In the IMES Digital Studios, we only have the opportunity to digitize the historic EIAJ-1 tape format very rarely. Presumably most EIAJ-1 has already been systematically migrated, or dubbed, to newer formats through the years, which may partially explain why we do not see troves of this format rolling through our studios. However, the use of the EIAJ-1 standard was relatively short-lived in comparison to other formats released during this time period, so it’s more likely that large archives of EIAJ-1 simply don’t exist.

The Studer A-827 multi-track analog tape machine is often referred to as the “Swiss Watch” of analog tape machines. They were actually designed and manufactured in Switzerland until the late 1980’s. This is truly the last great analog multitrack machine that was manufactured.

Watch time-lapse video of the build-out of our FADGI-compliant imaging lab in Hollywood.

These machines are now exceedingly rare, and at IMES we have the privilege of caring for and using some of the last remaining working examples. This is one of two that we are welcoming to our collection, where we will give them a good home and put them to work!

These VTRs were first produced in 1975, and they are tremendously difficult to find parts for and maintain. It can take up to 30 minutes for an engineer to setup and align the tape for playback on one of these machines.