HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: trussell@cwis.unomaha.edu (Tim Russell)
Subject: Re: Seeking info on a 10 year old video disk player
Organization: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 22:03:29 GMT

bill@bilver.uucp (Bill Vermillion) writes:

>The revolving CEO syndrome came into play here.   RCA seemed to be able
>to keep each CEO on an average of about 2 years.   Each new one killed
>what the predecesor had started.   

    For more info on the whole RCA VideoDisc story, see "RCA and the Video-
Disc: The Business Of Research", by Margaret B.W. Graham from the Cambridge
University Press.  ISBN is 0521322820.  It's an interesting account of
all the politics that went into the whole VideoDisc project, beginning
way back in the early sixties.

--
    Tim Russell                 Omaha, NE              trussell@unomaha.edu
One of the richest men in the world made his billions selling a toy "operating
system" that is more accurately described as a glorified bootstrap loader.
                                                  -- Phil Karn
From: killeen@spcvxb.spc.edu (Jeff Killeen)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: TBC's
Date: 15 Sep 92 15:12:07 GMT
Organization: SPC Community Access System

In article <4086@vidiot.UUCP>, brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot) writes:
> That is exactly what my TBC does.  Nothing is allowed to go below the setup

What TBC do you have?  I am think of getting a DPS 2202.  Any comments from out 
there in netland?
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: david@agora.rain.com (David Robinson)
Subject: Re: Image lowers prices on 400-500 titles to $19.98!
Keywords: Laserdisc, price reductions, Columbia House
Organization: Open Communications Forum
Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1992 22:12:37 GMT


In article <34905@cbmvax.commodore.com> raible@cbmvax.commodore.com (Bob Raible - LSI Design) writes:
>In article <1992Sep3.162914.17431@e2big.mko.dec.com> starr@dpe.enet.dec.com writes:
>>
>>Image Entertainment has just dropped their list price on 400-500 titles,
>

[titles deleted...]

>Well how about the flyer from CHLDC's RED TAG sale this month. The following
>selections have no RED TAG attached yet are priced as follows:

[more titles deleted...]

They aren't typos; I purchased "Total Recall" and "Romancing the Stone" at
those prices from Columbia House.  Thus far, I've been quite satisfied with
CHLDC:  they're courteous, and your LDs don't take (almost) forever to
arrive.

I rather imagine that we're seeing competition emerge, now that home theater
has established itself as a powerful market.

The next 2-3 years should be fun, netters!

david


-- 
My opinions belong to me...and vice versa.  They're not copyrighted;
third party thinkers should feel free to clone them at will.              
david@agora.rain.com                        
david@3cpu.rain.com (just in case!) 
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: wiljo@kiel.uucp (Wiljo Heinen)
Subject: Re: Hi8 tape question
Organization: OPeN - The Digital Advantage
Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1992 00:47:15 GMT

chan@hpfcmgw.FC.HP.COM (Chan Benson) writes:

>>     What's the difference between "metal particle" and "metal evaporated"
>>     Hi-8 tapes?

>My experience has been that the metal evaporated (ME) tapes are much more
>susceptible to dropouts. I have not noticed a significant difference
>in picture quality between MP and ME, so I'm sticking to the MP.

That is true only for NTSC Hi8. I (with PAL Hi8, Sony EVS1000) do see
a notably difference between MP and ME (mind you, there's even a slight
difference between MP "certified" for NTSC and those "certified" for
PAL/SECAM. Or at least my eyes like to think it).

ME tapes seem to be more susceptible to ...hm... environmental factor
(storage). And I'm currently unsure about your finding about dropouts,
which probably means, that you're right.

But (at least with PAL/SECAM) I get a better picture from ME than from
MP (slightly sharper and notably less colour noise).

As to the "difference": well - I'm no expert on that (experts, please speak
out) but there is a difference in the production process (as denoted by
the names), and the particles on the ME tape are supposed to be distributed
"more smoothly".


>I'm curious to learn of other's experiences. What Hi-8 tapes have you
>found to be most durable? It's really a drag to have dropouts on the
>second viewing of a tape.

I found the TDK ones a bit more robust than the Sony ones. But again:
the Sonys seem to give a slightly more lively (read: "better colour") 
picture. I'm staying with the Sony.

