HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: es1@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Ethan Solomita)
Subject: Re: LD quality disappointing
Organization: Columbia U., New York City
Reply-To: es1@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Ethan Solomita)
Distribution: rec
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 22:45:36 GMT
X-Posted-From: cunixb.cc.columbia.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: sol.ctr.columbia.edu

In article <1992Sep14.180633.6543@kong.gsfc.nasa.gov> jonke@kong.gsfc.nasa.gov (Stephen Jonke) writes:
>
>I second this opinion -- if you get into laser discs expecting dramatically
>better picture quality, you will be dissapointed.  However, the other
>benifits (as listed above and there are others too) definitely make it
>worth the expense in my opinion.  One point I want to make is that I've
>yet to see a laser disc that looked worse then VHS, so I think your (that
>is, Steinar's) particular case (the Freejack disc) is an unusual one.
>Definitely not typical.
>
	Actually, my copy of Addam's Family was really pretty
terrible. It wasn't white/black/colored streaks, the resolution
was pretty poor -- grainy. I'd just assumed that the pressing was
bad and there wasn't much hope in terms of replacing it.
	-- Ethan


purgamentum init, exit purgamentum
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: andy@w6yx.Stanford.EDU (Andrew Cromarty)
Subject: Need help w/ Sony HVC-2500 video camera
Summary: Need power supply, pin-out data, advice.
Keywords: video camera, power supply, pin-outs, cabling
Bcc: andy@w6yx.stanford.edu
Organization: Stanford University Amateur Radio Club, California USA
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 22:38:12 GMT

I have "inherited" a Sony HVC-2500 video camera (not a camcorder),
but without a power supply.  It has a 14-pin cable that apparently 
carries both video and power (and presumably audio as well).  The data
plate on the camera indicates that it takes 12V at 10.3W.

We have tried a few of the obvious approaches for getting a power
supply for it, including talking to Sony; they say they don't have it
any more.

Is there a cabling standard for such obsolescent equipment?  How can
I locate a power supply and appropriate adaptors for the video so I
can feed its output into a conventional VHS VCR?  Can anyone supply even
a pin-out diagram for the cable for this beast, so I can roll my own
interface if necessary?  Any clever ideas on sources I should contact
for a power supply and cable adaptor? Any hidden "gotchas" I should
be careful of in trying to get this thing running?

I'd appreciate hearing (preferably via email) from anyone who can help.

	thanks,			asc  <andy@w6yx.stanford.edu>

Newsgroups: rec.video
From: catesc@aix02.ecs.rpi.edu (Chris Cates)
Subject: My Crazy VCR
Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 04:19:22 GMT


Well, I was wondering if anyone out there in netland could try and explain
what could possibly be wrong with my VCR.  It's been acting quite strange
for some time now, and I was hoping it was something either simple or very
easy to repair...

First, I noticed that my VCR, when playing tapes, would go into B&W for no
reason at all.  After several months of this, I pieced together that the 
temperature in my room was responsible.  If it was hot (it wasn't a/c'd)
then the VCR would go to B&W, but under cooler conditions, it would work 
fine.  I finally proved this by directing a fan right inside it and opening
the little doorflap.  After 30-60 secs, it would return to color... take the
fan away and back to B&W it went in just a matter of seconds.

Second, after moving, I turned on the VCR and went to play a tape.  Well, 
I heard this little whirring noise for a sec, and then the power shut off!
I did it a couple more times and the same thing happened.  However after
a couple tries, I always seem to get it running.  Same thing happens for
record, so programs are of no use to me.

The VCR is a Fisher FVH-907 that is probably at least 6-7 years old, and 
other than the problems above, has always served me well with HOURS and 
HOURS of use DAY after DAY.

So, video gurus... any ideas?  (Post or email any ideas!)

Chris  (catesc@rpi.edu)
From: tmkk@uiuc.edu (Khan)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: Seeking info on a 10 year old video disk player
Date: 8 Sep 92 19:01:42 GMT
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana


In article <3999@vidiot.UUCP> brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot) writes:
>In article <BRIANH.92Sep4092220@pdx031.intel.com> brianh@pdx031.intel.com (Brian Holscher) writes:
><I bought for $5.00 a working (I think) Sears CED Video Disk Player.

