This is the Ampex TV Equipment Section of
The Broadcast Archive

Ampex is probably better known for tape recorders than almost any other company; the name Ampex becoming almost synonymous with the machines. Sure, there were the Magnecorders, and other early makers. But Ampex became the industry standard format, both in audio and video recording.

The remaining company today is only in the Data Systems Business whose products can be found at www.ampexdata.com. You can find the complete chronology of their many broadcast equipment achievements at that website by clicking on the "corporate background" link.

Although, no longer in the broadcast manufacturing business, there are some professional sources for VTR parts and information, though:

1. For vintage Ampex video parts - On the Internet - www.guyspiller.com
2. Repair Services for vintage machines can only be found via Internet "Searches"

Television Equipment

Video Tape Recorders:

Photo	Year	Model/Misc. Remarks
	1956	VR-1000
	1964	VR1100
	1964	VR-1200 - (Color Photo) Features - Without Doors - Electronics
	1964	VR-2000
	1967	VR-3000 a portable, two-inch quad-head VTR built into a suitcase
	1971	AVR-1 Color Photo - Internal View 1976 NAB Exhibit
	1974	AVR-2 - (Color Photo)
	1976	AVR-3 - Internal View
	1970	ACR-25 - (Color Photo)
	1976	VPR-1
	1978	VPR-2B
	1986	VPR-3
	1984	VPR-5 - Portable 1" Helical VTR (Developed by Ampex & Nagra)
	1984	VPR-6
	1984	VPR-80
	1984	VPR-20 1" Helical Portable VTR
	1990	VPR-300 a D2 machine. Recorder first announced in 1988 Last unit made in 1994

Cameras:

Photo	Year	Model/Misc. Remarks
	1968	Ampex BC-100 Portable Live color Camera
	1969	Ampex BC-210 Live color Camera
	1970	Ampex BC-230 Live color Camera
	1975	Ampex BCC-4 Live color Camera
	1976	Ampex BCC-1 Live color Camera
	1976	Ampex BCC-3 Live color Camera
	1979	Ampex BCC-10 Live color Camera
	1979	Ampex BCC-14 Live color Camera
	1982	Ampex BCC-20 Live color Camera
	1982	Ampex BCC-21 Live color Camera
	1983	Ampex FPC-10 Portable Camera Live color Camera
	1984	Ampex ARC-10 Portable Camera/Recorder Combination

 

If you have any old photos of Ampex equipment that operated at your TV facility which  you would like to have in our Virtual Museum, please send them along, so we might add them to this page.

 

Thanks for visiting ... I hope you find the site interesting!

Copyright 1993-2005, 2006  by Barry Mishkind. This material on this site should not be reproduced or reposted in whole or part without express approval.

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An important note about this resource:

We have used many sources, including FCC files, university lecturers, historical publications and more, and have tried to be as accurate as possible, not repeating many of the myths of the industry (such as the Uncle Don Story) nor histories "manufactured" by promotion departments. However, I am not perfect, and may well have overlooked something. If you do see an error or omission, please inform me at:

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  Barry Mishkind
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