HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: mullen@itd.nrl.navy.mil (Preston Mullen)
Subject: quantification of Betacam SP (was Re: Great Simpsons Quote from 11/3/92 epis)
Reply-To: mullen@itd.nrl.navy.mil
Organization: Information Technology Division, Naval Research Laboratory
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 21:31:24 GMT

In article 4449@vidiot.UUCP, brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot) writes:
> In article <Bxu250.n3w@ra.nrl.navy.mil> mullen@itd.nrl.navy.mil writes:
> <What's the potential resolution of a Betacam recording?
> <Is it better than the ~400 lines of SVHS and Hi8,
> <or is Betacam's value not in extra lines of resolution
> <but in more accurate color, etc.?
> 
> If you mean consumer Betacam, it is no better than the average consumer
> beta VCR.
> 
> If you mean the pro BetaCamSP system, then it is higher quality than S-VHS
> and Hi8 in both luminance and color.
> -- 
>       harvard\                          spool.cs.wisc.edu!astroatc!vidiot!brown
> Vidiot  ucbvax!uwvax..........!astroatc!vidiot!brown
>       rutgers/            INTERNET:vidiot!brown%astroatc.UUCP@spool.cs.wisc.edu
>                                    brown@wi.extrel.com


I meant the latter.  Let me clarify my original question:

I understand that Betacam SP is superior to consumer formats including
S-VHS and Hi8.  I want someone to quantify the superiority in terms of
lines of resolution, number of edit generations it can handle, etc.  I
understand that it could be superior without having more resolution in
luminance.  I just want someone to clarify this.

In other words, don't tell me it's better, tell me precisely how it's
better.

Thanks.

	Preston Mullen
	Naval Research Laboratory


Newsgroups: rec.video,rec.video.releases,comp.sys.laptops
From: lch3e@holmes.acc.Virginia.EDU (Lauren C. Howard)
Subject: An easy fix for nicads that REALLY works!
Originator: lch3e@holmes.acc.Virginia.EDU
Organization: University of Virginia
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 14:38:20 GMT

Easy FIX for NICADS that REALLY works!

It's simple, it's easy, and it really works well!



First reinforce the battery pack (if in one) with clear cellophane tape.



Then drop the battery,  onto it's side,  on the floor from about 6

ft. up. You  want it to be a really HARD drop:  but don't break the

battery.  Do this seven  or more times for each battery.



If it's in a pack, drop the pack so each battery hits the floor seven

times.



I know this seems crazy,  but it DOES work,  and well.  If it doesn't

work the  first time,  try again; harder!  You have nothing to lose,

since you'd have to  replace the battery anyway.



An example:  the batteries in my portable printer are 8 years old.  

They were  at  the  point where even after 24 hours charge,  and still

plugged  into  the  charger,  the printer wouldn't operate.  After

dropping, I now get three weeks  of printing from one charge.



So far,  it's never failed.   What have you got to lose?  Post your

results so  others can benefit, and spread the word!


Newsgroups: rec.video,rec.video.releases,rec.arts.movies,rec.music.video
From: kimnach@lims02.lerc.nasa.gov (GREG KIMNACH)
Subject: re: BETA Movie/Music List on Misc.forsale; updated 11/18
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Date: 19 Nov 1992 10:31 EST  

In article <z=y118j@rpi.edu>, kimp@rpi.edu (Phil Kim) writes...
>In article <1992Nov18.205436.7428@news.columbia.edu> gld@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Gary L Dare) writes:
>[stuff deleted]
>>A number of us Beta users on USENET have been overcoming the death of
>>our "poor man's laserdisc" format at the corner rental stores by the
>     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>Laserdisc player costs about the same as Beta recorder, if not lower.

Well, a low end HiFi superbeta will set you back about $250 (new)....and it 
records!