[...]

><HELP!  Can somebody tell me anything about this beast?
>
>You just wasted $5 on a piece of junk.  CED discs are no longer made.
>
>I hope you like your boat anchor :-)

Pessimist.

An optimist would have said "I hope you like your museum piece!"

;-)
From: drazil@qiclab.scn.rain.com (Devin Ben-Hur)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: How accurate is your VCR's clock?
Date: 16 Sep 92 01:54:54 GMT
Organization: Are you kidding?

>Boy, and I thought I was doing bad with 10 s/day (about 0.01% if my
>math is right).  Still, that seems like the worst clock I've ever had,
>even counting the battery-driven ones like my watch and car clocks.

I have a pair of Mitsubishi U-6x VCR's and both are accurate to within
a minute/year.

If your Sony can't be improved, consider getting a VCR-Plus and using it
instead of the internal VCR programming.  Not only is it more convenient,
but my VCR-Plus has also been accurate to within a minute/year.
It's sure cheaper than buying another VCR.
-- 
Devin Ben-Hur        [drazil@qiclab.scn.rain.com]
"Your civilization makes us laugh..."
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: rjn@FC.HP.COM (Bob Niland)
Subject: Re: LCD projector for computer AND video?
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1992 04:49:00 GMT
Distribution: rec
Reply-To: rjn@FC.HP.COM
Organization: Hewlett-Packard/WSY Ft.Collins,CO,USA
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1scd1 PL4

mjkobb@media.mit.edu (Michael J Kobb) writes:
:   2) Is there a version of the Sharp projector that can be used with
: computer (noninterlaced 60+ Hz RGB) signals? 

No, and if you're planning to use a line doubler, the previous-field-
retention benefits are lost on an LCD projector, because none but the Hughes
LCLV are fast enough.  Typical LCDs, including all the Sharp's, have a pixel
response time of 50 milliseconds or more.  For optimum line doubler results,
you want a response time between 17 and 33 mS.

The Sharp's also don't have full horizontal and vertical NTSC resolution.
The vertical is close enough, but the horizontal will alias on source
material with horizontal structures above 330 lines or so (like LD).
"300,000 pixels" sounds impressive, but be sure to ask:  "what is the actual
geometry of each panel?"  Hint - it isn't VGA (640x480, which would be over
900,000 total pixels).

More embarassing questions to ask your LCD vendor are:
- what is the contrast ratio?
- what is the defect density (how many pixels arrive stuck)?

LCD promises a genuine advance in home theatre, but below $35,000 per
projector, it just isn't here yet.

Regards,                                              Hewlett-Packard
Bob Niland      Internet: rjn@FC.HP.COM               3404 East Harmony Road
                CompuServe:  71044,2124               Ft Collins CO 80525-9599

This article represents only the opinion[s] of its author, and is not an
official or unofficial position of, or statement by, the Hewlett-Packard
Company.  The text is provided for informational purposes only.  It is
supplied without warranty of any kind.
From: g-martin1@uiuc.edu (Gregory A. Martin)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: So Long, Columbia House!
Date: 9 Sep 92 23:12:34 GMT
Reply-To: g-martin1@uiuc.edu (Gregory A. Martin)
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Originator: gamg6900@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu

tmkk@uiuc.edu (Khan) writes:

>Having recently fulfilled my membership agreement with the Columbia
>House LaserDisc Club, I decided to finally free myself of the hassle of
>returning those stupid postcards every month. I called the customer
>service number, and asked the operator (who identified herself as
>"June") to be placed on positive response. She asked me if I had another
>account on positive response, and I replied that I did not. She then
>told me that CH can no longer place accounts on positive response. She
>claimed that they used to do it, but that they have not done it for
>anyone for over a year now (obviously she's full of it, as people report
>successful switches all the time). I said "so you'd rather lose a
>customer than switch someone over to positive response?" and she replied
>affirmatively. So I cancelled my account, and that was that (assuming,
>of course, that CH doesn't screw up ;-)

Which part do you object to: 1) having to pay for a stamp every month, or
2) being bothered with the chance to purchase LD's every month?

