Panasonic OmniMovie VHS HQ Camcorder

In this installment of Vintage Video, I test out the oldest camcorder I own, the Panasonic Model No. PV-520D Shoulder Mount VHS Camcorder. I explore the the camera features and shoot some outdoor test footage.
Operating Instructions have been photographed and uploaded HERE:
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#ThriftyAV #VintageVideo #VHS

[@ThriftyAV]

ThriftyAV has reviewed many camcorders and cameras. The full playlist is HERE: kzbin.info/aero/PL_6HOAybADu4X0Ou-gNr5r2TEpjUwRsj_

[@achillesarturo8816]

instaBlaster...

[@stacy3]

Thank you for your dedication sir

[@fueledbymusic3]

BOY, I know all about those! I had an RCA cpr250 from 1987. I paid $1000 for back then. After saving for like 8 months! My channel is filled with 80s stuff!

[@TwoQs]

Very cool thanks for the info. I just got one of these from goodwill for $9. Can’t wait to test it out.

[@ThriftyAV]

These use lead acid batteries that die over time and are expensive to replace. I use mine "wired" instead of with the battery, but otherwise all features work fine. I hope your $9 investment worked out.

[@alexciprian]

6:12 Haha I got a kick out the dog barking right on queue too 🤣

[@ThriftyAV]

I enjoy doing videos about vintage video formats, so this one was pretty fun for me. Thank you for watching and the comment!

[@kingharkinianmahboi]

I love old camcorders. This video is great

[@ThriftyAV]

Thank you, sound effect, for those nice words. I'm always seeking out vintage camcorders to feature on this channel.

[@platinumorange1]

I just pulled mine out of storage. My parents bought it for me in 1991 ahead of my Coast Guard trip to Antarctica. I wish I knew where that tape was!

[@DG-ss1gc]

That footage actually looked fantastic !

[@WSNO]

I prefer shooting VHS over HD digital, as i enjoy the experience more and find the camcorders to be an accessory i like to have with me. My go-to camcorders tend to have the same core as this Panasonic; the one that gets the most use lately is a General Electric. I am also liable to be found with VHS-C palmcorders, Sony Handycam Video 8 systems, home consumer Video Camera and Portable VTR sets, and camcorders with off-kilter branding like Neman Marcus and Canon when i find them. I collect industrial grade recorders but often keep them for studio use, not on the town shooting. I do still like my film, so you will also catch me with super 8, and still cameras frequently. I try to post as much of my general footage, edited or otherwise, on this channel as possible. When its edited, its using analog hardware such as Videonics.

[@Nathriel]

Awesome! My family used a similar model from this video recording family reunions every year until just before COVID; I plan to get it from them to replace the aging capacitors, recalibrate, and purchase an aftermarket battery. My movies are all laserdisc and VHS and I use CRT televisions- gotta love the perfect black/white contrast ratios. I collect vintage HiFI stuff, but actually repair and use it for fun. Glad to know there's people like me out there who love older tech too. I like it because it is so tactile with buttons and switches- everything today is just so sterile with touchscreens and all.

[@thecalebjones]

The pride of a perfectly timed dog barking in the background 😂

[@dylangerety]

Just picked up one of these at a local flea market for a song. Beautiful camcorder! Thanks for the demo!

[@sheilatorres5312]

soo nice to meet people on youtube that love digging into these topics!! i'm about to buy my first vhs camcorder, and i can see you have a dvd-corder(? as well on the back, i've ben wanting to ask someone about them for a while... do they work? what are the common troubles you can find with those? EDIT: Nevermind!! I just saw you posted a video about them!! thank you!! going to check that one XD

[@pengoe222]

Thank you very much brother

[@fresh_labz1015]

I can't believe my mom had to carry that around filming my dad before he went to Syria to fight Saddam Hussein

[@ThriftyAV]

Family memories are worth the trouble of preserving them. I hope you have transferred those tapes to a modern format.

[@kodyolejnikmusic7643]

I have an RCA Autoshot. They didn’t stop making full size until about 2000 or later. I remember when I was only a few years old people still had them about 2007-2008-2009 but I haven’t really seen anyone use them after that.

[@ThriftyAV]

I'll take your word that they were still made, but not for consumers shopping at Best Buy, Circuit City, Service Merchandise, Target, or Walmart. Those were the stores I visited when I bought my Digital8 in 2000. The options I found were Video8, Hi8, Digital8, VHS-C, SVHS-C, and MiniDV. Professional full size SVHS could be mail ordered, as could other pro formats. This might also have been the case with full size VHS.

[@sferg9582]

I have a similar model to this one but it also has a secondary camera and some quite useful KEY effects and wipes and fades of various patterns. It's been sitting in the case for years now and I'm not sure it works but maybe someday I'll just give up and sell it.

[@GAT-AT]

excellent review thank you very much

[@kwacz]

holy crap. Its been so long since ive seen a vhs camcorder recording i forgot how crappy they were. Back then, this was state of the art.

[@marcdaigle7701]

These oldies electronics are great, aren't they..?

[@ThriftyAV]

Agree!

[@ajsteen6961]

Question: How do you hook up the panasonic omnimovie to a computer so that you can dub videos digitally? thanks!

