31-08-2023, 08:05 AM
(This post was last modified: 31-08-2023, 08:10 AM by ppppenguin.)
In the early days of VTRs there were all sorts of formats. From the 0.25" Akai, assorted 0.5" formats from Sony CV2000 onwards, an oddball Ikegami 2/3" machine, 0.75" (Umatic), 1" and 2". Apart from Quadruplex there was a 2" helical, the IVC9000. It worked superbly well but saw little use. At 1" there was an early Philips machine (possibly 2 different ones), IVC and Ampex 5000/7000. The last of these morphed into C Format which was the mainstay of broadcasters for years. The 5000/7000 machines got back-named as A Format.
Even in 2" quadruplex there were low-band, high-band and super-high-band machines as tape and technology improved. At least older tapes could be played on later machines.
I dimly remember an article in Practical TV which described many of the formats. Early 1970s? It's on World Radio History but I'm feeling too lazy to dig it out.
I've left out early experimental machines such as the Bing Crosby and VERA, both linear. Also the failed domestic Wesgrove and Telcan which were also linear. I think Polaroid did a "toy" camcorder that used ordinary audio cassettes. It may have a cult following.
Even in 2" quadruplex there were low-band, high-band and super-high-band machines as tape and technology improved. At least older tapes could be played on later machines.
I dimly remember an article in Practical TV which described many of the formats. Early 1970s? It's on World Radio History but I'm feeling too lazy to dig it out.
I've left out early experimental machines such as the Bing Crosby and VERA, both linear. Also the failed domestic Wesgrove and Telcan which were also linear. I think Polaroid did a "toy" camcorder that used ordinary audio cassettes. It may have a cult following.
www.borinsky.co.uk Jeffrey Borinsky www.becg.tv
