Bosch BCN-52
Broadcast 1-Inch type-B open reel video recorder
The Bosch BCN-52 is a studio-grade 1-inch open reel video recorder, developed by Bosch Fernseh in Germany as a successor to the widely used BCN-51. Built for demanding professional environments, the BCN-52 offered further refinements in playback stability and control, making it especially suitable for high-end production and archival applications.
At NextArchive, we fully rebuild these machines prior to delivery. Optionally, the scanner can be refurbished with a new video head wheel (Part No. 2 168 700 015, also known as BCN 52 Kopfrad).
Key Features:
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SMPTE Type B Format (PAL)
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Designed and manufactured by Bosch Fernseh for studio and archival use
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Equipped with integrated control monitor (Bosch or Barco), and digital TBC
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Includes waveform and vectorscope monitor (Philips or Tektronix)
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Features two loudspeakers in the monitor bridge for audio monitoring
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Optional Dolby A or Telcom C4 noise reduction modules
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Built-in tape burnisher system to clean and polish tape during playback or wind
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Fully rebuilt with new video head wheel for consistent archival playback (optional)
Although Type C became more popular in English-speaking regions, the BCN-52 continued to serve as a backbone in European facilities well into the 1990s. Today, it remains a reliable and essential machine for the digitization of 1-inch PAL/SECAM video collections.
In short, each unit from NextArchive is fully serviced prior to delivery. Whether you’re digitizing national broadcast archives or institutional collections, the Bosch BCN-52 offers the quality and dependability required for archival-grade transfers.
