Unique Vintage JVC BY-110 Videocamera VTR ADAPTER VHS BR-1600EG

• Extremely compact, lightweight--8.2 lbs. with lens and 1" viewfinder.


• Low power consumption--15.0 watts w/1" viewfinder.


• f/1.4 prism optical system


• 3 newly designed 1/2" hi-voltage Saticon tubes.


• Hi-resolution of 600 lines.


• Excellent signal to noise ratio of 54dB


• Genlock input (through AC power connector)


• Auto-shift registration


• Auto white/black balance


• Auto beam control (ABC)


• Auto black level circuit (ABL)


• Servo iris control circuit w/auto iris close


• Color bar circuit


• +6dB/+12dB gain boost for low light


• Built-in color temperature filter wheel


• "Hot Shoe" viewfinder, lens, & optional microphone


• Extended life memory backup battery

==================BY110 SPECIFICATIONS==================

Optical system : f/1.4 three tube RGB prism
system

Focusing/deflection system : Electrostatic focus/electro-
magnetic deflection

Pickup tubes : 1/2" Saticon* (x3)

Encoder : PAL (R-Y, B-Y)

Synchronizing system

Internal : Built-in SSG

External : Composite video or black burst
(via AC power adaptor or remote
control unit)

Lens : f/1.4 10X power zoom lens,
minimum object distance 1 m
(3.25 feet), with macro position

Sensitivity : f/2.8 at 2000 lux (186 fc)

Minimum illumination : f/1.4, 65 lux (70% video level)
(+12 dB switch ON)

S/N : 54dB (Contour correction OFF,
Gamma 1, Bandwidth 4.2 MHz)

Horizontal resolution : 600 lines (G ch center)

Registration

Zone 1 : Within 0.1% (circle 80% of
picture height)

Zone 2 : Within 0.4% (circle of picture
width)

Zone 3 : Within 0.8% (area outside Zone 2)

Geometric distortion : Within 2%

Input signals

Return video signal : VBS, 1.0 Vp-p, 75 ohms

Genlock signal : Composite video (VBS, 1.0 Vp-p,
75 ohms) or black burst (BB, 0.43
Vp-p, 75 ohms)

Microphone : -52dBm, 600 ohm unbalanced

Output signals

Composite video signal : 1.0 Vp-p, 75 ohm (14p connector)

Test signal : R, G, B, R-G, B-G, ENC

Audio signal : -20 dB unbalanced

Audio monitor signal : From video recorder used

VCR control signal : Contact or 4V supply
(switchable)

Contour Correction

Horizontal : Dual-edged

Vertical : 1H, single-edged

Optical filters : Closed, 3200K, 5600K,
5600K+25%ND

Gain Boost : 0 dB, +6 dB, +12 dB

Power requirement : +12V DC (10.5--15V), 1.05 A

Ambient temperature : -5 to +45 C (23 to 113 F)

Weight : 3.7 kg (8.2 lbs) including 1"
viewfinder

1" Viewfinder VF-110U
---------------------

CRT : 25 mm (1 inch) diagonal

Resolution : 350 TV lines

Provided circuits : Front tally lamp, video rec/
camera battery warning, record/
tally indication, video level
display.

Diopter : provided

Power requirement : 12V DC, 300 mA

Ambient temperature : -20 to +50 C (-4 to 122 F)

Weight : 400 g

Dimensions : 193(W) x 164(H) x 57(D) mm
(7-5/8" x 6-1/2" x 2-1/4")

4" Viewfinder VF-400
--------------------

CRT : (4 inches) diagonal

Resolution : more than 500 TV lines

Provided circuits : Tally lamps, peaking control

Pan/tilt mechanisms : Provided

Power requirement : 12V DC

Ambient Temperature : -20 to 50 C (-4 to 122 F)

AC Power Adaptor AA-C11U
------------------------

Power input : 120 V AC, 50/60 Hz

Output

Camera mode : +12V DC, 2.2 A

Charge mode : +12V to +16V DC, 2.2 A

Power consumption : 60 W

Compatible battery pack : DC-C11U

Ambient temperature

Camera mode : -20 to +50 C (-4 to 122 F)

