Museum of early consumer electronics and 1st achievements
www.rewindmuseum.com

  Reel to reel B&W video
    Reel to reel colour video  
    Ampex  
    1st Umatic  
    Philips n1500 n1700 v2000  
    1st VHS VCRs  
  1st Betamax VCRs  
    1st compact video cassette  
    8mm  
    Old video cameras
    1st camcorders
    1st laser disc player
  Vintage satellite (receivers with knobs on!)
    Old televisions
    1st home computers
    Gaming
    Vintage electronic devices
    Gramophones    
    Turntables & tone arms  
    Valve (tube) amplifiers  
    Reel to reel audio  
    1st audio cassette recorders
  Home  
    Radios  
  1st brick cell phones  
  Antique telephones  
  Old toys  
  Old books magazines adverts brochures  
    FAQs  
    Milestone product history with dates      
        Museum exhibits on tour        
      Links to useful similar sites      
      Contact us    

Ampex reel to reel video.
1963. 1st ever domestic reel to reel video recorder
The very first attempt was by Ampex using a 2-inch reel to reel tape recorder in 1963

1st ever domestic video tape recorder

The Ampex Signature V 1963 The first domestic video recorder.
In 1963 this unit was offered in the Neiman-Marcus catalog for $30,000 It was nine feet long
and weighed 900 pounds. The video portion of the system included the Black & White
reel-to-reel video recorder with TV tuner and automatic timer as well as a home television camera.
The cabinet also housed a complete audio system including an AM/FM tuner, stereo amplifier, record
player, reel-to-reel audio recorder, and stereo loudspeakers. A colour TV was viewable from the
front of the console, while all other components were accessed from the top. The $30,000 price
tag included a personalized plaque and installation by an Ampex service engineer.



1965 The Ampex CC-452 TV camera.

The Ampex CC-452 TV camera. The Ampex CC-452 TV camera.

The Ampex CC-452 TV camera. The Ampex CC-452 TV camera.

The Ampex CC-452 TV camera. The Ampex CC-452 TV camera.

This camera has been in the museum since 2006. It is probably one of the two most important cameras in the museum.
This camera and the Sony CVC-2000 are very valued exhibits due to their historic place in video history. It is
very similar and only two years after the camera packaged with the Ampex Signature V system which was the worlds
first domestic video recording system. This studio camera was introduced 2 years later. Until 1965, video recorders
used heavy 2-inch video tape but here Ampex introduced the first 1-inch tape recorder, the Ampex VR 5005 which is
also in the museum. Indeed it is highly likely this camera would have been used with the Ampex VR 5005 recorder.
These were professional products but the same year (1965) Sony introduced the first 1/2-inch domestic video recorder,
the Sony 2000D and that was used with the CVC-2000 camera above. Ampex was founded in 1944 and incorporated
in Califirnia in 1946. In 1956 they introduce their first reel to reel video tape recorder - the VR 1000. This was a
quadruplex VTR. It was the worlds first production video tape recorder. Ampex are still in business today (2018).



1965. The Ampex VR 5003 VTR

We believe this to be the first professional 1-inch tape video recorder.

The Ampex VR 5003. The Ampex VR 5003.

Profession 1-inch reel to reel video tape recorder (VTR).
The VR 5003 was the international version of the Ampex 5000 (US version).
Ampex was founded in 1944 and incorporated in Califirnia in 1946. In 1947 they introduced their
first audio tape recorder - the model 200A. In 1956 they introduce their first (reel to reel) video
tape recorder - the VR 1000. This was a quadruplex VTR. It was the first production VTR ever sold
(as opposed to earlier prototypes). It was a large floor standing unit on wheels and cost $50,000
The VR 5003 (& 5000) here from 1965 was called a "portable VTR!"
One person could carry it with a little effort. Build quality was very high.
Ampex are still in business today.



1966/67. Ampex: VR-6275 domestic VTR

Ampex 1 inch domestic recorder. 1966

This product appeared in the Burstein-Applebee 1967 Annual Catalog. The VR-6275's list price was $1495.00
It had a built in a television receiver, audio amplifier and speaker. Weight 100 pounds. This picture
comes with the permission of "Lab Guy" at https://www.labguysworld.com/Ampex_VR-6275.htm
This is the definitive site for information on reel to reel video recorders and cameras. More information
on the Ampex: VR-6275 can also be found there.



Ampex manual

Ampex manual. 1966

Owners manual for an Ampex 7000/7003 1-inch reel to reel recorder from 1966



1965. Ampex 1100 reel to reel audio tape recorder.

Ampex 1100 reel to reel audio tape recorder. Ampex 1100 reel to reel audio tape recorder.

Ampex 1100 reel to reel audio tape recorder. Ampex 1100 reel to reel audio tape recorder.

Ampex 1100 reel to reel audio tape recorder. Ampex 1100 reel to reel audio tape recorder.

Ampex 1100 reel to reel audio tape recorder. Ampex 1100 reel to reel audio tape recorder.

Ampex 1100 reel to reel audio tape recorder. Ampex 1100 reel to reel audio tape recorder.

When there is a company as famous as Ampex it is important to also have an audio reel to reel recorder. This model
was first introduced in 1966 and is complete ion the manufacturers packaging and including all of the accessories
and a manual. Notice how one of the two reels is hidden. This is unusual. As with all Ampex products, build quality
is very high. $449 in 1965 and 1966. Shown below is an advert from august 1966. The model 1161 came with speakers
in the lid and 2 mikes at $499, the model 1160 at $449 came with just a lid and 1 mike. Also below see the manual
showing speaker options, Ampex 3000 series, 2000 series and 1000 series loudspeakers and above see the tape
recorder was shipped from the States to London by Pan American Clipper Cargo.

Ampex 1100 reel to reel audio tape recorder.

Ampex 1100 reel to reel audio tape recorder.



The Rewind Museum

Making a donation.

The Rewind Museum is a non-profit making endeavour. The web site and the touring exhibitions are run on
a voluntary basis. Donations, not money, just old items you no longer want, are always welcome.
If you have something that you think would be of interest, please contact us with the details.
We can send in a courier to pick them up. (Even an international courier). Thank you.

Please note - The Rewind Museum site has been archived by the British
Library so that future generations can always access the site's content.


To talk to us about making a donation please go to - "making a donation".



Are you interested to read about a 10 year + restoration of a classic vehicle?
If so go to - www.1952chevytruck.com

The 1952 Chevy truck


The 1952 The 1952 Chevy truck web site.



Link to our main site. Satellite TV.

Rewind Museum is sponsored by Vision International. Note. One of our businesses, Vision International (established 1991)
sponsors Rewind Museum and Satellite Museum including financial support for this web site. Vision International
is one of a group of businesses which we have in the field of Satellite TV.

Vu plus satellite receivers 60cm Clear dish

Tune in an extra 10,000 channels? Watch the world? Links to some of the Satellite Superstore pages are below,

Sky Receivers Freesat Receivers All satellite receivers Fixed Dishes Transparent Dishes Motorised systems LNBs
Multiswitches Caravan satellite Satellite finder meters Installation equipment. Catalogue of all satellite products.

Rewind Museum web site is maintained on a non-profit making voluntary basis.
Our main business website is at www.satellitesuperstore.com.
Our main business is satellite TV and we are a specialist satellite company. We
supply satellite goods in the UK and worldwide including fixed and motorised satellite
systems, multiswitches, instrumentation, accessories and installation equipment.




Return to our website introduction page. Read about the aims of our museum.

Web site copyright © 2018 Vision International. All rights reserved.
For all questions & comments about this site's content contact Dave at Rewind Museum.