D-VHS Review (January 2003) - HDNet's
Bikini Destinations on Location in Lake Powell
with TheBikiniNetwork.com

Mark Cuban's HDNet on DirecTV (CH 199) is the first all high definition network available to viewers around the country. Programming on HDNet has proven to be diverse with a variety of professional and amateur sports, documentaries, and special events. The 2002 season included extensive Winter Olympics coverage, 80 Major League Baseball games and 40 National Hockey League games. No channel even comes close to showing the amount of high definition content HDNet offers viewers. Part of last year's lineup included a series called Bikini Destinations which has caught the eye of many viewers with its pristine video quality.

While beauty is only skin deep, HDNet has been dedicated to making sure that skin shows all the detail high definition has to offer. Now available on D-VHS tape, Bikini Destinations on Location in Lake Powell shows bathing suit beauties with incredible resolution. The setting in Lake Powell makes for a delightful blend of earth tones and when combined with the gorgeous women, HDNet's Bikini Destinations will leave you amazed. Unlike many of the D-VHS movies being offered by the large Hollywood studios, Bikini Destinations does not use the D-Theater encryption making it compatible with more than just the JVC HM-DH30000U D-VHS machine.

The picture quality of this 1080i D-VHS recording is superb and makes even the best looking DVDs only acceptable. The picture reveals incredible detail not found in any consumer format we've seen. Strands of hair blowing in the wind and woven fibers in the clothing are just some of the intricate details we can see with this format. The water looked so real that you would swear you were right there. I guess that's why HDNet says "It's Like Being There". The color fidelity is impressive with near perfect color balance and very low video noise. This is some of the best video quality we've seen in the D-VHS format. We hope to see more in the coming months.
- Kevin Nakano

 
Review System

Display - Pioneer Elite PRO-610HD 58-inch HD-Ready TV (ISF calibrated)
Scaler: Focus Enhancements CenterStage2
Preamplifier/Processor: Parasound AVC-2500U THX-Ultra DTS/DD Preamp/Processor
Amplification: Parasound HCA-2205AT THX-Ultra Five Channel Amplifier
Bass Management - Miller & Kreisel BMC Mini 5.1 Bass Management Controller
Front Speakers - Miller & Kreisel S-150THX (L+R) and S-150AC (Center) Speakers
Rear Speakers - Miller & Kreisel SS-250 Tripole® Surround Speakers
Subwoofer - Two Miller & Kreisel MX-350THX MkII THX-Ultra Push-pull Subwoofers
Room Treatments - Echo Buster panels and Bass Buster towers
Set-top Box - RCA DTC100 HDTV/DSS Satellite Receiver
DVD/CD/SACD Player - Sony DVP-NS900V DVD/CD/SACD Player
DVD Audio/Video Player - Kenwood Sovereign DV-5900M 400-Disc DVD Changer
A/V Cables: Ultralink Platinum and Advanced Performance Series Cables
Video Generator - Sencore VP300 SDTV/HDTV Video Pattern Generator
Video Signal Analyzer - Sencore VSA794 NTSC Video Signal Analyzer
Color Analyzer - Sencore CP288 ISF Certified Color Analyzer

 

Credits


Bikini Destinations on Location in Lake Powell


Produced and Directed - Casey Bennett
Executive Producer - Robert Bennett
Co-Producer - Jason Rowlett
Director of Photography - Casey Bennett
Online Editor - Tom Gabric
Editor - Rob Taylor
Writer - Mohamed Clemente
Technical Producer - Chuck Haifley
Opening Titles - Doug de Forest
Assistant Director - Ian Woods
Music - Doug de Forest, Richard Fortune and Soundproof Media
Audio Mixing - Interlock Studios
Make Up - Maria Sandovar
HD Camera Assistant - Robert Real
Grip - Guy Buckland
Assistant Editor - Steve Cohan
HD Equipment & Post Production - HD/LA Los Angeles, CA


Bikini Destinations on Location in Lake Powell
Source: HDNet supplied
Playing Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Website: www.TheBikiniNetworks.com

Studio: Bennett Productions Incorporated
MSRP: $29.95
UPC: 824651001533

Company Information
HDNet
2909 Taylor Street
Dallas, TX 75226
(888) 919-HDTV
URL: www.hd.net

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