HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: dattier@ddsw1.mcs.com (DWT)
Subject: Re: HERE IS VCR Plus source code
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 20:29:11 GMT
Organization: Contributor Account at ddsw1, Chicago, Illinois  60657

perl@dwrsun4.UUCP (Robert Perlberg) wrote in <2985@perl-sun.dwrsun4.UUCP>:

| You'll notice that in the example in the documentation the date
| given is 1/2/93 and the command indicates that the program is on
| 1/4/93.  I have also tried the above command with a date of 1/5/93 and
| again got the correct answer.  You are correct that the command does
| not give the correct answer given a date of 12/31/92.  That date is
| apparently outside of the time frame for that code.  I haven't done
| enough experiments to know what the time frame of a VCR Plus code is,
| but I would imagine that it would probably be at least a week or two.
| The fact that 12/31/92 and 1/4/93 are not in the same time frame is
| probably due to the fact that the VCR Plus algorithm doesn't handle the
| boundary between years very well.

But that can't be!  If you were holding the _TV_Guide_ for January 2-8, 1993,
in your hands the previous Thursday (12/31/92), are you saying that the pub-
lished codes for Monday, January 4, couldn't be input into your VCR+?  I know
that I successfully entered early 1993 codes into mine late in 1992, though I
don't think the specific Thursday-to-Tuesday case came up.  It must be the
decoder program that handles year boundaries (or month boundaries?) poorly.

The VCR+'s manual says that codes must be entered no sooner than twenty-eight
days before an event.  According to posts in rec.video.cable-tv, the codes
repeat from calendar month to calendar month.  A code for a program on 1/4/93
should be enterable on 12/31/92 as well as on 1/2/93 with the same meaning,
so something is amiss in the decoding algorithm in the program.  Something is
also *missing* from the decoder if, should you tell it that you will be en-
tering a code on January 5, it says that that's a valid code for January 4,
because that is not how the VCR+ will respond.

The program may work on calendar months; the VCR+ itself may work in periods
of twenty-nine days, rolling all the time.  (Hmm; that would mean that in
non-leap years there would be a conflict whether a code for an event on the
fourth of the month, entered on February 4, meant February 4 or March 4, so
perhaps the span is twenty-eight days, not twenty-nine, and the date of input
is the first day of the twenty-eight and not the zeroth.)  If you enter a
code whose date of the month works out to be one that isn't today's and
doesn't occur in the next twenty-seven days following, that must be when the
VCR+ gives the "past event" error message.  (For example, on April 16, codes
that mean the 31st, 14th, and 15th of the month would be rejected.)

David W. Tamkin   Box 59297   Northtown Station, Illinois  60659-0297
dattier@ddsw1.mcs.com    CompuServe: 73720,1570    MCI Mail: 426-1818
Newsgroups: rec.video,misc.consumers
From: mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu (Mike S.)
Subject: Re: Tape rewinder (Re: Tape snapped at beginning of tape)
Organization: BITS, St. Louis, MO
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 03:11:11 GMT

ecl@cbnewsj.cb.att.com (Evelyn C. Leeper) writes:

>[I write]:
>
>> If your VCR has a real-time counter (hh:mm.ss) rather than a tape
>> length counter (nnnnn), the heads are in constant contact with the
>> tape during rewind/fast forward to detect the tape record mode.

>Bzztt!  On our Panasonic, when you stop the tape, the time-remaining
>display shows the time remaining at whatever the default record speed
>is set to.  It is obviously not reading the tape then, or during
>rewind/fast-forward.  (It *does* read the tape during fast-scan and
>reverse-scan, but that's not what's being discussed.)

My VCR constantly detects the record mode during rewind/fast forward,
thus, the time display is always correct, regardless of any speed
changes on the tape.

But, as has been pointed out through email, my statement (top) still needs
clarification--it is the control head, not the video head, that detects
the record mode, and is in constant contact with the tape during winding.

Mike
-- 
mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: kh@sei.cmu.edu (Kurt Haverstock)
Subject: Re: Crummy CATV -- Who's fault?
Followup-To: rec.video
Organization: Software Engineering Institute
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 09:14:17 EST

In article Crummy CATV -- Who's fault? of Wed, 6 Jan 1993 17:28:36 GMT ferguson@cs.rochester.edu (George Ferguson) writes:


>Anyway, the situation is that our reception on cable of the off-air
>stations has gotten intolerable. Something happened when they were
>working on the line behind our place, and there are now significant
>ghost images on the off-air channels, which are at the same selector
>position on cable. I complained, and the cableco said that levels were
>down while they upgraded (to fiber, I think). They said it would
>improve.

