CV-2000

CV-2000 was one of the world's first home video tape recorders (VTR), introduced by Sony in August, 1965.^[1] The 'CV' in the model name stood for 'Consumer Video'. This was Sony's domestic format throughout the 1960s.^[2][3]

The CV-2000 was developed by Sony engineer Nobutoshi Kihara. On its release, each machine cost US$695. It used ¹⁄₂-inch-wide (13 mm) video tape in a reel-to-reel format, meaning the tape had to be manually threaded around the helical scan video head drum. The CV-2000 was one-tenth the weight and price of other analog video recording products of its era.^[4] It recorded television programs in black and white using the skip field process, which produced a maximum 200-lines resolution. The tape moved at a speed of 7.5 inches per second.^[5] Each reel of video tape cost US$40, and could hold one hour of video. Although CV-2000 was aimed at the home market, it was mainly used in business and educational institutions.^[1]

Ten models were developed in the CV series: CV-2000, TCV-2010, TCV-2020, CV-2100, TCV-2110, TCV-2120, CV-2200, DV-2400, CV-2600 and CV-5100.^[2] Sony also sold an optional 'Video Camera Ensemble', known as the VCK-2000. This add-on kit contained a separate video camera, a microphone, and a tripod.^[5]

One of its shortcomings as a format was the omission of the ability to adjust tracking. This made interchangeability of tapes between different machines almost impossible. Sony's later AV series machines already included this feature.^[6] The CV video recorders fell into disuse with the arrival of the EIAJ type 1 standard that was used by many companies, including Sony with their AV series machines.

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