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Old 09-29-2011, 04:01 AM
Woodronics Woodronics is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 22
Argh! If only I were closer I'd grab them both!

The VTR above is an Ampex VPR-3, considered the Rolls Royce of C-format machines. The 'portable' version [basic transport chassis without the console, TBC-7 or monitor bridge] weighs 125Kg! I think Ampex's marketing people figured they had to convince station engineers that this machine would be a handsome replacement for their aging quadruplex [two inch] machines and hence should have a similarly proportioned weight

In keeping with Ampex's quad tradition, it has an on-board air 'compressor' [vane pump] that feeds air guides and bearings, and a vacuum capstan - no pinch roller involved. If the operator goes from FF to Play, the tape slows down, never stops, just locks up at play speed. Very clever for the era.
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