Puckey. You're seeing an off-air ingress. The cable lines somewhere 
upstream are improperly shielded and are allowing off-air RF to sneak
in.

>
>Needless to say, it didn't. I called again, and they sent a guy over.
>He plugged a 75 ohm terminator into the back of the set and, sure
>enough, you could see the off-air picture. He therefore blamed the
>shielding in the set. I countered with the fact that it seemed strange
>that it should all of a sudden lose shielding when something changed
>out back, and further I didn't see how the shielding could "change".
>He said that, no, there were mechanical parts inside the set (a JVC
>21", no moving parts that I can see or hear) and that they "wore out".
>This seems fishy; what's the deal on the shielding?
>



>The cableco blames the whole thing on the off-air channels wanting to
>be at the same selector position.

Woah, hold on. Who was there first? What, they want the broadcasters
to relocate so they don't interfere with the cable?


>With a rate hike kicking in this month, I'm pissed about the crummy
>service we get from these people in almost every area. Picture quality
>is just the latest. They have also reneged on committments to access
>programming and the like.


It would seem a simple matter of maintenance, or lack therof. Amps, fittings
and the like all deteriorate over time and need refurbished/replaced.
cable companies don't always like to bother with this and need to be
persuaded.
Sounds like your cableco either knocked something loose or 
screwed up a fitting when they were working behind your house.

If enough people gripe to the municipality you may get something done.



Kurt
From: chrism@col.hp.com (Chris Magnuson)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Need Hi 8 tape source (mail order)
Date: 5 Jan 1993 21:27:05 GMT
Organization: HP Colorado Springs Division
NNTP-Posting-Host: la.col.hp.com

  Can someone recommnd a good source of Hi 8 tapes via mail order?

Thanks,
chrism@col.hp.com
From: killeen@spcvxb.spc.edu (Jeff Killeen)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: Need info on macrovision
Date: 11 Jan 93 22:34:04 GMT
Organization: SPC Community Access System

In article <1993Jan11.131853.16452@Lehigh.EDU>, lusol@Lehigh.EDU (Stephen O. Lidie) writes:
> I've heard that 8mm VCRs can record macrovision protected VHS tapes, true?

Yes also Beta units can.

-- 
Jeff Killeen - DECUS U.S. Chapter NLC Chair | Email:killeen@eisner.decus.org

DECUS is for folks who are responsible for delivering computing technology.
The NLC is the national council for DECUS's Local User Groups - come join us!
Newsgroups: rec.video,rec.photo,rec.arts.books
From: J.Newman@icarus.curtin.edu.au (John Newman)
Subject: Re: Photo CD
Organization: Computing Centre, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 07:08:56 GMT


>>>If its digital, it can be transfered to many different digital mediums.
>>>Just like transfering an old text file from a 160k 5 1/4 floppy
>>>to a 2.88mb  3 1/2 floppy.   Or uploading my floppy file to 3380
>>>mainframe diskpack or digital tape.  etc etc etc...etc

>
>I think that there is another problem with these medias: years! While you can 
>store a paper photo in a good strong album for a siecle, I'm really sceptical 
>about magnetic/digital storage that can be *easily* scrached/destroyed by 
>several things. 
>I still have readable listings of some algorithms I made 10 years ago but I'm 
>not sure I could load the files from a 10 years old 5 1/4 floppy disk!

I have a 1943 16mm colour home movie of my family et al (including me),
which I had transferred to Beta tape about 12 years ago (at considerable
expense). Now that nobody here sells or fixes Beta machines any more, the
tape is more or less useless. Fortunately the film is still OK and yes,
I do have a working 16mm projector which I expect will long outlast my
current VHS recorder. (My Beta machine died a few years ago).

Forget magnetic storage for archiving images and keep them on paper or film!


/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
\ John Newman              J.Newman@icarus.curtin.edu.au /
/ Computing Centre,           "There is less to this     \
\ Curtin University,            than meets the eye."     /                         
/ Perth, Western Australia     - Tallulah Bankhead       \
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
From: brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: Any way to *CREATE* VCR Plus codes??
Date: 6 Jan 93 03:02:19 GMT
Reply-To: brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot)
Organization: Vidiot's Hangout

In article <1993Jan5.090421.601@hnrc.tufts.edu> jerry@hnrc.tufts.edu (Jerry Dallal) writes:
<In article <4681@vidiot.UUCP>, brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot) writes:
<> This may sound stupid, but ever thought of actually programming your VCR?
<
<To summarize:
<
<1) VCR+ won't get wiped out by a power failure.  (Why don't VCR manufactures
<      give us battery backup?  Clock radio manufacturers (the *same* people!)
<      do!)

