80's JVC VHS-C Camcorder - Filming With Retro Aesthetic

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0:00 - Intro
3:21 - Design
5:10 - Features
9:57 - Test Samples
17:10 - Cinematic
18:01 - Closing
A modern review of my retro 80's VHS camcorder. In this video, I talk about the design, the features / how to use it, and then film some test samples and a cinematic.
Contact: [e-mail]

[@RetraCast]

I'm glad to have a balance between vintage/retro videos and car videos. If anyone has any suggestions for another video, let me know. I myself am not sure when or what the next video will be quite yet though because I have been spending a lot of time filming the final parts for Midship Retra. After overcoming another unforeseen delay, there are only about 4 nights left of filming for it. With the rainy and freezing weather now, I am checking day by day for clear nights when I can film next. It's crazy to think I've been filming this 5 minute video since January and it's still not done. There's a lot I want to talk about with the behind the scenes craziness, but can't yet. I plan on making a video explaining the whole production process after the cinematic itself releases though. IT'S SO CLOSE.

[@Raul-yg5oz]

You should do a video on a NES or ATARI 2600 Here are other suggestions but they are kind of expensive 1 Betamax 2 Magnavox oddesey 3 selectavision 4 commodore computer 5 those brick telephones 6 1984 Apple Macintosh If you want other suggestions let me know

[@cocobermudez7881]

Your car's low-light cinematography is genuinely remarkable. The footage captures a stunning blend of innovative angles, precision editing, and the distinct, nostalgic essence of a 1980s camera, evoking a profound sense of time and style. Each frame not only showcases your skill but also your keen eye for capturing the essence of automotive beauty under challenging lighting conditions. The effort you've put into mastering these shots pays off magnificently, delivering a mood that is both visually captivating and stylistically profound. Excellent work-truly a brilliant showcase of talent and dedication. Bravo!

[@mu5iclov3r866]

I’ve recently viewed your channel and I absolutely love it. It makes me feel like I’m not the only person that’s obsessed with the 80s. I have it all, vhs tapes, Polaroids, a vcr, cassette tapes, and I even own a Sony handyman ccd-f70 from 1989. With that being said, I’m really thankful that I found your channel. Thanks for being such an inspiration!

[@birdedex]

a portable television studio!

[@nathanlopez5667]

Back to the Future LOL

[@ashvogt3852]

I used to make a lot of videos with a handheld camcorder in the early 2000s and had a media class where we recorded to tape. I'm definitely going to hunt for a vintage camera now and experiment again! Love all your videos my dude!

[@brantisonfire]

VHS HQ was actually a set of “standards” JVC implemented to regular VHS in the 1980s that aimed to improve the video quality and for any player/recorder to license the VHS technologies and have the HQ logo, those companies had to also implement some portion of JVC’s changes to their decks.

[@kino1004]

I love all these retro things you do

[@x86atron]

Very nice review! I still have a Sony Handycam that my parents originally purchased back in the early 2000s. I remember shooting so much footage on it throughout my childhood and mid teens. I even still have the tapes. So nice to see that people our age and younger are getting into analog technology and 35mm photography. Sure wish there was more of this in today's society. Love the ending montage there! Sick car, too!

[@therealboofighter]

Definitely a cool look to the video. I think it would be interesting to have the camera on a modern stabilization rig. Hard to do I am sure but it would be a nice effect. I wonder if people have been able to mount other lens on it?

[@Retro_Rework]

Great review and video! Just FYI I have one of these and opened up the original battery packs and replaced the old cells with the packs similar to the one you have for yours. I cut the connector off of the new battery pack and soldered the wires to the original internal terminals. A bit of a tight fit if you have one of the slimmer battery packs, but works fantastic. I use a NiMh charger with alligator clips and not the original NiCd charger that came with the camera though. Again, great video!

[@Ultimate007Trini]

Gave a 80s look.

[@callumfreebairn8082]

extraordinary. well done jvc!

[@jasminelofdahl2901]

Really cool. I've been looking for camcorders because I love old school metal videos so I want to make my own :) this is one of the best reviews I've seen on this kind of thing I hope you keep making videos!

[@RetraCast]

Thanks, I wanna make more reviews like this on retro and vintage stuff. Hardest part is just picking and getting what to review next haha

[@RetroGamerVX]

Hated vhs cameras when they were out, hated being in front of cameras at all, now I make a living with them. Just got one of these, in box, charity auction, untested, for £20. Nervous incase I needed to strip it, but it turned up, fully serviceable, apart from teh batteries obviously, amazed, loving it, gonna make some content with it.

[@pjsretrogamesmusicandwrass5795]

Man it looks good

[@NORTXPC]

you should try vintage tube cameras they give a even more vintage look than a normal ccd camcorder

[@LucinaPrincess]

Yo man, i love your content. I actually own the Zenith version of the Back to the Future model. The VM6000. I really do think one of the best upgrades you can do is upgrade the battery packs to lithium ion. (It does look better with the old pack trust me.) They last forever on a charge and they're so much better than those POS nickle batteries. I was interested in this model back then but the I always had my eye out for the model used in Back to the future. Glad you've made a more formal video about this model because no one really talks about this model JVC made. Cheers!

[@clarksters88]

I wouldn’t ever use the lithium ions on old tech as this. It can cause serious issues especially with the chargers. I always replace with NiMH since it’s almost the same as the original Nickel Cadium batteries. I own 4 Back to the Future models (including one in box) and they’re nice cameras however I rarely use them and more preserve them for my upcoming website and to help those out in forums!