Greg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                         ED-Beta: Simply THE BEST!
"ED Beta is simply the best consumer videotape format available."
                                     --VIDEO Magazime, Nov. 1992, page 30.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: wolfson@regatta.sps.mot.com (Stephen Wolfson)
Subject: Digital Audio?
Organization: SPS
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 20:59:41 GMT

Our cable company (Dimension) has been hawking this new digital
stereo thingy.  Basically it lets you connect up your Audio equipment
in case your TV doesn't support stereo output and they have something
like 8 channels of music programming.  Any of it any good or would
I just be buying a consumer version of Muzak (hardly worth it especially
since there is no elevator in my house :-)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv,sci.electronics
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: jpau@oracle.com
Subject: >>> PRO.LOGIC Surround Sound Processor forsale <<<
Organization: Oracle Corp., Redwood Shores CA
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 00:52:13 GMT
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by an unauthenticated user
              at Oracle Corporation.  The opinions expressed are those
              of the user and not necessarily those of Oracle.

o PRO.LOGIC Surround Sound Processor
  AudioSource (SS THREE) Surround Sound Processor (Dolby Surround, Pro.Logic)
  with Amplifier and Remote Control.
  Amplifier Power Output: 30W + 30W for rear channels
  Input Handling Modes: Dolby Pro Logic Surround Sound (Normal/Phantom)
                        Hall Surround
                        Matrix Surround
                        Monitor
  Outputs: Line Out (unprocessed)
           Center Out
           Subwoofer Out
           Surround Out (processed)
           Tape Record Out
  Reference Display: 6 Level LED Display for Surround, Left, Center & Right
                     Channel
  Delay: 20 or 30 millisecond delay setting

  Retails: $450.00 at Macys

  Asking $200.00 (excellent conditions, 2 months old)



Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: alan@ernest.itg.ti.com (Alan Edmonds)
Subject: Re: Money for nothing and PPV for free
Organization: Texas Instruments, Inc. - Plano, Tx
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 19:27:09 GMT
Summary: me too

In article <2111@hsdndev.UUCP> nhmas@gauss.med.harvard.edu (Mark Shneyder) writes:
>I'm not sure if this was a nation-wide PPV glitch but Cablevision of
>Boston/Brookline had unscrambled Holyfield-Bowe fight to all(many)of its
>subscribers last night for all 12 great rounds of boxing.

I noticed the same thing.  We have three PPV channels on the local cable
system here (Telecable).  I noticed that the Preview Guide had turned into
the Holyfield-Bowe fight with the audio replaced by an obnoxious buzz.
The PPV channel with the fight was in the clear!  

Very interesting.  Maybe it's like NFL home games; if enough tickets
are sold, the game is broadcast locally :-)

-- 
Alan Edmonds                                     Texas Instruments, Inc.
I don't speak for TI; TI doesn't speak for me    M/S 8515
Work phone: (214)575-6427                        6620 Chase Oaks Blvd.
Email: edmonds@lobby.ti.com                      Plano, Texas  75023
From: oplinger@minerva.crd.ge.com (Brian Oplinger)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: >>> PRO.LOGIC Surround Sound Processor forsale <<<
Summary: but it's not a deal
Date: 19 Nov 92 19:50:55 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: GE Corp. Research & Development, Schenectady, NY

In article <1992Nov18.005213.2028@oracle.us.oracle.com> jpau@oracle.com writes:
>o PRO.LOGIC Surround Sound Processor
>  AudioSource (SS THREE) Surround Sound Processor (Dolby Surround, Pro.Logic)
>  Retails: $450.00 at Macys
>  Asking $200.00 (excellent conditions, 2 months old)

In an article I posted last week I said:
:I got the latest Damark catalogue and found a Dolby Pro-Logic Surround
:processor on sale for $200. It has 30Wx2 for the rear and center
:channels and a remote. Is this a good price for such an item? If
:anyone is interested in buying one, the phone number for Damark is
:listed as 1-800-729-9000, sorry no toll numbers listed.

