HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: long-morrow@cs.yale.edu (H. Morrow Long)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: Brazil (WS) LD
Date: 8 Sep 92 14:38:24 GMT
Organization: Yale University, Department of Computer Science
NNTP-Posting-Host: sparky.cf.cs.yale.edu


In article <1992Sep6.153647.13796@kong.gsfc.nasa.gov>, jonke@kong.gsfc.nasa.gov (Stephen Jonke) writes:
|> Actually, I didn't, but I don't agree with you.  Whilst in theory one could
|> create their own mask, the individual would for the most part be at a loss
|> as to what aspect ratio to make it, especially considering the problems of
|> overscanning with TVs (even though I've asjusted my Sony EXR to have very
|> little overscanning, I can't get rid of all of it and it's hard to tell
|> exactly how much it is overscanning.)  Basically, if you make the mask
|> exactly 1.85:1 or whatever, it will not be the correct framing because of
|> your TVs overscan.  Then, of course, is the fact that there are
|> so many different ratios that films use, it is hard to tell which one you
|> should be using.  One hopes that when a disc is matted, they have
|> researched to find out what the proper ratio is, unfortunatly, this doesn't
|> always appear to be the case.
|> 
|> Not to mention that it would be a pain in the butt (what exactly are you
|> using to matte it with?)  Where could one get one of these electronic
|> devices you refer to?
|> 
|> Steve

Actually Thompson and other TV manufacturers are beginning to make 
high-end large screen TVs in 16:9 ratio where one can "zoom" in and
crop off much of the "black bars" at the top and bottom of the screen
in LBXed movies (how much of the black bars you can crop off by "pulling"
the edges of the movie out to the edges of the screen depends on the
aspect ratio of the video transfer).

Does anyone have one of these sets (which are mainly found in Europe
now I believe)?  

One thing I was wondering about is if you can select (when zooming)
where the area to be viewed on the screen is on the vertical as well.
There are some instances where the black bars on letterboxed releases
are not the same thickness on the top and bottom.  And if subtitles
are presented on the bottom black margin you might only want to crop
off the top.

How are the controls implemented (joystick, mouse, keypad arrows ala
Nintendo game controls)?  Do you get to vary the amount of 
cropping (which results in magnification of the image that is displayed)?
How?

It would still be a problem to zoom/crop a matted movie to the original
theatrical aspect ratio unless the release came with guidelines as to 
where the top and bottom of the theatrical image are ("Freeze this frame.
Adjust your set's zoom ratio until the parallel white lines are at the
very top and bottom of your screen, then start the movie."), or unless the
director was James Cameron where the "topline" of the Super 35 frame
is the same for 1.33, 1.85, and 2.25 ratios (and is marked off on the
ground glass of the cinematographer's viewfinder as such).

					- Morrow
From: dd2u@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU (David  Drucker)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: Random LD Reading Problem....
Date: 5 Sep 92 03:36:48 GMT
Organization: University of Virginia

I would not recommend q-tips to clean the video head as there
is to much possibility of the head grabbing pieces of cotton
and really doing an number.

We have been using lintless cleaning cloths available from lab
supply houses. They have a soft, close weave design and really
are very inexpensive. The next best would be those video
cleaning sticks you see in stores with some sort of plastic or
ruber (?) tip.

Alcohol at 90% is the recommended solution as stated
previously, but 70% works in a pinch. Please do not get the
rubbing alcohol that has a perfume scent added to it. This
leaves a rather greasy mess.

Qtips are good to clean the capstan and audio heads as well as
any part that comes into contact with the tape. Alcohol gives
you a wet surface that makes it easier to wipe off tape
residue, but it doen not really desolve the residue. 
We use a product called tric...something but is also known as
1.1.1. This definetly desolves tape residue and is used ONLY on
the video head as it can destroy rubber over long periods.

For the most part, a good "wet" cleaning tape should be used
after each 25 hours of vcr use. About once per year, pull the
cover of the vcr ( usually 4 screws on the side or 2 on the
back) and manually clean the inside. At all times moving slowly
, gently, easily and throughly. Watch someone do it and you
will see what I mean...


David drucker
Curry School of Education
dd2u@virginia.edu
--
From: km@mathcs.emory.edu (Ken Mandelberg)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: CH3 -> Video
Date: 13 Sep 92 03:49:51 GMT
Reply-To: km@mathcs.emory.edu
Organization: Emory University, Dept of Math and CS

My VCR will switch from its antenna input to its video input by
switching to "channel 0". I would like to feed the output of a dumb
cable box into the video input, so that I can get to it under program
control.

