SONY AV-5000 series
From the SONY AV-5000A Operating Manual
INTRODUCTION
SONY VIDEOCORDER MODEL AV-5000A is a compact, portable video tape recorder that permits color/monochrome television tape recording or live-action picture and sound recording suited for education, training, home entertainment, or a wide variety of other applications.
The AV-5000A uses 1/2-inch video tape and conforms to standard EIA TV and NTSC color TV signal requirements. Tapes are interchangeable between any other SONY AV-Series Videocorder. In addition, sound can be added to prerecorded pictures during playback operation. The playback picture is continuously variable from still frame to less than one-third of normal speed. The skew control adjusts tape tension and the tracking control maintains accurate rotary head tracking when the playback picture is distorted.

SONY AV-5000A with drum cover removed
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
General
Power requirements: AC 117V plus/minus 5V, 60 Hz± plus/minus 0.5%
Power consumption : approx. 95 W
Type : EIA Japan type-1 video tape recorder
Color recording system : SONY MCR (Multiple Carrier Recording) system
Video recording system : rotary two head helical scan system, FM recording
Video recording signal: EIA Standard, or 60 Hz field frequency random interlaced, composite video signal NTSC color signal
Video Signals
Input: composite video (sync negative)
0.5-2.0V (p-p), 75 ohms, unbalanced
Output: composite video (sync negative)
1.0V (p-p), 75 ohms, unbalanced
Horizontal resolution : COLOR mode more than 220
MONO mode more than 300
Signal-to-noise ratio : better than 40 dB
Audio Signals
Input: MIC more than 65 dB, 600 ohms, unbalanced
AUX 0 dB, 100k ohms, unbalanced
TV -20 dB, 100k ohms, unbalanced
Output: 0 dB, 10k ohms, unbalanced
Frequency response : 80-10,000 Hz
Signal-to-noise ratio: better than 40 dB
Distortion : less than 5% (1 kHz, at rated input level)
Tape Transport
Tape speed : 7 1/2 ips (inch per second) plus/minus 0.2%
Wow and flutter: less than 0.2% Wrms
Playing time : 60 minutes with SONY Tape V-32
Dimensions and Weight
Dimensions : 18 3/16"(w) x 10 27/32"h) x 15 5/8"(d)
Weight: 55 lb
Supplied Accessories
Reel RH-7V Ac power cord
Head-and-ring cleaner set Splicing tape
Lubricating oil OL-1K Polishing cloth
Optional Accessory Dust cover CVO-5
Summary
From the SONY AV-5000A Operating Manual, the SONY AV-5000A is a compact portable videocorder for color or monochrome television and live-action picture and sound recording for education, training and home entertainment. It uses 1/2-inch tape conforming to EIA and NTSC standards; tapes are interchangeable with other SONY AV-Series videocorders; playback ranges from still frame to less than one-third speed with skew and tracking controls. Specifications include AC 117V 60 Hz power (approx. 95 W), SONY MCR rotary two-head helical-scan FM recording, 7 1/2 ips tape speed with 60-minute V-32 tapes, weight 55 lb and basic accessories.
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Last modified 13 September 2026