[QuadList] RCA Television Tape Recorders onQuadvideotapegroup.com

[Don Norwood]

Hi Ted:

Yes, the production model is the first one in the RCA Broadcast News story. 
Without seeing the color rack, there's no way to be certain about that 
particular machine.

My earlier post may not have been as clear as it should have been.  The VTRX 
was color, but not the same electronics as what was supplied for the TRT-1A 
and 1B.  Deliveries of the TRT-1A started in '59, and the "new" color rack 
followed almost immediately.  In fact, deliveries of the TRT-1B began in 
1960, so product development was very rapid.  The color racks for the A and 
the B are also different with the B version requiring less rack space, 
partly due to the inclusion of a WP-16B solid state power supply.

The very first solid state component designed for the machines was a proc 
amp that was standard on the B machines.  The first Pixlock servo was also 
solid state and was designed as an accessory for the TRT-1's, and was 
retrofitted into many of the existing machines.  While Ampex had a tube-type 
Intersync servo, the tube-type RCA servo did not provide a fully 
synchronized output, so the development of the Pixlock unit allowed them to 
be competitive with Ampex in that regard.  According to RCA publications, it 
also reduced the space and power requirements for the headwheel servo by a 
factor of eight and the capstan servo by a factor of 10.  That paved the way 
for the introduction in '61 of the TR-11 which fit in only 3 racks, but I 
don't think that color was an option for the 11.

An interesting aspect of the story about the first non-network machines that 
went to WBTV.....WBTV was a CBS affiliate.  I always thought it was odd that 
an NBC station did not get the first machines.  I realize that Ampex 
machines were already in service at NBC, but still, I would have expected 
RCA to look after "their own" on such a major development.  Incidently, 
while WBTV continued to have only RCA quads as long as they had the format, 
their production company which was in the same building but had separate 
studios, never had anything but Ampex machines.  Must have been some 
interesting "discussions" between the engineering staffs!

Don

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ted Langdell" <ted at quadvideotapegroup.com>
To: "Quad List" <quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 9:01 PM
Subject: Re: [QuadList] RCA Television Tape Recorders 
onQuadvideotapegroup.com


> Hi, Don,
>
> Thanks for the background.
>
> It would appear that the only production model is the machine at the  top 
> of the first page.  Without seeing additional racks, can you  easily tell 
> whether this is a monochrome or color machine?
>
> We'll add your augmenting text as soon as I can.
>
> Ted
>
> On Apr 16, 2009, at 5:22 PM, Don Norwood wrote:
>
>> Hi Ted:
>>
>> The pictures on the website identified as "pre-production TRT-1AC" 
>> machines at NBC could more accurately be identified as model VTRX  which 
>> was the official RCA designation.  While they certainly were 
>> pre-TRT-1AC, they were actually pre-TRT-1A as the AC (color) version 
>> came even later.  The original VTRX occupied 7 racks which was  reduced 
>> to 6 for the field test machines, whereas the production  TRT-1A was 
>> reduced to 5.  Then later, the C version added a 6th rack  for color.   A 
>> major change in the layout between the VTRX and the  production machines 
>> was the location of the control panel.  On the X  it was to the left of 
>> the transport while the production machines  were all to the right.
>>
>> The machines installed at WBTV were the first quads that I ever  saw. 
>> Some years later, I spent a good bit of time with both TRT-1A  and TRT-1B 
>> machines.  There were two more variants of the tube  machines, the TR-11 
>> and then the TR-2.  Each incorporated more solid  state circuitry, much 
>> of which formed the basic design for the TR-22  which followed them.
>>
>> Don
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ted Langdell" 
>> <ted at quadvideotapegroup.com
>> >
>> To: "Quad List" <quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com>
>> Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 6:03 PM
>> Subject: [QuadList] Reel to look for at Second Annual informalQuad- 
>> Telecine-Editor lunch at NAB
>>
>>
>>> The Quad Videotape Group
>>>
>>> presents
>>>
>>> The Second Annual informal Quad-Telecine-Editor lunch at NAB
>>>
>>> Tuesday, Apr. 21 at 12:30p.m.
>>>
>>> Central Hall Food Court.
>>>
>>> Click here to RSPV
>>>
>>> Look for this faded purple Memorex Quad reel
>>>
>>>
>>> and copies of SMPTE bars printed on letter-sized paper.
>>>
>>> Last year's gathering was fun, and the growing number of members have
>>> connected at other events or opportunities.
>>>
>>> Please join us at NAB and online at QuadVideotapeGroup.com
>>>
>>> Now Playing: The RCA TRT-1AC units at NBC Burbank, NY and WBTV,
>>> Charlotte, NC.
>>>
>>> Restoring "The Dedication of WRC-TV/NBC-TV"
>>>
>>> New photos on the Social Events page
>>>
>>> QuadVideotapeGroup.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Ted Langdell
>>> Secretary
>>> Skype: TedLangdell
>>> e-mail: ted at quadvideotapegroup.com
>>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>
> Ted Langdell
> Secretary
> Skype: TedLangdell
> e-mail: ted at quadvideotapegroup.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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