[@ThriftyAV]

My preferred method is to record to a dedicated DVD recorder using an RCA patch cable, then rip the DVD. I like having the DVD copy, but this introduces an additional step. A more direct approach would be to use a video capture device with a USB interface. I recently found a Diamond VC500 at a thrift store, but I haven't tested it yet. A search of "USB video capture" on Amazon revealed quite a few choices. You want to pick one that uses RCA cables that hook directly to your Panasonic Omnimovie. Searching Amazon, the lowest cost one I found is called a DigitNow for $10. www.amazon.com/USB-2-0-Audio-video-Converter/dp/B06XJKSJZ8/ I would suggest reading reviews on a few of these before making your decision. Recently the KZbin channel Technology Connections suggested using an RCA to HDMI up-converter coupled with an HDMI capture device for a high quality conversion, but the combination of these devices will run about $95. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHSYi6Vpg6hlhrs

[@peterjamesmmbago4433]

I don't why I like formats that are outdated

[@cantbuyme80s]

Mine won’t turn on. I tried charging the battery but nothing. I’m so confused ha. Should I try to buy a new battery.

[@ChadCWatson]

I just bought this same camera off Ebay since my original family camcorder was stolen. There is something wonky going on with the white balance on it.

[@TheWatchFrogs]

hey I have a quick question. Does the microphone not work unless you're recording? I connected this exact camera to my PC and am using as a webcam, but it doesn't pick up the audio at all. Any ideas? I'm assuming the audio is only captured if its recording...

[@carollaurence8368]

hi .I have a problem. My battery in my Panasonic cam recorder is stuck in it as it was but in wrong direction .would you have any tips for getting it out?

[@grantelliott7158]

Dear nice

[@DynamicSu]

I need help on a cam recorder I have I have one that is called x6 zoom solid state CCD VHS Movie and I wondering if there’s a way I can know the year it was made

[@ThriftyAV]

If there is no branding (Panasonic, Sharp, JVC), then it is probably a store brand like Sears, Montgomery Ward, etc. Older camcorders usually have a small plate on the bottom with a model and serial number, sometimes with a date of manufacture. If there is no date, I would google the Model Number and see what you can find. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

[@MichaelAZarate]

This stuff is great

[@kwacz]

does the battery have to be in it to run it off the adapter / charger combo. I dont have a good battery and when i try to run it off the adapter alone, the adapter cuts off then back on everytime i try to power on the camera.

[@RickKanga]

thanks very insightful

[@_Bettydigital]

I thrifted this camera (body only) any suggestions on how to get a wired plugin so I can turn it on?

[@zaniyastafford6012]

Hey I just got a Panasonic omnimovie pv-100d camera with x6 9.6v battery’s but idk how to charge it do I need the ac adapter to charge the camera or whole new batteries

[@ThriftyAV]

My Omnimovie came with a PV-A22MD AC Adapter/Charger, this charger also has RCA A/V ins and outs for the camera. The adapter can operate the Omnimovie without a battery, and this is a good thing, as I do not have a working battery for this camera. For my demonstration, I had it plugged into the entire time. Even with a new battery, you will still need the ac adapter to charge the battery. I understand that some GE models have adapters that are compatible, but I could not find any specifics on what AC adapters are compatible on a web search.

[@zaniyastafford6012]

Do you think that adapter is compatible with mine

[@ThriftyAV]

@@zaniyastafford6012 Go to 4:22 on this video, and take a look at the connector on my Omnivision. If the connector on your camcorder matches, there is a high probability that the same AC adapter will work.

[@TheKarriganTaylor]

Will the light under “charge” light up if the battery is in place or will it light up when it’s done charging?

[@ThriftyAV]

I do not have a working batter for this camcorder. When I use it, it is always plugged in. Sorry I cannot help with your inquiry.

[@jackrabbit4907]

i can seem to find the info in the manuel.Does someone knows what kind of cable it takes to sync this device(pv-810) with a vcr? it looks like a male to male 1\8 cable,by looking at the hole and from the drawing in the manuel.Thanks

[@englishbannana1232]

I have a panasonic omnimovie afx8 camera and it works but i ejected the tape and now it wont close. Any ideas?

[@emilyfilippo]

I just got one of these and it didn’t come with the charger but it came with a battery. Should I buy that power adapter thing? Would that charge the battery?

[@ThriftyAV]

Yes

[@ddgunghetto4160]

can you send a link to the vhs tape please I just got this camera

[@chickenfoundation9323]

Just bought this exact model for $10 unfortunately the power light on the power supply isn’t turning on and can’t charge the battery and test the camera so have no idea if it even works

[@cidajesus7303]

how awesome!!! I have one of these! but it is not working the battery part! what do I do?

[@ThriftyAV]

If you have the battery charger, it also works as a power adapter for this camcorder. You will be tethered to a power source, but it should still work.

[@bill-nj6fc]

what is the tracking buttons for

[@bill-nj6fc]

how do you charge the battery

[@semisweetchocolatechips]

i bought one for 20 and no matter what i do, i can’t see anything through the viewfinder. everything works perfectly, but it’s not functioning to see anything. so incredibly heartbroken.

[@TheWatchFrogs]

You might need to adjust brightness like he did in the video

[@fivestarstudios3878]

does it need to be plugged in to work?

[@ThriftyAV]

Batteries for these old camcorders are getting pretty hard to find, and when you find them, expect to pay $40 or more. So I had to plug mine in to get it to work, as the battery that came with it will not hold a charge.

[@PhearaXT]

My dad have this camcorder but the battery is not working.

[@ThriftyAV]

Yes, the batteries for these old camcorders have a shelf life that has long expired if you are still trying to use original equipment. There are a few specialized retailers who will sell you compatible batteries for this old gear, but you could easily spend as much or more for the battery than you would for thrift shop camcorder!

[@marcdaigle7701]

If you look at one of my Camcorder Videos, you may find an option for your battery.

[@Laughedmyassoff]

your local batteries plus may have one I recently had to purchase one due to my cameras battery not working also found the bad boy at a local thrift for a whopping $4 one of my more favorited finds