Sony reel to reel video tape recorder

[Cydrome Leader]

Has anyone here worked on or used a Sony reel to reel video tape recorder?
I don't have a model number handy yet as the unit is trapped behind other
stuff on a shelf. It's about the size of large turntable or small reel to
reel audio recorder, it looks like it gets used laying flat on a table. I
have not located any tapes for it yet.

Any fun facts or stories about these things or tips for trying to fire it
up again?

[Phil Allison]

Cydrome Leader wrote:
====================

> Has anyone here worked on or used a Sony reel to reel video tape recorder?
> I don't have a model number handy yet as the unit is trapped behind other
> stuff on a shelf. It's about the size of large turntable or small reel to
> reel audio recorder, it looks like it gets used laying flat on a table. I
> have not located any tapes for it yet.
>

**There were numerous models.

Including the CV-2400CE" porta pak":

https://www.flickr.com/photos/madatechhc/8473899630

> Any fun facts or stories about these things or tips for trying to fire it
> up again?

** Well, I saw one of the above in use in about 1974/5.

Videoing a well dressed couple ( Pip & Wayne) dancing in a small room with a bright, halogen light on the floor.
Took a few snaps with my Pentax K2, using that light.
A B&W print of the event hangs on the wall in front of me now.


...... Phil

[b...@ripco.com]

The only positive thing I can think of is, back then the Sony stuff was hand
made and except for parts (caps) rotting away because of age, probably still
works.

Keep in mind it was more mechanical than electronic, so bearings might be
froze from grease drying up, the transport used a number of giant sized
idler wheels/tires which can develop flat spots.

Overall, unless you get the model number you just don't know where you
stand, it sounds like one of the common ones that the Chicago Public Schools
had in the 70's. Every school (grammar and HS) had one of those but rarely
used because of the complexity of using them (along with the prehistoric
cameras with 50 pin cables).

Unless you look at the back of it, you may not even be able to hook it up to
anything. It's unlikely it has a channel 3 or 4 output, modulators were not
common back then and it would be surprising if it even had video/audio out.
Many recorders of that era had some weird EIAJ "port" where everything,
video, audio, horizonal and vertical sync was on different pins. Those
things were generally on a wheeled cart with the oversized 19" b&w monitor
on top, somewhat dedicated to the recorder.

Assuming it is a 1/2" machine the tapes were generally not interchangable,
one recorded on a Matsushita/National/Panasonic would likely not play on a
Sony. Unless there is a pre-recorded tape (and take up reel) that is with
it, even if you find them on Ebay or somewhere, you'll have to make a
recording to see if it plays back and there you go with the 50 pin weird
camera connection to deal with. Don't expect a simple video/audio in.

I'd personally leave it on the shelf unless there is a box of tapes with it,
might be fun to see currently dead people (remember we're talking 40+ years
here) playing basket ball in HS or doing a school play but without, just
don't see an effort worthwhile to get it working.

-bruce
b...@ripco.com

[Phil Allison]

b...@ripco.com wrote:
=================

>
> I'd personally leave it on the shelf unless there is a box of tapes with it,
> might be fun to see currently dead people (remember we're talking 40+ years
> here) playing basket ball in HS or doing a school play but without, just
> don't see an effort worthwhile to get it working.

** LOL !!

you make it seem like watching the Zapruder film ...


...... Phil

[Clifford Heath]

A good friend has spent his career servicing video gear, and is one of
the Australian service agents for Sony. I could ask him, I'm sure he'll
have all the best tips.

The first thing he'll probably say is to use an incandescent light-bulb
limiter in series with the mains supply when you turn it on. And if you
have to open it due to a fault, do the regular eyeball check for dry
joints and blown fuses before running around all the electrolytics with
an ESR tester. Also it probably has belts and rollers that have perished.

CH

[Tim Schwartz]

Hi there,

These 1/2 inch machines came in 2 generations, the CV series which were
propitiatory skip field machines, so only played tapes recorded on
another Sony CV series machine. All of the Japanese manufacturers did
that at the time.

Then they standardized to the EIAJ-1 standard, full field machines, and
all of the makes made tapes that would interchange. the Sony machines
were the AV3400 (luggable) AV-3600, AV-3650, and later color machines
AV8400 (luggable) and a AC operated one as well (AV8650?)

As I recall from my high School days in the later 1970's, the
mechanical design was similar to the audio reel-to-reel machines, with
idlers and belts. The slip rings on the rotating heads needed attention
too.

Please note that all of this info is for USA market NTSC (Never The
Same color) machines, and is subject top the (in)accuracy of my memory
of 45 years ago.

Best regards,
Tim Schwartz

[Rob]

Akai also had 1/4" machines, even a machine that could be used both
as a video- and an audio recorder (using standard track layout for audio).