COMPACT DISC ALREADY DATED Laser ciscs to replace records From Page 24 The newest generation of VCRs, “Super VHS" and *‘Super-Beta”’ hi-fi video recordings and units. provide stereo sound that surpasses ordinary record albums and ap- proaches the very best in audio quality, as well as superb picture quality. MERGING TECHNOLOGIES Increasingly, consumers want to merge the audio capability of their stereo systems with their VCRs. To meet consumer demand, audio component manufacturers are now producing gear that in- corporates video sound inputs into these units. A further refinement in sound quality is offered by the new technology of ‘‘digital’ recordings. A compact disc is the newest high quality audio playback medi- um — an eight-inch hard plastic disc that can hold more than 400 million pieces uf coiputerized (digital) information. The disc is played on a compact disc (CD) player, which reads the encoded information using laser light. “Since a stylus or tape head never touches the recording, the compact disc doesn’t have the sur- face noise or wear and tear associated with conventional albums or cassettes,”’ said Witt. “And it's a better recording than an album, because it is made directly onto the disc, rather than through the 10 or 15 steps used in traditional recordings,’” he added. The result is *‘pure’’ audio, free of distortion, which plays back music sounding every bit as real- istic as the original source. Since the CD player was in- troduced into North America in 1981, more thar 5,500 compact disc recordings have come on the market. DISC ACCEPTANCE Prices of compact discs have dropped from 330 to $16.95, The compact disc is only now becoming fully accepted by con- summers. However, the old adage that “history waits for no man” can be applied to technology as well, because the industry continues its research and new produci development. The newest stage in this evolu- tion is the laser disc for both sound and video. At its June 1985 dealers’ con- vention, Alpine Canada unveiled its newest product, capable of playing either compact discs or new laser discs. Using a process called Laser Vi- sion, the unit can play full length movies on 12-inch video discs, or vignettes and rack videos on smaller eight-inch discs. Ie is the first unit of its kind in Canada that plays digital video re- cordings. Looking to the future, Witt says that siereo television is just around the corner. “Stereo TV broadcasts are being experimented with in some U.S. Gardens can add five per cent to home saie FOR POTENTIAL buyers, the first feature they see when they step out of the car with the salesperson is the garden. Gardens are essentially a cosmetic feature, and their actua! cost is a fraction of the overall cost of the home. But they can be the deciding fac- tor. Or they can add another five per cent to the sale price of the home. This is especially true of older homes with well-established plan- tings. If the garden is overgrown and untidy, buyers may not want to undertake the extra work and ex- pense of putting it in order. Although the house may be just what a buyer wants, he can be easily discouraged from the sale if the homeowner has not taken the time to keep lawn mowed, weeds cleared, and shrubs and ‘trees trimmed. At this time of year, a seller must make more effort than clear- ing a space on the front lawn for the ‘‘For Sale’’ sign. He should get out the fertilizer, get the family involved in raking the grass and flower beds, and prune the shrubs and trees. The time to sit out in the backyard to enjoy the scenery is after your house has been sold, not while you are contemplating potential offers. EXOTIC SILK FLOWERS & ARRANGEMENTS The Ginger Jar offers a wide selection of custom floral designs to match any decor in your hore or business Thais, our in store floral designer, who specializes in contemporary sik design. is now at the Ginger Jar. We welcome you to visit Thais Tuesdays and Fridays 11:00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. and Saturdays 12:00-5:00 p.m., and she wili help you create those special arrangements. THE GINGER JAR 1489 Marine Or., NV 988-7328 WICKER WAREHOUSE 1229 Welch St. NV 988-4108 | OPEN 7 DAYS TO 6:00 P.M. 25 - Friday, July 18, 1986 - North Shore News cities, and in Canada frequencies have already been allocated. “And direct broadcast satellites are also coming,’’ Witt notes. Us- ing small, 28-inch ‘‘dish’’ anten- nas, consumers will be able to receise TV signals, via satellite, direct. from the source — all transmitted digitally, of course. INTERACTIVE FUTURE ‘Witt envisions that ‘*computers may even serve as another compo- nent in the home ciectronics system,’’ with interactive video games and new types of video pro- gramming. This growing array of high-iech products underscores the need for a control centre, a single piece of equipment capable of switching between or combining add-ons to listen, view, or record in any com- bination. The home entertainment in- dustry may appear to be complex, but consumers won't have to be engineering physicists to own a quality system. NORBURN. LIGHTING fGw T FORGET... FOR THAT SPECIAL SIZE BOOKCASE OR HARD TO FIND ITEM, WE WILL BUILD IT FOR YOU AT SUR- PRISINGLY LOW PRICES. ALL BOOKCASES AVAILABLE IN TEAK, QAK, WALNUT AND PECAN FINISHES BOOKCASE SPECIALS 30°x72"....... 9°74 30°'x48".......°54 30°x33"....... 944 24"x72"....... 564 24"'x48"....... °44 24''x33"....... 534 SOME PRODUCTS MAY AEQUIRE PRODUCTION TIME CUSTOM ORDERS i voucan’T FIND THAT SPECIAL SIZE OR SHAPE YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR, THEN BRING US YOUR DRAWING... WE WILL BUILD iT FOR YOU. YOU'LL BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED AT HOW REASONABLY PRICED OUR CUSTOM ORDERS REALLY ARE WE CUSTOM BUILD ALMOST ANYTHING - SEE (T BELIEVE ITt 3 SECTION WALL UNIT As shown. 6 ft. long, 6 fl. high and 12° deep Lots of room for books and storage CHOICE OF FINISHES .. For TV & STEREO, you might like this design at a full | 319