Hi Mark,

I have converted a couple of pairs of Altec Lansing speakers from the USA to use here in the UK. The frequecy difference is of no concern as the power is converted to DC straight after the transformer anyway.I chose to replace the transformer in the subwoofer unit rather than use a step down transformer as the replacement transformers are quite cheap and a lot neater that having to use a bulky stepdown transformer. I sourced the transformers from Maplin Electronics in the UK and they cost about £12 and were physicaly the same size/shape as the original. Just make sure the seconadary windings are the right voltage and do not supply significantly more current that the original which if i remember is marked on the transformer itself.

Hope this helps.

Brett

I have a very good condition sony VO7630 U matic deck for sale, this is the record / play version. The deck has been hardly used, any reasonable offers considered. Please reply by email or call 07949 085178.

Just some thoughts in general, i still think this place could do with a Video 8/Hi 8 page, 1 inch section and (one i'm rahter fond of myself) a M-II section. I don't know if it is in the planning, but i'm willing to help on all three...

I agree with Walter.

I have a 5850 recorder. I've been using this device since November. When I try to put color bars on a new tape, the picture comes out distorted with colors flashing in and out constantly. I've cleaned the heads but it still comes out the same. Any suggestions?

How does it play-back a pre-recorded tape?

I am looking for a manual for the 1984 JVC CR-6650U 3/4" VCR. Any ideas?

Thank you, Katinka

A pre-recorded tape plays back fine. As a precaution, we also cleaned the head on the play deck 5800.

Im looking for a lens for a 2/3inch ccd sony camera? Also a good tripod or just pan/tilt head for an eng camera. Peter.

Carl,

What about worn video heads? One of the first things to happen with video heads on their way out is recording problems.

BJR a tous je recherche schema pour camera sony DXC-M3 merci de vos infos sorry for my englich please for my schematic for sony camera DXC-M3best regard ....

A jean francois balavoine

"BJR a tous je recherche schema pour camera sony DXC-M3 merci de vos infos sorry for my englich please for my schematic for sony camera DXC-M3 best regard .... "Je pense que votre M3 Sony est le version secam, n'est pas?Si vous appelez un ami de moi, mailto: [email protected] je peux qu'il a un livre pour le version M3A Pal.

I just got a BVU 800 and would like to contol the deck with time code into my Mac G4 computer.I have serial control into the computer thanks to the Stealth serial port but I don't knowhow or if I can make it read time code.There are timecode in/outs on the back.The time code light lights up on the front but the display just is showing sounter numbers.

The timecode out should output timecode irrespective of the ctl read out at the front, provided that the timecode reader board is present in the machine, (TC13 for playback or, and I doubt it is fitted, TC20 for full TC generation and playback,the latter showing timecode on the display when timecode has been recorded on the tape). If the light is on I would imagine that there is a timecode board present, but you really need to test the output with a timecode reader for LTC which is the standard for u-matic machines. If you need a timecode board I have new TC13 boards in stock. http://www.u-matic.com

Thanks Rolland,I need to have the RS422 remote carry the time code signal.Would the TC 13 do this?And how much does it cost.Thanks againPaul

Looking for a Bvw-700 wspl or a Bvw-790 wspl..Any Info would be appreciated..

Thank You, Chad A.

i need the schematic diagram for ha-6 stereo amplifier(hitachi)it is some one to help me? thanks...

Hitachi sceme's?. Have you tried Hitachi Densi GMBH in Dortmund?

Does anybody have an opinion on how the recording quality of a 5800 compares to that of a 9600, 9800 or a BVU series? The recording quality is critical for the reels I'll be making -- I'd appreciate any experiences/opinions.

Thanks

I'm looking to buy a deck that has RS-422 deck control if there are any sellers out there.

Hi,

What type of lens mount is used on a Hitachi FP-7?Will the lens from a FP-7 fit on a Sony DCX-M3?If not anybody got a lens to fit a DCX-M3 going cheap?

Many thanks all,

Brett

As the lens on the DXC M3 camera is now the only component of any value - I doubt it! Your best shot is to purchase another M3 camera complete with the lens. Have a look at the U.S. eBay site and see if there are any NTSC versions going cheap. The lenses will interchange with the PAL model. http://www.u-matic.com

Hi Bob,

My experience is that SP gives a visible better picture than low-band.If the recording quality is critical, go for SP.I can't tell the difference between the professional VO-9850 and the broadcast BVU-950 when I look at the pictures. I do think that the video signal of the BVU-950 is "cleaner" and more stable on the oscilloscope and vectorscope. But maybe that is my imagination.

The main difference between the type IX series and the BVU900 series is the electronic components qaulity and the loading mech. The 900 has a pure broadcast type of durable loading mech, headdrum servo system whilst the type IX has a less advanced system. The 950 (and it's DT brother 970) are the best ever made U-wrappers. And i don't think it's your imagination on those vectoro- and oscilo- scope read outs

I am a french student and I need to know if the U-matic can be used in PAL, SECAM and NTSC or just on of them.Please give me an answer, it's for my studies.Thank you.

I'm looking for a portable NTSC recorder

eg: umatic NTSC portapak vhs NTSC portapak NTSC camcorder of any kind

If anyone's got something like this kicking around do get in touch.Thanks,Chris.

