Back in the early seventies my grandpa purchased? (he worked for AVCO) a couple of cartrivision television sets and the video camera to them. He made several home movies of his family of 3 boys and 3 girls, one of them being my dad. The player was never very reliable, he would get one to work for a short while then it would brake again. He died about ten years ago and those tapes have not been played for about 25 years or more. I am 32 years old and have never seen them my self. I have a vague memory as a very small child of him trying to get the player to work, he failed, and I believe that was the last attempt. That is the only reason I know about the legendary "cartrivision tapes". Now my grandmother is dieing also, my dads brothers and sisters are old, gray haired and very distraught about her impending death. For her and them I want to make the final attempt to get a player to work one more time and convert them to a video format to store in my computer and show it to them. I work for a living as a Industrial CNC Electrician. I am very computer literate, have lots of knowledge electricity and a basic understanding of electronics. I can easily read prints, schematics and have several electrical engineers to turn to if needed. But, I know nothing about these cartrivisions and there is no information on the internet about them. Any information you guys can share with me will help. Anything. Comments, suggestions about how to go about this, schematics, etc. I live in New Paris Ohio if any of you have a player that works that is close by.
Thanks, Jason

Whether or not you can repair it yourself, somebody here can help.
Somebody reading this will respond soon or I think I remember an expert with that system that may or may not visit here. I think his name is Labguy? I found him by searching the internet for "vintage video" etc.

Much came up for both web searches.

Much is on the web of and from him. He has a site of extinct video machines.
I spoke to him some time ago. Very nice person.

I found his website, thanks. http://www.labguysworld.com/Museum017.htm
I think the correct way to spell it is cartrivision, I too have seen it spelled both ways.

I searched this forum and found anold posts on this subject.
#14 05-06-2005, 04:54 PM
old_tv_nut
AK Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lake County IL
Posts: 1,190

Another thing about the Cartivision unit - I believe it had a very strong modulator output - At Motorola, we dealt with the FCC on establishing the signal level limits for channel 3/4 output, and they weren't set yet when the first Cartirivision units were made. So, You may be broadcasting to your neighbors with this unit if you're not careful.

Is through a modulator how the player connects to the tv unit? If so, could I just simply buy a tv tuner card to install in my computer, then tune it into the player? Grandma is still in intensive care so I have not been able to go over to her house to pick up the cartrivision units and parts. I originally had this idea several months ago and she was eager for take it all, I wish I would have now. I have not even looked at them since I was a little kid. So maybe when I get them home and take the covers off it will be more clear to me exactly how it is all connected together. I have been all over the whole country (on the internet) trying to get some answers and nobody will help me unless there is a way for them to make a buck off of me. The members on this web site are the only one's so far who have even attempted to help me. You and JB5pro. Thanks. When I get the units home I will definetly take some pictures and post them along with my progress. Then if somebody else try's to do the same thing, maybe it will help them out.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=129906&highlight=cartrivision

Any help there?

Maybe you are already doing this... While you are finding a machine to play the tape and working on repairing the machine you have, perhaps you could speak to your grandmother and all others to try to remember all that was recorded. Hopefully you get it ready to show soon enough but this could be the next best thing to seeing and hearing the tape.
It is a great thing for you to try to get this done for your family as well as for yourself.
John

I have a friend who is living somewhere in WV/OH now and is very knowledgeable when it comes to older tape decks, both audio and video. I don't know if he has one of these, but if need be I could put you in touch with him.

This is the card I bought off ebay for $19 with shipping to capture the video to my PC.

97600

97601

Brand New High Quality Non-OEM(Generic)
This PCI- TV Capture Card enable Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP users to receive and display television, data such as internet information, and enhanced television programs that combine television with data related to the programs. Users of Windows 98 will also have access to a program guide that allows them to view a schedule of television shows, then instantly tune into a show for viewing on the PC.
Favorite TV Channel list and Selection: 160 Channels and 25-channel Preview
Flexible image capture
External Input sources include one composite AV via RCA Jack, and one S-VIDE via 4-Pin Mini-Din Connector
Support S-Video and Composite Video Camera
Video standards NTSC Video Formats
Includes software Teletext decoding
Code configuration: Video and audio compression
Microsoft windows drivers inter-face for user application
Video Display Supports VGA display, resolution up to 768*576
Vedio Play-back
AVI file playing with up to 30 frames per second
Video conferencing with Microsoft netmeeting by adding video camera
Support NTSC, PAL or SECAM Video Formats
PCI 2.1 compliance with Plug & Play compatibility
Video/Audio interleave data stream conforms to Microsote AVI file format
Full TV frequency range for CATV/VHF/UHF
Support major VGA card with their Chipset specific direct draw driver
Pentium II 300MHz CPU or above
64MB RAM and 50MB Hard Disk space
SVGA Supports Higher than 640x480
16Bit Sound Card
Windows 2000/XP
CD-ROW Drive
Cable TV or VHF/UHF Antenna

Package Contents
TV Video Capture Card
Audio Cable
Remote Controller and Remote Sensor
Quicek Installation Guide
Installation Driver Disk