Hello again,

Please, anyone, surely someone has had reason to peruse schematics
(where they exist) for full-sized camcorders (VHS, S-VHS); I am hoping
to get a service manual for my target device from a fellow on craigslist,
but he hasn't been replying to emails ;(

I wish to employ the camera head (lens, ccd array, amps, etc.) separate
from the main pcb in my particular camera, to make a 400 line resolution
studio camera (can't afford online prices for used video gear). I have
no real idea what functions are onboard in general and which are distributed
through out the main pcb. I posted specifics in an earlier thread in this NG
and others but got no replies, so _in general_, what sort of signals
are on the connectors of these camera subassemblies, and which if any of
the huge number of brands and models of consumer and prosumer (S-VHS)
camcorders have camera subassemblies which could conceivably be adapted
to stand-alone use? On my particular camera head, it appears that there
are perhaps two dozen pins (including power and gnd) to the main PCB and
only the camera subassembly has shielded pcbs and cans, the main PCB is
a mix of digital and power chips for the most part. Since from what partial
data is available online I think that this camera is used in a number of
models with differing decks and feature sets that it should have some sort
of usable signal set, and it would make manufacturing sense to engineer reuse
into some components in a product line, that I stand a chance of succeeding here.
I am also assuming from the quality and size of the optics and the stated specs
of the camcorder as a whole, that NTSC resolution would be in excess of 400 lines
(a limitation of the recording technology in this case and the camera could be
a bit more, like 470 from some anecdotal evidence).

I would just appreciate anyone near a filing cabinet that may contain manuals to
grab one and take a look at what sort of signals are available and required at
the camera interface -- if you have any of the Panasonic or Quasar S-VHS camcorders
from late 1980s - mid 1990s that would be my target product line in this case.

Thanks and regards,

Michael