D $ 0.03%). Its CD Direct mode eliminates every avoidable source of noise and distortion. American audio and videophiles will finally hear and see More to the point, “It was the vast Philips research and for themselves what they've so far only heard about. As one development facility that invented the Compact Cassette, the American publication reported, “Philips of the Netherlands is [laser optical] video disc, and the Compact Disc.’ one of the largest electronics companies in the world:’ In fact, “Most non-Japanese CD players, including most WORLD-CLASS TECHNOLOGY, EUROPEAN | © 1987 N.A.P. Consumer Electronics Corp. A North American Philips Company.

STEREO obr PHILIPS This sophisticated 4-speaker stereo television receiver (27H326SB) provides 10 watts per channel with a 27” diagonal flat square black matrix picture tube and advanced digital features. of the ‘high-end’ audiophile machines . . . employ Philips chas- For more information, and for your nearest Philips dealer, sis and circuits.” call 1-800-223-7772. Our fame and technology have preceded us. Our products pie PHILIPS are now here. Products for people who demand the best. EXCELLENCE.

EDITED BY LOU KESTEN _ NEW PRODUCTS Ricoh introduces three 8mm camcorders Ricoh is introducing three new 8mm camcorders. The R-250 is a simple point- and-shoot model with infrared autofocus, an f/1.9 12 to 30 mm zoom lens and a 250, 000-pixel CCD image sensor that cap- tures 300 lines of horizontal resolution in light as low as 9 lux. The R-600 adds a 6x zoom lens with macro, as well as the ability to superimpose titles on footage. The R-600S features a 380,000-pixel CCD that records in light as low as 5 lux. It adds an f/1.6 6x zoom lens with macro as well as a five-step high-speed shutter. Prices: not available. Panasonic’s PV- 8mm camcorder $350 S-VHS cam- corder For additional information, Panasonic offers two S-VHS camcorders Panasonic’s PV-S350 Super VHS camcorder features a digital freeze frame that can be wiped, box wiped or overlapped into live action. The camcorder’s CCD image sensor is sensitive to light as low as one lux. Other highlights include a three-step high-speed shutter, a flying erase head, 8x power zoom and instant playback. The PV-S150 is a Super VHS-Compact camcorder. It features 7 lux light sensitivity, a three-step high-speed shutter, index and address search and 6x power zoom. Prices: PV-S350, $2,400; PV-S150, $1,950. For additional information, circle No. 149 on Reader Service Card. ————————————e—e———e—n circle No. 151 on Reader Service Card. Panasonic S-VHS VCR uses bar code scanner Chinon adds digital effects to camcorder Panasonic’s Super VHS VCR, the PV-S4764, features bar code programming in addi- tion to enhanced resolution. Users can program the deck’s timer by passing a scanner Chinon’s CV-T70 EZ Movie/Digital VHS over a sheet of bar codes. Program selections then appear on an onscreen display. The camcorder uses digital technology to allow deck also has index and address search, MTS and hi-fi stereo and Panasonic’s dou- users to mix images for diverse scene tran- ble-azimuth four-head system for improved special effects. sitions. The EZ Movie’s 330,000-pixel CCD image sensor provides 300 lines of Price: $1,300. horizontal resolution in light as low as 2 lux. Its electronic shutter has speeds of 1/250, For additional information, circle No. 150 on Reader Service Card. 1/500 and 1/1000 of a second. The unit features an f/1.2 8x power zoom lens with 28 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987 macro, HQ circuitry, index and address search and a flying erase head. Automatic functions include focus, backlight and fade. Price: not available. For additional information, circle No. 152 on Reader Service Card.

«manometer aetna SBA AR Ae The Sony Digital Super Betamax : It may not improve what you watch, but it will certainly improve what you see. To the dedicated group of video purists who Oiceitlisa'meleW .Vohis-Viler-vo| recognize that television isn't perfect, we dedi- You Don’t Need Videotape To Appreciate It cate a few things that are. Introduc- The creative capabilities of ing the new Sony® Super Betamax® Digital Memory free you to enjoy all VCRs with Digital Memory. They're DIGITAL PICTURE these features while playing a tape, the latest generation in our con- PinP e viewingalive TV broadcast through tinuing quest for video perfection STOP MOTION |FLASH MOTION ZOOM. the VCR’ tuner section, or shooting pictures through your camera. beyond the superb picture 2@ MULTI STROBE and Hi-Fi sound quality of Super MOSAIC ART PICTURE ART Let Us Make A Few Things Betamax. Perfectly Clear Now We've Added Digital Whether you subscribe to the Recent advances in digital Beta format and are ready to trade irs1olssle) ole ptmalleyuimeceyanvm em les}e)ce\\oRlelo=).da cele)colts up, or ifyou're an aspiring video connoisseur, our nary performance of Super Betamax VCRs. With revolutionary edit circuitry lets you edit from one spectacular special effects like Digital Recall format to another with minimal loss of picture and Picture Art. Jitterless Stop and Flash Motion, quality. You're guaranteed tremendous creative both with sound. opportunities now and in the years to come. The Digital Super Betamax SL-HF860D is After all, Super Betamax will allow the seri- endowed with even more wizardry. Digital Mo- ous viewer to do one thing. Spend less time just saic and Picture-In-Picture. Digital Multi-Strobe watching T'V and more time enjoying it. that fills your screen with up to 16 separate im- For more information, or the name of your ages. And Digital Zoom which will allow you to nearest Sony Super Betamax Dealer, call 1-800-338-2542. enlarge an area of the picture to full screen size. SONY. THE ONE AND ONLY. ©1987 Sony.Corporation ofAmenc ony, Super.Betamax and. The One.and Only are trademaorfks Sony.. @@ @ TRINITRON fer additions! Information, clrsie:No. 36 6n Reade! semice Hare a

NEW PRODUCTS Panasonic Zenith offers first digital deck Video Update Zenith’s VRD600 VHS HQ VCR offers a wide range of digital special effects, including picture-in-picture, strobe, freeze frame and multiscreen channel scan, which displays When it comes to shooting in low still frames from four, nine or 16 channels onscreen. The 600 is a 6-head machine with light, the Panasonic OmniMovie” 8-event/14-day remote onscreen programming, 178-channel tuning, index search and PV-320 really shines. But this double-speed picture scan. The deck has hi-fi stereo audio with MTS decoding, as well as camcorder can do more than an automatic titler that can record date, time and channel at the beginning of every capture your child’s smile by the recording. light of one candle. Price: $1,099. A Real Show Stopper The PV-320 has a “ooo of a For additional information, circle No. 153 on Reader Service Card. second high-speed shutter that can capture the excitement Samsung debuts TVs with MTS on your child's face as a roller coaster screams down the track. Samsung’s TC9823S 19-inch TV and TC2023S 20-inch TV feature MTS stereo decod- Or put your golf or tennis game ers, stereo amplifiers and stereo speakers. Each set has 139-channel cable-compatible on the right track. Because it can frequency synthesis tuning, onscreen channel and time display, a wireless remote capture every split second of control and a high-contrast picture tube. The 20-inch set also features a comb filter anda your golf swing or tennis stroke. picture sharpness control for clearer video. And show you the results in crystal-clear slow motion and Prices: TC9823S, $450; TC2023S, $550. freeze-frame. For additional information, circle No. 154 on Reader Service Card. Shoot Like A Pro Ordinary camcorders produce a Canon adds pixels rainbow pattern of noise between and sepia to 8mm scenes. This can be annoying when you shoot something with a Canon’s VM-E2N 8mm camcorder fea- lot of scenes, like a Little League tures a 250,000-pixel CCD image sensor game. But the PV-320 has a fly- that provides 330 lines of horizontal resolu- ing erase head that produces tion in light as low as 5 lux. A redesigned clean, virtually glitch-free edits. color separation filter improves color So everything you shoot will have rendition. The camcorder can also a more professional look. record in sepia tones to give a video an antique look. The Choice Is Yours There’s a full range of Panasonic The VM-E2N also features camcorders. From the sophisti- automatic focus and white bal- cated PV-320 that records home ance, an f/1.2 6x power zoom movies and plays Hollywood lens, a flying erase head and movies. To a compact camcorder AFM audio recording. that weighs less than 2.5 pounds. Nobody gives you more ways to Price: $1,699. catchFNia2cSCRoiodnae9enrr.dfacdiovld,trieeimcroaentailon, the action than Panasonic. For additional information, Panasonic. circle No. 155 on Reader Service Card. just slightly ahead of our timea

