‘_—.._ _ _
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`,l
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`MARCH 1992
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`Dish, Exh. 1023, p. 1
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`Dish, Exh. 1023, p. 1
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`

`

`THIS ISSUE
`
`Volume 57, No.3
`nri1 Miracle drugs or media drugs?
`l..llB What's behind those wonder drugs? Often, just PR.
`n:r.t Guide to the gear
`I.I!MJ All you need to know about putting together a home theater.
`rEril How (U tests the gear
`1.1!1!1 A behind-the-scenes look at the labs, the tests, the testers.
`raal TV sets
`I.I!MJ The screen for a home theater is typically a 27 -inch set. Ratings: page 164.
`n:re1 VCRs and laser·disc players
`llU!J A hi-li unit enhances the experience. Ratings of VCRs: 166.
`rr;:rl Camcorders
`11!11 The smaller, 8mm models have taken over the market. Ratings: 168.
`rr.Tft Remote controls
`~ A guide to the primary link between you and the gear.
`m!il Stereo receivers
`1.1!9 You can take tine performance almost for granted. Ratings: 170.
`rr.n CasseHe decks
`ll!iJ Single deck or dual? Analog or digital? We sort it all out. Ratings: 172.
`n;J;J Compact-disc players
`11!11 Some low-end single players did as well as pricier ones. Ratings: 176.
`rr.Tit Surround-sound loudspeakers
`~ Speakers to help recreate what you hear at the movies. Ratings: 178.
`rr.n Road test
`~ Toyota Camry, Ford Taurus, Honda Accord, Chrysler LeBaron.
`DEPARTMENTS
`POCIO GUIDE TO MONEY
`139
`140
`MOVIES
`INDEX
`141
`146
`SEWNGn
`
`MEMO TO MEMBERS
`Lm'ERS
`ONCE OVER
`PRODUO RECALLS
`
`148
`199
`202
`203
`
`IN FUTURE ISSUES
`
`Annual Auto Issue In April, judgments of 166 new cars, reliability records of
`306 1985-1990 models, lists of the best and worst used cars, and more.
`a.tos • Dodge Stealth/Mitsubishi 3000 GT • Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra,
`Nissan Sentra, Ford Escort, Saturn Health & fltneu Stair climbers • Running
`shoes • Blood-pressure monitors llolne Lawn mowers • String trimmers • Fans
`• Air-conditioners Food Pasta & spaghetti sauce • Chain restaurants
`
`150
`
`138
`
`Dish, Exh. 1023, p. 2
`
`

`

`...... .._.Irwin Landau
`............. Eileen Denver
`...... .._, GeorQe ArthUr
`W... IWIIon ,Joei·G'urin, .....,. ...., Greg Daugherty
`Oavid Helm . .......,. _.., ......, Alex Marlcovich.
`Leslie Ware ........ Und8 Jordan, Trudy Ueberman,
`Senior Editors; William Apple, G.M. Crothers, Jeffrey Fox,
`Ken Frank)in, Rochelle Gr'!&". Gordon Hard, Myles ~
`Tod Malle$, Wi"iam McGuire, Nancy Pappas, Tobie Stan(cid:173)
`a videocassette of "Buy Me That,
`QI!f, Moye Thon)pson, M.l. Weber, Assistant Editors;
`'Toq," a TV special produced by
`Teresa Carr. Aobej1 KleJn. Contribu:ti'ng Ed~ors; Dawn
`Yancy. Associate; Marge Frohna, Pamela WaH ..........
`Wlilialn S<:haeter. Manager, Margaret s. Brenne<. Editor:
`HBO and Consumer R.eports Television. I
`Dalla Castillo, Janice Harding. Irene Louohlin ....... Larry
`was impressed with how easily 4-year-old
`V. Buster. Gerard L. Courtade, TimOthy i:aPaJme, Michael
`D. PalaZZo, Art Direc\Ors; Steve Ber'll1Q Wegener,
`Daniel worked the TV /VCR controls. My
`PhOtographer
`parents must have felt the same pride when
`,....,........, A. OavidPittle
`I easily adjusted their first TV set in the 50s .
`....... . , _ ,Jeffrey A. Asher, EdWard Groth Ill
`Is it-good news or bad that Daniel handled
`........ .._.AJia,rl E~khaU.S
`~ Tl\omas DeOtsdl. Head; Tara Casaregola,
`the controls with such facility? It's both.
