A SparkFun PCB, three BlinkM LEDs, three LilyPads and a PICAXE USB Programmer walk into a bar. The bartender looks up and asks, "What is this, a newspost?" The answer to that question would be YES! Chekkit oot: SparkFun Ardubot Bare PCB BlinkM Smart LED BlinkM MaxM Ultrabright Smart LED BlinkM RGB Blaster LilyPad Temperature […]
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
Sumovores roll over Italy again!
Another msg from our Italian contacts: Sumovores do well at the Pisa! Here's a Google-translated link.
Grove Smart Plant Kit Demo
Grove Plant Care Kit is a smart automated solution for making sure the plant stays alive and well. The electronics monitor 4 different parameters necessary for the plant being happy and healthy: humidity, temperature, UV levels, and soil moisture. From these variables it creates a watering schedule that will keep the plant at its optimal […]
Possible Canada Post Service Disruptions
Labour negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) are currently taking place. In the event that an agreement between the two parties cannot be reached, customers could see a disruption to all Canada Post services as early as July 2, 2016. In the event of a labour disruption, Canada Post […]
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.