But many do.  You just got one that wasn't.  Mine don't have batteries, but
a special charge circuit that will hold the clock and programming for at least
30 minutes, if not longer.  I've unplugged my JVC HR-S8000U, placed it in my
car, made a 30 minute trip, plugged it in and there is was, right on time.

<2) A VCR+ can change channels on a cable box.  Great if your cable hookup
<      requires your VCR to be set on channel 3 always.

No argument, except I don't have a cable box.  Yep, I have cable and I get
the HBO pay channel as well.

<3) Depending on the A/V hookup, it may be easier to use a VCR+ than call up
<      the VCR's programming screen.

Not in my case.  Can program the remote and then dump it to the VCR or program
directly on the VCR, via the remote or front panel.

<4) Some VCR's are a real pain to program.  For example, one of my Panasonics
<      does not allow me to enter the start time directly.  When I enter a 
<      program, it sets the start time at the current time and requires me 
<      to press a START button which advances the start time 1 minute for each 
<      press and in 10 minute jumps when the button is held down (at the rate 
<      of about 1 jump every half second).  I get tired of waiting around for 
<      the clock to advance.

Get a better VCR :-)

<5) You can't program your VCR while it's recording, but you can program the
<      VCR+.

Now, that is true :-(  I just program the other VCR :-)

<6) Programming the VCR invariably means interrupting the show that's currently
<      being viewed in order to call up the on-screen programming.  Not so for
<      the VCR+.

Turn off the on-screen programming.  I do.  (Yes, I know, not everyone can.)

<7) I have heard it said (but not verified) that one of the reasons for the need
<      to generate VCR+ codes is that it will enable satellite dish owners to
<      use them for taping.

Now this sounds good.  But many decent sat receivers also allow programming
and don't need VCR+ as well.  I know someone who has a decent receiver.  He
doesn't need VCR+.  All of his equipment can be programmed separately and
easily.
-- 
      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
Newsgroups: rec.video,rec.audio
From: hyc@hanauma.jpl.nasa.gov (Howard Chu)
Subject: Re: S-Video conversion
Organization: SAR Systems Development & Processing, JPL
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 10:31:36 GMT

In article <1993Jan4.221027.17268@gvl.unisys.com> garyp@rmtc.unisys.com (Gary Palangian [RMTC/ISP]) writes:
>In article <1992Dec30.154637.1045@cmkrnl.com>, jeh@cmkrnl.com writes:
>|> In article <1992Dec30.171653.13324@gvl.unisys.com>, garyp@rmtc.unisys.com (Gary Palangian [RMTC/ISP]) writes:
>|> > In article <1992Dec29.203843.1041@cmkrnl.com>, jeh@cmkrnl.com writes:
>|> > |> JVC has a current model that (provides Y/C out from comp. inputs).
>|> >
>|> >    Is this JVC box you talk about designed for this purpose, or
>|> >    is it part of a enhancement system or receiver?  JVC sales
>|> >    says they don't build any video switchers that do this.  Do you
>|> >    have a model number?
>|> 
>|> It is a pushbutton-driven patch bay, not a "switcher" as the term is usually
>|> used in video.  
>|> 
>|> JVC JX-S900 "Remote A/V Selector".  From the J&R Music World catalog: 7 video
>|> inputs and outputs, 2 monitor outputs, S-video on all input/output jacks, Y/C
>|> separator circuit, dual operation allows two different signal paths at the
>|> same time (presumably one for recording and one for watching), remote control,
>|> terminals for video and audio signal processors, plus additional audio-only
>|> inputs.  All for only ... are you sitting down???  $600.
>                                                      ^^^^^
>Aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhh!!!  I think I'll just buy a new Sony XBR.

That's always a pleasant option, if you can afford it...  }-)
>
>Thanks for your help, Jamie.  I called JVC and informed them of their
>"oversight" and they informed me that "sometimes we can't find things 
>if you don't know the name or model number."  I guess "a box that
>switches video sources and has a composite/S-Video converter was
>to vague.

