VHS CAMERA! Panasonic AG 196

We shoot some footage, check out the features, and talk about VHS analogue bliss.

[@austin1842]

picked one of these up at my local goodwill for 10$

[@thomasmcguire2227]

I had a flash-back. The AG series was aimed at pros. The PV series was for consumers. Panasonic made many PV cameras for Ward's, Magnavox , Chinon, etc. I had a Chinon.

[@shelliecarlson7015]

I picked up a Reporter AG-188. Then bought one with the charger and camera. They both ended up working. I liked them so much I bought two Omnimovies. The last one won't work the tape, so I figured I'd go direct to a laptop with it. Great video. Thanks.

[@seandoherty9820]

This was my go-to camera in high school in the 1990's. We used it to record all of the crazy stuff that we put on our in-house TV station at our school. Thanks for taking me back! BTW, most of those "effects" that are built into the camera were considered just as corny then as they are now. I did, however, use the high gain to create weird in-camera effects for certain projects. It was a real solid camera that could take a beating unlike today's cameras. I wouldn't dare treat my GH4 the same way as I did with the AG 196. It's just not as durable.

[@chikendagr8994]

Although the cameras then and now have the same amount of plastic.

[@maritzanavarrete5043]

Sean how did you charge the batteries? I recently bought one of these but it's missing the power cord and I can't find any online, but I saw some charging stations that might go on the actual battery so I'm confused on how to charge these batteries.

[@pembridgehouse]

I had 3 super vhs Panasonic cameras like this back in the day.I still have one. My youngest son shot weddings on these. We had 2 matching Panasonic SVHS editing decks.We then progressed to the Canon XL1.You are right about the batteries. We had a purpose built rechargeable larger lead acid battery that we hung over the shoulder and plugged into the camera. I was a dad like you said who filmed lots of Lacrosse games with the Panasonic M40 VHS we started out with.Also they were good for filming amateur theatre productions.The 3 hour non stop tapes were a big bonus.My son did not last long in weddings as he went on to working on Hollywood movies etc in special effects. These cameras were his stepping stone to a creative career. He had played around with my old suoer 8 movie cameras when younger.Thanks for posting.

[@tituslafrombois1164]

Do you still have any of those Panasonic SVHS editing decks?

[@pembridgehouse]

@@tituslafrombois1164 Hi Titus. Yes I still have one. I sold one about a year ago. I need to keep it as I have a lot of original svhs tapes that I cant watch or digitise unless I have my machine. I had also in the past the the SVHS camcorder on which I could do this but I have not had a go at repairing that yet. I am about to do today I think a review of the Panasonic G3 VHSC camera

[@bgcreations6995]

My First Video Camera. Then they came out with the 455, 456. They were super VHS Camera. Oh boy lots of memories.

[@VFAFOOTY]

My First Camera was the Panasonic nv-mS4 super vhs camera very cool did a lot of filming and gave me lots of experience until i turned professional

[@billkujawa]

I got my start shooting weddings back in the 90’s using the Panasonic ag 455 and 456 cameras.

[@rc6071]

How did u edit them back in the days

[@billkujawa]

@@rc6071 Two analog tape decks it was agonizing.

[@rc6071]

@@billkujawa oh ok gotcha I was always curious as to how they edit them i actually have 10 wedding cassettes of my relatives collecting dust im making them into dvds the cassettes r degrading day after day

[@marguskiis7711]

In Europe the camera was labelled Panasonic M9000. I was usin` one 20 years ago. The gain-up effect made video look quiet a film like, because the shutter time became very long and strange ways, the colours became more yellow. You can film with it 3 hours nonstop btw.

[@SPGEN95]

I bought my first vhs camcorder last year, which was a panasonic ag-188, I make a lot of stop motion, so I hooked it up to a tv while I was working on my projects.

[@pty_foto]

I had one of those way back in the day. It was a good camera, brick solid batteries and was comfortable on your shoulder. There was no “digital” cameras at the time. Then it came Panasonic with one that looked like a range finder 😊

[@Baldwin587]

I use an '86 General Electric VHS cam, basically a twin to the Panasonic of the same year. For power, I made up a 3d printed replica of the battery with just a set of contacts, and I wired in a 12 volt 3 amp hour security backup battery, and keep it in a small pack on my back, much easier then plugging it in every time. It'll run much longer and the batteries are reliable for years to come.

[@robotfarm4273]

Good idea! You can also gut a dead lead acid battery and use it to adapt your external battery pack. A friend of mine did this with one of his cameras. I was also thinking about trying to make pack filled with NiCd or NiMH cells with the same form factor as the original lead acid one.