BTW: Sony just released 120 min /SP Hi8 tapes in Europe (read 120 mins PAL).
Which is a great relief, since up to now, there where only 90mins available.
(Hi8/PAL runs at higher tape speed than Hi8/NTSC, so 120min/NTSC would
only last 88min/PAL),

Wiljo
-- 
wiljo@kiel.uucp            voice:+49 431 95311              fax: +49 431 978126
               "Alle woll'n was von mir haben / keiner will was von mir wissen"
                                       Die Lassie Singers --- "P.A.R.A.N.O.I.D"
From: ACHS@ECUVM1.BITNET (Howard)
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: Re: What is a LNBF?
Date: 15 Sep 92 12:18:05 GMT
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Comments:     Resent-From: Howard <ACHS@ECUVM1>
Comments:     Originally-From: "(Gary Bourgois)" <flash@LOPEZ.MARQUETTE.MI.US>
Comments:     Warning -- original Sender: tag was HOMESAT@NDSUVM1

Actually I believe it is described as an LNB with the FeedHorn built in.
Picky, Picky. No servo motor for H/V switching, better gain (claimed),
patent pending for California Amplifier. Looks very interesting. I've only
had my system 3 months, but the servo motor has been replaced and I seem
to be experiencing problems with the new one, always playing with the skew!
All that channel changing! LNBF does away with the skew. I wonder if that is
good or bad?
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi,

>I know what a LNB is (L_ow N_oise B_lock Converter). Last weekend I hold
>a LNBF in my hands!? But what is a LNBF? What means the 'F' on the end of
>the type name?


Low Noise Block convertor FEED.  It is a feed horn with integrated
electronics.
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 09:41:47 EDT
From: <LWH@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: basic, beginner info needed
Distribution: usa

Hi

I have become disgusted with the ever increasing cost of cable, and would like
info on satellite systems.  I am totally novice and would appreciate any and
all suggestions and information.


Rick Lenzi

Ps I live in northeastern ohio
From: brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot)
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: Purchase your own satellite time
Date: 12 Sep 92 06:10:34 GMT
Reply-To: brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot)
Organization: Vidiot's Hangout


The following ad was found in the Sep 7 issue of Broadcasting:


		TRANSPONDERS OFFERED FOR SALE OR LEASE

			GALAXY III SATELLITE

     Up to 8 C-Band Transponders aboard the GALAXY III Satellite
      Suggested Rental Rate of $79,500 Per Month Per Transponder

	  Satellite Location: 93.5 degrees west longitude;
	    Expected Satellite End of Life: November 1994
	     Amplifiers: 9 Watt TWTA's; Bandwidth 36 MHz

Transponders Subject to Lease with an affiliate of MCI Communications
through April 2, 1993


Interesting, as that works out to $954,000 a year, or $2611.909651 per day
(based on a year of 365.25 days).  That is about $108.83 an hour, or $1.814
a second.

Get those checkbooks out :-)
-- 
      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
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL6]
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Date:         Sat, 5 Sep 1992 17:53:20 MESZ
From:         "Wolfgang R. Schulz" <wrs@MCSHH.HANSE.DE>
Subject:      Re: New AIWA converters (was: Re: Please advice on Multi System
              92 9:56 pm

Yasin writes:
>
> I looked at the AIWA M300, the picture was very jittery, that
> is it was not worth watching for more than five minutes in a
> row, ofcourse my expectations may be high or the unit may be
> not good. In contrast I found that AG-W1 does a much better
> job, though it is still not good from my standards, but colors
> are not very different, and the digital to Analogue does not
> show that bad. Please buy this only if you need to convert,
> other wise there are VCRs in the market which do multi system
> RECORDING and playback, they just will not convert the system
> for you, for these kind of VCRs one has to ofcourse buy a
> multi system TV, which are good in displays also.
>
> Yasin.
>

I heard a very similar report from a friend in Singapore, who had
a chance to test the AIWA. He simply said "forget it". Jittery just
as you described it.

On the other hand, he is *very* pleased with the Sharp stand-alone
standards converter AN-200SC, which costs only around $500 US there!
There is even a VCR by Sharp, called the WD1, which records and
plays in PAL, NTSC, MESECAM, all speeds, with HiFi audio, a tuner
that can be matched to most countries, PLUS the Sharp digital
standards converter BUILTIN, for around $ 1,200 US.

Regards,
Wolfgang


--
***Wolfgang R. Schulz, Theodor-Koerner-Weg 5, 2000 Hamburg 61, Germany***
***Phone: +49 40 5521878***Fax: +49 40 5513219***MCI Mail: 241-2526******
***Internet:wrs@mcshh.hanse.de**Bang:..unido!mcshh!wrs**wrs@mcshh.UUCP***
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: The DEATH of SKYPIX
From: flash@lopez.marquette.MI.US (Gary Bourgois,Hamshack)
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1992 06:46:57 EDT
Organization: Great White North/UPLink

Skypix has cancelled their contract for transponder space from HUGHES.  

