HISTORY OF THIS HI8 HANDYCAM
My professional and private background is all about electronics, audio and 'The Arts' but NOT really video, film or photography!
Over the years, I seem to have gathered together a bunch of strange camera's (some are odd looking) and it is now time for someone else to PERHAPS make use of this camera for immediate use (*** See below***) OR servicing/spare parts.
I am not a domestic video or photography enthusiast so this Hi8 Handycam is offered as-is (described to the best of my abilities)
Actually I have a number of camera's and accessories I am sorting out and testing (if I am able to) ... look for more camera's HERE on my website.
I offer the description below as best I can but this Handycam MAY have a fault(s) or the lens system could be dirty (I am not prepared for or knowledgeable enough to evaluate the optics completely)
I am not even sure anyone is interested in old video camera's although the other Hi8 camera's I had all seem to find new owners very quickly.
but I am very 'big' on sustainability and if this fits into someone's museum of antiquated video equipment or even as a spare parts 'farm' for other SONY Hi8 Handycam's this would please me greatly.
PLEASE read the description completely and decide if this Handycam may be of interest to you.
There are no returns or refunds offered, this equipment is second hand and offered 'as-is"
SONY VIDEO CAMERA - Handycam
Technology: Digital electronics using Hi8 tape for storage
Model: CCD-RV100E
Made in Japan (?? I expected a manufacturers label on the underneath, there is none)
Release to the domestic market around the early 1990's (Yes, it is 'stone age' in the world of video technology)
I found it difficult to source information regarding specifications of this handycam let alone a Service Manual but a couple of sites seems to have these manuals, if you pay for them! I have included a photograph I took of the specifications from one of those manuals I found online - note it refers to NTSC format but this video camera is definitely PAL format (printed at the top of the LCD screen)
Comes with a shoulder carry strap
NO carry case could be found
NO battery is supplied (Uses an NP-720 Li-ION)
I noticed a CR2025 in the top of the battery compartment, this would definitely need replacing after all this time (probably used only for memory retention)
NO Hi8 tape is supplied
NO AC Adapter/Charger is supplied (Uses an AC-V515 8.4V @ 1.4A charging current)
This 'Handycam' is like a brick! It is very brick-like in shape and the weight is pretty hefty but I guess it was once considered 'the latest and greatest' for the times.
Weight: 1.5Kg (without battery or tape)
Dimensions: 205mm wide x 115mm front to back and 110mm high
COSMETIC CONDITION:
CLEAN
NO camera body damage at all, but quite a few small marks here and there from normal handling. On the rear is a rubber like material wear the user's hand might be, this looks slightly worn/discoloured - cleaning had little effect.
NO issues noticed with the 'user controls' such as opening the tape door and accessing the rear LCD screen (110mm diagonal)
This video camera has a nifty little LCD screen 'hood' (which you can remove if you don't like it) I am guessing this would make use of the camera in full daylight easier.
LCD screen has no scratches or cracks, looks great and it is surprisingly large at 110mm diagonal!
The viewfinder eyepiece swivels up and down as it should.
Battery contacts at the rear look to be clean and shiny.
There is NO Lens cover, this is the way it was retrieved from my 'box of tricks' - funny thing, there is a lever under the lens to 'OPEN LENS COVER' so I guess there used to be one, once.
I looked through the viewfinder, I can see no image through the front lens (cap off of course) so I am guessing this video camera needs to be 'powered up' to see through the front lens.
Examined the viewfinder and front lens optics to the best of my abilities and cannot see 'mould spotting' or cloudiness. The front lens appears to be multiple lens because when I look inside, I can see lens after lens after lens but no 'funny marks' - in my layman's opinion, the optics look to be fine.
This large handycam has push buttons all over it! Some I had to hunt around to find, pushed these buttons and the 'tactile feel' was fine. A couple of rotary knobs (REC etc) also seem to be operating fine.
I look under the various port covers around the camera and all ports looked to be clean and ready to 'talk' to the outside world
Here is my biggest frustration, I looked and looked but could not find a port for DC input - surely these video camera's had one but the closest is a label next to the external microphone port which has printed on it "PLUG IN POWER"
I am not about to plug any power into a microphone port and I could see no other nearby so that one is a mystery to me.
Lastly, an interesting port was found on the underneath. Slide back a black plastic cover and you are greeted with 20 gold plated finger contacts. I believe this is for connection to external equipment called a Video Message Station, SONY Model: HSA-M7
I have no idea what that external equipment is supposed to do and in any case, it is NOT supplied with the camera (I don't have one)
TESTING:
I really would have liked to have had this handycam up and running for testing, I am curious about such an old video camera and whether it has stood the test of time (around 30 years since this beast left the factory) but alas, it is not possible.
I have no battery that suits (NP-720 Li-ION) and I also do not have an AC adapter that will suit (8.4V according to manual but where on earth does it plug in?
Finally I have no Hi8 tape so I could even run up a tape and check the transport
So in every meaning of the word, this SONY Hi8 Handycam is untested - it is offered completely AS-IS
Since checking out this handycam I have now sealed it in plastic, to at least keep it in it's present condition safely protected from dust/dirt and airborne contaminants and it is our spare room, which has a controlled temperature environment so the overall condition should not deteriorate.