Impressions on recording qaulity?. Well the basic series 1000 and 2000 record lowband, and due to their age they will give picture qaulity just above VHS. The 5000 and 7000 recorders give a very good and decent picture wich exceeds video(hi)8, (S)vhs and substain copying better then SVHS and Hi8. The U-matic-H (standard Highband) exceeds SVHS and Hi8 both, where the U-matic SP system exceeds SVHS/Hi8 by far. If you wish to have a better qaulity then U-matic, you'll end up with DV , Betacam SP or M-II

Does anyone have info about the Hi-Band mod for 5800/5850?

Well howdi partners! Nice talking to you!What are u up to you guys! Me, not much! U must check out U-maticChat Page, it's fun!

Thanks for the info. Does anyone know what the VO9600H is? I see the VO9600P on this website, but the H looks different. An H is available to me cheaply, but I'm not sure if I should buy. I just need standard, lo band NTSC recording/playback.

Thanks

The H on the 5800 is a black and white Highband model. It was used at hospitals and industrial video application wich required high resolution. I don't know what a 9000 series H is. Probally a hybrid system with bigger bandwith audio tracks or a modified machine wich has the same head as the 5800H.

Hi I have a small sound studio, running Cubase5, Soundforge5 on PC, with all the basic equipment needed to record, master etc.I am totally new to the Beta scene and would like to know what would be the most cost effective way for me to have a Beta system up and running. Would it mean syncronising my current set up to a Beta machine, with a TV screen? I have no idea! I would like to be able to do voice-overs/music to existing beta material, master it and have it ready for the client in Beta format.Any info would be much appreciated.ThanksCraig

Bob, if you check Walter's message posted on the 5th of May, I think you will find that the "H" signifies that the machine is a hospital unit and that it only records in monochrome. Perhaps Walter can advise as to that particular model. There is a Quantel effects unit being auctioned at http://www.u-matic.com for the benifit of anyone interested . I will be happy to answer anybody's queries etc. regarding this item.

Well hi there Craig,

Complex stuff syncing sound to picture - and probably something best left to the client unless you think you've got the guts to tell them that in the course of laying-back the mixed track you've accidentally wiped the vision too! :)

You'd need a controllable Beta deck that is capable of frame accurate audio dubbing and RS232 control, something like a Sony BVW70 or BVW75. But these cost a bomb - second hand and pretty beaten up you're still looking at dishing out £4000 to £ 8000. And remember Beta is a steadily dying format - how long will your client continue to be using it?

When I have to send out a programme for post-prod audio or music to picture I usually burn an AVI (at 25fps) with a 44.1Khz soundtrack (both separate and interleaved with the picture) that can be layed straight onto the timeline of Cubase (getting rid of realtime capture). Maybe your client could burn an AVI and guide track to a CD for you? If they can't then look at a basic BVW22 or UVW1200 Beta player and get a video capture card for your computer to make your own guide AVI. If the client is supplying a near completed programme they should be able to get your mixed track layed-back to the master at their edit facility. You'd just need to burn a disc from the timeline.

...just a few things to think about before making a large investment in kit that isn't going to be with us for much longer. Hope that's of some help.

Lally...

If your deck is a French one (which I presume it is) It will ONLY record in SECAM. However, ALL U-matic decks regardless of local standards can playback SECAM tapes on a multistandard monitor (most, if not all domestic TVs and monitors made within the past fifteen or so years can display SECAM pictures) But remember to clearly mark your tapes as SECAM so the recipient can flick the switch over on the front of their player and/or monitor

Now then - has anybody out there got a power supply/charger for a 1979-80 Sony DXC1640 Trinicon camera? I don't know the model number but it needs to go from 240vac to 12vdc @ 1A.

Also I'd love to hear from anyone with an Ikegami HL79D, alive and well, with lens, viewfinder and power supply that they wish to dispose of cheaply (it is 22 years old remember!!!). Also looking for BVU950P or VO9850P (very, very, very dirt cheap) and a Sony BVM1302 19" rack monitor in decent nick. I don't have any transport but would naturally cover delivery costs.

Drop me a mail - Ta Muchly.

Hello U-sers,

I am looking for up to four Sony BKU-701 RS-232 Cards, Can anyone help me find them?

Thanks in advance,Kris MerkelTVCA Operations Coordinator503-629-8534 [email protected]

Good morning, just stumbled across your site, I have some items you might be interested in. I work at Richmond Upon Thames College in Twickenham as a media technician and have a variety of old Umatic machines to dispose of as well as around 70 or so used cassettes. Ok I have a JVC cr8200E, vd5800, cr6600e, cr6650e, cr8250, and a vd5850 with an unknown audio fault. How about a JVC edit control unit rm-86u ? a sony auto edit control unit rm-440 ? Rolec pmx62 audio mixer ? and last, but by no means least a Teac 6 channel 2a mixer. If anyone is interested in any of these items email me and we'll have a chat. Nick T

Hi, I have some SONY professional equipement to sell. · Sony Vo-5800 video recorder – go see specifications: http://umatic.palsite.com/vo5800spec.shtml · Sony Vo-5850 video recorder – go see specifications: http://umatic.palsite.com/vo5850ovi.shtml · "Automatic Editing Control Unit RM-440" - · all the cables required · black and white monitor · about 50 Betacam tapes of different timing everything is in perfect shape and i can delivered anywhere near montreal. Right now on the market the price is about 3500$I ask for it only 1500$CAN for everything (it’s a good deal!) For anyone who like to have more informationPlease just contact me at

I am looking for like new condition u-matic. I would prefer Sony. Who can I call?

