Sony VO-2630: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 02:46, 23 February 2026

Description

The Sony VO-2630 is a U-matic Lo Band recorder/player introduced around 1978, classified as a "Type 2" U-matic. It is a workhorse machine designed for general-purpose recording and playback in educational, industrial, and institutional settings. The VO-2630 records in PAL or SECAM standards and can play back PAL, SECAM, and NTSC 4.43 colour tapes — note that it does not support native NTSC 3.58 recording or playback. It offers 300-line monochrome and 250-line colour horizontal resolution with an audio frequency response of 50Hz to 12kHz. Video connections use BNC and a proprietary 8-pin TV connector, while audio is provided through line (-10dB, 100kΩ), microphone (-60dB), and TV inputs with line, monitor, TV, and headphone outputs. The unit accepts multiple selectable voltage settings (110V, 120V, 127V, 220V, and 240V) making it suitable for worldwide use. A High-Band retrofit kit was available that allowed the VO-2630 to play back U-matic High Band tapes in addition to standard Lo Band recordings. When connected with a second VO-2630 or a VO-2030 player, high-quality transfers are possible using the DUB connector.

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 |recording_formats=U-matic
 |av_system=PAL,SECAM
+|year_released=1978
 |frequency=50Hz,60Hz
 |power_avg=140
-|features=Two-head helical scan, automatic recording level, timer recording capability, PAL/SECAM recording with PAL/SECAM/NTSC 4.43 playback, compatible with KCA and KCS cassettes
+|features=Two-head helical scan, automatic recording level, timer recording capability, PAL/SECAM recording with PAL/SECAM/NTSC 4.43 playback, compatible with KCA and KCS cassettes, optional High-Band retrofit kit
-|description=The '''Sony VO-2630''' is a U-matic recorder/player dating from the late 1970s, classified as a "Type 2" U-matic. It is a workhorse machine designed for general-purpose recording and playback in educational, industrial, and institutional settings. The VO-2630 can record in PAL or SECAM standards and play back PAL, SECAM, and NTSC 4.43 colour tapes. It offers 300-line monochrome and 250-line colour horizontal resolution. Video connections use BNC and a proprietary 8-pin TV connector, while audio is provided through line, microphone, and TV inputs with line, monitor, TV, and headphone outputs. The unit accepts multiple voltage settings (110V, 120V, 127V, 220V, and 240V) making it suitable for worldwide use.
+|description=The '''Sony VO-2630''' is a U-matic Lo Band recorder/player introduced around 1978, classified as a "Type 2" U-matic. It is a workhorse machine designed for general-purpose recording and playback in educational, industrial, and institutional settings. The VO-2630 records in PAL or SECAM standards and can play back PAL, SECAM, and NTSC 4.43 colour tapes — note that it does not support native NTSC 3.58 recording or playback. It offers 300-line monochrome and 250-line colour horizontal resolution with an audio frequency response of 50Hz to 12kHz. Video connections use BNC and a proprietary 8-pin TV connector, while audio is provided through line (-10dB, 100kΩ), microphone (-60dB), and TV inputs with line, monitor, TV, and headphone outputs. The unit accepts multiple selectable voltage settings (110V, 120V, 127V, 220V, and 240V) making it suitable for worldwide use. A High-Band retrofit kit was available that allowed the VO-2630 to play back U-matic High Band tapes in addition to standard Lo Band recordings. When connected with a second VO-2630 or a VO-2030 player, high-quality transfers are possible using the DUB connector.
 }}
 {{AV voltage range
@@ Line 84: / Line 85: @@
 |link_source=PALsite U-matic Archive
 |link_url=https://umatic.palsite.com/vo2630spec.shtml
+}}
+{{AV link
+|link_type=Database
+|link_source=Radiomuseum
+|link_url=https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/sony_vo_2630.html
 }}