Sharp VCR

[waltchan]

Originally Posted by Ed in Tx

Used to see a fair number of the Sharp VC-6800s. Dates back to 1979-1980. Mechanical keys, and probably the first front tape loader. A heavy beast.

That's the oldest and very-first Sharp VHS VCR ever built in history. It came with a brass-color (not chrome) video head cylinder that required a flat-belt on top to spin with a pulley motor. It even had a tape-remaining time counter. This VCR also can't be played upside-down since there's no carriage lock, or the tape comes flying out immediately during playback and eats your tape. It was working fine when I sold it for $300 back in 2006 to a collector.

Also, Studio Sound Electronics will be going out of business soon selling VCR belt kits, the owner told me, so it's best to avoid the one that uses a lot of belts, like Hitachi and this one on photo.