You can also find simpler models. I have a JX-S300, which has 4 inputs
and 3 outputs, single signal path, and Y/C separator. You should be able
to get these pretty cheap, look in the ads in a video magazine...
-- 
  -- Howard Chu @ Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA

There's a rough border between genius and insanity, but I'm a dual citizen.
Xref: sparky rec.video:15505 alt.sources.d:1656
From: hardie@herald.usask.ca (Peter Hardie,4805)
Newsgroups: rec.video,alt.sources.d
Subject: Re: HERE IS VCR Plus source code
Date: 6 Jan 93 17:41:39 GMT
Reply-To: hardie@herald.usask.ca
Organization: University of Saskatchewan
NNTP-Posting-Host: herald.usask.ca
Originator: hardie@herald.usask.ca

From article <lklr8sINNqn7@news.bbn.com>, by clements@bbn.com (Bob Clements):
> In article <2985@perl-sun.dwrsun4.UUCP> perl@dwrsun4.UUCP (Robert Perlberg) writes:
>>Sorry, but the documentation is correct.  You're right that the code
>>needs a date to be meaningful, but it does not have to be the date of
>>the program, only a date close to that of the program.
> 
> I haven't looked at these programs in detail, but the algorithm as
> published in Cryptologia needs the MONTH and YEAR, not the DAY.
> The time frame is the month.

The program sent out on the net is wrong. A VCR+ code is valid only during the
month up to the time that the program starts (or it might be the end of the 
program ... but what's an hour or so?:-).
I suspect that the Cryptologia algorithm, when given only the month, simply
assumes a start date of the beginning of the month.
The decode program shows that 19297 maps to 4th Jan Ch5 0900 30 mins. But even
if you give the program a start date of 6th Jan it still gives the same info,
whereas my VCR+ actually gives 4th FEB mapped Ch5 starting at 10:30m (length
is no more than 1hr). So the program gives the correct mapping if you give
a start date before the code expires in the current month, but once the code
has expired the program goes wrong.
The program (at least the version I picked up) contains a programming bug.
It has two static arrays of length [480] which are then initialized in a 
for loop which uses an index up to [512]. Later in the program it uses a
loop which can address the [480]th element. Easiest fix is to change the
array declarations to [512] each.

Pete hardie@herald.usask.ca
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: wdh@grouper.mkt.csd.harris.com (W. David Higgins)
Subject: Looking for 30 and 60 minute VHS tapes
Organization: Harris CSD, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 21:18:07 GMT

I'm looking for a supplier of large hub 30 and 60 minute
VHS tapes.  I don't need that many (10..20 each, max), and
the quality of the tape is important.

Any favorites???
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: bill@bilver.uucp (Bill Vermillion)
Subject: Re: VHS head velocity
Organization: W. J. Vermillion - Winter Park, FL
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1993 20:18:21 GMT

In article <1993Jan8.224047.29054@sol.ctr.columbia.edu> lindh@uhasun.hartford.edu (Andrew Lindh) writes:

>In article <147720008@hpcupt3.cup.hp.com>, jem@hpcupt3.cup.hp.com (Jim McCauley) writes:
>> Some wise soul here must know this...

>> What is the velocity of the head relative to the tape in SP mode in a
>> VHS recorder?  I don't have any useful references that state the
>> actual "virtual tape speed."

>I remember reading somewhere that on beta it was 7m/second

Beta is 272 in/s (6.9m) and VHS is 228 ips (5.8m).

The mode SP/EP/LP has only miniscule bearing on write speed.

The tape and had travel in the same direction so that if you
are running EP speed with a .4ips forward motion as opposed to
SPs 1.31ips forward motion, you actually get a very slightly
higher write speed with the EP - but this would only be a
fraction of an inch.   Won't make any other difference.

-- 
Bill Vermillion - bill@bilver.oau.org  bill@bilver.uucp
                - ..!{peora|tous|tarpit}!bilver!bill
Newsgroups: rec.video,misc.consumers
From: acheng@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Albert Cheng)
Subject: Tape rewinder (Re: Tape snapped at beginning of tape)
Originator: acheng@shalom.ncsa.uiuc.edu
Organization: Nat'l Ctr for Supercomp App (NCSA) @ University of Illinois
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 17:10:43 GMT


In article <4715@vidiot.UUCP>, brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot) writes:
>Another hint.  Don't use those stupid tape rewinders.

I have heard recommendation of using the rewinder instead the VCR to
rewind tapes.  The reason is to reduce wear on my expensive VCR head
mechanism.  Are there better brands of tape rewinders or are they
all tape eaters?
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: Frank@mindlink.bc.ca (Frank I. Reiter)
Subject: Re: Macrovision hilarity--get THIS!
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 15:44:30 GMT

> Mike S. writes:
>
> Just rented Basic Instinct (hey--the SO wanted to see it :) last
> night, and the opening on-screen blurb said something similar to:
>
>         To ensure the originality and high quality of this
>         recording, this tape employs the Macrovision system.
>
> Right.  Originality I might be able to remotely begin to grasp,
> but high quality?  Come on.....