`Bernard Deilljck, EmiNa Gonzalez, Angelo .Manl'lino, IO.lary
`Tobias. Project Leaders; Ginny Lui, Joseph Peragine,
`Th.e good part is that his generation is
`BessJe Wong, Assistant Projecll.$adeis' TlrriOihy MooneY,
`already comfortable in a world of techno(cid:173)
`Mal1in Spiegel ......... I.....
`I . .. , . Robert Karpel,
`program Leader: ErtkManeskjold.- t-RobertD. KnOll,
`logical 'sophistication. Today's electronic
`keaa; Lelarid Baldricl<. Joseph Gartner, Kllvin Sl>eehan,
`.~ $malt. Engineers: Alan Hanl(s, Facilrtles Manager:
`equipment opens up new possibilities for
`gt~c g;o1 Gary. · Hawes, Josepll·N.apPi, David Van Cadarlielll:
`& , ..... Edward l<ipj)el. Head; Joseiih Csernlca,
`home entertainment for children and
`PIOjl<&m Leader; Peter Heinlein, Edward Miller. Senior
`grownups alike. Much ,of this gear, as we
`Pr~ Leaders: E.L. L~. ROger StObe, Ellen U\'eflCO,
`=n~:S.i.t~~'f!~:~~":!'i::ech~
`show in this issue, is. high jn quality. Still,
`there's exagg~ration and hype in the mar(cid:173)
`Spatola; Arthur Terry, U Wang . ........... A.L. sellgsc:>n,
`Head; James H. Boyd, Dean Gallea, Program L&aders:
`Evon Beckford, Senk:\< Project Lea.der; c: Garr DiSalvo,
`ketplace. Our teports on stereo TV sets,
`Robert Dunn, EdWard J . Lewis; Harvey Aeiver, Project
`VCRs, CD players, surround-sound loud(cid:173)
`Leaders; Lee AP<ams. ·SUsan DaiOO, Assistant f1roject
`speakers, and other equipment help you
`Leaders; Carolyn Clifford.-RObert l&VI(, Willi~ SOllth. ~
`Constance A .. ~ Head; Unda.GOidstem·Biade. Senoor
`sort out the· claims and choose products
`Sensory ProjOOt leader; Anne KnUdSon. -~ Project
`Leader; Unclil Greene, Ellen S. KJosz. John Upati, Project
`appropriate to your needs and pocketbook.
`Leaders; Cindy f;isfiQr, Assistant Project Leader; Babatunde
`AkinJeye, Isabella. Bucci, Beverly Brown, Pegge Cooke,
`Back to Daniel-and the bad news. Sure,
`Anna •D_aCosta. Ruth Greenberg, ~ne Ullmann. Fjena
`children are as clever as grownups when it
`Aoccardr, lynn Schal), Sharon ~eiber. Myra SclltJUer·.
`Bevetly $"'"', Marcia Stern, Rachellil Stern, S\JZanne
`comes to handling TV controls. But they're
`r • Mark
`Stoessel. Marte Winiams . ._ 1oo1o
`Co~. Heil\1: Geofft:ey Martin, Senior Project Leader;
`not wise enough to handle some of the com(cid:173)
`Frank . faocll1elli, •Jernes Nahni. Project Leaders; Jack
`mercial messages the TV set delivers-dur(cid:173)
`T ob4f;k. Assistant Project Leacler; Candido Baetiong, Gasy
`Vickers, ....., .......... John lowe, Head; George
`ing 1ong commercial breaks, even during
`Bate-s. F'lannfng. Specialfst; ~ Geissensetter. Elinore
`programming.
`Koehl$, J ulie leyine, Karin Weisburgh, Senior Analysts;
`Jeirv .Greene, Michael Roseto. Analysts, Peg Karpel . .....
`"Buy Me That, Too," subtitled "A Kid's
`SoMooo Cynthia J. Langfoi$; ~ah Wl!llace, Project
`· Donald L. Mays,
`Leaders . ....... & ._ .,., -
`Survival Guide to TV Advertising," received
`Head; Oa\119 tt Tallman. Robert VOlatile. Program Leaders;
`Werner Freitag. John A. Qale<llaflore, Robert Solomon.