One candle. That's all the light you need with the new Panasonic OmniMovie camcorder. Mial-ile|alme)meyal-mer-lalel(-Mi-lama-laleleleamielalmcelmreliil=) iat=\\/aCom [Olan]o)ialemee)el-emelhUiare mialcom- melee) Melmels-lele)iale camcorders. The new Panasonic OmniMovie VHS camcorder PV-320 can capture the joy and radi- io) r= of=\\|PeLUl>) more)a]al=1e1mtalom evolat=\\re)alomer-laalere)celcle ance of your kid's smile. And do it by the light of are iconolel auAVAr-lee mele ner-lane)(-\\alecliner-(eLqla seksi melat-meliataler-\\mer-larelion crystal-clear slow motion Because special moments happen without a moments notice, this OmniMovie camcorder or still frame. focuses and sets exposure automatically. The AVA\"/ateda Mimere)aaletomce) 6-to-1 power zoom lets you get really close to your kids. And its advanced solid-state CCD (Charged recording all those spe- Coupled Device) imaging system makes your kids cial moments, kids par- Kole)ae)aliitctale ties, anniversaries or Toer-\\(olam tales-(-m[eab)raGllan-llriia(elam-(eile)a 186)om this OmniMovie has a “i000 Second high-speed Nei tre)a}phirs with Action is sharpwih Vacations, no one holds shutter. It can capture your kids expression while standard shutter. high-speed shutter. a feretavelle) ie)the new mrclaretseal)len@)anlaliiie\\uremerclaniere)cel-1e Panasonic. OFFICIAL SPONSOR U S A 1988 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM sUrsiaesiile]aliivarclarer= (eke) mele mtianiorcy 36 U.S.C, 380 ‘pUaJO;“4jOUdu0eFaoiN4OeUp4AyON1elNe9aIWysPUpOPJeUI

SUPERIMPOSE NEW PRODUCTS TITLES ON VIDEO Breese A stand-alone color titler with true GENLOCK, deluxe keyboard, expansion port and the ability to interface . for $599.95. VIDEO EFFECTS TITLER MFJ-1480B ... $599.95 The MFJ-1480B Video Effects Titler (VET) lets you superimpose color titles over a camera image or add titles to existing video footage while editing. Each page will display eight lines of 28 small or 14 large characters in upper and lower case with each line and page in one of 15 colors. The VET retains up to 30 pages of titles in memory, has direct page access, scrolling and auto centering. And because it is expandable, the VET is never outdated. An external port lets you plug in creative add-on cartridges coming from MFJ that permit special effects, more fonts, flashing, special logos, other languages and more! An optional RS-232 interface (MFJ-1481, $169.95) lets you interface with personal computers. With some programming you can superimpose animated graphics, stored text and countless other effects from an IBM, Apple, Tandy, Commodore and other PCs. You're only limited by your imagination. SUPER VIDEO PROCESSOR MFJ-1452 ... $299.95 Panasonic marries VCR to 20-inch TV You can correct poor videos of weddings, sporting Panasonic’s PV-M2027 combines a 20-inch TV witha VHS HQ VCR. The VCR features events or the kids at dance recital and make great 14-day/2-event programming, one-touch record, double-speed playback and Om- copies for everyone! The MFJ-1452 is the most nisearch, which can search a tape at 21 times the normal speed in SLP mode. The TV’s sophisicated (and fun) Video Processor available digital quartz tuner automatically fine tunes 155 channels. The TVCR comes with a today. Why? Because you get complete control of 26-function unified remote and a 60-minute sleep timer. contrast. You can expand or compress whites to save faded or contrasty videos and increase or Price: $800. decrease blackness of videos that are over or under exposed. You can convert film negatives to positives For additional information, circle No. 156 on Reader Service Card. for recording or viewing. You can invert OBEYS nan sonar semen aeoen chrominance and invert luminance for special effects. You can use the enchancer and a white Onkyo receiver adds Dolby and MTS “blob” becomes a face with individual eyelashes! The split screen feature gives side-by-side Onkyo’s TX-SV7 receiver gives MTS stereo and Dolby surround sound to any au- unenhanced/enhanced comparison. You can correct dio/video system. The TV input to the receiver allows stereo reception of channels 2 to weak colors, color shifts and brighten faded videos. 13 by a TV connected to a cable box, satellite dish, roof antenna or VCR tuner. Dolby A brightness control improves too dark or too light surround works directly from the stereo audio outputs of a VCR or videodisc player, as scenes and allows fading in or out. A luminance well as from broadcast stereo or MTS, providing 75 watts per channel to the front meter helps you accurately set brightness level. speakers and 25 w/ch to the rear speakers. The TX-SV1 also features a 100 w/ch AM/FM receiver and comes with Onkyo’s RC-AV7M universal remote control. Famous Guarantee Price: not available. All MFJ Video products come with a double guarantee. Order For additional information, circle No. 157 on Reader Service Card. from MFJ and try it. If you're not delighted, just return it within 30 days for a full refund, less shipping. No hassles. And MFJ's One Year Unconditional Guarantee assures you of continued service. Call toll-free and charge the products you need to your VISA or MasterCard, or send a check or money order, plus $6.00 shipping. 8 png ; S ~ Free Call. Free Catalog 1-800-647-1800 MFJ Enterprises, Inc. 39759 921 Louisville Rd./Starkville MS SR3ciCNaFoiaoend1enr.rfdacdvoidl.irteecmireaotniaoln, 32 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

~NEW PRODUCTS SEARCH GRUP = ) _RCA debuts new character generator eh atl PAUSE RTL F AOVANOE RCA’s CGA030 character generator is de- signed to handle the Y/C output from a 5 Super VHS camcorder. It generates up to 60 characters at a time in four different (AUTOMATIC EDITING CONTROLER sizes, stores 20 sets of characters and 40 frequently used words. Special effects in- clude curtain, window, scroll, time-lapse and cPlroiccke/:cal$e3n0d0a.r display. FutureVideo makes editing easier { R38 FutureVideo’s EC 1000U editing controller simplifies dubbing between a camcorder ® and a VCR, synchronizing the two units for more accurate edits. The controller ‘ss permits assemble edits, insert edits and audio dubbing. A nine-scene edit memory @ keeps track of 18 cut-in and cut-out points, while a preview mode lets you monitor an 2 edit before you record it. An LED display shows tape counter, calculated lap time and # accumulated record time. (Contact Future Video at 29901 Weatherwood Ave., Laguna i Niguel, CA 92677; 714-495-2621.) # 6 Price: not available. # For additional information, circle No. 160 on Reader Service Card. For additional information, circle No. 161 on Reader Service Card. .| ‘gala VIDEOCASSETTE RENTAL OFFER* \\\\_ P// NEW FULL-LENGTH NK M iVYy Liha ANIMATED FEATURE / y) NOW ON VIDEOCASSETTE f : \\ ha Z It’s Yogi Bear in ‘5 WORSEN ESChLE Featuring RANSE'Y Smith, Quick Draw McGraw and Snagggglleeppuss DISTRIBUTED EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH ] WORLDVISION m )) Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. ,8 ” HOME VIDEO INC. Le National Release Date November 19, 1987 © 1987 Hanna-Barbera Productions as to Cartoon Characters, Not Afiiaiod With WORLD VISION INTERNATIONAL © 1987 Worldvision Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ‘AFiehgiuAsnoChattable Orgarizahon Yogi Bear is Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off. FREE RENTAL’;VALUE COUPON _ / *(Up to $2.00 off) [ PRESENT THIS COUPON TO YOUR PARTICIPATING VIDEO DEALER AND RECEIVE UP TO $2.00 OFF OF THE RENTAL OF “YOGI'S GREAT ESCAPE,’ ey He eo 1s limited to a single rental of “Yogi s Great Escape” on videocassette Voud i!used otherwise Tp“YrOooo!vTiGdHiErnegaDtEthAiLsEERcs:coauppeoF”nor mwueasastchubsceeodusupibonmniatcicyeoodrudawrniectdeheeewmaicthhasorueardneceaomgneensdtu.mceorwuepootnwfiellr yroAeumcmsobupubyrmsiatet tyhToehuisinuvopofifcetreo ‘$p5r2o.vv0oi0wndgpwlhrueesnrtea2l2t¢oafxtteodh.eprotcaverviibdietopecodas.stsaegtetoeF ‘tchiosupcoonupmoany wnioltl nboet ubseed‘aactcoeRwpoatrcedkdsetreFeolWrnltOearrReloiLfmCDbaeuVnrnyIsteSevmriIednOetSo,NctaastsmiHeaotiOntl,Me EthaPit.shOeV.crIoDuBtEpohoOaxnn, 3“aYo6Cgnr5'dos0u,GdparoceNunaemlewnRteaEYslfociruaoknpn,de spPehcoitfoiceodpiesaboveortoother facsimiles of N.Y, 10185 Cat. a #1115 . 96 MINUTES Good in USA only L yie-87Allow 4 weeks for reimbursement

