Recorders, Phonographs and Small Electrics
These are items that I have picked up over the years but felt they had some value to keep. Some may be of value but I list them here for nostalgia.
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Table of Contents
Collection Links
Page 1: Vintage Recording Electronics: RECORDING ELECTRONICS
Page 2: Phonographs: PHONOGRAPHS
Page 3: Vintage Electric Items: SMALL ELECTRIC ITEMS FOR HOME
Page 4: Vintage Technology Light Bulbs: VINTAGE LIGHT BULBS
Early WYSIWYG "What You See Is What You Get" Digital Cameras
Sony Mavica Digital Cameras made in the mid 1990's
Sony introduced the Mavica digital camera line in the 1980's. In the 1990's the Mavica camera became more of what we see as a digital "point and shoot" camera with a electronic view finder. These early digital cameras used a floppy disk as a storage media. The last of the Mavica line added a Sony memory stick.
SONY CD Mavica ( 2001-2003). This replaced the Floppy Disk Version and instead incorporated a mini CD. Looks like a large digital camera. The CD Mavica was the last of the Mavica series and was soon replaced with the Cybershot series which used flash card system.
SONY MVC-CD250 (2002)
SONY MVC-CD250 (2002)
FD200 showing choice of floppy disk and memory stick
LEFT: FDC200 (2000) with 2 megapixel resolution, 5 second video mode, and choice of floppy disk or memory stick storage. The last of the Mavica line in this configuration.RIGHT: FD7 (1995) with 0.25 megapixel resolution, floppy disk storage and 10X zoom. One of the first Mavica in this configuration.
BACK SIDE: Left FD200 and Right FD7
Magnetic Recording Items
PORTABLE REEL TO REEL TAPE RECORDERS
Sony TC-102 2 TRACK Reel to Reel Portable Tape Recorder (1961). Made in Japan
HYBRID- Vacuum tube and transistorsOne of their early portable reel to reel units and sold in the US as Sony/Superscope. Early Sony tape recorders used vacuum tubes like this one. Has two speeds (3.75 and 7.5 in/s)
This model illustrates the forerunner of the Sonymatic drive system and has VU meter (early models used a magic eye tube), tone and manual recording level setting.
Sony TC-900A 2 TRACK Reel to Reel Portable Tape Recorder (1969). Made in Japan TRANSISTORIZEDOne of the last portable reel to reel as Philips's invention of the Cassette Recorder was a practical choice in portability. This unit has two speeds (1.875 in/s and 3.75 in/s).
Video Cameras and Camcorders
Video Cameras require a separate recorder and playback unitCamcorders integrate camera and recorder/playback in one unit
CONSUMER VIDEO CAMERAS
RCA BW-004 Black and White Vidicon Tube Pickup Video Camera (1979-80)Early home video equipment were expensive so a budget user would buy a black and white as color was prohibitively expensive and large. Early video camera were simple, optical viewfinder, pause and record button and the lens was operated manually and would need a separate monitor to get proper focus and zoom;
Barren of features. Similar to the old Kodak Brownie Box Camera. Original price around $300.
Shown with power supply, cables and supplied screw on TV lens. Standard lens was a wide angle.
RCA CC001 Color Video Camera (1981) with Vidicon color pickup tube. First Consumer Color Video Camera (Joint venture with Hitachi LTD)
For those who could afford this, this was the beginning of video home recordings in color. The standard lens is a manual focus wide angle lens. Optical viewfinder is standard but electronic viewfinder was available as an option.
A bit more sophisticated than the black and white cameras. Has blue and red compensation, power and remote indicators plus indoor/outdoor compensation (crude iris control). Has built in mike but external mike can be used.
1981 Price$ 829.50
RCA CKC-020 "Small Wonder" (1984) First Consumer total solid state video camera using a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) pickup. Joint venture with Hitachi LTD.
The "Small Wonder" features built in CRT viewfinder with vision compensation and brightness, microphone, manual focus and motorize zoom. Has macro feature, remote and low light LED indicators in viewfinder auto and manual iris and manual white balance.
