[BC] Old quad videotape machines

[Xen Scott]

At 07:41 AM 10/28/05 -0400, Tom Taggart wrote:
>Worked summers at WJW-TV while in college. In video tape, including using
>an Ampex 1000. (it was a high-band machine but could run the low-band
>spots one NY agency would ship to us).

The stock Ampex VR-1000 was low-band only.  A few facilities tried 
high-banding their VR-1000s in the field but this was not easy or 
cost-effective.
The only high-banded Ampex VR-1000s I worked with were in the WTVJ remote
bus used to record the Jackie Gleason Show in Miami.

The more common field modifications for first generation Ampex videotape
machines like the VR-1000 were solid-state replacements for the original 
tube circuits.  This would include sections of the signal system like the 
mod-demod, playback RF head switcher, or video processing.  Allen 
Electronics made
a line of solid-state conversion products.


>Nothing makes you feel old faster than when you go into a technology
>museum & find one of their prize exhibits is an Ampex 1000 & a Norelco
>PC-60 camera.

The only thing worse is going into a technology museum and seeing equipment
that you are currently using.

Xen Scott