We have a tricky product today. It pretends to be one, but it is actually ten. Is it like some sort of a mighty god with 10 avatars? Or a weird non-conventional 10-coloured rainbow? Close, it's the 10m lengths of LED strings that come in different colour variations, including an RGB one, which makes things […]
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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BEP Application: Servocore Walker
The following instructions detail how to build a Servocore walker. A Servocore walker differs from a regular walker by utilizing the internal electronics in unmodified servos, which give position feedback from the motor in the servo. This position feedback allows for very long stride lengths without the use of mechanical stops or springs.
Scribbler S2 in stock
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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.