Akai VT-150 Color Video Tape Recorder, Part 1

Here is the first look at my latest Akai VT-150 color video tape recorder that uses quarter inch video tape and mating two tube color camera. Recently obtained from a nice fellow in Canada. I give a quick and dirty run through of the features and operation of the portable color recording system. It is in rough condition. But, not as rough as the first two complete outfits that I purchased which do not operate at all. The first one cost me $1,600 on Ebay many years ago. Since then, I paid $750 a piece for the second one and for this one. I finally have one of these that actually runs well enough to begin full operational restoration. Apparently, the color camera is also operational as demonstrated to me by the seller. I hope to take this system to the Early Television Foundation convention in Columbus, Ohio next year and show it off there.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• +Akai
• +VT-150
• +VC-150
• +color
• +reel
• to
• reel
• +video
• +tape
• +recorder
• +vidicon
• +camera
• +television
• +electronics
• +VCR
• +labguy
• +videocorder

[troysvisualarts]

Very nice video outfit Richard n seeing it actually work is a bonus! What is the recording resolution in horizontal lines, is it more or less than VHS 240 line resolution? Also I noticed you were curious about the white balance control, from my knowledge of white balance, when the camera's pointed at a white object n the button is pressed the colour balance is adjusted so the dominating white object is white n not tinted to any colour. I use it a lot on my 70s/80s colour cameras when using them.

[videolabguy]

@troysvisualarts Troy, accordign to the user manual, which I had not reviewed prior to making the video, the button automatically sets the white balance. You point the camera at a white card and hold the button for three seconds. Simple enough. Alternatively, it could have just as easily activated a white balance indicator on the viewfinder to allow you to dial it in manually. I only meant that at the time of the video, I was not sure which method this camera used.

[mspysu79]

Rich,

This is awesome!

Did you EVER get any usable video out of my old VC-150?

Cant wait to see the progress, keep up the great work.

[videolabguy]

@mspysu79 Matt, as I recall, the camera would not produce an image when I got it. But, that was many years ago now.

[KESSLERPARK]

Labguy:

I ran across a vendor here in New Orleans that has some unopened

boxes of tape for that machine- would that help?

Blaine

[videolabguy]

@KESSLERPARK I have tons of tape. both new in box and used. None of it with color recordings. But, that will change soon.

[gcioni]

hi

[richterst1]

really nice equipment!

[RetroPCDOS]

Have do a full restoration of mines now. Nice demo !!

[troysvisualarts]

@videolabguy Ahh okay, totally misinterpreted what you meant initially, got it now.

[troysvisualarts]

@troysvisualarts Oh just looked at the flyer of the VTS-150 on your site, horizontal resolution over 230 lines so now I've answered my own question! ;)

[FeCr3]

Very nice VTR!!