Color Portable VTR Akai VT-150

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Used Google translator

     Color Portable VTR Akai VT-150.     Japanese portable color reel video recorder. This model was produced in the mid-70s, could not be determined precisely. In the Internet I found a mention that the AKAI VT- 150 announced at the Chicago show in 1971, but other sources referred to the start of production in 1974. Judging by the markings on the chips, the video recorder is made in 1976.
     Akai VT-150 especially interesting in that it uses a tape width of 1/4 inch (6.35 mm), while, even in black-and-white video recorders other companies of that time used the tape width of 1/2 inch. The rotating head unit (RHU) also has a smaller diameter of 76 mm, instead of 105 - 115 mm, and it has a diameter commensurate with the RHU system VHS (62 mm). Recorder is generally quite small, 366 x 268 x 119 mm, but information from the Internet was worth it then it is very expensive, $ 4 900 in 1977, which was comparable to the price of the car. According to other information, the price was even more - $ 6 995. The design of the device is quite complicated, with high-density electronics, which is collected on transistors and chips. Video recorder was produced in three variants color standards, NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. One 5" coil can be done up to 30 minutes, and the battery pack should last 40 minutes of battery life. Modes are freeze-frame, audio dubbing on the previously recorded video, and system Automatic Editing Control A.E.C. Interesting design color camera, which uses two vidicon. One is located horizontal axis of the lens. Second - vertically in the arm camera, and the image is transferred to it through a prism. Viewfinder camera black and white, but if the TV is connected to a tape recorder, then it will be broadcast live color image from the camera (in the "Stop" and "Recording"). lens is not removable, with a variable focal length, and aperture setting mode automatically. Detailed photo camcorder you can see on the second page.
     I should add that Akai and produced black-and-white video recorders, which used the same tape width 1/4 inch is like VT-100, VT-110, VT-120. For them made smaller monitors that attaches to the left side of the recorder with the built-connector "Monitor". This connector is found on the VT-150, and they seem to be compatible. 
     The operating instructions can be found on labguysworld.com.
     Circuitry can be downloaded for free HERE.

      Specifications VCR Akai VT-150:

     The device has got me in a good configuration in the original packing box and in perfect external condition but faulty. All functions of the mechanism functioning normally, but the video recording is not performed. Was damaged wire coil one of the video heads.  
     For lack of originality, I put the head of the VHS recorder, and then it worked, the other functions of the tape were in order. Recording quality video camera turns mediocre color faded, and the low sensitivity of the camera. However, recording from TV turns normal, comparable in quality to VHS.
     With the included color video camera VC-150 in a leather case, power supply VA-150, RF converter VRF-C3 to connect your TV to RF, VCV-2 cable to connect your TV, leather case for video recorder, belts for wear and video recorder camera, and 10 new sealed coils 5" magnetic tape VT-6H in the original box.

     The photo below is video footage recorded on Akai VT-150 video camera Akai VC-150. The video was encoded on the computer, and the picture on the left see the whole picture completely. When recording with the video camera on the TV screen is only visible part of the image, about the one that is limited to the yellow line. Photo on the right shows how this image would look on the TV screen

Photos can be enlarged

The photo below is video footage recorded on Akai VT-150 with TV. Image quality is much better than when recording with the camera

Can see the movie video camera recording trial. During recording, the button was pressed "White Balance". When playing you can see how things have changed colors, and white really become whiter.

Record on VTR Akai VT-150 from camera VC-150 in natural daylight. In the transition from light to shadow can be seen as automatic diaphragm works. This recording was made on a tape repeatedly used, but if the new record is not used, the knock-out lines is completely absent

Complete video recorder has a color video camera Akai VC-150. Detailed pictures can be viewed on the next page

All except the video camera is packed with original box

Video recorder apparently used very carefully, even on top of the left screen protectors

On the bottom left photo is visible under the red button to start recording the lock lever

The size of the original battery (LC-303, 6 v, 3 Ah) - 123 x 68 x 35 mm., Weight 580 g.

In the recorder is provided the use of two lead-acid rechargeable battery 6 volt type LC-303, or 3Gx3U. Instead, I use a homemade rechargeable battery 12 v, collected from the two lead-acid battery 6 v, which I made as a counterpart to BP-20 for Sony AV-3400. To do this it took to make a homemade adapter, pictured bottom right it yellow.

All rubber belts and rollers are in good condition and did not have to change them

To reduce the size and weight of the camcorder, the video signal processing circuit placed in the casing of the recorder, the two vertical boards along the rear end of the body

Disk with video heads mounted directly on the motor shaft RHU. Capstan motor located near the reel table

Drum diameter RHU - 76 mm, height - 26 mm clearance for rotating heads - 1.4 mm

Heads sizes 12.3 x 11.8 x 2.9 mm. Weight 2.6 g. Winding one of the video heads may be damaged. Remove the head can be through a cutout in the upper part of the body RHU. In the photo below the head removed and dissected.

     For lack of the original, I put the head of the VHS video recorder. For this it was necessary to modify them slightly, namely rearrange textolite connector plates on the other side of the head, and cut to match fixing. This work is very delicate, requires great care. The hardest part, carefully cut the wires, pull them through the hole on the other side, clean, and re-soldered to the contact plate. The photo below shows the steps of refinement. Also under the head had to fit washer 1.5 mm thick. I should add that as a donor, I bought the top half of RHU, which established four heads, two labeled "P", and two labeled "N". They differ in the resistance of the windings (1.3 ohm and 1.8 ohm, respectively), and width of ferrite ("N" wider). In practice it turned out that the heads marked "P" approached perfect and "N" worked worse.

The photo below is the new head is mounted on the RHU

Align heads I did with the help of a miniature video camera. Such accuracy is sufficient for normal playback of recordings made on this video recorder. In the photo below the shots taken for alignment heads

Power Supply Akai VA-150 with the function of the charger. Designed for mains voltage 100 - 240 v, 50/60 Hz.
Output voltage 12 v. Dimensions - 255 x 148 x 105 mm, weight: 4.76 kg.

10 new sealed coils 5" magnetic tape VT-6H in the original box

Akai Tape Splicer Model AS-3

RF converter VRF-C3 to connect to the antenna input on your TV via RF. Converter connects to the "Monitor" video recorder, and locked with a screw

Operating Instructions "RF Konverter VRF-C3"

VCV-2 cable for connecting to a TV, and straps for carrying on the shoulder camera and video recorder

Cable diagram and pin assignments "Monitor" (Information from labguysworld.com)

Instructions for using the cable VCV-2

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