Is there an inexpensive Ch3->Video converter?


---
Ken Mandelberg      | km@mathcs.emory.edu          PREFERRED
Emory University    | {rutgers,gatech}!emory!km    UUCP 
Dept of Math and CS | km@emory.bitnet              NON-DOMAIN BITNET  
Atlanta, GA 30322   | Phone: Voice (404) 727-7963, FAX 727-5611
From: killeen@spcvxb.spc.edu (Jeff Killeen)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: Two questions - Matrix switcher, Sharp projector
Date: 8 Sep 92 19:08:01 GMT
Distribution: rec
Organization: SPC Community Access System

In article <MJKOBB.92Sep7214902@media-lab.media.mit.edu>, mjkobb@media.mit.edu (Michael J Kobb) writes:
> Greetings!
>   1)  I'd like to get a matrix switcher, preferably one that can do
> video and audio separately.  I seem to remember that Sony made one
> of these (I believe I saw one once), but I don't know model or
> prices.  The big problem is that I'd really like one that has
> S-video capability, and some form of storable presets would be nice
> too.  What am I looking at, pricewise, for an 8x8 unit?

All the high end consumer switchers on the market today have S-video jacks.
Unless Sony has introduced a new model their high end model (3000) is only 6x6.
I strongly recommend you take a look at the JVC JX-S900.  (That is coming from
a known Sony Bigot and someone who does not hold a high opinion of many other
JVC products.)  The 900 has separate audio and video loops.  It also allows you
switch in a seperate audio source like a CD player or cassette deck. It is 7x7
but it really is 7x8 switch there is an "8th" channel for the monitor that can
switch to any of the 7 incoming paths.  The really neat feature it has is what
I will call "bus spilt".  You can press a button and your 7x7 switcher becomes
two independent switchers - one 4x4 and the other 3x3.  There hasn't been a
case yet where I have said gee I wish I could do "X" and "X" wasn't possible. 
Xref: sparky rec.video:10951 rec.arts.movies:26933
From: brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot)
Newsgroups: rec.video,rec.arts.movies
Subject: Re: Explain this effect?
Date: 4 Sep 92 05:20:01 GMT
Reply-To: brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Vidiot's Hangout

In article <1992Sep2.212017.6778@ncar.ucar.edu> gary@colossus.cgd.ucar.edu (Gary Strand) writes:
<
<  Whilst watching "Star Wars" on VHS the other day, I noticed that I could see
<  the little "crop" areas around the spacecraft as they moved about. I've also
<  seen this on regular television broadcasts of the original Star Trek. It's 
<  distracting and pretty much ruins the effect.
<
<  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!

Doing opticals in the age of Star Wars involved a lot of multiple images being
optically mixed together.  The various little pieces are shot against a blue
screen.  But, on long distance shots of the object, there is other crap that
shows up in the image.  So, the optical needs a mask around the object.  The
mask lets a very tiny amount of extra light get through to the final print.
The scenes are dark to begin with, so they aren't seen very well on the movie
screen.  But, when transferred to video, the scenes are brightened.  Now the
little extra light becomes brighter.

Another way to look at it is to photograph an object against a very black
background.  For sake of argument, using a 8x10 camera, using transparency
film.  Take a piece of black cardboard, cut out a mask that is a little larger
than the object in the film.  Using normal room light, hold the mask over
the film, letting the image of the object show through.  You should make out
the object just fine and the whole area around the object should look really
black.  But, put a bright light behind the film and look at it and you can
start to see through the black of the transparency film.  With the mask over
the film, you now see the effect of the film on the TV.

The reason that you don't see it on ST:TNG is that the special effects are
done with video.  No mixing film on film.  Now, don't get me wrong, but in
an incorrectly set up video system, masks can show up depending on how the
mixes are done.  They way that ST:TNG is mixed should never allow for problems.

Hope this helps.
-- 
      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.games.video,sci.electronics
From: howcome@nta.no (Hakon W Lie FDX)
Subject: Re: Do LIGHT PENS work with VIDEO PROJECTORS?
Organization: Norwegian Telecom Research
	<1992Sep10.043514.6457@sactoh0.sac.ca.us>
Date: 10 Sep 92 14:50:42

In article <1992Sep10.043514.6457@sactoh0.sac.ca.us> mfolivo@sactoh0.sac.ca.us (Mark Newton-John) writes:

   If I understand the wording of the question, light pens will work
   with rear projection televisions.

