VR-2000 TELEPRODUCTION VIDEOTAPE RECORDER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B00873A002900020076-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 15, 2012
• Sequence Number: 76
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

A- _
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy
1 I 1)OD
$54
_ -cre. / 25X1
Approved for Release 2012/11/15: CIA-RDP79B00873A002900020076-9
' ' 25X1
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AMPEX
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VR-2000 Teleproduction
Videotape Recorder
The Ampex VR-2000 Videotape Recorder is more than an
"improvement" over earlier designs; it is a totally new
recorder, the result of a total evaluation of all available com-
ponents, every technology involved, an evaluation of even
the recording method and bandwidth. The result is a new
standard of picture quality unmatched by any other tele-
vision recorder in the world. The VR-2000 is being used
by major networks in the U.S. for color recording and
mastering. . . and by other networks throughout the world.
With totally new electronic circuitry the K-Factor rating
of the VR-2000 has been reduced to 1%. With the new
high-band signal system, you can obtain color copies that
compare with the original, monochrome dupes to the third
generation. . . all with the quality of the master.
A New Standard
The traditional standards of bandwidth, signal-to-noise,
and time base stability are inadequate for advanced tele-
production work or extensive duplication. Slight "improve-
ments" have been suggested, but they are only half
measures. The VR-2000 represents a totally new standard
of performance. Extended bandwidth providing more room
for color and an adequate guard band, dramatically increased
signal-to-noise ratio, greatly improved time base stability:
The K- Factor Performance
The K-Factor measurement technique has been widely used
in Europe and Australia for a number of years. Briefly, it
is a measurement of a recorder's over-all performance in
terms of transient response, and is expressed as a per-
centage. A theoretically perfect system would have a
K-Factor of zero percent. Prior to the VR-2000, the best
recorders could manage a K-Factor rating of about 5%.
The VR-2000 has a K-Factor rating of 1%!
The only major advancement in
television recording since the
introduction of the original Ampex
Videotape Recorder in 1956.
The VR-2000 produces multi-generation
color and monochrome dupes, production
flexibility so superior that it has been called "the
turning point in television tape production"!
Total Teleproduction Capability
The picture quality put on tape by the VR-2000 is so high
that color copies and monochrome copies to several gen-
erations can be made, all with master-like quality. To this
add the entire range of Ampex editing equipment and
accessories, the time-saving, built-in test instrumentation,
the 99% transistorization, and you have a recorder that's
unmatched by anything else, anywhere. This is your big
competitive edge. . . it's the final step toward the full
realization of tape as a total teleproduction medium!
Compatability With Other Recorders
Though the VR-2000 is a high-band recorder, it is fully
compatible with all existing low-band machines using the
transverse-scan, four-head technique. Further, the VR-2000
operates on all of the world's popular line and bandwidth
standards, in color and monochrome. One of two pre-
selected standards may be selected by a pushbutton on the
control panel.
Features
Totally new, in concept and production ? K-Factor of 1% ?
Improved signal-to-noise ratio of 46 db or better ? New high-
band signal system ? Retractable erase head reduces tape-
wear ? Intersync* for synchronous operation ? Built-in test
instrumentation ? 99% solid state (nuvistors or tubes are used
where such use contributes to the high performance delivered
by the VR-2000) ? Fully compatible with other transverse-
scan, four-headed recorders ? Operates on 405, 525 and 625
line standards' ? Simple to operate, yet an "engineer's re-
corder" ? Utilizes the full range of Ampex accessories for
total teleproduction capability ? Prestige and profit building
potential through superior quality, reliability and flexibility.
Accessories
AMTEC* System: Time Element Compensator for perfect pic-
ture geometry.
7_.?COLORTEC* System: For faithful color recovery of both mas-
ters and dubs.
3 .....44keT?RON1C EDITOR: For fast, accurate electronic splicing.
Insert substitute scenes at will, or assemble programs scene-
by-scene.
Ale_..E.01TZ.CUSystem: The final step in electronic editing, a pro-
grammer for the electronic editor. Accurate to the single
frame, provides even for animation directly on tape.
Complete systems for closed circuit and broadcast television
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/15: CIA-RDP79B00873A002900020076-9
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/15: CIA-RDP79B00873A002900020076-9
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Operating convenience ...
assured by the functional
grouping of all operating
controls.