If 1), then why don't you call the 800 number instead of mailing the card?
If 2), then what difference does positive/negative response make?

Just wondering.

						Greg Martin
						g-martin1@uiuc.edu
From: jhansen@convex.com (James Hansen)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: LaserDisc vs VCR
Date: 16 Sep 92 00:02:06 GMT
Organization: Engineering, CONVEX Computer Corp., Richardson, Tx., USA
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX ComputerCorp. The 
 opinions expressed are those of the user andnot necessarily those of CONVEX.

B.King@ee.surrey.ac.uk writes:

>>- What is CX encoding(/decoding) ??

>an analogue audio enhancement process analogous to the Dolby 'C'
>process for audio cassettes (without so many adverse artifacts).
>Irrelavent on most modern discs which have a digital soundtrack,
>which doesn't use the process.

CX is a noise reduction technique more akin to dbx than Dolby C.

--
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
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: Curt.Miller@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Curt Miller)
Subject: Grass Valley 100 serial port?
Organization: Extended Bulletin Board Service
	I was wondering if anyone has used the serial interface on
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 01:43:01 GMT

Kurt Miller		Univ. of Wisconsin Platteville
UCSKJM@UCS.UWPLATT.EDU         
UCSKJM@UWPLATT.BITNET


--
   The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the University of
     North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Campus Office for Information
        Technology, or the Experimental Bulletin Board Service.
           internet:  bbs.oit.unc.edu or 152.2.22.80
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: dnadams@nyx.cs.du.edu (Dean Adams)
Subject: Re: Re: VCR Maintenance Advice Wanted. Head Cleaners Any Good?
Organization: University of Denver, Dept. of Math & Comp. Sci.
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 92 11:39:56 GMT

ckoch@bbn.com (Carter Koch) writes:
 >Using a rewinder is not going to noticeably save on any wear to your head
 > or rubber parts (idler, capstan belt, etc).  

The idler is directly responsible for driving the tape during FF/RW.
I'd say it is very reasonable to expect those operations (over time)
to impart quite a bit of wear on that mechanism.  Two of my very own
VCRs had the idler tires lose traction and cause lots of problems.
It is usually a process of gradual deterioration...

 > Rubber idlers and belts will crack over time whether they're used or not.

Perhaps, but losing TRACTION is what happens after considerable USE.
For example, one time I was able to "fix" a VCR that was *totally*
incapable of FF/RW, merely by reversing the idler tire so the opposite
side was being utilized.  Obviously a new tire is the real answer, 
but this does show that *wear* caused the problem - not "age"...

 >Rewinders jerk and stretch the tape before halting which is not good.

I've used them for quite a few years now and I have yet to have one damage
a tape, although I certainly have heard of cases where they did.  Perhaps
the models i've been using were somehow better...

Whatever the case, i'd rather chance breaking a tape than wear out a VCR.

-{ DA }-

Newsgroups: rec.video
From: edb@scic.intel.com (Edward Bunch)
Subject: Sony KVXBR55 (High Frequency Noise)
Originator: edb@rs069.scic.intel.com
Keywords: sony, tv, noise, problem
Organization: Intel SCIC, Beaverton, OR
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 00:51:09 GMT

I purchased a Sony KVXBR55 TV last May and have been having a problem
with a High Frequency noise being generated by it. Some say this is due
to the "fly back" transformer or some other mechanical noise source in
the set.  A friend (who has an older cira 1986 27" Sony -- which is
quite as a mouse) of mine indicated that some discussion about this
problem occurred in this news group some time back. Does anyone have
those articles that they could forward to me or have any information
that might lead me to a solution?

I have had the set into the shop 4 times now. The first repair shop I
called came out and sprayed Krylon onto the back of the tube and other
spots. The 2 - 3 were to another repair shop recommended by Sony. The
second shop sent it back the first time saying they had found the
problem and repaired it -- it wasn't. The second time it came back they
said they tried and tried and could not find the problem.  The only
reason I sent it back to them the third time was that they said they
were talking with Sony and wanted to hook up microphone and listen for
my noise they couldn't hear. But, upon receiving the set, the tech
decided to argue with Sony saying the microphone idea wouldn't work.

