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Path: utzoo!utcsri!arcorp
From: arcorp@utcsri.UUCP (Alias Research Corp.)
Newsgroups: net.video
Subject: Re: counters on VCRS
Message-ID: <1218@utcsri.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 1-Jul-85 13:44:15 EDT
Article-I.D.: utcsri.1218
Posted: Mon Jul  1 13:44:15 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 1-Jul-85 14:19:31 EDT
References: <433@zinfandel.UUCP> <1346@hammer.UUCP>
Organization: CSRI, University of Toronto
Lines: 49

> the spool rpms change.  *Real* VCRs, like the Sony SL-2700, run
> the tape counter off the signals recorded on the tape.  The tape
> counter reads in hours/minutes/seconds, and is *correct*.  I doubt
> if any VHS machines do this, since the tape has to come off the
> head for fast-wind, and you couldn't pick up the timing signals.
> 
> Beta HiFi, the system that works.
> Snoopy
> tektronix!hammer!seifert


	One bad thing about the SL-2700 (the REAL vcr) is that it
resets the time counter every time you put in a tape. You have no
choice in the matter. This "feature" means that if you want to take
a quick look at, say, the beginning of another tape to see whats
on it, then you lose your place on the time counter for the current tape.

	One of the best solutions to this whole problem is incorporated
into high end RCA VHS decks. A friend of mine has a VKT-650, and it
has the ability to display "Time Remaining" on the TV screen.

	All that one need do is place a tape into the machine and
play it with the display switched on. At first, time remain is
indicated as

		"--:--"

Then, a minute and a half later, the actual time remaining appears as

		" 1:03"

and gets updated as you play rewind and fast forward".

	There are motion lap counters that compare how fast the hubs
are turning (angular velocity), and from that information an accurate
time index is calculated.

	Having used his vcr for a couple of days of re-recording, I
can attest to the accuracy of the time count. The time is given
as hours:minutes, and he uses that number to index the locations
of all programs on his tapes.

	It's so nice not having to rewind to the beginning to find
out where a program is.


	Stephen Y. Trutiak

	(I Like LaserVision)