| Where to feel the H Yamaha Digital Home Theatre. | ALABAMA Long's Electronics Inc.—Birmingham (two locations) + Sound Distributors, Inc-—Huntsville + The Record Shop Inc.—Montgomery + Kincaid TV & | | Stereo—Tuscaloosa ARIZONA HiFiSales—Mesa + EmpoAudrio Viideuo—Tmuscon + Jerry's Audio/Video and More—Tuscon ARKANSAS Stereo Buff/ 4 Fayetteville—Fayetteville » Audio Visions—Ft.Smith + Leisure Electronics—Littlerock CALIFORNIA Honkers Sound Company—Berkeley » Kustom HiFiMusic | } House—Burlingame +» Sound Goods—Campbell + The Federated Group—Canoga Park + Rogersound Lab—Canoga Park + Shelley’ Stereo Video CT—Canoga Park r | i + Dow Stereo/Video—Carlsbad + SoundsbyDave—Chico + Dow Stereo/Video—Chula Vista + Sound Distinction—Concord + Pacific Coast Audio—CorondaelMar i + Audio Video Specialists—Downey » Dow Stereo/Video—CaEjlon + The Federated Group—El Cajon +» Genesis Audio—El Toro + RogersoundLab—EI Toro + The ss Federated Group—Hollywood + Tubes N Tunes—Livermore + Act ElectroniTcVs& HiFi—Long Beach +» SoundGoods—Mountain View + Pro AudioElectronics— Oakland + Western Audio—PalAolto + Rogersound Lab—Pasadena +» The Federated Group—Riverside + Stereo Showcase, Inc—Sacramento » Dow Stereo/Video— | San Diego (two locations) + HarAmudioo Vnideyo—San Francisco + Maybrun’s Hi-Fi Video Ctr—San Francisco + The Stereo Store—San Francisco + TubNeTusnes— : f SanRamon + The Federated Group—SantaAna + Burdick’s—SantaCruz + Rogersound Lab—Santa Monica + SheSlterleo eVidyeo 'CT—sSanta Monica + Golden Ear { Hi-Fi Video Ct—SantaRosa + The Federated Group—Torrance + Rogersound Lab—Torrance + Stereo Showcase, Inc.—Vallejo + Rogersound Lab—Van Nuys + Thrifty | Electronics—Van Nuys + VisSaighlt &iSoaund, Inc.—Visalia + Rogersound Lab—Westminster COLORADO SoundTrack—Arvada + SoundTrack—Aurora { + Listen Up—Boulder + SoundTrack—Boulder + Sunshine Audio—Colorado Springs + Listen Up—Denver + SoundTrack—Denver + SoundTrack—HighlaRnadnsch t + SoundTrack—Littleton +» Sunshine Audio—Pueblo + SoundTrack—Thornton CONNECTICUT Tweeter, Etc.—All Locations DISTROF ICOCLUMTBIA } AudioKrafters—Washington DELAWARE Sound Studio Inc.—Dover + Sound Studio Inc—Newark + Bryn MawrStereo—Wilmington + Sound Studio Inc — } Wilmington FLORIDA AudioSpectrum, Inc.—Altamonte Springs + Sound Advice—Boca Raton +» Sound Advice—Clearwater » Sound Advice—Coral Gables | + Stereotypes—DaytoBenaach + Sound Advice—Ft. Lauderdale + Stereo World—Ft. Myers +» Sound Advice—Hialeah + Sound Advice—Hollywood + Electronics | World—Gainsville + Audio Tech—Jacksonville » House of Stereo—Jacksonville * Sound Source—Marathon + Audio Trend Inc—Melbourne » Southern Audio— ! Merritt Island + Sound Advice—Miami + Sound Advice—N. MiamiBeach + Stereo World—Naples + Audio Spectrum, Inc—Orlando + Audio Spectrum, Inc.— Orlando + Sound Advice—Sarasota * Sound Advice—St. Petersburg + Sound Advice—Tampa » The Audiohouse—VeBreaoch + Electronic Connection—West Palm Beach + Sound Advice—W. Palm Beach GEORGIA Hi Fi Buys—Atlan(tfaive locations) + Stereo City of Georgia—Agusta +» Custom Sound—Albany +« Custom Sound—Athens + Merit TV &SoundCity—Columbus + HiFiBuys—Duluth + HiFiBuys—Kennesaw + Ken’sStereo Junction—Macon + HiFiBuys—Morrow + The Music Room—Rome + HiFiBuys—Tucker HAWAII AudioCenter—Honolulu + HonAuodio l&Vuideol—Hounolulu + The AudioShoppe—Honolulu IOWA Audio Labs Inc.—DMeoisnes + Sound World—FoDrotdge IDAHO Music West—Nampa ILLINOIS Columbia Audio Video—ArlingHteioghnts + United Audio Centers—Aurora + Alan's Creative Stereo—Bloomingdale + Glenn Poor's Audio Video—Champaign + Good Vibes—Champaign + United Audio Centers—Chica(gtowo locations) + United Audio Centers—Deerfield + LaSalle Electronics Inc.—Galesburg + Columbia Audio Video—Highland Park + Barrett's Entertainment—Kankakee + Unitek Electronics, Inc.—Lansing + United Audio Centers—Niles + Glenn Poor’s Audio Video—Normal + Gill Custom House—PaloHislls »* ColuAmudbio iViadeo— Rockford +» H.F Hutch—Schaumburg + United Audio Centers—Schaumburg + United Audio Centers—Vernon Hills + H.F. Hutch—VillaPark + Alan's Creative Stereo—Waukegan INDIANA Sound Pro—Carmel + Sound Pro—Greenwood + Ovation Audio Video Spec.—Indianapolis + Good Vibes—Lafayette + Sight& Sounds/Avolo Conn—Michigan City + Classic Stereo—South Bend + Stereo Crafters—Terre Haute KANSAS Kief’sGramophone Shop—Lawrence + Brands Mart Stereo—Overland Park +» Audio Plus—Wichita » Custom Sound Inc.—Wichita KENTUCKY Ovation Audio Video Spec.—Lexington LOUISIANA Art Colby’s Audio Specal.—Baton Rouge + Lake Charles Music—LaChkareles +» Sound Trek—Metairie + Specialty Sound Co.,Inc.—Monroe + Wright's Sound Gallery— Shreveport + Wright's Sound Gallery—Shreveport MARYLAND Soundscape—Baltimore + Soundscape—Baltimore + Stansbury Stereo—Baltimore + Stansbury Stereo—Baltimore + Professional Products—Bethesda + Gramophone Ltd.—EllicotCitty +» Hunt Audio—Frederick +» Hunt Audio—Hagerstown + Audio Associates—Langley Park + Audio Associates—Laurel +» Gramophone Ltd.—Lutherville + Stansbury Stereo—Perry Hall +» Audio King—Rochester + Audio Associates—Rockville + AudioKrafters—Rockville + Sound Studio Inc.—Salisbury + Stansbury Stereo—Timonium MAINE The Great Norther Sound—South Portland MASSACHUSETTS Soundtrak Audio—Brockton + Fitchburg Music—Fitchburg + Waltham Camera—Waltham + Tweeter, Etc.—All Locations MICHIGAN The Stereo Shoppe—East Lansing + Stereo Center Inc.—Flint + ClaStesreosLtid.—cGrand Rapids + Classic Stereo Ltd—Kalamazoo + The Stereo Shoppe—Lansing MINNESOTA Audio King—Brooklyn Center + Audio King—Burnsville + AudioKing—Edina - Audio King—Mankato + Audio King— Minneapolis + AudioKing—Minnetonka + AudioKing—Roseville + AudioKing—St. Paul MISSOURI FlipsStereo Place—Ballwin + Stereo One, Inc.—Cape Girardeau + The Sound Room—Chesterfield + The Sound Room—Creve Coeur + Brands Mart Stereo—KansaCsity + Best Sound Inc.—St. Louis + Stereo Buff— Springfield + FlipsStereo Place—St.Louis MISSISSIPPI Sound Trek—Biloxi + HooperSound—Columbus + Hooper Sound—Hattiesburg +» Hooper Sound— Jackson + HooperSound—Meridian MONTANA Video Sat & Sound—Billings + Rocky MountHiaFii—Grneat Falls + Electronic Parts—Missoula NORTH CAROLINA Stereo Sound—Chapel Hill + Tarts TV Furn. & Applian.—Fayetteville + Tart'sTV Furn. & Applian.—Goldsboro + StereoSound—Greensboro + Stereo Village/Greenville—Greenville » StereoSound—Raleigh + Tarts TV Furn. & Applian.—Rocky Mount + Tarts TV Furn. & Applian.—Wilmington + Stereo Sound— Winston-Salem NEBRASKA Center Stage Audio Video—Kearney + Stereo West—Lincoln + Custom Electronics—Omaha + Stereo West—O(tmwoalochataions) NEW HAMPSHIRE ‘Tweeter Etc-—Manchester + Tweeter Etc.—Nashua + Tweeter Etc—Nashua +» Tweeter Etc.—Newington NEW JERSEY Stuart's Audio— Englewood + Hal’sStereaond Video—Lawrenceville + Bryn Mawr Stereo—MapSlhaede + Perdue Radio—Montclair » Sight &Sound—Morristown » Rand’s Camera & Hi Fi—Toms River + Stuart's Audio—Westfield NEW MEXICO West Coast Sound—Albuquerque + Towne Crier Inc.—Clovis + Trend Tech—Farmington + West Coast Sound—Santa Fe NEW YORK Mom's Music Systems—Albany + Musical Designs Ltd—Albany +» SpeakerShop—Amherst + Audio Genesis Inc.—Glens Falls + Long PlayerStereo—Goshen + Audio/Video Den, Ltd.—Lake Grove + AutoSoundPlus—Latham + Audio Breakthroughs—Manhasset +« Audio/Video Exchange— New York City +» ElecWotrkshropoInnc.—NiewcYork + Grand Central Radio—New York + Audio BreakthroughsY—orNkeCwity + Audio/Video Exchange—New York City + Cosmophonic Sound, Inc.—New York City + Rabson's57—New York City + Continental Sound—Queens + J.B. Sound Systems, Inc.—Rochester + Gordon Electronics—Syracuse + Sound Odyssey Inc.—WappingFearlls » Happy EarStereo—Watertown + Video Breakthrough—The Media Room—Watermill » Audio/Video Exchange—Westbury + Harvey Electronics—All Locations + Perdue Radio—Both Locations + Stereo Warehouse—All Locations OHIO Audio Comer Inc.—Canton + Audio Craft Company Inc.—Cleveland + Custom Stereo Electronics—Columbus + Palme Stereo Center—Columbus + Audio Craft Company Inc.—Fairlawn + Audio Craft Company, Inc—Findlay + Carlin Audio & Video—Kettering + AuCdrafit Coompany Inc.—Mayfield Hts. + Audio Craft Company, Inc.—Toledo + Audio Craft Company Inc.—Westlake + Far East Audio—Wooster OKLAHOMA The Sound Station—Bartlesville + Audio Tech—Lawton + Soundtrak—OklahoCmiaty (four locations) + Soundtrak—(tTwoulolcatsioans) + The Phonograph Ltd.—Tulsa OREGON Stereo Plant—Bend + Bradfor's Hi-Fidelity—Eugene + Sheckells Stereo— Medford + CheAudlio Vsideeo—Poartland PENNSYLVANIA Hi-Fi House—Abington + Bryn MawrStereo—Bryn Mawr + Bryn MawrStereo—Camp Hill + HiFi House—Camp Hill - Bryn MawrStereo—Frazer + Listening Post—Gibsonia + HiFiHouse—Harrisburg + JannenSystems—Hazelton « Bryn Mawr Stereo— Jenkintown + Gary’sSi&gShoutnd Exp.—Johnstown + D.S. Audio—Lancaster + Listening Post—Monroeville + Bryn MawrStereo—Montgomeryville + Stereo Land—Natrona Heights + Bryn MawrStereo—Philadelphia + David Mann Audio—Philadelphia + Listening Post—Pit(ttwsobloucartigons) « Bryn Mawr Stereo— Quakertown + The Stereo Connection, Inc.—Scranton + D.S. Audio—West Reading + Bryn Mawr Stereo—Whitehall + Robert M. Sides Audio—Williamsport + Audio Clinic—York + Bryn MawrStereo—Langhorne RHODEISLAND Sounds Unlimited—Cumberland +» Soundings—Newport + Tweeter, Etc.—All Locations SOUTH CAROLINA Music Machine—Anderson + Audio Warehouse, Inc.—Charleston + MusicMachine—Columbia + TartsTVFurn. & Applian.—Florence + Music Machine—Greenville SOUTH DAKOTA Audio King—Sioux Fall TENNESSEE Audition HiFi Inc.—Kingsport + Modern Music Audio—Memphis + Audio Systems—Nashville (two locations) TEXAS Sound Effects—Abilene + High Fidelity, Inc-—Austin (two locations) « Brock Audio—Beaumont + Audio Video—College Station + Tape Town Audio Video—CorCphurissti + Custom Video—Dallas + The Federated Group—Dallas, Preston Royal « Hillcrest High Fidelity— Dal(twlo laocatsions) + Home EnterDatllaas iGaln—Da,llas + Howell Electronics—E] Paso + Marvin Electronics Co.—Fort Worth + Home Entertainment, Inc.— Hou(sfoutr loocatnions) + B&M Electronics, Inc.—Houston + JettSales—Lardo + Audio Techniques—Longview + Harold’s Electronics—Midland + Branch Patton Superstore—Nacogdoches + Harold’s Electronics—Odessa +» Sound Box—San Angelo » AudioConcepts—San Antonio + Bjorns Audio Video—ASnatonnio + Audio Tech—Temple + Sound Towne—Texarkana + Stereo & Record Center—Tyler + Audio Tech—Waco + Tom Padgitt, Inc.—Waco +» Audio Tech—WichitFaalls UTAH Lynn’ Audio & Video—Logan + Broadway Music—SLaakle tCity + Arrow Audio—St.George VIRGINIA Audio Associates—Arlington + Holdrens— Charlottesville + TheSound Machine—Charlottesville + Sounds Unlimited—Danville » Audio Associates—Fairfax + AudioKrafters—Fairfax +» Audio Showroom— Franklin + Sound Approach—NewpoNretws + Audiotronics—R(itcwohlmocoatniodns) + Gary's Stereo & Video—Ric(thwomloocantidons) » Audiotronics—Roanoke + Holdrens—Roanoke (two locations) + Audio Associates—Springfield + Audio Connection, Inc—VirginiaBeach WASHINGTON Magnolia Hi Fi & Video— Bellevue + QC. Stereo—Bellingham + MagnoliaHiFi& Video—Lynnwood + Magnolia HiFi& Video—Tacoma WISCONSIN American TV—Appleton + Eme Audio—Eau Claire + Team Electronics #88—Janesville + Sound World—LaCrosse + Flanner & Hafsoos Music—Mequon «+ Flanner&Hafsoos Music—Milwaukee + American TV—Oak Creek » American TV—Waukesha WEST VIRGINIA The Sound Post—Princeton WYOMING Murphy Sight and Sound—Gillete + The New Music Box—Laramie : YoMiAAshe A Dit GT TE ASL one ME EdAed RE 34 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987 For additional information, circle No. 50 on Reader Service Card.