This is the same item. I got 3 replies to my post, 2 saying that they
heard there were quality control problems with the unit, and one
saying that it is a good price. 

My suggestion, buy a new one with warranty from Damark.

-- 
brian
oplinger@ra.crd.ge.com

<#include standard.disclaimer>
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: mcsbc2gw@dct.ac.uk
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: cable t.v. companies : A WARNING!
Date: 17 Nov 92 09:50:54 GMT
Organization: Dundee Institute of Technology

There is a company beside us, which is forging necessary signature to allow
them access to all parts of the town which are private and digging up
tons of concrete to lay a cable for t.v.

What I must protest against is that the council deem our street as maintained
by the residents, but the company says they have the necessary documents to
allow them access too our property. 

These wayleave agreements have been signed by us they say and thats that
On inspection, these agreements are forged signatures of people who no
longer live at our house.

I feel that unscrupulous companies may be abusing the law and should be
punished for it..

Mr Group B Ariel Horiz polarisation.
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: jeffb@audiolab.UWaterloo.ca (jeff bamford)
Subject: Re: Audio signals through cable tv?
Organization: Audio Research Group, University of Waterloo
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 21:39:53 GMT

In article <1689F1028D.C476289@mizzou1.missouri.edu> C476289@mizzou1.missouri.edu (Chandra B. Gamlath) writes:
>I heard that there are audio signals coming through the tv cable.  Could
>somebody please tell me how to receive them?  What equipment do I need?
>other than the tv, vcr and the stereo receiver?  Since I don't read this
>news group often please send the answers to my e-mail address.
>Thanks.
> 
	If you mean Cable FM, all you have to do it attach your cable to an
FM Receiver and bingo!  You'll probably need a matching transformer (75 to 
300 ohms).  I find this great as I live in a basement apt. and otherwise would
not get nearly as many stations as I do with Cable FM. 


 

-- 
****************************************************************************
*   Jeff Bamford      jeffb@audiolab.uwaterloo.ca                          *
*  "Quantum Mechanics -- Stranger Than Friction"  --  M.A.MacKenzie        *
****************************************************************************
Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 07:11:35 -0500 
From: Sean McLinden <sean+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: VCR Plus and A/B cable

I recently purchased a VCR Plus compatible unit for use with
Pittsburgh's TCI cable system (formerly a Warner CUBE system).
The system uses an A cable for Basic Service and the B cable
for Expanded service (premiums are split between them). A
Scientific Atlanta converter is the interface.

The problem that I am having is that I can only get a few of
the channels on the A cable on my VCR (which has an autolearn
feature), and none of the B channels appear. Is anyone aware of
a reason why this should be so and what, if anything, I can do
about it?

Thanks in advance.

Sean McLinden
From: opt-1-6@maxwell.physics.purdue.edu (1-6 Optics)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Descramblers
Date: 21 Nov 92 17:13:17 GMT
Organization: Physics Department, Purdue University

I'm considering the purchase of a cable t.v. descrambler and I want to know
everything about it.  Specifically:

	1.  Assuming the cable is turned on to my house, will this thing allow
		me to watch channels like HBO, Showtime, etc.?

	2.  Is it legal?

	3.  Can the cable company find out if I'm using it?

 	4.  What should I really expect from this thing?


	


					Thanks in advance,

						Scott Stults


			opt-1-6@maxwell.physics.purdue.edu

	
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv,sci.electronics
From: schuch@phx.mcd.mot.com (John Schuch)
Subject: Re: Seeking info on unusual cable scramble
Organization: Motorola Computer Group, Tempe, Az.
Distribution: na
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1992 12:53:52 GMT

In article <1992Nov20.043919.26691@gagme.chi.il.us> net@gagme.chi.il.us (Whoami Anyway) writes:
>
>The vertical blanking interval has a pulsating white line on its top
>edge, near the middle of the vbi.  This white line pulses rapidly and
>has very little effect on the received picture (except for an annoying
>flicker near the bottom of the screen), but if a VCR is switched in
>
>Here is the rub.
>
>On Cableco supplied converters, this little pulse on the vbi is masked
>with a line of black positioned 'over' the pulse to hide it.  You can
>see the edges of the pulse flickering slightly, but the bulk of the
>

Interesting, blast a signal of a very specific frequency out the front
of your TV. That could probably be detected some distance away, like
from a van in the street in front of your house. 

