Turning an old VHS camcorder into a time travel machine

The time/date clock in my 1986 Panasonic Newvicon tube VHS camcorder doesn't go past 1999, so with that in mind, I decided to fulfill a viewer request to use it making a video pretending that I was back in the 1980s.

I cheated a little by capturing the camcorder's A/V outputs onto Digital8 tape, although I did edit in a short segment showing how the camcorder's own recording onto VHS-HQ tape looked in comparison. It did surprisingly well, due to its use of an edge sharpening effect to help offset VHS's low resolution (notice how it creates shadows around the time/date stamp), but the mono linear audio track did have some audible hiss.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• panasonic
• newvicon
• tube
• type
• image
• sensor
• vhs
• camcorder
• video
• camera
• vintage
• antique
• obsolete
• 1980s
• 80s
• 1987
• pv-220d
• pv220d
• pv-220
• pv220
• time
• travel
• machine
• how
• to
• build
• make
• hack
• cheap
• free

[BrianPicchi]

Very cool video. You need to do more like this. I love pretending I'm watching an 80s video, not sure why.  By the way, is this the first time you've filmed yourself on youtube? First time I've seen you anyway.

[vwestlife]

@BrianPicchi I've been on camera a few quick times as far back as 2009, but my first extensive appearance was my coming out video, posted 1/1/2012.

[travismay2008]

U2 Released The Joshua Tree 9 March 1987

[vwestlife]

@travismay2008 Then I must've gotten a pre-release promo copy! :-)

[Lachlant1984]

You know if I was doing a time travel video like this and going back to 1987 I'd be playing Super Mario Brothers on the NES because that's when it came out in Australia, and I'd be listening to James Reyne's self-title album, on cassette tape of course, in my cassette tape based Teddy Ruxpin, there you go.

[FilipinorenderHD]

lol where do i buy that thing?! please

[vdochev]

I'm wondering why did they bother installing a recording light on a home camera? For a news reporting camera - yes, but it's a home camera. I bet that it annoyed people more than being useful.

Um... yeah, I pressed the button, so I think it's recording. I don't need the red flash, thank you. :)

[theking0fnowhere]

Holy crap. It's great to put a face with the voice. Interesting vid.

[orison319]

dude go back to 1981 and tell the Secret Service someone is going to shoot Ronald Reagan..

[TroyFoxxin]

my grandma passed away few days ago. i was going throught her things and came across a "Computie!'s machine Language Runtines for Commodore 64" Book.

[CassetteMaster]

Fun! It's neat to do videos that look like they're from an earlier time. My Panasonic Omnivision also only goes up to 1999.

[Trance88]

Pretty cool. If only you had a 80's haircut and clothes to go with it, it would look even more legitimate! I don't think I own anything from specifically 1987.

[lmull3]

@uxwbill why, with science of course!! :D

[Yarach]

I have an old Denon amp and a pair of Bose 205 series from around that time. And damn, it is like having a real cinema and full orchestra at home. My parents are jealous of me because I have way better sound for € 70 in total, they have spended over € 300 for their 5.1 "home cinema" set.