The Herald Statesman from Yonkers, New York • 15

The electronics company shuffle Gannett Wentchenter NewapapernSaturday, 8aptambar 30, 1989 Bow to get older electronics fined When someone says Chevrolet or OldimobUe, you probably think "General Motors." Likewise, when you see a Macintosh computer you may think "Apple," or when you buy a box of Rice Crlspies, you may think Kellogg's." But when you see the home entertainment equipment brand Panasonic, do you think Matsushita? Did you know that Denon is owned by Hitachi? Just what multinational companies own which TV, VCR and audio equipment companies? Its all a huge blur to the average consumer, yet many purchases are based on brand names alone. Over and above corporate ownership, many large companies sell selected components to other firms to be part of finished products. Or, entire units are repackaged fer sale by other corporate divisions or built specifically Ibr sale by still other companies. In the automotive world, Buicks and Oldamobiles were sold a few years beck with Chevrolet engines. And did you realize that the Ford "Probe Is a re-ikinned Mazda MX-6? Now, an example in the home entertainment world Ik If you buy a television with a 35-inch picture tube, regardless of the brand name on the outside of that set, the picture tube is made by Mitsubishi.

I find the femily trees" of electronics gear to be fascinating. Here are some of the tidbits Ive accumulated in my computer data base. When Sony first decided to ell VHS VCRs, it didnt have the time to gear up its own production line, so the first Sony-brand VHS units were built by Hitachi. Hitachi also builda the VHS VCRs that carry the RCA and Sears brand names. RCA camcorders are 12 WIRED BY HARRY SOMERFIELD likewiae built by Hitachi.

Hitachi also owns Maxell end, as mentioned above, Denon. While Matsushita and JVC (Japan Victor Co.) an independent manufacturers, Matsushita owns controlling interest in JVC. JVC Invented i the VHS and S-VHS VCR formats and builds VCRs for. Zenith. In addition to Panasonic, Matsushita also owns the Technics and National -electronics brand name.

Matsushita builda VCRa and camcorders for General Electric, and VCRa for Philips. Thomson, a French company, owns the RCA and General Electric consumer electronics brands. Philips, a Dutch company, owns the Magnavox, Sylvan is, Philco and Quasar brands. Philips invented the compact audio cassette, and takes credit for perfecting the laser videodisc (invented at Stanford Research Institute in California). Philips and Sony are responsible for the compact disc.

Philip owns Polygram records. Sony owns CBS records. It also owns the Aiwa brand. Sony is the only current builder of Beta format VCRs, and it used to build Beta machines ibr Aiwa, Sanyo, Senra, Zenith and Pioneer. Harry Somerfield is a syndicated writer.

4 3 the differoncdTln S-VHS VCR and a television set with an S-VHS jack (also called an is required. If the TV set or VCR is not specially made for S-VHS, the results will be only as good as traditional VHS. That should answer the first question. As Ibr. the second, any dubbing process that Involves a traditional VHS machine will result In traditional VHS dubs, regardless of whether S-VHS is used anywhere in the chain.

As Ibr specific recommendations, there are about' two dozen choices. S-VHS camcorders tend to be costly, plan to spend about $2,000 for your new equipment In terms of both value and features, the Magnavox Model CVJ350 Is a superb choice. Features Include a flying erase head Ibr clean in-camera edits, a high-speed shutter to capture action at 1250, 1500 and 11000 of a second, and VHS Index Search, which allows you to easily And specified sequences on your recording. There are lots of special features here as well, including a built-in loudspeaker (with volume control) and 10 digital special effects. The suggested list price is 51,799.

Canons F1000S ($2,400) has a more powerful zoom lens (it has a 10-to-l ratio, which means something that is 10 feet away appears to be 1 foot distant) than the standard on the Magnavox and Hitachi (8-to-l), slightly better picture clarity, a dual-zone auto-focusing system, and choice of tape speeds, which make this one of the most sophisticated models on the market a reasonable price. Many companies will refer you to outside shops; get the names of several shops as Insurance. 1 have several related questions. First, can I play my standard VHS tapes eu an 8-VHS VCK? Second, when I make dabs from S-VHS auto my eld VHS VCK, should I use regular or 8-VHS tapes? Third, are there any S-VHS camcorders ee the aurket that yen would recommend? If you decide to publish my questions, please do not print my name or address. My wife gets upset when I'm planning major purchases, so I find Ms best te discuss them with her after the feet No Name Lets begin with a basic explanation of S-VHS.

The stands for Super." In order to see yRewerdtlyraanttial IMfa'd luma Syndicate I) Uka to taka time out 1 1 periodically to answer question! 1 1 from readers. Feel free to ask II anything about eonauner electronics what to buy, what the latest features art all about, wbfcb manufacturers make the best products, and where and how to shop for value. Address your letters to Howard J. Bhuaenthal. Hi-Tech Home," United Feature Syndicate, 200 Park New York, N.Y.

10106-0203. 1 have a pair ef KLH-One speakers, bet I loot the AC power supply fer the bass. I have written te KLH twice and never received aa answer. I have called variens etestrealcs retailers, but no lack. bet I weald Uka te i fedUn wcIL Help! T.H., Mnymm.

Is a tough problem because the KLH-One speakers i on the market fer KLH brand name has been sold several times. The product was not the line when the Japanese company Kyocera bought KLH In 188ZTTo make the situation even mOPCcompUcated, KLH was again sold eariy this year. The new owner, Wald Sound Inc. (11131 Dora St, Sun Valley, CallfL 91352), was able to provide two possible sources: Zalytron at (SIS) 747-3515 and Technetron at (2 12X725-0778, both specializing in serrige of older equipment from various manufacturers. Headers with similar difficulties witholder equipment are advised to fellow these steps.

SOEYMLENT1KE BAKUlCABr fjMjjMjMHSa PinmeaMoncoupoHsaccepmDl The Husband You Buried Yean Ago InAHerolsGr Just Showed Up On Your Doorstep "KMIKG PEFOH1CES." fete fuel HUM HOME First consider the present-day value of the equipment If it can fetch more than $150 as used equipment, its probably worth fixing. Your local stereo or video shop can help you to make the right decision. Second, call the manufacturer, ask for the service department and And out whether the product can be fixed with available parts. If you have trouble finding the appropriate person at the company, ask for the name of the president, and write a letter. Send the president a copy of the very same letter weekly until the problem is solved (most letters are passed on to the appropriate manager) your continuous stream of the same letter will finally get someones attention.

When it does, find out whether the company can fix the equipment for (M rc.ht TfQ lOMBCNMI MS-MSI SmBm VMM iX-v i-: i i. the little thief- iirnntnciui I'hxDoVxSfcllKSaiHrNcvcrKncvAfldTlKMxifho'bokHsRxr- wmmhome RlTCffglR. MMBNNIS muz RfrSaBSmrL vWKHUUn uMnoMiMi HenscMmw wiwnn mama tumizusmu nenunc SSSr (BUS rawHumc new MJ1U1 1M-41M HM MMSU IS4-NW KhKk fHEAtfc OWECTOWK. OS CAU. FO SHOWTIME SI IIImw rj 1 Vv 3 WILLIS IS PHENOMENAL.

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