Sony Reel to Reel VTR VCR

[@MylesSmith-q4y]

These portable open reel video tape recording systems were even popular with HAM TV operators.

[@12voltvids]

Using VHS tape will sort of work. I have an older version of this machine and I did the same thing, but had audio problems as well due to VHS tape being much thinner than the original. I obtained a new 1/2" tape without the sticky shed problem that the original sony tape had, and it cleared up all the audio problems I had when using vhs tape spooled onto the tape reel.

[@aldiakaroofus]

Absolutely gorgeous machine! We had at least one of those in my grade school in the 70's!

[@jamesw1659]

Same here. We had an AV-3600 and an AV-3650. We also later got a small "porta-pak" unit that was like a minaturized version of this machine...used 5" reels, but same 1/2" tape.

[@siliconinsect]

Very cool! I found an identical model at a school equipment school for $1 complete with educational tapes and service tags indicating it had seen new belts in 1988. Actually used it for video transfer of a friend's flight school tapes. Back in the '70s he took a compatible machine and camera up in a Cessna to record things for ground school.

[@just_passing_through]

We had a Sony AV-3650 in our school library (circa 1975). It had a tuner module connected and also a timer module. The library used it to record TV programs to be played back in classes.

[@jeenkzk5919]

loved it! any chance you can post the full vintage tape video? I'm sure it may not be exciting to some but i love watching captured moments in time.

[@butcharmstrong9645]

REALLY interesting! I watched the Panasonic-version of this unit immediately prior to watching this video. HANDS DOWN, this Sony unit is much better. Especially when you showed the homemade video of those DEF 70s dudes seeing themselves on TV for the first time!

[@databits]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnnyray88]

I had the same Sony video recorder but mine recorded in color that was back in 1970. I still have it in my closet for all those years with all the components that came with it.

[@moow950]

That’s a true treasure and historic piece!

[@Musicradio77Network]

Cool! I’m glad that Benny Boy from “Oddity Archive” has this similar model.

[@eman59461]

Its mind numbing crazy how far we come just in the last 20 years with technology. just yesterday i was using a walkman.

[@frankowalker4662]

I've never seen those 'cassette radio's' before, cool. The power outlet on the back of the VTR is for a monitor, the Video camera uses 12v DC and gets it through the camera plug. It's the same plug as my Sony Betamax and Ferguson VHS. My Fuji video camera plugs straight in.

[@tallboyyyy]

The elementary school I went to back in the early to mid 70's had a color version of this machine and it was connected to an early RCA XL-100 with a large input panel on the back. I believe it was a 25" metal cabinet table top set on a cart with the video tape machine on a shelf below the TV. I remember this because this was the only color TV set up in the school. Every classroom had a late 60's vintage Magnavox B&W TV on a tall cart and each room had a cable TV connection so we were able to watch educational shows on our local PBS station. Every once and a while they would record a special show for us to watch and bring in the color TV/VTR cart but it was rare.

[@joyange1]

The name of the connector used for the video in/out on this machine is called a "PL-259". This type of connector was commonly used for video connections in the 60's and 70's before moving to BNC/RCA banana connectors in the 80's. It was also used for an antenna connection for CB radios as well.

[@VintageElectronicsGeek]

The earliest ad I can find on the VTR is from Sep. 1972, it sold for $1150USD, I have seen a few brief snippets as early as 1971, however I cannot confirm that. The Sanyo, I've not seen that configuration before neither, kinda cool! ~Jack, VEG

[@klafong1]

This VTR uses the same "electromagnetic brake" servo system to regulate the video head speed and phase that 1970s Sony U-matic VCRs would later use. Look around 17:50, and you will see a brief shot of the electromagnetic brake mechanism, which is attached to the video head's belt pulley. In operation, this makes a soft buzzing sound, as pulses of current are applied to the coil.

[@joyange1]

This is one of the main reasons why you had to replace the video head drive belt all the time. That breaking action would force the belt to slip and wear out. Kind of like riding the cluch in a stick shift car.. This method of servo control was used on all VCR/VTR units until the early 80's when they move to direct drive inverter VFD control.

[@organfairy]

Philips VCR-LP used DC motors without servo brakes.

