Vintage Video

EIAJ Helical Scan Video Tape Reel

Complete pricing below. 

EIAJ-1 is a standard B&W ½-inch wide open reel video tape format that was introduced in 1969 with industry consensus between Sony, Panasonic, and others.  This was the first ½-inch video format to conform to a standard and tapes are interchangeable between recording and playback equipment made by different manufacturers.  

EIAJ-2 added color to the standard in 1974 (however color was not widely used).  EIAJ (Electronics Industries Association of Japan) tape transports at a speed of 7.5ips.  EIAJ and most 1/2-inch tape formats have the audio track along the top edge of the tape (away from the machine) and control track along the bottom edge (close to machine).  Operational color playback equipment is limited.

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EIAJ CARTRIDGE (Omnivision)

Complete pricing below.

EIAJ Video Tape Cartridge (Omnivision) was developed by Panasonic in 1969 and conforms to the 1969 EIAJ ½-inch video standard. The cartridge is self-threading, is convenient for the operator, and was used in educational and professional settings.  Each cartridge contains a single spool of ½-inch wide video tape and normally plays for 30 minutes, Many EIAJ cartridges recorded after 1974 have color video.  Tapes have Panasonic NV-P530 or Hitachi brand names.  EIAJ cartridge machines include Panasonic/ National NV-5110, NV-5125 (color), and NV-5130A.  Operational playback machines are rare.

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CV, SKIP FIELD video tape transfer

Complete pricing below.

CV (Consumer Video), "Skip Field",  was introduced by Sony in 1965 and is a proprietary ½-inch wide B&W open reel video tape format that pre-dates 1969 EIA standards.  CV is a helical scan skip-field video format and has approx. 200 lines of resolution.  ½-inch open reel tapes are typically 30 minute (5-inch diameter) or 60 minute (7-inch diameter) and were manufactured by many companies.  CV tape speed is 19.05cm/s (7.5ips).  Operational playback equipment is limited and tapes are often unplayable but can usually be recovered.

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Panasonic, Concord "NV" Video Tape format

CONCORD, Panasonic 'NV' video tape reel transfer to file: $65 (5-inch, 30 minute), $110 (7-inch, 60 minute).   Complete pricing below.

Panasonic “NV”/ Concord is a proprietary ½-inch wide B&W open reel helical scan video tape format introduced by Panasonic in 1965 and pre-dates 1969 EIA standards.  National Video (NV) was a brand name of the Matsushita company before changing to the more recognized Panasonic name in 1988.  Panasonic manufactured customized machines for Concord.  The NV format uses standard 1/2-inch open reel video tape that plays for 40 minutes.  The tape transports at a speed is 30.48cm/s (12ips).  Machines include Panasonic NV-8100 and Concord VTR-620 and VTR-1120.  Operational playback equipment is rare.

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SHIBADEN video tape reel

Complete pricing below.

Shibaden video tape format was introduced by Shiba Electric and Denshi (Japan) in 1967 and is a proprietary ½-inch wide B&W open reel video tape format that pre-dates the 1969 EIA standard.  Shibaden is a helical scan skip field format and is not compatible with other skip field formats.  Shibaden has approx. 300 lines of resolution.  Equipment was marketed under the names of Shibaden, Apeco Teletape, Bell & Howell, and a similar format by Bang & Olfson (Denmark).  It uses standard 1/2" inch wide video tape and transports at a speed of 19.05cm/s (7.5ips).  Operational playback equipment is rare. 

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Sony Pilot Tone AV-5000A

Sony AV-5000A Pilot Tone is a standard EIAJ B&W and proprietary non-standard pilot tone Color video format released by Sony in 1968.  This color format is not compatible with its AV-5000 predicessor or any other format. This pilot tone format uses standard 1/2" video tape and the video output conforms to standard B&W EIA and NTSC color TV signal requirements.  B&W tapes are interchangeable between other EIAJ videocorders but require the correct machine to reproduce color.  Operational equipment is rare.
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CVC Technicolor cassette tape

Complete pricing below.

