Yeah, we warned you. We're not even in our office to write out this newspost. Nay, this is one of them fancy pre-recorded messages. It may or may not self destruct. So, yes, we're closed from May 19th (Thursday) to the 24th (Tuesday). We'll resume filling/shipping orders and replying to any correspondance once we're back […]
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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At the Expo!
Bad news, everyone - we don't have any new OR shiny things to show off today. That's because we've been busy packing up to attend the Calgary Comic Expo, which runs this weekend, from the 27th to the 29th. We have a booth set up and will be showing off some of our cool stuff, […]
Closed for Thanksgiving (Monday October ...
Our offices are closed on Monday, October 12th, 2015, and back to regular duties on Tuesday October 13th.
Jeff de Boer on CBC Radio
If you came to the BEAM/WCRG Millennium Games in Calgary last summer, you may have seen Jeff de Boer's lecture on the aesthetic component of robotics. Jeff is a local Calgary artist (recently inducted to the Royal Canadian Order - a huge honor, considering his age), and was interviewed on CBC radio Monday with Shelaugh […]
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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.