Uploaded August 2012 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
While I was visiting my grandparents, I discovered an old RCA Selectavision VCR and the video camera that came with it. I decided to do a quick overview of it to show everyone. From what I know, this set is from around 1980-1983, before the "camera" and "recorder" were combined into one unit as a "camcorder". It originally cost around $1600 total (at least that's what my grandparents paid for it). The set has clearly seen better days. The VCR doesn't work at all, it just grinds to a stop when I attempt to play back tapes. It probably needs new belts. The camera works, however it won't display an image on the TV when I connect it to one. My guess is one of the wires was broken or damaged, but I've tried every possible setup or connection and it still doesn't display an image. The VCR's tuner and the inputs/outputs are about the only things that work. Still, both are neat to have as collector's items, and I'm sure some repair will get them working again.
While I was visiting my grandparents, I discovered an old RCA Selectavision VCR and the video camera that came with it. I decided to do a quick overview of it to show everyone. From what I know, this set is from around 1980-1983, before the "camera" and "recorder" were combined into one unit as a "camcorder". It originally cost around $1600 total (at least that's what my grandparents paid for it). The set has clearly seen better days. The VCR doesn't work at all, it just grinds to a stop when I attempt to play back tapes. It probably needs new belts. The camera works, however it won't display an image on the TV when I connect it to one. My guess is one of the wires was broken or damaged, but I've tried every possible setup or connection and it still doesn't display an image. The VCR's tuner and the inputs/outputs are about the only things that work. Still, both are neat to have as collector's items, and I'm sure some repair will get them working again.