CVC (Compact Video Cassette) Funai Technicolor Cassette was developed by a joint venture between Funai and Technicolor in 1980 and is a portable color video tape format.  The small size of CVC and ease of operation was intended to compete with 8mm movie film; the cassette is similar in size to a standard audio cassette.  Tapes are labeled V30, V45, and V60 and are 30, 45, 60 minutes respectively.  

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Vcord-I, Vcord-II Video tape Cassette

Vcord-I and Vcord II video cassette to file

V-Cord I is a proprietary video cassette format released jointly by Sanyo and Toshiba in 1974 to compete with open reel video formats.   The tan colored VT-20C cassettes play for 20 minutes at normal speed and 60 minutes at Slow speed in a VTC-7100 machine.  V-Cord I machines include the Sanyo VTC-7100 (15lb, portable).

V-Cord II was released by Sanyo in 1976 and added color, increased recording time, has two recording speeds, freeze frame, and slow motion.  V-Cord II black colored V-60 and V-120 cassettes play for 60 and 120 minutes respectively at LP speed and half as much time at the STD (standard) speed.  

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Testimonials

Greentree, you have provided some of the best customer service I ever experienced with an online company.

Kudo to you! Marsha   

We received the thumb drives with the mp4 files.  I can't tell you how much your efforts are appreciated.  So many memories in these [EIAJ video tape reels] videos...and many of the actors have since passed on.  We are sending another tape and looking forward to seeing it as well.  Dave , Illinois IL  61241

   

Thank you for doing such a masterful job on the digitization of the old (but precious) CV reel-to reel video tape.  I was amazed at there being no wipe lines and the audio came through nicely, too.Your machine and your skill brought this old footage to the finish line perfectly.  Thanks so much! Tom, MO Missouri

   

[Re. CVC Technicolor to mp4 files on flash drive]  Thanks Greentree, the videos lookgreat and it has been a pleasure working with you.

Carlos   Austin Texas 78752

Thanks again for the nice video transfer [5" EIAJ video reel to h264.mp4 file DOwnload] and your customer service is great!

Cheers, Kevin from   British Columbia, Canada

Thank you.  I downloaded the file [for the 7" video reel] and you did a really nice job.  Thanks again, Robert, CT 06850

   

OMG I would hug you if I could, you can't imagine what [PAL CVC tapes to mp4 files on flash drive] this means to me and my family...  My Dad and Aunt are on these tapes and sadly are not with us any more.  You brought tears to my eyes, you did such a great job with these tapes that Mom hand carried from Spain.

Sara   TX Texas 78078

The video USB thumbdrive and V-Cord [V-120] tapes arrived safely... all is good and am very happy with your service... Will keep you in mind if transfer services are needed again...  John, New York, New York NY 10036

   


How it works:

1. CONTACT US to start an order, ask questions, or to get an estimate.
2. Print our SHIPPING LABEL from the tab at the top of the web page.
3. Number your tapes/media, keep a list, and enclose titles and contact info.
4. Seal in plastic bags and pack well, save the Tracking number.
    Recommend Postal Priority or Advantage mail most orders.  Heavy: UPS.  
5. We confirm arrival, email findings after recorded, and bill using PayPal.  
    Paypal accepts credit cards - you do not need to be a member (we are).
    Prepay and checks accepted; make checks payable to "Anthony Schreiber".
6. Order shipped, Downloads after payment.  Normal completion is 3 weeks.
7. Most shipments: Postal Priority or Advantage mail $15.00. 

Did you know - the early days of video recording was like the "wild, wild west" of video where every company thought they had the best recording format and all were non-compatible with each other.   These "format wars" (similar to VHS vs Beta) in early days of 1/2" video tape reels  resulted in 6 non-compatible formats that could be recorded on the same tape reels including: CV, NV, AV5000, AV5000A, Shibaden, and finally standardized EIAJ-1, 2.