Gear

Sharp has introduced two new 8mm camcorders, the VL-E660U and the VL-E760U. The VL-E660U boasts a three-inch LCD (liquid crystal display) viewscreen, variable speed zoom, a DIS (digital image stabilizer) for jitter-free recording and a fader (to fade to and from black). The VL-E760U offers the same features as the VL-E660U, but with a larger LCD display, digital special effects and external recording input. Both camcorders offer a 16x optical zoom (through the lens) and a 40x digital zoom (electronically in the camera).
Suggested retail prices: VL-E760U - $899.99, VL-E660U -$699.99

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Speak the Language

TenLab's tr-11SVHS is the first consumer-level stand-alone digital video standard converter that features S-VHS input/output. A video standard converter converts video from the NTSC format used in North America to the PAL and SECAM formats used in the rest of the world. The tr-11SVHS also features a built-in time-base corrector (TBC) to correct errors in the signal, dedicated phase (tint) and video gain (brightness) controls.
Suggested retail price: $745

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Small Does it All

Canon's new ZR Digital Video (DV) camcorder adopts the look and feel of "point-and-shoot" style film cameras. The Canon ZR uses a 1/4-inch CCD image sensor and records on standard Mini DV cassettes. It comes equipped with a FireWire DV terminal to transmit image data to a computer. Additional features include two recording modes--movie mode and photo mode, 11x Canon Optical Zoom Lens, image stabilization, programmed automatic picture exposure control, 2 1/2-inch LCD screen with 180,000 pixels (picture elements)
Suggested retail price: $1999.00

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More Power

The Maxell Corporation of America has introduced nine rechargeable camcorder batteries. Four new lithium ion batteries for 8mm and VHS-C camcorders are for use in Sony, Panasonic, JVC, Hitachi, Sharp, Canon, and RCA camcorders. The batteries have running times of up to two and one-half hours. Five new nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries run up to four hours, twice as long as standard nickel cadmium batteries and are available for virtually all VHS-C and 8mm camcorders.
Suggested retail prices: Start at $60

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Peripheral Swivel

The new VML458 palmcorder from Quasar offers an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, a powerful 23x optical zoom and VCR-size head cylinder. The 2.6-inch color LCD monitor swivels 270 degrees--you can turn the lens on yourself and still monitor the image right-side up. The VML458 uses compact VHS tapes so recordings can be played in any VCR with the included PlayPak adapter.
Suggested retail price: $600

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Wireless for Less

Nady Systems designed the Platinum 802 Series UHF (ultra-high frequency) wireless microphone system for the user on a budget. This two-channel UHF system offers the DigitrU Diversity [TM] system (multiple receiver circuits and antennas for better reception). It has a compact rack-mountable receiver with dual front-mounted antennas, adjustable line level 1/4-inch phono jack and fixed mike level XLR outputs. These wireless mikes have a 120dB dynamic range.
Suggested retail price: starts at $469

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