Portapak

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The Portapak was the first portable video recording device. The first Portapak-type video recorder was the Sony DV-2400 Video Rover, which allowed a single person to record video in the field. From [A History of Camcorders]:

"The first ”portable” video system, this two-piece set consisted of a large B&W camera and a separate record-only helical ½” VCR unit. It required a Sony CV series VTR to play back the video. Even thought it was clunky and heavy, it was light enough for a single person to carry it around. However, it was usually operated by a crew of two - One shot the camera and one carried and operated the VCR part."

Some credit the advent of the Portapak with a blossoming of Video art.

Citations

"[History of Camcorders]," by Mark Shapiro, Internet Video Magazine, 2002

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