SUPERGUIDE is now reporting that the creditors want to force skypix into
bankruptcy.  They are MILLIONS in debt, and according to SUPERGUIDE they have
only $8,000 in the bank to pay all the existing debts.

I won't say I told you so.  

But where is that terminator guy NOW?  (Remember HIM?)

--
    /   Gary Bourgois, WB8EOH, The Birdwatcher: Marquette Michigan  USA   \
   ([-o ~ Tune FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE!  S3/21 6.2. Fridays from 9-midnight ~ o-])
    \  Now a snazzy new DOMAIN address!  flash@lopez.marquette.mi.us      /
        GEnie: SIGNALS   FAX: (906) 228-7477    GWN BBS: (906) 228-4399
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
From: dave@news.ccutah.edu (dave martin)
Subject: Re: VideoCipher II Extra Functions.
Organization: University of Utah Computer Center
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL3
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 92 04:36:15 GMT

monty%roscom@think.com (Monty Solomon) writes:
: It is quite annoying that the VC II blacks out an unsubscribed channel.
: 
: Is there any easy way to disable this feature?
: 
: -- 
: # Monty Solomon / PO Box 2486 / Framingham, MA  01701-0405
: # monty%roscom@think.com

Do you mean you would like to see the unscrambled video?  If you mean
it should still descramble the channel and let you see it then this would
defeat the purpose.

I think the 4800 will allow you to see the video directly without passing
it through the videocipher if you go into the "front panel" and change it.
I don't know if there are other receivers that offer this as well.

dave@csulx.weber.edu
dmartin@cc.weber.edu
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
From: jhansen@convex.com (James Hansen)
Subject: Wire-less Cable Microwave Transmissions
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 16:16:22 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Engineering, CONVEX Computer Corp., Richardson, Tx., USA
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX Computer
              Corp. The opinions expressed are those of the user and
              not necessarily those of CONVEX.

What effect, if any, will these transmissions have on C-band TVRO 
reception?  Will these things cause all kinds of TI interference?

--
James B. Hansen                                  {sun,uunet}!convex!jhansen
CONVEX Computer Corporation                              jhansen@convex.com
3000 Waterview Parkway, P. O. Box 833851
Richardson, TX 75083-3851                              Phone: (214)497-4802
From: lesnyd@monsanto.com (Larry E. Snyder)
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: Re: New Channel on Anik E2 /Ku band
Date: 9 Sep 92 21:27:45 GMT
Organization: DSC

In article <5654@blue.cis.pitt.edu.UUCP>, tjw@vms.cis.pitt.edu (TJ Wood) writes:
> 
> I've noticed a new channel has appeared on Anik E2 in the Ku band.  It's
> full of sparkles, so I'm assuming that this channel employs a "national beam".
> 
> This channel identifies as the "Vision Channel", but "The Politically
> Correct Channel" might be a better name. ;-)  I've seen a number of programs
> that blame all of Canada's ills on the Patriarchy and men-in-general!
> 
This channel can also be seen on Anik E1 Transponder 15 on C band and on
some transponder or other on F3 (or whatever it's called now, I'm outdated).

This channel is run by a consortium of about every religion you can think,
which makes for odd bedfellows. There have been a lot of new agers, Hindus,
Presbyterians, Methodists, and all sorts of folks on it. And now it looks
like ACTS, the Baptist channel, will share transponder time with VISN (the
acronym stands for something or other). Needless to say, there's quite a
stink in the Baptist community about getting into bed (or at least a 
transponder) with these other groups, most of which are philosophically
the opposite of the Baptists.

> To be fair, I've also seen a number of TV preachers (but not Gene Scott)
> begging for money as well.  Also, last night, there was a documentary on
> Desmond Tutu.
> 
> On my Pansat receiver, this channel appears at the "low" end of the dial
> (channels 1,2 or 3).  By contrast, ASN appears as channel 32.
> 
> Should you decide to give a listen to this channel, please let me know what
> you think of their audio.  To my ear it sounds clipped or raspy.  I thought
> that perhaps I was just off frequency with my receiver, but my attempts to
> tune the audio in have proved unsuccessful.  It still sounds clipped!
> 
> Terry
> -- 
>         INTERNET: tjw+@pitt.edu         BITNET: TJW@PITTVMS
> "Laugh while you can, Monkey Boy!"                        - Lord "John" Warfin
> "There can be only one!"                                  - The Highlander
> "There should have been only one. I want my money back!"  - Terry
> 
> 
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
From: alan@bali.co.uk (Alan Lear)
Subject: Monterey 50
Reply-To: alan@bali.co.uk
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 17:30:13 GMT

In the UK the Monterey 40 is the latest Chapparel reciever available.
What is the difference between the 40 and the 50?