[@LucinaPrincess]

@@clarksters88 I seperately charge my lithium ion batteries. I don't use the charger that comes with the camera. I haven't had any issues with the camera and I've used the camera for solid 2 years already. The thing boots up right away and it works as it should. I mean its cool to own 4 but whats the point of owing one if your not gonna shoot with it? 🤨

[@clarksters88]

@@LucinaPrincess I do use them on special occasion however I am the almost all know on the JVC. Like I said I’m creating a website with 3D models, service manuals scans, etc in order to increase the longevity of these historical and quite sexy machines. Another reason is it’s a massive pain in the ass to replace the video tube so I use other tube based video cameras more commonly as they’re not as valuable to me.

[@COVIDisA_HOAX]

My dad had the zenith model

[@natemonteiro01]

Great video! I was wondering what adapter you used to connect the battery to the camcorder? I recently purchased an old camcorder and was trying to find something similar to power it but couldn’t find it myself. Thanks!

[@arendelle_ok]

Why you just not captured into the computer. So i can see quality of it.. and why you record the tv in front of crt tv

[@oldradiosnphonographs]

I’ve had mine since 2013 when I found it at Goodwill at first I thought it was the BTTF camera lol. Mines missing all the accessories which sucks but it works! The one thing I don’t like about this camera is I can’t put any date and time stamps on the footage, and the red button on the front caught me off guard since I was used to camcorders that when you hit the record button it would start recording, not having to press a button on the from and THEN push the record.

[@oscarsamazingworldofeveryt7977]

The big crt tv 📺👍🏼

[@sharkybuddy5192]

Nice video, today i bought 1985 sears crt tv, i cant find AV input tho. They gave me box of blank VHS tapes for free too. It works, but i am scared about inputs.

[@RetraCast]

You mean the TV is only RF coaxial (the screw in plug) and you want to use RCA (the white and yellow plugs)? If that’s the case just go on Amazon and get an RCA to RF coaxial adapter. I’ve used one before in my TV. They’re not too expensive. Just check reviews to make sure you get a decent one. Edit: you could even get an HDMI to RF adapter which I also have. Check my video on my CRT TV for it.

[@jasmachugh4222]

Oh snap, I had a dark metallic blue 1989 MR2!!

[@block_head_steve240]

I think you should make a video of cassettes.

[@KittyHiPur]

oh this is rad af! i love it!

[@crystallaner230]

Just picked up one of these at a thrift store for $7 with everything

[@Raul-yg5oz]

Ja ja back to the future I really recommend if your going to the beach bring that cámara and record the sunset it’s so “ vaporwave” and cool

[@RetraCast]

Yeah I may take the camcorder out again to shoot more if I come up with more cool ideas

[@Rutherfordium2023]

I have a basically identical camera from RCA, still looking for blank VHS C though

[@kennethakennetha]

now i wanna buy one!

[@rajendrasingh9299]

Enke purpose kuch banay jay jese CCTV kemere ke aage enka lens lagake teleskop bana saktehe

[@MyHumanWreckage]

Since I am of a certain age, the troubles you had with sound and video could be traced to dirty tape heads. Back in the day I’d clean my tape heads after every few hours of use. Keep those heads clean!

[@Shmorgusboard]

I dunno if you tried a video head cleaner tape for the camera you have that has visual issues but it might be a fix.

[@oldradiosnphonographs]

I have a 1986 model VHS-C camera like that. But I think mine is one model newer than the BTTF camera because that model used a Vidicon tube and not a CCD like mine has.

[@TilSattler]

he is just living in the 90s xD

[@blamppost2516]

I have a sharp Camcorder from 1987 but it did not work😞i need to get it fixed.

[@marcthomas2153]

AA electronics in long Island new York City can fix it.

[@StrawTech8]

what song did you use in the beggining of the video?

[@ficaman15]

What camera did you film the opening scene with?

[@RetraCast]

The whole video is shot on my fujifilm X-T4. The opening scene is specially taken from my most recent video Midship Retra

[@SpecialNeedsChamp999]

I have a Zenith vm6200, looks exactly like your camera but it's a little different but the overall look is exactly the same, but do you have a video on how to hook that camera up to the TV or modern day TVs? I've been struggling, and I can't find tutorials anywhere. 😢

[@RetraCast]

Yeah zenith has the same exact model. The camcorder comes with a cable that plugs into the cable port of any TV. Pretty straightforward but you’re probably just missing the cable.

[@railfandepotproductions]

Wonder if Kane pixels backrooms series will have the jvc camcorder

[@So_called-v1j]

That thing cost almost 2k back in the days

[@quang5DCameras]

Is that JVC VHS camcorder used by Micheal J Fox in Back to Future 1 ?

[@micksterminator3]

One of these is available for 5 USD in my area. Comes with the case too. Wonder if it comes with the manual and VHS c adapter

[@glamcruehead0515]

did you buy it?

[@So_called-v1j]

Wont hurt my feelings if it doesnt come with i mean for 5 bucks lol

[@ArcherAC3]

Brother, where can one buy one of those? I've been looking everywhere.

[@lukorradiko1183]

i want to by best video recodrer from 1980 s can someone tell me what model to by , pasasonic or sony or smoe thing allse

[@thrash80s]

where did you get the adapters from?

[@MattCamp_]

What kind of film did you use? Also where’d you get the replacement battery thing?

[@deja2910]

Oh my gosh Pls where did u get it 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@fourteen20]

i just got one of these at a yard sale, do you know what type of cassette tape it requires in order to film?

[@mfuji02]

that was cool tb the cam isn't excellent/referb condition.

[@wheredahosat]

i found this camera in a garage sale for 5 bucks

[@lewiscarr7952]

can I buy one!?

[@soundistraveling]

R u selling any camcorders?

[@deja2910]

WHERED U GET THAT CAMERA 😭😭😭

[@TheSuperiorLite]

VHS-C camcorders are everywhere on eBay

[@COVIDisA_HOAX]

My dad a zenith that looks exactly like that