JVC GR-C7U In-depth Review and Tips for Buying on eBay 

Much appreciated !!!

😉 I Will check it! Thank you 👍🏼

Thank you ! Much appreciated

That’s great ! Hopefully you still have the tapes

Thanks. Agreed ! It makes a statement !

Wow, that's an amazing deal! Yeah, part of the charm of these old cameras are all the noises they make! Hope you enjoy it.!

Thank you ! That’s great you picked up a working model. Have fun with it !!!

Hello i wanted to buy this where can i buy stable working this camcorder from online?

I would check eBay. That is your best bet !

@@RitchimondoFaharudoOkeeyyy I have one

You might get lucky ! Good luck

Thank you Sir !

Thank you Sir!!

Thanks for the comment. Hey, look at it this way, for almost a 40 year old camcorder it’s pretty amazing it works ! I agree. Once you buy one- It’s never enough !

Wow !!! Awesome deal. Grab it !!

That’s great. I’m glad you were creative and found a solution

Thank you also for this great video!

How did you open the battery?

Hello! And thank you for very much for the compliment. I definitely appreciate it. If I understand your question correctly, you would like to play back the recorded footage from the camera via the A/V out and directly record via the cable to a PC? While you CAN do that, it is putting some more wear and tear on the delicate components of the camcorder, to rewind, shuttle and now play back the footage. If you can find an old VCR laying around and get a VHS-C adapter you could effectively accomplish the same thing but just saving some stress on the camera. But, you definitely could do it from the camera as the A/V out (while its a proprietary cable) is just a regular analog video signal coming out of there -no different. I found you really have to experiment though with these cables and PC cards to make sure they will actually work though. Let us know how it turns out!

@@techtoremember8096 Really appreciate your answer, especially when it comes to wearing out the camcorder mechanics - I had not considered that aspect and will certainly see about just getting a cheap VCR at a garage sale instead. Again, thanks a lot for your helpful response and video tutorial!

Thank you for your support !!!

Great ! $20 is a mighty fine price.

Picking one up today for $20 thats fully functional

Wow. Great find !

Thank you !

Thank you !

Thank you ! It’s tough to get the cable by itself. I would recommend scouring eBay for a listing for “parts” and you can ask the seller if he’s willing to only sell you the cable and not the camera ! Good luck. Sometimes they will

Hi there. That has been a problem for a while now regarding the battery. There are companies, that can rebuild a battery by opening up the case and installing new cells so if you can't get a working battery I would explore that option. You should be able to use the 90 minute tapes but I would record on the SP speed anyway for best results.

Hey I know it’s tough At this point you may have to get a battery rebuilt to get new cells inside the casing There are a few companies that can do this

Thanks for the comment !Oh wow !! I never heard of that brand !Are you located in the US?

@@techtoremember8096 Hi there No I'm actually located in switzerland. But I think SABA is actually a german brand. They made tv's, radios, tape recorders ect.

Oh ok. So it’s a PAL format correct ?

Yes it is! If you want I can send you an email with a couple of pictures if you're interessted.

Thank you i actually found a picture online. Very cool ! That’s great that you have a working model.

Sounds like it could be a belt or transport issue. If you Have a repair guy nearby I would have him check it out. !

I’ll put it on my list !

When you say "color" I assume you are referring whats on the tape as the Viewfinder is in black and white. Question: how are you watching back your tape? Through the camera? if so, it could be a bad video output signal. i would try watching on a separate VCR, if you are still having the problem then i would say the tube on your camera may have gone bad. Also, try changing the white balance position and see if that helps. Good luck with it.

Im very new to using this camera and im wondering on how to adjust the white balance for this camera. Im did rewatch some film from the camera. @@techtoremember8096

There is a switch on the camera to go from outdoors or indoors

The tough part is finding a battery now it’s really difficult I would say the zenith is more rare The JVC model is very easy to find but neither model is really rare.

I know what you’re going through! These batteries are not available any more Try a company called L&W battery. They build batteries inside the original case. Good luck and thanks for your comment

@@techtoremember8096 awesome, I will try them! Thanks so much!!

No problem ! Let us know how it works out !

You’ll probably get a lot of attention !

You are my new friend. I have 4 mostly working Fieros and 2 of these JVC mostly working Camcorders.

@@jscott1000 Dude sick!! I've been looking for a JVC forever, they are either all turbo expensive or non-working. I really miss taking my Fiero to car shows, hopefully in the spring I can go full ham and display a bunch of 80s memorabilia!

@@turboking9238Hey if you’re still looking for one of these, if all goes well tomorrow I might have one I could sell you. It would be the Zenith clone however lol.

