Price
Asking $260 total. (Includes shipping within USA lower 48, other locations ask about extra costs.)
To order this item, simply post a reply to this post, send me a PM, or use the
contact form and let me know you want it. This is the only one available, so don't wait around. I expect this unit will be spoken for and gone fairly quickly.
Payment can be made by check, cash, money order or Paypal.
About
This is the Digital Processing Systems DPS-220.
Brand new, this unit ran $3,500 in the mid/late 1990s, and was a well-known and respected high-end unit. It's something you'd have found in a nice studio or broadcast facility.
In September 1995, VideoMaker magazine ran a big article on TBCs, and this specific model was mentioned because of it's "
dropout compensator". You can read page 4 of this article here:
http://www.videomaker.com/article/641/4/
Quote:
Avoid Dropouts
We have talked about how TBCs stabilize pictures, improve the color and even reduce video noise. But some go a step further and remove the annoying white horizontal streaks that occur when the oxide on the tape gets a little scratched. Video professionals call these streaks dropouts, and some TBCs have dropout compensators that cover up that streak with a line of video. To get this level of sophistication, you'll have to pay considerably more than you would for a basic TBC. Digital Processing Systems offers their Model 220 stand-alone TBC with a dropout compensator for $3495. JVC makes a TBC with dropout compensation--the model F250U ($3950). Another stand-alone unit is the For-A model 510 with digital noise correction for $4700.
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This is the unit mentioned in the article. I tested the unit for this feature. It made some improvements, yes. The degree of correction largely depends on the severity of the tape.
Condition
It is in very good condition, the TBC + frame sync work great, the proc amp works very nicely. The dials of the proc amp turn smoothly, it's like new for these controls. The freeze frame feature works from what I can tell. The switches for the freeze frame appear a bit used, so I'm selling this unit solely based on its merits as a TBC + frame sync + proc amp.
Cosmetically, it's very nice. The rack mounting is a bit rough on one side, but it will probably still go into a rack okay. I doubt most buyers will be rack mounting this anyway. The control panels shines like new, and the chassis has just a few scratches on the metal body from its time spend in a rack. The unit is the width of a VCR, sits under one perfectly.
I cleaned it, inside and out. It's been dismantled, all dust particles blown out. The outside of the unit, including all controls, have been wiped down with isopropyl alcohol. There's no dust, dirt, etc -- it's clean. It was re-tested after cleaning, too -- works great.
Photos
DPS220-Front.jpg
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You'll notice it uses BNC connectors on back, like all other professional gear. To plug in your typical composite (yellow wire) or s-video (4-pin black) connectors, you just need a cheap BNC adapter. These are found online, and sometimes even in local A/V stores (RadioShack, for example), just a few bucks each. Cheap ones run $2 (and those are fine), ultra-fancy "gold plated" about $20 each. You don't lose any quality adapting BNC.
The power cable is included. Not pictured. (You've seen one electric cable, you've seen them all.)
Shipping & Other
Again, shipping is free, included in $260 price. The unit is a bit heavy (it's in a sturdy metal case!), so I'm expecting it to run at least $50 via UPS Ground shipped within the USA lower 48. Other locations will pay the difference above $50, and I'll have to check available options.
I have double-boxed this unit and created an
extra protection barrier around the control panel. I want this to arrive to you in as perfect a condition as it sits here now. It should be very secure, even if it's dropped by a clumsy oaf at UPS.
I'm not a store, so there's no return policy or anything like that. This is no different than a garage sale. As-is, what you see is what you get. Once you buy it, it's yours to do with as you please -- use it, re-sell it, use it for target practice, etc. If it arrives damaged, that's between you and UPS (all documents will be furnished so you can claim insurance). I was able to use it just fine, it's not a lemon, should not be DOA.
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