`widespread praise when it played on HBO
`Mavrloe Wynn, Project Leade<s: Ralph Petrucelli, Assistant
`over the holidays. But it. delivers a year(cid:173)
`Project lead.er: Alex Be'aochatrtp. Marc McEntee, EriC
`~tein ............ Martin AJ-trens, Head;·Abbe H. Herzig,
`round message: Week in and week out, too
`Anita Lam•, SerltOr Statl_sticians; Maty Mc$hane, Slati$tician;
`many TV commercials use misleading
`~-~~i:':ne..~~o..;zy.,He~t, ~
`visual effects, false claims, and manipulative
`Johns10ne, El3ine Blad<bom. Marion Drake. Marte Miller,
`~~ii Fran Sperbe'r. Paulene Taylor, Olga
`messages to take unfair advantage of kids.
`Kids like Daniel are innocents. They
`trust grownlU)s, They aren't sopnisticated
`enough-<>r cynical enough-to be skepti(cid:173)
`cal of what they see on TV. Too often, they
`believe the exaggerated sneaker and cereal
`claims, the-phony visuals for action toys, the
`
`..... ...._.... ...., Andrea Scott ._.........,
`
`-(cid:173)
`...... _
`
`~-- Dir'lC!or:NormanleonarcZYk . ......,.
`Sal'~lyn Ingram, 1_1ead; E~abeth H,amilton._ Mary AM
`lalldn. Eve4Y11 J. Riedel. Se1'1ior Research Ubfartarls:· Ellen
`Carney, RObert Huerster, Aesearcll Libralians; Sue Chung.
`Betty GOrdon, ~ Honi!lan. EUzabeth Vassal!. ,._
`..._. Chartes Daviet. lfead; Jacqueline Srusl<i.n, Marl<
`Kotkin, SeiliOr Associates; Marc Halstad, Stewart Stover,
`Asslici$tes; Moi'Y Horton . ............. & ......,..
`Wendy J., Wintman.
`~ Director: Asa Orsino; Stephen
`Wloolnton, As!MX;. Circ, Director; Daniel Brown, Assoc.
`Mail<eting Oli'lC!or; Gianna Nelson; Circ. Manager: Paul M.
`Milba!l9f, PutchJProd. Manager: Allen Williams. PrOf&).
`Maf1899r; _Gwendolyn Hope, Gust Serv. Manager; Will
`MichatopOOIOS, Newsstand Manager; Unda Alexandet,
`Fulfill!nenl Managllr: Unda Adler, Anita Arrington, Therese
`Camlllone. Tracey Cantamessa. Robert _ Clapp, Mildred
`Colarusso, Martha DaRosa, V'I'Of\ICa Oetch. cymhla Ours!,
`Marie Ester, Marie' Gerard_, Stacy Gitter, Carol Gold, Kathy
`Jowitt. Chatlene LeWis, Louise Mattavous. linda Nelson,
`Balbara Smith, Joyos Whitaker, Marion Wright
`c-...., ........ Jean HajiOren. Director. c (cid:173)
`...,.. ....., FMh Ovo<1<in, Director. c-.....,.. •
`....... Ronald J. Buchheim. Managing Edilo<. c -
`
`=.,t=:,..~ ::; =~: =,.;:r-
`
`Sonloosa Charlotte Baechet', Director . ...................
`Thomas J. FaJconer, Manage<. ,.,.,..... Joan Eckels,
`Director . . . . ....._ Aana Arons. _......., Na~ P.
`Macagno. Director. -
`....., ........., Asa Orsino.
`Director . ..... ..........., David C. Ber11ner, Director.
`c-._... .... , ..... ....,_. Edwin Partiklan.
`Director.- - . Jeanne Klefe<. Man:Em'ng Editor.
`IDCIIIM nMf James D. Davis,
`ine V. Lerro,
`Associate Directors; Conrad Harris, Chief inanoaJ Officer;
`David C. Berline<, Assistant Director; Louis Milani, Business
`Manager: Fredelicl< L. Wirth, COntroller} CQnnie P.arker(cid:173)
`Tucl<er. Accounting Manage,_; Maurice EskenaZi. Finan<:lal
`Planning; S.E;, TaUb, Diri)Cior, FaciUtles Management; Dan
`Fr,ankNn, Facil~les PlaMitll;J Manager: Elan &Ish, Director,
`MIS; cete$1e Yazzettl. Offtee SeMces Manager . ._....
`.,_., Ollooi Jan· Als.! Uss. E>ceculive Assistant-: Charles
`Sell, Programs Coordinator
`·
`CONSUMER REPORTS MARCH 1992
`
`EMO TO MEMBERS
`· R ecently, I brought my grandchildren
`
`must-ha:ve mystique created for dolls and
`games.