[@lurkersmith810]

I'm amazed to see integrated circuits in that unit, because I remember that deck from my High School days in 1974. The words "Solid State" give it away as 60s and 70s tech, because that was on anything that didn't have tubes. But there were, indeed IC's in the 70s, and they were needed to keep the size of that deck as "small" as it was. We also had Shibaden decks, which were (mostly) compatible with the Sonys, though compatibility wasn't guaranteed. Amazing picture quality, which I suspect is better than when it was new because of the superior modern VHS tape. My fascination in school was with the camera, because they had a Sony, I think 3200 B&W camera that looked like a studio camera with viewfinder on top. I played with that thing for hours, whether it was recording or not. This was before VCRs, and I didn't know of anyone who had a VTR at home. (VTR stands for Video Tape Recorder, which was always open reel. The C in VCR stands for Cassette, and only applies to what we now know as VCRs.) You're right about the novelty of seeing yourself on a TV in the 70s. At electronics stores, such as Federated, they used to set up VCRs with cameras pointed at people as they approached the display because seeing themselves on a TV made them look closer, and maybe buy a camera and VCR together. (No camcorders yet, so you had to buy both separately.) Before VCRs were common, I do remember some of these Sony units for sale at traditional stereo stores, tucked away in a room with the really expensive equipment, but I think they were mostly used in schools and businesses. Speaking of the 70s, your voice makes me suspect you're actually Ron Howard. If so, you were great in Happy Days! ;-)

[@laranaarana]

My cousin had this cassette player back in the mid-80s. It was a good unit and she used it all the time（we were in our early 20s). Since I worked in a Radio Shack store, all the ones I owned were the Realistic brand.

[@lesstime1678]

if you call this a cassette player you call my ass a bass drum , RADIO SHACK ,,please no

[@kensims4086]

Radioshack blank tapes were the worst ever..

[@jean-pierremartineau4136]

Holy sh**!!! I had the exact same Sanyo "walkman"! I forgot about that machine!

[@marktubeie07]

When you spoke about your buddy from Australia, I am from there as well and most of our state schools had EIAJ Panasonic (National) machines, so I'm guessing that's why there are so many of that brand around Oz. There were Sony machines, but the models in some schools that had them were incompatible with the Panasonics, only later did they all line up, thus you were able to play your Panasonic tape on this Sony machine I'm guessing! I have so many tapes from my school days that I MUST get transferred, however they WILL need baking!!!

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

tubeie07 I'm sure it came in handy in taping school programming from ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation for those outsiders).

[@marktubeie07]

Yep, that's EXACTLY what they were for, endlessly... Nice pick-up!

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

tubeie07 No different from the schools up here that had U-matic decks to record PBS programs on into the 80's.

[@MartinWillett]

UHF fittings is the correct terminology for those screw-in leads. They are the same as is used in CB and amateur radio and will allow you to solder on plugs to whatever length of low-loss coaxial cable you need (i.e. as long as you need but no longer). Such cables can be bought on big reels if you need to use them for an extensive closed circuit system. Socket is SO238 and the plug is PL259.

[@NuGanjaTron]

Whoa! I've got the Euro variant of this model, the AV-3670 CE! It was a freebie saved from the trash. Came with the RF modulator installed. Works remarkably well for its age, although it also had same takeup issues you describe (had to lubricate the idler assy too). Sadly, the tracking meter is beyond repair -- its coil completely disintegrated. As seen in the video here, the picture quality is surprisingly good, infact superior to VHS in terms of perceived resolution and noise. While these things are meant to be portable with the fitted carry handle, they're really backbreakers! On my unit the black/red case looks more like black/maroon, though I suspect it's discoloured from age.

[@SchardtCinematic]

Could you imagine renting movies for this if this became a video standard for home viewing.

[@databits]

I think it would get a little messy with tape all over the room lol

[@AlexRutiaga]

I love golden metal pieces from the 70s

[@MarkShannonroad_videos]

8:22 Heck it! I will use that recorder to record copyrighted material! I'm a rebel!

[@databits]

Mark's Journey - Mark, I'm ashamed of you! Haven't I been a good example to you in my video?

[@ICanDoThatToo2]

But I can't use this machine for my own performances, cuz those are copyrighted by me. I have the authority to copy them, but they are copyrighted. This machine can only be used for public domain works.

[@stonent]

@@databits Yeah the first thing you did is pirated a copy of the Beatles singing, for shame, for shame.

[@databits]

stonent - MUHAHAHA!!!

[@2바이오]

@@stonent 소니 VCR 4년 전 댓글 143 Hello 머리지 더킹 오바이트 머리 지렛 세이프 하우스 VCR VTR s a n s e o 쏘리

[@TheKsax]

Mmmmmmmm, more vintage goodness. Keep it up.

[@dronetube]

100% fantastic video. My AV-3600 had the same problem with take up reel. Thanks for showing what to adjust. How about an episode about cleaning the heads?