“The most sienificant advance iniheConlnoorieeliony Space since stereo,” David Ranada, Technical Editor High Fidelity Magazine “The ultimate the DSP-1, including two Yamaha surround-sound audio and video sound modes and Dolby® Surround for incredible enhance- ment of movies on videotape or laser disc. In addi- experience.” tion, you can modify any setting, and store it on any of 16user program memories. “Produces an uncanny sense of being some- where else listening to live music.’ The DSP-1 is the heart of an experience called Yamaha Digital Home Theatre. A system of compo- “Sound iimprovement ranged from substantial nents that elevates home entertainment to a new, to mind-boggling” unparalleled level. Whether it's audio or video. Regardless of the format. No matter what the source. The accolades are for Yamahas DSP-1 Digital Soundfield Processor. Created byYamaha, the DSP-1 The Yamaha DSP-1 Digital Soundfield isa truly unique component that digitally recre- Processor. Come feel a demonstration at aYamaha ates the actual live acoustic properties of the world’s dealer near you. great concert halls and performance venues right in your own living room. €YAMAHA Soyou can listen to any type of music in the Yamaha Electronics Corporation, P.O. Box 6660, Buena Park, CA 90622. very environment it is intended to be enjoyed in. Dolby® isaRegistered Trademark of Dolby Labs Licensing Corp. A jazz ensemble in a small club. A choir ina cathe- dral. Rock in an outdoor stadium. There are 16 pre-set acoustic environments on

TECHNICALLYSTATE OF THE ART PEAKING Breaking the speed barrier The answer is to double the speed of the videotape, since you can get the heads BY RODERICK WOODCOCK voices sound like Donald Duck’s. to simply skip alternate frames, keeping A few years ago, the Variable Speech the picture stable. JVC introduced this Control Company in San Francisco devel- technique back in 1978 with the HR-3600 VHS VCR, the second VHS deck JVC ever American consumers love fast cars, fast oped a computer chip that accelerates the built. A year later, JVC’s HR-6700 offered intelligible double-speed audio that could food, fast service and speed, speed, audio without this distortion ,and licensed be turned on and off by remote control. But the researchers at the VSC Company speed. When picture search was invented, its use in a variety of audio and video prod- knew that double-speed audio was pushing the limits of the brain’s ability to process sales of VCRs took off as consumers fell in ucts. The technology is easier to apply to information. A more acceptable speed was | alittle less than double. Ideally, they would love with the notion of being able to zip audio gear, since the signal on audio tape is have liked a VCR that could play video and audio at continuously adjustable speeds. through commercials and other boring bits recorded as a long continuous strip. Speed- In 1982, Panasonic introduced the NV- | of videotape. There’s one problem, ing up the tape just moves the strip past the 8950, an industrial VHS VCR with special piezo-controlled video heads that could au- however, in fast scan: you can see the audio head faster. Cassette decks like the tomatically adjust their position while tracking across a tape, enabling them to action going by faster, but you can’t hear VSC C-5 Soundpacer, the Realistic VSC- deliver a stable, noise-free picture at dif- ferent speeds. The NV-8950 didn’t have anything. 1000 and the GE Fastrac play tapes at up any VSC circuitry built in, so the VSC mod- ified the deck to include it. It worked well Now speed listening is possible, too. to double speed with the audio still distin- but cost a great deal, and Panasonic aban- doned the idea. Researchers long ago realized that the guishable. Video signals are spread all over Now the mantle has fallen to Sharp, brain can readily understand speech at any- the surface of videotape and are recorded which has offered several VHS decks with the VSC chip in the last few years. The where from half to about twice its normal or played back by rotating heads that have VC-Q77U, for example, costing $550, is a mid-priced deck that offers other popular speed. Unfortunately, the usual pro- to stay within the confines of a narrow features (although not hi-fi sound). But while Sharp feels there’s a market for this cess of speeding up audio or video tape | diagonal track. Speeding up videotape, specialized VCR, the company doesn’t think it’s worth the expense to add changes the pitch of what’s said, making all | requires highly specialized techniques. piezo-controlled heads to provide a contin- uously adjustable range of speeds. Like the | two JVC decks before them, Sharp’s ma- chine only lets you watch at twice the nor- There’s no place like home mal speed. There’s no place like home There’s no place like home BETA’S SPEED ADVANTAGE SCMOITHT Sharp’s VSC circuit works with the lin- ear audio track on the VHS tape. But when Beta hi-fi VCRs were introduced, it was discovered that the speed of the picture and the hi-fi soundtrack could be doubled intelligibly without the VSC chip. Beta hi-fi audio is based on the writing speed of the rotating video heads, not the linear tape speed. Doubling the tape speed changes the writing speed imperceptibly so the ac- celerated audio remains intelligible. Sony’s SL-2700, SL-HF900 and SL-HF1000 Beta decks all feature double-speed audio and video. 36 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

