The Achilles heel of these machines was their 1/4 inch tape format. It meant that instead of using the proper video tape, people often used cheaper - but much more abrasive - audio tape, which wore out the heads quicker. I gather it's therefore very difficult to find one with decent heads.
Hi yes the are rare machines , I still have the Akai VT120S with the VC115 camera as the first owner, get it in 1977 and still running as it was new, I only replace the rubber parts, the "S" version is the "highband" version and have a much better resolution and used the better VT6H tape also 1/4 inch, two importand things you have to check are the very breakable videoheads (never putt on the tape with a running drum !! ) and the rubber pully on the right takeup reel. and ofcorse the belts.
The TORQUE is weak and slow when rewinding or fast forwarding, but I think this is because it is gentle on the video head. However, the TORQUE of the VT-700 was extremely violent. Even if you switched to match the reel size, there was a risk of damaging the video head. I think the reel motor needed adjustment.
The Achilles heel of these machines was their 1/4 inch tape format. It meant that instead of using the proper video tape, people often used cheaper - but much more abrasive - audio tape, which wore out the heads quicker. I gather it's therefore very difficult to find one with decent heads.
It's nice to see this unit is up and running, with more steps to go
Hi yes the are rare machines , I still have the Akai VT120S with the VC115 camera as the first owner, get it in 1977 and still running as it was new, I only replace the rubber parts, the "S" version is the "highband" version and have a much better resolution and used the better VT6H tape also 1/4 inch, two importand things you have to check are the very breakable videoheads (never putt on the tape with a running drum !! ) and the rubber pully on the right takeup reel. and ofcorse the belts.
The TORQUE is weak and slow when rewinding or fast forwarding, but I think this is because it is gentle on the video head. However, the TORQUE of the VT-700 was extremely violent. Even if you switched to match the reel size, there was a risk of damaging the video head. I think the reel motor needed adjustment.
Very cool piece of equipment. Can't wait to see what you can find with it. Beautiful piece of machinery.