Actually, the Ampex VR-3000 backpack—only $42,000 for the basic recorder without accessories—with BC-300 BW Camera—just $12,685—was the only camcorder available. It changed TV forever, moving the entire broadcast television industry from film to video.

The video format—invented by Redwood City-based Ampex in 1965—was called 2-inch Quadruplex, and used four magnetic heads to record both PAL and NTSC standards using different speeds. [Wikipedia]