#8602V-VHS #8602B-Beta Watch 12 Playmatessetp out ofthe centerfold. #0017 SEND FOR PLAYBOY'S 1988 ditions of the classic [iia PLAYBOY VIDEO CALENDAR REQUEST CERTIFICATE =MAIL TO: Playboy Video, RO. Box 1143, VIDEO PLAYMATE CALENDAR. ayboy Wall or Desk | YES, please rush me the following: Elk Grove Village, !L 60009 | Watch closely and catch your breath | as 12 lovely Playboy Playmates step Cral0e'ndOar each adorned : { 1988 How Many Item Description Price Ea. Subtotal | out of the Centerfold and into your Wi ith 12 spectacular | dreams with Playboy's 1988 Video #8602V-VHS _1988 Video Playmate Calendar $24.95 | Playmate Calendar. Playmates. Each only #8602B-Beta 1988 Video Playmate Calendar $24.95 | This tantalizing hour-long video $4.95. | #0017 1988 Playmate We nda $ 4.95 ° a S you a more revealing and inti- | mate look at some of Playboy's most Order today. Simply #0018 1988 Playmate Desk Calenda: $ 495 sensational Playmates. Including our >) eck your preferred | superb Playmate of the Year, item on the Request Certificate or Illinois residents add 7% sales tax for each Video, Wall or Desk Calendar:* La Donna Edmondson. Just $24.95. call the toll free number below. | Add $1.25 Postage for each Video, Wall or Desk Calendar $2.00 ADD MORE EXCITEMENT TO YOUR | YEAR WITH PLAYBOY'S 1988 WALL #0018 *Canadian residents please add $3.00 additional per Videc Add $2.00 handling per total order ad AND DESK CALENDARS. | | Wall or Desk Calendar. Sorry, no other foreign orders, OTAL AMOUNT: $ Bring enchanting Playmate beauty to your home or office with the 1988 Enclosed is my check or money order payable to Playboy Video for; $___ YOUR SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED | Please charge my order as indicated visa (1 MasterCard [1] american €Xpress Iffor any reason you are not satisfied Card | ad || | || Exp. Dale with these Playboy products, simply | Signature Daytime Phone Number return your purchase for a full refund. | Name Address. Order today. City. State Call Toll Free 1-800-228-4018 | Allow 2 weeks for delivery. Also available wherever video is sold. Or use the handy Certificate at right. © 1987 Playboy Programs AYBOY, PLAYMATE VIDEO CALENDAR, PLAYMATE AND RABBIT HEAD Design are trademarks of and | used under license from Playboy Enterprises,

[TECHNICALLY SPEAKING VHS hi-fi VCRs have yet to offer a similar feature. Many now have a dou- ble-speed mode, but those with hi-fi turn off or “mute” the audio. Variable speech control would be more practical if you could just speed up the tape a little and still understand what’s being said without experiencing a jarring change of pace. But VSC’s Panasonic experiment demonstrated this would be prohibitively expensive for consumer equipment. Time-compressed audio, however, does have professional applications. Vid- eotape recorders in TV stations have mov- ing video heads, making it possible for the engineers to turn a knob and speed up anything from The Maltese Falcon to a re- run of Barney Miller. The tape can be speeded up to any rate, but usually the trick is to speed it up just enough to short- iF3aRCNcSoinoade2enr.rfdacdoivdl.rtieemicraoetniaoln, ena 22-minute show by one or two minutes How to write your ownTV program. (which can be used for extra commercials) without making the show look any fast- VCR programming Is a great concept. But actually putting it into er. Movie studios have been using time practice Is a different story. Toshiba now has a way to program that's practically compressed video for years to make long foolproof. Because you write your own program with a digital fiber-optic pen. versions of movies fit onto shorter tapes or All functions are displayed right on the TV screen. And you can discs. MGM released a videodisc of That's change them with just a touch of the pen. See Entertainment this way a few years ago. the Toshiba DX-900 with light-pen and our TOSHIBAfull line of on-screen programmable digital In Touch with Tomorrow On TV the time compression of syndi- VCR's. You'll give them high ratings. cated reruns has spread through the indus- Toshiba America, Inc.,82 Totowa Road, Wayne, NJ 07470 try, as broadcasters strain to create a more GET EXTENDED profitable 25-hour day. They defend the WARRANTY PROTECTION FOR YOUR VALUABLE practice by noting that time compression VIDEO EQUIPMENT | How to enables them to broadcast all of a program, make instead of editing out extra minutes to your home videos look professional make room for extra breaks. On stations using state-of-the-art equipment, most viewers will not even realize the program Protect your video investment —and yourself. has been speeded up, but sharp-eyed Warranty Network Corp., a nationwide organi- zation, offers affordable long-term service watchers may notice a slight vibration. contracts, plus quickest possible turnaround. What can be speeded up can be slowed This essential new guide illustrates down too. Suppose a TV station wants to basic shooting techniques by using storyboards, shot sequences, and @ 2-YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON VIDEO air an 85-minute movie in a 120-minute hundreds of photos in color and CAMERAS, CAMCORDERS AND RECORDERS, black-and-white. Weddings, school NOW ONLY $44.95 time slot and comes up short even when sports, family parties and more can now be recorded in a professional, @ 7-YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON SLR CAMERAS, the commercials have been added? In the entertaining way--no more “home NOW ONLY $24.95 movies’ that are painful to watch! old days, it might fill the closing minutes @ Extended Warranties cover all parts and labor VIDEOTHE HOME with a “featurette” or trailers of coming @ Coverage begins when Manufacturers HMAANKDEBRO’OSK Warranty expires attractions. Now it’s easier to slow down @ Expert repair service on all makes, all models the tape slightly and stretch the show to fit. @ Quick turnaround: most repairs within 48 Video purists may bemoan time-al- hours, pick up service available tered television, but there’s not much we | @ Applies to new equipment within 30 days of purchase, no matter where purchased can do to stop it. Don’t bother to ask the Federal Communications Commission for help—it’s too busy deregulating every- Don't run the risk of costly repairs. Write or call thing. Pre-recorded software, which we today, receive your Warranty Certificate by return mail. pay to watch and to own, is another story. Send sales slip, purchase details, and check Time alteration has no place here, and it’s ormoney order to: up to us to complain loudly when it’s used WARRANTY NETWORK CORP. improperly. 97 North 10th Street, Dept VM, Brooklyn, NY 11211 In time, video manufacturers may Or call 748-387-7927 HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN VIDEOS (Credit issued for telephone orders) make an affordable VCR that speeds up or slows down a tape bit by bit. But if TV by ROLAND LEWIS broadcasters continue the practice of alter- ing time to suit their commercial require- Flexible binding. $16.95, now at your bookstore, or send check ments, we may need such machines to or money ordertoCrown Publishers, Inc., Dept. 928, 225 Park Ave. South, N.Y., N.Y. 10003. Please add $1.50 postage and han- Tone VEN VISA turn things back to normal. a dling. N.Y. and N.J. residents, add sales tax. (MasterCard) C3SRicNaFoaieodn3enr.rdfacdviodl.itreecimreoantailon, (CROWN PUBLISHERS Inc] For additional information circle No. 43 on Reader Service Card. 38 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

WHEN EROTIC FANTASY LEADS TO TERROR... DIANE LANE SCOTT! BROS. PICTURES vss DIANE LANE. WADY BEWARE R|y TNARRING ®aey. =Snf BENSCOTT)FREDSCOTT!EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS SCOTTY BROS. yx a INATSSEOCRINATAIOTNIONA VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT INC s SIRISTITENNBMYILLER. CHARLES ZEV COHEN CRAIGSATAN g Sosase TPROONDYUCSECDBOYTTI...» LAWRENCE TAYLOR-MORTORFT 2 DIRECTED BY SOUNDTRACK AVAILABLEON 0E3sk SCOTTI BROS. RECORDS AND TAPES KAREN ARTHUR Distritiatehdy CS Rerwrd 5a i) | 1987 SCOTTI BROTHERS PICTURES INC UE ENATIONAL & ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ENTERTAINMENT ° a 3 RESTRICTED “2D » R UNDER 17 REQUIRES ACCOMPANYING QooO ©g l | PARENTOR ADULT GUARDIAN 7) © 25 oO i?) 2ag xclusively Distei MOA DISTRIBUTING ‘CoRR

