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Grundig 2x4 Super (V2080)
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FORMAT: V2000 DATE: 1982
PRICE: £600
[1994: £1030]
53x32x17 cm |
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This third-generation Grundig V2000 machine was a "proper" slimline
front-loader, little larger than modern machines (though a great deal heavier!). It looks
spectacular in its gold trim, and had some nice features - a time remaining display, for
example, which showed how much time was left on the tape. But the most interesting feature
was the addition of XP - the V2000 name for Long Play. This means, with a normal VCC240 4
hour-per-side tape, a staggering 16 hours could be recorded on a single casette - beating
even the Betastack's record of 13.5 hours!.
| Like the Philips V2000 machines, the remote control was an optional extra, and
required the add-on receiver module on the side, connected by a fly-lead to a socket on
the back. The controls are unlike modern machines, being labelled
"PICTURE SEARCH" (cue and review), "STOP" (pause),
"PLAYBACK", "REWIND", "FF WIND", "TAPE" (stop) and
"CASSETTE" (eject). The illuminated symbols on these buttons are also
non-standard. |
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The deck continued this Grundig tradition of unfaothomability with a timer
programming system which was also nearly impossible to understand. Despite countless
attempts we never did manage to program it without the manual, the only machine to have
defeated us in the entire museum! It was also very unforgiving; if you
took longer than 15 seconds to press the next key, the entire program would be erased and
you had to start all over again. |
| Like the Grundig 2x4 and 2x4 plus, The Super also used the Betamax-style
C-lacing, with a loading ring surrounding the head drum. Note also the
circuit extending from the edge of the mechanism to the centre of the drum; this carries
the video information to the rotating head, transferring it using metal brushes pressing
against copper rings. This is an unusual method, as physical contacts are very prone to
noise and interferance. Most other video systems transfer the information magnetically,
using coils. |
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