[QuadList] Slight OT: When did networks transition from 2" Quad to 1" Type C?

Wayne Watson wayne.watson at sait.ca
Tue Aug 21 10:52:56 CDT 2012


I was in sales for Ampex in Canada from 1981 to 1993. I would say the big "C" format years were from 1979 to 1990.

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On 2012-08-21, at 12:19 AM, "Dennis Degan" <DennyD1 at verizon.net> wrote:

> 
> 
>        On Aug 20, 2012, at 8:03 PM, David Perrussel wrote:
> 
>> Overall, when did the "Big 3" networks (ABC, NBC, CBS and even PBS  
> for that matter) start the transition from 2" Quad to 1" Type C or  
> similar formats?
> 
>        I answer:
> 
>    Since the Type C format was first shown in 1977, VTRs found their way  
> into tape rooms starting around 1978.  Here are 3 photos of NBC's very  
> first machines as they were installed in 1978:
>    <http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennisdegan/515329174/>
>    <http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennisdegan/515328974/>
>    <http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennisdegan/515355785/>
> 
>        David said:
> 
>> I'm sure it was over a period of time, but I'm wondering when the  
> transition to 1" really started to get going, pushing out 2" Quad to  
> backup status?
>> For example, when did NBC start to use 1" for the Tonight Show  
> instead of 2" Quad?
> 
>        I reply:
> 
>    I was in NY, not Burbank, but the transition, started in 1978, was  
> complete in 30 Rock around 1982 or so.  Most likely, the same was true  
> in Burbank.
> 
>        David:
> 
>> Also, while I'm on the subject, when did 1" Type C start to end  
> it's reign and other formats started to take over?
> 
>        I answer:
> 
>    Again, there was a considerable transition period.  BetaCam, followed  
> by Beta SP started to become prevalent in the mid 1980's.  D2 digital  
> Composite VTRs helped push out 1-inch starting in 1989.  We were still  
> using all these formats until 1995.  Then, it became mostly D2 for us  
> at Unitel Video, NY.  Unitel had 4 Type C VTR's in every edit room,  
> but they stood mostly silent at that point.  Here's an example:
>    <http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennisdegan/557702480/>
> 
>            Dennis Degan, Video Editor-Consultant-Knowledge Bank
>                         NBC Today Show, New York
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ______________________________________________
> Please trim posts to relevant info when replying.
> 
> Change subject to reflect thread direction. Thanks.
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