[@databits]

Great suggestion! Unfortunately the machine is long gone. Just use a clean cotton cloth with rubbing alcohol on it along the entire tape path.

[@guitarbrad]

I had one just like this in the 80s with the AM/FM insert. But mine had stereo mics and could record in stereo. It came with a cool case/holder with a shoulder strap, and when worn under my jacket, it looked like I was carrying a gun!

[@databits]

Cool, thank you for watching!

[@DDVF]

We have a few of those Sony reel decks but rarely have customers who had that format.

[@Lagib28]

I recently picked up a 3600, the model right below that one for cheap. I haven't been able to test it yet, but the only visible problem is a broken cover latch. I took video production classes in community college in the mid-70's, and we used these and the porta-pak version, the AV 5400, I believe, to record our work. I still have my tapes, and I'd like to transfer them to some other medium, assuming they're still useable.

[@allanhazle-VideoGuy]

that walkman is beautiful lol, love the snap button case

[@MikeJones-do1xv]

Paid $10 for my AV-3600 a few months ago sitting in a junk pile at a swap meet. Also got the Sony video camera made for it in the box for $10. Had one in the early 90s and regretted getting rid of it in a move and have looked for another for years… but just about went into shock seeing that familiar brown and black case sitting in that junk pile that morning.

[@nihonam]

Beatles singing Twist and shout. Lennon can be read by lips: "c'mon c'mon c'mon baby now"

[@Dr_Lazarus]

Nice twist and shout video

[@ggklncnoifewAsdarp]

Please post the digitized version of the "found footage". Preferably using a TV tuner to avoid scan rate problems. (you have +1 subscriber btw)

[@tekener59]

we used this as a technological highlight in my school days - i left in 1975

[@kelli217]

Now that we can see the tape better, looks like the camera they used to make the tape with definitely used a tube pickup. :)

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

Kelli Halliburton I'm sure it was a tube camera anyway.

[@klafong1]

Yes, they would have used a vidicon pickup tube.

[@NuGanjaTron]

There was nothing else around in the early 70s. CCDs were still a long way off.

[@CesareVesdani]

I have seen VHS tape with giant reels for short tapes. How common are these on eBay or Amazon?

[@DoRC]

My guess is the connectors are called uhf because that type of connector is specified to handle higher frequency than coax.

[@sugarbooty]

Ultra high frequency

[@dhpbear2]

That audio problem may be due to what appears to be a missing pressure-pad over the audio head (16:26).

[@syxepop]

Wonder if in that portable cassette player Sanyo meant for the radio tuner to be an EXTRA COST OPTION... (and you could buy it with or without the tuner). That maybe the reason it has 2 SEPARATE model numbers. Very rare option in deed.

[@patrickjohnson5658]

I first saw a reel-to reel VTR in an episode of the Columbo TV series called "playback" which was screened in 1975.

[@kensims4086]

Jimi hendrix at woodstock was recorded on videotape from some guy on the stage. You can see him on the film version with his setup.

[@猪熊大介]

Once in Japan, there were AM stereo broadcast. But now it terminated.

[@RMoribayashi]

The UHF connector gets it's name from WWII era terminology. Back then anything over 30MHz was considered UHF. Ironically they're not used in modern UHF equipment because they don't have a constant impedance. In ham radio we always used the old Signal Corps terms PL-259 (plug) and SO-239 (socket). I hated them so much (they are a pain to solder and are not waterproof) I used to replace them with N connectors whenever possible.

[@dennissalamante6785]

nice reel to reel VCR.

[@PhysicalMediaGuy64]

Great video dude! :)

[@DanaTheInsane]

The lubricant in the motor is drying up maybe? Did a car tape player had that issue.

[@jaybrooks1098]

The vtr’s were in a episode of columbo. A pair of them.

[@wendellporter4875]

I have the sony av-3600, i started restoration a few days belts are fine for now i will have to find replacements, everything have been cleaned, oiled and greased and recapping will start soon, and i have a panasonic nv-3130 color machine arriving shortly both these units should do around 300 lines of resolution

[@C0mfortCruise]

Toshiba has a almost identical method for having a "removable radio" for models like their kt-vs1.

[@jeremytravis360]

A lot of the tape drive components evolved to be used in Analogue Reel to Reel audio recorders.

[@dhpbear2]

Wow. This unit looked barely used! No dust anywhere!