The is absolute conjecture, but interesting none the less.

John

-- 
| ONE LINE NOVEL: She backed away from the corpse slowly, not so much out  |
| of fear, but simply unsure of what the crowd expected her to do with it. |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| John R. Schuch  -  Motorola Computer Group  -  Manufacturing Engineering |
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: akerson@deimos.af.mil (Pete Akerson - akerson%srg@uunet.uucp)
Subject: Newbie asks - how2 hook up?
Organization: Arinc Research Corp.
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 92 20:40:15 GMT



Hi, all

I'm having cable hooked up next week - (welcome to the 80s Pete !)
and wonder which of the following is correct, and why :

Cable --> VCR --> CableBox --> Tv
or
Cable --> CableBox --> VCR --> Tv

Details : 
  the VCR has a remote; I want to keep using it .
  the VCR accepts Cable ( may be RG58, 300-ohm, big fat round wire.)
     ( I dont know if that means that it is 'cable ready' )
  the Tv is a piece of #$$#% ; it requires a matching transformer.
From: guest@veronica.cs.wisc.edu (Guest account)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: Stupid question
Date: 23 Nov 92 15:22:01 GMT
Reply-To: petlock@turing.org
Distribution: na
Organization: U of Wisconsin Madison - Computer Sciences

wdp@gagme.chi.il.us (Bill Pfeiffer) writes:


>We once had a uhf pay-tv
>station here that used sinewave.  They showed a lot of spoorting games
>(like hockey and such)  the bright backgrounds made it possible to
>veiw those programs with no decoder at all.

Are you referring to On-TV or Spectrum?  (Or did Spectrum use SSAVI?)
When I lived near Chicago years ago I knew of lots of people who had
boxes that got On-TV, Spectrum, or both of 'em (for the latter the box
had two separate boards inside and a switch between 'em).  I remember
the fine-tune method for getting On-TV-- only problem was you had to
turn the volume way way up to hear the sound at all, and you always
got your ears blasted off by the once-an-hour anncouncement on the
ordinary audio channel with the station ID.  There was even one
version of pirate box that was popular up near the state line, where
the milwaukee pay-TV service had a usable signal, with three boards
inside it.  Those were costly little suckers, though.  And listings
were hard to get.  Pity they shut down, but they all must've had twice as
many pirate boxes as there were legit subscribers towards the end....

-Tim Petlock
petlock@turing.org
From: 0004861036@MCIMAIL.COM (James Millick)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: XBR^2
Date: 14 Nov 92 15:39:00 GMT
Organization: The Internet


  I asked about when we would be seeing a review of an XBR^2 model
Sony. It turns out we have had one for review, but they were 
completely unsucessful in setting it to 6500K and getting it to 
track a grey scale. In my opinion, (not TPVs), Sony has a terrific
CRT, but insists in mucking things up with their insistence on
unswitchable Auto Tint, unswitchable Auto Color Correction [which
it isn't], and not being switchable to 6500K. So much potential and
such poor execution. Maybe we could get their broadcast division to
design one...their projector and broadcast guys know what they are
doing, but the KV and most of the PVMs sure don't. Color me (a 
PVM-2530 owner) disappointed again. They ought to save the money
from the Grand Canyon commercials and spend it somewhere useful,
IMHO.

