Help with JVC/Zenith camcorder

[ANDREW REIN]

Hello and thanks for reading,

I recently bought a used camcorder, a Zenith VM6000 "Videomovie" vhs-c camcorder.
It is made by JVC and I don't know the equivalent JVC model no. but the JVC unit
was also originally called the JVC "Videomovie". The mfg. date on the unit is Oct. 1985.

I did not get any documentation with the camera, and have some questions as a result:

1. There is a control marked "IRIS" on the camera, with three settings: "BLC", "STD" and "CLOSE".
STD and CLOSE are obvious, but what does the BLC setting do?

2. On the camera is a control marked "IRIS LOCK", what is this used for? Is it for changing
the exposure level and locking it?

3. The picture is not really clear, and the colors looks a bit washed out sometimes.
I made a test chart and the camera barely made 200 lines. Can this camera, with such
an old vidicon tube, be "tuned up", ie. improve the picture, by adjusting the parameters
of the tube by a qualified technician?

4. There is an 8-pin connector on the camera for audio and video output. Can you tell
me the pin-out of this connector and where I can get a mating plug for this connector?
It is quite similar to the connector used for the viewfinders on older VHS cameras.

Thanks,

Andy

[Jason Kazarian]

ANDREW REIN (ARein...@gnn.com) wrote:

: 1. There is a control marked "IRIS" on the camera, with three settings:

"BLC", "STD" and "CLOSE". STD and CLOSE are obvious, but what does the
BLC setting do?

Back Light Compensation. When engaged, increases exposure by 1.5 stops
or so. Useful for shooting people with the sun behind them.

: 2. On the camera is a control marked "IRIS LOCK", what is this used

for? Is it for changing the exposure level and locking it?

Meter close up on the subject, eg someone's face, hit IRIS LOCK, and step
back. Kind of like exposure hold on Auto SLR's

: 3. The picture is not really clear, and the colors looks a bit washed
out sometimes...Can this camera, with such an old vidicon tube, be "tuned

up", ie. improve the picture, by adjusting the parameters of the tube by a
qualified technician?

Probably not. Although well made VHS equipment these days with HQ
circuitry is good to about 230-240 lines, the original design goal for
VHS was 200 lines.

: 4. There is an 8-pin connector on the camera for audio and video output.

Can you tell me the pin-out of this connector and where I can get a mating
plug for this connector?

From the MCM Electronics Catalog (800-543-4330): "Camcorder A/V Output
Cable...8 pin sub mini DIN plug to two RCA plugs, replaces RCA #174801."
$3.99 each, order # 32-4005. Or, "Original JVC A/V Cable, JVC
#YU40272-3" $19.25 each, order # 32-1880.

There are others sources, I'm sure. MCM's minimum order is $20. Call
them and get the catalog.

--Jason Paul Kazarian
Plano, TX | Visit the Dallas-Fort Worth Video User's Group:
j...@dfw.net | http://www.dfw.net/~jpk/vidgroup.htm

[C-ko Kotobuki]

In article <4k4ofg$c...@news-e2a.gnn.com>, ARein...@gnn.com (ANDREW REIN) writes...

>Hello and thanks for reading,
>
>I recently bought a used camcorder, a Zenith VM6000 "Videomovie" vhs-c camcorder.
>It is made by JVC and I don't know the equivalent JVC model no. but the JVC unit
>was also originally called the JVC "Videomovie". The mfg. date on the unit is Oct. 1985.

Oooooh, I hope you didn't pay very much for it.

>3. The picture is not really clear, and the colors looks a bit washed out sometimes.

>I made a test chart and the camera barely made 200 lines. Can this camera, with such

>an old vidicon tube, be "tuned up", ie. improve the picture, by adjusting the parameters
>of the tube by a qualified technician?

This is the real shortcoming. The old tube cameras required a lot of light
the resolution was poor, the colors were often tinted incorrectly,
plus they were prone to damage if dropped.
My advice is to sell it off and find one with a CCD pickup, they run circles
around the old tube cameras.
C-ko