`Last year, more than $35().million was
`spent promoting children's products on TV.
`Kids watch, on average, an estimated four
`hours of TV a day, which means they're
`watcqing 30,000 to 40,000 commerci.als a
`year. They're also watching TV "programs''
`designed partly to sell related toys.
`Legislation just going into effect has
`slightly lowered the limits on the advertis(cid:173)
`ing minutes per hour kids' shows can cany.
`But the limits are less strict than those io
`place before the Reagan Administration
`deregulated ads on children's TV. And the
`legislation doesn't adequately address the
`problem of progrcUn-length commercials,
`which can be a very successful marketing
`tool: Some of the to_p,selling toys th.is past
`holiday season were featured on such pro(cid:173)
`grams.
`What to do? We need better legislation.
`And parents need to protect kids from ram(cid:173)
`pant commercialism-teach them to be
`skeptical of inflated claims, tricky promises,
`unbelievable visual effects, and commer(cid:173)
`cials masquerading as programs.
`We're pleased that our "Guide to the
`Gear" will help you make mote infonned
`choices and get good values in TV se~ and
`other electronic equipment. But we're con(cid:173)
`ce-rned about the message as well as the
`medium. TVshave made life more interest(cid:173)
`ing and pleasurable. But they've aiso made
`it easier for Sellers to mislead young con(cid:173)
`sumers. Grownup consumers have a right
`to demand that TV commercials and shows
`aimed at kids reflect the best values of our
`society: respect for the vulnerability of the
`young and respect for standards of honest:y.
`~~ . \~
`Rhoda H. Karpatkin
`Executive Director
`
`About ConiUIMrS Unioft
`G;onsurners Union, Pl!blislier of CONSUM$:Rl'J'OKI'S, is a hon(ll:ofit orgiu&ization establlsbed in .1006 to provid_e C'On(cid:173)
`sumers ~th inf!ll'l))~tion ·andadvice o.n goods, services. h.ealth, lif!JI pe($9nal finance; and lo initiate and coo~
`with individualapd group efforls to maintain 'and enhance the quality ·of life for consumers,
`
`~_..Mtlon policy we aoc~prno advertisr
`irtg and boy all the pi(oducts we test;·on ~Cl'fjlen nmrket
`We are not beholden to any co~rcial mterest 0Ul'
`income is derived from the sale of CONSUMER REPOR'IS
`and our other publications, and from nonrestrictive, non(cid:173)
`commercial contri botions, grants, and fees. Our Ratings
`and reports are intended solely for the use of our read(cid:173)
`ers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in
`advertising or for any other commercial purpose.
`Consumers Union will take all steps open to it to prevent
`cornmercial use of its maJerials. its name, or the name of
`CONSUMER REPORTS.
`
`........ ~9fPJ'!l(lu'1Sareusu­
`........... , .
`ally'based on estimated ovel:all quality without reyru;d to
`!)ric<:, and are de.rived from labOratory t~. controlled(cid:173)
`Use tests. and. ~tt ju(igments. If a pr¢uct is judged
`
`high iii quality an.d liJll)nlciabty superiOr to o~ (\ri>dlk1-S
`teSted, we~ ita checkrafu)k &). lfaproducl is bot!\
`bigfl in quality and relatively 'low in price. we deem it A
`Best Buy. A Rating applies- only to the brand and model
`listed, not to other models sold under the same brand
`name, unless so noted. We can't conduct special tests or
`proVide information beyond wbat appears in CONSUMER
`REPORTS.
`lla.ll of DINcton )arne!! A Guest, Pres.; Jean Ann
`Fox, Vice Pres.; Betty Furness. 5ecy.: Teresa M.
`Schwartz1 Treas.; Robert S. Adler, Christi_ ne A
`Bjork!WlQ. Jean S. Bowers, Joan Claybrook, Clarence t.1-
`Ditlow, Michael JacobsOn, 'RiChard L. "0. Morile, Sharon
`L. N'elson1 Jool j . .l)lobel, Fernando M. Torre!!{;il, Milton
`M. Pi'esstey, Mark Silber; Peter M. 'SuUMin. julian A
`WaJ)er.