I suspect the idea is that the Macrovision prevents people from making copies
which, in their opinion, would be inferior quality.  Still, I did get a
chuckle from the above.  :)

Frank.
--
___________________________________________________________________
Frank I. Reiter                 Internet: Frank@mindlink.bc.ca
MIND LINK! Communications Corp. Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Newsgroups: rec.video,misc.consumers
From: mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu (Mike S.)
Subject: Re: Tape rewinder (Re: Tape snapped at beginning of tape)
Organization: BITS, St. Louis, MO
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 00:01:57 GMT

jeh@cmkrnl.com writes:

>> My VCR constantly detects the record mode during rewind/fast forward,
>> thus, the time display is always correct, regardless of any speed
>> changes on the tape.
>> 
>> But, as has been pointed out through email, my statement (top) still needs
>> clarification--it is the control head, not the video head, that detects
>> the record mode, and is in constant contact with the tape during winding.

>Bzzzt!  You're still misinformed about how the real-time counter (as opposed
>to the time-remaining display) works.  

>The real-time counter does not need to "detect the record mode during
>rewing/fast forward".  It simply reads vertical sync pulses from the control
>head (one per field, ie 60 per second), and divides by 60 to get seconds.  This

So the control head is in contact, to pick up the sync pulses--right?
That's what I said above (or tried to :)

Mike
-- 
mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu
From: bfc@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Bryan Carpenter)
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 16:22:22 GMT
Subject: Sony EV-S3000 Service Manual for sale
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Loveland, CO
Newsgroups: rec.video

I have a service manual for the EVS-3000 that I bought while I
was considering purchasing one.  (That was before I learned that
Sony is letting the 6x4 hour audio-only recording mode on 8mm video
die.  AAAAAAAUUGH!)  Anyway, I paid a total of $13.25 for it -
$9.00 for the manual, $0.75 for tax, and $3.50 for shipping/handling.
I'll sell it for $10.00 total cost to you, shipped UPS COD inside the US.
If you think that price is too steep, make me an offer.

Bryan Carpenter
bfc@lvld.hp.com
Xref: sparky rec.video:15618 misc.consumers:21719
From: brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot)
Newsgroups: rec.video,misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Tape rewinder (Re: Tape snapped at beginning of tape)
Date: 8 Jan 93 03:46:35 GMT
Reply-To: brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot)
Organization: Vidiot's Hangout

In article <1ihtdeINN1m5@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> bk134@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Keith William Bowes) writes:
<
<acheng@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Albert Cheng) writes on Thu Jan  7 12:10:43 1993:
<
<> In article <4715@vidiot.UUCP>, brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot) writes:
<>> Another hint.  Don't use those stupid tape rewinders.
<
<> I have heard recommendation of using the rewinder instead the VCR to
<> rewind tapes.  The reason is to reduce wear on my expensive VCR head
<> mechanism.  Are there better brands of tape rewinders or are they
<> all tape eaters?
<-------------------------------
<I highly recommend using a video tape rewinder. Most people,
<who use the VCR to rewind tapes, end up with motor problems
<at some point not too far into the life of the VCR. This is
<why the rewinders became so popular and prolific.

I've gone through 8 VHS machines and 4 Umatic machine, and have NEVER lost
a machine because of mechanical problems caused by rewinding.

I call the whole idea an Urban Myth.
-- 
      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
From: pirrung@NADC.NAVY.MIL (G. Pirrung)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: RE: "Long Box" ???
Date: 10 Jan 93 17:47:16 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: The Internet


att!cbnewse!cbnewsd!rga@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU  (bob) writes:

>>>Hello...I've heard a couple references to a "long box"
>>>video release in the last week. (The video is U2's Rattle
>>>and Hum.) What does "long box" refer to?

I've heard the term "long Box" but not with regard to video. It
is the 6" x 12" cardboard box in which CD's are packaged in the
United States. The U2 CD may be available two ways, 1, in the "long
box" (which is the way merchandisers such as Tower Records like it);
and 2, Just the Jewel Box wrapped in cellophane (which is the way
all CD's will be marketed after spring of 1993, Tower notwithstanding).

As far as videos go, I have heard the term "long form" which tends to
imply a collection of videos in one package. This is hard to
understand with Rattle and Hum, since it was a theatrically
released movie, and has been available as such for home video
for a number of years now.
Newsgroups: rec.video