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REVIEW
STRAP
First Run
HEAD
AKAI VS-G2400EK , £ 1000 *****
Why’s it here? Akai have a long history of firsts They
pioneered on-screen displays, remote timer programming, and surround sound
VCRs. Unfortunately, in the latter case they were well ahead of their time and
back in 1991 the world just wasn’t ready for home cinema VCRs. Now they judge
the time is right, the VS-G2400 has a built-in Dolby Pro Logic decoder, plus a
whole lot more.
Any unique features? It’s loaded! The DPL decoder has
line-level outputs for front, centre and rear channels, for maximum
flexibility. It comes with a pair of infra-red rear channel speakers, all you
need to get it up and running is a hi-fi system and TV. It’s the first VCR to
have twin flying erase heads, for perfect edits and inserts, and it’s now the
only video recorder with Startext, for timer programming from teletext pages;
it can display text and record text sub-titles as well, a useful bonus for the
hard of hearing. Akai’s S-IHQ tape-tuning system automatically optimises
recording and replay conditions to suit the grade of tape; there’s separate recording
level controls for the hi-fi soundtracks and a next-mode facility, that sequences frequently used commands. It’s
a smooth looking machine, with a drop down front panel, and a neat display, set
into the tape loading flap. There’s one other unique feature; at the time of
writing Akai informed us only 200 G400s would be sold in the UK. Are they mad
or what?
How does it perform? The G400 has one of the cleanest,
sharpest pictures we’ve seen on a non S-VHS VCRs. It really benefits from the
use of higher grade tapes, particularly on LP speed recordings. Our sample
managed to resolve in excess of 250-lines on a HG tape, with unusually low
noise levels. They’re even lower with S-VHS grade tape. Colour fidelity is
excellent, though reds are a little muted. The hi-fi sound tracks are very
smooth, with hardly any background hiss; the DPL decoder is good at localising
sounds. The back channel -- via the IR speakers -- is a little subdued and
there’s some noise; it certainly benefits from a separate wired amp and
speakers.
Our Verdict. It’s not a one-box home cinema solution as such,
but having the DPL decoder inside the VCR
-- and a good one at that -- is very convenient. Akai tell us numbers
are limited by production problems, and they may eventually be resolved. We
predict the few that are available will sell like hot cakes, even at that
price. It’s destined to become a classic, get your order in now!
AKAI VS-G2400EK , £ 1000
Features Dolby
Pro Logic decoder, stereo hi-fi sound, NICAM, Video Plus+ with PDC, Startext,
NTSC replay, S-IHQ tape tuning, audio dub, next mode, index search, intro-scan,
blank search, wide-screen compatible, jog/shuttle dials on front-panel and
remote handset, multi-speed replay
Sockets rear:
2 x SCART AV in/out, AV in/out, DPL line-level out (phono), front: AV in
(phono), microphone , headphones (minijack)
Dimensions 425
x 104 x 289 mm
Picture Quality *****
Sound Quality *****
Build Quality *****
Features *****
Ease of use ****
Overall value ****
Competitors
It’s unique, there are no other DPL VCRs on the market!
Akai UK, telephone 0181-897 6388
HEAD
HAMA SATELLITE WINDOW ENTRANCE. £35 ***
Why’s it here? One of the biggest problems for tenants and
leaseholders, wishing to install a satellite system, is the need to drill a
hole in a wall or window frame, for the downlead from the dish to the receiver.
The Satellite Window Entrance -- catchy name eh? -- does away with the need for
a hole, by routing the cable around the frame of an opening window.
Any unique features? It’s a simple but ingenious design. Two
standard ‘F’ type sockets are connected together by a thin strip of flexible ribbon
cable -- 135mm long -- that fits
between the window and the frame. The cable carries the incoming signal from the
dish, and DC power and polarity switching signals from the receiver, up to the
LNB. It comes with a pair of unwired F-plugs and the connector modules are well
protected against the ingress of moisture
How does it perform? There’s really very little to go wrong.
In theory the lack of screening on the ribbon cable could invite interference, particularly
if it’s close to mains wiring, or there’s a powerful RF source nearby, but in
practice it didn’t cause any difficulties during our tests. Picture, sound and
receiver operations were all unaffected.
Our Verdict. A simple and elegant gadget that will enable a
lot more people to install satellite systems, without upsetting their
landlords. It’s a little pricey and there’s still the problem of fixing a dish
to the wall...
HAMA SATELLITE WINDOW ENTRANCE. £35
Features F-connector
sockets joined by ribbon cable, supplied with two unwired F-connector plugs
Sockets F-type
Dimensions cable
135mm long
Picture Quality *****
Sound Quality *****
Build Quality ****
Features ***
Ease of use ****
Overall value ***
Competitors
A hole in the wall 85%
A hole in a window frame 84%
Running the cable through a cat flap 33%
Hama UK, telephone (01256) 708110
HEAD
PANASONIC NV-DX1 DIGITAL CAMCORDER, £3000 ****
Why’s it here? Following the successful launch of the two
Sony and JVC DVC camcorders, Panasonic have rubber-stamped the format with the
DX1, a highly specified machine aimed the top end of the market, targeting
serious and semi pro video movie-makers, with a price tag to match.