[@warrenmacdonald1372]

Databits, I had the AV-3650's less expensive entry-level brother the AV-3600. i acquired it from a school in Saskatchewan in 1984. The difference between the 2 was the 3600 had no "slow" control and no video dub as yours does ( audio only with meter ), and AGC only on video ( no manual ). They both ran at 190 mm/sec ( compared to VHS's 33.33 mm/sec ) so the linear audio was hifi capable. It worked perfectly until in 2010 when I "de-cluttered" my living space and it was unfortunately part & parcel of many electronic devices that I shed tears for ( along with that box of blank dictabelt records that i told you I'd look for, sorry )

[@databits]

I just acquired a 3600. Haven't had a chance to refurb it yet.

[@coondogtheman]

Very neat video tape machine. Does it use standard composite video and audio? I've never seen a radio module like that. Very cool walkman. I dug one of mine out that I've had for years. it's an emerson. model number is rubbed off. it was broken when I got it and I fixed it. The interference from the speaker is caused by the flashing lights. There's a chip inside that handles that. I have a toy guitar stack amp speaker that had red flashing lights that would flash to the music and when connected to a radio it would interfere with the reception unless its a strong station. I took it apart and bypassed and removed the chip inside and it works perfectly. I think I hooked the power LED to the flashing lights so they just light up solid when the power is turned on.

[@wildbilltexas]

I wonder what the tuner uses for it's antenna? The Panasonic & Awia recording walkmans I had in the 90's used the headphone cord. And its kind of rare to find a walkman with Dolby B.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

wildbilltexas My Sony Sportsman from the late 90's had Dolby B.

[@wildbilltexas]

I always wanted one of those. They were the waterproof models. I'm surprised it had Dolby B. I thought it was kind of pointless to have noise reduction in a Walkman because of their low watt output. And if you were using it outside or in a busy place you couldn't hear tape hiss anyway.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

***** I could. Here's what I had. www.radiomuseum.org/r/sony_sports_walkman_radio_cassette_player_wm_fs499.html

[@honestguy7764]

My father had one Toshiba walkman that uses the same cassette radio thing, but the dial was on the front

[@paulb4uk]

Love the video machine working great for its age shame nothing made now last us long.

[@jameswest8280]

Sony's R-R audio decks have the exact same idlers and configuration. It's like they took one of their audio recorders and slapped video head cylinder on it.

[@jameswest8280]

@@neilforbes416 Yeah, in VCRs they cant the drum so the spools can be kept level. I've heard many a customer say, "the thingy is bent.

[@jameswest8280]

@@neilforbes416 HAHA they have to tilt their heads to look at the tilted heads.

[@andygozzo72]

i have a smaller one AV3420, not yet working , with one tape, unfortunately not working, and tape friction seems very high,

[@MsJinkerson]

there is a trimmer pot in the player to deal with the flutter

[@michaelelsy2209]

I had a similar radio 📻 with my Toshiba cassette deck.

[@The_Laser_Channel]

did they make a color version of these? I love reel-to-reel stuff like this...wether it be audio only or audio and video...just fascinated with it :)

[@BlueNeon81]

Not sure about 1/2" VTRs, but Akai did their own VTRs, which used regular 1/4" tapes (of course with better oxide formulation) and one model, VT-150, was in color.

[@FoxRivers778]

So do you buy and fix up alot of old outdated electronics? Metal cassette tape was so doggone expensive. I never heard of a unit where the tuner plugs in like a cassette. That was different. I bought an audio reel to reel deck. My tapes were about 30 years old and squealed like crazy which is that sticky tape syndrome you mentioned. Man, there are alot of parts in that Sony VTR.

[@Consciousnyc]

Excuse me but what did you do to unstick the hinge? im having the same issue. Thanks

[@databits]

I'm sorry, which hinge was it?

[@gio048]

cool video🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@OldProVidios]

Check the pinch roller. it could cause flutter.

[@andrewdupuis1151]

i gress it hard find these now able play radio in them

[@jaybrooks1098]

They made another version that didn’t have a lcd indicator but a needle scale.

[@stephenulrich1638]

What output from the unit did you use (RF or UHF) and what input into the Sony TV did you use? The coax input, or did you adapt it to RCA?

[@jordanhazen7761]

Plain composite video from the SO-239 jack, I'd imagine, adapted to a modern RCA plug. Those large coax ports are sometimes called "UHF connectors", but don't actually output a UHF signal in this instance. The RS-170 composite-video standard (B&W predecessor to baseband NTSC) goes back to the 1940s at least.