So, I have my set back again and the noise (not to mention the
trouble) is giving me a headache.
I know rag rag....  ;-)

Sony now says that their warranty only covers repair not replacement.
Can this problem be fixed or is it an inherent design flaw? How can I
best argue my point to Sony?

Thanks,

		Ed
From: JOHNN@TIGER.HSC.EDU
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: VCR Maintenance Advice Wanted. Head Cleaners Any Good?
Date: 4 Sep 92 12:16:45 GMT
Organization: The Internet

My response to the VCR head cleaning:  do not use rubbing alcohol! If you are 
going to use alcohol, ask your pharmacist for completely denatured alcohol.  
This will be 190 proof or 95% pure.  It cost more than the rubbing alcohol, but 
it is purer (less water), thus there is less residue on the heads.


Good luck,
John J. Norris		JOHNN@TIGER.HSC.EDU
Media Librarian
Hampden-Sydney College		10th oldest in the nation

(This is the usual disclaimeer.)

Newsgroups: rec.video
From: gary@resumix.portal.com (Gary Lin)
Subject: Re: 696 question
Organization: Resumix Inc.
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 92 23:10:07 GMT

lito@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Angelito Lucena) writes:

>i picked up a sony slv-696hf vcr for cwo and it arrived the other day.
>is there a channel jump function on the remote??  i can't find
>it in the documentation.  (also, what's the proper manufacturer code
>so the 696 remote can drive a sharp tv?? it's not listed in the table
>in the manual)

	Afraid not, I also have the 696HF.  Worse yet, I can't turn on/off
	the TV's time display with it.  A Sony TV at that.

						Gary M. Lin
						gary@resumix.portal.com
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: wrs@mcshh.Hanse.DE (Wolfgang R. Schulz)
Subject: Re: NTSC to PAL signal conversion?
Organization: Point of Presence & MCS Hamburg
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1992 15:47:22 GMT

lestrade@Ra.MsState.Edu (John Patrick Lestrade) writes:

>wwitt@adara.intel.com () writes:


>>I am looking for a box that will convert an NTSC video signal to PAL
>>(The reverse would be interesting, too, but is not as important right now).

>Aiwa has just come out with a new deck MG 110 (the 110 is correct the MG
>is perhaps missing another letter)  It costs $450-$495 and I hear it
>will do very good conversions.  I want a SECAM-L version and I have not
>been able to find that in the same price range. :-(   
>I hear Aiwa is coming out with another box in october which might do
>secam.  If anybody can help me, please do it. 

I have had two independent reports about the Aiwa converter,
and both said it is *terrible*. Totally instable picture.
The Sharp stand-alone converter, PAL,NTSC,MESECAM, at the same price,
has excellent reports. They also build it into a HiFi VCR, called
the WD1, which plays and records in these 3 standards, all speeds,
with a tuner that can be matched to most systems in the world, for
$1,200. 
Wolfgang
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: jab3@cec2.wustl.edu (John Alonzo Breen)
Subject: How accurate is your VCR's clock?
Organization: Washington University, St. Louis MO
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1992 18:06:15 GMT

[This is similar to a post I made a few days ago, but (a) I'm now
asking about VCRs in general, not just my model, and (b) I think I
screwed up my first posting so that some people might not have seen
it.]


I'm curious to find out how accurate the clocks of various VCRs are.
The reason I'm asking is that I bought a Sony SLV-393 over the
weekend, and I was somewhat disappointed to find it gains about 12
seconds a day.  At first, Sony said that it sounded like a defect.
When I asked the salesman, however, he said, "Gee, I think mine keeps
worse time than that!".  So I called Sony again, and I was told very
firmly that the unit is a VCR, not a timepiece, and that 10 s/day was
not unusual (and also that there were no adjustments that could be
made).

Are other VCRs similar?  My old JVC kept absolutely perfect time (in
fact, my $15 Timex watch only gains a few seconds a month :-), and I'm
worried that the quality of Sony's clock circuit may be indicative of
the overall quality.  Besides, having the clock constantly off is
going to drive me up the wall.  But if other VCRs are about as bad, I
guess I'll just have to learn to live with it.