Charge mode : +10 to +35 C (+50 to +95 F)

Charge indication : QUICK/TRICKLE

Charge time : Approx. 90 min. (quick charge)

Weight : 1.85 kg (4.1 lbs)

Battery Pack DC-C11U
--------------------

Type : Ni-Cad battery

Output : 12 V DC, 2.2 Ah

Overcharge sensor : Built-in

Remote Control Unit RS-110U
---------------------------

Output signals

Composite video signals : 1.0 Vp-p, 75 ohms, x 2

R/G/B signals : 0.7 Vp-p, 75 ohms, x 1 each
(by switching)

Intercom signal : 2-wire system, line -20 dBm,
600 ohm balanced

Input signals

Genlock signal : VBS 1.0 Vp-p, 75 ohm (loop-
thru output) or BB 0.43 Vp-p,
75 ohms (loop-through output)

AUX signal : VBS or VC, 1.0 Vp-p, 75 ohms,
(loop-thru output)

Intercom signal : 2-wire system, line -20 dBm,
600 ohm balanced

Tally signal : Make-contact or power supply
(5 to 24 V DC, or 6 V AC)

Power requirement : 120 V AC, 50/60 Hz

Ambient temperature : -10 to +45 C (+14 to 113 F)

Microphone M-K50U
-----------------

Type : Electret condenser

Sensitivity : -52 dB

S/N ratio : 50 dB

Frequency response : 70 to 16000 Hz

Output impedence : 600 ohms, balanced

Power requirement : 9 V DC (provided from camera)

Ambient temperature : -5 to +45 C (+23 to +113 F)

Weight : 270 g (0.6 lbs)

Design and specifications subject to change without notice.

by Mark R. Hasan on June 23, 2014

When JVC brought out its BY-110UL16 (aka, model BY-110), a smaller, cheaper, yet still pretty damn good 3-tube camera (the unit is outfitted with three 1/2 inch Saticon tubes instead of the bigger and more popular 2/3 versions), it was around the time ENG cameras were starting to be available in both tube and CCD variants, and not long afterwards, units that were either standalone cameras or modular camcorders capable of recording in VHS, SVHS, U-matic, and Betcam.

The usage of different type of tubes also seemed to indicate that Saticons were for Important Things, and Newvicons, being more burn-resilient and better in low-light situations, were preferred for night shoots.

In preparation for an upcoming shoot, I did some test filming over the past two weekends, partially to see how the camera handled bright exterior sunlight  and a harsh spotlight in otherwise dark locales. Being a classic standalone camera in need of a power supply (the original chunky batteries are long dead) and a separate video recorder, the most accessible locations were the 1) backyard, and 2) the home.

It’s a real challenge trying to figure out how to take a vintage camera to a location and find the simplest means to both power it + record SD footage for editing in an HD project. The BY-110, like other similar cameras, needs its own unique accoutrements that make it almost impractical in 2014, but I’m hoping the end results will justify the headache in coordinating the transportation, setting up, striking down, and returning home of said chunky gear.

(I do have fond memories of the simplicity in having to carry a camcorder + tripod, and maybe an extension cord to get the job done. Way, WAY back, I taped two years of fFIDA dance performances, and going back & forth was easier because the gear was smaller & lighter, and easy parking was still possible in T.O.)

In any event, I’ve uploaded the two sets of videos:

[embed]https://vimeo.com/98840583[/embed]

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7DzjZl7OtM[/embed]

The Garden Colours version on Vimeo will be up in a week’s time, but you can access the same montage in HD on YouTube:

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=183&v=noiqSbWPnrQ[/embed]

As for the above videos, all the footage was recorded straight to miniDV using a Sony GV-D1000 watchman (somehow Sony’s use of that moniker seems out-of-place when applied to prosumer gear), and edited in Adobe Premiere.

None of the Headshots footage was treated – what’s in the video is the raw footage – but I did do some slight colour correction on the garden footage because there were inconsistencies due to the changes in lights, and my erroneous use of the camera’s built-in 5600 K / 25% ND combo filter.