CAMCORNERSTATE OF THE ART fF Hot wheels for heavy gear BY STEVE GOLDMAN era as close to the floor as possible, shoot- hang separates the casters enough to keep ing up at the dancers with disco lights flash- the dolly from being easily pushed over My mission was to videotape a party from ing above their heads created “hot” im- from the side. I taped the ends of the cross- all angles, but I was cornered—trapped by ages. At this angle, Ineeded the monitor to bars to they wouldn’t scratch furniture or a writhing wall of teens. That’s when I direct the camera and show what it was people. realized that the dolly that had served me shooting. faithfully for three years—a wooden, trian- I tested the new dolly two days later at gular platform on wheels that carried my Shooting at head height, however, I a crowded home graduation party. It was a tripod, video camera and other equip- had a different problem. When I changed ment—was too fat. Without a miracle to direction by pressing my foot down on the joy. It slipped through the crowd with | part the sea of teens before me, I would skateboard’s rear and pushing on the ease, taking up no more space than I did, | only capture one corner of the party. monopod, I usually lost control of the cam- thereby encouraging the more outgoing era and wound up taping over everybody’s guests to treat it as a friend, not an intrud- By replacing the tripod with a mono- heads. er. pod, I discovered I could streamline my dolly’s figure to that of a skateboard—a LoUale Yet, the loaded dolly was still too heavy shape well suited to slipping between to safely carry. I replaced the iron pipe, the tables and chairs or momentary cracks ina Hello Dolly: tee-joint and the double-flange assembly, crowd. The skateboard which weighed four pounds, with two 12- dolly holds a At a crowded graduation party, on a video camera, a by 14-inch aluminum utility shelf brackets, ballroom floor and in a small Lutheran monopod, two VCRs, which weighed about one pound, and used KBOIVLNLAT | church, it has, in fact, carried with ease a monitor and two portable VCRs, a five-inch color moni- a battery. tor, a camera mounted on a monopod with a fluid head, a 25-watt light, a wireless To improve skateboard control during microphone receiver and a battery power- turns, I replaced the rear wheels with five- ful enough to run them all simultaneously inch diameter casters mounted on a 20- for more than two hours. Best of all, in a inch long two-by-four-inch wood cross car it can travel with only camera and bat- member bolted across the top of the rear of tery disconnected, so you don’t have to the skateboard. Itried this at a football-sta- reconnect and make sure everything dium high school graduation, where I was works minutes before the event starts. restricted to the outside lane of a quar- ter-mile track. Repointing was easy. The skateboard dolly is a videograph- However, the changes made the dolly diffi- er’s fantasy come true. It takes most of the cult to lift. Loaded with a camera, a fluid work out of mgving video equipment, set- head, two VCRs, a monitor and a battery, ting it up, checking it out, taping, packing even Stallone would buckle. for the return and unloading. With a cam- corder or a collection of pre-camcorder I replaced the five-inch, 2.5-pound portables, a skateboard dolly can get you casters with three-inch, one-pound casters into tight spots and safely out again. with brakes and mounted them on over- hanging, aluminum cross bars that were The backbone of this dolly is a Bogen much lighter than two-by-fours. The over- Professional Monopod with fluid head at- tached to a sturdy skateboard. I mated the monopod and the skateboard with two floor flanges, a one-inch iron pipe 18 inches long threaded at each end and two U-bolt clamp assemblies. A tee-joint on the top of the pipe serves as a handle. The dolly’s debut was a sweet sixteen party in a large ballroom. It was exciting to roll back and forth in a straight line, espe- cially while dodging dancers on the floor. With the monopod collapsed and the cam- 40 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

a j | ii ‘2 \\\\

AND THE WINNER CAMCORNER a U-bolt assembly to attach the monopod to FOR BEST the brackets. (Choose the shelf brackets carefully, because they transmit the stress of the monopod to the skateboard. Mine VIOEO CATALOGIS... have a cross section that adds strength with little extra weight.) I had been using a 4.5-inch black & white 12-volt DC television that cost $49. However, now that the dolly was light ve enough to carry up and down stairs, I de- ee cided to add a heavier five-inch color moni- R VIDEO CATALOG tor for an upcoming wedding. I attached Sd the monitor with three 20-inch long rubber e tie-downs to 8- by 10-inch shelf brack- ets connected to the monopod base by an- other U-bolt assembly. I then covered the bracket legs with pipe insulation to reduce vibrations that might shorten tle TV tube’s life. The church was cramped. Rolling from the center aisle to one side of the altar was like negotiating an obstacle course. Yet, the dolly glided into a two- by five-foot strip to the altar’s left, from which it inconspicu- ously captured the ceremony on its two VHS VCRs. I did take the dolly someplace I regret- ted—to a campground on a muddy day. The dolly was outclassed by a tripod that was easier to level on sloping muck. In addition, there was no way to prevent the dolly’s ball bearing casters from getting clogged. I still have two more improvements in mind. First, to keep the dolly from getting knocked over in the dark, I plan to add a strip of 12-volt lights. Second, I may create a second dolly cut from plywood to elimi- WE'RE THE MOVIEST!” nate the aluminum crossbars to which the casters bolt. With two bases, it will be fun deciding which dolly to use for a specific You're the winner when you order the No membership fee, no minimum, shoot, or whether they both deserve a world-famous Movies Unlimited Catalog, our no obligation to buy. Just pure entertainment. permanent monopod. a biggest and best ever. It gives you unlimited And great value. access to video entertainment —over 600 Don't settle for runner-ups. Order the world’s pages packed with fully described titles in moviest video catalog today! TECH TIPS every category: The Classics (and Not-So- i Classics) Foreign Films © Family Fare « Only $7.95 Incredible Rarities ¢ New Releases * 1000's and 1000's of titles available. Nobody has plus $2 shipping & handling Glare Control more— nobody else even comes close! --“Atalog Fees Refunded with Ist Order! Movies Unlimited service is a winner, too— order with confidence from one of America’s Like adult movies? Enclose an additional ©MUino1clv9.ii8mei7sted, Despite the emphasis on low-light sensitiv- ity for camcorder pickups, too much light oldest and most reliable video services. $3.50 for our spicy Adult Video Catalog. CO can contribute to poor picture quality. On extremely bright days or when shooting SS SS SS ST SS A LL LSA AA RY NT A NAY RE RR SEU PRET OSD ORT RN OE DE near water or at a beach, you can cut down () Enclosed Is $9.95 ($7.95+$2 shipping) cash, check or money order-North America, APO and FPO only. Send your new Video Catalog, plus periodic updates. NOTE: Foreign orders send 6736 Castor Avenue on glare by slipping a 4x or 6x neutral $29.95 ($7.95+$22 shipping/ handling). Philadelphia, PA 19149 density filter over the lens. The camcord- 215/722-8398 er’s iris will adjust automatically. The filter (J Enclosed Is $3.50 additional, $13.45 total. Include also forces the lens to use a larger opening, your Adult Video Catalog. | am over 18 years old. which delivers less depth of field. Distract- Foreign orders send $33.45. Name ing backgrounds will be thrown out of fo- Address cus, improving some compositions. Re- member to remove the filter before shoot- City ing indoors or if you need greater depth of field. Phone ( 42 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

The only moviemaker for kids comes with fiaotwn high-powered producer. The Fisher-Price* PXL 2000™ is arevolu- ago. Which means your child’s Fisher-Price tionary video camcorder designed just for camcorder, or any other toy under this year’s kids. And it comes complete with the long- __ tree, will last even longer. So kids everywhere life power of DURACELL’ batteries. can be assured that SETS Today’s DURACELL batteries last up to theshowwillgoon. DURACELL 30% longer than the ones made just 3 years Andon. And on... ALKALINE BATTERY For additional information, circle No. 42 on Reader Service Card.

VIDEOTEST NUMBER 421 RCA Super VHS Camcorder Since Super VHS pre-recorded software is Description. The black and gray remote. At the right of the lens is the not available yet (and apparently won’t be CPR350 has the usual dictionary-sized handgrip with a run/pause button, and tele body of VHS camcorders with the lens and and wide angle power zoom buttons and a for a while), S-VHS buyers still have only grip protruding and the viewfinder mount- switch for the power zoom speed. A jack broadcast quality material (330 lines of ed outrigger-style across the top. The bot- above the grip acts as an output to the resolution) to watch on their new toys. The tom is stepped to form a comfortable shoul- viewfinder (EVF), an A/V input, or an input alternative is to make your own S-VHS der rest. for an optional character generator. tapes—and that’s possible now thanks to RCA’s CPR350 S-VHS camcorder. It de- The right side hosts the cassette hatch, The left side of the camcorder has the a tracking thumbwheel and jacks for A/V VHS/S-VHS record selector with in- livers 400 lines of horizontal resolution and output, an earphone and an optional wired reduces crosstalk between the chromi- dicator, an auto/manual color balance nance and luminance signals. The cam- corder can also make standard VHS re- cordings. And the suggested price of $1,700 is only $200 more than its prede- cessor, the VHS CMR300 (“Videotests, ” July ’86), so the Super VHS capability is not outrageously priced. The CPR350 looks like the CMR300 but improves on some of its other features. Its zoom lens has an 8x zoom ratio instead of 6x and two zoom speeds instead of one. A new MOS image sensor provides the higher resolution S-VHS needs. The com- promise is a minimum illumination rated at 10 rather than 7 lux. And in the interest of getting the product to market as early as possible, an electronic high-speed shutter was not included. Overall, the CPR350 de- livers very detailed pictures in Super VHS and excellent pictures in standard VHS. RCA CPR350 DATA Filter Diameter: manual with open and Jacks: pause, separate eject, 52 mm closed positions viewfinder/input, A/V counter memory Super VHS eee Price: out, earphone, remote Minimum Focusing Sensitivity: and external mic Absent Features: Camcorder Weight: Distance: single range 5.75 pounds 4 feet Tape Format: auto fade, frame ad- Viewfinder: S-VHS, VHS | Dimensions: Minimum Ilumina- electronic with onscreen vance, slow motion, 7-1/2 x 6-1/2 x 14-3/8 tion: indicators for counter, Tape Speeds: SP | rated —10 lux; meas- battery condition plus speed play, audio dub, inches (h/w/d) ured—14 lux for 50 IRE recordable date and time Cue & Review | units (Search): video dub, auto rewind, Viewfinder Controls: 3x hi-fi audio Autofocus: magnifier focus, bright- Power Requirements: switchable to manual ness, contrast, electrical Fast Forward/Rewind Accessories: 12 VDC with one-shot capability focus Time: S-VHS cassette, AC 4-1/4 minutes for T-120 Power Consumption: White Balance: VCR Controls: adapter/charger, 2-hour | 10 W approx. continuous automatic eject, stop, play, fast Counter Digits: 4 battery, EVF with mic, | switchable to variable forward, rewind, pause S-video/video/audio out- Image Sensor: manual and review Linear Audio: put adapter, RF adapter, | 2/3-inch MOS mono | Iris: Microphone: earphone, shoulder strap | Lens: automatic switchable to electret condenser Other Features: carrying handle, clock | {/1.2, 8x (11-88 mm) 2- still frame, remote batteries, antenna cable speed power zoom with macro range and transformer 44 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