Alan
From: robe@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (robert.g.egan)
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: Sci-Fi Channel
Date: 9 Sep 92 16:01:40 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories

There was a list posted recently of shows scheduled to appear on SFC. I
don't know if it was complete. Has anyone heard if Time Tunnel or Green
Hornet or The Invaders will be shown?
From: PANT6245@SNYPLAVA.BITNET (CRISTIAN PANTEA)
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: small Ku band system prices
Date: 15 Sep 92 13:54:00 GMT
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-Organization: SUNY at Plattsburgh, New York, USA
X-Envelope-to: homesat@NDSUVM1.BITNET
X-VMS-To: In%"homesat@ndsuvm1.bitnet"

Hello everyone.  I just recently received my copy of Sky Visison
catalog.  I was rather suprised to find out that Sky Visison vas
asking $479 for a 3 foot dish with lnb and a Pansat1000 receiver.
A couple of weeks ago someone posted a message on the network
for the same system for only $299 or $265 I am not sure which, if he or
 she could get enough people to order 6 or 7 systems.
Is that person still having that offer?

                                                        Thanks
                                                       Cristian
From: jimm@hp-ptp.ptp.hp.com (Jim McGillivary)
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 18:35:08 GMT
Subject: Dish and LNB for Sale !
Organization: HP Pacific Technology Park - Sunnyvale, Ca.
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite

Dish and LNB for sale:

My Receiver and decoder was stolen, so I am selling the dish and LNB.
The dish is a 10 1/2 ft Cosmos with a Chaparral dual C and K LNB. 
List price was $2,300 in 1987.  Sale price - $750 !
This is not shippable and buyer must pick up.
You can reach me at (408) 730-1789.
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
From: jvz@pt.com (John Zambito)
Subject: Re: Signal loss or attenuation?
Organization: Performance Technologies, Incorporated
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 15:40:06 GMT

an660@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Sandy Maurer) writes:
>Well Iv narrowed down the placement of my dish to two sites.
>One would be 130 ft to the base of the house & the other is
>230 ft. the further distant site is the better of the two.
>
>My question is:
>
> Would there be much signal loss from either site?
> Would the further site need an in-line amp.?

I can only tell you what I have. I use an Echostar 10'
mesh dish and a 45 degree LNB. There is 250' of all in
one cable and no line amp. I have a Tracker 8+ and it 
all works GREAT! I have a Saginaw arm on a polar mount
and I don't have any problem positioning the dish but 
I don't have Ku YET. I'm right under F4 which is near
the end of the arc so the polar mount works good. I'd 
think people near the center of the arc would have 
problems with a polar mount and arm jamming or acuracy 
when the arm is extended. 
(I deleted the 2nd question which was something like:
Is H to H worth the extra $?, then gave a worthless 
comment anyways)

-- 
__
John Zambito, Performance Technologies Incorporated	jvz@pt.com
315 Science Parkway, Rochester, New York 14620    uupsi!ptsys1!jvz
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: LVTN Facts and Rumors
From: flash@lopez.marquette.MI.US (Gary Bourgois,Hamshack)
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1992 11:59:50 EDT
Organization: Great White North/UPLink

They went off, they said, to install scrambling equipment.  They said they
would be back in 2 weeks.  That was a month and a half ago.  S3/22 is still
dark.

Fact:  No viable commercial service has ever taken more than 10 seconds to
switch from ITC to VCII mode.  Two weeks seems a bit lengthy and 6 weeks
seems a bit unbelievable.

So.....

The BIRDWATCHER's Report sent Dean Sprat of WCCO on assignment to track down
just what is going on at LVTN.  We hope to have an interview with the CEO of
LVTN who promises to tell us the whole story this coming monday.  While most
of the info is off the record, and thus I can not comment on it yet, LVTN is
standing by their story that installing scrambling equipment is the reason
(Though they did admit not the ONLY reason) for the service being absent.

