Sony DVCAM DSR-PD170 Camcorder and DSR-50 VCR Unboxing

Opening up a couple boxes I received from eBay over the past few days. Got a good deal on each of the "for parts or not working" pieces of equipment, and in the video we test their functionality to see if they really were a good deal or not.

[@alphadanger2223]

Hi nice video! I'm new to these retro camcorders and looking at buying a DSR-PD170P used on ebay, would a firewire cable into a firewire card in my windows computer work to download the footage onto the computer? or does this reduce the quality of the recording in some way compared to other methods of downloading it

[@epicchris1985]

Very jealous of the DVCAM deck. Would love one of those. As for the camera. I own the PD150 and 170 and definitely that’s not a normal thing to be in it’s lens. Luckily doesn’t seem to cause it issues for you though 😊

[@elvirdmr]

Hi, I will buy a pd170, but what should I pay attention to when buying second hand and if there is no microphone on it, will it take a voice record and which model can I get a fish eye? I would appreciate it if you could let me know.

[@epicchris1985]

@@elvirdmr ask the seller to check hours on heads that’s shown in a menu settings. It needs an XLR microphone as no microphone built in. A voice recorder would have headphones output but normally that’s a 3.5mm socket and the pd170 doesn’t have that, only an XLR inputs.

[@themaritimegirl]

You prompted me to orient my PD150 vertical and see if it has a bubble. It doesn't that I can see, but it's possible that the PD150 doesn't have a fluid-filled lens.
That portable VCR is rad.

[@LowBudgetProductions]

I (coincidentally) just watched your video on your PD150 the other day. I too have a PD150, but it's actually the PAL model, PD150P. I've been surprised how well it gets along with my other video equipment here in the U.S.A. I believe the PD150 does have a fluid coupled lens as well, I think my PD170 just has a small bubble in it's lens and its not a normal thing. Maybe a manufacturing defect or it had a small air leak in the past. I'm leaning towards manufacturing defect, though, as it wouldn't have been easily noticed in normal operation.
I've been looking for a DSR-50 for a LONG time now, and they always sell for way more than what I consider their value to be. Took a long time to find the right deal for me. I've also bought about 10 new cameras recently. You've been pretty lucky yourself with some of your acquisitions lately, especially all the video monitors you have. I just went and traded off a couple of my PVM's (Sony 8041Q and Ikegami TM9-1) for a Canon GL1, GL2, Sony VX1000 and DSR-250. I kept my best ones, including my 14" HR model.
I'm normally not a fan of making "unboxing" videos, but it gave me some content to upload (which I haven't done in a while) and lately I've been shocked with the really crappy packing jobs sellers have been doing, so I thought there might be some humor value in recording it, plus that gives me some ground to stand on if stuff gets damaged as a result of poor packaging.
As a side note - apparently the 2017 version of Windows movie maker does a really crap job of deinterlacing and preserving resolution in standard definition video clips, as the VX2100 produces noticeably clearer and better looking video than what this happens to be. I think I'll be sticking to Vegas Pro 13.

[@elvirdmr]

Hi, I will buy a pd170, but what should I pay attention to when buying second hand and if there is no microphone on it, will it take a voice record and which model can I get a fish eye? I would appreciate it if you could let me know.

[@horstnele]

The Sony tr700 had a fluid Lens wich leaked out on my Camcorder and spilled all over the Lens, big mess!