ArVid

ArVid (Archiver on Video) ( _ru. АрВид, Архиватор на Видео) is a data backup solution using a VHS tape as a storage medium. It was very popular in Russia and former USSR in mid-1990s.

It was produced in Zelenograd, Russia by PO KSI.

Features

* Using low-cost VHS tapes and recording units for data backup.
* High reliability
* Hamming code error correction
* Easy data copying between two VHS units (eliminating need of a computer for data copying)

Disadvantages

* Inefficient tape capacity usage (only 2 grades of luminance signal spectrum were used)
* Poor software support

Operation

A VHS recorder unit should be connected to an ArVid ISA board via a composite video cable. Unit operation is controlled by a remote control emulator using a LED.

Device may operate in two modes: low data rate at 200 kbyte/s and high data rate at 325 kbyte/s. Not all VHS recorders of the time were capable to support the latter.

An E-180 video tape is able to hold 2 Gb of uncompressed data.

Models

* "ArVid 1010" was first of ArVid devices. It's production started in 1992.
* "ArVid 1020" was a successor to "ArVid 1010" using more advanced integrated circuitry.
* "ArVid 1030/1031" had better internal design, less power consumption and was less in size. It allowed automatic switching to a TV set when device was not in use.
* "ArVid 1051/1052" introduced 325 kbyte/s data rate and 128/512 kbyte buffer cache (respectively).

External links

* [http://oldhard.hotmail.ru/pc/arvid/arvid.htm ArVid documentation (in Russian)]
* [http://phantom.sannata.ru/articles/arvid.shtml ArVid description and images (in Russian)]