Circuit Bent Video Tech VCC3010 Colour Corrector – #007 (sold out)

Description

This is a circuit bent video Tech VCC3010 video colour corrector, which I have modified to use for glitchy analogue video art.

Spec

Included as stock, the VCC3010 has the following, which remain intact and functional:

• 4x video input channels, on both RCA jacks for composite, and S Video – selectable by the switches on the front.
• 2x outputs – both composite and S Video.
• Front panel negative switch to invert the picture.
• Video enhancement section, which can be enabled/disabled via a front panel switch.
• Colour correction section, which can be enabled/disabled via a front panel switch.
• Half screen option via front panel switch.
• Fader knob.

The enhancement section has controls over the detail, brightness, contrast, and saturation. The colour processing section has controls over the Red, Green, and blue channels.

In addition to this, I have added the following to the top of the unit to control additional effects:

• 6x momentary switches.
• 8x latching switches.
• 8x knobs.

Please note that the audio inputs and outputs, as well as the associated switches have been entirely removed and there are nost just holes in the panel where these used to be. The original enhancement functions may also not work as anticipated.

Power and Accessories

The unit comes with a new 15v DC, Center Positive UK PSU, which can be used elsewhere with an appropriate adapter. An additional transformer will not be needed in regions with 100v-240v domestic power (like the USA). If you do not need or want the UK PSU, please let me know when you place your order. If you are going to use a local PSU, please ensure that the polarity and input/output voltage is correct as I cannot help if you blow it up using the wrong one!

The original box is also included, though it is a wee bit tattered due to the age.

No other accessories or cables are included.

Description

This is an interesting and unusual video colour correction device from the British company Video Tech. I’ve not been able to find out a huge amount of information on them or this particular bit of gear, but they made a variety of different video processors, enhancers, titlers, and others. This is to my knowledge their only dedicated video colour corrector, and is similar to some of the more well known offerings from Panasonic, JVC, etc.

Fair warning: This thing does not play nice. It is an erratic, hard glitch machine, and as a result, it can be very difficult to get a stable picture with predictable colour shifts, like you may be expecting. Think rolls, flashes, rapid colour shifts, and others. This is partly down to the nature of the bends, and also partly down to the very small usable ranges for some of the effects. There are some interesting and predictable lines that show up from time to time, but the best results I have gotten have been from using a time base corrector after the VCC3010, even when using a CRT. If you want a well behaved image processor, this is not the one for you! If you aren’t getting the results you want, try a different setup. It is the nature of the analogue beast.

This was one of the most ambitious circuit bending projects I’ve undertaken to date. It was not only one of the earlier devices that I modified, it was also the first colour processors, so it’s less refined than my later builds. These are getting harder to come by, and increasingly going up in price when they do crop up, so if you are interested in an unusual circuit bent video colour processor but don’t want to break the bank, this could be just the thing.

Please note the following important things:

1. This is a PAL unit. That means that if you are in a region that uses the NTSC format (like the USA), you will need a PAL to NTSC convertor.
2. Glitchy video enhancers work best with analogue CRT TVs. If you want to use these with a digital TV, projector, or capture card, you will most likely experience drop-outs in the signal. This is normal and expected. You may wish to investigate a Time Base Corrector (TBC) to compensate for this.
3. The audio portion of this unit should be considered non functional. The source selection switches on the front have been physically removed.
4. This device has been modified by me, and so comes with limited to no warranty. Even though I’ve taken a lot of care to make sure this will work and last, I am not an electrician or electronics guru. I am not responsible for anything that blows up as a result (!).
5. All analogue video art devices produce results that vary wildly depending on the input and output. This includes the kind of TV you use, as well as the channel that you select on devices with multiple inputs. As a result, any example pictures of the art shown will almost certainly differ to what you get. The key is to experiment!
6. This particular unit has a number of cosmetic scratches, as should be expected from a bit of video gear of this vintage. It was also one of the earlier units I built, and as a result the placement of the additional knobs and switches aren’t perfectly in line. I think it adds character, but if that kind of thing bothers you, then this is not the unit for you.

I’ve made a video talking about bending this particular unit, and also demonstrating some of the effects that are possible, which you can watch below. Any questions please fire me a message at allmyfas@gmail.com.

Postage

Postage costs are calculated at checkout. I will send the item out tracked, no matter what option is picked. For non-UK buyers, I know that the cost of shipping is high, but unfortunately this is the reality. I have subsidised the cost by 20% to make it more affordable.