Any unique features? The shape is rather unusual; the large
lens barrel is due to the triple CCD image sensors. There’s one sensor for each
primary colour (red, green and blue), for a cleaner, sharper picture and more
accurate colours. The large viewfinder houses a colour LCD screen, that can be
viewed directly, or at a distance. It has a 10x optical zoom, with 20x digital
magnification, a turbo zoom mode zips from one end of the range to the other in
a couple of seconds. The DVC deck can replay smooth slow-motion and there’s a
snapshot facility for jitter-free still recording. It has two stereo
soundtracks, that can be dubbed. The exposure system has a full set of manual
overrides and there’s an electronic image stabiliser, to compensate for camera
shake. Editing facilities include a
standard 5-pin control terminal. The machine records a proprietary digital timecode,
that can be used by a suitable edit controller to give frame-accurate cuts; the
first ones will be available next year. It will work with VITC-compatible controllers,
though accuracy will not be as good.
How does it perform? Hooked up to a suitable TV, using the
supplied S-VHS connecting lead, DX1 recordings could easily pass for off-air
broadcasts. Pictures are exceptionally detailed, crisp and free of noise. Colours
are vivid and natural looking, though our sample did tend to favour highly
saturated reds. The exposure controls are smooth and progressive, a delight for
die-hard knob-twiddlers with a distrust of auto systems. The hi-fi soundtracks
are very clean, and the 2-channel, 16-bit mode, compares favourably with CD and
high end audio cassette. Unfortunately the lack of line-level inputs means
recordings and dubs have to be made using the on-board mike or an external
microphone.
Our Verdict. The price rules it out as a family snapshooter
but the DX1 has a promising future in video movie-making, bringing near
broadcast-quality video recording within reach of enthusiasts and semi-professionals.
PANASONIC NV-DX1 DIGITAL CAMCORDER, £3000
Features 3
CCD image sensor, 10x optical and 20x electronic zoom, colour viewfinder,
auto/manual exposure and white balance, widescreen recording mode, image
stabiliser, fader, digital timecode recording, PCM (2 x 16 bit/48kHz, 4 x 12 bit/32kHz)
digital soundtracks, IR remote control, insert edit, audio dubbing, 5-pin edit
terminal, lithium ion battery
Sockets AV
output (proprietary connector), microphone and headphone (minijack), DC power
(multi-pin connector on base)
Dimensions 144
x 121 x 267mm
Picture Quality *****
Sound Quality *****
Build Quality ****
Features ***
Ease of use ***
Overall value ****
Competitors
JVC GR-DV1 £1800 HE38
Sony DCR-VX100 £3000 HE30
Panasonic UK telephone (01344) 862444
HEAD
Pace MSS 508 IP, £350 (ex. dish) ****
Why’s it here? Pace are rapidly cornering the market in
advanced Astra receivers. The 508-IP is a cut-down version of the 1008-1P, the main
difference being the lack of a Dolby Pro Logic surround sound decoder. That also
accounts for the £50 price difference.
Any unique features? The 508-IP, like its more sophisticated
stablemate, has a built-in antenna positioner, so that it can be used with a
motorised dish for multi-satellite reception, which is the reason it doesn’t
come with a dish. The positioner is programmed with the location details and channel
information for over 30 satellites. It’s particularly well suited to this kind
of application, with two dish inputs, a 500-channel memory and the capability
to work with a wide range of specialised LNBs, so it can cope with almost any
kind of analogue satellite signal. It’s no mean Astra performer either, with twin
smart-card slots, Wegner Panda 1 noise reduction and 8 categorised favourite
channel memories.
How does it perform? Splendidly. The tuner has better than
average sensitivity so it has no problems with any of the Astra channels.
Reception of weaker signals, from other satellites, isn’t a problem either,
though it’s worth pointing out that it works best with a high performance LNB
and a dish that’s at least 1 metre across. Under favourable conditions noise
levels are generally very low. It has a good range of audio facilities,
including a simple set of tone controls (manual and preset). Background noise
levels are kept in check by the Panda noise reduction system.
Our Verdict. Most multi-satellite receivers lack Videocrypt
decoders, so they’re not much use for straightforward Astra reception. The
508-IP offers the best of both worlds, with everything needed for some serious
satellite-scanning, and the facility to pick up all the BSKYB channels. All
that for less than the price of a separate Astra receiver and positioner box.
Pace MSS 508 IP, £350 (ex. dish)
Features 500
channel tuner memory with 8 category favourite channel memory, 4 sound shape
(tone) control, built-in dish positioner, 8-event/31-day VCR timer, Wegner
Panda 1 noise reduction, on-screen and front-panel station naming displays,
twin smart-card slots, PIN coded parental lock, 6-LNB modes, 13 audio modes
Sockets 4 x SCART AV in/out, stereo line audio out (phono),
2 x dish/LNB inputs (F connector), RF bypass (coaxial), dish positioner (spring
terminal)
Dimensions 73
x 360 x 335mm
Picture Quality ****
Sound Quality ****
Build Quality ****
Features ****
Ease of use ****
Overall value ****
Competitors
Pace MSS-1008 IP £450 HE3X
Nokia SAT 1800 £300 HE30 (positioner extra)
Pace Micro Technology, telephone (01274) 532000
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R. Maybury 1996 3007
MISSING SOCKET DATA FOR DPL SYSTEM REVIEW
Aiwa NSX-AV90
Sockets 1 x auxillary
input (phono), headphones (jack), microphone (2 x minijack), digital output
(optical jack), speakers (spring terminals)
Kenwood UD-505
Sockets 2 x AV
in/out (phono), microphone (minijack), speakers (spring terminals)
Philips FW-672
Sockets 1 x auxillary
input (phono), headphones (minijack), speakers (spring terminals)
Sharp C570H
Sockets 1 x auxillary
input (phono), headphones (minijack), speakers (sppring terminals)
Technics SC-CH570
Sockets 3 x
AV in/out (phono), rear channel speakers & headphones (minijack), speakers
(spring terminals)
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