Earlier today, I grabbed a Sony Video Effects Generator, model SEG-1A (I think....) that was headed to the trash...it's covered in a TON of dust, and is missing the fuse holder. :scratch2:

It's also got some weird screw type connectors (not screw terminals, but like a much bigger version of the normal antenna connection that we know and love....

And then there's a sync output/input with a type of connector that I've never seen.

I have no clue what it's meant to be used with, or if it's still useful what looks to be 30 years on, or what I would need to do to get it compatible with anything modern....I know that it operates in the analog domain.

What did I get?

I *might* have access to some old broadcast video monitoring equipment, like a waveform monitor and a test pattern generator, so I could be able to test this, if I had any idea how to...

Grab it !

Grab it !

I already got it in my basement. :yes:


And no, I cannot take the broadcast equipment home....the guy that has is seems to still want it.

:worthless


I do this but I myself do not have a dig camera.

David-

The connectors for video and monitors are called UHF or SO-239 connectors. They were common for baseband video until the late 70's or early 80's when BNC connectors replaced them in the professional video world. The sync and camera connectors probably match specific cameras and equipment made by Sony at the time. With a device like this, all the cameras used must receive a common, external sync signal to avoid jumping or rolling video when switching cameras, or to allow "wipes" and split-screen multi-camera scenes, all of which this device could do. It is only for black-and-white video, not color. Here is a Web site with a few pictures of it:

http://www.labguysworld.com/Sony_SEG-1A.htm

David-

The connectors for video and monitors are called UHF or SO-239 connectors. They were common for baseband video until the late 70's or early 80's when BNC connectors replaced them in the professional video world. The sync and camera connectors probably match specific cameras and equipment made by Sony at the time. With a device like this, all the cameras used must receive a common, external sync signal to avoid jumping or rolling video when switching cameras, or to allow "wipes" and split-screen multi-camera scenes, all of which this device could do. It is only for black-and-white video, not color. Here is a Web site with a few pictures of it:

http://www.labguysworld.com/Sony_SEG-1A.htm

So, it seems like it has absolutely no use in today's world?

It's B/W, and is made for spcialized equipment that does not exist anymore...

Should I tear it apart and use the case for a mixer or something? It seems that with the cutouts, and parts, it would make a great DJ-style mixer....

I'll get some pictures of it up tonight, but they will be from my crappy cell phone camera which has half of the frame blurry....I have no other digicam.

I tore mine apart for parts. :)

"So, it seems like it has absolutely no use in today's world?"

If it works and you can scrounge up a couple of vintage sony cameras, you can make some cool B&w videos and put them on YouTube. Using the wipe effect you could give a news style commentary while another video is playing in the upper right corner. but you would have to dress up in 50's or 60's style clothing to make it look authentic.

Using the wipe effect you could give a news style commentary while another video is playing in the upper right corner.

Nah, you'd need a DVE for that, this thing would only give a corner of the second video.

Video production technology is one example where newer is unquestionably superior to vintage. I have no interest in going back to setting up tube cameras, optimizing quad tape machines or dealing with TBC's....

It might have use as parts, I suppose. My son used an old switcher as his "rocket ship controller" for several years, so it had some intrinsic value.

I haven't seen any gear with 239 connectors in a long time nor do I own any at the moment---Definite keeper.

Stuff like this is kind of like a 1970s computer system: Not really usable for serious work today, but awesome to get up and running so you can show it off. :yes::thmbsp:

Sony B/W cameras aren't hard to find. Many were used by schools. I have two that were originally used by the Memphis City School District. The cameras and the video effects generator can be used through a VCR by adding an adaptor for RCA jacks. I run my cameras through the video inputs on my VCRs and get great results. By all means, keep it intact as when you get a couple of cameras you can make some very good B/W video.

Where were you people a few years ago when I was trying to get rid of a few tons of old broadcast junk?

You should be able to input standard equipment into the loop out video connectors. It says not to terminate the loop outs, so in all likelihood it has internal termination (a pretty advanced feature for the period). B&W only, but many of these would "pass" color signals. Don't expect to do any special effects with a color signal though.

