Panasonic Omnimovie PV-220D: Test Footage

The Panasonic Omnimovie PV-220D was released in 1986. It came equipped with a type of image tube referred to as the "Newvicon".
Trademarked by Panasonic's parent company, Matsushita, in 1974, the Newvicon had improved performance in high lighting scenarios, and was built with materials such as zinc selenide and zinc cadmium telluride.
As the title screen suggested, this video is not without fault, unfortunately. You can see, during the shots that include the sky, that the inside of the lens has what I can only guess is a crack. On top of that, I believe the image sensor may be dying, as the video is beginning to take on a slightly green tint.
Camcorders on Reddit: / camcorders

[@clarksters88]

Got to love tube camcorders, especially love the ghosting effect they make.

[@FatCatTech]

It definitely makes for a really interesting video effect, it almost makes some objects look transparent!

[@KylesDigitalLab]

Keep making these videos. They're great. BTW, what do you use to capture video? Is it a Digital8 camcorder or an AV to HDMI converter?

[@FatCatTech]

Thanks! I've been taking a break from uploading since it's freezing outside this time of year lmao For capturing I use a Sony DCR-PC110 (MiniDV), as it's one of Sony's camcorders that has what's called an "AV passthrough" feature. Basically, you can plug in any analog source, and it will convert the signal to a digital stream that you can run through firewire to any machine that will accept that source. My importing computer of choice is a computer that (a) has Windows Vista and (b) has a firewire port, this is because Windows Vista has a built-in "import video" wizard. After that, I use QTGMC to convert the video from interlaced to progressive (makes it look all smoooooth and delicious). I have a video that explains the process in a little better detail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZjLc3mOndZpnbc

[@WSNO]

This series is my favorite for full-size VHS camcorders. I have several, including the Sylvania, General Electric and Quazar variants. They're my go-to when doing analog videography.

[@HWolfeIII]

My first professional camcorder was the Panasonic PV 330, so this brings back some memories!

[@virtualcowgirl3922]

I have a 1988 Panasonic Omnimovie VHS PV-330D, that I inherited from my grandparents when they died. I am trying to figure out how to bring it back to life. I have all of the numbers and information on it, since my grandpa saved all the papers, manual and receipts. Who could I call to help me out with this? I need to get it fixed.

[@clarksters88]

What's the issue?

[@trinitron384]

I've been dying to pick up a Newvicon based VHS camera, especially the Panasonic ones, like the PV-200D and 220D. It's perfect since most Newvicon based cameras has the VCR seperate to the camera, and the VCRs that were plugged out of the cameras were huge and bulky. Most of them don't even work anymore or are lost, since their batteries probably died early on. Nicad batteries were never really known to be long lasting. There was that small sliver of time in the mid to late '80s where there were some full size VHS cameras that did have Newvicon tubes in them, and these Panasonic ones were perfect examples for the time. Tube cameras have always seemed interesting to me... The way how they process videos is quite amazing and advanced compared to CCDs, not to mention the cool artifacts that come alongside tube based cameras, like comet tails and ghosting. Quite an interesting technology.

[@KylesDigitalLab]

I would get one of the separate camera models, I have a WV-3230 from 1983 and I love it. Best thing about the camera is that you don't need a VCR to film with it, you can just direct capture and get better quality

[@clarksters88]

Kyle2000 True, but a large amount of them are broken compared to 200/220s

[@KylesDigitalLab]

@@clarksters88 You're right. A lot of the VHS portpaks have capacitor issues and other problems. You could get one of Sony's Betamax portapaks, the first industrial one, the SLO-340 from 1978, uses the same connector the VHS cameras use, and Sony's build quality was amazing on these units, and most of them still work or just have minor issues. The portables were designed to be robust and reliable, just like the earlier U-Matic industrial portables. (Beta was essentially a scaled down version of the professional U-Matic) Also the SLO-340 is Beta I, so picture quality will be actually superior to VHS SP. I'd you get one of the later portable models, the SL-2000, you will need an adapter, the VMA-100. Since the SL-2000 uses a different connector for the camera. The SL-2000 is also only Beta II/III, so picture quality will be a bit worse that. VHS SP, but a bit better than VHS LP. I have an SL-2000 from late 1981, still works perfectly and I love it. Still looking for an SLO-340.