One thing that did mandate some reshooting was underexposed footage because what seemed hot in the viewfinder was actually the right exposure to get good colour and overall brightness. Classic case of what the camera’s systems says is safe and reasonable actually isn’t. I didn’t have any polarizer or ND variants for the lens size (77mm), so there were some shots in which capturing detail necessitated a few somewhat hot whites.

Other point: I used a vintage Slik tripod (model 312V) which handles broadcast cameras – in weight, bulk, length – extremely well.  Without a greased tripod head, the tilts and pans aren’t fluid – you have to make your own resistance to get those movements that glide instead of  ‘swoop.’ Panning is less a problem, but my beat-up 35mm Black’s tripod from high school (it still works!) is great for panning but way too small for ENG cameras.

Some extra photos from JVC BY-110 Videocamera

3 tube Saticon JVC BY-110 video camera, 1986.

Extremely compact, extremely light

Computer aided design and manufacturing techniques have made possible drastic reductions in size and weight without reducing performance and features. Strength and protection are provided by an aluminum diecast body. Total weight of the camera including lens and 1" viewfinder is only 3.7 kg (8.2 lbs). Low power consumption

Power consumption is a low 15.0 watts when the 1" viewfinder is used. When a fully-charged DC-C11U battery pack is used, the camera will operate for approximately 60 minutes at normal temperatures (about 77 F). The camera may be powered from a range of 10.5 to 15 DC volts. The BY-110U has a quick warm-up time and is stabilized sufficiently for normal use about 40 seconds after switching the power on. (Perfect stabilization will require 10 minutes or more.) Excellent picture quality

Three newly designed 1/2" Saticon (SM) tubes assure accurate color reproduction and 600 lines of horizontal resolution. The BY-110U has a supurb signal to noise ratio of 54dB. The new 1/2" tubes (H9392) tubes were chosen because of their excellent reproduction quality and compact size. A fast f/1.4 glass prism assures supurb resolution and accurate color separation. Wide range of automatic functions

- Auto-shift registration (auto centering) provides automatic adjustment of vertical and horizontal alignment (shift) of blue and red channels. Adjustment is accomplished by simply flipping a switch on the front panel. The circuit is digital, and registration data is stored in the camera's memory (battery back-up provided). - Auto white balance circuit. White color balance can be adjusted automatically by flipping a switch, or the camera can be operated in the "preset" position (3200K). White balance data is stored in the camera's memory circuit. - Auto black balance circuit. Flipping a switch automatically closes the iris and adjusts pedestal balance of the individual channels. - Auto beam control circuit...reduces comet tails in most cases. - Auto black level circuit. The ABL circuit offers sharp black images even when shooting outdoors under bright conditions. - Auto (servo) iris circuit. The iris responds quickly to objects with varied contrast and slowly for those with little contrast for natural automatic iris operation. A weighting detection circuit controls the video signal level of the upper part of the screen to optimize the overall brightness when the sky is very bright, etc. To protect the pickup tubes, the iris closes automatically when the OPERATE switch os off, or when the color bar switch is on. Extended life back-up battery

To retain the memory of the digital auto circuits, a back-up battery is employed. This allows the camera to retain its white balance, black balance, and auto-shift settings even when the power is turned off. A new long-life battery is utilized for this function and has a rated life of approximately 4 years. Access to the battery is on the underneath side of the camera. Excellent operability

Good human engineering went into the placement of switches and other camera controls. Switches are "touch coded" and some are protected from accidental mis-operation. The auto centering and auto white/black controls are located on the front panel behind a small door. A diopter is provided in the 1" electronic viewfinder for people who wear eyeglasses. An optional adjustable chest rest is available which improves stability and comfort. The chest rest, model KA-111, is similar to the one provided with the KY-310U cameras. "Hot shoe" connection system

To eliminate problems with cables an connectors, the camera head and its portable accessories are designed to connect together without the use of cables. Direct connection is provided for: - 10:1 zoom lens - 1" electronic viewfinder - M-K50U microphone - DC-C11U NiCad battery pack. When in operation, the only exposed cable is the VCR cable. This feature not only solves the usual problems associated with cables, it greatly enhances the appearance of the camera, giving it a very "solid" look. Genlock circuit

