We've got the official "OK" to open up registration for the 2003 LANL BEAM Workshop in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The 3-day workshop is from May 1-3, with the 1-day following on May 4. Check it out at any of the following links: Direct IP link (until the following DNS entries echo through the web) […]
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:
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Solarbotics at MakerFaire YYC
Are you located in or around Calgary? Do you like cool projects and neat-o people making neat-o things? Are you looking for something mega-awesome to do this weekend? If you answered yes to all (or any) of these questions, we have some good news for you: The Maker Faire Calgary is happening this weekend. There'll […]
From a satisfied customer...
Here's a nice message from Jack Buffington resulting from our recent trip to Robolympics: "Hi. I just wanted to say thanks to Dave for tipping me off to those new motor/gearboxes that you are selling. He sold two of them to me on Saturday. On Sunday I won the ribbon-climber event using the one of […]
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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.