TEAC V-800G-F Hi8 8mm aviation cassette recorder

[Retrotechie]

Hi all, i have recently purchased one of these. Pictures attached.
Does anyone know anything about this model ? I'm curious if they were really used as part of the inflight entertainment system on commercial airliners ?
It strikes me that something smaller would have been used.

The unit i have is faulty, it will rewind and fast forward ok, but wont play. Could be the capstan drive. Not familiar with these mechs.
It's crossed my mind that these could be the same mech's as used in the Tascam DA88 8 track PCM machines.

Thanks,
James

[peter_scott]

I once had a Sony U matic that had been used by Ferranti for in flight data recording during the testing of their airborne radar systems. Perhaps your Hi8 served a similar function?

Peter

[AC/HL]

Commercial avionics equipment uses it's own mechanical standards, ARINC I think. It's possible that 19" racks are used for AV equipment for compatibility with us mortals, but I'd expect more "channels" for in flight entertainment.

[Graham G3ZVT]

Originally Posted by Retrotechie

Does anyone know anything about this model ? I'm curious if they were really used as part of the inflight entertainment system on commercial airliners ?
It strikes me that something smaller would have been used.

Its power requirements might be a clue, what are they?

[emeritus]

The in-fight entertainment systems I experienced a few years ago whenever I had a camcorder with me, have all had 30Hz frame rates, so probably NTSC. I could tell by the flicker and lines visible in the viewfinder, which vanished when I changed my usual 1/50 sec shutter speed to 1/60 sec (that was in the days when domestic camcorders used to have a greater range of manual settings than today's offerings).

[Nymrod121]

I hope you manage to get it going again - the build quality and overall cosmetic condition is impressive
Best wishes
Guy

[dseymo1]

I used to know a test pilot, and remember him saying that cameras were sometimes trained on the instruments and the readings recorded during test flights.
Perhaps it had something to do with that process?
(I suspect it's all done by telemetry now).

[Retrotechie]

It is a nice made unit, with fibre glass circuit boards inside, as opposed to paxolin.
It runs on 100-240v.
I have attached a few more pics. Hopefully, i can track down a service manual.
I understand the reel turntables can be problematic on these mechs.

[McMurdo]

From the blurb:


Model Details
TEAC introduces the V-800G-F video Hi-8 Recorder/Reproducer to its professional Hi-8 product line serving production, studio, airline and military applications.

For military users, the V-800G-F can search for and detect and Event Mark signal recorded by TEAC's Airborne Video Recorder (AVTR's).
The optional MC-1000G remote interface card enables the V-800G-F to be remotely controlled by TEAC debriefing system synchronization controllers.
Optional rear mounting rails are also available which fit into standard EIA2U mounting locations.

[Retrotechie]

Hi Kevin, thanks for the info !
I've not had a chance to do any more with the deck, but do hope to repair it eventually.

James