1984 initial price $995
VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER
Panasonic AG-6400 Professional Portable Stereo VHS Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) 1988, Mfg Matsushita Electric, Osaka Japan
This when connected to any standard commercial or consumer portable video camera witt record and playback video and sound from the camera. The professional series has more features and built more rugged than standard consumer version. Very expensive when purchased new. Can be operated on direct AC or with rechargeable NiCad or NiMH batteries.
Connecting the video camera to the portable VCR.
Using the Combo. If you are doing an event can get tiresome! I had a few tired shoulders and sore necks!
Using the Combo. If you are doing an event can get tiresome! I had a few tired shoulders and sore necks!
CASSETTE RECORDERS
Philips invented the cassette and the recorder back in 1963 with the model EL-3300. Philips called the tape unit, which they called the "Compact Cassette". The Norelconame was used in USA because Philco sued Philips over name similarities.
Norelco Carrycorder (Philips EL-3302) Cassette Recorder (1965-1967). Made in the Netherlands. Sold in USA, an upgraded version of the world's first cassette recorder.
SONY TC-100 (1966) Cassette Recorder. SONY was the first Japanese Company to be granted the Philips License to manufacture the cassette recorder. The entry turn out to be a big winner. The TC-100 was a quality built product and had better sound quality than the Philips/Norelco. SONY would later invent the famous Walkman personal player line from this technology.
Radio Cassette Recorders
Have been around since the late 1960's. Over the years they have grown from basic mono recording am/fm sets to stereo recording and am/fm stereo sets. Some even featured dual cassette, one to record and one for playback for double play and high speed copying. Production from major electronic manufacturers ceased around 2012-13.SONY CFM-165TW FM/AM Cassette Recorder Boombox with TV/WB (1992-93) China MONO player and recorder.
Plays old analog VHF TV band and Weather Band. Has a Tone control also.
Plays old analog VHF TV band and Weather Band. Has a Tone control also.
Compact Cassette Recorders for Lectures and Interviews
Compact Cassette Recorders for recording lectures and dictation were available in the 1970's. They were expensive and the quality was not very good. When the micro cassette recorders came out the quality and features on these recorders got much better. They peaked in quality when the digital recorders came out in the late 1990s. In 1978 the first Sony Walkman was a compact cassette recorder and was the only one that recorded.Panasonic RQL-30, RQ-383 and RQL-31 (Matsushita Electric, Japan)
The RQL-30 and RQL-31 (left and right respectively) are full feature mono recorders. These were sold between 2002-2010 and were some of the last cassette recorders made by a major manufacture. Both feature LED battery level indicators (L, M and H), built in mike or jack for ext mike, true cue and review functions, tape counter, voice activated mike sensitivity, and quick pause. The RQL-31 has X1 and X3 record/playback speed and HI/LO Mike sensitivity. The RQ-383 has the same features as RQL-31 but is autoreverse. Probably sold around the late 1990s to 2000.
Panasonic RQ-A200 Compact FM Stereo/AM Stereo Cassette Recorder (2003).
Matsushita Electric made a mini boom box that is loaded with little switches and controls plus a built in microphone packaged in a compact cassette body. Has two speakers, but if you want to listen to FM stereo got to put the headphones on because it doubles as an antenna. Has a 3 LED battery indicator. Runs on 2 AA Cells.
MINI CASSETTE RECORDERS
Philips also invented the mini cassette. Its main purpose was the compact size for dictation and voice memo device. Tapes look like cassettes but about one-fourth the size.Compact Cassette Recorders for Lectures ans Interviews
Norelco (Philips) LFH-0085/58 World's First MINI Cassette. Made in Austria
Norelco LFH-0085/64 (Philips) Upgraded version of the LFH-0085/58. Made in Austria.
Comparison
MICRO CASSETTE RECORDERS
Introduced by Olympus Camera, is the last mass produced recorder using magnetic tape. It differs from Philips/Norelco Mini Cassette in that is is basically a mini version of the cassette, You can tell the difference by looking at the face at the top of the microcassette. There are NO guide holes to secure the cassette.
Sony "Mic'n Micro" M-100MC Microcassette Recorder. Made in Japan.