`
`139
`
`Dish, Exh. 1023, p. 3
`
`

`

`ETTERS
`
`Uvelong and prosper
`Your January 1991 report entitled "Can you
`live longer?" should have placed greater
`emphasis on the lack of substance behind
`many of the quasi-scientific claims. For
`example, Doctors Yutsis and Oilman
`claimed that your staffer had comparatively
`elevated glucose and insulin levels. But the
`drug they selected to treat that perceived
`aberration, niacin, may have a glucose-rais(cid:173)
`ing rather than glucose-lowering effect and
`is not usually recommended for patients
`with diabetes or glucose intolerance.
`AH.S., M.D.
`HUN11NGTON BEACH, CAUF.
`
`"Can you live longer?" Longer than what?
`Than a turtle? Than a giant redwood? Than
`necessary?
`T.F.U.
`WINTER PARK. FlA
`Longer than it takes to regret the unfinished
`comparative.
`
`A footnote to your excellent report on living
`longer is this quotation from an old play,
`"The Village Comedy," by one Mortimer
`Collins: "The true way to render age vigor(cid:173)
`ous is to prolong the youth of the mind."
`H.M.
`NEW YORK CITY
`Memories, good and bad
`What memories the November 1991 Memo
`to Members brought back. I too used a
`fountain pen, an Esterbrook, throughout col(cid:173)
`lege and afterwards. The pens of today can(cid:173)
`not compare with those of the past At the
`auctions we attend, older fountain pens and
`even ink bottles are in demand as collec(cid:173)
`tors' items.
`OLEAN, N.Y.
`
`V.E.
`
`The photo in Memo to Members shows a
`person holding the pen the wrong way. The
`forefinger must be fully extended, fiat on the
`pen. That's something you're not likely to
`
`forget if the person teaching you the rudi(cid:173)
`ments of writing was Fr. Antoine, circa
`1917, in Belgium. Bang would come his
`steel ruler on the guilty knuckle!
`ATLANTA
`
`AT.R
`
`J.H.B.
`
`In 1947, when I sat for the California State
`Bar exam, it had to be typed or written in
`ink. I could not type, and I am left-handed.
`For three days (in 102-degree heat, without
`air-<:anditionlng), I strained to write legibly,
`my sweaty hand contorted so I would not
`smear what I had just written. It took my
`hand and wrist most of a week to recover. If
`you are quick to comment that I should
`have turned my tablet so my left hand
`would gracefully pass below the pen point,
`my response is rather bitter. When I was
`taught to write, all pupils-including me,
`the only lefty in the class-were made to
`cant their tablets toward the right God save
`the ball-point pen. For lefties, it has been a
`vastreliei
`ENCINITAS, CAUF.
`Sweet solution
`Your January 1991 report on pancake
`syrups refers to the high price of real
`maple syrup. My solution is to mix a good
`maple syrup with a non-maple brand. For
`example, one 8'Munce bottle of Vermo11t
`Maple Orchards (77 cents per serving)
`mix.ed with one 24-ounce bottle of A&P
`Pancake and Waffie Syrup (10 cents per
`serving) produces a very tasty syrup that
`works out to about 27 cents per serving.
`NEWYORKCilY
`j.C.
`Car dealer's revenge
`The salesman at a local car dealership was
`very disconcerted when he saw that my
`wife and I knew his cost for the model we
`were pricing-information we received
`from the CONSUMER REPORTS Auto Price
`Service. He got back at us, though. The
`
`sales manager had taken our car for a test
`drive to figure out its trade-in value. \Vhen
`we told the salesman we wanted to leave,
`our keys somehow ended up "rrtissing."
`The salesman went looking for them, and
`we lost him too. After almost 20 minutes of
`waiting, I finally found the salesman in the
`office of the sales manager, who was
`twirling our keys around his finger while
`the two of them were gabbing away. I got
`out of that dealership as quickly as I could.
`M.F.S.
`W. SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
`Learning the hard way
`Your November 1991 report on the Miracle
`computerized piano-teaching system may
`mislead people who would like to learn
`music by taking educational shortcuts. An
`electronic keyboard does not have the same
`feel as an acoustic piano, no matter how the
`advertisers tout its "touch sensitivity." Also,
`the habits that help establish a lifelong love
`for the piano (mcluding correct finger
`action, hand position, and fingering) require
`the supervision of a listening, observing,
`human piano teacher and should be estab(cid:173)
`lished from the start. Bad habits are often
`difficult to correct later on. Although some
`consumers may want only a "reasonably
`priced keyboard to fool with,» such "fooling
`around" rarely leads to the lasting enjoy(cid:173)
`ment that can come from quality piano
`instruction.
`HIGHLANDS RANCH, COLO.
`More harm than good
`ln the past, CONSUMER REPORTS has advised
`against auto rustproofing because it's inef(cid:173)
`fective and may actually accelerate rust My
`1979 and 1982 Honda Accords have both
`been rustproofed, and yet both have a fair
`amount of rust The rust is heaviest around
`the holes drilled in the body so the rust(cid:173)
`proofer could spray the material inside the
`Continued 011 page 201
`
`S.F.
`
`C..... leporb (ISSN OOHH174) is DUbiished
`monthlv by ConsiJfll8($ Union o1 U.S. Inc., 101 Truman
`Ave., ~onl<efs, N.Y., and at additional mailing offices.
`Canadian PQStaOe paicj at M~. Ontario. Tille COlt(cid:173)
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`-
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`=::-~~k~~
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`are Often available. FO< more Information 0< an order fO<m,
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`llectrealc nt~U.WIItvl CONSUioiER REPORTS is avail·
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`N.Y. 10703-1057.
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`tO
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`140
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`and the News~ Guild of New York Local 3, The
`Yonkers. N.Y. 10703·1057.
`Newspaper Gutld, AFL·CIO. Printed in U.S.A~3 c
`lulls~ l'tllftl U.S. 91111': $20 lor 1 year, $34 fO<
`2 year~"
`Pol . . . lflln Send address C/la<:IQGS to CONSUMER
`i(;r 3 years. $76 for 5 years. Alf othel coun(cid:173)
`tries, aoo $6.00 per year. (Canadian rates Include Goods
`REPORTS, P.O. Box 53029, Boulder, COlo. 80322·3029.
`CONSUMER REPORTS MARCH 1992
`
`Dish, Exh. 1023, p. 4
`
`

`

`V IDE 0 GEAR
`
`those least likely to need repair (see
`page 165). The Sony KV-27EXR20
`beat out a more expensive brand(cid:173)
`mate, the KV-27EXR90, by a few
`points, mainly because the les~
`expensive model showed greater
`contrast in dark scenes.
`Several models in the top half of
`the Ratings represent good value as
`
`well as good quality. For example,
`the Quasar SX-2730FE and the
`Toshiba CX-2780A both sell for less
`than $700; the Zenith S]2771 W and
`the RCA F27201GG, for less than
`$600.
`The least expensive sets are clus(cid:173)
`tered at the bottom of the Ratings.
`We'd particularly stay away from the
`
`Sharp 27A-S300 and the Goldstar
`CMT-2708A. While those sets are
`certainly watchable, they are among
`the worst performers we've recently
`seen in this sire category.
`•
`
`Ratings of 20
`TV sets on page 164
`
`• Whether you're
`replacing a relic or
`assembling a home
`theater, a hi-fi VCR
`enhances the viewing
`experience. Movie
`buffs may prefer a
`laser-disc player.
`• Ratings of 22 VCRs
`on page 166.
`
`ales of VCRs have
`slowed considerably
`from the heady levels
`of the 1980s. To get
`going again, manufacturers
`have been trying to entice con(cid:173)
`sumers with hi-fi models at prices as
`low as $300. The effort has suc(cid:173)
`ceeded: More and more people are
`buying hi-fi VCRs. Of those bought
`last year by CONSUMER REPORTS read(cid:173)
`ers we surveyed, 42 percent were
`hi-fi, up from 33 percent in 1990.
`Sound isn't the only thing that has
`been improving on VCRs in this
`price range. On-screen programming
`is now standard. with some manufac(cid:173)
`turers going a step further by incor(cid:173)
`porating innovations like VCR Plus
`(see box on page 160). Other fancy
`features-such as a jog-shuttle con(cid:173)
`trol to aid in editing, and index
`search to let you find mid-tape pas(cid:173)
`sages quickly-keep trickling down
`from the high-end models. Features
`that are still top of the line: improved
`formats like S. VHS, sophisticated
`editing capabilities, and digital spe(cid:173)
`cial effects.
`For this report, we tested 22 mid(cid:173)
`priced bi-fi machines. We included
`second models from Sony and
`
`158
`
`Sony SLF-585HF
`
`the Sanyo VHR-9406) can't compare
`with what today's high-<juality TV
`sets can actually display. That's
`because consumer-grade VHS VCRs
`deliver only 250 lines of horizontal
`resolution, while many
`TV sets can dis(cid:173)
`play 330 to 400
`or more. To get
`a better picture,
`you would have
`to use a better
`source, such as
`an S VHS videotape
`or a laser disc.