Ghostbusters! http://www.u-matic.com

Kent - There are very few 'like new' machines around these days (U-matic was last in regular daily use about fifteen years ago) If you want a decent one you'd better try LRC (London Repair Centre) at http://www.lrcvideo.com they're pricy but being an engineering company they do all come with a clean bill of health and you can be sure they'll work. Also try Forward Engineering who also ocassionally have a cleaned up deck or two.

I'm still after a power supply for my Trinicon. As well as an Ikky 79'I'm also after a Sony BVP330 and Hitachi FP-C1 but basically anything shoulder-held. Thanks.

i have on sale the following: 1 Hitachi FP 10, (with with viewfinder from Z one C and lens) 1 Panasonic NV-9400 (without PSU, but chargable from anything 12V, with battery). Camera comes with an polymer hard case (flightcase quality) and a recelled battery. Sony VP9000 (NTSC), JVC low band player. I have sold both Hitachi/BVV5 combo's and the Ikky/BVV5 combo!.

Hi! I'm a total technophobe so bear with me. I have 2 U-matic machines that i brought back from the U.S. and would like to transfer material onto pal vhs format with time code burn in & character generation. I'm trying to find the most cost efficient way of doing this without sacrificing quality(I presume I would need convertor, dual monitor & character generator) Any suggestions on what equpment & where to sourceit.I'm also looking for the best way to power the machines given the voltage differential between UK & US. Any input would be appreciated.

Hi again.I'm also looking for a place to service my u-matics in the Manchester/Cheshire area Any suggestions. Thanks

Hiya David,

Blimey - that's quite a tall order, more to the point how the heck did you manage to get two decks all this way - talk about excess bagage!!!!! :)

Depending on how many tapes you need to copy it would probably be easier and cheaper to book in at a facilities house at off-peak time. It depends what types of decks you have, as far as I know only the Series-9 and decks with the BVU800 /900 prefix had seperate timecode outputs, but unfortunately I do not remember these providing a picture with burnt-in code, just the raw timecode data for an edit controller. You'd have to buy a seperate timecode reader (I think they were made by Avitel and Sony) but where you'd get one these days I haven't a clue.

However, if the deck is Series-9 or BVU800 /900 it will have an LED display on the front showing the timecode. If you've got, or can borrow, a vision mixer with a wipe facility you can hook up a camera pointing at the display and do a split screen between that and the output of the deck. Not a bad little work-around.

As for standards conversion look in the back of a magazine like Camcorder User or Video Camera - they've regularly got ads for basic NTSC to PAL conversion (make sure this is for transfering material and not just viewing it) and they are priced at £299.99. Keene Electronics Mail Order can help with these, they're on 01332 830550and their catalogue also includes basic VIDEOTEK caption generators (about five or so fonts in eight colours).

If they're beyond your budget check out websites like http://www.bblist.co.uk and search around for something like a 'For-A' caption generator or an old 'Riley Cap-Gen' (white on black 'video-typewriter' from the late seventies). They're ultra-low tech but will do the job and most people get rid of them for pocket-money prices. Don't buy an Aston no matter how cheap - they are SERIOUSLY BIG units!

I don't know about your decks but on mine (which are PAL) the little silver tag next to the AC inlet socket says 110v - 240v which says to me it should work with both voltages. BUT DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT! On the larger decks there's usually a little screw-cover next to the power supply fan which will let you select which voltage you want them to work on (it should look rather like the red slider on the back of your computer's power supply unit). That should slide from 110v to 240v (after you've unplugged it!!!) and the deck should be ready to work on our power. If the sticker says 110v ONLY or there's no red slider then look at http://www.maplin.co.uk for a voltage converter. I don't accept any responsibility for you frying your machine if you get it wrong, but then you have got two of them to go at :)

I had a mate who was a DJ (not the brightest guy I've ever met) who brought along all his gear to do a disco on a cross-channel ferry. It was a brilliant explosion when he switched on the power for the kit which he had somehow managed to attach to the ferry's internal three-phase supply, bad idea! :)

Hope that's of some help David.

For sale : Sony BVT -800 timebase corrector. In very good condition, works fine. £ 675 or 2,500 dutch guilders.

I've just found this site. Congratulations to everyone onboard who is interested in the older video kit. I dipped my toes into the video field when I traded my Braun Nizo Super 8 for a Sony FI and HVC3000 combination. Bought most of the accessories whenever they went out of fashion. Followed this up with a new C9 which unfortunately has died following the breakage of a plastic loading cog (value 0.000001yen) which is now unobtainable, as per information gleaned from B1. Any broken C9s out there for parts? Wanted: 1.any information on the old Video 8mm V200 camcorder? 2. I'm also looking for a servicable HVC4000 camera as the 3000 was lost. Regards, Alan.

