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To: bovik@CS.CMU.EDU
Subject: information on video stores
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 92 11:17:00 EST
Message-ID: <29218.724349820@BAM.GARNET.CS.CMU.EDU>
From: Brad_Myers@BAM.GARNET.CS.CMU.EDU


I ended up buying a Panasonic VHS-C camcorder from a mail-order
catalog.  I got the name from the back of Photography magazine. 
Even with high shipping charges, it was about 1/4 less than any
local price.

Brad Myers


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Date: Thu, 21 May 92 14:03:14 EDT
From: Jeffrey.Friedl@ERNST.MACH.CS.CMU.EDU
To: bam+@CS.CMU.EDU
Subject: Re: Video Store?

|> Can anyone recommend a video store to buy a camcorder that has a wide
|> selection and knowledgeable salesmen?  Price is not important at this stage,
                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

HA HA HA Ha Ha Ha... ahhh. ha ah.... (ouch, it hurts)... ha ha.

|> but I have a list of requirements and wonder if any existing machines
|> meet them.

Sorry, I haven't laughed that much in a long time. (-:

A *much* better course of action would be to go to the third floor of
the Carnegie Library into the magazine section and nab back coppies
of _Videomaker_.  Every month for the last several they have been
having buyer's guides to different classes of camcorders....
this month's has VHS-C.

Also, rec.video has had lots of good info, although lately it's been
dominated by laserdisk stuff (in fact, I unsubscribed last week).
Still, I have some stuff saved.

Also, if you care to ask me any questions, I may be able to provide
reasonable info... I know a bit about what's what with camcorders.

	*jeff*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeffrey Eric Francis Friedl   jfriedl@cs.cmu.edu -or- jfriedl@omron.co.jp
Omron Corporation, Section RZE, Shimokaiinji, Nagaokakyo Kyoto 617, Japan
Visiting researcher to the Mach Project, Carnegie Mellon University
CMU phones: 412-268-8187 (office) 412-682-5645 (apartment)

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From: "Michael J. McInerny" <mcinerny+@andrew.cmu.edu>
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To: Brad Myers <bam+@BAM.GARNET.CS.CMU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Video Store?
In-Reply-To: <1992May21.170331.257981@cs.cmu.edu>
References: <1992May21.170331.257981@cs.cmu.edu>

Excerpts from cmu.cs.general: 21-May-92 Video Store? Brad
Myers@BAM.GARNET.CS (255)

> Can anyone recommend a video store to buy a camcorder that has a wide
> selection and knowledgeable salesmen?  Price is not important at this stage,
> but I have a list of requirements and wonder if any existing machines
> meet them.

Do NOT go to any of the appliance stores (Silo, Sun, The Appliance Store).

Do go to either:  Ritz Camera (the one in Ross Park Mall is pretty good,
but Waterworks is closer) or to Triangle TV in Dormont (Sony dealers).

But, if you'd like, I can try to help you.  I'm pretty up on the subject
currently.  Especially if you're looking for Hi8 format.

- -Michael

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From: "Helen J. Borek" <hb0q+@ANDREW.CMU.EDU>
To: Brad Myers <bam+@BAM.GARNET.CS.CMU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Video Store?
Cc:  
In-Reply-To: <1992May21.170331.257981@cs.cmu.edu>
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We were quite impressed with the Silo staff at the Monroeville store
(also the manager, I think her name is Pat-she helped us quite a bit
also).  We had checked the Appliance Store, Sun, and various other
stores.  Eric at Silo offered information that no one else mentioned and
answered all our questions.

We purchased the new Panasonic palmcorder (w/light built in, and other
options--there are two models in that line and it was the one with
everything).  Silo even price matched ($250 refund) when a competitor
had them on sale (within 30 days).

Hope it helps.  I know it's not a video store but he was more
knowledgeable that the 5+ salesfolks we spoke with.

- -Helen

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Date: Fri, 22 May 92 10:02:26 EDT
From: Jeffrey.Friedl@ERNST.MACH.CS.CMU.EDU
To: Brad_Myers@BAM.GARNET.CS.CMU.EDU
Subject: Re: Video Store?

VHS-C would do it, but the unfortunate problems is that the tapes are so
short (current max is 30 minutes).  I have an S-VHS-C camcorder, so it
doesn't hurt so much if I go into 3x mode (ep-record) and I get 1.5 hours.
Still, not much.

You may want to consider Hi8.
Are you familiar with the differences between
	VHS
	S-VHS
	VHS-C
	S-VHS-C
	8mm	[video, not film]
	Hi8
?

One of the most popular machines out there now is the Sony TR81.
It's about the size of a good BLT (-: and fulfills most of your
needs.

	*jeff*

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To: Brad_Myers@BAM.GARNET.CS.CMU.EDU
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Excerpts from mail: 22-May-92 Re: Video Store? Brad_Myers@BAM.GARNET.CS (602)

> * Really tiny and light.
> * Has an attached character generator for sub-titles (or one can be bought as
> 	an attachment).
> * High sensitivity to low light for indoor shooting
> * High zoom ratio (e.g., 10:1)
> * Long battery useage on one charge.
> * Uses regular VHS tapes.
> * Good quality automatic focus, light meter, white balance, etc.


I think you can get all of these things from either Panasonic or JVC.  I
think most camcorders use digital titling (aim camera at a high contrast
scene, and it memorizes a 1-bit deep frame which you can superimpose in
one of 8 colors).  There are external titlers available, but for post
production (dubbing to another tape).

You cannot find a small VHS-based system.  Thin & lightweight, yes (from
Sharp, say), but not small.

If you want small and VHS-format, you have to go to VHS-C.  However, to
get long recording times (1-2 hours), you have to go to EP mode, which
degrades the image quality.  You can compensate for this by going to
S-VHS-C (which will get you better quality electronics too).  But then
you couldn't play that back in your (non-S) VHS deck at home (but you
could still dub).  There is a simple gizmo that makes the VHS-C tapes
fit into a VHS deck.  It works okay.

Finally, if you're willing to dub (use the camcorder to play back onto
your TV or dub onto your VHS deck), you can go to 8mm or Hi8 format,
which allows you to get the tiny camcorders.

Sony makes the best small camcorders (the TR-51, -71, -81, -101). 
Richoh, Yashica, Kayocera, and Fuji are all relabelled Sonys.  Canon and
Chinon also make itsy-bitsy machines, but they're not as good.

I, myself, have a Hi8 camcorder.  It gives my an excellent picture which
I dub onto VHS for my folks (and in-laws).  This encourages me to edit
out ``hours of baby drooling'' and other boring material.  Plus, I get
to keep my original.

Hope this helps,

- -Michael

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