[QuadList] 60th anniversary of Quad video tape: Help get a VR-1000B to NAB

Mon Feb 29 19:41:06 CST 2016

Hi Ted:

Tom mentions the upgrade of the VR-1000 series that was offered by Ampex.  There were a number of variations of these kits.  A major difference between the Ampex VR series and the RCA TR series was the use of self-contained subsystems by Ampex.  The original RCA TRT machines were also built in a similar fashion, but with the TR series, all functions of the machine were integrated into a frame with common power supplies and modules that were not functional as stand-alone devices.  The Ampex design was built on a “modular” approach where entire subsystems (signal, servo, processing, etc) could be changed in the machine.  So it was possible to upgrade a VR-1000 in stages if desired.  Depending on how the VR-1000 was equipped, including previous upgrades such as Amtec or a solid state proc amp for instance, the machine could be upgraded further by choosing the appropriate kits to either replace older circuits or add new functionality.

In 1972, major kits and prices included:

Signal System  $15,500
Solid State Intersync Servo   $7,500
Air Bearing Kits   $750 – $1,200
Solid State Proc Amp   $4,880
Colortec   $11,250

Any of these mods as well as others, even including audio, could be done individually or as a group.  So the upgrade path was very flexible and kept many of the machines in service well past the time when they would otherwise have been obsolete.

Don Norwood
Digitrak Communications, Inc.
www.digitrakcom.com

From: Ted Langdell 
Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 7:28 PM
To: Tom Sprague 
Cc: Quad List ; David Crosthwait ; Jay Ballard ; Paul R. Beck ; Pete Fasciano 
Subject: Re: [QuadList] 60th anniversary of Quad video tape: Help get a VR-1000B to NAB

Thanks for correcting and amplifying the details regarding this particular unit.

Ted

Ted Langdell
Secretary, Quad Videotape Group
Ted at quadvideotapegroup.com
(530)301-2931

Dictated into and Sent from my iPhone, which is solely responsible for any weird stuff I didn't catch.

On Feb 29, 2016, at 6:31 AM, Tom Sprague <trs02446 at verizon.net> wrote:

  Yes Ted. David is pictured with the VR-1000HB. This is a VR-1000B converted to high band with VR-1200 components by Ampex of Canada. The conversion was offered as a kit. 

  We have had that one working for a while. 

  Tom 

  Sent from my iPhone

  On Feb 28, 2016, at 10:18 PM, Ted Langdell <ted at quadvideotapegroup.com> wrote:

    That’s an interesting "VR-1000." 

    Looks like the one that that Tom (Sprague) and Pete (Fasciano) “created” from the 1000 transport and system from—if I recall correctly—a VR-1200.  You can just see the signal system electronics below the control panel.

    My recollection is that the VR-1000B they’ve been working was to the left of that, when I visited.

    MBT has quite a collection of equipment… some stock and some pretty custom.

    Hope folks pitch in to get the VR-1000B to Las Vegas.

    Ted

    Ted Langdell
    Secretary
    Quad Videotape Group
    iPhone: (530) 301-2931
    ted at QuadVideotapeGroup.com
    Skype: TedLangdell 

    Web:  www.QuadVideotapeGroup.com
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QuadVideotapeGroup

    On Feb 25, 2016, at 8:02 PM, David Crosthwait via QuadList <quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com> wrote:

      From: David Crosthwait <david at dcvideo.com>

      Subject: Re: [QuadList] 60th anniversary of Quad video tape: Help get a VR-1000B to NAB

      Date: February 25, 2016 at 8:01:12 PM PST

      To: Quad List <quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com>

      Cc: Pete Fasciano <imagenda at aol.com>, Tom Sprague <trs02446 at verizon.net>, Paul Beck <Paul_Beck at emerson.edu>, Jay Ballard <TK41C at aol.com>

      Yes, how 'bout that VR-1000? 

      <VR1000RI.jpeg> 

    <VR1000RI.jpeg> 

      Best Regards,

      David Crosthwait
      DC Video

      Preservation Level Videotape Transfers and More!

      Offices located at:
      3071 North Lima St.
      Burbank, CA. 91504

      http://www.dcvideo.com/news/

      david at dcvideo.com
      http://dcvideo.com/
      Follow DC Video on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dcvideo
      Follow DC Video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/dcvideoonline

      On Feb 25, 2016, at 12:15 PM, Ted Langdell via QuadList wrote:

        From: Ted Langdell <Ted at quadvideotapegroup.com>

        Date: February 25, 2016 12:15:45 PM PST

        To: Quad List <quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com>

        Cc: Tom Sprague <trs02446 at verizon.net>, "Paul R. Beck" <Paul_Beck at emerson.edu>, Jay Ballard <TK41C at aol.com>, Pete Fasciano <imagenda at aol.com>

        Subject: 60th anniversary of Quad video tape: Help get a VR-1000B to NAB

        This April marks the 60th anniversary of the introduction of the first successful video tape recorder at the National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters in Chicago, Illinois.

        The machine created quite a stir and ushered in a whole raft of technological changes for television production and viewership.

        Because of the work of dedicated engineers, here's a chance you'll be able to see and touch a working Ampex VR-1000B at NAB... IF enough funding can be raised to make the trip from Rhode Island.

        Founders at the Museum of Broadcast Technology in Woonsocket, Rhode Island (some of whom are also on the QuadList and attend our annual luncheon at 12:30 on Tuesday at NAB ) have restored a tube type Ampex VR-1000B and added some color features.

        I've seen this machine waiting for work during visits to the museum, and am pleased that it's now working.

        Quad Video Tape Group member James O'Neal has an article in Television Technology about what it will take to get this machine to Las Vegas. 

        Can you help raise funds? It's a tax-deductible donation. Read more here:

        http://www.tvtechnology.com/opinions/0004/museum-seeks-aid-in-getting-vintage-vtr-to-nab-show/278008

        If you are able to make a donation please do, and let them know how you heard about it.

        Between this group, the OldVTRs list, SMPTE, SBE, and maybe Ampex Old Timers, (or perhaps Ampex Data Systems, the successor to Ampex Corporation) this could be done.

        It would only take 1000 people donating 25 bucks apiece to make it happen.

        I hope folks from the Quad Videotape Group can help. 

        Ted

        Ted Langdell
        Secretary, Quad Videotape Group
        Ted at quadvideotapegroup.com
        (530)301-2931

        Dictated into and Sent from my iPhone, which is solely responsible for any weird stuff I didn't catch.

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