Any information greatly appreciated.

-- 
John A. Breen                   |
jab3@cec1.wustl.edu             | This space unintentionally left blank
Xref: sparky rec.video:10952 rec.arts.movies:26934
From: brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot)
Newsgroups: rec.video,rec.arts.movies
Subject: Re: Explain this effect?
Date: 4 Sep 92 05:21:18 GMT
Reply-To: brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Vidiot's Hangout

In article <1992Sep2.220601.1697@ctr.columbia.edu> es1@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Ethan Solomita) writes:
<In article <1992Sep2.212017.6778@ncar.ucar.edu> gary@colossus.cgd.ucar.edu (Gary Strand) writes:
<>
<>  What's the explanation for it, and why don't I see it (for example) during
<>  episodes of the Star Trek:The Next Generation? Does it have something to do
<>  with the transfer from the original film to videotape? An inquiring mind
<>  wants to know!
<>
<	The main explanation is that Star Wars was made in 1977,
<Star Trek in the late 60s. ST:TNG is late 80s/early 90s, 1.5+
<million per episode, and the techniques are much better.
<
<	As I understand it, the technical reason is that the
<images of the ships moving around were each on a plastic strip,
<and so what you see is discoloration from the square piece of
<plastic.
<
<	(BTW, people -- please correct that if it is wrong)

See previous posting of mine, but you are incorrect about the plastic strips.
-- 
      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: dondd@hpmwtd.sr.hp.com (Don Dillon)
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 22:30:32 GMT
Subject: Re: How accurate is your VCR's clock?
Organization: HP Santa Rosa Site (NMD MTA MWTD)
Newsgroups: rec.video

Try this on for size.  My sony XBR tv's clock was gaining about 10 to
12 minutes per hour.  Now that is way out of line.  It turns out that
the internal circuits thought it was in a 50Hz area and was counting every
50 cycles as a second, thus it gained.  When I unplugged the tv for a few
hours and plugged it back in it reset itself and has been perfect ever
since.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Don { Go Niners } Dillon

INTERNET : dondd@sr.hp.com
TELNET   : 577-3690
PHONE    : 707-577-3690
From: brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: LD-players with genlock and TBC?
Date: 9 Sep 92 20:02:29 GMT
Reply-To: brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot)
Distribution: na
Organization: Vidiot's Hangout

In article <1992Sep8.170125.11987@cbnews.cb.att.com> tl@cbnews.cb.att.com (thomas.l.du.breuil) writes:
<In article <4020@vidiot.UUCP> brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot) writes:

<>Great!  What the Hell does a LD player need with a Gen Sync Out?
<
<According to the LD-V8000 Level I & III User's Manual, p.2-5,
<
<"GEN SYNC OUT:  To externally synchronize another player with
<the composite sync of this LaserVision player, connect this terminal to one
<of the EXT SYNC IN terminals of the other player."
<
<"EXT SYNC IN:  One of these terminals is used for inputting an external sync
<signal from a sync generator, and the other is used for loop through when
<the player is operated in EXT SYNC Mode.  When the external sync signal is
<present, the player enters the EXT SYNC Mode automatically."

OK, that answers the question.  The only reason that I can see for doing
such a thing (using one LD player as a genlock source for another) is if
the outputs of the LD players are going though a vertical interval routing
switcher and not a SEG.

If the outputs of more than one LD player were sent through a SEG, then
each of the LD players would be genlocked to the SEG sync and the GEN SYNC
OUT would not be used at all.

Interesting.  Thanks for the manual's explanation.
-- 
      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
From: winfia@vccnorthd.its.rpi.edu (Anthony Edward Winfield)
Subject: Kodak CD pictures vs. LD
Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1992 02:06:57 GMT

	I saw on QVC a divice put out by kodak that lets you play photos stored
to CD (stored by taking your film or negative to a kodak developer and placed
there).  The player cost around $450 (for the QVC price).  The player device
also plays standard audio CDs as well.  I was wondering if this format is
compatible with LD players.
	Thanks in advance.
                                         Tone