The BY-110U has built-in genlock facilities for locking up to other cameras in multi-camera operations. Instead of the usual genlock connector on the camera, to save space the genlock input and external power inputs are provided through the AA-C11U AC adaptor. Connection between the camera and AC adaptor is provided by the VCR cable (VC-511Bu-2). The BY-110U will lock to any stable composite video signal or black burst (B.B.). Built-in color bars

The BY-110U has a built-in full field color bar generator. Color bars are useful for checking and making adjustments to color monitors and they provide a consistent reference for checking the performance of the videocassette recorder. Gain boost for low light

The BY-110U has a +6dB and +12dB gain booster for operation in low light conditions. Also provided, is a level-depend circuit which adjusts the starting point of enhancement, according to the light level. Together, these circuits enable maximum low light performance with a minimum of noise in the picture. The minimum illumination required is 65 lux (70% video level) with +12dB of gain. Even at this light level, the picture is quiet, with well defined images and natural colors. ACCESSORIES ------------ 10:1 Servo Zoom lens (Included in basic package)

This new JVC designed lens is one key to the successful performance of the BY-110U. This special f/1.4 10X servo zoom is attached via a special mount, which includes electronic connections. Lens cables and cable problems are eliminated. Since the cameras are shipped from the factory with the lenses attached, each camera is "tweaked" to its own lens, resulting in more accurate, consistent performance. Because of the special requirements in using 1/2" pickup tubes, it was not practical to utilize the standard bayonet mount found on other prism cameras, since the lenses would not be interchangeable anyway. However, for convenience the lens supplied with the BY-110U is detachable. The lens includes a macro function for extreme close-ups. The following lens accessories are offered for added flexibility: * Wide angle conversion lens adaptor * Tele Conversion lens adaptor 1" Viewfinder VF-110U (included in basic package)

The small VF-110U viewfinder provides a sharp black & white image of more than 350 TV lines. It attaches directly to the camera head without cables, and has an adjustable eyepiece. A diopter (adjustment for people who wear eyeglasses) is provided. Brightness and contrast controls are on the side of the viewfinder, accessible to the camera operator. A red LED tally lamp is visable on the front of the VF-110U. Two LEDs are provided inside the viewfinder to give the cameraperson status information. AC adaptor/charger AA-C11U, battery pack DC-C11U

The BY-110U uses a newly designed snap-on NiCad battery pack, the DC-C11U. This battery has a power output of 2.2 AH at 12 V DC, and will power the camera for approximately 60 minutes when fully charged. The battery has a built-in overcharge sensor to prevent thermal damage caused by overcharging, and can be completely recharged in about 90 minutes, using the AA-C11U adaptor/charger. In addition to charging the battery, the AA-C11U is designed to power the BY-110U. Connection is made to the camera via the 14p--10p VCR cable. In addition to providing power to the camera, the AA-C11U has an input for the genlock signal. The power requirement for the AA-C11U is 120 VAC, 50/60 Hz. Microphone M-K50U

This super-directional microphone snaps directly onto the camera. It uses an electret condenser pickup element, and receives its 9V power supply from the camera. It can also be used with camera models KY-210U, KY-310U, KY-900U, & KY-950U. STUDIO CONFIGURATION -------------------- The BY-110U can be converted into a studio camera by adding the following options: 1. RS-110U Remote Control Unit 2. VF-450U 4.5" Viewfinder 3. HZ-ZS11U Zoom Servo Control 4. HZ-FM11U Focus Manual Control 5. VC-515U RCU Cable (65') 6. VC-516U Extension RCU Cable (65') RS-110U Remote Control Unit

The RS-110U fits into a standard EIA rack and is specially designed for use in studio systems with two or more cameras. Color matching between cameras and other control functions are available. R, G, and B signals can be output except during adjustment of R/B gain and master black level. Control functions: 1. Power on/off 2. Auto/manual iris mode setting 3. Manual iris control 4. SC Phase control 5. Auto white balance 6. Auto black balance 7. Auto/Manual white balance mode setting 8. Auto-shift registration 9. R/B gain control 10. Color bar/camera signal switching 11. Master black level control 12. Sensitivity switching 13. Cable length compensation