   If you mean front priojection types, probably not.

Since front projection systems change the horizontal direction of the
electron beam, your're probably right. According to this logic, light
pens would only work on the vertical center line of the screen since
the reported X position (xr) would be:

      xr = xm - x       where xm is the width of the screen and x is
                        the actual position

Does anyone have any idea of how complicated a lightpen is to
constuct/modify? I'd like to be able to use it as a mouse replacement
for a 1000-line monitor.

-h&kon
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: rjn@FC.HP.COM (Bob Niland)
Subject: Re: Video tape degenerations questions:
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 18:42:40 GMT
Reply-To: rjn@FC.HP.COM
Organization: Hewlett-Packard/WSY Ft.Collins,CO,USA
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1scd1 PL4

dcha@flex.com (Doug Cha) writes:
: I have about 5 Sony VHG T120 tapes which I had recorded onto
: once and played back a few times (about 3 months old).  My basic question 
: is whether or not the erasure heads on VCR's do a good enough job for 
: tapes to be "reused" or "re-recorded" on.

The answer is: it depends

..on how thoroughly your deck erases
   how clean the heads were/are
   what type of tape it is
   whether the tape was damaged by the earlier sessions, etc..

In general, you can expect a used-once tape to provide results equivalent
to a an unused tape, if you erase it with an external degausser.  I 
routinely deguass my S-VHS tapes because my deck's erase head is worthless.

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: randal@cs.UAlberta.CA (Randal Peters)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Problem with VCR
Date: 15 Sep 92 17:35:01 GMT
Organization: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

Scenario: Taped a show Friday night. Watched it Saturday. Everything
was fine. Rented a movie Sunday night, popped it in, and all I got was
a gray screen with audio. This is on the SP (Slow Play?) setting. Now
this is all I get on SP. However, the LP (Long Play?) and ELP (Extra
Long Play?) settings work just fine. I can tape and watch shows on
these settings. The show I taped Friday was on the SP setting.

I have a 4 head Hitachi that is about 5 years old.

Anyone have an idea of what may be wrong? Could the rental movie have
wrecked something? What kind of repairs should I expect if I take it
in? I called one store and they said it needed a cleaning, but it
seems odd to me that it works fine on LP and ELP and not on SP.

Thanks for any help you can provide,
    -Randal
Newsgroups: rec.video,rec.video.production
From: nrossi@jarthur.claremont.edu (Nick Rossi)
Subject: New editor for 3/4"
Organization: Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA 91711
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 21:35:13 GMT


The A/V department here at HMC is finally ready to replace our old,
antiquated 3/4" editor with something more modern.  We've got about
$3000 to spend.  I have a feeling that there are some good quality
editors available that can't be found in the standard video magazines.
Can someone recommend either a catalog or some specific edit controllers
for a 3/4" system?  We have a Sony VO-5800 and VO-5850 as decks.

Nick
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: klui@corp.hp.com (Kenneth K.F. Lui)
Subject: Re: Letterbox versus P&S
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1992 01:56:45 GMT

In article <BuBEI2.n31@fc.hp.com> rjn@FC.HP.COM writes:
>"Black Rain" on LD is a lose-lose proposition.  It was shot in the Super35
>(full 1.37:1 silent aperture) format, and the letterbox LD was reportedly
>supposed to have been a 1.85:1 extraction, but was done at 2.4:1 instead.
>Consequently BOTH the LBX and the P&S editions are unsatisfactory.

Bob, I don't understand.  Please elaborate.

>If you want to start a productive debate about LBX vs P&S, and/or matted vs
>open-matte, you need to pick another title.
>
Have you gotten a chance to finish an article describing formats
of LaserDiscs.  I'm not sure I understand what matted is versus
open-matte.

Pointers to sources of info would be appreciated by all.


Ken
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
From: hofbauer@csri.toronto.edu (John Hofbauer)
Subject: 'Three Little Words' on laserdisc
Organization: CSRI, University of Toronto
Date: 13 Sep 92 01:16:52 GMT

If you own the MGM/UA laserdisc of 'Three Little Words' starring Fred
Astaire and Red Skelton, send me E-mail. I'd like to compare notes with
you regarding Side 1, which on my copy is very blue.
From: jdavidso@teknowledge.com (Jim Davidson)
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
Subject: Re: Basic Instinct LD - When?
Date: 9 Sep 92 19:47:02 GMT
Organization: Cimflex Teknowledge Corporation, Knowledge Systems Division
In-reply-to: tmkk@uiuc.edu's message of 9 Sep 92 14:13:41 GMT

In article <BuBE6u.6v6@news.cso.uiuc.edu> tmkk@uiuc.edu (Khan) writes:

> The new Video has a full page ad showing a laserdisc of Basic Instinct.
> Anyone know when the actual release is scheduled?

