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From: rcd@opus.UUCP (Dick Dunn)
Newsgroups: net.video
Subject: Re: Consumer Reports reviews VHS tapes
Message-ID: <938@opus.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 7-Nov-84 03:54:21 EST
Article-I.D.: opus.938
Posted: Wed Nov  7 03:54:21 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 9-Nov-84 08:40:56 EST
References: <351@digi-g.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: NBI,Inc, Boulder CO
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> >	A recent issue of _Consumer Reports_ reviewed the VHS T-120 Video
> >cassettes made by several manufacturers...
[discussion of ratings followed]
> 
> If Consumer Reports has said that, then I say they are getting some under
> the table money.

If you say that, I'd say you're being stupid to the point of tempting
trouble.  Consumer Reports has ALWAYS had the strictest of non-
commercialism policies, and they're willing to go to some lengths to
make the point.  In fact, quoting from a note on "CU's objectivity" in the
1984 Buying Guide:

	If you ever hear that ANY CU Rating has been influenced by ANYONE,
	ask whoever says it to write it down and sign his or her name to
	it; then please send the document to us.  Consumers Union takes
	full responsibility for the integrity of its work.  We think it is
	fair to ask anyone who impugns that integrity to assume
	responsibility for doing so--and for the consequences.

["Consumers Union"==CU is the organization which publishes "Consumer
Reports.]

All of this isn't to say that CU may not have missed some points or done
the wrong sort of tests.  I've seen some reports, particularly in the past
couple of years, with serious technical flaws.  But there's a big
difference between making a mistake and accepting a bribe (unless you're a
politician:-).  In CU's case, they rely very heavily on their reputation
for impartiality.

So was that just an off-the-cuff swipe at CU because their results don't
square with your experience, or do you mean what you said?
-- 
Dick Dunn	{hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd		(303)444-5710 x3086
   ...Never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity.