We Are Proud to Announce the ...1994 VM Best Product of the Year Awards

Videomaker is proud to announce the 1994 Best Products of the Year Awards. Each year, our editors recognize those products and manufacturers that offer the videomaker the best in convenience, features, price and performance.

We also recognize those innovative products that push back the borders of consumer-level videomaking. These products represent a commitment on the part of the manufacturer, a commitment to the vision and talents of the videomaker.

Note: the Best Products of the Year Awards were presented to the winners during a special gala reception at the Videomaker Expo in Secaucus, New Jersey.

Best 8mm Camcorder

Sharp VL-E32U

Sharp's successful ViewCam line forever changed the way people look at camcorders, thanks to a large built-in LCD display and unique twisting camera section. The compact VL-E32U continues in the ViewCam tradition, boasting a 3-inch LCD viewfinder and on-screen menu display. A built-in speaker allows for instant video playback with audio.

Neuro auto exposure and selectable backlight compensation offer predictable, consistent image quality in varying light conditions. The Sharp also offers a two-speed, 8x power zoom.

Thanks to its high recording quality and comfortable shooting position, the VL-E32U is a winner.

Best VHS-C Camcorder
RCA CC740

RCA's CC740 VHS-C camcorder has the right mix of features for the videomaker. It offers a color LCD viewfinder, electronic image stabilization, variable speed zoom and program autoexposure modes. A flying erase head allows clean video inserts and edits; edit search allows you to locate recorded segments without leaving record mode. Digital still and strobe allow you to add professional-looking effects to any footage.

In both performance and features, videomakers will find the CC740 to be a very capable VHS-C camcorder.

Best Hi8 Camcorder

Sony CCD-TR700

It wasn't hard to choose 1994's top Hi8 camcorder--Sony's CCD-TR700 packs a staggering wealth of power features in a small package. The Sony offers optical image stabilization, high-resolution color LCD viewfinder, Rewriteable Consumer Time Code (RCTC) support, 10x two-speed zoom lens and Control-L editing interface.

The CCD-TR700 also boasts a true manual iris control, an important feature that's hard to find on consumer camcorders. Time code is the key to accurate editing, and the Sony supports it well--the camcorder will even add time code to tapes you've already shot.

Whether shooting in the field or functioning as a playback source during editing, the CCD-TR700 is a Hi8 dream machine.

Best S-VHS-C Camcorder

JVC GR-SZ7

With the introduction of the advanced GR-SZ7, JVC breathed new life into the flagging S-VHS-C format. One of the GR-SZ7's best features is its ultra high-resolution, 570,000-pixel CCD sensor, making truly lossless electronic image stabilization a reality.

The JVC is decked out with some of the most advanced digital effects ever seen on a camcorder, including 11 effects and 17 fades, wipes and dissolves. Other features include intelligent auto white balance, color LCD viewfinder, and two-speed 10x power zoom lens.

And thanks to its high-resolution sensor and advanced signal processing, the GR-SZ7 offers stunning image quality for the serious videomaker.

Best VHS Camcorder

Hitachi VM3700

In a dwindling field of full-size VHS camcorders, the Hitachi VM3700 stands apart. This camcorder boasts audio and video insert, built-in DC light, two-page titler, three-way digital fade, program autoexposure and digital zoom. An LCD color viewfinder allows the videomaker to check white balance while shooting.

Digital signal processing helps the VM3700 record high-quality images; a healthy 12x zoom lens pulls in distant subjects with ease. The VM3700 is a solid offering in performance, features and value.

Best S-VHS Camcorder

Panasonic AG-DP800 Supercam

Panasonic's S-VHS Supercam sits at the top of many a videomaker's wish list. And for good reason--this industrial-strength camcorder offers a higher level of features and performance. In addition to a pro-quality 14x zoom lens with variable speed zoom, the Supercam has 3 CCDs for accurate color, vertical interval and longitudinal time code (VITC and LTC) support and a color bar generator.

Audio support on the Supercam is top-notch. Professional XLR input jacks, manual record level controls with limiter, in-viewfinder record level meters and built-in monitor speaker let you take your sound as seriously as your images.

All these professional-level features add up to make the Panasonic AG-DP800 Supercam the best S-VHS camcorder of 1994.

Best Hi8 Editing VCR

Sony EV-S7000

Hi8 videomakers have been waiting years for a consumer-level editing VCR with all the right features. Sony's EV-S7000 ends their wait--this deck offers digital PCM audio, full RC time code support, jog/shuttle control, audible search, built-in 8-scene edit controller and time-base corrector.

These features translate to real editing power. PCM stereo audio dub opens up endless creative options for sound, while the EV-S7000's smooth transport, Control-L connector and advanced time code capabilities make accurate editing a reality. With or without an external edit controller, the EV-S7000 is the best consumer Hi8 editing deck your money can buy.

Best S-VHS Editing VCR

Sanyo GVR-S955

Give your computer access to a VCR, and great things can happen. Case in point: Sanyo's GVR-S955 S- VHS VCR. Thanks to its serial RS-232/422 interface, the Sanyo will function as a frame-accurate editing deck under computer control or a single-frame animation recorder. A built-in TBC makes for rock-solid playback, and SMPTE time code read/write assures accurate editing.

The GVR-S955 offers dual linear audio tracks and stereo hi-fi for audio flexibility. A built-in A/V switcher allows the GVR-S955 to perform split audio/video edits between two different input sources. Jog/shuttle control with audible search and video playback processor round out this powerful offering.

Best Stand-alone Video Editor

Sony XV-AL100 Editor

Proof that an edit controller can be both simple and powerful, the Sony XV-AL100 wraps the accuracy of RC time code in an extremely easy-to-use on-screen interface. The unit also offers a built-in titler and three-input audio mixer.

Dual-mode shuttle allows for fast-forward and reverse transport control of most LANC (Control- L) devices. The XV-AL100 will store up to 20 scenes for automatic random assemble editing. Accuracy, with time code, clocks in at an impressive +/- 2 frames. For editing ease and accuracy, the VX-AL100 can't be beat.

Best DTV Product Under $2000

Supermac SpigotPower AV

To keep up with the amount of data present in 60 field-per-second digital video, you need a capture card with plenty of power. Until Supermac's SpigotPower AV, this meant spending more than the cost of your computer. Now, the SpigotPower AV allows AV-series Macintosh owners to capture true 60-field video for under $1000.

The Supermac board complements the AV Mac's existing audio and video capture hardware, delivering 24-bit color at resolutions up to 640x480. In one fell swoop, SpigotPower AV dropped the cost of high-quality digital video by several thousand dollars. Enough said.

Best DTV Product Over $2000

Fast Digital Player/Recorder

The Fast Video Machine, a full-blown video studio in a computer, won Videomaker's Best Product award last year. The Digital Player/Recorder adds Betacam-quality nonlinear editing capabilities to the Video Machine. The Digital Player/Recorder will support two streams of video for real-time A/B-roll effects, as well as 8 tracks of CD-quality digital audio.

The Digital Player/Recorder and Fast Video Machine combo functions as a hybrid system, allowing you to do your non-linear experimenting at low resolution, later editing the scenes from your original master tape. Or you can merge high-quality video from the hard drive with video from tape... Teamed up with the Video Machine, Fast's Digital Player/Recorder is like a Swiss army knife of digital videomaking.