`Several models locate their tape
`doors at the center of the console, a
`design manufacturers claim stabi(cid:173)
`lizes the picture. We noticed no such
`effect
`Hl-fi, low-fi
`A VCR's sound quality is mainly
`tape speed-the
`determined by
`faster, the better-and how the
`sound information is stored on the
`Panasonic-the Sony SLV-686HF
`and Panasonic PV-4070-because
`tape. The traditional and simplest
`storage method, known as linear(cid:173)
`they have editing features that coul<l
`track recording, is to lay the sound
`help you make better home videos.
`tracks down in a strip along the
`Average selling prices ranged from
`$305 to $550.
`tape's edge, the way an analog audio
`tape deck does. Bul at the tape
`The eyes have It
`speeds of a VCR-even the faster SP
`speed-linear-track sound suffers
`We put each VCR through a bat-
`tery of viewing tests, using both still
`from flutter (a wavery or rough qual-
`ity). background noise, and loss of
`and moving images. Every model
`some high frequencies. EP record-
`produced a better picture at the
`ings sound worse, about the same
`faster standard-play (SP) speed, but
`quality as an inexpensive AM radio.
`the extended-play (EP) pictures
`Hi-fi VCRs achieve a much faster
`weren't bad. That's the speed you'd
`effective tape speed for audio tracks
`likely use for frequent taping, since it
`by recording them as diagonal
`can cram six hours of play into one
`T-120 videocassette.
`stripes across the tape's width under
`On the worst EP picture. we could
`the video portion. The result is near-
`CD quality sound, with virtually no
`easily see jitter-a miragelike shim-
`flutter or noise and excellent repro-
`mer along the edges of objects on
`the screen-as well as picture noise,
`duction across a wide range of audi-
`which appears as small horizontal
`ble frequencies.
`juxtaposing audio and video this
`streaks of shifted color. Details such
`way has just one drawback: You can't
`as a row of windows on a skyscraper
`dub in a new sound track to an exist-
`were hard to make out You might
`ing hi-fi recording. All VCRs let you
`not notice such flaws, though, unless
`record or play in linear-track, but
`you directly compared the picture to
`among those we tested, only the
`a better one, as we did. By compari-
`Sony and the Panasonic editing
`son, a good SP picture had no more
`decks also let you dub. Besides dulr
`than a hint of jitter and noise.
`bing, the only reason you would use
`Still, even the best SP picture (on
`CONSUMER REPORTS MARCH 1992
`
`Dish, Exh. 1023, p. 5
`
`

`

`clean assemble edit- that is, seam(cid:173)
`lessly add one piece of video to
`anoilier. The RCA doesn't have a jog(cid:173)
`shuttle, but it produced a clean
`assemble edit, too.
`Ready, aim, zap!
`Can there be a couch wiiliin our
`national borders that does not serve
`as home base for at least one remote
`control,
`if not an entire
`flock?
`Manufacturers continue to move
`many functions off ilie VCR console
`and onto the remote. In fact, not one
`VCR we tested had console buttons
`for programming unattended record·
`ings in case you misplace the remote
`or run out of batteries.
`Since remotes have become so
`critical. their design has taken on
`greater importance, too, as we dis(cid:173)
`cuss on page 180. We judged VCRs'
`remotes by the same criteria we
`judged the oiliers-how easy iliey
`were to use in dim light, how logi(cid:173)
`cally grouped and easy to use the
`buttons were. We also considered
`how versatile iliey were in operating
`TV sets or other VCRs.
`Sony, whose remote design has
`lagged behind innovators like Pana·
`
`sonic, now uses a jog-shuttle control
`to make its VCR remotes very easy
`to use. At ilie bottom of the remote is
`a dial with two buttons in ilie center.
`To start or stop playing, you press
`one of the center buttons. Turning
`the outer ring performs a rewind or
`fast forward, or controls ilie speed of
`a scene-by-scene search, depending
`on the direction you turn it and
`whether the tape is playing or
`stopped. Any of these actions can be
`carried out wiili just the thumb.
`Recommendations
`Which VCR is best for you
`depends on how you intend to use it.
`If you play mostly rental tapes, look
`to the top dozen or so models, all of
`which had excellent pictures at stan(cid:173)
`dard speed. Frequent time-shifters
`should consider one wiili a good
`extended-play rating. The Fisher
`FVH-4903, at an average price of
`$390, had the best extended-play pic(cid:173)
`ture. But according to recent reader
`surveys, Fisher VCRs have needed a
`lot more repairs ilian oilier brands;
`see ilie box on page 166.
