Yeeks! Jeez, it's snuck up on me too... If you want to get your favourite solder-geek a new project for Christmas, keep in mind that our deadline for shipping is approaching. For US orders, your option is Purolator/DHL Courier (2 business days, so Wednesday the 21st by 2:00pm MST at the latest!). Domestic (Canadian) orders […]
Vintage AMPEX VR1200B 2" Quadruplex VTR ...
Solar botics
January 8, 2016
I occupy a studio space in a building that is a former movie shooting facility turned into an artist hovel. The building itself is wonderfully old but the hallways are also full of ancient audio and video equipment from the movie days. One of the things that got the attention of our RnD and tech geek was the AMPEX VR1200B Quadruplex videotape recorder from 1966. The machine stands about 5' tall, about the same in width, and weighs 'under 1000 pounds' as the spec sheet puts it. This was one of the first machines to use magnetic tape technology for recording video in the form of 2" quad tape for video, as opposed to film that was used previously.
A couple interesting points about this machine:
- 60PSI Air was needed for air bearings and a Venturi system for holding the 2" tape in alignment;
- These machines were the workhorses in TV Stations throughout the 60's and 70's. Running these machines required a full time technician!
Here's the beast in action:
A photoset of AMPEX VR1200B
An Overview of Ampex History:
MORE POSTS
Solarbotics is, um.. out of power...
There's a power failure in our area this morning, so what to do... Hey, let's take the staff out for breakfast! So since the phones are down, the server is down, the lights are out, and there's a sticky-note on the front door saying as much, we're not open. Not for another hour or two, […]
Gear Motor and Solar Cell Availability
Monday! Monday! Monday! Our shipment of Gear Motors and Solar Cells are both expected to arrive on Monday November, 24th. In anticipation of this joyous event, we have thrown the following back online: SCC2433B-MSE Gear Motor SCC3733 Gear Motor GM3 Gear Motor GM8 Gear Motor K TB Turbot Tumbling Robot Kit SCC2433B-MSE-1 Custom Parts Bundles […]
Circuit: Shok
You want a simple Photovore? This very tidy design by Solarbotics' own Grant McKee is based on a technique developed by Mark Tilden - Shok architecture.
Solarbotics has been operating for more than 25 years, bringing electronics know-how and supplies to both the electronics professional and hobbyist. We'll be happy to help you too!
Solarbotics, Ltd. is not responsible for misprints or errors on product prices or information. For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions.
Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.