From: ins_wayne@actew.oz.au
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: AUST: MultiStd VCR with Digital Conversion Sharp VC-WD1
Date: 24 Dec 92 01:56:50 EST
Organization: ACT Electricity & Water

  If you're interested in a VCR, available in Australia, which can
  convert between PAL, SECAM, and NTSC, read on...

  I heard about a new(ish) VCR from Sharp today, via a contact in
  the US.  It seemed to be rather like the Panasonic NV/AG-W1
  player, which can play and convert just about any broadcast or
  VHS standard to just about any VHS standard or broadcast format,
  except for one restriction on PAL-N (I think).

  I've heard nothing but good reports about the W1, and was trying
  to find a way to get one at a reasonable cost.  Apparently, a
  typical price in New York is about $US1700, which should
  translate to about $A2200.  Unfortunately, the extortionists who
  import the W1 into Australia want $A4800 for it!

  Today, (in less than an hour!), I heard of the Sharp VC-WD1,
  called the local rep, found one, and decided that it is a very
  strong contender indeed!

  Details are sketchy, and my results preliminary, but here goes:

  	Digital scan conversion using line interpolation
  	Frame rate conversion
  	Tuner INCLUDED - unlike W1
  	Timer INCLUDED - unlike W1
  	Can convert tapes or video sources to another standard
  	Will record in multiple formats
  	Does PAL B/G, I, D/K, MESECAM B/G, D/K, NTSC 3.58
  	8 hour on PAL/MESECAM E-240, LP
  	8 hour on NTSC T-160 in EP
  	Video S/N 45dB
  	Jog/Shuttle remote
  	Picture-in-picture!
  	No "SQPB" (ie, will not play S-VHS tapes - not mentioned)

  Plus the usual video levels, etc, that don't change from one VCR
  to another.

  The unit I saw was connected to several 12" TVs simultaneously;
  none were multisystem - all PAL.  Under these conditions, a
  Billy Joel pre-recorded PAL tape looked very good.  Probably
  over 240 lines, maybe 300+.

  Even more impressive, an NTSC tape played via conversion to PAL
  showed no evidence of motion or scan conversion artifacts!  The
  tape was not a great one; the resolution on the PAL tape proves
  this.  The tape was evidently a dub, as the picture quality was
  very "soft."  However, what was there was reproduced very well
  indeed.  Very clean.

  You can place the current TV channel OR tape/video program in a
  window on the bottom right or top right.  Resolution within this
  PIP window is limited, of course.  Interesting and potentially
  useful.

  Stills are good, no matter what tape.  So is single-framing. 
  Cue is very stable, but review (playing backwards) tended to
  break up when playing an NTSC tape on PAL.

  The case is gold-fleck (yech!) and the internal controls are
  lousy (like the minor controls on an average VCR - small square
  buttons, hidden away behind a drop panel), but the remote works
  and feels pretty well.  The PIP feature is available from the
  remote, but not the multi-standard selectors (IN and OUT).
  Ergonomics get a mixed grade.

  All in all, I'm impressed.  I'll be looking more closely at it
  next week, and will probably end up buying one.

  The price?  About $A2500, but a bit of negotiation gets a price
  closer to $A2200.


  Gotta go for now, more later.

  	
-- 
Wayne Myles             Email: ins_wayne@actew.oz.au, wsm@ccadfa.cc.adfa.oz.au
System Manager,	        Snail: GPO Box 366, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia.
ACT Electricity & Water	   Ph: +61-6-248-3143 (w)  Fax: +61-6-248-3439
Newsgroups: rec.video