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:
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Interesting video...
We're big fans of "Scientific American Frontiers" around here. We were quite surprised to trip over this link of a program called "Games Machines Play". Well worth a view, if you can spare better part of an hour!
Cool Links Wednesday: Robot Games, Flyin...
So, it's Wednesday. That day that comes smack-dab in the middle of the week. And to inject a bit of excitement into things, we've put together a fistful of the cool likes we've been stumbling across. WCRG this Weekend: This year’s Western Canadian Robot Games will be taking place at the Aero Space Museum of Calgary on […]
New Product: The Solarbotics Paris Flyer...
The Paris Flyer CarouSol Kit is the latest product in our line of solar-powered kinetic desk toys. Borrowing design elements from the golden age of air travel , we've added our unique solar-electronics flair to create self-powered dynamic mobiles.
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.