[@clarksters88]

Kyle2000 yeah the sl-2000 is amazing. I use it for my HVC units

[@WSNO]

The separate vtr video cameras are fascinating to me. I have several different ones, including a panasonic from '83 with a matching VCR (uses the same batteries as the camera used in the video, which are still readily available), a Canon, a Quazar that was made to be mounted in a tripod (that one has a well-loved tube which creates fantastic ghosting effects i love using) and a black and white pistol grip. The VTRs can be a bit of a bugger to find in perfect condition buy i know a guy who is very good at fixing them. And as for bulky, i guess, but you're interested in video tape technology so you should be ready for that. If you're coming from a phone, get a video 8 or VHS-C to get used to a bigger unit in your hand, then get one like the one in the video so you get used to bulk and carrying a large camera bag. After all that, the separate VTR units are SO EASY.

[@felipecandido]

Very nice conversion! I have a PV-220D too and also recorded a test footage.

[@FunkyStudios]

Came here after learning one of these cameras recorded the first winning AFV entry and is now displayed at the Smithsonian!

[@KandiKlover]

Meh

[@honeyiatethekids.6527]

Howdy, big fan of your content man! So, I recently got my hands on a 1989 Magnavox camcorder, snagged it at a thrift for 'bout 10 bucks, works like a charm. I was curious as to how to go about converting the VHS footage to digital. A majority of the guides I've consulted with suggest utilizing an adapter, but I just wanted to recieve your input.

[@FatCatTech]

Hello there! Thank you for taking interest in my videos! I'll first congratulate you for your find, because it's not often you can find models like those for that cheap, at least not in my area xD The process I used to digitize the footage from this camera is a little bit involved, and requires a lot of random parts, unfortunately. I do actually have a video about it on my channel, however I will summarize it here: I use a Sony DCR-PC110 MiniDV camcorder, which has Sony's A/V "Passthrough" feature. This allows the camcorder to take on any analog video signal through the 3.5mm A/V jack and convert it to a digital signal, being sent out the camcorders i-Link (Firewire) port. The second part is the computer, specifically one with Windows Vista, as Windows Vista has a built-in "Import Video" wizard, which makes importing video from digital tape-based camcorders very easy. The computer also has to have firewire ports of course, for the camera to plug in to. Lastly, the playback device, which, in your case, would be either a standard VCR, or the camcorder itself, provided you have the correct peripherals. After the importing process, I like to deinterlace the video with AVISynth and QTGMC (this converts the video from 60i to 60p, as you see in the test footage, it makes it quite a bit smoother), which is a whole other story, as it requires a little bit of code and a LOT of installing codecs and such. Some video editors such as Vegas Pro offer deinterlacing, it's a lot simpler with the editors and provides results suitable for most applications. So, the lineup is pretty much: Playback device >(via A/V cable) Sony DCR-PC110 > Windows Vista Computer via Firewire > deinterlacing process. Given the ridiculous, convoluted nature of how I, by some extraordinary means, got this to work, I would suggest going a simpler route and buying one of those cheaper USB capture devices, it'll definitely run you a much better price tag versus finding all the things in my overcomplicated list xD

[@honeyiatethekids.6527]

@@FatCatTech Alright, I'll certainly bear all this in mind. Really appreciate the feedback! Take care, man!

[@uhuh2278]

@@honeyiatethekids.6527could you upload some footage?

[@jaymoh]

just purchased this camera, it seems like it's in perfect working condition, except I don't get an image, only a viewfinder display alert that says LIGHT. any ideas how to fix?

[@marcohascamera6908]

my grandpa owned this exact camcorder and bought it in 1985

[@binho_oc]

Did you shoot this using the external battery?

