Elcaset

Elcaset was a Panasonic developed (under the formerly used for hi-fi components brand name Technics ), Sony and TEAC 1976 and introduced in the market audio cassette format. The ultimate goal was the creation of a sound recording, which combines the ease of use of a compact cassette with the excellent sound quality of the reel audiotape. It was positioned as an alternative to the then popular, sonically at that time but not satisfactory Compact Cassette. This had been developed by Philips as Diktiermedium; appropriate units have been sold since 1963. This project is Panasonic, Sony and TEAC also succeeded - Elcaset is highest Hi -Fi demands. The Japanese manufacturer Aiwa, Akai, JVC and Marantz are the time have also expressed interest in the Elcaset format; as devices but did not get it.

The Elcaset band is 6.3 mm (1 /4 ") as wide as an open reel tape and runs at a speed of 9.5 cm / s ( 3 3/ 4" / s). This Elcaset cassettes are much larger than the compact cassettes.

In contrast to the Compact Cassette, the tape is pulled out during the operation of the cassette, so as to eliminate the induced by mechanical tolerances problem of inaccurate tape guide. Elcaset devices were very similar to ordinary cassette decks in their design, only slightly higher due to the larger cartridge. The operation was largely identical.

Elcaset tapes there were 60 and 90 minutes running time, where the cassettes were playable on both sides. The recorders were suitable for iron oxide, chromium dioxide and ferrochrome tapes. But were in fact offered only iron oxide and ferro-chrome tapes.

Characteristics of Elcaset

• Large dynamic range due to the tape width of 6.3 mm and the line speed of 9.5 cm / sec
• Exact tape transport: for the head contact, the tape is fed out of the cassette housing, so that the accuracy of the construction of the tape cassette has no influence.
• The band traces are - according to the Compact Cassette - Mono / Stereo-compatible.
• An independent control output is provided (for example, for synchronizing with film and slide - scoring ).
• Special recesses in the housing allow for the automatic switching of the bias and equalization - to adapt three standardized types of tape. Breakout plastic bottles labeled using the Dolby B noise reduction. Corresponding automatics were found only in the Sony portable recorder Elcaset EL -D8. At all other recorders, the user type of tape and noise reduction had to activate a switch.
• The tapes were " recorded " as easily by sliding plastic bottles (no recording available) or " empty" (recording available) are marked.

The end of Elcaset

The Elcaset system could not prevail against the then already widespread Compact Cassette, so that the production was stopped in the early 1980s. Thanks to pure iron band, better noise reduction systems such as Dolby -C and better mechanics in recorders and cassette housings, the Compact Cassette to catch up. In addition, the digital technology in the amateur market announced: Several Japanese companies, including Sony, offered around 1980 called PCM adapter, which acted together with a VHS or Betamax VCR as high-quality digital audio recording device. ( Ironically, presented Sanyo Fisher and Sharp this time prototypes of digital audio recorders that used Elcaset as a storage medium. This can be seen as precursors of the DAT recorder. ) Came top of that the mechanics of the equipped only with one or two motors Sony models EL -5 and EL -D8 was not able to cope with everyday life - often the slip clutches were worn behind the up and Abwickeldornen after a few months, which manifested itself by squeaking sounds. Therefore, relatively small numbers of items were sold by Elcaset recorders, so it is difficult nowadays to get a used Elcaset deck.