BVT500P timebase corrector and service maual. Good order @£125

BVU110P portable umatic converted to SP hi Band. With Full Time code boards.and service manual .Very good pictures. Price£ 200. Also sony SP Umatic Line Up tape.This is the proper 20min tape from sony to set up your equipment (cost£ 200 ) ., for sale £50.

Hi,Does anyone know if I could creat an NTSC VHS copy with timecode displayed from NTSC U-matic( VO-5800 or VP7000)The timecode does not have to sinc up with the U-matic - it can be individually generated or is this impossible.Thanks, Technophobe

Je recherche deux magnetoscopes U-Matic VO7630 en tres bon etat.I am searching for two VO7630 U-Matic type VCR in good conditions.Fabrice

I LOVE THIS SITE! but this chat page is pretty horrid.. would anyone be interested (SITE ADMINS TOO) for me to create an EZBOARD making navigation of this place a little easier? it would only take a few seconds on my part and it's totally free!

if anyone is interested.. check out:

http://pub79.ezboard.com/bumaticwebboard

i hate spamming, but i hope to bring this discussion area to a place where it's easier to read and organize. i make no profits, money, etc off the ezboard site. i'm just a u-matic user too!

Hello all,

I have a VO-5800 that has dropout problems. I've tried adjusting thedropout sensitivity, but can only reduce the dropouts to small bright "specks" much like satelite recption noise. The image is clear andsharp otherwise. The dropouts are not random, they occur in the sameplaces on the tape. However, the same tape plays back fine with nodropouts at all in my VO-8800. Could it be the heads? Bad Delay line?Tape Tracking?

Anyone in the U.S. have an NTSC umatic alignment tape they would liketo sell at a reasonable price? Sony wants over $450, Ouch!

Great Site!

Thanks,

Preston

Is the lower drum undamaged?

Lower Drum looks good, no noticable wear on the helical groove.Dropouts most often appear in the upper half of the screen.

REF: JVC GX-N70E Looking for a manual please. I inhereted this camera from a relative, all I have is the Cam, Viewfinder, Mic,Battery, Charger & Leads, but none of these connect to each other. I spoke to JVC, who said this camera is about 13yrs old and needs an adaptor tu use on todays VCR's or a U-Matic vcr.Any help, Info or messages of encouragement will be most appreciated.if all else fails I will have to keep playing with my Sony DV Camcorder...

Could anyone recommend a place to service NTSC machines(VO-5600 & VO-5800 ). North of England would be ideal. Thanks

Mike - I have looked at your trial ezboard. It looks very similar to Videofile's site. How do you imagine that it is easier to navigate with all the log-ins and passwords etc? And who the hell is tyler durden?

ahhh you don't need a password to use that board at all.. i changed that option.. that Tyler Durden signature is a reference to the movie "Fight Club" :) i've never been to the other site you mentioned, i just thought not having to scroll through 10 screens of one page would be easier and make relevant topics a bit less of a chore to reply to.

Does anyone have any information on an hitachi ha-6 amplifier(any specs at all thanks!)

Hi all there!I was given a set of U-Matic Rec/Players VO5800PS, VO 5850P and a remote-control unit RM 440. But there´s no remote-cable between the Rec/Player and the RM 440.Here in Germany it couldn´t find one. Maybe anyone has layin around some . . . . At a fair price?

Thanks, Klaus

Hi there,

I just bought a Umatic Sony 5630 player wich i only want to use to play some american course material. All the tapes are KSP-60 and there is nothing written on it. When i play the tapes i only get black and white picture. I tried the PAL and the NTSC switch on the front of the machine. There is no picture when i switch it on NTSC and black and white on PAL. Is there any one who can help me to get the color pictice on my screen. I am using a video cable directly from the player to my TV. ( i am using a bnc to tulp converter on the backside of the player)

thanks Roy

This is way off base but I really don't know anybody in England. Anyway, besides u-matic I am very interested in buying a double decker bus. Does anyone know where I can get a good used one, How much they go for, and any idea how I would get it to the USA???

Thanks for any help.

John Freitas

Roy - sounds like one of those 5630H medical machines. Is the model 5630H or 5630P (PAL) or 5630A (NTSC)? John, I will make enquiries about the bus. You don't want an MGB sports car by any chance?

Roy - I just had a thought - the tapes could be in highband format and you are trying to play them on a low band machine. Check them out on a BVU or 9 series player if you have access to one.

<<I was given a set of U-Matic Rec/Players VO5800PS, VO 5850P and a remote-control unit RM 440. But there´s no remote-cable between the Rec/Player and the RM 440. Here in Germany it couldn´t find one>>

Klaus - try eBay.com in the Professional video boards, you wont get them free, but a lot cheaper than Sony or a dealer.

Mike,

I agree with you but I think that folks here like low tech, why else would we be using these old U wrappers :)

My biggest beef is not the layout, its that you cant use HTML here, which really limits my creativity :)

>If you wish to have a better qaulity then U-matic, you'll end up >with DV , Betacam SP or M-II

I'm curious about digital 8. I see you can get cameras now for £350.Where does the quality of this fit in the spectrum?

I've just started playing with video the last few months.