`U you make a lot of camcorder
`tapes, make sure ilie VCR you buy
`
`LASER-DISC PlAYERS
`
`BE II ER VIDEO AT A PRICE
`
`linear-track mode on any of these
`VCRs would be to play a tape made
`with a non-hi-fi camcorder or VCR
`Our sound tests also measured
`how well the VCRs reproduced
`(multi-channel TV
`stereo MTS
`sound) broadcasts. Stereo separation
`is measured in decibels, with 15 dB
`considered the minimum needed for
`the spatial cues critical to stereo
`sound. All the tuners delivered at
`least that level, but five models- the
`two Sonys, the Mitsubishi, the RCA,
`and the Mag11avox- went beyond
`that, to around 25 dB. That's enough
`for near·perfect stereo separation,
`but still far less than tl1e 40 dB typi(cid:173)
`cally found on stereo receivers.
`Feature comforts
`Resetting a VCR's clock is such a
`bother that the blinking "l2:00n has
`become a joke symbol of technologi(cid:173)
`cal ineptitude. Thoughtful models
`provide a backup to save clock, chan(cid:173)
`nel, and timer settings. Sony claims
`one of the longest-three hours.
`Parents who want to prevent a
`child's hand, or perhaps a peanut
`butter sandwich, from finding its way
`into the tape mechanism will appre(cid:173)
`ciate the tamper-proof features on
`some models. The Panasotlic PV-
`4164 and Quasar are able to physi-
`cally lock the tape door when neces-
`sary. The Hitachi and Mitsubishi can
`disable all controls.
`It you use a VHS or VHS-C cam(cid:173)
`corder, you can play your tapes on
`virtually any VHS VCR VHS.C tapes
`may require an adapter, but that's a
`minor nuisance. Tapes from an 8mm
`camcorder are, of course, incompati(cid:173)
`ble with the omnipresent VHS VCR,
`an unfortunate result of manufactur(cid:173)
`ers' adopting competing formats.
`Someday, an affordable combina(cid:173)
`tion VHS/8nun VCR may come to
`market, but for now, manufacturers
`seem satisfied wiili making cam·
`corder hookups more convenient for
`owners of 8mm can1corders who use
`the camcorder as a playback device.
`Half the VCRs tested feature an
`audio/video jack in ilie front of the
`console, suitable for connecting a
`camcorder. That also makes it easy
`to transfer an 8mm recording to a
`VHStape.
`If you edit home recordings, look
`for a jog-shuttle control, a circular
`ring on the console or remote that
`you twist to vary the backward or for·
`ward search speed, so you can stop
`and start the tape exactly where you
`wanL Editing decks Oike ilie Sony
`and Panasonic we tested) also have
`circuitry that lets them perform a
`CONSUMER REPORTS MARCH 1992
`
`Aliliougih they have
`been around as long
`as VCRs, laser-disc
`players have never
`the same
`reached
`level of popularity. As
`movie-playing
`machines, they can
`run rings around con(cid:173)
`ventional VHS decks, but their inability to
`record and the lack of a disc-rental market
`has kept them from being much more than a
`specialty item for movie buffs with deep
`pockets. Mail-order dubs and retailers sell
`ordinary versions of movies for $20 to $30;
`special editions with outtakes or an interview
`with the director sell for $100 more.
`The success of Pioneer, the leading brand
`of laser-disc player, has prompted other man(cid:173)
`ufacturers to enter the market in a bigger
`way. To ease consumers' qualms about the
`ho<!gepodge of disc fonnats that have arisen,
`manufacturers have made the players com(cid:173)
`patible wiili all fom1ats (mcluding CAY, CLV,
`and CD-V). They've also given iliem the abiJ.
`icy to play audio compact discs, hence tl1e
`tenn ''combi player."
`We tried out the three major manufactur-
`
`the
`eFS' combis:
`Pimteer CLD-990,
`$350 (at left), Sony
`~J>~.$475,and
`Panasonic LX-101U,
`$460. They all per·
`formed very well,
`but ilie Panascnic's
`picture looked a bit
`noisier than ilie others. Capable of a hori(cid:173)
`zontal resolution of 400 to 4251ines, they can
`produce a better image than any VHS VCR
`would on most1V sets. Sound quality was as
`g