[@bgcreations6995]

My First Camera. Worked all summer for it. Then they came out with the 455 and I was like oh boy.

[@01dl2373]

I used the VHS and S-VHS pro versions of this Panasonic camera on video projects in the 90s, the Fade in and out you had to hold down the fade button for five seconds for that for the screen to turn black then then take your finger of the button to go back to screen. they did creak a lot so tripod was used for statics shots were possible and batteries where a pain so for a long shot two or three batteries where needed but overall they were all descent cameras, what got me in to being a camera operator was in1984-85 was my dads camera a JVC GR-C1 VHS-c the same model that was used in Back TO The Future film a great camera but only with half hour VHS-c cassettes hopefully I will be updating to 4k soon but I still like my shoulder mount camera for balance which I use the JVC HM-GY 750 HD PRO but lighter cameras are needed depending on whats needed, I better stop going down memory lane but its nice that some people find old video cameras amusing.

[@DannyPops]

+01dl2373 Thank you for sharing. That's what this channel is all about. These are great cameras and they made shooting an exciting experience in itself.

[@01dl2373]

Thank you it was nice to return to memory lane for a while.

[@manoyertanian1377]

Miss my old days, I used most of these series cameras, (m1000, m3000, m7, m8, m9000 and m9500)... by the way the to use the D-Fade long press on the button white recording and it will fade to black. ;)

[@suniljacksondsouza]

Never heard of M7 and M8. 9500 was perhaps the last model in this series but similar to M9000

[@beautifulguitarhands]

Excellent video! I am expecting such camcorder via FedEx. I have professional Panasonic, Canon and Sony cameras but I also appreciate the form factor here. Thank you

[@RedStarRogue]

I remember we still shot on miniDV up until 2008-09 in my college program. That was probably the last "VHS" type format to still be used in mainstream. The rise of DSLRs ended that I suppose.

[@DannyPops]

Tyson L im so glad tape is over. capturing was the worst.

[@TheAlliconicOne]

i always enjoy vhs camcorders even though i never used them before.

[@Toddster-fo9bv]

New up buffer turns 240 vhs Lines into true 8K heavy hitter, those guys need to visit Toronto 🎉😊

[@vintagecameras9623]

good work my friend

[@kingraiderr]

Very good video guys .

[@marguskiis7711]

Fun fact. 15 years ago Panasonic equipped some of its brand new Mini DV cameras with b/w viewfinder to look more pro!!! I bought a Mini DV cam with color wf and some snobs said to me it is too amateurish because viewfinder should be monochrome. Still I do not know why.

[@svendzija]

just try to shoot ENG

[@kevinnelson66]

Wish I had gotten one of these instead of the JVC VHS-C which was my first camcorder in 1993. I enjoy using my pocket sized Kodak zi8, but I also have fondness for the ol' AG196. Great video, guys. I just subscribed, BTW.

[@vhsmies3990]

Good video:)

[@PovSlacking]

5:02 yall is time travelers now

[@SatanicJamnic]

You can plug your USB Powerbank to your camera using DC input in camera(you propably gonna need step-up converter). Just a bit of hacking and you can use new batteries on old cameras.

[@kwameamoako4272]

I love that vhs camera 📼

[@SB_-cf5zp]

Hey guys. Awesome clip. But where can I find the retro video (rewind show) you mention at 7:00 ?! I searched your channel for it ...

[@agathasnowball5]

yeah same! where can I find the retro show?

[@suniljacksondsouza]

Earlier models were M3000 and M1000

[@vintagecameras9623]

Thanks so much

[@robotfarm4273]

I dunno, I thought the wipe and fade buttons were pretty cool when I was introduced to that camera in grade school. My school media center also had an S-VHS version that our teachers could check out for class projects. You better believe we overused the crap out of those effect buttons! I wish some of those tapes were still around. I think schools were the most common institutions to buy full size professional VHS cameras. All my family and friends back then had either VHS-C or Hi-8 cameras. I think you are on to something with Panasonic's build quality. I also have an AG-160 from 1987 that still works great: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqXMZGapoMlogLs

[@andersonvideomaker]

A minha era a M-9000.

[@adriancurbelo1282]

Hi I am buying this model of Cámera and I want to now if the VHS cassette have to be special or I can use one it is already used

[@Bobster986]

VHS is the new 8mm. LOL look at all the drop out.😆

[@weeardguy]

That's most likely caused by the Dazzle. I played all my Hi8 footage into the computer using such a thing. But the Dazzle (or the Pinaccle software, don't know for sure, but I expect the first) is VERY picky when it comes to clean videosignal. Just a little bit of noise could render my digital file useless as audio and video would slowly start to get out of sync. Starting the dazzle to record while there was no stable image at the beginning of the digitial recording, could make things even worse. Their image is not clean anyway and seems to experience some dirt on the videoheads or tracking problems. Maybe they did not fast-forward and rewind the tape before they started shooting.

