CED Digest Vol. 7 No. 10

CED Digest Vol. 7 No. 10 • 3/9/2002
20 Years Ago In CED History:

March 10, 1982:
* The Reagan administration places an embargo on oil imported from Libya and on
exports to Libya of certain high technology products. The embargo means Libya
will lose a market worth $2 billion - about a quarter of its total annual oil
revenues.

March 11, 1982:
* Senator Harrison Williams of New Jersey resigns from the U.S. Senate when it
appears certain his colleagues will vote for his expulsion over his 1981
conviction of bribery and conspiracy in connection with the Abscam scandal.

March 12, 1982:
* The U.S. Department of Labor announces a drop of 0.1 percent in producer
prices during February 1982, the first such decline in six years.
* Future CED title in widespread theatrical release: Parasite.

March 13, 1982:
* Elain Zayak and Scott Hamilton, both from the United States, win the women's
and men's singles titles at the World Championship Ice Skating competition in
Copenhagen, Denmark.

March 14, 1982:
* Mexico is authorized by the Reagan administration to make proposals for
renormalizing U.S. relations with Cuba and Nicaragua.

March 15, 1982:
* Daniel Ortega Saavedra, coordinator of Nicaragua's ruling junta, proclaims a
month-long state of siege and suspends the nation's constitution for one day
after anti-government rebels destroy two bridges near the Honduran border.

March 16, 1982:
* Russia announces a halt in its deployment of new nuclear missiles in Western
Europe.
* In a highly publicized trial at Newport, Rhode Island, socialite Claus von
Bulow is found guilty on two counts of attempting to murder his wealthy wife,
Martha (Sunny) von Bulow.

* RCA PRESS RELEASE:
Video Disc Owners Buying an Average 30 Albums in First Year of Video Disc
Ownership

The average video disc player owner is expected to buy nearly 30 video disc
albums in the first 12 months of ownership, a rate more than double RCA's
original forecasts, it was announced today.

Seth M. Willenson, Division Vice President, Programs and Business Affairs, RCA
"SelectaVision" VideoDiscs, said this rate of purchase underscores the growing
popularity of the video disc as a home entertainment device.

"The outlay just for video disc albums represents an impressive investment on
the part of the average video disc player owner, particularly in view of
economic conditions," he said.

"It is further evidence that consumers are becoming more home entertainment
oriented, and that they will spend money for programs that entertain and
inform," Mr. Willenson said.

In addition to a reluctance to go out at night in many areas, he noted the cost
of outside entertainment has escalated to the point where the average family
now finds it cheaper to bring the entertainment home on inexpensive video
discs.

Mr. Willenson said it will be possible to buy a video disc of a Broadway show,
such as "Pippin" or "Eubie!," for less than the $35 cost of a single ticket to
a Broadway theater.

The average movie on video disc costs about $22, which is less than the cost of
going out to a movie when one considers such expenses as tickets, baby-sitter,
driving and parking, buying snacks in the theater and possibly a refreshment on
the way home, he said.

"In addition to the economics," he added, "the video disc enables the consumer
to tailor his or her viewing to specific subjects, and for the first time to
buy and collect programs that appeal to specific tastes. The video disc also
permits family members to watch a program as often as they want, when they
want, in the safety and comfort of their own home."

The video disc also gives the home TV viewer direct control over what is on his
or her television screen at any hour of the day. Mr. Willenson said this is
particularly important to many parents who want to control their children's
viewing habits. "Different programs have different appeal to different people,
making it possible to collect those discs which satisfy one's preference.

"With the video disc, a parent can become the producer and director of
television viewing in the home. A diverse catalog of family-oriented programs
is available at the parent's discretion," he said.

By freeing the family from the schedule of the networks or cable operators, the
video disc "adds a new dimension to home entertainment and promises to have an
impact on lifestyles in the 1980's," Mr. Willenson said.

The RCA video disc system enables every homeowner to convert the family
television room into a screening room that rivals anything in Hollywood, and at
only a fraction of the cost.

The screening rooms on the "Bel Air" circuit are reported to have cost upwards
of $500,000, depending on the sophistication of the equipment used. Now, for as
little as $300 or less, the video disc does the same for the average home.

Since the television set serves as the display device, there is no need for
projectors, screens, threading film or changing reels. An RCA video disc holds
up to two hours of programming, which means that most movies can be put on a
single disc. The video disc player attaches easily to any television set and
produces a picture of excellent quality.

Mr. Willenson said the RCA system makes it possible to bring home the classics
as well as recent motion pictures, the best of television, the best of Walt
Disney and other children's programs, sports programs, cultural fare from
Shakespeare to the ballet, music from rock to country, and instructional
programs on many subjects, all at prices cheaper than going to the movie or the
live theater.

"And the consumer can see these shows at his convenience, as often as he wants,
at no additional cost," he said.

"Actually, watching quality programs at home can become an enjoyable family
experience, complete with popcorn, soda and other refreshments. And the pause
button on the video disc player enables the family to replenish supplies
without missing a single frame of the program."

------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: digest@cedmagic.com
Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 18:27:35 -0800
From: "Tom Howe" <tom@cedmagic.com>
Subject: RE: Need Help

>Anyhow, now that I know what I have, I want to fix this thing.  The discs load
>just fine, however, the LCD panel just indicates 2 horizontal red lines once
>the disc is loaded.  I took it apart and the motor seems to work however I
>suspect a belt is out.  Radio Shack told me to get lost.  I looked into your
>site a little and can't quite determine whether I need the Servo Drive Belt,
>Turntable Drive Belt, or the Function Motor Drive Belt.

From your description this sounds like it is an RCA SGT250 player. If that is
the case, and the player loads a disc with the turntable spinning, then the
turntable drive belt and function motor drive belt are OK. THE "--" in the LED
display means no signal is being recovered from the disc, which could be due to
a worn-out or missing servo drive belt. Other common causes of this are a
defective stylus cartridge or improper stylus set down position. The later can
be checked by manually advancing the pickup arm to the approximate middle of
the groove band on the disc, while testing the stylus cartridge requires
substitution of a known-good stylus cartridge.

--Tom

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 7 Mar 2002 13:19:25 -0800
To: Tom Howe <tom@cedmagic.com>
From: James Curiel <jacuriel>
Subject: Re: CED Digest Vol. 7 No. 9

Dear Tom and Fellow CED enthusiasts,

I am writing to announce the opening of my web page www.cedcentral.com

Through it you can purchase New Old Stock players, used players, stylus, discs,
and remotes.

You can also drop me a line at james@cedcentral.com with inquiries or ideas.

I have already had some interesting questions come my way.

The page is still under construction, and each day I have been adding to it. 
So you will find errors in grammar, html layout and so forth.

The inventory of players and other products is changing with new additions and
machines being sold.  First sale from the web page was on a SJT-300 player. So,
check in periodically to see what's been sold and what's new for sale.

Peace.

signed James
--

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2002 18:35:34 -0800 (PST)
From: Bill Mayer <allapologies>
To: digest@cedmagic.com
Subject: CED question

Hi

I recently bought a RCA SGT075 ced player.  I was just wondering if it is rare,
or really is any player is rare.  I was pretty suprised that it worked quite
well, and I doubt the stylus was ever replaced.  Also, if you ever come by a
copy of Let it Be on CED (or laserdisc) please tell me, I love that film!  I
bought the CED, but it was a former rental, and skips a lot (I can see
scratches :()  Anyways, just kinda wanted to email a fellow video format lover
:)

Thanks!
Bill
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