Meanwhile, I did a bit of sleuthing on my own.  If my sources are correct,
LVTN is at least 6 months behind on its transponder payments.  I was told by
an industry spokesman (who refuses to be identified) that LVTN will NEVER be
back on S3/22.  This he heard direct from the owner of the transponder.

I further spoke with the operator of another full time program service that
is negotiating for that transponder, and will run a 24 hour a day video
service and a number of audio services on that channel.

BUT LVTN maintains that they had just spoken with the same operator and
everything was fine and they would be back soon.

Also, we heard of a Merger between LVTN and another organization, to funnel
MORE money into the project.  This merger also involves MOVING LVTN to Los
Angeles, though it will continue to be called LOS VEGAS Network.

Curiouser and Curiouser.

If we DO get an interview, it will be featured in its entirety on FRIDAY
NIGHT LIVE (S3/21 6.2) one week from this coming Friday.

--
    /   Gary Bourgois, WB8EOH, The Birdwatcher: Marquette Michigan  USA   \
   ([-o ~ Tune FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE!  S3/21 6.2. Fridays from 9-midnight ~ o-])
    \  Now a snazzy new DOMAIN address!  flash@lopez.marquette.mi.us      /
        GEnie: SIGNALS   FAX: (906) 228-7477    GWN BBS: (906) 228-4399
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
From: andy@newton.cs.clemson.edu (Andrew J. Greenshields N3IGS)
Subject: CSPAN and the BBC World Service
Organization: Clemson University Computer Science Dept.
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 14:18:06 GMT


  I have just moved from Delaware to South Carolina.  In Delaware we
had two CSPAN channels available to us on cable and the first channel
had the BBC world service on the second audio, but here in SC we only
have one CSPAN channel and no BBC.  The channel we have here appears
to be CSPAN I rather than II.  How many channels does CSPAN produce
and is my cable company screwing me out of the BBC?

  I would call the cable company first but I need to know enough so that I
can spot any bullshit on their part.

Thanks in advance,

Andy

--
  Andrew J. Greenshields N3IGS    |  Some people can tell what time it is by
  andy@cs.clemson.edu             |  looking at the Sun, but I have never been
  [dxandy@cs.widener.edu]         |  able to make out the numbers.
-----------------------***STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY***------------------------
From: lesnyd@bb1t.monsanto.com
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: Re: Can You Identify This TV Channel?
Date: 7 Sep 92 21:35:17 CST
Followup-To: rec.video.cable-tv
Organization: Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO

In article <122@newave.mn.org>, john@newave.newave.mn.org (John A. Weeks III) writes:
> A very strange TV channel has appeared on the cable TV system in
> Bloomington MN.  This channel is not on the list provided by Paragon,
> nor does it show up in the newspaper listings.  I have never seen
> a station ID or commercial on this channel.

(Description of Sci-Fi Channel promo deleted)

> Does anyone know what this TV channel is?  Is it also on sattelite?

Yes, it IS the promo for the Sci-Fi Channel. There is now a countdown clock on 
it for the time remaining until the channel official starts September 24. It 
is in the clear on G5/4.

> 
> I have thought of a few possibilities.  It might be that the real
> channel has gone off the air for the day, and they feed this video
> through instead of nothing.  Maybe for test purposes.  It might also
> be that there is going to be a new station on this channel, and they
> are running this video as a test.  My hope is that this is some type
> of promo for the Sci-Fi channel, but I would have expected some
     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You got it!
           
> advertising if this were true.
> 
> The remaining possibility is that I am the only one getting this channel,
> and it is really a paranoid delusion a.k.a. Gary Stollman (of INVASION!
> fame over in alt.aliens or whatever it is called).

Uh, no, uh, no problem! Just go to sleep by this large pod over here, oh, and 
by the way, I can't bend my little finger, and I LOVE walnuts and have eyes in 
the back of my head and oops where did my thumbs go.....

> 
> -john-
> 
> ==============================================================================
> John A. Weeks III		(612) 942-6969		    john@newave.mn.org
> Newave Communications, Ltd.			    ..!uunet!tcnet!newave!john
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
From: merkel@convex.com (Kent Merkel)
Subject: Satcom launch
Organization: CONVEX Computer Corporation, Richardson, Tx., USA
Distribution: rec
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 11:09:17 GMT
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX Computer
              Corp. The opinions expressed are those of the user and
              not necessarily those of CONVEX.


I really enjoyed the coverage of the Satcom launch last night . Right
up until they slapped the test pattern on about four minutes before launch.
Is that typical coverage for one of these events???
Kent

Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite