Well - that last message, presumably prompted by an innocent mis-interpretation of the term "palsite", seems to have shut you all up for a couple of days. Perhaps you are all on holiday?

Hi,

I am a uni student, and have a PANASONIC F10 video camera for sale. It is excellent condition, and is complete with power-pack. Any reasonable offer considered. Are you interested? Then email me please.

Cheers

Where can I find a quick and dirty summary of umatic machines-where I can buy them, if I can convert umatic tapes to VHS, etc. I'm trying to get a macine for my dad who has tapes from the 70s. Thanks.

I just got a Convergence ECS-90 edit controller for my VO5800 - VO5850 edit suite. It works great but it has a number of features including time code generator/reader that I don't know how to activate or use. Is anyone out there familiar with this controller or better yet, does anyone have a manual? The company that made it has been bought out and the new owners don't have records that go back that far.

Chuck Ivie

...No we're all out in the back yard fighting over this madwoman who thinks blokes with a VCR fetish are sexy!

Hi

I'm having a problem with my U-matic editing set-up. Its the standard VO5800 /50 with RM100 controller connected with a dub cable. The rushes are on low-band (the playback machine has 3 lights, 2 red for SP and High and a yellow for low - the VO5850 only has High and SP.) and I am trying to edit to a high-band striped tape.The image does record across (yet the record monitor is in black & white - could be an unrelated problem, perhaps?) but when playing back on both the recorder and when swapped over to the playback deck the screen will turn to black after 2 or 3 seconds. I know the image is recorded in full because it will roll back on screen when in search mode.

Any ideas would be most gratefully recieved.

MatLondon

Charles,

Do you know if the set-up of the ECS 200 is the same? I have an ECS -200 with the users and technical manual. On the ECS -200 you can use the timecode option which is a seperate rack named TCR-100. (That wasn't with the unit.) Is that also the case with the ECS-90?

Mat,

You do realise that you can't dub low band on a high-band striped tape and the other way around? The colour frequencies are different.(627 or 624 KHZ for low-band and 924 KHZ for high-band and SP if I am not mistaken) By the way, I didn't know that writing a black-burst on a tape to prepare it for insert editing is striping. I often wondered what it was called in English and always used to write on the tape "blackened" which I knew didn't sound right. But English isn't my native tongue. (But you must have noticed that already).

Hello, Everyone. I am new to the Umatic scene. I am needing to edit video of church services to televise on local cabel in the US. Can you tell me what model Umatic I would need and where to start looking,what are reasonable prices, and what camera formats can be converted to Umatic format. Thanks a bunch!

We always called the process "blacking", but that was if you were recording black. I assume "striping" is the recording of colour bars which was often an alternative preparation of the tape prior to insert editing.

Dear Rein

Thanks a million. I knew I was just being dim - I just couldn't figure out where. I shall go and get me a Low Band striped/blacked tape and get me some editing done! I've always called it "striping" just as a general name for preparing an edit tape, but I suppose it must arise from the colour bar (which, incidentally is what I still use.) Thanks again.

Ps. I also got me a Sony 3CCD camera and a Hi Band portable recorder. What would you say is the equivalent format today and how does it compare? Looks pretty ok to me.......somewhere in between DVPro and Beta perhpas or am I wildly off the mark. I also must take into consideration putting it through post effects like Cinemotion for example?

Thanks in advance.

Mat

Hi Mat,

Maybe this is a bold statement, but I think that you will not see a lot of difference in picture quality between DV, betacam and U-matic SP/high-band.Provided that you are using all three on composite and on an average professional monitor (350/400 lines). Your TV in the lounge has an absolute maximum of 320 lines when receiving perfect signals.Often the limiting factor is the picture tube in a monitor which allows you to go up to 400 lines. Only the very expensive broadcast grade monitors exceed 400 lines.So if you have a camera/recorder that puts out 500 lines and a camera recorder that puts out 300 lines on a monitor that only will show you a maximum of 350 lines you will not see a lot of difference between the two. But when you need to edit your material it is much better to edit Betacam, MII and DV.Betacam and MII are able to be edited using the component video signals and DV can be kept digital during the editing proces. Unfortunatly you have to edit U-Matic using the composite signals and that is where you will loose a lot in signal quality. So with U-Matic it is imperative that your original material is good or very good.Also the modern camera is much more light sensitive. So you need a few kilowatts more light with an "old" DXC -3000 /VO-8800 against a modern DV camcorder for instance. (Not kidding). But the end result will be allmost the same.

Rein

Excellent! That last sentence was just what I wanted to hear. Many thanks for all the advice and your time.

All the best.

Mat

London

I am despretly seeking BKU-701 boards for Umatic decks. Please let me know if anyone has any available to sell. Will make great offer for any and all of these boards. Please respond ASAP.Thanks in advance,

Elliot WesenTiltRac Corporation 800 -601-6991

I have a Sony VO6800 with a tape in it and the "slack" light blinking. As far as I can tell the tape loaded and threaded normally, but I cannot play or eject the tape. (Have tried various combinations of buttons and power to no avail. Eject button goes down, but the tape does not release.) As I remember, the manual offers a remedy for slack tapes, but I no longer have the manual.

Any suggestions for getting the tape out short of hammer and chisel? Anyone with an old manual who can look up the slack tape remedy?

Michael Morris4003 Gilbert Avenue #6Dallas, Texas 75219-3817

214 528 [email protected]

I'm looking for an RF modulator for the Sony VO-5600.

I have the same problem as Michael Morris. Would appreciate any help. Thanks

Hello out thereI'm transferring u-matic material to beta( vo-5800 to uvw1800 )and have some dropout on the u-matic. Can anyone recommend a tbc with a drop out compensator that would help to improve quality. Would a For.a 210 do the job. This is all in NTSC by the way.

I'm working with a lot of umatic masters and I need some questions answered. This is for archiving so I'm wondering how long these tapes are good for in climate controlled conditions? At what point do we need to switch to something more modern, i.e. Beta Cam or Mini DVD? Some are on Umatic, some on Umatic SP and some on Umatic Hi and Lo. What are the differences?

Gotta question, if anyone has time. What form of PAL is used in Hong Kong? Is it the same for VHS and DVD?

Hello

Does anybody have or no of some Sony BVT 810p timebase correctors for sale.

Regards

Man, Ive been gone only a month and look what Ive missed!

- someone devised a card for SVHS/Umatic interfacing (I emailed about that, I think he is a customer of mine!)

Links to and pics & Home Movies!

...and it sounds like Roland is jealous of Rein - get over it!

Its good to be back!Dave

Hi all!

Sam2Man -

You'll be pleased to know that PAL is PAL across all tape and disc formats.

Thera -

U-matic cassettes are as rugged as the machines that record them provided they are ALWAYS REWOUND and ALWAYS stored VERTICALLY. I've been transferring about 40 tapes for a recut of an archive TV programme, some were left un-rewound since the original online edit in 1985!!!! These were virtually unplayable and full of dropout but the ones stored correctly looked like they'd been recorded yesterday -and I'm viewing on a broadcast grade monitor. The archival stability of Mini DV is yet to be known (I presume you meant the DV cassettes as opposed to 'DVD' discs - professionally replicated ones (not 'burnables') should hopefully last 50-100 years). I've had varied results archiving on Beta, Fuji and Sony tapes have still been good after ten years but my Maxell ones are full of noise and dropout after only three years. Atmospheric conditions also play a major part in tape decomposition. If there's a lot of pollution, dust, cigarette smoke and so on then you can store tapes in airtight plastic bags (provided there's low humidity otherwise you'll get a bake-in-the-bag effect!) In short if U-matic is your house format then keep on using it until your machines pack up.

Michael Morris / Don -

I had the same problem with a 4800 portable years back. You should be able to remove the rear panel from the 6800, unscrew and flip out the PCB on a hinge and rotate one of the tape transport wheels manually until all the tape is back inside the cassette, eject should then hopefully work.

Hi, this might clear up some terminology within the English languge and video. When you black a tape, in English it is called "blackening" or "blackening a tape". "Striping" a tape refers only to putting time code on the tape. Striping doesn't have anything to do with actually blacking a tape. This is terminolgy used in the U.S. I'm not sure about other English speaking countries. Hope this is of some help.

PAL differs is some countries. Some south american broadcasters use a 60Hz PAL system M/N with an increased bandwith, VHS tapes are incompatable with the B/G/E norms of PAL. However DVDs will playback from this format. The 60Hz does break down in 25fps, but uses a drop end of frame, slide in start of frame correction. It looks horrible!

Thanks Nick. So I am blackening and striping my tapes. I only whish there was a way to write timecode on a U-matic tape after the blackening. I think that a JVC PR-900 is able to do that with a VITC signal (when I look at some sections of the diagram). But my BVU-950 is not able to read VITC. Problems, problems.

Don and Micael: What I can do is give you the procedure to remove a tape from a VO-8800. The principle should be the same. Or did you allready remove the tapes? Anyway here we go:1: Remove the upper lid of cassette-up compartment.2: Remove the upper case.3: Push down on the eject key.4: Turn the pulley of threading motor by hand so that the threading ring rotates into the unthreading mode. When the unthreading mode is completed, the lock of the cassette-up compartment is released and rises automaticly. At this time, hold down the cassette-up compartment by hand so that it does not rise when the unthreading mode is completed and the tape is not damaged.5: While holding the cassette tape lid so that it does not close, rise the cassette-up compartment slowly.6: Remove the tape remaining in the machine carefully so that the tape is not damaged. Use gloves when you handle the tape!Hope this helps. If not now, maybe in future. Although I have used the VO-8800 a lot, I never had to do this. (Knock on wood). I allso have a question for the list: Does anybody know if there is a TBC that has a Y/C 924 KHZ input and a Y/C 4.433 MHZ output? The TBC inside the BVU-950 only uses one memory for both Y and C. And an extra 30 lines for Y/C are most welkom.

Rein

Just for clarity.

Hong Kong PAL is just standard as in the UK and most other PAL countries.

The 60HZ PAL is an oddity...

Rein,

Glad I can clarify some terminology. Sometimes I get confused with the low/high band issue. (something new to me) In the U.S, there is standard U-Matic and then there is U-Matic SP.There isn't any low/high band. They pretty much phazed out the standard U-Matic and now starting to phaze out the U-Matic format all together. Funny thing though, you can record in SP and playback the same cassette on a standard machine.(and vice versa) You can also use standard cassettes with SP decks and SP cassettes with standard decks. Although, the SP decks can detect a standard cassette by way of mechanism and will only record standard on that cassette. You could easily make a couple of holes in the back of the standard cassette to trick the SP deck to think it is a SP cassette when it in fact is not. Although, I wouldn't do this all the time because the tapes have different oxide particles on them and will ruin the head over time. Funny thing also, I haven't been able to find any U-Matic NTSC decks that will either playback or record PAL or SECAM.

Hello,

Does anyone know of any retailers in the UK selling NEW or fully erviced umatic recorders.

Thanks

Matthew north

Hi

I still have an editing problem. I have two decks, the playback can read Low/High/SP (it has three little lights). The recorder however only has two lights - High/SP. My problem is this. The footage to be cut is on low-band and my edit tape is low-band blacked. I'm afraid it won't edit and when in assemble edit and rolling, the right hand (recorder) monitor is in black & white. When you play back its just black. I tried a Hi-band tape and it recorded across but the image could only be seen in the search mode, in play its black. The guy I bought the stuff off said it had all been upgraded (but years ago and he had hardly ever used it). Do you think that upgrade means the recorder just won't read Low-band and I shall have to go and get another transfer, this time to hi-band?

Very frustrating.

Mat

Have you tried using the composite connections to link the machines rather than the dub connectors?

Oh yes and black your edit tape in the edit recorder.....

Hi all,

Now I am confused. I have a question for the US people on the list.Do you use low-band and SP? Is there no high-band in the NTSC format?I allways thought NTSC isn't using SP. But never too old to learn.

Rein

Hello, Thanks to Rein & Lexion. I have removed the tape OK, but! When inserting a tape, it is wrapped around the capstain ok, but then the (slack tape lamp) begins to blink. All other controls are then inactive.Help please, and thanks. Don

As a goodwill gesture to any of the palsite subscribers who think that I am a s**t or jealous or whatever, I intend to give away the Quantel effects unit including all the spares etc. featured at http://www.u-matic.com or http://www.u-matic.co.uk with the express proviso that the lucky first claimant by e-mail collects it within the next week from Peterborough. I can tell you now that it weighs about 300kg and comprises 6 units which fill a 19" rack plus the control panels and disk drive etc.

Don,

Check if both drum and capstan rotate. If the unit senses that drum or capstan are not working it shows a warning. Did you check the take-up reel motor?

Rein

Hi,I wonder if anyone is selling editing equipment/monitor for Umatic SP and audio cables (or complete set) for VO 8800 P. I need to connect a mike on Sony DXC 3000P to the machine and from it to the editing deck or a computer (video cables could be helpful but I think those are easy to buy). I'm new to Umatic format (I shoot on 16mm) and I'd be greatful for any offers and advice.RegardsViktor

I had another question: does anyone know if I can download the footage from VO8800P onto a PC with Pinnacle DC10 Pro? If not what are the alternative ways of downloading?

Thank you for your adviceViktor

Rein,

To answer your question on the low/high band issue... In the U.S there are only two types of U-Matic bands. There is standard and SP. I'm pretty sure that in PAL the term you call "low band" is the equivalent to the NTSC term "standard". But, in the U.S, we do not use the term "low band". We would use the term "standard" instead. SP in PAL is the same as SP in NTSC. They do not differ in terminology. In the U.S NTSC format, there is no such thing as high band. It does not exist in the U.S.(at least none that I know of)

In the U.S, we still use both standard and SP bands. However, the standard band has almost dimished for recording and playback purposes. The SP band is used for archiving and playback of older programs for transfer to a newer format. (DV, Betcam SP, etc) The difference between standard and SP bands are the resolutions. SP has 350 lines of resolution and standard having only 300. These bands are interchangable. Meaning, you can record on a cassette in SP, play the same cassette on a standard deck, and it will playback fine. However, if you do this, the standard deck is only capable of outputing 300 lines of resolution. Even though the tape was recorded in SP(350 lines), the deck will only output standard.(300 lines) This can also be reversed. You can record in standard, and playback in SP. The SP deck will then not output the 350 lines because the cassette was recorded in 300.

In the U.S, standard U-Matic was available first in the 1970's. Then, in the late 80's or early 90's SP came out and became the stronger band. They made the new decks compatible with the old ones. (and vice versa) It's a weird system but it actually works. Also, I noticed that model numbers are not the same. For example, the PAL VO-5630 is the equivalent to the NTSC VO-5600.(hey,I have one of those!!) The only difference is the 5630 has the selection of outputing PAL, SECAM, and NTSC. The 5600 will only output NTSC.

I hope this answers any curiousity regarding U-Matic and NTSC. Meanwhile, I'm trying to learn the PAL system.

The conections on Umatic machines are quite standard composite video (BNC) and Audio either on phono (as is the case with my 7630) or XLR. Leads are easily made up to interface to any equipment with a composite video input.

Yes, a DC 10 will work fine. Not so much a case of downloading but actually digitising the footage ...that's what the DC10 does. Umatic fotage is well suited to editing with NLE techniques using programs such as Ulead Media Studio or Adobe Premiere....

Hey there having fun with a BVT -800, anyone out there with an abundance of knowlege on these units (BOTH PAL AND NTSC) please drop me a line!

Rein,

JVC did make a Umatic VTR that put the time code on a separate Address Track... in the USA its known as a CR-850U I believe. The Address track was part of the video track like kind of like VITC, but not quite the same. I have a little documentation on it if you would like more info - I cant remember all the details but it seems like the time cod was multiplexed on the video similar to the HiFi process. Let me know.

And Roland I am sorry if you thought I was being mean, the posts you left concerning Fryeda were quite amusing actually! And her video was great. You hang in there!

We have made some changes.

Nick,

You wrote that NTSC (SP) has got a maximum of 350 lines horizontal resolutin. PAL (SP) has got a maximum of 300 lines (and 330 lines when using Y/C). Does anyone know the maximum vertical resolution for PAL or NTSC?

Dave,

LTC is not able to be replaced because you can't erase the LTC/address track without erasing everything else on the tape.The PR-900 from JVC has got the option to replace the vertical sync and blanking so you can add VITC. Maybe it is standard for NTSC? Do you have the PR-900 in the US? Before I built this option in the BVU-950 I need to know if the timecode reader in the BVU is able to read VITC and output this to the RS-422 control signal. But is always interesting to know what improvements are possible.

Thanks again Rein The reel motor is not working?

Hi all...........thanks and respect to the builders of this site!

I have been using Sony lo-band kit for years, working with Indigenous peoples for a fairer / cleaner planet. Up till now It has been perfectly capable, however in the very near future my work requires that I have to be more portable...............I need to go digital...........I have loads stuff to sell.........2x DXC3000 cams..........a Sony vo5800. ...a vo5850. ...a vo6800 etc etc. players........recorders......monitors.........cables............

I am open to reasonable offers / swaps.

cheers......

Hiya...........I'm looking for a good Sony RM440 with cables please.........my work is a very good home for it !!

kind regards......Ivan

Hello. I'm very much interested in movie making. Right now i'm a student. Kindly suggest me what kind of format should i use to make movies at intial stage that should be affordable and in good quality. Help me or suggest camera selection and u ppl may give me any advice that may helps me. I'm interested in making music videos but thats something i'll do later first i wanna take first step in this field.thanxwaiting for ur reply :(

Asif

If I was going to make any Really Serious movies I wouldnt settle for anything less than 16mm and preferably Super16 - of course that isnt cheap either.

Film is best but any of the recent component digital formats or Betacam SP are the next best thing. Umatic SP will be the most afforable but its got the least resoultion.

Thanx a lot Dave :) I hope one day I'll show you my work . Thanx again for ur advice.

Affordable is a relative term.....

If you wish to make projects which are 'broadcastable' I would suggest that MiniDV is possibly the most affordale option. Combined with relatively inexpensive NLE equipment. but since this is a Umatic forum I'm going to suggest that Umatic, whilst in operational terms MUCH less accesible is a realistic option. NLE techniques can be used for editing to excellent effect....

Only problem is finding the kit at the right price..... I won't name them but there was an outfit posting on here when they started out who carried some things at decent prices. This was a year or two back when Umatic was still (just) practical for commercial work. NOw their regular emailed equipment list carries prices which will see that kit sitting on their shelves for MANY years ..just crazy prices; but that's dealers for you.

Best bet is to try and source something privately. Personally, if I were starting out I'd be looking for a decent camera and Highband recorder for well under £450 , maybe another £ 200 for a mains recorder.

There will be folk out there running around in horror at that but; real life folks; that's what the kit's worth relative to the life left in it and the availability of new DV kit....

Anyone got a reasonable priced series 9 U-Matic recorder or player for sale ? Maybe a one in need or repair.Thanks, Keith.

RE real life pricing of kit

its an interesting point I must admit, I am just a hobbyist and like working with lowband umat, but the prices some people ask!

I have amassed 7 recorders and 3 players, a good friend even sent me a player for nicks, my best deal was an editing pair of VO-5850P's with an RM-440 cables and edit console desk, for $50 Australian, sure one of the decks was thrashed to death and heads are way past it but the other one is only 2 notches into its hour meter. Preivious to this the most I had ever paid was $250AU for a VO-5630 immaculate with 6 month warranty, and I am amazed to see local Australian dealers listing the same gear on average for $ 800 - 1500 a deck and always having the same stock, claiming its professional, yeah maybe back in 1982. As for high band...forget it on my budget.

I see poeple asking $2000 plus for a 3 tube camera, battery charger and high band recorder etc, when for $ 3000 plus I can get a NEW (not 10 - 15 yrs old) 3 chip minidv jobby, just got to get serious and ask what really is the better buy?

Tapes as well, theres a dealer here offering 2 pass tapes at a bargain! 30 minutes $5 each, 60 mintues $10 each, hmmm I bought 80 60 minutes tapes for 25 bucks at the salvation army junk store and have only had 2 bad ones so far.

Admittedly you can do ALOT with good results on Umat, but the gears getting old, its wearing out, because it cost $5000 in 1985 doesnt mean its worth $2500 now.

My 2 cents!

PS I get that video list as well and cringe! but then again Im sitting on a fortune in my two racks worth of gear if I ever need some cash.

John

Rein,

I do not know the vertical resolution of NTSC or PAL (SP - Standard). But, let me pull up a manuals from a SP and Standard U-Matic machines and I'll let you know.

Hello,

Can someone give some info about the Sony VO-4800PS ?Also a picture would be nice.We can get one (for free, just have to pick it up) for the lowbudget hospitalstation I work as a volunteer.

Greetings,

Eric

Hi, I'm one of those guys who did a lot of small work in video and have lot's of equipment, Any body interested? All PAL models.JVC edit suite, 2x PR-8800E (HighBand), RM-86U editor with cables. Sony Lowband 2x VO2630P, RM440 editor with cables, 1 2630P for spares. Digital TBC BTV500P, JVC PR-4800E portable Highband with external SMTE writer/reader. Sony VO6800PS portable Lowband, VO2631 pal/ntsc player, Philips LDK-12 3-tube camera (topshape) and good to use with the JVC portable. The JVC stuff is in very good condition and is from '86,'87, I have manuals for most of the stuff. After copying and erasing I will have a lot of tapes to accompany, S and A.If a good offer comes for it I even will sell my Panasonic WJ-MX12 Digital production mixer. If you add it all up and look at the original prices it's way over 150K in dutch guilders and now for only a snap of that. I live in Amsterdam/Holland so you know where it must come from.

I am using Umatic to create broadcasts for local cable TV. Many of the tapes look great on my equipment, but sorry when broadcast. I'm wondering if the tapes are shot. How many times can Umatics be re-used before tossing them? (Ballpark, of course)

hey what's up? i want to make a program for my local public access station and on the form they say you have to submit your program on 3/4" u-matic or 3/4" u-matic sp. can i just use a regular video camera w/ this tape? or are there special u-matic video cameras? or can i transfer a regular vhs to u-matic? as you can tell i have no idea what i'm doing, so any help is appeciated. thanks!

Well Lisa you could shoot on another format and transfer it across to Umatic. If you shoot SVHS or Hi8 , edit it using a computer based NLE system then master out to Umatic that works quite well. You could even originate your footage on one of the new DV formats and copy it across.

OR you could acquire the requisite Umatic portable recorder and camera (there are no umatic 'camcorders') , shoot and edit on Umatic....

