From home entertainment to home business - NEC's PC-VCR - Previews - Product Announcement

Home Office Computing, Feb, 1992 by Crystal Waters

Video and the desktop computer are interacting more and more as tools for business and creative presentations--and the NEC PC-VCR epitomizes that interaction.

I won't dwell on the specs of this newest desktop video-publishing tool--I'm more interested in speculating on the future of such products in the home office. NEC claims, as do many proprietors in the multimedia-producing market, that the PC-VCR will let any business produce and duplicate its own sound and motion on-screen or video presentation. The businesspeople most likely to take advantage of this type of "instant video" are advertising salespeople, medical professionals, real estate salespeople, and those in the legal field.

If you're already involved in video making, the PC-VCR may be the ultimate "pro/sumer" desktop video deck available for both the IBM compatible and Macintosh ($2,100). It's switchable between VHS and Super VHS, records in hi-fi audio (stereo), adds time code, and has digital autotracking. Ideally, your setup should include a camcorder, scanner, CD-ROM, and perhaps a still-video source, and a microphone, tape deck, CD player, or other audio sources to best create videos. Products like the PC-VCR make this less costly than "traditional" methods, but you'll still have to spend a significant amount for an ideal system. Are we ready for this, folks? NEC, (708) 860-0335, (416) 858-3570