Hi all. In 1963 Ampex developed a real cool entertainment system called the http://www.cedmagic.com/history/ampex-signature-v.html (Signature V) which was a colour telly with a helical scan VTR (I assume 2 inch) with record player, cassette deck, AM/FM radio, B&W vidicon video camera etc. which retailed at $30000, 4 were made and only one was sold. I was wondering if anyone might know the existence of any of these 4 combo units by any chance?

Cheers
Troy

You makey da boo boo when you tried to include that link. Try clicking on THIS (http://www.cedmagic.com/history/ampex-signature-v.html)

Anthony

Wasn't that the console featured on the cover of one of the early Stereophiles, posed with an actress who was crossing her eyes? It was reprinted in a anniversary issue a few years ago.

It's funny that someone should post about this, becuase I literally just won the equivalent stand-alone VTR in an auction... the Ampex VR-660!

2" quad tape [B&W recording], speed is 3.75 ips, and can accomodate up to 12" reels (almost 5 hours of recording time!)

And did I mention that it weighs 130 lbs....? :)

I'd love to run across an actual tape that was recorded on one of these... considering that the machine was introduced in 1963, there's a lot of stuff that could be on it!

Oh-- and here's a pic of one...!

-Kevin

Isn't that a Packard Bell TV?

Hi Joel. Fantastic, this VTR is a classic. My mate Richard has one too in his collection of well over 100 VTRs:
http://www.labguysworld.com/Ampex_VR-660.htm

Cheers
Troy

So that was the only console of that type that was manufactured.
I cost about 5-6 Cadillacs at that time?