[QuadList] Question of the week

Mon Mar 7 09:36:56 CST 2011

The answer is the 

RCA AE 6000 "Automatic Computerized Editing"  devise.

"A new sophisticated editing system providing optimum simplicity and efficiency to enhance creative expression". (I've had some "creative expressions" when editing with TR-600A's which cannot be printed here).

I do not know if this product ever came out, but certainly from what I can tell by pulling brochures from the DC Video file cabinet is that I picked up this printed material in 1978 or so and it appeared to be a real product. But I never heard of any implementation. Perhaps the heavy weights here on the list i.e. Gary Adams, John Turner, Don Norwood, Chris Hill, Trevor Brown and others who were associated with RCA gear (perhaps the recipient of a sales pitch or two) could elaborate. If 1978 is an accurate time period for this product to be marketed, then I think we have to keep in mind what the competition was then i.e. Ampex ACE, CMX 340, ISC, Mach 1, and perhaps some others that I've failed to mention. If one looks at the CRT display here, it's a bit convoluted compared to the industry standard at the time (in my opinion), that being the CMX 340. So perhaps the RCA AE 6000 was a little too late to come to market. 

I once worked with a woman who had just come from a religious network editing facility who had four TR-600A's tied to (I think) a CMX edit system, and she swore by them. 

There were four 600As tied to a CMX 340 (no AE-6000) in edit five at NBC Burbank, and those machines would move tape very fast, even dual edit record under CMX control. However, they were not very reliable in other aspects. That edit room had been originally projected to have four AVR-3's, but an "upper level decision" placed the 600A's in that project instead. 

One last note: The brochure mentions that this editor has a "switcher control system designed to interface with any 1600 series Grass Valley E-MEM equipped switcher" (did not scan that page yet but can if someone wants to see it). I can't recall RCA ever mentioning another major manufacturer in a brochure, although I could be dead wrong. Perhaps this was a no brainer as RCA was (?) totally out of the switcher business by then.

David Crosthwait
DC Video
2" quad transfers and more...
www.dcvideo.com

Not seen this before, but I'd say it's an RCA multi-machine edit controller circa 1983-86.  

Perhaps a product that didn't make it into any facilities before the door was shut and Nipper's doghouse closed.

Ted

Looks like a "super-duper" CMX type editing device for the TR-600 or above RCA quads. BIG floppy drives to hold edit info (reminds me of the 4100 Chyron's). Buttons and panels very similiar to the TR-600 edit system at Olympic Broadcasting Studio in Chicago mid to late 70's. Machines had come from Montreal Olympics, no 2 quite alike, what complete DOGS. Thankfully the truck had HS-100!

Pat

Good stumper.

It looks like it was done by either CDL or Telemation.

The 5 inch disc drives give it a time frame of the 70's or early 80's.

It has to be after the original CMX as the unit has some features that were enhancements.

Have no idea other than that.

Chris Hill
_________________

On Mar 4, 2011, at 9:33 AM, Trevor Brown wrote:

> Looks like an RCA AE600 edit panel 
> You can clearly see the gold key as in 66 gold key 6 (Change Pal Phase)
> There should be a Blue key too (edit replay)
> Picture is a little burnt out to identify
> 
> Don't remember the 5 1/4 discs or the comments key board 
> 
> TrevorB
> UK member
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: quadlist-bounces at quadvideotapegroup.com
> [mailto:quadlist-bounces at quadvideotapegroup.com] On Behalf Of David
> Crosthwait
> Sent: 04 March 2011 15:59
> To: Quad List
> Subject: Re: [QuadList] Question of the week
> 
> Here is a photo from the file cabinet.
> The questions for the contest are:
> What is it?
> What is the model number?
> Did anyone ever see one in action other than on the showroom floor? 
> Was it a product that was "Dead On Arrival"?
> 
> Other documentation will be posted about what this is (or was supposed to
> be) once the questions have been answered. 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
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