[@AlexRutiaga]

You should digitize those tapes

[@gleetz]

I have one of these got it up and running but even though it’s running it does not show anything on the tape no audio or video Any ideas ????

[@databits]

It will likely need new capacitors. If stored in a hot warehouse all its life, there may be additional component damage.

[@fibrodad1354]

omg i had one of them, but it was black leather with silver writing...

[@andrewdupuis1151]

its so cool it can play video

[@TheGamerWithMore]

I wonder if it'll record Macrovision tapes?

[@UHF43]

If I'm not mistaken, Macrovision screws the video AGC on VHS recorders. This unit have manual video level, so it probably could record Macrovision protected material

[@HDXFH]

Same arrangement as my beta machines

[@HDXFH]

Boil the belt in water to restore it, then again, that only works on synthetic belts, maybe try rubber renue on this machine

[@PaulDebaecker]

♫ Twist 'n' shout!! ♪

[@ruikazane5123]

EIAJ standards are one of the best. #ItsaSony

[@gwernette5971]

where's the camera record?

[@DanaTheInsane]

I had a similar one in 81 or so I think.

[@vintagecameras9623]

thank you

[@databits]

no, thank you!

[@vintagecameras9623]

databits I laik this film:)

[@Rokios]

I'd love to get a VTR but unfortunately TV in NZ was all state owned until the late 80's with VCR's only being owned by 50% of the population by 1988 ( 1.64 million people) There are VTRs but they all belonged to the Government (TV), Universities, Businesses and ultra rich people

[@markanderson350]

Museum piece.. I assume B& W

[@databits]

+Mark Anderson - yes B/W

[@markanderson350]

You imagine recapping that? I cant believe the rubber is still good

[@AureliusR]

@@markanderson350 Absolutely no need to recap older gear that is working fine. Only stuff from the late 80s - late 90s needs to be recapped, because of the poor quality electrolytics capacitors made during that time. Older, well-made capacitors often test just fine. They are sealed properly and the electrolyte is still fine.

[@shadowshop1]

hi my dad and his mate did video weddings when video's like this were around seeing yourself on video was a big deal in the past tip get hold of a betacam sp i have 12 of them i use them for audio masting as the video is very bad on them danger they are heavy units alot of the old tapes are going bad having to bin old betamax tapes because of the drop outs very rare to see this video like this looking new like

[@databits]

Thank you for the comment and for being a subscriber!

[@Raw774]

That’s a lot of flannel and plaid. Definitely the 70s

[@TheVCRKing]

If you can record copyrighted material from a VCR to a VHS tape, why can't you do it on the Sony-Matic? Would the Sony-Matic notify the FBI if I do?

[@andrewdupuis1151]

its cool

[@NealClewlow]

UHF=Ultra High Frequency?

[@mal2ksc]

Probably not in this case. If it was an antenna terminal, that might make sense because analog TV used both VHF and UHF, but it's composite. Composite video only requires about 6 MHz of bandwidth, nowhere near UHF (300-3000 MHz).

[@davidkennedy8]

7:40 UHF= ultra high frequency

[@jameswest8280]

Originally used on UHF transmitters.

[@jordanhazen7761]

@@jameswest8280 well, back when "UHF" meant 300MHz at best... that connector, proper name PL-259(plug) / SO-239(socket) is actually kind of terrible for higher-frequency use, with high parasitic capacitance from the large center pin leading to high insertion loss. Still popular on ham-radio equipment for HF (

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

There must be someone who has VCR belts that they don't need or why not reach out to the television companies who might have spare belts that they have no use for.

[@GlutenEruption]

Portable? Lol. I guess it is portable in the sense that you can truck it to a port and load it on a freighter to ship it somewhere but other than that, I'm not so sure.

[@jordanhazen7761]

It looks slightly more portable than an original Compaq Portable computer :)

[@NuGanjaTron]

Hey, Sony conveniently provided a carry handle, so it's _meant_ to be portable. Too bad we're not all Arnies. ;^)

[@goldenboy5500]

there not going to arrest you for producing sound as long as you don't run the complete song you can use audio for demonstration and the most they will do is remove all audio and or remove video

[@jamesshulkind5077]

19:05 Pop Pop!

[@dannyjaar]

thats a bad thing in holland 230 volts only

[@MsJinkerson]

looks like a panel from a 747

[@killmore75]

chrome tapes don't last as long as metal tapes ; )

[@Vintaronica]

UHF (Ultra High Freqency)

[@michaelturner4457]

Hmmmm.. Oreo cookies

[@SuperJasonGold]

why does everyone say "this guy" ? wtf