A Nagra VTR... I mean... I guess the biggest name in portable tape based recorders would try it out... but damn... I want to see more of it. That really is one thing of pure mechanical beauty.
Thanks for your comment. The VPR-5 was displayed in a glass showcase at the Broadcast Equipment Exhibition when it was launched, illuminated and shining like a work of art. Visitors looked at the stunningly beautiful VPR-5 and could not believe that this was a realistic piece of equipment to use on location. For NAGRA, the VPR-5 seemed to be the representative of technical competence and the company's image. The high quality and high price were excessive for an industrial device, so it did not seem to be business conscious. In many ways, it was a different dimension from Sony, HITACHI, NEC, Bosch and others. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
I worked for Ampex as a software engineer in AVSD (video editing) during the production ramp-up of these magnificent machines. On a visit to Kudelski in Switzerland I learned that the deck plate for the VPR-5 is milled from titanium. I held one and it was light as a feather!
Surely this is the most beautiful, elegant 1-inch helical-scan machine ever created in all of history. The SONY VBH-2000, very sturdy and a hard worker but not truly portable, looks like a draft horse in comparison to a fine Swiss watch. Regrettably, today's high-bandwidth formats often show every little flaw of the talent. I spent hundreds of hours loading those Sonys but never set eyes on the magnificent craftsmanship we see here.
Mind-boggling technical achievement by two incredible companies. Have seen many photos, but this video, with a VPR-5 actually running, is a first for me. And...and...if that wasn't enough, there are TWO VPR-5s in the same frame. You made my day....(and its Monday)...what are the odds??
the things we take for granted today. I remember when (1) all phones had dials and wires (2) the smallest computer was the size of a refrigerator (3) security cameras were only located in banks (4) there were only three TV channels (that signed off the air at 1AM) (5) _everything_ was closed on Sunday
Прикольный портативный незаметный шпионский диктофон Штирлица. Кроме звука можно ещё и видео врага записать! 🙃 А если кроме шуток, то очень крутая симпатичная машинка. Инженерное чудо!
thank you for your comment. Sorry for the late reply. You can use the battery pack as shown in the video. Shoulder straps or aluminum carrying frames are optional, so use them.
One single play head on head drum ? One field per rotation ? Interesting.... I did not known that there was such a system. I've thought the minimum was 2 heads on one drum.
Powerful drive systems and servo technology allow for a variety of reel play. Although it is not widely known, the reel motor and brake are housed in the reel hub because the housing is too thin to accommodate the motor. The major drawback of the VPR-5 is the reel brake. The reel brake is always locked by a spring and only releases constantly when the power is turned on. This is because the reel is controlled using both servo technology and a brake. If the power is not turned on for several years, the brake shoes will remain stuck to the hub and lock, causing failure. This is caused by the original shoe material and should be replaced with a countermeasure shoe before it fails.
I remember getting one of these in our studio, same day as a Panavision HD demo camera. One big issue always was cost. Our day rate was about $1200 for a crew of two. That was for a 3/4 Umatic. The Sony 1" portable was about $1000 more per day. The Nagra added another $600. But we did have a VPR-1C that was only $600 above the day rate. It weighed 500 lbs but it did have four handles for portability. Even though it was on our rate card, no one ever took us up on the deal for a Nagra. What the heck, we'd have to go out and sub-rent one for the day to cover it. Same as the Sony.