Lisa,I know almost less than nothing about all this; I've pretty much learned by trial. I have managed to produce a watchable weekly broadcast for local access cable. We use one old professional camera and a couple of VHS Camcorders. We just plumbed them into the video inputs on the U_Matic recorder, and feed the audio from our main sound board. (This is all for recording and broadcasting a church service.) I bought the equipment off of E-Bay. If you want to do editing, you may want something like a 5850 recorder, a compatible player, and a RM-440 controller - all Sony stuff. I bought in for less than 1,000 dollars, cameras and all!---Jay

Hi

I'm still having problems with editing on a 5800 and 5850. The image records over fine, as does the sound and you can see and hear it in shuttle mode. However, when I go to watch the recording it shows a second or two then cuts to black - the sound continues though.

Any ideas for a guy on the edge?

Hi Don,

When the capstan and/or the drummotor are not working, the VCR goes into fault mode. Most VCR's test the capstan and drum when you "power it up".

When the tape gets laced in, the drummotor has to rotate. If not, the VCR goes into fault mode. This also is the case with the capstan motor. The reel motor only gets "supply" when both the drum and capstan motor are working.

Nick

I don't think a vertical resolution is in the specifications. Maybe this is something one can get from the alignment chapter. I will have a look later on.

Jay

There shouldn't be to much quality loss in modulator and cable system. I don't know how many times you can use a U-Matic tape. But when I am editting I sometimes use a small part of the tape many, many, many times. I never noticed any quality loss. I wouldn't be surpriced if you can use a tape well over 100 times before you notice any difference. If you take good care of the tapes of course. Not to cold, to warm and dry. But it is an interesting question. Does anyone else knows more about this subject?

Could anyone help me locate an instruction manual for the ForA VPS500 video mixer. I'm willing to pay photocopying and postage expenses.

Thanks

Andie

Hi, I made a mistake in my message for the VO-2630 machines, these are VO-2860P edit machines with RM440 editor and cables. 2 in working order and one for spare parts.

Hi Rein, Thanks again for the info. I ll have another go at the recorder which I have had since new. It is in exellent condition except for this fault. I need to transfer a number of tapes (my own) to my hard drive for editing,later transferring to VHS or DVD. I thought it may be a relay fault? but feel I may do more harm than good if I delve too deep. I am most grateful for your help.

Rein,

Sorry for the delay. I have been trying to find information on the vertical resolution. Everything I seem to find is PAL specifications. Very little information given on NTSC U-Matic. (don't know why) I'll try asking one of the guys at my internship. They might know, or try I'll asking a engineer.

Unless I'm mising something the vertical resolution will be equal to the numbe of active lines.....

Well the active lines and system resolution are the same. However there is a socalled AIE rated output wich also calculates the non active lines and is sometimes referred as resolutions by some people. AIE output figures are about 12 to 20 percent higher depending on the system and type of recording. Its a standard from the 70s. As far as i'm aware most LB recordings go upto 240 active colour lines, highband scores around 340 active colour lines and Highband SP (when recorded in SP mode with drop out correction from an external device) scores up to a 400 active colour lines, making it superiour to SVHS and Hi8 wich score about 350. These are the results given by my test equipment and show big deviations from the Sony/Panasonic/BTS specifications. Wich are based on the best possible recordings, on new tape, 100% clean heads and 0% signal losses

I have been looking everywhere for a wired remote control for any of the umatic vo series decks such as the 5800. Any ideas

Sorry Walter I'm confused

Isn't what you're refering to the HORIZONTAL resolution?

The VERTICAL resolution is surely just dictated and FIXED by the line standard?

ie if there are 576 lines with picture infomation on then then the vertical resolution is 576. Or in NTSC 480 thus we arrive at the various full frame digital standards xxx X 576 and xxx X 480

Horizontal resolution is what we all seem to go neurotic about and is what is affected by system bandwdth...

SO in PAL a VHS picture will be roughly 250lines(h)X 576(v) whilst a SVHS will be 400X576...

Hi,

I think I found what we are all looking for. The vertical resolution explanation. I can understand it somewhat. It is NTSC but it also explains PAL also. The site is http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/vidres.htm#QuickSorry if it isn't a link.

Yup! That's the thing! Excellent ...Pretty much what I was saying. (or trying to <g>)

My client has a BVU-950. The error code is 02N05Does anyone have a manual that lists what the message meansSony wants over $300 for the manual.I just need the error code definition.Thanks

02N05??

Can't find this in the manual Mike.Is there an error 20 "system error"? Are you talking about a suberror code? Is this code displayed at the lower right corner on the monitor in menu item 201? If there isn't a suberror code I can give you the two error codes.Error 02 is tape slack and error 05 is reel error. I can't find anything about the "N".

Does Sony in Badhoevendorp wants more than 300 American dollars for the manual?More questions than answers. But I have the manual so we should be able to work this out.