Super Debut: VIDEOTEST NUMBER 422 and auto/manual record level; and rotary RCA’s CPR350 S-VHS controls for audio record balance and level, camcorder delivers 400 Panasonic VHS playback bass, treble and balance, and soft/ lines of resolution. HQ Hi-Fi VCR sharp picture playback. The compartment also has mini jacks for stereo headphones Super-VHS and digital-effect VCRs may be and left and right microphones. hogging the spotlight but standard VHS hi-fi VCRs continue to improve. Pan- A compartment on the top panel hous- asonic’s PV-4768 is a full-featured VHS es switches for edit and normal/thin tape model with four video heads, multiple spe- cial effects, hi-fi sound and a and buttons for channel memory, antenna 25-watt-per-channel amplifier. system select, auto set (scan sequence), add/delete, mono/auto stereo and pay TV The PV-4768 comes with an LCD re- select. That pay TV button works with the mote that also controls recent Panasonic optional PV-CT2 accessory (“Videotests, ” TVs. Special effects include fast search, July ’82) to let you mix timed recordings of double speed playback without sound, field one scrambled cable channel with non- scrambled ones. The rear panel holds the channel 3/4 switch, UHF input and output connectors, switch, buttons for display on/off and re- Center Stage: Panasonic’s PV-4768 is a full-featured VCR that boasts an unusual number of special effects. view and rotary controls for manual white balance and manual iris. still, field frame advance and extra fine a multi-pin connector for the PV-CT2, slow motion. Additional features include spring-type connectors for power amplifier A compartment has buttons for setting hi-fi audio, an MTS/SAP tuner, index output to speakers, six RCA-type pin jacks the time and date and starting the clock. search with 10-second auto play at each for video and stereo audio, a sub-mini The auto/manual focus switch is below the index mark, auto eject and power off after phone jack for camera remote and the V- lens, which has manual focus and zoom rewind, one touch record (OTR) with de- Lock control. rings with a button for macro focus. layed start and a 14-day/8-event timer. The remote features an LCD display The EVF slides across the top to adjust Description. The PV-4768 has a very and controls for programming, tuning and for right- or left-eyed viewing, while the simple front panel, featuring only the cas- transport functions. The controls duplicate adjustable magnifier in its eyepiece swivels those on the VCR, except for program up or down. The microphone at the night of sette hatch, displays, buttons for power, recall, which retrieves program informa- the viewfinder may be removed, allowing eject and volume, and the door to a com- tion material already executed or cleared; you to plug in an external mic. transmit, which sends program informa- partment. tion to the VCR; check, which displays the The top of the body has an accessory The inner surface of the door has but- program memory on the VCR’s display; shoe and controls for camera/playback and amplifier volume. Other buttons con- tons for VCR/TV, pause/still, stop, slow/ trol most of the more frequently used TV mode, power, eject, stop, play, pause, re- frame advance, rewind (search), play/2x, functions. wind, fast forward, counter memory, re- fast forward (search), record, audio dub, Operation. The PV-4768 is designed continued on page 123 standby, OTR, counter reset, memory/in- to be operated primarily from the remote. dex, timer, clock, normal, program, day, After inserting a cassette, you only need to RESULTS Audio Frequency Re- start up/down, length up/down and channel get up from your chair to adjust the audio sponse: up/down (for programming). amplifier, tracking, picture sharpness, in- Horizontal Resolu- 100 Hz-10 kHz, +/-3 put source and some audio controls. Ease tion: dB On the compartment’s inner wall are an of operation is excellent to very good. 400 lines, S-VHS; up/down tracking rocker; buttons for cy- 240+ lines, VHS S/N, Audio: cling through the record speeds, coun- continued on page 120 41.3 dB ter/time remaining and audio output op- S/N, Video Lumi- nance, Unweighted: Audio Distortion: tions; slide switches for hi-fi normal audio 44.7 dB, S-VHS; 43.6 1.8% mix, audio filter, input select, level meter dB, VHS RATINGS S/N, Video Lumi- nance, Weighted: Picture Quality: 48.2 dB, S-VHS; 48.0 excellent for S-VHS and dB, VHS VHS S/N, Chroma AM: Audio Quality: 41.8 dB, S-VHS; 41.9 good/very good dB, VHS Operational Ease: S/N, Chroma PM: excellent 40.9 db, S-VHS; 40.4 dB, VHS Overall Performance: very good/excellent LMEOSRSILLO DECEMBER 1987 VIDEO 45

VIDEOTESTS HIG ow screen oisetavioce SHARP Ante Down: Sharp's $600 VHS VCR features nine-picture channel search, picture-in-picture, freeze frame and digital strobe. VIDEOTEST NUMBER 423 and lower halves by a narrow sloped band. while the sound continues and strobe, On the upper area is the cassette hatch; which lets you see a series of still pictures Sharp Digital Effect power, eject, stop and play buttons; and during playback while the tape continues to VHS HQ VCR the main display. roll with sound. The plus and minus strobe buttons speed up or slow the rate at which Sharp has lowered the ante for entering the The narrow middle band has indicators the still picture is updated. world of digital-effect VCRs. The VC- for multi-picture, PIP and TV still and but- D800U has a suggested price of $599.95 tons for TV/VCR, clock/counter, counter Nine-picture search lets you see a still and a similar model, the VC-D75U, is $50 reset, memory, delayed start time for frame from each channel in the scan se- less but has fewer features. timed record, timed record, channel up and quence in groups of nine. If more than nine channels are in the sequence, successive The VC-D800U’s digital highlights in- down, rewind and fast forward. pushes show the next nine until the se- clude nine-picture channel search, pic- Behind the blank lower panel is a com- quence is exhausted. A further push re- ture-in-picture (PIP), freeze frame and turns to the channel last selected. digital strobe. It even has two search partment with a slide switch for the blue speeds: the slower is the second option screen which appears instead of noise Operation. Using the VC-D800U is (contrary to industry practice) and useful when no picture is present, rotary controls easy because Sharp limited the number of when you near the scene you're looking exposed buttons. The auto play feature for. A monaural linear track, instead of for normal and slow tracking, and buttons sets the VCR into play mode any time a stereo or hi-fi stereo, helps to hold down for record speed, on-screen programming cassette without an erase tab is inserted. the price. display, clock and timer functions, tuner The exposed buttons let you run the ma- setup, record and pause/still. chine’s basic functions. Description. The VC-D800U is black with a stark front panel divided into upper The remote control, powered by two The auto memory that enters all the AAA cells, has controls that mirror those active channels simplifies setting up the on the VCR plus additional ones for the scan sequence. You can modify it by adding digital effects: PIP shift that cycles the inset picture around the four quadrants, continued on page 120 TV still that freezes a live incoming picture Sharp VC-D8000 Tape speeds: timer on/off, channel up/ | Broadcast Tuning Accessories: Audio Frequency Re- Digital-Effect VHS SP, EP EP remote control with 2 sponse, -3 dB: HO VCR down, 10-digit keypad, Range: AAA cells, antenna cab- 80-12,000 Hz, SP; 100- Play speed select: les and transformer 6,300 Hz, LP; 100-5,000 DATA automatic 9-picture, PIP, inset 2 to 13, 14 to 83 Hz, EP Suggested Price: RESULTS $600 Still Frame: shift, TV still, record, ‘Cable Tuning Range: S/N, Audio: Weight: digital stop, pause/still, play, Horiz. Resolution: 46 dB 16.3 pounds 240 lines Dimensions (h/w/d): Cue & Review rewind, fast forward, 2 to 13, A to W, A-5 to Audio Distortion: 3-3/4 x 17 x 13-5/8 Search: S/N, Video Lumi- 1.8 % inches 2 speed—SP and LP, strobe, strobe - and Al nance, Unweighted: 7x or 5x; EP, 15x or 9X strobe + Timer: 44.3 dB, SP; 44.0 dB, RATINGS Power Requirements: LP; 43.1 dB, EP 120 VAC, 60 Hz Fast Forward/Rewind Counter Digits: 4 4 program/14 day Picture Quality: Time: S/N, Video Lumi- good/very good by VHS Power Consumption: 4-1/4 minutes for T-120 Linger Audie: Special Features: nance, Weighted: HQ standards 34 W cassette 46.1 dB, SP; 45.3 dB, mono separate eject, counter LP; 45.0 dB, EP Audio Quality: Tape Format: Remote: memory, auto rewind, very good for mono lin- VHS HQ IR wireless with buttons Tuning Method: channel lock, auto chan- S/N, Chroma AM: ear track for power, TV/VCR, pro- frequency synthesis nel change 47.1 db, SP; 47.4 dB, gram/clock, clear, clock LP; 44.8 dB, EP Operation Ease: set, onscreen, -, +, set, Channel Selectors: Absent Features: very good programmable up/down frame advance, slow S/N, Chroma PM: scan on VCR, scan plus motion, speed play, re- 43.3 dB, SP; 42.2 dB, Overall Performance: direct access on remote mote pause, program LP; 41.2 dB, EP very good start/locator/index/cue, Preset Method: audio and video dub, hi- auto memorize active fi audio, MTS/SAP channels plus add and erase from memory LMEOSRSILLO 46 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

