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From: sdyer@bbncca.ARPA (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: net.audio,net.video
Subject: Re: why *NOT* VHS-HiFi?--Sony propaganda
Message-ID: <1188@bbncca.ARPA>
Date: Wed, 5-Dec-84 06:38:48 EST
Article-I.D.: bbncca.1188
Posted: Wed Dec  5 06:38:48 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 6-Dec-84 05:28:24 EST
References: <267@aesat.UUCP> <327@tymix.UUCP>
Organization: Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, Ma.
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Xref: watmath net.audio:3643 net.video:783

>> Why should I not spend $1100 or so on a VHS-HiFi unit instead?
>> 
>Several reasons:
>
>1. VHS Hi-Fi is NOT compatible with VHS Stereo.  This means that you won't
>be able to do anything with your friends' tapes or rental tapes other than
>look at the boxes.

This is a falsehood.  All VHS recorded tapes use the VHS standard audio
track.  In VHS "stereo" that track is split into two thinner parallel
tracks, just as on a stereo cassette.  VHS Hi-Fi decks ignore the audio
track in playback if there is a HiFi signal present.  Otherwise, it uses
the audio track, and plays it back as mono.  A VHS HiFi recording has the
standard mono audio track AND a HiFi signal.  I believe there are VHS models
which are both Dolby stereo and HiFi--that is, they will play older stereo
tapes in stereo, if that's what you want.  It's a bit of a frill.

>2. VHS blank tapes are more expensive than Beta tapes.  Therefore, you'd be
>spending more money for the same outcome.

I don't know where this guy shops, but I have found that competition 
is so great that the difference in price between Beta and VHS blank tapes
is very small, certainly not a factor in determining which type of machine
to buy.

>3. There have been problems with producing (duplicating) VHS Hi Fi tapes; this
>is why you will find so few of them in your video stores.

You'll see so few because VHS HiFi is only a 6-month-old consumer marketing
phenomenon.  Where were the tapes for Beta HiFi when it was first announced?
-- 
/Steve Dyer
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