Rein

i have just seen a Sony VO-5630 for sale locally for 50 pounds. It includes 20 , 30 and 60 minute tapes. I would like to own a Sony VO series VTR for visual projection purposes. Is this unit a good deal? , and if not what sort of VTR should i be looking for. Ideally i would like to control the VTR from a laptop but for now i would be happy to control the VTR manually.

Hi all,

I did some reading, thinking and observing concerning the vertical resolution. When I play an alignment tape, I see a maximum vertical resolution of approximately 460 lines. With the kell-factor this is probably the maximum of the monitor. (3/4 times 625 lines for pal is 469 lines). So, Matt I think you are right. The maximum vertical resolution is 576 (visible) lines.Learning all the time!!

£50 sounds reasonable IF the machine is in full working order and reasonably tidy

HI,

WE ARE BROADCAST EXCHANGE, INCLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA310-398-0802

WE HAVE AVAILABLE:

U-MATICPALDIGIBETA

FOR SALE.

THANK YOU.

PETER-

I bought seven Sony VP-5000 Umatic players. They appear to be in good condition. I would like to put them up for auction on ebay, but Iwould like to test them prior to auctioning. Does anyone have any suggestionson how to test them. I am willing to buy a 3/4 inch tape if necessary.

Please write to me at [email protected].

Thanks.

igor

help please!.............

I need a video colour bar generator.............does anybody have one to sell?

I live in the UK

U-matic recorders and players for saleI have 8 utmatic players and recorders (mostly low band)for sale. Some of them are not in working condition, but most of them are. They have all been in use on a broadcasting company. Prices are very low, starting from 100 FIM for those who not are i working condition, and endning up on 800 FIM for a SP player. They are located in Finland close to Helsinki. If you are interested, please contact me on my email adress.Tom

We have been recording church services on a Sony 3/4 U-Matic and have experienced few problems. The recorder now has an Auto-Stop light and the controls are unresponsive. We can't seem to clear the Auto-Stop. We would appreciate any help!

The Autostop coming on normally indicates a fault. What model of U-Matic is it ? Is there a tape stuck inside it ?

Thanks Keith, for responding. The Machine is a model VO-2610 and I can't see anything in the tape path. The tape ejects and appears undamamged.

Have a few Umatics that need repair or rebuild. Anyone have a phone #, address, e-mail or webpage to check with Sony? Ideas on how much to put new rubber, heads, etc. on 5850's? Know a better place to get repairs done in U.S.?Thanks,Jay

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

I have been asked to look at a SONY model* VP-7000 U-MATIC VTR. I put in a tape, could REW, FF, PLAY, EJECT - everything worked. I put in a 30 min tape, and let it play. It got to the end, and now nothing works!!! It is displaying STANDBY. I recycled power, but it still shows in STANDBY, and will not EJECT or REW the tape.Of course I don't have a manual, or any other info. Is it in the wrong MODE??? Is it broken and not worth the trouble???Is there a good repair place for these machines??? The user still has many Training tapes he would like to refer to from time to time.As you can tell, I am unfamiliar with the U-MATIC WORLD.Any advice or info would be most appreciated from anyone out there!

Thanks in Advance,

Aaron Martin

Anyone know where I can purchase a Sony Umatic 7040 and/or a Sony Beta UVW - 1200 RGB?

anyone know how to output the phantom audio track, commonly used for sync on a Sony Umatic VO-5800

Well, I don't know how to start this because after reading abit about U-Matics on the main Web page I actually feel a bit like an ass for needing any info/help. But since I'm here I'll go for broke. I live in the US and was at an auction today and for the grand total of $2.00 I got a Sony SL-8600 VCR, and a Wollensak VP-205 U-Matic VTP with about 12 tapes. If I sound abit vsague it is because I bought this stuff against my wife's better wishes, so at the moment all this stuff is in my shed. But, I am wondering if the power cord (didn't get one with it) is a special kind or is it something I might find at Radio Shack?? There is a recessed hole in the back for the external 110 volt plug. It is the sort of typical 3 prong connector. Sort of, meaning that the ground prong looks to be a bit bigger round than your standard 3 prong plug. I hope to get a cord for this so I can see if it still works. Another question? There is a tape in the unit and a lever on the machine to eject the tape but it doesn't ejct. Does it need power or.........?? Let me know if I was an ass for this aquisition or what. Later. Pepse. The guy who knows about the 1/2 inch format but is clueless about 3/4 inch.

Hello U-Matic fans. I have the following machines available for sale if anybody is interested:Sony VO-9600P (600 Head hrs and as new condition) £850Sony VO-7630P £350Sony VP-7040p £300Sony VP-5040p £150Sony VP-5040P £150

Also have available a limited stock of BVU-800P series spares (boards, motors etc) and some '5' series spares, if anyone is interested.