Jim Millick
Video Reviewer
The Perfect Vision
Speaking only for myself, of course....
121537ZNOV92
From: ted@airplane.sharebase.com (Ted Marshall)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: Need info on 8mm vcr
Date: 17 Nov 92 00:24:33 GMT
Reply-To: ted@airplane.sharebase.com (Ted Marshall)
Distribution: usa
Organization: NCR/ShareBase Corporation

In article <1992Nov12.001325.4395@spcvxb.spc.edu> killeen@spcvxb.spc.edu (Jeff Killeen) writes:
>BTW - I just discovered my new EV-A50 8mm does not work with my VCR+.  The 
>problem is A50 requires you to press the enter key after you key in the 
>channel number.  The VCR+ send the channel codes but not the enter code.

In setting up a VCR+ for my mother-in-law's Mits VCR, I descovered that
it would not change channels. Like your VCR, this one required an ENTER
keypress after the channel number. The VCR+ was sending the ENTER, but
too quickly (it appears that if the ENTER is sent within 1/2 second of
the second digit, the channel change is lost).

Anyway, I called the Gemstar 800 number and told the rep what was
happening. He had me read him the serial number which turned out to
indicate that my unit was a "B" rev and his list indicated that this
VCR requires at least a "C" rev. Anyway, a week later, I received a
prepaid envelope and mailed in the VCR+. About a week after that, I
received a new unit which worked correctly.

Bottom line: it looks to me like they burned codes into the ROMs for
a bunch of VCR that they did not test. As complaints came in, they
updated the ROMs to fix the problems. Maybe not the best way to work,
but at least they were quick to respond and fix the problem.

Before giving up on your VCR+, give them a call. Even if they cannot
help you immediately, at least they will get started on fixing it.

-- 
Ted Marshall                             ted@sharebase.com   (408)369-5574
NCR Corp. (ShareBase Div.)             2055A Logic Dr., San Jose, CA 95124
The opinions expressed above are those of the poster and not his employer.
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: Mike_Quigley@mindlink.bc.ca (Mike Quigley)
Subject: Re: Trouble with recent Warner releases
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 01:24:59 GMT

> oberman@ptavv.llnl.gov writes:
>
> In article <BxKAw6.2J3@fc.hp.com>, rjn@FC.HP.COM (Bob Niland) writes:
> > Scott Turner (scott@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM) wrote:
> >
> >> Anyone else seen similar problems?  Anyone heard of difficulties with
> >> recent WHV releases?  Anybody know what my horoscope was like for last
> >> week? :-)  (Cue eerie twilight zone music and fade...)
> >
> > The question is, who pressed those discs?  Warner is biased towards using
> > the WEA (Warner/Elektra/Atlantic) plant, and they seem to be the black
> > sheep of the industry right now on sync and cross-talk defects.
>
> I suggest looking the the review of WEA pressings in the new TPV. It claims
> that the major problem with WEA pressings is that they have very state of
> the
> art equipment that pushes NTSC to its limit. WEA discs on misadjusted
> monitors
> may not look very good, but TPV says that on a properly adjusted monitor
> they
> have excellent quality.
>


I was quite surprised to read the editorial in the latest Perfect Vision
where they talk as if everything is rosy at the new Warner Brothers LD plant.
I would really like to know why certain pressings played on my player have
laser lock at the end of the sides (JFK, 3 sides, Tom Jones, 1 side). This
phenomenon was mentioned recently by someone else in regard to Batman Returns
and Excalibur. Seems rather odd that of out of 100 or so LD's I own, the only
other ones which have a problem like this go well beyond 59 minutes and 30
seconds. None of the sides mentioned above have this problem.

I will agree with one thing in the latest PV, however, that Wolfen has a
dynamite Dolby surround track...

Newsgroups: rec.video
From: sharadg@fai.com (Sharad Gavali )
Subject: Recommendations for camcorder
Organization: Fujitsu America, Inc
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 00:13:35 GMT

   

 This is modified version of post which I posted yesterday.
   