Someone gave me this old tv camera.I think it might be tube based? It's very old and long, and it is black and white. Might have been designed for security applications but it used to be connected to an Apple II!!!

I love my old camera! :)

How does the resolution of cameras work. I mean if I connect a camera to my computer or to a video recorder, is the only limit in resolution the recording medium? Surely there must be a limit to what the camera puts out?

Also I get a slightly wierd effect where a bar of distortion moves up the screen. Anyone know why?

I presently have my camera connected to my computer via a cheap and nasty tv card. I'm using a bit of old network cable connected to a phono jack to connect the camera. I recently bought a real video cable from the car boot sale but this seems to give worse results than my network cable and the network cable is nice and long! :)Any idea why this is, do you think that the signal from the camera might be too strong.

Also what kind of cameras are used with umatic equipment. I never see any mention here of cameras? Did umatic cameras tend to be based on a single CCD. I notice that most cam corders have sort of washed out colour. It's a big distingishing effect. Is this because they only use a single CCD? Or something else?

Sorry if I ask stupid things. I'm not so up on video but I'm trying to learn.

I'm also wondering whether to try and track down old UMATIC equipment or to attempt to do something with VHS. I have some found some old VHS equipment people were throwing away recently, but obviously it's for domestic use, could I do any kind of editing with this? I've not tried anything yet, I know it wasn't designed for it but maybe I can push it into doing something good somehow? And hey the videotape is cheap! :)

Any suggestion or observations of any kind are welcome! :)

Does anyone have a Studio 400 setup?I bought a mixer unit from a carboot sale recently (I didn't really know what it was) and I don't have any software for it and it seems impossible to download software for it. I expect it is preety useless without the special wire thing but maybe I can use it for titling or something?

Can anyone help me with the software?

I have just obtained a Sony VO-2630 U-matic video unit. The machine is not currently running, I am wondering if anybody could help me with an instruction manual to start with. Id also like to acquire a service manual, at some point, or would be happy to aquire one if I cannot get an instruction manual. Anything that would help me work out what is wrong with the machine would be much appreciated.

Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Just wondering what the weight of a large size umatic cassette tape and case are- I just bought 35 tapes off eBay and I think my seller is trying to screw me on shipping-

Tape and case are roughly 700 gram. (Sony KSP60).

Looking to purchase panasonic WJAVE55 AV mixer, nearly new/used or totally second hand.

Anybody help?

Freya,

The resolution of VHS is 250 lines (colour and b/w). The resolution of U-Matic low-band is 250 for colour and 280 for b/w. There are old tube based securety camera's that put out more lines than 250 or 280. But there are also tube based camera's that put out a lot less. If it is one off the first CCD camera's it will probably put out less than 250 lines and it will be "blind".The average video monitor has a horizontal resolution of 300 lines or less. Only the broadcast and top professional monitors show more than 400 lines.Your television also has a bandwith of roughly 300 to 400 lines with a perfect input signal. ( good Areal or satalite).Although VHS hase the same bandwith (horizontal resolution) as a U-Matic low-band, the U-Matic will give a better picture. Horizontal resolution is important, but not the only part that determines the quality off pictures.In your case the computer card is probably the "bottleneck". Only good quality (usually expensive) computer cards have a bandwith close to 300 lines. But I am sure that there is someone on this chat page that is able to tell you a lott more about this subject. I have never used a video/tv card.The bar can be an earthloop or a faulty supply in the camera.Check your camera on a battery operated monitor connected to the camera. If the bar isn't there anymore you have an earthloop from the computer to the camera. But I suspect the camera supply. Check it out.You should use 75 ohms screened cable. If this isn't working the input of the card isn't terminated with 75 ohms or the output of the camera is faulty. Network cable is 60 or 90 ohms I am not sure.60 Ohms should work but 90 ohms can give visable reflections.Some camara's have an output signal superimposed on a DC voltage. Maybe (although I find this unlikely) your card doesn't accept that.Most camera's used on U-Matic used to be 2 or 3 CCD camera's but again, there is probable someone here that knows more about the history of U-Matic. I started using it when it already was on its way out (relatively cheap, good quality and reliable). I wouldn't use a one CCD camera when you want to edit the material. The colour separation (washed out colour) is much better when using two or three CCD's.If you don't like editing on a computer and want to edit on tape (lineair), don't use VHS. And don't use consumer equipment but industrial or professional. Industrial or professional VHS Editing equipment is very expensive. If you have enough room to use U-Matic I think that is the way to go. Sometimes you can buy a complete U-Matic editing set for NZ$1000 and sometimes even less. This is an edit controler, player and recorder with the cables. A VHS editing recorder alone is more than twice the 1000 dollars. And used U-Matic tapes are not expensive.It was a long story, but you had many questions.

>The resolution of U-Matic low-band is 250 for colour and 280 for b/w

Does it have a special mode for b/w then? Do you flick a switch and get more lines?

>Only good quality (usually expensive) computer cards have a bandwith >close to 300 lines. But I am sure that there is someone on this chat >page that is able to tell you a lott more about this subject.

Well it will do quite high resolutions if the processsor is fast enough. Higher than 640x480 as I remember but my computer isn't that fast.

It's a good tip about the earthloop. I don't have a battery powered monitor so I can't test it but perhaps it will give me some ideas.

Heres a strange thing. It has 3 connectors on the back. They are all the same kind of BNC connector. One is the composite video out, another is labelled HDV or something and I can't remember what the other is? I'm kind of curious what they are. I'll have a look when I get home and copy down what they all say next to them.

>You should use 75 ohms screened cable. If this isn't working the >input of the card isn't terminated with 75 ohms or the output of the >camera is faulty. Network cable is 60 or 90 ohms I am not sure. 60 >Ohms should work but 90 ohms can give visable reflections

Well the strange thing is that the network cable seems to give better results than the video cable! Both work, but the network cable is longer and works better, which made me wonder if the signal was too strong for the tv card and the extra signal loss in the network cable helped?

>Most camera's used on U-Matic used to be 2 or 3 CCD camera's.

Neat! Maybe one day I will see one for sale! I only ever seem to see cameras without portapaks for sale tho, and you can't really tell what they are, umatic or anything!

>The colour separation (washed out colour) is much better when using >two or three CCD's.

That's how I thought it worked! One CCD for each colour so nicer colours. But how does 2 CCD's work? Does that mean that one of your colours is more washed out than the others?

Oh I don't mind editing on a computer at all. In fact I'm thinking that if I can get the money together, then I might buy one of these digital 8 camera's for £350 and get a cheap and nasty firewire card, and see what I can do!

>Industrial or professional VHS Editing equipment is very expensive. >If you have enough room to use U-Matic I think that is the way to >go. Sometimes you can buy a complete U-Matic editing set for NZ$1000 >and sometimes even less.

I just have some old VHS recorders I found in the rubbish and I was thinking I might be able to use them in some kind of primitive but useful way. I don't have the kind of money to buy the kind of thing you are talking of I think! I would just go down the digital 8 firewire route, but I don't have that much money either! Ack.

I'm just trying to make video with whatever rubbish I can find. So far I'm getting suprisingly good results for what I have. You probably wouldn't think they were good results, but it's like the singing pig really, it's not that it sings well, it's that it can sing at all! I'm having lots of fun with it and I think it would be fun to try some more things so I'm asking strange question and trying to find out how I can make the rubbish that I have work better.

I don't think UMatic is worth it unless you can find it very cheap because non-linear editing is getting so cheap now! It seems daft to pay some huge amount for UMatic when DV and firewire are so cheap.

BTW Rein thanks ever so much for your message.Here are some still images I took with my video camera a while back,you can see the banding effect:

www.geocities.com/freya128/photo/Freya2.jpgwww.geocities.com/freya128/photo/Freya_Pengy7.jpg

Oh and heres a bit of video from when I was playing, you can't see the problem much on this but you can every so often:

www.geocities.com/freya128/video/For_Tess.avi

"It seems daft to pay some huge amount for UMatic when DV and firewire are so cheap." Freya - have you tried the chat page at the DV and firewire site?This is the U-matic site at the end of the day. We will let you know when we are putting some kit in the dustbin.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>Freya - have you tried the chat page at the DV and firewire site? >This is the U-matic site at the end of the day.

That sounds really interesting! Where is it?

>We will let you know when we are putting some kit in the dustbin.

*giggle* Please do!I'm still considering UMatic because it is available cheaply but I'm wondering how sensible it is given that nonlinear editing is soooo cheap. (Say £350 for a digital 8 camera and £70 for a firewire card)

What does anyone here think?One obvious advantage is the limitations of time/size when working with firewire, Presumably UMatic can do up to 1 hour without problems?

love

Freya

There are 3 connectors on the back of my video camera:

VDHD/VSVideo (This last one is the one that I am getting the video from)

Another advantage of UMatic is no DCT artifacts. :)

I am looking for a battery unit and/or power supply for the Sony VO6800. Any suggestions??

Hi Freya,Yes, there is a special mode for black and white (switch). It hase to do with an electronic filter in the colour section.

The other connectors on the back of the camera are in and output for horizontal and vertical synchronisation pulses as far as I can tell. So not much use to you.

There isn't such a thing as a "U-Matic camera". All video cameras are interchangable for VHS, U-Matic, Betacam, Betamax,....etc.

A one CCD(or tube) camera hase got a special optical filter in front of the pick-up CCD/tube so it is possible to make two colours and the Y signal (y signal is black and white signal). The CCD filter is different from the tube filter, but the principal is the same. You can make every possible colour with (for instance) Y, R(red)-Y and B(blue)-y.This optical filter isn't ideal. The cameras resolution decreases and colour separation isn't perfect.With two CCD's(or tubes) you do not need the special filters. So resolution and colour separation is better. The three CCD camera makes three primairy colours instantly(R,G,B). You do need (colour)filters to direct blue to the blue chip, red to the red chip and green to the green chip. But these colour filters will not decrease the resolution.

