Philips N1500 Video Recorder
From Object Wiki
| Philips N1500 video recorder | |
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| Manufacturer | (unknown) |
| Production years | (unknown) |
| Production location | (unknown) |
Although not purchased in large numbers, the Philips type N1500 introduced the concept of the video cassette recorder (VCR) to Britain in 1972. This machine was designed in the Netherlands but manufactured in Britain.
[edit] How it works
A video recorder saves the electronic signal of a television in the same way that a tape recorder saves audio signals.
The tape is covered in ferrous oxide, which is magnetic. When a signal is fed to the recording head, the tiny magnetic particles are left in a pattern on the tape as it goes past. When the tape is played back, the playback head can read the patterns and recreate the television signal, which it sends to the television.
[edit] Memories
I spent many happy(?) hours maintaining the Philips N1500 recorders at a magnetic tape factory.
The lacing mechanism, with its cord and springs was always a joy to work on... particularly the "improved" version with the nylon thread to stop the springs shorting out the mains input when the cord broke.
Electrically they were very reliable, mechanically they required a lot of work, not surprising since they were used more or less 24 hours a day.
The 1 hour cassette (the longest available for the N1500) cost £16 or so when my weekly wage was about £35... the machine itself was over £400, while a new Mini was about £650.
It contained very few integrated circuits, mostly using discrete transistors and diodes.
Sadly enough, I actually have one, which I bought for £10 in a junk shop.
— Anon
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Do you remember this video recorder? Add your memories. |
[edit] In the Science Museum
Source: D. Dean. Inv: No: E2005.354.1.
This object is currently on display in the Dan Dare & the Birth of Hi-Tech Britain exhibition at the Science Museum, London.