Beocord 8802V
| Product : | Beocord 8802V |
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| Produced from : | 1982 - Dec 1983 | |
| Designed by : | Jacob Jensen | |
| Finish : | Rosewood, Teak, White | |
| Desirability : | 4 |
Leading the world’s array of video recording machines in the late 1970s was the Dutch Philips electrical giant which, after many delays, launched its Video 2000 (V2000) format in 1980. V2000 was a truly remarkable system, and in many respects way ahead of the competing VHS and Betamax formats.
Philips’ stylish - and immensely heavy - machines showed a distinct family resemblance to their earlier VCR and VCR-LP recording machines, but the controls were now entirely electronic, with a microprocessor controlling the tape mechanism in response to the user’s actions. In contrast, the Betamax and VHS recorders of the time all used mechanical operating keys, which worked directly via levers and linkages.
The Beocord 8802V video recorder was Bang & Olufsen’s version of Philips own VR2022 machine and gave a remarkable steady still-frame picture as well as excellent sound. This was because it used a system of ‘automatic’ tracking with its Dynamic Track Following (DTF) system. This meant that the tracking was always 100% perfect even on still pause and picture search modes. It achieved this by having the video heads mounted on piezo electric actuators which followed the tracks as they were scanned.
Other manufacturers re-badged the Philips machine but had to keep them (by their licence agreements with Philips) very similarly looking to their parent. However, Bang & Olufsen was given special permission whereby the company could not only re-badge the machine but incorporate their own design flair. So, complete with either a rosewood or teak veneered cabinet, black anodised aluminium panels and darkened glass, the Beocord 8800V looked the part indeed and far more stylish than any other V2000 machine available on the market. The Beocord 8802V was even available in white, too.
The Beocord 8802V was a replacement for the earlier Beocord 8800V. The difference between the two machines were (like on the Philips VR2020 and VR2022) the additional ‘trick-play’ facilities such as noise-free picture search and still pause.
This particular model was to be the final V2000 format machine offered to the UK market although sales did continue in certain markets with models such as the VCR60 and VCR61. Both these models were based upon Grundig machines.
BeoCord 8802V types:
