VideoPreservation Website

Chapter 12

The Video Portapak

How To Take It With You

Portable video is portable perception. With our electronic eyes and ears we can observe an event from a distance or merge wholly within it, creating a moving kaleidoscope of vision and sound.

A complete mobile sensory system, the video portapak can go with us, see all that is happening and remember everything (assuming the tape is properly threaded). We can pick and choose from an infinite variety of camera angles and live dialog and then blend these components with the natural music of the environment. We can become artists who paint electronic pictures of life, capturing its spontaneity, easily and efficiently.

Unlike the awkward studio camera and VTR which require the construction of artificial environments, the portable video system can seek out life where it happens and record it on tape, processing it all through the unique filter of the individual cameraperson/director. We have here an enormously powerful tool of self-expression and communication. How you see is what you get, and thus you determine through your own eyes how others will see events.

The portable video system represents the essence of decentralized media. One person now becomes an entire TV studio, capable of producing a powerful statement about himself/herself or communicating a sense of people, places, and events to a planet full of potential listeners. How you use the tools determines the power and impact of your message. As with any artistic endeavor, some technical proficiency in the craft will greatly assist the outward flow of inner creativity.

What's A Portapak?

Getting down to earth, the portapak is a portable or mobile video system that is completely self-contained, battery powered and can be carried and controlled by one (strong) person- This type of video system is the most practical way to take video out of the artificial studio environment. The video portapak is definitely one of the most ingenious and exciting developments of modern tech nology. Its significance and impact on society and the media is only just beginning to be felt. Television, the real mother of so many millions of young minds, is now being shaped and directed by new hands. The cycle is complete. Society will continue to be affected by television. The video portapak has made this inevitable.

These portable video systems or PO RTAPAKS as they are usually called, are marketed by several manufacturers. Sony's trademarked name for the b&w model is the VI DEOROVE R, and the color videocassette version is called the VI D EO RANGE R. The Sony portapaks are very popular machines, have a good resale value and are very dependable if taken care of. They are capable of reproducing good picture and sound quality.

A portapak consists of a portable video camera with a built-in microphone and electronic viewfinder, a VTR and a monitor all engineered into a battery-powered unit that weighs from 15 to 50 pounds and records up to 30 minutes of videotape. The VTR fits in a special carrying case which goes over the shoulder, and unlike the color cameras, the b&w cameras are small and light enough to be hand held for long periods of time. The built-in microphone records the sound automatically. Portapaks combine relatively high technical quality with excellent freedom of movement. An individual can now capture life in all its spontaneity, easily and completely and replay the results immediately. The streets now become the studio!

cording quality can become considerably corn-promised. And that's what portapaks are—a compromise between the picture quality and stability of a big studio VTR, and the portability required for field recording.

The problem of "portable system compromise" becomes even more apparent when trying to edit and make copies later with the tapes. Some portable VTR s such as the AV-3400 and the VO-3800 simply refuse to track the tape correctly if subjected to certain spins or angles while being carried over the shoulder. If possible, treat the VTR carefully, and keep it in a horizontal position when recording.

Portapak Features:

All portapaks can work two ways—on regular 120 Volt AC power with an AC adaptor or on 12 Volt DC battery power.

-3/4-Inch U-Matic Videocassette

'Same features of 1/2-inch EIAJ -Stereo sound

• High quality color

• Compatible with all U-Matic VCRs

• Uses easy loading %-inch compact videocassettes -Automatic assemble editing with JVC CR-4400U and Panasonic NV-9400

•1/2-Inch Reel-to-Reel EIAJ:

Lightweight

-6:1 or 4:1 Zoom lens

Some models color capable •Still framing capability

•Audio dub

-Plays back picture through the camera viewfinder

• Can record and play both picture and sound from a camera or off-the-air.

• Plays back the picture and sound on a TV set with an optional RF adaptor

Standardized — compatible with any 1/2-inch EIAJ reel-to-reel VTR

•1/2-Inch Non-EIAJ—SANYO Slow motion

'Cassette loading

• Portable and lightweight -1/4-Inch and'/2-Inch AKAI

• Very lightweight

• RF adaptor optional

• Not standardized

'Some models record and play color

-Uses low cost'/4-inch tape or 1/2-inch videocassette (VT-300 only)

Records picture and sound and plays the picture back through the camera viewfinder

Technical Limitations of Portapaks

Usually, you have to pay a price in performance when attempting to make videotape recorders smaller. The elements that take up the most room and weigh the most such as the motors, drive systems and fly wheels, largely determine the VTR recording quality. In video, proper tape speed, accurate tape scanning, and motor drive system mechanics are crucial to the quality of the tape. These factors must be maintained within extremely narrow parameters if the tape is to be played back or interchanged with other VT Rs successfully. If motors must be made smaller or eliminated, and heavy flywheels that give the tape stability must be reduced in size, the overall re-

Popular Portapaks

The most popular model portapak is the venerable Sony EIAJ AV/AVC-3400 b&w VTR system; next comes the Panasonic NV/WV-3082 portable system. Newer systems of the 1/2-inch EIAJ type portapaks include the Sony AV-8400S/ AVC-3450 and the Panasonic NV/WV-3085 systems. All these are'/2-inch EIAJ reel-to-reel machines and black-and-white cameras. Following the 1/2-inch EIAJ chapter, we will deal separately with the %-inch U-Matic videocassette color portable systems in the Electronic Field Production (E FP or ENG) Chapter. Feel free to select the information regarding the specific unit you are using.

EIAJ REEL-TO-REEL PORTAPAKS

THE SONY AV-3400 PORTABLE VIDEO SYSTEM

The Sony AV-3400 is a black-and-white only 1/2-inch EIAJ reel-to-reel VTR. Its simplicity and reliability have made it the workhorse of nonbroadcast video.

Sony AV-3400 Controls and Connections

1. EXTERNAL MICROPHONE INPUT—Use a low impedance (200 ohm or 600 ohm) microphone only. When the external mic (microphone) is plugged in, it cancles out the built-in mic in the camera.

2. EARPHONE INPUT—Allows the operator to monitor the recording and the playback of the sound. An earphone is included in the system package, but use the SENN HE ISER Model HD-414 headphones for really excellent sound (about S40). The EARPHONE input also can be used as a sound output—LINE OUT, high impedance-

3. BATTERY CHARGE LEVEL METER—Indicates how much charge is left in the battery- Do not use the VTR when the needle is in the red zone.

Sony AV-3400 Controls

1. SUPPLY REEL—Place a full reel of tape here.

2. ROTARY VIDEO HEADS—Do not touch while the heads are in motion.

3. TAPE MINUTE COUNTER AND RESET BUTTON—Set to 000 at the beginning of the tape.

4. SOUND DUB BUTTON—Use for adding new sound.

5. STILL FRAME BUTTON—Use in playback mode to display a single frame.

6. AUTO SHUT-OFF SWITCH—Turns the VTR OFF when the tape runs out.

7. TAKE-UP REEL—Place an empty reel of tape here.

Sony AV-3400 Connections

1. EXTERNAL POWER /N—Plug in AC Power Adaptor or Long-Life battery.

2. CAMERA OR TV MONITOR—Use the 10-Pin plug for recording with the AVC-3400/AVC3450 camera or use the VMC-1M (10-Pin to 8-Pin cable) for tape playback on a monitor.

3. INPUT SELECTOR—Select either CAMERA or TV MONITOR input.

4. TRACKING CONTROL—Adjust for correct playback of tapes made on other EIAJ VTRs-

5. RF OUT—Use the optional R F Adaptor (R FU-53W), a 2-piece unit- See Chapter 7 and 8—Playback with RF Adaptor.

The AV-8400S requires the AC-1000C Power Adaptor which includes 2 color plug in modules (color packs), the CLP-8000R for recording and the CLP-8000 for playback.

The AV-8400S is a good machine, a little more complex than it needs to be and not quite as dependable as the AV-3400 VTR. I find the AV-8400S' automatic threading mechanism of little real value, yet it adds weight.

THE SONY AV-8400S COLOR PORTABLE VIDEO SYSTEM

The AV-8400S is a completely redesigned second generation 1/2-inch E I AJ portapak. It features automatic threading of special tape, improved sync, better picture quality, a built-in drop out compensator and color recording capability. Unfortunately the AV-8400S has become an extinct species due to "the lack of market demand" and Sony's preference for pushing the 3/4-inch videocassette systems for color use.

Color Operation

To record and playback in color, the optional color pack CLP-8000 (larger module) must be inserted in the AC-1000C AC Power/Battery Charger and the CLP-8000R (smaller module must be inserted in the AV-8400S deck. Otherwise, the unit will record and playback in b&w only-

NOTE: For specific control functions see AV-3400-

1. RF OUT—Connect to any conventional TV set (VHF Terminals). You must plug the optional RE Adaptor in the rear of the AV-8400S VTR first- Optional RF Adaptors may be purchased for color (R F K-204 FW) or b&w (R F U-62-65 FW)- The R F Adaptor package includes antenna plugs, matching transformer and cables-

NOTE: The color RF Adaptor is interchangeable with all the Sony Type II videocassette units except models VO-2800 and VO-2850.