Hi there. Sorry to hear your camcorder is eating tapes. Good idea to check the internals to see what's going on. Make sure you slacken the tape before inserting it in the camera as this may help a bit. (just tighten up the wheels so the tape is tight and doesn't have much play in the shell). Interesting question you raised on the internal input. I do not believe the U S version can record an internal signal although I have never tried it, and I wouldn't really use this feature even if it could as it would put further unnecessary strain on the camera as it is. I also would prefer to not use the camera to play back tapes for the same reason opting to use a separate VCR for that function. The US and European version should essentially be identical other than the PAL vs. NTSC standard so if your PAL version doesn't do it, the U.S. version probably does not either. I hope you get your camera working and in good order and you enjoy it! Thanks for your comment.

It sounds like a belt issue You may have to get it serviced

@@techtoremember8096 thanks for the reply 👍🏼

Hi! No. It doesn’t suffer from that fortunately. The leaky caps started in the later 80s. More likely a belt issue or. Something mechanical which is easier to fix ! Hopefully yours works well

@@techtoremember8096 it works great

You need to use a separate charger to charge the battery Thank you for your comment and for watching

Wow ! That’s interesting I have found when working with these vintage cameras is that one of the first things to fail is the autofocus. Maybe because of the delicate motors so it’s amazing it still works at all. I’d be curious to see what you find out. Thanks for reporting that interesting piece of info !

@@techtoremember8096 Yes, I think your right about the age of the camera being a factor with respect to autofocus. In addition to that idea is one I got from a friend of mine, (who also enjoys taking about vintage electronics), he suggested that the camcorders that have both manual and autofocus can be inadvertently damaged by users who may think they're in manual mode, then try to turn the focus ring when they are really in auto. Their attempt to manually change the focus is in conflict with what the camera's auto focus is trying to do, and as a result, the autofocus reliability can be affected. But despite all the possible ways that owners can pain their cameras, they sometimes still work after many years, as you mentioned above. In my mind, this is a testament to the craftmanship and quality design that people in the middle class could once count on when it came to the products they purchased. I've talked to people who were in the position to be purchasing consumer electronics in the early to mid 1980s, most of them said that the products available at the time, (including JVC camcorders) were a bit on the high side cost wise, but once you made the investment, you could be quite confident that your purchase would last if you did some basic maintenance along the way. Oh, how different that time was, compared with today when I seem to need a new laptop every three years!! Horrible. Finally, I'll conclude my musings here...and I will give the auto focus a test when recording and see how agile it actually is. Thanks for your kind response.

All great points. Boils down to “they don’t make things like they used to “ for sure - I am guilty of turning the lens as well when thinking I’m in auto. I never considered that could damage the mechanism but that certainly makes sense. Thanks for the remarks and stay in touch !

@@techtoremember8096 Will do! Thanks and have a fantastic evening!

@@techtoremember8096 Hello! Just touching base with an update on how the autofocus worked with actual recording on the JVC GR C7U. Earlier this week, the VHSc tape I ordered came in, and on Sunday I finally had the time to test in in my JVC camcorder. Firstly, the tape I ordered was still wrapped, and I must say, opening it and get that "new tape" smell from a tape that old was a counterintuitive, but wonderful experience. I gently turned the sprocket on the tape, to ensure there was no "slacking," (not to lean too heavily on the "Back to the Future" references), then put the tape into the camcorder. I took the camcorder out to my front yard area, and plugged it into the outside wall socket, (I have a battery, but it will not take a charge), and began recording in full auto mode. I turned the camera in one smooth arc, seeing flowers, shrubs and trees come into the viewfinder at various distances. I then pointed the camera toward the street, aiming at cars in the near, and further distances. Suddenly, an impromptu moment came when my 19-year-old son Nolan exited the front door of the house, he smiled and waved as it turned the camera toward him...I kept him in the viewfinder as he made his way toward his car parked in the driveway. All the while I was perking my ears to try to hear if the autofocus motors were actually whirring as the distances changed. But they are so quiet, I soon learned, that you can't hear them at all, even on a super calm day...quite a contrast to the noisy, but nostalgic electromechanical sounds emitted by the other functions of the JVC GR C7U. After recording for a few minutes, I took the camcorder inside to look at the results. Okay, I was amazed how well the autofocus worked...all the images, at varied distances, were in focus, and not only that, the image I was seeing in my viewfinder was far better than I expected after watching similar results on your demonstration. How exciting to see everything working so well! After I watched to the end of the recording, I stopped the tape, but did not rewind as I wanted to keep this "first footage" for future posterity. This brought a question to mind that you might have an opinion on...it has to do with keeping the VHSc tape in the camcorder for longer periods of time. The circumstance I'm wondering about is one where I might record 5-10 minutes at a time, weekend after weekend. Under these conditions, would it be advisable to keep the tape in the camera for weeks, even months on end, or is it better to take it out when storing on a medium term basis? I'd appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks again for all the fantastic information you've given me...it has allowed me to better understand, and have more fun using this amazing little technological wonder!