[@suniljacksondsouza]

This was launched as M9000 in Asia. One of the best sellers in 1999. Predecessors of M9000 was M3000 and prior to that there was M1000 which was the worst performing model. Prior to these camcorders there was the JVC JXNE N70 newicon tube video cameras which were the best sellers from 1985 to early 90s

[@eviction.notice]

I picked one of these up and everything works but the zoom! Help please what could I do? I haven’t tried it with a tape? Would that really matter?

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

easier way to get it on your pc. copy the VHS footage onto a DVD from a DVD recorder. put the DVD into your computer and rip it. Then upload

[@biggfriedriceboi7004]

Unless your computer dosent have a disc drive like many new pcs and Macs then that a great way

[@patrickfortin2966]

Where may i find some Battery and microphone for this camera ?!?!??

[@agathasnowball5]

this is great! where can I find the retro video show?

[@vintagecameras9623]

Thank you

[@wilfredheggart2988]

I have an RCA VHS video camera that works great

[@ouchquitit3300]

I have the same exact camera.

[@christophersoldelectricals9686]

To fade out the video you have to hold it in

[@wilfredheggart2988]

I just bought an rca

[@RadRex7]

How do you make a new video on a tape for the s-vhs reporter camera

[@Nathan.Klemstein]

Is there RCA out on this camcorder?

[@DefinitivamenteSemIgualD_S_I]

I wonder if it could sell the camcorder

[@chocokrispisconleche]

Is there a way to record straight out of the camera to a external recorder of some sort?

[@danielfenner5499]

I have this same camera and i Love it. I got it from a thrift store for $25. But i dont know what year it is. Can you tell me the year on this?

[@SamuelKatz]

What is the battery called that you need for this camera?

[@1323GamerTV]

Why does it keep cutting

[@Xyronium]

1:06 how do call those back-mounted camera hangers? i couldn't find those anywhere.

[@weeardguy]

Easyrig is the first that comes to my mind, there's another 'big name' I can't remember.

[@doejohndoe]

@Danny Pops hey im from germany and i got a Panasonic camera equivalent to yours, so i wanted to ask you if you know more about the cable which is needed for charging the batterys because thats the only part of the camera i´m missing

[@DannyPops]

Hi friend, I believe you can easily aquire this cable from a broken panasonic camera if you can find one cheap for auction. I am 98% positive that most panasonic broadcast VHS all use the same connector.

[@MiLORAMiREZ182]

Whats the name of the cable or model?

[@peterjones8546]

I just bought one of these for $40. It is in supreme condition. I just need to figure out how to remove the viewfinder screen so I can clean the inside.

[@dmac396]

I just got one of these but there is no charger, I do have two batteries however (not sure if they work) I read the manual online and im not sure if i just need the AC adaptor AG BP 20 or if i need a cable as well. if anyone knows pls lmk so I can get to making some art :)

[@maritzanavarrete5043]

I'm in the same scenerio. How fo I charge these batteries?

[@genesis-xx3rr]

im about to buy this same exact camera, but the problem is that it doesnt include no accesories, do u know where can i get a charger and the cables?

[@DannyPops]

You pretty much have to source accessories from other cameras.

[@peterjones8546]

Ebay is your best bet.

[@WOWTODAZ]

yo, i have the same camera, do you know a way to directly record the component out to a portable videocapturerer, in this way we can skip capturing on a dusty VHS cassete, do you have ideas about this? do you know any handy reliable device for this?

[@codykyle511]

I guess you could just get a capture card.. But don't expect miricals quality wise...

[@maxmustardman298]

blackmagic design makes some really cool devices for that kind of capturing, not really cheap though

[@shanetheshredder]

Hey do you still want your charger for it? I’ll buy it off you lol I have the same exact camera but without a charger cord

[@adriancurbelo1282]

Can you explain that to me

[@torb-no]

* plastic creaking *

[@Wanderingforever976]

When was this camera made?

[@charliebrown3607]

The AG 196 that I bought was an early 1997 model. I believe most of them were made around this period.

[@KrimeLyfeSolo]

Like wassup

[@zippofanmc]

2:05 found a black one of those... 7$

[@DannyPops]

+zippofanmc That's an awesome deal! At a garage sale?

[@zippofanmc]

no, at value village

[@gamersofthecentury569]

+zippofanmc hey I got the same cam as there's at value village

[@ShaunDobbie]

Nowadays everything uses cmos garbage.

[@edgardopaladino4502]

im criying