ONCE YOU EXPERIENCE TDK, EVERYTHING ELSE IS JUST TAPE. While conventional video tapes are just play- ing the roll, TDK excels in performance. 4 OurnewE-HG formulation is vis- —}\\ ible proof. We call = )\\ it ‘The Enhancer, once you've tried it, | you'll Know why. iN E-HG delivers an extra level of viewing ‘ pleasure with brighter, sharper pictures, more vibrant colors and clearer sound—even in the 6 hour long play mode. So why get stuck with a tape that’s not up to performance, when you can get enhanced quality, dependability and reliabil- ity with TDK E-HG: ‘The Enhancer: Once you experience the extra level of performance, you'll find it a \\Y TE , indispensable for all your taping needs. \\\\\\4 y vaste 44m TDK. THE ART OF PERFORMANCE. TDKis the world’s leading manufacturerofaudio/video cassettes and floppy disk products. © 1987 TDK Electronics Corp For additional information, circle No. 81 on Reader Service Card.

VIDEOTEST NUMBER 424 III plus play at Beta I and Is. Other features Beta Goes Digital: include hi-fi sound, MTS/SAP decoding, a Sony's SL-HF860D Sony SuperBeta 148-channel tuner, a 6-program/7day tim- boasts digital still Digital-Effects er, an extra audio output for feeding a hi-fi frame, slow motion, Hi-Fi VCR system, an hours/minutes/seconds coun- mosaic, solarization ter and a second line input on the front and picture-in-picture Sony has finally added digital effects to Su- panel. with ‘zoom.” perBeta in three new VCRs. The SL- HF860D is the top of the line with one of Description. The SL-HF860D (search), play, fast forward (search), slow, the widest selections of effects available, weighs 21.1 pounds and measures 4 inches stop, pause/still and synchro edit, plus a including a stunning still frame, pic- high by 17 wide by 18-1/8 deep. On the left spring-loaded slider for record. To the ture-in-picture (P in P), 1/4x slow motion, of the front panel are power and eject but- right are an indicator for digital effects and three kinds of picture search, mosaic, pic- buttons for P in P, zoom, flash and stop ture art (solarization), flash and stop mo- tons, a headphone volume control and a motion, mosaic, picture art, 9- and 16-pic- tion with sound, zoom and nine- and 16-pic- stereophone jack. Below are the recording ture strobe. level indicator and sliders for each channel. continued on page 123 To the right of the cassette hatch are but- The SL-HF860D includes SuperBeta tons for TV/VTR, tape return to zero, and Beta record and playback at Beta II and clear/reset, clock/counter, clock set and check. The middle of the front panel has a large display area, buttons for timer set, -, +, next, timer record, quick timer, rewind Sony SL-HF860D Slow Motion: wind (search), fast for- Channel Selectors: locator/index/cue, audio Audio Frequency SuperBeta VCR 1/4x, digital ward (search), stop, dig- +/- programmable scan dub, video dub. Response: with Digital Effects ital scan, reverse and on VCR, keypad direct hi-fi—20 Hz-20 kHz, Rapid Search: forward locking search, access and scan on re- Accessories: +2.1/-0.2 dB; line- DATA locking, separate buttons pause/still, slow and mote remote control with 2 ar—-100-6,300 Hz, -3 Suggested Price: on remote; 5x, Bl: 10x, 10-digit tuning keypad. AA batteries, audio ca- dB, Bil; 100-4,000 Hz, $1,100 Bll; 15x, BIll Slide switch changes Preset Method: ble, antenna cable and -3 dB, Bill keypad and extra buttons add/erase from scan transformer Weight: Digital Scan: to deliver stop and flash sequence S/N, Audio: 41.2 dB 21.1 pounds separate button, mono- motion, P in P auto 9- RESULTS chrome picture in fast and 16-picture strobe, Broadcast Tuning Audio Distortion: Dimensions (h/w/d): forward and rewind manual strobe, mosaic, Range: Horiz. Resolution: hi-fi0.4 %:; 4x 17 x 18-1/8 inches picture art, zoom, effect 2 to 13, 14 to 69 270-280 lines linear—1.2 % Cue & Review: +/-, recall last picture Power Requirements: non-locking using fast and digital off Cable Tuning Range: S/N, Video Lumi- RATINGS 120 VAC, 60 Hz forward and rewind but- 2 to 13, A to W, A-5 to nance, Unweighted: tons; 5x, 10x, 15x, de- Counter Digits: A-1, W+30 to W484 41.2 dB, BIl; 40.2 dB, Picture Quality: Power Consumption: pending on speed at 5—hours:min- Bill good/very good 46 W max. which material recorded utes:seconds Timer: 7-day/6-event S/N, Video Lumi- Audio Quality: Tape Format: Fast Forward/ Counter Memory: nance, Weighted: hi-fi—excellent; SuperBeta Rewind Time: tape return to 0:00:00 Other Features: 50.1 dB, Bil; 42.8 dB, linear—fair 5 minutes for L-750 Auto rewind, AFT, MTS Bill Tape Speeds: Linear Audio: mono stereo, SAP, channel Operation Ease: Bil, Bill, record; Bl, Bls, Remote: lock, auto channel- S/N, Chroma AM: excellent Bil, Bill, playback RMT-160 IR wireless Hi-Fi Audio: stereo change 45.7 dB, Bil; 43.2 dB, with buttons for power, Bill Overall Performance: Still Frame: digital TV/VTR, channel up/ Tuning Method: Absent Features: very good down, record, play, re- voltage synthesis Frame advance, speed S/N, Chroma PM: play, program start 43.4 dB, Bil; 41.6 dB, Bill MLEOSRSIL 48 VIDEO DECEMBER 1987

RETAILERS: Get on Our Best-Seller List gro SES) ES > GED Ge Ga aan a Ga Ca aD 7 go \\ ———-—-—-—-—-—--—-—oe+ewem-”-—., > oeSeee olna i Nido |p= ‘\\ || C=TcS<S-3+------- okt Every month, VIDEO Magazine is selling out at video retail stores across the country. BECAUSE... Every month, the avid hobbyist looks to VIDEO for the latest information on video equipment . . . prerecorded programming... accessories .. . and much more. SHOULD YOU SELL VIDEO IN YOUR STORE? ¥ Would you like a handsome profit on every copy you sell, with unsold copies fully returnable for credit, so you risk nothing? V Would you like a free counter rack in which to display your copies? V Would you like your store name and town listed in VIDEO if you carry 20 copies monthly? ¥ Would you like to sell more merchandise and increase store traffic? If your answers are yes, you should be interested in the full details on VIDEO’s Direct Retailer Program. Just fill out the handy coupon and we’ll rush the material you need right off to you. YES, I’M INTERESTED. Send me full details on VIDEO’s Direct ! | Retailer Program and an order form. : I Name of Store (please print) 1 | sea : ddress | City — State Zip : | ] Your Name l DECEMBER 1987 VIDEO 49 | | Mail coupon to: VIDEO Retailer Program, i | 460 West 34th Street, New York, New York 10001 | I |

When you've arrived. Proton. Proton's AV27 audio-video system. Your audio-video system should be speakers that sound as extraordinary VT-290 27\" Stereo Monitor/Receiver. a reflection of your lifestyle. That's as they look. why you'll want the ultimate in picture, sound and design. The Proton AV27 audio-video system. Once you own it, you'll know | Introducing Proton's new AV27 you've arrived. remote-controlled audio-video system. The ultimate audio/video guide is It starts with our stunning new 27\" yours free for the asking. flat screen stereo monitor/receiver. Never before have you seen a picture Proton's Ultimate System Guide for so real. With rich, deep blacks. Audio/Videophiles tells you everything Sparkling whites. Colors so pure. about the innovative technology and Dimension so incredible. It's every- design that go into creating the re- thing you'd expect from the company nowned Proton line. that earned Video Magazine's pres- For your copy, which includes a list tigious Product of the Year award, of the Proton retailers near you, monitor/receiver category. call (800) 772-0172. In California, (800) 428-1006. For unparalleled sound, add Proton's 300 Series remote-controlled CLEARLY THE BEST audio components with exclusive Dynamic Power on Demand.™ Plus 737 W. Artesia Blvd., Compton, CA 90220 our new matching floor-standing