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

February 4, 2002
Pushpin Update

We've been getting many requests for additional inventory of our popular Push Pogo Pins. Well, we've ordered a batch, and we'll post an update when they're finally in. Sorry, no better ETA than that!

May 6, 2011
Maker Faire Arduino Workshop, LoL Shield...

Psst. Hey. You. I have a secret. A secret we want everyone to know about. But only the people going to the San Fransisco Maker Faire. The word 'free' is a pretty good word, right? Let's throw 'Arduino' in there too. We may be onto something here... How about 'workshop', just for good measure? Those […]

January 10, 2014
New Product Friday: Arduino Yun and Thre...

Today is Friday. Lets celebrate by using only green towels and omitting the letter R. Or just seeing what new stuff we got: Arduino Yun $71.95 Take a wireless router-on-a-chip, and stick an Arduino Leonardo to it - that's the new Arduino YUN! Evil Mad Science The Three Fives Kit $35.00 Take a venerable 555 […]

October 19, 2000
Bug Stomping - Part 2, Solarcells sold o...

We're still undergoing website bug-stomping. You may have noticed some changed news items and the like. One of the edits crashed the page, so we had to reload an older backup. The SCPD photodiodes are now officially sold out! KaPUT! Gone! Until we can find a reasonably priced replacement, we won't be restocking these items […]

Solarbotics Ltd Logo
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.

Copyright © 2024 Solarbotics Ltd. All Rights Reserved
cart