CONt
5t 0
tOCK
YU:
Full protection ...
afforded by tally lights
and a host of protection
features.
CAPSTAN ERROR ?
DRUM ERROR
TACHOMETER
CK (FILTERED)
CI PLAYBACK
ON PLAYBACK
T. REC CURRENT
wv RE OUTpuT
Accidental erasure
prevented ... a Teflon
ring may be placed
under the program reel,
activating a microswitch
and locking out all erase
and record functions.
All new Mk IV video head ...
designed from the ground
up, with integral video
preamps, noise-free rotary
transformers, air-bearing
heads.
Full monitoring ...
switchable A-scope checks
all important circuits;
laboratory scope can be
connected to the same
circuits.
Specifications
Physical Characteristics
Di?Icrmiorm
Height, 63" 1160 cm), width, 65" (165 cm),
depth, 31" (78.7 cm).
Weight, 1300 lbs. maximum.
Temperature and Humidity
Temperature: 0?C to 55?C (tape limited).
Relative Humidity: 10% to 90%.
Power Requirements
Input Power: 117 volts --?-10%, tapped for 105-115-125
volts, 60 cycle, 30 amps, mill regulate and operate
ORwithout changing taps from 105-125 volts.)
- ?
230 volts -?-5%, tapped for 210-220230-240-250 volts,
50 cycle, 15 amps.
Convenience Outlet: 4 outlets fused for I68 total.
Signal Requirements ?
Video Composite Signal: 0.5 to 1.5 volts peak-to-peak com-
posite, sync negative, EIA-FCC standard or 405, 625 line
standards (819 on custom order), 75 ohm unbalanced.
Sync Input: 75 ohms, 2 to 8 volt, peak-to-peak.
Audio Input
Program tine: High impedance balanced bridge for 500/
600 ohm line at -10 dbm level (minimum); or high
impedance unbalanced 11510.
Cue Line: High impedance balanced bridge (156) at -10
dbm (minimum). Built-in crystal microphone.
Operating Characteristics
Tape Speed
71/2 or 15 ips as selected by front panel switch.
Recording Time
96 minutes on. 14" (35.6 cm) 7200' reel of tape at 15
ips (38 cm)sec).
192 minutes on 14" (35.6 cm) 7200' reel of tape at
71/2 ips (19 cm)secl.
Normally supplied for operation with 12" 130.5 cm)
reels.
Picture and Sound Separation
181/2 frame, sound leads, at 15 ips.
37 frame, sound leads, at 71/2 ips.
Stability
litter (i.e., disturbance rates greater than 1 cps):
?0.075 As.
Drift (i.e., disturbance rates less than 1 cps): -?0.1 As.
Geometric: Less than -1.-0.15 pS during replay of a record-
ing on the tracks selected to produce maximum error.
Standards
Two preset deviation, pre-emphasis, and scanning
standards may be selected by means of a two-posi-
tion switch, the preset standards are determined by
three plug-in circuit modules, one set of three for
the desired combination of modulation level, pre-em-
phasis, or scanning standards.
Standards available: 4.28 Mc - 5.0 Mc - 6.8 Mc Dev.,
Monochrome Pre-emphasis, 525 line, Low Band.
5.5 Mc -5.79 Mc - 6.5 Mc Bev.,
Color Pre-emphasis, 525 line, Color.
5.0 Mc - 5.54 Mc - 6.8 Mc Dev., CCIR
Monochrome Pre-emphasis, 625 line, Low Band,
7.16 Mc - 7.8 Mc -9.3 Mc Dev., Mono/Color
Pre-emphasis, 625 line, High Band,
4.28 Mc -5.0 Mc - 6.8 Mc Dev., Monochrome
Pre-emphasis, 405/525 line, Low Band,
7.06 Mc - 7.9 Mc - 10.0 Mc Dev., Mono) Color
Pm-emphasis, 525 line, High Band,
Monitoring Facilities
Video: A Conrac CMC14/R 14" 135.6 cm) video monitor and
a Tektronix RM529 waveform monitor are provided.
Audio and Cue: 3-watt audio amplifier has frequency re-
sponse, 40 cycles to 20 kilocycles. Six-position switch
monitors Line In, Line Out, Cue In, Cue Out, Instant
Audio, and Spare.