Don't forget your memory capacity with non linear editing. To get the same output quality as U-Matic without to many unwanted digital effects you stil have to spend a lot of money.When I look at broadcasted programmes there are stil a lot of these unwanted effects. I also see this on terrestrial transmissions.And the broadcast standard is the highest standard! (Consumer...industrial...professional...broadcast). Maybe I "spot" these unwanted effects much faster because I am a technician and do a lot of editing. If this isn't a big issue I would certainly go non lineair.Advantages are: Lots of effects, faster (only for bigger productions), smaller and the energy consumption is a lot less. The editing suitte I am using consumes close to a 1000 watts when I am making A/B rolls with titles! (It is nice and warm in winter time). Effects are fun for a while but they don't make an avarage production a good production and after a while you won't be using them anymore. Just look at TV programmes. Only some commercials and most music videos use effects. And they are not necessaraly the better productions. Sometimes I think it is the other way around. Lots of effects can make it look like a first time wedding production or home video. I personally want to wait a little bit longer also because I already have a good working lineair editing suitte which I really enjoy working on.

I would like to hear other opinions!

Now I've looked at Freya's jpegs I can see why you're being so helpful,Rein.

Ich habe eine Sony VO 9600 , 70 Kopfstunden , keinen Kratzer einfach Top Zustand für 550 DM plus Versand zu Verkaufen.Wer Intresse hat meine Nummer lautetD-03301/ 526160

>Now I've looked at Freya's jpegs I can see why you're being so >helpful,Rein

Ya! I know, bad quality, that's why I was asking, but I did pick those pictures because they showed the problem. You are right tho, I probably need a lot of help but I am only just begginning.

I get the impression you are a bit down on me Roland, it's true I'm not super knowledeble but everyone has to start somewhere. :(

>The other connectors on the back of the camera are in and output for >horizontal and vertical synchronisation pulses as far as I can tell. >So not much use to you.

How strange! What would you sync it to?

>There isn't such a thing as a "U-Matic camera". All video cameras >are interchangable for VHS, U-Matic, Betacam, Betamax,....etc.

You mean they have interchangeable porta paks?Surely some cameras were made to work purely with U-Matic setups?I was kind of hoping I might be able to pick up a cheap 3 CCD camera somewhere.

I missed out on a really nice SVHS camera in a nice silver box with all bits for £50 on the carboot sale on Saturday. :((((It made me very sad and was only made up for a little by finding a *real* Furby for sale! Yay!

>A one CCD(or tube) camera hase got a special optical filter in front >of the pick-up CCD/tube so it is possible to make two colours and >the Y signal (y signal is black and white signal). The CCD filter is >different from the tube filter, but the principal is the same. You >can make every possible colour with (for instance) Y, R(red)-Y and B

But what about Green? Does the camera default to green, that would explain the sort of greenish tinge on camcorder footage. The Y colour is green and red and blue are generated?

>decreases and colour separation isn't perfect. With two CCD's(or >tubes) you do not need the special filters. So resolution and colour

Oh I think I see, you never really see 2 CCD cameras these days.

>separation is better. The three CCD camera makes three primairy >colours instantly(R,G,B). You do need (colour)filters to direct blue

Yay! I want to find a cheap 3 CCD camera!

>Don't forget your memory capacity with non linear editing. To get >the same output quality as U-Matic without to many unwanted digital

Yes you need a lot of hard disk space to do any length of time. I think on PC's there might still be a problem with the 2GB limit on AVI's although I heard they did away with this in Active Movie 1.0??

>effects you stil have to spend a lot of money. When I look at >broadcasted programmes there are stil a lot of these unwanted >effects. I also see this on terrestrial transmissions. And the >broadcast standard is the highest standard! >(Consumer...industrial...professional...broadcast). Maybe I "spot" >these unwanted effects much faster because I am a technician and do

I think you might be talking about digital artifacts. This is a big advantage of UMatic over DV and the like. DV uses a kind of lossy digital compression called DCT which is the same kind of compression used in JPEG files, It can have similar digital artifacts. .jpg files usually have these artifacts a lot worse because the compression is turned up much higher. Almost all digital formats are now using DCT compression. I understand Avid is M-JPEG based for example, and MPEG2 based broadcast standards also use DCT, but what if a new digital format comes along that uses a new and more advanced form of compression, everyone will have to take their data and re-compress it again, they will have all the DCT artifacts, and all the artifacts of the new system! As U-Matic is an uncompressed format, it doesn't have this problem.

I also wonder about line drawn animations, I suspect they might look awful on DV compared to UMatic, if we look at a sort of .jpg versus .png parralel.

>making A/B rolls with titles! (It is nice and warm in winter time).

*giggle* I needed that last winter!

>Effects are fun for a while but they don't make an avarage >production a good production and after a while you won't be using

Yes like fonts in DTP! ;)

>or home video. I personally want to wait a little bit longer also >because I already have a good working lineair editing suitte which I >really enjoy working on.

If it aint broke don't fix it! :)Digital equipment gets better and better and cheaper and cheaper, so the longer you can hold out the better.

Actually I've been looking at the archive and there are some people using a mixture of U-MAtic and non-linear editing. This has me really intrigued. It seems like it might be a really good option, and the people seem to be reporting good success. I was so shocked to see someone using a computer worse than mine! A Cyrix 200 with a Buz card and a umatic set up and very happy with the results! Hmmm interesting!

Anybody have any observations or interesting experiences on using computers with U-Matic equipment?

