Every once in a while we like to re-arrange the furniture. Sure, it's nice to have things look new and different, but most of the time we're just trying to make things just work better. This week we've done a little bit of restructuring of our Advanced category - we hope it'll make it easier […]
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
Happy Halloween!
You know how I said we'd have new and exciting stuff to show off this week? That isn't quite the case. It's just been one of those weeks, and we don't have anything ready to go for you. But I can say this - we'll be opening up pre-orders for our brand spankin' new Oomlout […]
ScoutWalker III sold out!
Sorry to say that our initial inventory of the ScoutWalker III has sold out! We're trying to get more ready for Christmas, but no promises...
New Bundle: The Northern Lights!
Ok, more like The Northern light. There's only one, but it creates lots of light! We made the SB-Firefly as a ATtiny85-based blinky light / "chewing-gum & duct-tape problem solver", that is also Digispark compatible. We made the Star Controller 3-watt RGB LED kit as an easy way to tame bright and power-hungry LEDs. We […]
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.