All the NTSC machines that I have had dealings with have had the standard 110v sockets, i.e. two flat pins and one round, and some have also had the female 110v sockets located next to that for a loop through to a monitor.

Pepse

Most Umatics I've seen have a standard IEC mains input lead; standard in Europe that is. Are these commonly used in NTSC land? Wollensack? Never heard of them but possibly a re-badged Sony. This thing is a top loader right?

Would it be useful to get a betacam or u-matic recorder in stead of a vhs recorder? Which one delivers better quality?

John, 9.5 cine delivers better quality than VHS. Betacam SP is reckoned to be the industry standard for quality, but still expensive.Some of the mini DV formats are very good. U-matic highband SP is probably the best economic solution, but remember that they do not have built in tuners if you are recording television programmes. They also take up a lot of space. Hi8 and SVHS formats are better than VHS if you are working in a domestic environment. It is a confusing world out there........

Matt, as Roland states all NTSC machines have our standard 110 Volt socket. And I did make it to a Radio Shack and all they have are computer cords and the type of cord that has 3 bare wires on the on end. Meaning if I don't find a proper cord soon I'll get one of them and take the cover off and hard wire it to the back of the socket area. As for Wollensak, it was (is? still) a division of 3M Company. They used to sell Beta and vhs video tapes. Since I posted my cry for help on Fri., 08/09, I have discovered that Sony is about the only Company that anyone would be familiar with. The one thing I seen on the one U Matic page mentions that the format started in the late '60's early '70's and my guess is that this Wollensak I got is probably a very early model. So, as of this time it looks like I'm sorta on my own; at least until I can find a way to power this puppy up and see what happens. And if things go good and my wife lets me play with it more (to be able to bring it in the house and leave it there). And even tho this is a player only it will still be interesting if it runs. Oh, BTW, Wollensak also made Reel to Reel audio tape players as well as audio cassette players and some other stuff. They were mainly used in schools and other institutions as well as the Armed Forces. One of my brothers stopped by this eve and said that U-Matics players are what the Army used in the '70's. Mostly training tapes. Later. Pepse.

I guess by computer cord you mean an IEC mains lead? These seem to be standard on just about everything these days. Rather than hard wire the socket (possibly a good temporary method just to see if the beast lives) might it not be an idea to consider fitting an iec or 'computer' type input socket. Particulalry if you're using the thing in the house this could be a safer alternative.

I'm almost certain this machine will be something else re-badged. Commonly Sony ad JVC made Umatics and might be tempted to guess your is a '2 series' player. Take a look at the palsite gallery and see if it physically resembles anything.

I think Umatic came into being in 1968 and I was using the format 'in anger' untill early this year; Great machines all of them!

Matt, it ain't a Series 2. That one looks to new, but the "original" looks near identical except for I don't have as many control knobs on the right side. As for getting power to it I will take your ideas as they make good sense. I agree that it was probably manufactured by someone else. Like Betamax in the fact that Sanyo made Sears and Radio Shack vcrs. Sony made Pioneer and Marantz, etc., etc. Anyway, I will let you know what happens in the near future with this unit. Later. Pepse.

This has been a horrible day...probably the most tragic day in American history.Please keep the memories of all those who died today in your prayers.

And please don't forget the following people....

The PoliceThe FirefightersThe EMTsThe civil workers (gas, water, and electric)The MilitaryThe PilotsThe mediaAnd everyone who was just trying to go to work as all of us did.The families of all those who perished so horrifically.

I have a VO-5600. I was rewinding a tape when the machine stopped. It would not perform any functions and the tape would not eject. I manually removed the tape. Now it does nothing except spin it's wheels when I first turn on the power. Please, I would be grateful for any help.Jeff

Hi !Unfortunately I'm kinda new to the u-matic world. I'm looking for a cheap u-matic machine with decent picture (above 300 lines) and a solid & flexible direct driven mechanism. (I'd love to get an editing machine, but that would lead to BVU-800 (+) - which is above my budget right now).I got offered the following VCR's (VTR's)JVC CP-5550E,Sony BVU-110P,VO-8800P,VO-4800PS.Now I am very interested in buying a SP capable u-matic.As far as I know the JVC isn't even HB capable, the two following Sonys are HB and the last one is a LB again. But now, after I've studied these postings carefully I stumbled across someone who's selling a SP capable 110 -he has mentioned some kind of a conversion. Was that made by a special kit - or are there special versions of 110's that do support SP. I thought the "P" after 110 stands for "PAL" but who knows.. ;) Any help appreciated.Anyone that can prove me wrong, and recommend me one of these gems.