I don't know the date; I think it's sometime in November.  But, I did
want to point out that there are three versions planned: pan&scan,
LBX, and some kind of 'special edition'.  The latter includes some
footage that was trimmed in order to earn an R rating, stills, etc.  

-Jim
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
From: dododge@wam.umd.edu (David O. Dodge)
Subject: Re: "BASIC INSTINCT" - Release INFO!!!
Organization: University of Maryland, College Park
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 00:11:27 GMT

In article <1992Sep14.115623.15045@njitgw.njit.edu> meg5184@hertz.njit.edu (Starman) writes:
>In article <scottg.082x@amiganet.chi.il.us> scottg@amiganet.chi.il.us (Scott Gittlitz) writes:
>>The Following is a letter from PIONEER LDCA, INC. on the laserdisc release of
>>"BASIC INSTINCT". 
>> 
>[stuff deleted]
>> 
>>     To supplement merchandising efforts, Pioneer will provide
>>retailers with an eight-inch trailer disc to generate in-store
>>excitement for this chilling, erotic thriller.
>> 
>I WANT THIS 8" DISC!!! If anyone can tell me where to get it, then let
>me know!!!!

ME TOO! ME TOO! ME TOO!
                                       -Dave Dodge/dododge@wam.umd.edu
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases,rec.arts.movies
From: dododge@wam.umd.edu (David O. Dodge)
Subject: Re: Blade Runner Director's Cut info???
Organization: University of Maryland, College Park
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1992 05:56:45 GMT

In article <1992Sep6.152214.13633@kong.gsfc.nasa.gov> jonke@kong.gsfc.nasa.gov (Stephen Jonke) writes:
>Does anyone have concrete information of this directors cut?

Just guesses:

>Is it going to be sans voice overs,

Almost guaranteed.

>is it going to have the deleted unicorn scene

Perhaps.

One of the big questions that hasn't shown up too often is what's going
to happen with the music. Will it be the same, will it be new Vangelis
(there's a rumor of some Scott-Vangelis collaboration that's been going on
but that may be referring to "1492"), will it be a re-cut version of the
original Vangelis, or will it be completely different.

In any case we'll know for sure in about 5 days. Just keep watching this
group, rec.arts.movies, alt.cult-movies, and rec.arts.sf.movies for the
next week or so if the movie isn't opening in your area and you don't
mind spoilers

                                           -Dave Dodge/dododge@wam.umd.edu
Xref: sparky rec.video.releases:2698 rec.arts.movies:27063
From: kheldar@prism.gatech.EDU (Garner)
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases,rec.arts.movies
Subject: Re: Blade Runner Director's Cut
Date: 8 Sep 92 02:34:22 GMT
Followup-To: rec.video.releases
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology

I just came back from WorldCon in Orlando and they had a 12 minute
presentation of Blade Runner.  Back in (I think) WorldCon '81, Scott made
this presentation to be shown there.  Since they didn't have Enterainment
Tonight or any such shows back then, this was an exclusive presentation
and still is.

And the end they announced that the director's cut would start September 11th.
The major differences are (this is definite, not rumor):

 - none or almost no voice overs

 - got rid of cheesy ending

 - added all of the unicorn scenes

 - and much of the music will be different since Vangelis could not finish
   the score back then and had just finished it last week.
-- 
_______________
Garner Halloran                                  garner.halloran@oit.gatech.edu
  "My philosophy of life is that the meek shall inherit
   nothing but debasement, frustration, and ignoble deaths..." - Harlan Ellison
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
From: singg@alf.uib.no (Kurt George Gjerde)
Subject: Re: laserdisc of Beauty and the Beast (NOT)
Organization: University of Bergen, Norway
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 92 21:19:26 GMT

Is this Work In Progress copy of BatB also released on tape? (hope,hope...)????

-----
Kurt.
-----
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
From: pprun@augustit.uswc.uswest.com (Peter Prun)
Subject: Re: Blade Runner Director's Cut (SPOILERS)
Organization: US WEST Information Technologies
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 18:35:43 GMT


>That's about it, really. The film does NOT contain the extra bits of
>violence that are on the standard video release, so it appears to have
>as its base the original US film version.
>
>All of the original flaws like the 6-vs-5 replicant problem are still
>there. Still no lip-sync in the Abdul Ben Hassan conversation. The
>scrolling text at the beginning is still there.


