Vintage JVC GR-SX1 S-VHS-C Camcorder boxed 1993

Outletvideo Broadcast Museum in Greece

Vintage JVC GR-SX1 S-VHS-C Camcorder 1993 Perfect working condition, looks like new with original box

Camera

CCD sensor: 1/3 inch, 470,000 pixels.

Lenses: zoom × 10, 5-50mm, f / 1.2, diameter 46mm.

Viewfinder: Electronic 0.7 inch, color LCD.

Focus: Auto, manual.

Exposure: Auto, manual.

White Balance: Auto, Preset, Manual.

Shutter: Yes

Sensitivity: 2 lux.

Video recorder

Format: S VHS C,

Standard: Pal.

Audio: 2 Hi-Fi, 1 mono.

Weight: 820 g without battery or cassette.

Functions: Full auto - Fade N, B - Color adjustment, sharpness - Remote socket, Edit, microphone, headphones - Insertion - Sound dubbing - Programmed editing - Rec 5 ″ - Intervalometer.

Price: 10,000 F (1,524 €)

Viewfinder

As LCD technology has advanced a lot, the presence of a color viewfinder is a real added value. No more white balance errors, the calorimetric rendering is checked in real time. This is probably why the manufacturer offers five white balance modes Cloudy (cloudy sky), Sunny (sun), Halogene Lamp (artificial light), Manual (by memory) or All-auto. When viewing, while color rendering is indisputably more reliable, abandoning the black and white viewfinder has two drawbacks.

JVC GR-SX1 sight

On the one hand, the definition is noticeably poorer and the focus adjustment, which can be disengaged on this model, is more difficult to achieve in the "Tele" position. On the other hand, I have always been sensitive to the pleasure of discovering images on a television. Normally, the black and white image of the viewfinder retains an aura of mystery as long as we ignore "what it gives in color." Here, the surprise effect fades somewhat, the pleasure of rediscovering is not so strong ...

Clutches

The JVC GR-SX1 has multiple disengages in case the “Full Auto” mode is not enough. Thus, exposure, white balance, focus and gain control (AGC Off) can be switched to manual.

JVC GR-SX1 Clutches

To this list are added five programmed modes (Portrait, Sepia, Sports, Landscapes, Black & White) that can respond to different shooting situations. However, we wonder about the real use of these modes (in practice, do we use them?) Given the mandatory access via the "Menu" key. On the other hand, the "Cinema" modes and the three color fades (black, white, Mix color / black and white) generate special effects that are easy to use.

Energy

Like most palm models, the supplied battery pack is necessarily limited by its basic capacity. Don't expect more than 35 minutes of battery life, including standby time. Opt without hesitation for a B-V22U which doubles the initial autonomy or - even better - the BN-V50U which offers continuous recording for 120 minutes. There, it becomes comfortable. A detail rare enough to be underlined: the manufacturer originally supplied a double charger with the "Refresh" function. In other words, the ability to discharge the battery before recharging. Please note that this discharge time can be up to 210 minutes with the supplied battery and up to 540 minutes with the BN-V50U of high capacity. In short, “refresh” the night, not the day!

In the field

While visiting a castle, the JVC was put to the test in the field. The "Rec 5 seconds" option allowed me to effectively punctuate the differences between the exterior views of the building. I was also able to check (in color) the last scene recorded via the "Retake" layer, a command equivalent to the Edit Search of Sony models. Faced with the architecture of a castle, the semi-wide angle, close to 33 mm (5 mm for a 1/3 ″ sensor), proved to be rather convincing.

In theaters, I have activated the automatic gain control (AGC) which has the effect of adjusting the sensitivity according to the surrounding lighting. In this case, "AGC On" is displayed in the viewfinder. The latter also permanently indicates the remaining tape time, a rather useful device in S-VHS-C since the maximum time of a tight case is limited to 45 minutes in SP. On the other hand, the numerous inscriptions of the non-detachable viewfinder (Zoom, Focus etc.), cluttered my vision. Another source of annoyance is the arrangement of the zoom controls (W and T), which causes many handling errors, at least during the first contact with the camera. Finally, two final criticisms. No manual focus lever: I persist and sign, it is a regrettable lack on all of the current models! No controls suitable for big hands either: the buttons - especially those on the VCR part - are so puny!

Montage

The GR-SX1 is therefore equipped with three editing functions: insertion, sound dubbing and assembly by storing sequences, all three accessible by the single remote control. Remember that the insertion makes it possible to substitute one sequence for another without risking a "tearing" of the connection. Direct application: shot-editing, that is to say, editing during shooting. The second possibility is sound dubbing, in other words the replacement of the original sound by the sound of an external source, music or commentary (the JVC has a Mic socket). Last but not least, the possibility of editing by storing sequences. Either the recorder is a JVC model: in this case, all you have to do is connect the camcorder and video recorder using the "Edit" connector common to both devices. Either the recorder is a model from another manufacturer: the remote control of the GRSX1 must then be aligned with the infrared reception code of the competing video recorder. For simplicity, let's say the JVC remote acts as a multi-brand remote. Finally, let us point out the intervalometer, a very useful function which plays both on the duration of the recording (1/4 ″, 1/2 ”, 1 ″) and on that of the interval (15 ″, 30 ″, 1 ′, 5 ′).

Supplied accessories

JVC GR-SX1 Remote control

While most remote controls are confined to controlling the playback and recording of the camcorder, that of the JVC incorporates three functions specific to editing: sound dubbing, insertion and assembly by storing sequences. These various editing modes are not accessible on the camera, it is strongly recommended not to lose this precious accessory under the cushions of the sofa!

Conclusion

Here is a fairly complete device that plays on two registers, a certain simplicity of operation and many advanced functions: program modes, editing controls and color viewfinder. Too bad the latter has such an impact on the price of this model.

Rivals

Rivals JVC-GR-SX1

Models with integrated color viewfinder are still rare. They should not be confused with devices incorporating a color screen such as the Sharp Viewcam or the Sony SC5 / SC7. At 10,000 F, there is no direct rival to the JVC GRSX1. At around 6,500 F, Sony offers its Video8 family model, the TR 450, which has no manual override; its wide-angle position, exceeding 41 mm, is also less convincing than the JVC (reminder: 33 mm). At around 8.490 F, the Hitachi Hi-8 VMH 59 combines stabilizer and wide-angle. Even more complete, the Sony TR3 equipped with a time code. Tapping into the 13,000 F it is above the JVC. For almost 12,000 F, the famous VM-H71 (Hi-8) which also incorporates a stabilizer, is resistant to splashing water.