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From: clements@bbncca.ARPA (Bob Clements)
Newsgroups: net.video
Subject: Re: SL-HF 900 questions
Message-ID: <1698@bbncca.ARPA>
Date: Tue, 11-Feb-86 13:50:23 EST
Article-I.D.: bbncca.1698
Posted: Tue Feb 11 13:50:23 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 12-Feb-86 21:40:32 EST
References: <3667@utah-cs.UUCP>
Reply-To: clements@BBNCCA.UUCP (Bob Clements)
Organization: Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, Ma.
Lines: 74
Keywords: HF900, VCR
Summary: Answers to SL-HF-900 questions


> I have a few questions about the Sony SL-HF 900 SuperBeta Hi-Fi VCR
> which the local sales people couldn't answer.  I would like to get 
> answers from someone who has one.

OK, I have one and I can answer some of the questions. I'm awaiting the
service manual which may (or may not) provide more info.

> 1)  To what extent can the insertion editing be remotely controlled?  I would
>     like to use it with a SMPTE vertical interval time code generator/reader
>     and have computer control over editing to do things like edit together
>     computer graphics frame by frame.  Does the edit interface allow you to do
>     this type of thing?  I suppose what I really need is to be able to position
>     the tape, set the start and end edit marks, and initiate the edit.  I
>     further suppose that as long as the edit marking and initiation is
>     controllable, I could imitate the IR remote to search, if I had to.  If the
>     interface won't do what I want I guess I'll just have to hack it up.

The owner's manual doesn't talk about anything beyond the infrared remote
that comes with it. I wouldn't be surprised if you can do more with some
other box that nobody has outside of Japan. But the standard control
allows you to position frame by frame, forward and backwards. It does NOT
allow you to set the edit start and stop and initiate the edit. Those are
local buttons on the deck. Sounds like a good project to build a kludge to
send all 64 possible commands and see what they do.  Shouldn't be too hard
to do, since these decks/TVs have an electrical control input as well as
an infrared one. The idea is that you stick the TV out in the open and
have the VCR in your cabinetry somewhere, then point at the TV to control
both of them.

> 2)  When you program timed record events, can you specify the input
>     sources?  I'd like to be able to program it to record a TV program,
>     then a radio program, etc.

Sorry, no. That's a slide switch, not programable.

> 3)  The brochure says that the RMT-125 UniCommander remote control uses
>     "Sony Infrared Remote Control System" (SIRCS), "that permits multiple
>     command functions with no conflict between them -- even remote control
>     of two Betamax VCRs independently, without interference."  Does this
>     mean I can get two units, and uses separate remotes with both?  Do you
>     set some code or frequency to distinguish them?  My current VCR just has
>     a switch to disable the remote, so if you have two you can only use one
>     remote.  Has anyone used the GE Command Central with this?  Can you
>     program it to control 2 SL-HF 900s (I wish it had more than 4 modes)?

The two VCRs are named VCR1 and VCR2. There is a slide switch on the deck
to say which it is. Sony VCRs without this feature are all VCR1.  The
remote has a slide switch on the back for which VCR is to be controlled.
(The VCR remote also controls most of the functions of a Trinitron TV.)
The mechanism for this is that the controller's data stream has a
prefix field and a command field. The prefix says what device it is aimed
at, and there are two values for two different VCRs.  And yes, the GE
Control Central will work with these units. [As an aside, the Control
Central does all my stuff EXCEPT my Yamaha CD player and Emerson VHS[Yuck]
VCR, the one DAK is selling, with MTS and VHS Hifi.]

> 4)  In the brochure I just picked up (TURN PRO!) on one page there is
>     a box that looks to be about 3" tall by 5" wide, depth unknown, with an
>     LCD display and typical VCR controls on top of the SL-HF 900.  What is it?
>     An 8-mm VCR?

No idea. I haven't seen that brochure.

> 5)  Last, but most important, a non-technical question:  Where can I get a
>     really good discount?  I've got to have it!!!!!  (Beta forever!!!!!!)

Also no idea. But I agree, you gotta have it. It's the neatest thing since
sliced bread, and best picture of any home deck.

> Eric L. Smith  (801) 581-8100  e-smith@utah-cs.arpa  ...decvax!utah-cs!e-smith

/Rcc
Bob Clements   clements@bbn.arpa  ...{ihnp4, decvax}!bbncca!clements