There's still time to get your Solarbotics order in time for Christmas if you select courier shipping (maybe even just airmail, if you get the order in today and you live closeby). We now have a solid inventory of ScoutWalker III kits in stock, so if you want to have one from "Santa" this year, […]
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
Solarbotics Halloween PumLantern Hack
This is a message that does not announce Halloween a stat holiday at Solarbotics - but enhances the Halloween spirit by bringing you a fancy porch or window decoration idea. We call it the Pum-kin-Lantern! Here's an easy recipe: take the guts of Pum Lantern, place it in a mixing bowl with some pumpkins, add […]
Our sympathy...
Due to the horrific events happening in the USA, Solarbotics cannot guarantee delivery of Priority or Airmail orders for the immediate future. Our sincerest sympathy goes out to the victims of this brutal and cowardly attack. May time relieve you of your sorrow, and the attackers face their justice.
Fire Stuff, Light Stuff, New Stuff
We don't know about you, but we're ushering in the New Year with a BANG. That's the sound our metaphorical sledgehammer of rage made while we beat the snot out of our internal server this week, after it refused to come into 2012 in an operational status. Fortunately, our crack IT squad has patched up […]
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.