It would work great for period video pieces. I used one of these about 5 years ago to make a music video for a Beatles tribute band. With the Sony vidicon cameras, it looks very period.

Good luck, but don't trash it. If you don't want it, I'll take it.

David

Justen, you don't need a DVE to create a picture in the box. You can use the on board box generator to make a cutout. You then have to compose your shot on the other camera or input source to match that cutout. Used that trick a lot, as the studio I worked in didn't have a DVE in the truck, only an Echolab SE-6 component switcher. When we needed to overlay the time clock for basketball you just compose your shot where you want it on the screen, then use the box wipe on the second M/E to create the effect. With the DSK of the score from the Inscriber to complete the look, you've got your complete DVE-looking effect.

I almost wrote "without composing a specific shot to fit". I was referring more to putting any video into a box over the shoulder. Guess I should have been more specific!

Again, where were you people? Literally two tons of switcher controllers, DVE's, sync gens, TBC's, DDR's hit the scrapyard a couple years ago from my studio. At my current job we're trying to get rid of a Grass 300, Maxine, several MII's and various other odd & ends. The accounting department won't let us sell them or trash them and no dealer will pay to get it them shipped. So this pile just sits, taking up space...

Good luck, but don't trash it. If you don't want it, I'll take it.

David


I found a high school senior that's into vintage video gear (even has a Sony EIAJ recorder and camera!) that is realy near me (goes to a different school), so it's going to him...

Nah, you'd need a DVE for that, this thing would only give a corner of the second video.

Video production technology is one example where newer is unquestionably superior to vintage. I have no interest in going back to setting up tube cameras, optimizing quad tape machines or dealing with TBC's....

It might have use as parts, I suppose. My son used an old switcher as his "rocket ship controller" for several years, so it had some intrinsic value.
Well Yeah a DVE would work better , but it isn't old School!!! We had to use a sharpie to draw lines on our camera monitors to frame a shot for a wipe frame shot.
Out of all the videos i have seen on youtube , I haven't seen any videos recorded with a old fashioned B&W camera that has comet tails, flairing and other video defects, Logan

beautiful object. The video connectors are the type PL (or UHF. there were commercially adapters PL-BNC). The connector Sync is the German DIN, as the tally / intercom. Somewhere I should have diagrams of connection Sync and Tally / intercom.

It sounds like you found a good home for it, David.

If you (or your friend) want to play around with it, there are or have been basic B&W CCTV cameras with external sync inputs available new in the recent past, or even currently maybe. You would just have to figure out the proper pins on those jacks and get matching connectors or rig something up. That switcher seems to be able to generate internal sync, which would be fed to the cameras.

It sounds like you found a good home for it, David.

If you (or your friend) want to play around with it, there are or have been basic B&W CCTV cameras with external sync inputs available new in the recent past, or even currently maybe. You would just have to figure out the proper pins on those jacks and get matching connectors or rig something up. That switcher seems to be able to generate internal sync, which would be fed to the cameras.

He's got a vintage Sony camera that should work with this, and a Sony open reel video recorder too....

Guess what i found today. I was at my parents digging through a box of my stuff in the upstairs of the garage looking for an 8-track player for my brother when I found the manual/schematic for the Seg1a. What a coincident! Free for shipping.

some 80's to early 90's CCTV cameras have sync inputs along with video outputs. These would likely work with the thing.

I found a high school senior that's into vintage video gear (even has a Sony EIAJ recorder and camera!) that is realy near me (goes to a different school), so it's going to him...

Cool, I"m glad to hear it will be going to a good home.

David

I almost wrote "without composing a specific shot to fit". I was referring more to putting any video into a box over the shoulder. Guess I should have been more specific!

Again, where were you people? Literally two tons of switcher controllers, DVE's, sync gens, TBC's, DDR's hit the scrapyard a couple years ago from my studio. At my current job we're trying to get rid of a Grass 300, Maxine, several MII's and various other odd & ends. The accounting department won't let us sell them or trash them and no dealer will pay to get it them shipped. So this pile just sits, taking up space...

Well, I've been around, and I'm always snooping for gear. If you've got any leavings, PM me.

David