Working Umatic Player desperately required

[Snootchies]

Hi guys - thought I'd post this plea just in case something comes from it.

 

I desperately need a working Umatic player if anyone knows a place to get one from, or has one fro sale. Ebay hasn't been fruitful of late as listings are always from the US.

 

Any help would be very much appreciated!

[David Lee]

You could try the AV dept at robinson college, cambridge, they had all sorts of old video playback stuff last time I looked.

[p.k.roberts]

Seems to be hirable here;

 

http://www.broadcast-services.co.uk/index.php/video_equipment/detail-studio/bvu_950/

[James]

Do you need to hire/buy a player or do you just need some content dubbed onto something slightly more contemporary?

 

(won't ask if it is high/low band Umatic...)

 

James.

[bruce]

If you’d asked a year ago I could have helped....

 

We had lots of that sort of kit, and cupboards full of spare parts but when we closed that building, all the kit was donated to the Scottish Screen archives.

[Jivemaster]

Do you need a machine, or do you need something transferring to a current format? I wouldn't trust an ebay machine to even be complete let alone fully working, I'd much prefer to outsource the transfer to someone with lots of current experience.

[Snootchies]

Sorry for the delay in replying folks - had some personal family issues to deal with.

 

Anyhoo...

 

I'm in the process of digitising a number of Umatic tapes for a client. It involved a much much larger batch of VHS tapes that went along fairly problem free. U-matic however has proven to be a different beast altogether,

 

The player I was using has really given up the ghost, so was wondering if anyone had some suggestions, as they are becoming quite scarce. I've looked into hiring, but I'll need one for a good couple of months. At £100 per day to hire it is not feasible unfortunately.

 

I'll chase up Robinson College tomorrow - thanks for the suggestion. Any other suggestions would be very welcome!

[abbotsmike]

Worth speaking to the Broadcast Services chaps, they're pretty friendly and have stacks of older kit!

[xllx]

Have a look on ebay. Usually a few up for sale. Might get lucky with one close enough to try before you buy!

[catalin]

Still interested? I remember that there is one, probably never used, as it was installed in a conference center 25 years ago, but never used. I can make them a offer but you will still have to trow a number.......