Quote:
Originally Posted by Station X
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gulliver
the machines are complex mechanical beasts. It will never be "cheap" even if there is a revival.
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Could not a modern RTR Recorder follow the path of VCR development where much of the mechanical operation was moved into firmware?
I'm thinking of a microprocessor with switches on its inputs controlling motors and solenoids. |
I can't see a good reason why not. Weren't some more recent audio cassette decks designed that way?
As of course were the 9-track reel-to-reel data tape drives used on minicomputers. Some of those didn't even have a driven capstan, just a tachometer sensor that measured the surface speed of the tape going onto the takeup spool which was used to control the motor speed appropriately. Take a look at the Cipher F880 service manual (to mention one such drive that I have a couple of (operational) examples of. But I suspect the tape speed is rather less critical in such a device than in an audio recorder.