Relayed from my good friend ScottyDogma, here's a link to an article In the July 4th Globe and Mail Newpaper regarding "10 Things Canada Does Best" (this is point #8 - Robotics). Whodathunk? Not me...
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
More interesting links on the inter-web....
Browsing around, I found another link regarding Mark Tilden & WowWee. From the website "AllNerdReview.com" (if that doesn't describe a roboticist...) comes article about a their visit to the New York Toy Fair (ok, so my web-browsing is a bit old). Enjoy... http://www.allnerdreview.com/TOYFAIR05/TF13.htm
We Are Moving!!!!
We are moving from our current humble abode to a new location with more light, more atmosphere and more room! Yes, Solarbotics & HVW Tech are moving on April 30, 2010 to our new location. Don't worry, we'll still provide you with the same great products and service but from a location where we can […]
Make Magazine! Servo Magazine!
Woot! (Ok, I know it's spelt W007) The Sumovore is featured in volume 4 of Make Magazine in their suggested shopping list! For those of you who don't know about this killer quarterly publication from the fine folks at O'Reilly & Associates, you have to check it out. Makezine is ideal for all you DIY […]
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Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.