Back to Dick's Gadget Warehouse for the 'lastest' RCA VHS player-recorder!

In February 1981 RCA introduced their new home video cassette recorder "convertible" model. “Convertible” as is only about 22 pounds for the recorder and tuner. The object was that you could sit the tuner/timer unit next to the player/recorder so your portable player becomes an in-home VHS recorder/player system. The VFP170 player weighed only 11 pounds, including battery, making it the lightest portable home recorder on the market in its day.  Retail priced at $1,400, the extremely compact VFP170 + TFP 1500 includes 14-day programming capability, electronic tuning, and such special effects as stop action, double speed, variable slow motion, frame advance and full function remote control. (THEY DIDN’T MENTION THE REMOTE WAS HARD WIRED.) The VFP 170 modular system consists of a programmable tuner/timer module (RCA TFP 1500), which is a separate six-hour recorder that can operate as a portable for over an hour using a built-in rechargeable battery. When both units are placed side by side, the VFP170 + TFP 1500 resembles a table model that is smaller than current VCR table models. Oh, did I mention that this VHS portable system does NOT include a video camera. But not to worry; about the same time RCA introduced deluxe color camera, model CC010, featuring for the first time an f 1.8 - 8x1 two speed power zoom lens. Optionally retail priced at $1,050, the CC010 color camera included an electronic viewfinder, fade in/fade out capability, power saver switch, boom microphone and automatic manual iris control.

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