Come a long way

Press, 17 December 1985, Page 24

Come a long way

The whole video scene is still very, young'in terms of new technology and it never A ceases to amaze us just how r fast we have all come to accept this miracle of modern hi-tech development into our everyday lives. We have come to rely ori‘video to keep us amused, educated, informed, in touch with friends and relations and as a source of recording mementoes and events for posterity, to name a few of

the.uses. •>•. No longer simply the •- status symbol or toy of the -more affluent that it was considered to be only five years ago, video has reached out and-touched all our lives whether we like it or not. It 'has ' been the source of great enrichment when handled with respect and forethought and a cause celebre for some who see it as a more sinister encroachment upon the senses.

This if a good time , to pause and look back over the past few years and. see where we have been and how much has been achieved..

On the hardware side, and distributors - have been fitly selective in the range of units they have made available and we have not been confused by the. proliferation of brands and models on sale overseas. With few exceptions, only the most reliable and proven units have reached our market and ■ releases of new hardware have reached us very quickly — in some cases actually preceding release overseas.

Back-up services have kept pace extremely well, with technicians being very highly trained, service outlets equipped with the latest in specialised gear to effect repairs and adjustments, and good supplies of commonly required spare parts being maintained. Delays in servicing have been kept to a mimimum and the turn-around period' in this field compares favourably with that reported from overseas.

Of course, not every request for equipment or service has been able to be met to customer’s satisfaction, but it must be remembered that New Zealand is a very small market in production terms and our special requirements mean that our distributors have to be selective in stocks carried and in forward orders.

All things being considered, hardware distributors and service agents have done sterling service and continue to do so. Contrary to popular belief, no one has yet made a fortune from video hardware and it looks as if the dream will remain just that for a long time to come.

Supply and demand for video cameras, camcorders, editing suites and other hardware has been relatively constant ' and the semi-professional and' industrial users have been well serviced in most cases. > „

One area which the public does not get to hear.very much , about is educational video, which has been the most constant source of growth with regard to hardr ware sales.A low profile has been maintained : deliberately by the companies involved in« the supply of video hardware-to educational facilities so that the greatest savings possible may be passed on — a most commendable/ attitude which deserves more public recognition. Not only does it save us all added taxes towards the educational budget; it also- means that parents, and' staff: involved in ’ fund-raising efforts for. ancilliary equipment.' have an easier target > to ! achieve. . "•