‘Standards’ Not the Only Issue With Video

“Rival Systems for VCR ‘Replacement’ Could Spark Standards War,” (Sept. 14) overlooks what might be a major stumbling block to the future of the video CDs. Since the quality of the picture and sound is very high with these CDs, the firms selling them are basically selling products that are nearly of “master” quality. Masters are what the companies use to make the current VHS tapes sold to consumers. By selling master-quality discs to consumers, the studios are really selling masters to all the illegal duplicators at incredibly cheap prices. Anyone can shop for low-quality VHS dupes of almost any film made today in most major cities. When these CDs are produced, the dupers will be able to make high-quality copies onto VHS tape and sell them for the same low prices, so I can’t see why VHS will not continue for a long time as the primary consumer system. The big manufacturers must deal with this problem even before they worry about setting standards.

BARRY MASON

Los Angeles