Info On Panasonic AG-2200

[JamesRR]

My company was tossing a bunch of old video equipment, and I picked up a Panasonic AG-2200 VHS VCR. An old unit (mid 80s, I think). I think it has 4 heads, quartz-locked direct-drive motor. It's clean inside. I was thinking of using it at home for transfers, because my other VCR is out of order at the moment.

Does anyone have any more info on this unit? I can't find anything through Google searching, other than an ad for the unit which is how I learned of the direct-drive system. It only has one audio out, so I believe it's not stereo, which is too bad. Is it worth keeping if it's working fine?

Thanks

[volksjager]

way too old - no good for transfers
if it works just use it for rewinding etc to save wear on a good deck

[dpalomaki]

It is an oldie. Note the antenna connection are not Type-F coax but knurled knobs for twin lead with separate VHF and UHF (i.e., before cable was a standard), and the 12 station select buttons that can be manually set to band and channel). AG = industrial line, potentially more rugged that consume - if nothing else, a grounded electrical cord. It is VHS only, not S-VHS, and mono audio.

I've seen service manuals offered on-line for around $10 or so, and some places listed it for time lapse (perhaps security camera recording). In any case probably not worth paying good money for it as a transfer deck, and who knows it condition. But if free - and your tapes are all mono - give it a try on a tape you are willing to sacrifice - but don't expect much. (You could always start a musieum <g>.)