This model is a full featured model. Requires 2 AAA cells.
Two speeds 1.2 cm/s and 2.4 cm/s.Cue/ ReviewLED Battery Level StatusRecording sensitivity LED indicatorTape counterVOXFast Playback3 level mic setting (lecture, meeting and dictation)Foldable stand.
Two speeds 1.2 cm/s and 2.4 cm/s.Cue/ ReviewLED Battery Level StatusRecording sensitivity LED indicatorTape counterVOXFast Playback3 level mic setting (lecture, meeting and dictation)Foldable stand.
Sony M-200MC AUTOREVERSE Microcassette Recorder. Made in China
All the features of the M-100MC plus ZOOM setting for microphone (extends extra inch) and autoreverse mode.
Toshiba RT-M33 FM/AM Micro Radio Cassette Recorder
Micro radio cassette recorders are rather rare since their main function is to record voice for dictation or meetings.
COMPARISON between Cassette, Mini Cassette (lower left) and Micro Cassette
Video Camcorders with Tape Drive Storage
Analog Video Processing
Panasonic PVL-580D VHSC "Palmcorder" Solid State Camcorder (2000), Matsushita Electric, Osaka Japan
Camcorder folds up to fit in a smaller camera bag, and minimizes damage to viewfinders and playback monitor.
This is one on the last models using the VHS/VHSC format. This is fairly compact compared to other models and features a CRT and LCD electronic viewfinder that doubles as playback monitor, auto focus, white balance, and iris. Has x18 analog and x150 digital zoom. Built in lens cap with on screen counter, timer, battery status and other features
Digital Video Tape Drive Storage
Panasonic PV-GS39 Mini DV Solid State Camcorder (2011) Matsushita Electric, Osaka Japan
This was one of Panasonic's last model as the even smaller camcorders using digital flash memory were moving in fast. Has a lot of features including interactive menus on LCD viewfinder/playback monitor to do a wide variety of specific things when recording and playback like color tint, video resolution, time and date stamp etc.
The Mini DV or DVC (Digital Video Cassette) still uses a magnetic tape cassette housing, but will record in digital rather than analog as in VHS and VHSC camcorders. Result better quality pictures, better transfer and smaller size cassette. Problem is that other than the camcorder there was no inexpensive external media that plays them. It was common to transfer them to VHS tape or DVD through a recorder.
Flash Memory Digital Video Cameras (DVC)
Advantages- small, lightweight and flash memory can interface with a computer or HD television/monitor. Giant leap in quality of video. Lack of a motor allows smaller battery and longer running time between charges.Panasonic HDC-TM60 (2010-11) 2/3 inch 3 megapixel 4 LUX sensitivity CMOS Pickup DVC, Matsushita Electric Japan (2010 price $499)
High Definition DVC 1920X1080, Interactive LCD screen/viewfinder. built in LED video light, motion stability correction, X35 digital zoom and digital still camera. Size 4" deep, 2.5" high and 2" wide. Use built in 16 GB internal memory or up to 64 GB flash drive.
Panasonic HDC-TM80 (2011-12) 2/3 inch 1.3 megapixel 7 LUX sensitivity CMOS Pickup DVC, Matsushita Electric, Japan (2011 price $499)
High Definition DVC 1920X1080, Interactive LCD screen/viewfinder. built in LED video light, motion stability correction, X42 digital zoom and digital still camera. Size 4" deep, 2.5" high and 2" wide. Use built in 16 GB internal memory or up to ext 64 GB flash drive. Similar to HDC-TM60 but more interactive menu and feature, but Panasonic compromised this with lower light sensitivity.
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Showcase and Rare Find:
Showcase and Rare Find:
Vintage 1980s Hughes Electronics Helium Neon Laboratory LaserHughes Aircraft Company had many divisions. Carlsbad, California was their electronics group that made lasers. Before the LED laser which can be purchased at a fairly low price, low power lasers were a vacuum device filled with inert gases of helium and neon. To excite the gases to form a plasma beam a high voltage source was required. Shown below is a complete low power HeNe laser and power supply.
