Unlike Sparkfun, who actually manage to find fake Atmel ICs, we just get strange batches. The Atmel ATMega328 is the power behind the Arduino/Freeduino/*duino, and we have to set up a programming system to burn the venerable Arduino Bootloader into these chips. We normally use an AVR STK500 in HVSP (high voltage serial programming) mode, […]
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
The Solarbotics Comic Expos Best Project...
Solarbotics has been a regular at the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo for quite a few years now. Throughout the years we've shown off multiple projects that we created ourselves and in collaboration with some brilliant costume and prop designers. Here is a recap of the most impressive projects. We are always happy to assist […]
Canadian National Exhibition and Califor...
August 14, 2000 - Canadian National Exhibition and California State Exhibition Quick news: I'm (that'd be me - Dave) off to Toronto to go attend the Canadian National Exhibition (otherwise known as "The Ex") from August 18 to September 4. In attendance will be myself (Dave Hrynkiw), Scott Martin, Mark Dalton, and to lesser degrees […]
New Product: Adapters, OLEDs and Financi...
In my recent wanderings in the world of overly-cheerful financial advise, I stumbled upon this budgeting theory that says that to feel comfortable about your moneys, or lack thereof, you gotta be living on your last month's earnings. Let's leave out the question of how anyone would pull it off, and just say that I […]
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.