Skip field video-recorders: halving head wear.

[Matthew Webb]

I was pondering on skip-field video-recording, and had what is hopefully a "Eurekia" moment.

I'm assuming that, for play-back, they use two identical heads, arranged to play the same one-field recording twice, (rather than using an ultrasonic delay line).

I'm also assuming that video heads for all models are in short supply, so it's worth some hassle to extend their usable life.

My idea is simple: carefully remove one head from the machine in question and keep it safe. When the head in the recorder eventually wears out, replace it with the one put aside.

Transfers made on the machine should play-back as if it had one blocked head, they can be de-interlaced afterwards.

Any feasibility thoughts..?

Matthew.

[Steve Roberts]

You would need to replace the head with a dummy head to maintain the balance of the head drum and linearity of the tape path.

[LanceM]

It is always a good idea to build a backup stock of spare parts for your machines, or also for the people who repair and fix these machines of yours possibly at a point? Spare parts and,spare part machines come up quite frequently most often than not.Also assisting in maintenance costs for a machine assists to save on costs spent, as well as machine usage.Just a thought there.

Cheers, Lance.