Hitachi FP-20S
 

I fished this unit out of a recycling bin. This is camera 2 for some sort of studio space formerly operating at Vancouver General Hospital. Camera 1 is on display at the same recycling center and uses a different leans unit with knob controls for the focus and zoom. I may end up with it as well at some point in the future. Both units are missing their viewfinders.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...t/CGS_7812.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...t/CGS_7812.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...t/CGS_7813.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...t/CGS_7813.jpg

So far I have been unsuccessful digging up any information about this camera aside from one old spec snippet which dates it to around 1985 and using a Saticon pickup.

https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/ima...e1-tris-sr.jpg

Any ideas on where else I should look?

Does it have one saticon tube or 3 saticon tubes?

I see three tubes inside.

From the multipin connector, I'd guess that this needs a matching control/processing unit to function.

It runs on 12 volts, on the Batt socket . It is also One tube type Colour .

I'm aware already that it is a 12v device but any other documentation I can reference to among other things confirm if it needs a preprocessor to function would be great.

Here's an extra photo, btw:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...t/CGS_7821.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...t/CGS_7821.jpg

it looks like mine,but it not.As you said it 3 tube mine is one.

What is the multipin connector and the BNC next to it labeled? Also wonder if the BNC marked video is completely processed composite out, or is the R-G, Y, B-G selected by the switch for convergence checks.

I now see it has a genlock input on the camera. So, I wonder if an external processor is optional and the camera could be configured as stand-alone.

the multi-pin connector is marked OP/VTR and the little BNC socket is PIX OUT.

Well, that certainly sounds like it could stand alone.

By the way, I wonder how the tubes are doing. Saticons (and I guess Plumbicons and similar tubes) can suffer from slow accumulation of gas, but running them for a while at least once every 6 months will prevent trouble.

If I can find something resembling a pinout I can probably get it running off the bench. Otherwise it's trial and error.

If it does run stand-alone, seems like all you would need is the correct 12 volt power pins.

Indeed you are in luck. Give it 12v and you get a nice image on composite and a working color bar generator. Thankfully there's nothing special about the tree pin auxiliary 12v input. They just didn't use one of the pins. :D

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...t/IMG_9516.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...t/IMG_9516.jpg

Okay now I really want to know if I can get RGB/component out of this via the multi-pin. I know I still have a few betacam/DVcam decks with useble inputs.

Super! :thmbsp:

Great news.

BTW: Gotta ask. What does the 'LAUNCH' button do? :D

:scratch2: uhhhh, nothing. :scratch2:

:lmao: :lmao:

Some research seems to indicate that the later all solid-state Hitachi FP-C1 and possibly the FP-7 used the same 28 pin connector. Frustratingly, neither of those models seem to have documentation online I can find as well.

More poking finds at least three remote control units at least, the RU-Z1, RV-C1 and the RU-C1(U) have the same 28 pin connector, but no promises that it will work. No biggie there. I just need the pinout.
Nothing. Zilch. Nadda. Why in the goddamn name of hell is it seemingly impossible to even find the operators manuals for these things??? Every single product I've found so far has been completely devoid of any documentation online. I can find them for sale but if it's just a passive box I don't give a damn.

Sure enough, the other camera went up for grabs and I pounced on it. No lens controls, no tally light and no viewfinder.

https://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMG_3476.jpg

I have not put it on the bench and tested it yet but I don't have any reason to expect it to be not working. Unfortunately I have still been unable to locate any documentation for the camera or the CCU pinout.

Still would LOVE to have me a working TK-40....I'd hoist it up on my shoulder, connect a recorder to it, & hire out for weddings, christenings, proms, stuff like that. These l'il tinkertoys of today ? Ha ! I'd SHOW 'em what REAL RCA 1954 color is SPOSED to look like.... (Grin) And yeah, I KNOW I couldn't really manhandle a TK-40 around on my shoulder..I kinda doubt there's enuf room in my basement for even HALF of a TK-40 chain, & I doubt if there's anywhere close HEADROOM to stuff a 40, Houston-Fearless dolly el al down there... And all the POWER a TK-40 chain & lights want, it would likely make the local TVA generation plant go "Chug !" rather loudly.




still w

I'm still young n strong and I'd probably need to hire a leprechaun to collect up all the stars moons, n fore leaf clover I'd be seeing if I tried to pick one up myself. :D

Hehehehe... Yeah, I'm 62, have a knee that likes to play tricks & make me fall in a heap, my days of wrasslin' stuff WAY over my gross vehicle weight are a good 20-25 years in my past... I DID pick up a 289 short block once & I saw moons, stars, planets, Tweety Boyds, the whole business, & I never done THAT Stupidicas shyte again... I dunno what I'd be more concerned with trying to hoist a working TK-40-Boogering my back/legs up, or woofing a rare & valuable antique camera...Even I've managed to get a tiny bit Schmarter about some things w/age...

[QUOTE=Sandy G;3211573]... And all the POWER a TK-40 chain & lights want, it would likely make the local TVA generation plant go "Chug !" rather loudly.

C'mon - one of the NBC color vans used only 18kW 3 phase 240v. You could easily hook up an alternator to a bicycle for that - HA! Add a second bicycle and the extra van, and you could have video tape. :D

Edit: that might have been 18 kw per phase?

They got onto me once about firing up all my Boat Anchors at the same time...One of these days, I'll post a missive about the great, grand, & glorious entity known as "TVA".... Load o' Laffs, lemme tell ya what...It used to be said that in the Tennessee Valley, there was God, & there was TVA.... But today, its hard to tell which is which....