System: A built-in "A" Scope provides monitoring of the
following:
Control Track Playback (Normal Head), Control Track
Playback (Simultaneous Monitor Head), Expanded
Control Track Playback (Simultaneous Monitor Head),
Switcher R-F Output, Drum Tachometer Signal Input
to Servo, Drum Error, Capstan Error, Amtec* Error,
Colortec* Error, Drum Oscillator for Setting Fre-
quency, Capstan Oscillator for Setting Frequency,
Record Control Track Current, Chroma Level, Spares.
Response Characteristics
Video
MONOCHROME
Bandwidth:
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:
Transient Response:
(Utilizing 21 sinez pulse)
Low Frequency Linearity:
Rise Time: ?
(.02 Asec or less rise time on input pulse) '
COLOR
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:
Differential Gain:
Differential Phase:
Maximum Color Phase Error:
due to Differential Phase, 75% Color Bars,
3.58 Mc Subcarrier
Moire:
(Color bars 75% modulation, 3.58 Mc)
525/60 Low Band
Flat to 3.8 Mc; -3 db at 4.2 Mc. Tolerance -? 1 db
45 db peak-to-peak video to rms noise on interchange basis
(Monochrome)
Maximum It-Factor 2%
2% Blanking to White (maximum)
0.12 Alsec maximum
40 db peak-to-peak video to rms noise on interchange basis
Less than 4% Blanking to White
Less than 4? at 3.58 Mc off tape
2? maximum
-24 db minimum
525/60 High Band
Flat to 4.1 Mc; -3 db at 4.5 Mc. Tolerance -?0.5 db
46 db peak-to-peak video terms noise on interchange basis
(Monochrome and Color).
Maximum 6-Factor
2% Blanking to White (maximum)
0.11 vu/sec maximum
46 db peak-to-peak video to rms noise on interchange basis
Less than 4% Blanking to White
Less than 4? at 3.58 Mc off tape
2* maximum
-40 db minimum ?
Video (International)
MONOCHROME
Bandwidth:
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:
Transient Response:
(Utilizing 21 since pulse)
Low Frequency Linearity:
Rise Time:
10.02 risec or less rise time on input pulse)
COLOR
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:
Differential Gain:
Differential Phase:
Maximum Color Phase Error:
due to Differential Phase, 75% Color Bars,
4.43 Mc Subcarriet
Moire:
(Color Bars 75% modulation, 4.43 Mc Subcarrier)
625/50 Low Band
Flat to 4.5 Mc; -3 db at 5.0 Mc. Tolerance --?-1 db
42 db peak-to-peak video to rms noise on interchange basis
(Monochrome)
Maximum 6-Factor 2%
625/50 High Band
Flat to 5.5 Mc; -3 db at 6.0 Mc. Tolerance :0.5 db
43 db peak-to-peak video to rms noise on interchange basis
(Monochrome and Color)
Maximum K-Factor 1%
2% Blanking to White (maximum) 2% Blanking to White (maximum)
0.10 0/sec maximum 0.08 vu/sec maximum
43 db peak-to-peak video to rms noise on interchange basis
Less than 4% Blanking to White
Less than 4? at 4.43 Mc off tape
2? maximum
-30 db minimum
Audio Cue Track
Bandwidth: -?2 db, 50 cps to 12 Kc at 15 ips Bandwidth: -1,3 db, 60 cps to 8 Kc at 15 ips
-?2 db, 50 cps (0 10 Kc at 71/2 ips -?-3 di), 60 cps to 6 Kc at 71/2 ips
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:. 53 db below 3% distortion at 400 cps NOTE: Response has a 20 db notch at 240 cycles on 60 cycle systems;
Flutter ant Wow: 0.15% rms at 71/2 ips, 0.10% rms at 15 ips ? 20 db notch at 250 cycles on 50 cycle systems,
measuring components from 0.6 to 250 cps Flutter and Wow: Same as audio channel.
These specifications supersede all previous specifications, stated or implied. Term financing and leasing available on all equipment and systems.
AMPEX
AMPEX CORPORATION
401 Broadway. Redwood City ? California 94063
Sydney, Australia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Toronto, Canada; Bogota, Colombia; Reading, England;
Paris, France; Frankfurt, Germany; Hong Kong, BCC; Mexico City, Mexico; Lugano, Switzerland.
?1965 AMPEX CORPORATION
LITHO IN U.S.A.-V-016-1-66
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/15: CIA-RDP79B00873A002900020076-9