Does anyone know if Ridley Scott was asked if this is a mistake about
the 6-vs-5 replicant problem?  Could Scott have been trying to implicate
either Deckard or Rachel as the sixth replicant?


Pete
pprun@lookout.mnet.uswest.com
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
From: moriarty@tc.fluke.COM (Jeff Meyer)
Subject: Newly-announced LDs (Warner Bros. Cartoons!  At Last!)
Keywords: LDs
Organization: The John Fluke Mfg. Co.  /a.k.a. The Gizmonics Institute/
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 06:33:13 GMT

From the September issue of the Laser Disc Newsletter ($35 a year subscription,
PO Box 420, East Rockaway, NY 11518-4020):

Finally -- FINALLY -- Warner Bros. has announced that they are releasing a
set of the WB cartoons they own (the ones that MGM/UA do not own, i.e. those
that were made in the latter part of 1948, and the years that followed) --
the very best years of WB, with jewels like WHAT'S OPERA, DOC, etc.
Warner's is releasing six LDs, each with a particular subject:

    Winner by a Hare (14 Bugs Bunny cartoons)
    Duck Victory (14 Daffy Duck, including DUCK DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
    Looney Tunes After Dark (scary ones)
    Ham on Wry (14 Porky Pig cartoons)
    Looney Tunes Assorted Nuts (16 misc. cartoons)
    Looney Tunes Curtain Calls (show biz related cartoons)

According to LDN, these will be original, uncut cartoons.  ("Pure" releases,
i.e. not with surrounding animated segue sequences.)

And to top it all off, MGM/UA says it will be releasing its third (and last)
GOLDEN AGE OF LOONEY TOONS collection before Christmas.

------

In other news, Robert Altman will be releasing THE PLAYER (and something
called THE SECRET HONOR) to Criterion, with commentary and supplements.

Image will be releasing a 60th anniversary edition of KING KONG, and also
the "colorized" version.  Also, Carl Theodor Dreyer's silent Vampyr (I
believe it's silent.  If it's the one I'm thinking of, it's one of the
eeriest things I've ever seen.)

-----

And there's lots of other news, plus a crateload of LDs Image has slashed to
$20; but I leave that for you to discover.  I'm going to bed.

DUCK DODGERS!  Yes!!

                           "And do you think (fop that I am) that I could be
                            the Scarlet Pumpernickel?"

                                        Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
INTERNET:     moriarty@tc.fluke.COM
Manual UUCP:  {uunet, uw-beaver, sun, microsoft}!fluke!moriarty
CREDO:        You gotta be Cruel to be Kind...
                 **>> Keep circulating the tapes <<**
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases,rec.arts.movies
From: moriarty@tc.fluke.COM (Jeff Meyer)
Subject: Re: Blade Runner Director's Cut
Followup-To: rec.arts.movies
Reply-To: moriarty@tc.fluke.COM (Jeff Meyer)
Organization: The John Fluke Mfg. Co.  /a.k.a. The Gizmonics Institute/
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 07:06:26 GMT

Saw it this weekend in Seattle.  I'm pretty familiar with the original film
(having watched it 7 dozen times on my Criterion laserdisc), and I was
surprised with how impressed I was with this new version.  Given that almost
no extra scenes are added (and most of the extra footage is from the
British/European version of the original cut, which had about a minute of
extra film -- mostly violent stuff cut out of the American release; this is
also on the Criterion laserdisc version), and only one or two cut, it is
astonishing how much effect the removal of the voice-over has on the film.
Very powerful.

At any rate, the print I saw was brand-spanking new, and you can't beat that
in a 70mm theater.  Wahoo!

                           "I want more life... fucker."

                                        Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
INTERNET:     moriarty@tc.fluke.COM
Manual UUCP:  {uunet, uw-beaver, sun, microsoft}!fluke!moriarty
CREDO:        You gotta be Cruel to be Kind...
                 **>> Keep circulating the tapes <<**
From: Mike_Quigley@mindlink.bc.ca (Mike Quigley)
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
Subject: Re: Let's Get Paranoid!
Date: 12 Sep 92 15:33:02 GMT
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada

Just wondering, does anyone know the fax number for the new Warner Brothers
plant? I would really like to give them a piece of my mind!