2. B/W COLOR MODE Selector—Selects b&w or color mode.

3. DC IN-4-Pin DIN DC power plug—connect to AC-1000C Adaptor for AC operation and battery charging or to long-life 12 Volt external battery.

4. VIDEO—Connect to the AC-1000C for color playback. NOTE: You must have AC power for color playback.

5. SOURCE-10-Pin Plug—Connect to AV-3450 b&w camera or to DXC-1600 color Camera Control Unit (CCU). Do not try to plug DXC-1600 color camera in directly. It will not work- You may also use this plug for tape playback on a TV monitor.

6. INPUT SOURCE SELECTOR—Set for proper input source:

7. TRACKING CONTROL—Adjust during playback for best picture.

8. MIC INPUT—Plug in a good quality low impedance microphone here-

9. EARPHONE OUT—Use SE NNHE ISE R HD-414 headset (optional purchase)

AC-1000C AC Power Adaptor/Battery Charger

10. AUDIO OUT—Auxiliary connection for use with VTR, monitor or sound amplifier system. Use for editing and dubbing.

11. VIDEO OUT—For external use with VTR, monitor, or video projector. Use for editing and dubbing.

12. AC PLUG-120 Volts AC, plug into a wall socket-

POWER AND THE PORTAPAK Battery Operation

Nearly all the internal circuits in video equipment operate on DC power—even AC only units. Of course, only portable VTR s and Cameras are actually able to plug directly into DC (battery) power. Since it doesn't matter to the portapak whether it receives battery or AC power, avoid the hassles of batteries and use the AC Power Adaptor if its convenient.

Battery Insertion

Battery pack BP-20 fits inside the VTR and can be charged while inside the VTR by plugging in the AC Adaptor/Battery Charger- The battery pack will then charge automatically when the AC-3400 charger is turned on or the RESET button is pushed on the AC-1000C-

Battery Charging Procedure—AV-3400

Step 1   Plug in the AC Adaptor/Charger to the VTR and a wall socket.

Step 2   Turn the power switch ON. The pilot lamp will light.

Step 3   Set the function lever on the VTR to STOP.

Step 4   Charge for at least 8 hours (overnight).

Dual Battery Charging

A second BP-20 battery may be charged simultaneously by using the plug marked BATT on the front panel of the charger.

Battery Charging

The battery WILL NOT charge while the VTR is recording or playing back off AC current- Under perfect conditions, a fully charged BP-20 battery pack will allow approximately 45 minutes of VTR and camera operation or 60 minutes of VTR playback only. The battery may be left inside the VTR while operating and charging.

Battery Check

The battery meter on the front panel of the VTR shows battery condition when the R ECO R D LEVER is moved to the left or the VTR is turned on.

Battery Charging Procedure—AV-8400S

Step 1   Plug in the AC-1000C AC Adaptor/ Charger into the VTR and a wall socket.

Step 2   Turn the AC-1000C ON. T he green light may light.

Step 3   Set the function lever on the VTR to STOP mode.

Step 4   Push the RESET button on the charger.

Step 5 Charge for at least 8 hours. The charger will turn off the charging cycle automatically when it is complete.

CAUTION:

The battery meter will not register in STOP, FF or REWIND modes.

DO NOT operate the VTR or camera when the BP-20 battery is very low as this will cause permanent damage to the battery.

VTR must be in STOP mode while recharging.

Low Battery Symptoms:

AVC-3400 camera and AVC-3450 camera

• Picture out of focus or cannot be focused

• Diagonal lines in camera viewfinder -Discharge reading on meter (red zone) AVC-3450 camera only:

-The red light on the left side of the viewfinder will go out.

Portapak Power Sources Gel-Cell Batteries—BP-20

The battery that originally came with the 1/2-inch portapaks was made of lead gelled acid and will power a portapak for 30 to 45 minutes on a full charge. The GEL-CELL, designated the BP-20 by Sony, does not have the power density of the longer life batteries such as the Nickel Cadmium type, but unlike the temperamental NI-CADS, the Gel-Cells cannot explode and can take considerable charging abuse. However, the Gel-Cell will crack if dropped and corrode the VTR- Also, the plugs and wires on the battery are very weak and can break easily and will burn up the battery instantly if the wires are shorted out.

The BP-20 must be charged with the AC-3400 or the AC-1000C AC Adaptor/Battery Chargers which are preset to a specific charging cycle. Any other charging method will ruin the batteries.

The BP-20A Battery

The BP-20A is a small size Ni-Cad type battery, identical in size to the BP-20. The BP-20A, is supplied with the AV-3400 and the Sony color camera DXC-1600 and the VO-3800 3/4-inch portable videocassette unit. The BP-20A will provide 1 to 11/2 hours of recording time, and it can be used very effectively with both the AV-3400 and AV-84005 VTRs,

CAUTION: Do not charge a BP-20 and a BP-20A simultaneously with the same charger.

