CCD-TR81 power cord?

[hitnf]

Hello, I can't seem to find a power cord for the Sony CCD-TR81. I've searched online and I am not sure how this connects to power. Does anyone know how way to connect the CCD-TR81 to power please?

[Alwyn]

Watch this:

https://youtu.be/9qJb7B8q_Vc?t=302

It looks like the charging plate clips onto where the battery goes: take battery off, clip charging plate on. Cam will then be powered by the mains.

[hitnf]

Thank you. I can't find a charger for the camera, Is there any other way to connect it?

[october262]

Thank you. I can't find a charger for the camera, Is there any other way to connect it?

will this charger not work ?? -
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254730092861?_skw=Sony+CCD-TR81+charger&itmmeta=01JKZ1JFX95JR...3ABFBM5P7J4Z9l

[Alwyn]

I can't find a charger for the camera, Is there any other way to connect it?

Looking at the manual page 17, I don't think there is.

That's a bummer, as a lot of the later Sonys had a common, small flat plug that went into the camcorder below the battery.

Worst case, buy another camcorder.

Also, beware internet sellers of power supplies for the TR-81; all the ones I saw had the new-style small plug, not the large plate-adapter type that you appear to need.

Can you post a closeup pic of the back of your TR81?

@October262, I could be wrong but I think that is only a battery charger. It won't power the camera directly (which I'm assuming is what Hitnf wants to do).

[BW37]

The CCD-TR81 uses the NP style batteries. As Alwyn states, they don’t use the later flat pin power connection. Poking around a bit, it seems either a Sony AC-V16 or AC-V30 should work. There could be others that might also work too. The manual Alwyn linked appears to list the AC-V30 among the included accessories while a fairly complete eBay listing for a TR81 shows the AC-V16 as part of the kit. There are multiple eBay listings for either of these power supply units.

Caution: The AC-A30 requires a secondary, removable cable to connect the charger to the camcorder battery connection. Check any listing carefully to be sure it includes this cable. Page 17 of the manual (above) shows this extra cable as used on the TR81.

All that said, many, many of those earlier, typically all black, Sony camcorders of that era are failing due to bad surface mount capacitors. Depending on your use case you might consider buying a newer, Sony Hi8 or D8 camcorder rather than taking a chance on the TR81. These later Sony camcorders seem to have far fewer cap problems.

BW

[hitnf]

Thanks everyone. I didn't get the camcorder yet and I can't order from Ebay.

I see about the Sony camcorders. Do you have any recommendations for newer Sony camcorders please?

[BW37]

Assuming you are looking for a playback device for Video8, Hi8 and/or Digital8 tapes, this is probably a good place to start:

https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-capture/10257-video8-hi8-digital8-3.html

Post 44 links to a spreadsheet describing many features of the camcorders. Post 45 has a more straightforward list. Reading the whole thread from the start (or pieces thereof) will provide more background info.

There are some errors in this information so before you make a purchase, I’d recommend you download the manual and review it to confirm the details. Sony itself still has most of these manuals available for download. Manualslib is another good source. Finding a camcorder with AC adapter and in guaranteed, good working condition is of course critical.

BW

[hitnf]

Thank you BW. I checked the link and it's good source. I'm looking at the Hi8 cameras and some I find they are expensive like the recent ones. Does anyone repair the Sony black camcorders and the recent ones?

[BW37]

Yeah, these are somewhat in demand so the prices don't seem like bargains. That said, they were much more expensive when new.
IF you could even find someone with the capability and willingness to spend the time fixing it, repairing an old black, non-TBC camcorder would probably cost more than a guaranteed working, newer model.

The "newer" ones are still 20+ years old so not really new and not without potential problems. But working ones are out there. Some of the problems they have are fairly easily fixed if you know what you're doing. Other problems are more terminal. That's why finding one that is complete and guaranteed working is important unless you want to take a chance.

$150 to $250 US is not unreasonable for a clean, working unit with the accessories you need.

Note that the newer of these "late" Hi8 (and all D8) camcorders all require a special cable for analog output to a capture device. Some of the earlier ones (1997 - 1999??) have full sized RCA style connectors for audio and composite video as well as an s-video connector. For pure analog capture (Video8 and Hi8) the Hi8 models with TBC are slightly more desirable than the Digital8 just because they won't miss a few frames when hitting play as they read the tape to determine if the tape is D8 or analog. However, if you have an unknown mix of 8mm tapes some of which might be Digital8 then a D8 camcorder that plays back analog Video8 and Hi8 might be the best choice.

Another variable to consider is stereo vs. analog audio output (though some will say that camcorder "stereo" is so marginal that it doesn't matter ). All Sony models #'s ending in 8 are mono audio. There are also a few oddball model #s that don't end 8 that are also mono, the CCD-TRV67 for one. Again, check the manuals to know exactly what you are getting.

BW

[Hunk91]

Watch this:

https://youtu.be/9qJb7B8q_Vc?t=302

It looks like the charging plate clips onto where the battery goes: take battery off, clip charging plate on. Cam will then be powered by the mains.

I confirme this as it it the same for CCD-TR510E.

3 years ago I found an o'd Video8 tape that I haven't captured before. I found the original camcorder ( CCCR-TR510E) but couldn't find the charger (the batteries were empty so no way to turn on the camcorder.). With the accessories provided with the camcorder there was an adapter which have a battery compartment. In the battery compartiment you could insert normal batteries (AA batteries). With this solution I was able to capture the video8 tape.



May be this would be cheaper

Edit :
https://www.ebay.com/itm/166346782197

[hitnf]

Thank you all. I see about the camcorders the recent ones are expensive. Are the stereo versions worth it?

Good to know about the battery compartment that could an option, thank you.