 I started reading this news group recently. I am aware of the recent
 discussion about TR 81 and TR 101. Since I am interested in buying a camcorder
 can someone give me the following information
        
    1) What are the differences between TR 81 and 101 ? I know the price
       difference is around $ 400. Is this extra price worth ? Is TR 81
       more reliable than TR 101 ?
    2) Are there any better choices like Panasonic etc ?
    3) Is SONY FX 710 better alternative to TR 81 or 101. Why and what is
       the lowest possible price ?
    4) What are the best prices for recommended models and where to get them?

 Comments from experts on this group will be appreciated. Please send your
 replies to

                  sharadg@fai.fai.com

Thanks

Sharad 
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: tu@bert.eecs.uic.edu (Shengru Tu)
Subject: Sharp Twin Lens 8mm Camcorder ?
Summary: Sharp VL-MX6U, good?
Keywords: experience?  good?
Organization: University of Illinois at Chicago
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 02:45:00 GMT

Recently I saw such a Sharp new camcorder  (8mm, not Hi8):

Sharp Twin Lens (model VL-MX6U) standard and a wide angle switching by one
botton; 12x Zoom, 1/10000 sec, 3 lux.  For US$800.

Anyone has experience on it?  I am specifically concerned with its Auto-
Focus performance.  Or any opinion on Sharp's camcorders?

Thanks in advance.

Shengru
From: pvh@apple.com (Pete Helme)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: Sony KPR53XBR15:  Yowza!!!!  (PS to Frank Longo)
Date: 23 Nov 92 18:50:32 GMT
Followup-To: rec.video
Distribution: rec
Organization: Apple Computer, Inc.

I'm very impressed with the 46XBR15 as well and will probably buy one as
soon as I get out of my apartment. ;)  You might want to call PowerVideo
for pricing (1-800-877-2900).  They give about 25% off list on Sony
projection TVs.  Cheapest I've found so far.

name: Pete Helme
work: Apple Computer, Inc.
mail: pvh@apple.com
From: j.cook@primerd.prime.com (C. James Cook)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: 8mm or hi8 for computer applications?
Date: 15 Nov 92 19:58:13 GMT
Organization: Prime Computer R&D

jagrant@emr1.emr.ca (John Grant) writes:
> I am interested in getting an 8 mm camcorder for travel as well as for
> use with my pc....

> 1. obviously hi8 has better resolution than 8mm, but will I really notice
>    the difference when playing back on our (na) low res tv system?

Depends on you and what you want to do.  If you normally aren't picky, you
might not care.  If your TV is truely lo-res, you might night care.  How
ever, if you want to dub your tapes down, Hi-8 will make a definate differance
that you should be able to notice.

> 2. If I want to get a board later to transfer pc graphics to the camcorder
>    and camcorder video into my pc, is the hi8 definitely better than 8mm?
>    How does this work?  Do these boards convert rgb to ntsc and vice versa?
>    So if I have a super vga card, will I notice the difference between 8mm
>    and hi8 input from the camcorder?

I do digital image processing on a Mac, so I am of limited help on a PC.  
That said...

You care about camera quality depending on what frame grabber you are using
and what you are trying to do with the images.  How many bits per pixel will
your frame grabber supply?  How many bits will the file format you use store?
Some frame grabbers only supply 8 bit color.  Mine supplies 24 bit color.
GIF files are 8 bits - obviously camera quality doesn't matter that much.
JPEG will use 24 bits.  Note that the human eye is good down to about 18 bits,
but that's only when comparing colors side by side.  Heck if I know what
super vga supports (12 bits?).

If you are just making pictures to store and show, again, things aren't
that important.  If you are writing digital image processing code, then go
for every bit of quality you can.  I am streching the limits of my 
camera/board combo, and that is Hi-8 at 72 dpi with a 24bit converter.

Good luck,
Jim
Newsgroups: rec.video