REVIEW
HEAD
DRIVING TEST
INTRO
Panasonic's new range of 'Super Drive' VCRs incorporate a number of
interesting new developments, we've been road-testing the mid-range SD40
COPY
Genuinely new VHS VCRs have been few and far lately. It's
one of the signs of a mature technology; there's comparatively little opportunity left for radical
improvements so most manufacturers content themselves with updating or
revamping existing models. One of the few exceptions are Panasonic who really
have gone right back to the drawing board with their Super Drive range of VCRs.
They've just launched two models, the SD30 and SD40, they will be followed by
the SD100 in the early Summer. Externally they all look quite similar, and they
share a number of common features; the SD30 is the entry-level model, it's a
fairly basic 3-head machine; the SD100 is a mid-market stereo VCR with NICAM
and hi-fi sound. The SD40, which is the focus of this review is a four-header,
with mono sound, LP recording speed plus some editing facilities; it's in the
shops as we speak, selling for just under £460.
We'll begin by taking a closer look at the Super Drive chassis, which is
used in all three models. The solid top panel is a clue to one feature, a
switched mode power supply. Most VCRs use conventional regulated mains power
supplies (PSUs,) built around bulky transformers, rectifiers and smoothing
capacitors; they're not terribly efficient and waste energy is expelled as
heat, hence the need for ventilation slots in the cabinets of
most VCRs. Switched mode power supplies have been used in TVs and other
electronic devices for many years but are comparatively rare in video recorders
because they're more complex and expensive to make. They work on an entirely
different principle to a normal PSU; the net result is they're more efficient
and produce very little surplus heat, so there's no need for ventilation slots,
which also helps keep out dust, and that's good news for the mechanical bits
inside. There is even a reduction in power consumption -- compared with previous
models -- though before you get too excited it is very small and unlikely to
show up on the average household electricity bill.
The new deck mechanisms have a number of interesting features; they have
30% fewer components, so there's less to go wrong. They uses helical gears, for smoother and quieter operation,
and there's an extra motor, to speed up the already fast mode-switching times.
All of the motors, servos, sensors and tape management systems are
microprocessor controlled, which reduces tape stress, improves reliability, and
if something does go wrong, helps the customer and service engineer to diagnose
the fault. Modular construction also makes disassembly and replacement much
easier. When, eventually, a Super Drive VCR comes to end of its life all of the
parts have been clearly labelled, so they can be grouped together for
re-cycling.
FEATURES
Impressive stuff, but how does all this work in practice? The SD40 is
quite an attractive proposition from the video movie-makers point of view. There's
a useful set of editing facilities, which include insert edit, audio dub, a
jog/shuttle dial and separate audio and video inputs. Unfortunately Panasonic
have deemed it necessary to mount them on the back panel, but it's still better
than no AV sockets at all. Oddly enough they have fitted a mic socket on the
front panel.
Time-shifters will appreciate the SD40's Video Plus timer; it's the
easiest programming system yet, just
punch in the Plus-Code, a one to eight digit number which appears alongside
programme listings in newspapers and TV magazines and relax in the knowledge
that this VCR will almost certainly record the programme you wanted to watch.
It's no completely idiot-proof, but no system can or ever will be. Yes,
Panasonic have finally bowed to the inevitable and dropped their awkward
barcode system, four years after it was clear that it was going nowhere. They
deserve full marks for persistence but phrases like flogging a dead horse
spring to mind...
Panasonic haven't given in completely to common-sense, though, and
they're still trying to get by without an on-screen display system, which might
explain the strangely elongated characters on the front panel. They say it
makes the display clearer, but so too would a pair of binoculars. An on-screen
display would make life even easier for those of us who do not have 20:20
vision, especially when it comes to the complicated things, like setting the
clock, tuning, mode confirmation, tape counters etc. etc. Panasonic VCRs can
usually be relied upon to give a good picture but to make sure SD VCRs all have
HE (high efficiency) heads, and an extra noise cancelling filter, called a PCC
(picture clear circuit), which they claim improves the signal to noise ratio of
the video signal, and reduces noise in the colour processing stages.
A couple of other features deserve a special mention. Quick view operates
when the machine is fast winding, turning the shuttle ring puts the machine
temporarily into fast picture search, so you can have a look-see at what's
going on. The other one is the self-diagnostic servicing system, which is
activated by turning the shuttle ring to its end stop, and pressing the eject
button; the machine displays a two-digit code which tells the engineer what the
problem is likely to be. Owners will carry out this simple check for
themselves, and relay the information over the phone to the service engineer,
who can then make sure they have the necessary tools and parts, before they
make a house call. It sounds like a good idea and should help reducing
servicing time and costs considerably.
Operationally there's very little to say. The main front panel controls
are neatly laid out, and once you've got used to the shock of no fast forward
and rewind buttons (it's controlled from the
jog/shuttle), and that it is very quiet, with none of the usual clicks
and clonks, then it can be a very easy machine to live with.
PERFORMANCE
The SD40 produces a noticeably better picture than most of its rivals.
This is almost certainly due to enhancements like the PCC circuit and more
efficient heads, but the new deck design and even the power supply must also
have played a part. Horizontal resolution on our sample was just over
250-lines, producing the kind of clarity that we would have expected to see on
machines costing significantly more. Most impressive of all, though, was the
exceptionally low levels of picture noise, and in practice this has a far more
drastic effect on perceived picture quality. Picture stability and trick-play
performance are both very good, again comparable with more expensive models.
The SD40 can replay NTSC recordings on most recent PAL TVs, handy if you
have friends or relatives living abroad. There was a very slight aberration on
one of our two test TVs with some fold-over at the very bottom of the screen.
The VHS mono linear soundtrack on this machine is probably its least
exciting feature. Having audio dub helps, and will make it a lot of friends
amongst camcorder owners but it's the usual combination of a hissy background,
and narrow frequency response. Fine for most routine recordings but stretched
when handling music.
VERDICT
If you hadn't already guessed by now we're quite smitten by the SD40
which blows a very welcome
breath of fresh air through a near-stagnant VCR market. If you're
seeking reasonably-priced mono VHS VCR,
with better than average picture performance, a range of useful features, plus
the looks to match you would be well advised to save time and begin your quest
the SD40
SPECIFICATIONS
Make/model
Panasonic SD-40
Recording format VHS
Guide price
£459
VIDEO DECK
Max playing time
8-hours (E-240 tape, LP mode)
Timer
8-events/31-days, Video Plus programmable
Tape speed (mm/sec)
23.39(SP), 11.70(LP)
Remote control
full-function IR
VIDEO
System
PAL, SP/LP, HQ, NTSC replay (most PAL TVs)
Replay speeds
11x, 7x, 5x, 1/5x, 1/7x, 1/10x, 1/20x, 1/30th normal speed, (both
directions SP speed)
AUDIO
System
mono linear
Main facilities
insert edit, audio dub, auto head cleaning, quick review,
Video Plus timer programming, jog/shuttle dial, sleep timer
GENERAL
Sockets
rear: SCART AV, video and audio in (phono) RF bypass, syncro edit;
front: microphone
Size (mm)
376 x 90 x 360
Weight
kg
PERFORMANCE
Resolution
>250-lines
Colour fidelity
good
Trick play stability very
good
Colour bleed
none
Audio performance average
Edit functions
good
VC RATINGS
Value for money 8
Ease of use 9
Performance 9
Features 8
---end---
(c) R Maybury 1993 1305
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