Pro Umatic and VHS haul. - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Cogsinister · #1 08-12-2012, 03:06 PM

Picked these up for $5 each at a yard sale at the local university, they were clearing out there attic storage space.

First off a JVC CR 8250U Umatic machine, mechanically it works great, not tested its recording or playback, but just watching it thread up and play and FF/RW is awesome.

I have some tapes but i think they are high band so i am not sure if i can record on them ( the audio meters bounced when i played one earlier )

Up second is a JVC BR 6400U pro VHS recorder.

Works well mechanically, not had time to test either of these massive machines yet for video.

Just hope the wife don't spot them.

Cogsinister · #2 08-12-2012, 04:31 PM

bgadow · #3 08-12-2012, 10:35 PM

Imagine what it would cost to build something like that today! Real tanks; good buys.

Cogsinister · #4 08-12-2012, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgadow

Imagine what it would cost to build something like that today! Real tanks; good buys.

I was thinking the same thing, i don't think they could build them anything like this today and make any money.

The reel motors in the U matic are huge !

Sandy G · #5 08-13-2012, 06:22 AM

Kewl !

Cogsinister · #6 08-13-2012, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy G

Kewl !

When to people operating the sale for the university said to me that "anything not sold today gos to the landfill tomorrow " that was it.

I HAD to save them.

dieseljeep · #7 08-13-2012, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cogsinister

When to people operating the sale for the university said to me that "anything not sold today gos to the landfill tomorrow " that was it.

I HAD to save them.

That's the same story they use on me and I always fall for it.

Cogsinister · #8 08-13-2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

That's the same story they use on me and I always fall for it.

DoH !!!

waltchan · #9 08-14-2012, 01:55 AM

I did try to convince the owner, who regularly sells VCR parts online at studiosoundelectronics.com, that JVC was indeed a more-reliable manufacturer than Sharp during the 1980s, but he denies it. He thinks that Sharp made the most-reliable in everything. (Oh, go away...

).

Real reliability data info published by Consumer Reports from 1980s shows that JVC was rated (#4) forth most-reliable Japanese video electronic manufacturer by reputation and fame, after Panasonic (#1), Toshiba (#2), and Sanyo (#3), while Sharp was rated more-below at #8. Funai was rated higher than Sharp at #5, surprisingly. Funai, once, had a better reputation on reliability than Sharp, and even Sony.

Other brands, such as Mitsubishi (#6), Sony (#7), Hitachi (#9), NEC (#10), Orion (#11), and Fisher (#12). NO, Sony is NOT the most-reliable brand, if you think it really is.
.

Cogsinister · #10 08-14-2012, 06:17 AM

All the Sony VCR's i have are quite unreliable, i had to replace one yesterday the 2nd Sony in as many weeks.

Here is the thrift store Sony on the bottom of the stack.

bgadow · #11 08-15-2012, 09:37 PM

I had a guy give me a Sony that looked a lot like that; I really thought I had something but the electronics were extremely glitchy and I gave up on it. My best experiences have been with Panasonic & Sanyo, though there is quite a lot I haven't seen.

Spinning Head · #12 08-16-2012, 07:26 PM

I have the BR-6400U. Got it at a municipal auction probably 15 years ago. I remember recording the closing arguments of the OJ trial with it. A lot of people pan it because it isn’t Hi-Fi, but I like it.

The JVC U-Matic machine is REALLY clean. Amazing find.

I worked at the local community college in the late 80’s. They had a lot of U-Matic machines on carts and a back room full of even then vintage units like the JVC. They had an entire wall of Sony rack mount units for routing into rooms. I suppose all of that equipment is long gone.

Cogsinister · #13 08-16-2012, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spinning Head

I have the BR-6400U. Got it at a municipal auction probably 15 years ago. I remember recording the closing arguments of the OJ trial with it. A lot of people pan it because it isn’t Hi-Fi, but I like it.

The JVC U-Matic machine is REALLY clean. Amazing find.

I worked at the local community college in the late 80’s. They had a lot of U-Matic machines on carts and a back room full of even then vintage units like the JVC. They had an entire wall of Sony rack mount units for routing into rooms. I suppose all of that equipment is long gone.

I have finally got around to connecting up the BR-6400U, and with a good pre recorded tape and the audio connected to my hifi the sound is superb, and the picture quality is fantastic, i think i will install it in the family room as a talking point for visitors who think i am mad anyway.

Oh i re lamped the meters in the BR-6400U by the way.

The U-Matic is also working fine, one of the U-matic tapes is recorded with some student stuff and even tho it looks like its from the mid 80's the quality is pretty good.

vinyldavid · #14 08-17-2012, 07:58 PM

I've got two of that series of Umatic deck in storage....great machines! Wish I had a use for them. Nice pickup.

Cogsinister · #15 08-17-2012, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinyldavid

I've got two of that series of Umatic deck in storage....great machines! Wish I had a use for them. Nice pickup.

I think i will invent a use for mine, i have already cleared a space for it in the man cave to amaze like minded visitors with its awesomeness.