[@FatCatTech]

Thankfully there are still companies manufacturing batteries for these camcorders, I bought a Rayovac brand battery from BatteriesPlus. Model number is CAM10065, I'm pleased with its performance so far, as it holds a charge for about 45-60 minutes.

[@KandiKlover]

Should’ve captured this in native 4:3 so I could watch on my iPad.

[@zinabreatomic2205]

Amazing!

[@System6VideoProductions]

I have some old camcorders myself but I can’t get the batteries to charge or the charger to work, and I also need the thing to convert the tape on to a disc or a computer.

[@johndawson837]

You can still buy them at a store called Battery Plus cost around 25.00

[@poopdaddy493]

Hello, I have one of these I’m trying to get to work. Do you have the service manual by chance? I need to replace the recording belt (I think! This camera is double my age and I’m out of my element with this technology) Any info is appreciated.

[@FatCatTech]

I do not have the service manual, sorry about that. You are likely correct though, 9/10 times it's a drive belt that's disintegrated from age or poor storage conditions. I've seen it so many times that I *assume* it's the case with any VHS camcorder I see at the thrift store.

[@raphfung]

lol i remember filming something in the dark and it was like a light show because of all the street lights and it left a trail on the picture

[@KandiKlover]

Yeah the star trail effect.

[@colerainey7032]

I just picked one up yesterday for $5 on marketplace, really cool but it did not come with mobile battery or charger? Does anyone know where I can get those?

[@FatCatTech]

For a charger, you'd probably have a good chance looking on eBay for one, but for a battery, best choice may be looking through aftermarket online stores. The battery I used for this camcorder was a Rayovac battery that I bought at Batteries+Bulbs.

[@ama98]

how do i convert it to my pc

[@FatCatTech]

I have a video detailing the process I used for videos like this one! You can watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZjLc3mOndZpnbc Though, I should say, I've been experimenting with different processes (off camera), I may end up switching to a new one at some point. Whenever that happens, though, I'll make a new video about it.

[@ama98]

@@FatCatTech i can’t find any cable ports on the omnimovie tho

[@FatCatTech]

@@ama98 OH that, yeah. A number of VHS camcorders like these have the A/V ports on the battery charger block. There might be an uncommon adapter that'll plug directly into the camera you can use, but for the more reliable results you'll want a whole battery charging assembly for that. One such model (*I believe*, which means I could be wrong) you can look for is the Panasonic PV-A22M. It's important to note that this is *NOT* one of the smaller VHS-C camcorder battery chargers, these units are pretty large and are made to fit the lead acid batteries that come with the VHS camcorders. Hope that helps!

[@mikey_the_goon464]

What vhs tapes does it take vhs-c ?

[@FatCatTech]

This camera will take full-sized VHS tapes, however, VHS-C can be used with an adapter cassette, like the JVC C-P7U.

[@marthamarine]

What is the audio Humm/buzz

[@FatCatTech]

That is typically due to various factors, in this case I think it's partially because the cables I was using to transfer the video/audio signal were sub-par. Could also be that the VCR is getting older in years and needs to be cleaned out. Not entirely sure, to be honest.

[@FatCatTech]

Actually, I should also mention that, in videos like these, the background hum comes from the camcorder's tape deck as well.

[@pretinhok1740]

Hi friend you speaking portugues ? My English no is very good !

[@pretinhok1740]

Amigo ! Ganhei hoje uma raridade dessa , o porém é que está literalmente sem os acessórios adicionais! Baterias carregador e fitas ! Eu gostaria muito de utiliza-la e sentir como era filmada as coisas antigamente ! O senhor me ajudaria a comprar esses acessórios?

[@FatCatTech]

My apologies, I don't know languages other than English beyond what Google Translate can help me with. Minhas desculpas, não conheço outros idiomas além do inglês, além do que o Google Translate pode me ajudar.

[@pretinhok1740]

@@FatCatTech ok ! Temkill my brother!

[@truesearch69]

so sad, the ''macro'' sucks. not clear.