This just in! A very rare artifact from IVC. Introduced in the mid 1970's,
this is a typical example of IVC's equipment. IVC made many models in this
series. This machine uses one inch video tape wrapped completely around
a drum with only one video head. This configuration is called, "Alpha Wrap".
When viewed directly from above, the tape path looks just like the greek
letter alpha. Linear tape speed is in the range of 9. 6 IPS (24. 384 cm/S),
giving about 1 hour recording time on 9. 25 inch diameter reel of broadcast
quality one inch tape. Along with excellent video bandwidth, this machine
also records two very high quality audio tracks as well. Audio channel
two can be dubbed independently too. The "X" in the model number of this
particular machine implies that it is electrically certified for medical
use. Even though it has those fancy handles on the end, it should still
be handled by two people to avoid back strain! It weighs in close to 70
pounds (150 Kg).
The machine
naturally records color or B/W video signals. To playback color, however,
does require either a TBC (Time Base Corrector) or a heterodyne type color
adapter. Heterodyne adapters work in a manner similar to all modern VHS
machines ~ and just as poorly! A TBC can restore the playback quality to
that of nearly the live camera signal! These machines were used extensively
in, what I would call, second tier video establishments. These would be
production house that required fine quality but lacked the budget for the
superior quadruplex or 1" type C machines. A lot of these decks also served
as dub master decks in VHS and Betamax mass dubbing companies too.
SIDEBAR:
I (LabGuy)
worked right next door to IVC, in the same building, in 1981. The company
I worked at, |
Videologic Corp., used IVC 800's
in their own product, a high speed video motion analyzer called the "InStar".
This stood for, "INSTant Analytical Replay". You take one IVC-800 VTR mechanism
and add custom made electronics, stand it on end and bolt it to a large
movers hand truck with pneumatic tires! (Yes, I had to check the pressure
in them as part of system test!) On top of this, you mount a 12" video
monitor and control panel. Wrap the whole thing in a rubber gasketed fiberglass
weather proof enclosures and throw in a 200 Watt strobe light (2,000 Watt
strobe optional) and a custom built plumbicon video camera. Now you are
good to go and record high speed motion events at up to 960 frames per
second! Playback speed is variable anywhere from real time to freeze frame
with perfectly clear images! Clever, huh? Saw one of those recently on
eBay! It was too expensive, too heavy and too useless. LabGuy's World waits
patiently for one of THOSE to be DONATED.
This IVC
machine is almost working. It is actually threaded up and running in the
right hand photo. It pulls tape perfectly and has a good video head. There
is some sort of problem with the electronic video path. Probably simple
electronic misalignment or dirty switch or relay contacts. SIMPLE, you
ask? Yes! Simple, I say. The the block diagram of these machines looks
exactly like what you would see in a text book on VTR theory. If it was
any simpler, it couldn't run! Because of their age, they contain very few,
if any, integrated circuits. The electronics are composed of discrete transistors,
resistors, capacitors, etc.. So, when it comes to understanding and repairing
them, it is a rather easy task.
WANTED: Vintage magazine articles or any other information
on this and any other IVC machines. |
