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Panasonic WV-033P Vidicon Camera

       This is a mid 1960s general purpose surveillance vidicon camera. It uses a 1" vidicon tube and all solid state circuitry. This camera has a unique gimmick, the WV-941, snap on, optical viewfinder. It is a simple peep sight that snaps onto the ventilation slots on the top of the WV-033P camera. This viewfinder is optimized to work with a standard 25 mm lens mounted on the camera.

       Sync. This camera produces what is called random sync. This means that the horizontal scan is based on a simple free running LC oscillator operating in the vicinity of 15.75KHz and the vertical scan is locked to the AC line, 60 cycles. This was done in the early days of television due to hum signals from the power line getting into the video. If it is going to be there, then it should at least sit still. So, the scanning is synchronized to the AC power frequency. In Europe, it is 50 cycles. In the US of A, we use 60 cycles.

       In the case of a camera with 2:1 sync, it all starts with a crystal, usually 31.5Khz or twice the horizontal scan frequency. Frequency dividers then count the signals down to 15.75000KHz for horizontal and 60Hz for vertical. A ratio of 525 to 1 in the US of A and 625 to 1 in Europe. The European horizontal scan rate is a tiny bit different too. But, not in any significant way in regard to this discussion.

       The whole combo is stored in a very nice attaché type case (not shown). The last photo shows the inventory label pasted inside the lid of the case. This system is a very clever, quick to market, "home video" camera intended to be used with the early Panasonic Tape-A-Vision reel to reel VTRs of the mid 60s. Un fortunately, LabGuy's World did not receive the matching microphone with this system. Anyone out there know the model number and possible location of this mic?

       UPDATE 20181231: Rudy provides us with the following updated information about the microphone. The microphone is labeled: DYNAMIC MICROPHONE, WM-2105P, IMP. 20K ohms, JAPAN. This is a typical dynamic microphone specification of that era. I have also determined that the microphone does not mount directly on the camera. For some reason, I had that image in mind when I wrote the earlier description. Possibly projecting that the viewfinder was also clipped to this otherwise normal surveilance camera.

       HAVE: [The Operator's Manual]. Thank you, Rudy!

       NEEDED: The Service Manual.

        Created: January 06, 2005 Last updated: January 2, 2019