From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!seismo!hao!hplabs!sri-unix!mclure
Newsgroups: net.video
Title: Re: VCR vs. Video Discs - (nf)
Article-I.D.: sri-unix.5365
Posted: Wed Mar  9 07:23:41 1983
Received: Fri Mar 11 21:13:00 1983

#R:ihuxn:-19400:sri-unix:7100004:000:1234
sri-unix!mclure    Dec 16 07:12:00 1982

VCR advantages
    you can record
    wide selection of pre-recorded tapes

VCR disadvantages
    generally lousy quality of picture (compared to professional VCR's
       like Umatic)
    tapes decay with time
    tapes are easily damaged
    different formats by different manufacturers
    some work is being done on getting stereo, but for the most part
       the results have been poor.

Video disk advantages
    excellent picture and stereo quality
    almost indestructable media

Video disk disadvantages
    lack of wide selection of pre-recorded disks.
    you can't record
      I expect that recording will become possible within 10 years.
    current video disk players have a hack called extended play
      (1 hour per side) which requires the disabling of many of the
      features: freeze-frame, slow-mo, etc. I expect 1 hour per side
      with features to become available sometime in the next 5 years.
    different formats by different manufacturers

A personal note: I do not intend to buy a video disk player until at
least 1 hour per side with features has been implemented.  50% of my
reason for buying/renting movies is to carefully inspect the various
shots and techniques used by the director.

	Stuart