VCRs that will last forever

[old_tv_nut]

"Selectavision" was infamously applied to RCA's attempt at holographic video tape:
http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/...pe-cartridges/

http://www.cedmagic.com/history/holotape.html

I never saw it in person, but I heard that the color was terrible. I think I recall that it had a color carrier similar to the pattern used on single-tube color vidicon cameras, which meant the white balance would be very sensitive to the color carrier amplitude.

[glen65]

Originally Posted by waltchan

Harman Kardon's only VCR ever made. Made by Mitsubishi in 1985, but designed by Harman Kardon. It's a Hi-Fi unit. Worth adding to your collection as it stacks beautifully with your Harmon Kardon audio system. Looks to be very rarely used. Needs service, however.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HARMAN-KARDON-VC...3A1|240%3A1318

Looks good,
My only question would be whether or not the parts needed to repair
the unit are available.

[waltchan]

Originally Posted by Whirled One

The interesting thing is that "Omnivision" is actually a bit of an overloaded term as a Panasonic product identifier. It originally referred to Panasonic's EIAJ-cartridge format VCRs from the early 1970's. When Panasonic (Matsushita) introduced their line of U-matic VCRs, those bore the "U-VISION" name instead. Then, when they introduced VHS-format VCRs, they re-used the Omnivision name for some reason. I suppose by that time, the EIAJ-cartridge was essentially a dead format, and someone in marketing must have decided there was enough brand value built in the "Omnivision" name that it would be worth hanging on to it. As for the origin of the name itself, it probably spawned out of the "Tape-A-Vision" name that appeared earlier on Panasonic EIAJ format open-reel VTRs.

As far as I can remember from history, Panasonic used "Omnivision" because they have always supported 3 recording speeds (SP, LP, SLP/EP), which means "all" vision in "all" recording speeds. Panasonic PV-1200, introduced in 1979, is the first Panasonic VCR ever made with 3 recording speeds. There was also a PV-1600, higher-end of PV-1200, with digital touch tuner, but only less than 500 units were made (luckily I have one PV-1600).

[waltchan]

Originally Posted by glen65

Looks good,
My only question would be whether or not the parts needed to repair
the unit are available.

jfrog1983 has the answer. I don't do Mitsubishi too often.

[jfrog1983]

Yes the anti-Mitsubishi VCR collector.......J/K

I'm not sure, but I think that VCR may be a HS-400UR in disguise. If it is, here are the rubber parts for it.

http://www.studiosoundelectronics.com/mbk-65.htm

I was thinking about bidding (I can part out my Video Concepts to fix this depending on problem), did you want to bid glen65?

[bgadow]

The Panasonic commercial I remember starred, IIRC, Reggie Jackson. They would call it Omnivision and he would call it Reggievision. Or am I all wet? Of course, this all coincided with that marque of quality, the Dodge Omni!

[waltchan]

Originally Posted by bgadow

The Panasonic commercial I remember starred, IIRC, Reggie Jackson. They would call it Omnivision and he would call it Reggievision. Or am I all wet? Of course, this all coincided with that marque of quality, the Dodge Omni!

I know this ad very well. It's up on eBay for more than 3 years now, and it's not even sold yet:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...38&refid=store

[bgadow]

Ha! Sometimes the old memory surprises me! Thanks for the post.

[Whirled One]

Originally Posted by waltchan

As far as I can remember from history, Panasonic used "Omnivision" because they have always supported 3 recording speeds (SP, LP, SLP/EP), which means "all" vision in "all" recording speeds. Panasonic PV-1200, introduced in 1979, is the first Panasonic VCR ever made with 3 recording speeds.

Well, I can see your logic, and that sounds right about 1979 being the first year with 3 speeds. However, Panasonic (Matsushita) started making VHS VCRs in 1977, and those only had two speeds (SP/LP). From what I can find on the web, Panasonic was using the Omnivsion name on VHS VCRs right from the get-go, which would mean that not all Panasonic Omnivision VHS VCRs have support for EP (originally known as SLP). [For that matter, Panasonic kept using the Omnivision name even after they phased out recording support for the LP speed] Perhaps when Panasonic started heavily promoting the new 6-hour capabilities of their VCRs, people started associating the "Omnivision" name with "3-speed" VHS decks..?

Also, that wouldn't explain the "Omnivision" name on Pansonic's earlier EIAJ-cartridge format VCRs. (...and those only supported 1 recording speed, same as EIAJ open-reel tape)

Well, at least "Omnivision" was a better choice of a recycled Panasonic trade name than the alternatives, such as the rather klutzy-sounding "Tape-A-Vision". ...Or, they could have introduced their VHS product line as "M-VISION" to go with their 3/4-inch "U-VISION" VCR line. ...And at least they didn't get the same people to name their VHS VCRs as they did for some of their portable radios and such in the 1970's-- imagine the Panasonic "Toot-a-Tube" or "VideoPet" or perhaps the "Re-Tell-A-Vision".

[Whirled One]

Originally Posted by old_tv_nut

"Selectavision" was infamously applied to RCA's attempt at holographic video tape:

Ah, that's right..! I was thinking there was a holographic recording system that originally had that name, but then I thought I was getting confused with CBS's EVR system.

[Richard D]

I thought Omnivision was the company that made the Cinema 180 inflatable dome theaters lenses and films in the mid 1970's. Anybody remember those?
Richard

[waltchan]

Nice 1988 Mitsubishi HS-413UR Hi-Fi with all its accessories. Second highest-end model after HS-423UR SVHS:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=220357548115

[waltchan]

I like to announce a new winner of a VCR that will last forever. Originally, it was Panasonic AG-2100 video cassette player, but now, General Electric 1VCP6020X video cassette player is now my top rated unit. It's a top-loading 2-head mono video cassette player made in 1985 by Panasonic. The extra points I gave for the General Electric 1VCP6020X is top-loading feature:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=260353947844

Extremely simple-designed machine, and most surprising is it comes with a linear power supply. It may last for 100 years.

[jfrog1983]

I've got a new search, and that's for a Hitachi 4 head Hi-Fi stereo with the reliable 6 belt chassis.

Wow, I've never seen people go so crazy over a 2 head mono VCR, 41 bids!

[andy]

...