ArVid (Archiver on Video) () 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

• ArVid documentation (in Russian)
• ArVid description and images (in Russian)

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