Hey. It’s really hard getting batteries now. You may have to get one rebuilt is the best option

@@techtoremember8096 Thank you 👍🏻

eBay would be your best bet. Probably won’t be sold separately but more likely part of a larger listing. If you see it you could ask the seller if he’s willing to sell it separately. Good luck

@@techtoremember8096 yes tried that already, can’t find it anywhere no part number and the people selling the camera don’t have it .

Sorry to hear. Keep checking back. May just take patience. I have seen them show up so I’m sure one will appear soon !

Full auto should put the white balance in auto !! But of course test it since these cameras are old and to be sure it’s working right. Good luck

@@techtoremember8096 just did! Thank you so much!! Any tips to avoid erasing previous footage? I'm guessing just fast forward to the latest time period?

That’s the best idea ! Or just keep using new tapes !

You can use the video out for live output but with this camera (and the first few Videomovies) you have to have a cassette in the camera and have the record and play button engaged. Once you do this, an image appears in the viewfinder and should be able to record to an external recorder through the video output. You don't have to actually record however but it means you do need a tape. Good question though!

@@techtoremember8096 and an excellent answer, thank you very much 👍🏻 Alright, I guess I'll have to verify if the seller has any tapes or if I have to source some. And it appears that the video cable might be a tricky one to find. But cool, there's hope that this can work 😄

Yes. It is tricky to find. Most people that sell these have some accessories so hopefully it’ll be included ! Good luck

Good to know ! Could never figure that out Thanks

Yes. They are compatible as both cameras use the exact same batteries

@@techtoremember8096 will any GR models batteries work? I'm having trouble finding replacements, thank you so much for your quick responses

It’s very hard to find replacements. I know. Most GR models use the same battery.

@@techtoremember8096 very difficult, thank you for your help, I’ll look into other compatible batteries

You can also get a battery rebuilt. There are companies that can do that. Best of luck

Is it connected properly to the camera through the cable?

@@techtoremember8096 I figured it out, thank you. But could you possibly tell me the name of the cable that plugs into the camera to see on my computer?

Glad you figured it out. But those cables didn’t have any names or model numbers unfortunately!

i have the same problem, what was the solution? thanks :)

Hi there ! I know it’s really tough. I think you’re best bet now is to get a battery rebuilt. Try L&W batteries. And hopefully they can help out

@@techtoremember8096 thank you! this helps out a lot!

My pleasure. Let me know how it goes !

Yes. They use the same battery

Good question. I actually route the analog video into an HDV-700 mini DV deck which transcodes the video on the fly to firewire. I have a desktop with a firewire card and capture the video that way into the computer. There are easier ways. You can check out my video on the Elgato vs. the Clearclick as those are easier ways to get video in without jumping through hoops.

The model number should be written somewhere on the camera. Maybe on the bottom you can check.

I have checked it now: GR-C7E 👍🏼

Yes. They all should work fine

Are you in camera mode ?

thats a good question. give me a sec

of course the battery died. lol

Haha. Ok be sure to check that ! You can also use AC power to use the camera too if you have all the cables

i am working on plugging it in. i have everything. how, do i make sure it is in camera mode?

Vhs-c tapes

@@techtoremember8096 what's the best ones to get. Maxwell Panasonic or Sony ?

They are all the same. Just get a name brand.

If my camcorder battery dies quickly, will refreshing the battery fix it to where it will last longer?

Is it an Older battery ? You may need to get a new one

Correct sir !

@@techtoremember8096 Yeah my grandfather had that Camcorder and it was used to create some of my HomeMovies of me as a kid I love that camcorder

The sharp wasn’t as well known but yup. Same exact camera. Yes very fun to use !

@@techtoremember8096 If I can find a working one I will do a video on it and I will also mention you are you going to do a video on digital 8

Yes I will be. Lots of camcorder videos coming. But yes digital 8 is coming

Hey thanks for the comment ! Unfortunately I don’t do my own repairs of my vintage units. I see the issue in your video and these units are so old that it really could be any number of things causing that issue . Do you have an old school repair guy in your neck of the woods? That’s the kind of person I bring my stuff too - he used to do camcorder repairs back in the day and now he has a shop- that’s the kind of guy who I use. I am in the NYC /Long Island area. You probably aren’t so that may not be helpful but hopefully your area has such a shop ? Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. Might be easier just to get a working one ?

@@techtoremember8096 Thanks for the quick reply! Actually I am in NJ and I DO know a couple electrical engineer type guys that fix things like this. Ultimately I was hoping to sell my unit and a bunch of accessories on eBay, so I also appreciate your eBay research here in the video. Great job :-) Thanks again for the reply.

Not a problem ! Best of luck !