Hipac

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

HIPAC was a tape cassette format that Pioneer brought to the Japanese consumer market in August 1971 and disappeared again in 1973 due to lack of demand. In 1972 it only achieved a 3% market share in the equipment of new cars. It experienced a small comeback in the mid-1970s in the children's toy “Ponkey” (ポ ン キ ー) for learning.

cassette

HIPAC was a further development of the PlayTape cassette and, at 70 × 85 × 12 mm, had similar dimensions, which also came closer to the compact cassette than other endless cassettes according to Bernard Cousino . Depending on the length of the tape, it weighed about 50 g and used the wider four-track magnetic tape of the Compact Cassette with 3.81 mm (0.150 ″ ). The four audio tracks were subdivided into two stereo channel pairs. In contrast to the compact cassette, the second audio track pair was recorded in the same direction as the first.

There were two tape speeds specified as a rounded 4.8 cm / s for 60 minutes of playtime or a rounded 9.5 cm / s for 30 minutes of playtime. The device automatically felt the tape speed to be used via a notch in the housing shell of the cassette. In fact, the lower tape speed was 1⅞ IPS (inches per second), which is exactly 4.7625 cm / s and is identical to the compact cassette, which was given as a rounded 4.75 cm / s. One of the tapes had a suggested retail price of 1920 yen .

device

The "GP-100" model, a player without a radio, cost the equivalent of USD 55 at the time , which is USD 346 adjusted for inflation today. There was a variety show for 180 cassettes. Due to a lack of demand, it can be assumed that some of the remaining playback devices were installed and sold in portable cases model "GP-106" equipped with stereo speakers, power supply unit and battery compartment, as well as inputs for mains and on-board voltage, which saved them from the scrap press.

The HIPAC committee

After Pioneer, other companies licensed and participated:

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ A b Ten Japanese Firms Back New Mini Stereo System , Billboard , July 24, 1971, p. 19
  2. ↑ Imported Blanks Big Business Billboard Volume 85, No. 40, October 6, 1973, p. 68
  3. ↑ Major Specifications of the "HIPAC" Cartridge, Billboard
  4. ↑ a b Stereo Cartridges: Outlook Bullish , Billboard, February 17, 1973, p. 28
  5. ↑ Techmoan: Hipac - The lost tape: Pioneer's forgotten 1970s cassette rival , YouTube, September 29, 2017