No Savings at Home

Joe Saltzman’s article (TV Times, Jan. 12) about new and pricey video equipment for the home was an interesting and informative peek at how the Mercedes set can live.

But the article’s angle--that a recession-ridden family can save lots of money by buying thousands of dollars worth of big-screen TVs and laser disc players, rather than going to movie theaters--doesn’t hold water.

Video stores that have prerecorded S-VHS or 8mm tapes are hard to find, and even then the selection of movies is disappointingly limited.

Laser disc movies can be found in most larger video stores, but never for overnight rental for $1 or $3. They’re for sale only, at $25 to $40 a crack, sometimes more. The family would have to watch “Dances With Wolves” numerous times this year to save any money.

Howard Erickson, Los Angeles