Good Morning! I have two questions about a VO-4800U. Has anyone had problems with low audio output on both channels on this machine? The Audio head is clean and when recording the level is good. Also could you inform me as to what size tapes this machine uses? Small or Large.. Thank You!!!

I have several U-Matic machines including VO5800, VO5850, BVU 800. I like everything about them except for the fact that Y/C separated signals are not available. I shoot some of my material in Hi8 and then transfer it to the U-Matic for editing and other post production. The problem is that you loose one of the advantages of Hi8 when you do this and that is the lack of intermodulation between the color sub carrier and the video.

In order to solve this problem, I designed a Y/C separator card that permits both recording and playback of S Video signals without ever going to composite. The card has two standard S Video connectors and is wired into the recorder/player on the playback and record video boards. The results have been very good and the dubbing quality is the same as using "DUB" mode between the 5800 and the 5850. The main advantage is that morre patterns that plague composit video do not occur with S Video.

I am thinking of packaging these cards along with installation instructions and selling them to U Matic owners. If there is any interest, please let me know.

Chuck [email protected]

I would like to know if you are talking about NTSC or PAL and if you'r going to and from 627 and 924 khz to 4.433 mhz. (low-band and high-band(sp)).

Rein

Has anybody else received the following email from Nigeria that starts "NATIONAL ELECTRIC POWER AUTHORITY50 MARINA,LAGOS. P.M.B. 20275,LAGOS.TEL: 234-1-7747650 FAX:234-1-7596290

TO:THE PRESIDENT/CEOFROM:DR ABUS EGUARE

BUSINESS PROPOSAL" - if so do not be tempted. This scam has been featured on British national television and featured people who had lost vast sums of money by participating in a scheme that appeared to be lucrative. I assume that my email address was obtained from a site similar to this one or perhaps ebay.

Hi Freya,

You can sync the camera for instance to a computer. Or the other way around, the computer to the camera.

Interchangeability is depending on the connector (14 or 26 pin for instance).

The Y-signal is a black and white signal. Black is the absence of light (colour) and white is all colours mixed together. And with red, blue and y (black and white) you have all the information you need to make every available colour in the spectrum.

For instance the Panasonic WV-F70 is a dockable two CCD camera. Sometimes for sale for not too much money and the quality is good enough for S-VHS or U-Matic. (Be sure that it comes with the lens and the adaptor or recorder).

Yes, I was talking about digital artefacts. I don't think you will have any problems with line drawn animations when using DV. When you are using composite the difference between U-Matic and DV is very hard to see. But when you are using the "fire wire" the DV should be better.U-Matic is loosing a lot during editing. So if you are able to import original U-matic footage in to the computer without too much loss your end result will be pretty good. I don't have any experience with that. I have been able to "play" with Panasonic professional and broadcast DVC and the composite quality looked the same as the U-matic SP quality that I am using.

By the way, another advantage of the computer I forgot to mention is titles.

The cards I designed are in NTSC machines. However, it should work with PAL signals also. If you have a PAL Hi8 or SVHS machine or one of the digital camcorders with S video output and you are transfering to a PAL 5800 or 5850 it should work. I picked up a PAL machine and may try it just to make sure.

I am now making one for the BVU 800.

Chuck Ivie

>>>I was so shocked to see someone using a computer worse than mine! A Cyrix 200 with a Buz card and a umatic set up and very happy with the results! Hmmm interesting!<<<<

That was probably me ..and quite a wee while ago too <g> The cyrix was replaced by a K6-2/550 system which continues to work well with the BUZ. The BUZ has a new friend in the shape of a firewire card. Umatic footage and DV is freely mixed using Media Studio Pro 6 or Premiere 6 I'm slowly moving away from Umatic as an origination format and onto DV ..but yes NLE is the ideal way to edit Umatic; cheap easy and good.

Matt

Hello,I have a large quantity of used U-matic tapes (large and small) to give away. Is anyone interested ?

For sale VO-7630. Good condx. Little use. No faults. Offer from good home invited. (my location Cornwall UK)

>For instance the Panasonic WV-F70 is a dockable two CCD camera. >Sometimes for sale for not too much money and the quality is good >enough for S-VHS or U-Matic. (Be sure that it comes with the lens >and the adaptor or recorder).

Oooh I want to keep an eye out for one of these! If I find one, maybe it will make up for not getting that SVHS camera! :)

Thanks again Rein! :)

>That was probably me ..and quite a wee while ago too <g> The cyrix >was replaced by a K6-2/550 system which continues to work well with >the BUZ

I've heard of a lot of people having trouble with the Buz!Is it all lies?

Nope! the BUZ is a very touchy card. It's fine in a dedicated edit machine but seems to argue with things like modems and sound cards; it can also be upset by changes to systems made by games... When it's working it's good; very good for the money.

HiI have had some used U-matic SP tapes just come in if any one is interested they are priced at £2.50 each for the portable tapes & £3.50 for the large 60 minute tapes. prices for 10+ is £2.00 & £3.00 each.Also have VO5630P U-matic machines for spares or repair at £50.00 each, all prices plus VAT.RegardsSteve

Hello Boys, I would like to meet new boy friends and i hope your one of the million boys around searching for your girl friends. I will be waiting here.See ya....