The BP-30 Sony "Long Life" Battery:

The BP-30 is a sealed series of 10 (nickel cadmium) cells tied together. Ni-Cad batteries are lightweight, and they have excellent power capabilities- The BP-30 is reliable, compact, and well worth the $130 for a good remote power source. However, they're temperamental batteries, and they need to be charged carefully or they will explode, destroy the charger, or suffer a major core meltdown. Unfortu nately, the cheap "black box" charger that comes with the BP-30 is not a good charger, and if left on much beyond the 14-hour recommended charging cycle, it will severely damage the batteries by overcharging.

What the BP-30 really needs is a constant charging adaptor which will only supply 400 MA (mill iamps) during the charging cycle. Then it cannot overcharge. The ALTER1VATE MEDIA CENTER workbook suggests this charging method and circuit design for a constant charging adaptor.

The Memory of a BP-30

N i-Cad batteries have the peculiar characteristic of remembering only the least amount of work that they did last as opposed to the amount of work they really can do. (They must have learned this from being around people.) Thus the BP-30 will become accustomed to being drained down to 11 volts (vs. 14 volts at full charge) and not go any further. To restore the full power cycle, place the VTR in RECORD mode by placing a piece of cardboard against the automatic shut-off mechanism and let the VTR run until the battery meter is in the red. Now, recharge the battery for 14 hours but be careful not to overcharge it.

NOTE: The constant charging adaptor eliminates these problems.

The Power Draw of the VTR

The Sony portapaks will run on 11 to 14 volts of DC power. Operation in the RECORD mode requires the most amount of power because of the need to run the VTR motors and the camera at the same time. PLAYBACK mode and STANDBY mode draws only 1 amp, only 1/2 as much power. Overall the portapak draws 3 amps of current, and household circuits will supply 15 amps, so there's lots of power left over to run lights and monitors.

Life Expectancy of Batteries

Obviously, the rated life of a battery will vary depending on its use—recording or playback. The BP-30, so called 3 hour battery, cannot really record for more than 21/4 hours under ideal conditions. It's considered good if you can get 11/2 hours out of it. It should last for at least 500 charge and re-charge cycles or 4 or 5 years with love and care.

Battery Repair

Often only 1 cell will go bad, but this affects the whole battery- Individual cells can be replaced for about 510 per cell plus labor. You should take the battery to a good technician, because if you short out the leads, the whole battery may burn up.

The Elpower Battery

Another battery option for the portapaks is the ELPOWE R long life battery. It's guaranteed to give at least 3 hours, and it should give 4 hours of power- For the price of 1 BP-30 ($130) you can purchase 2 Elpower long life batteries, the carrying case, charger, and have 6-8 hours of power. The Elpower is specifically designed for the Sony and Panasonic portapaks. However, it is not distributed through Sony or Panasonic. You need to order from the company, see a big video dealer, or order from the Comprehensive Video Supply Corp.

The disadvantages of the E 'power 4 hr. battery include a greater weight—about 21/2 times as heavy as the BP-30 and about 3 times as large. This is because the Elpower is a Gel-Cell type and not a N i-Cad type battery. That's why it's so much cheaper. If you don't mind the extra weight and size, it's a good battery system, especially for the price.

Other Batteries

Used and Army surplus batteries can be used, but find out how much power they put out, what kind they are, and how to properly charge them. Otherwise you risk damage to the VTR and/or your body. Write to GOULD NATIONAL BATTERIES in Minnesota for their "Battery Handbook."

Other Power Sources

The portapaks will operate on just about any 12-volt DC power source. Motor vehicle options include the car battery adaptors (Sony DCC2400), and power generators—such as the TRIPLITE generator (available from LAFAYETTE ELECTRONICS), and 12 volt motorcycle batteries. Motorcycle batteries are not recommended as they can leak acid and catch fire.

Battery Care

-When storing batteries, put a charge on them and recharge every 6 months.

• DO NOT subject batteries to extremes of cold or heat-32°F to 110°F. Batteries will lose effectiveness in cold weather and self destruct if overheated.

• Connecting plugs and wires are weak, be careful.

DO NOT pull the plug out by its wires.

DO NOT overcharge. This is not a problem with the BP-20 and the AC-3400 and AC-1000C Chargers.

• DO NOT keep shooting with the BP-20 battery when the battery meter is in the red zone area.

Interchangeability

It seems that most Sony and Panasonic batteries are interchangeable with each other and the 4-Pin battery/power plugs are also identical.

SONY PORTAPAK CAMERAS

There are 3 portable cameras that can be used with the AV-3400 and AV-8400S VTRs.