ALL videos on these pages are copyright property of Labguy's World, or other respective copyright holders - used here with permission, and are subject to all normal fair use laws. If you desire more than that, contact me and let's talk.

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       (HD) This is the oldest existing consumer half inch video tape recorder, that ultimately went into mass production, in the world. A truly bold claim and yet completely true. Built in 1964, this vintage VTR used half inch tape to record BW television and sound. One reel of tape held one hour. This product series, called Videocorders, was the earliest to market and to be purchased in greater than trivial numbers. Sony manufactured tens of thousands of these between 1965 and 1969. Intended for time shifting TV shows in the home, the series found its true market in schools and commercial institutions. Eleven years before Betamax.

       This is the first video I created using my new Canon Vixia HF M30 high Definition Camcorder. Edited with Corel Video Studio Pro. Observe as you progress through the following videos that my shooting and editing skills improve. Forgive the poor quality of these earliest works. ~Labguy~

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       (HD) This is a pre production prototype of the 1965 home Videocorder, serial number five! It has not been powered up since at least the early 70s, if then. It lived in a basement in Long Island, New York for until late last year. This is the second jewel in the crown of the Labguy's World collection of early video tape recorders. It will be attempted to restore it to operation. But, if it requires too many changes, then this precious artifact will be preserved as found. An authentic home video recorder, predating Betamax by 12 years!

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       (HD) After trying the VTR out a few weeks ago and experiencing AC motor failure, I knew immediately that the AC phasing capacitor(s) had failed open. So, after doing my homework and spending a little money, I found excellent replacement parts. This video is the short run down on that repair. [Sadly, this video also seems to have problems induced by a bad memory module in my computer at the time. Apologies, folks.]

       UPDATE 20130428: Sadly, there will be no more videos of this machine's progress as it was stolen from my storage lockers sometime in the latter part of 2012 in San Jose, California. If you encounter this machine, Sony CV-2000 serial number 5, and this results in its return to labguy's World, there will be a $100 reward. If this also results in a successful prosecution of the thief repsonsible, and additional $250 reward will be paid.

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       (HD) The Sony CV-2000D was manufactured in 1965. This machine is over forty years old and still going. I show it in operation, with all its warts and wrinkles. Also provide a quick description of the tape path through the machine, including describing two kinds of video tape. This is an on going series of videos I am producing as we lead up to the Early Television Conference convention this year. (Google for it) I will be showing some of this wonderful quaint technology there this year.[Sadly, this video also seems to have problems induced by a bad memory module in my computer at the time. Apologies, folks.]