dbx playback compatibility??

[VintageSteve]

I was lent some 10.5" reels of tape that were recorded in dbx back in 1979. I do not know what kind of dbx equipment was used. My friend told me he didn't think the R2R deck had dbx capability, so more than likely an outboard unit was used. I borrowed an old four-channel dbx 124 box - it doesn't say "dbx II" on it. I believe this unit was introduced back around 1977, so it's possible this type of outboard unit was used to record the R2R tapes, but I don't know for sure -- unless there was only one type of dbx system available in 1979...?

Are there any compatibility issues between different versions of dbx?
Does it really matter whether the encoding and decoding units used are the same type?
Will dbx II units decode older dbx tapes correctly?
What type of dbx does the TEAC X-1000R have?(mine isn't in a working state right now) Will it decode dbx and dbx II?

Hope someone can clarify things for me. I don't want situations like playing Dolby C back using Dolby S, etc...*headache*

[Warped Bezel]

Since dbx comes in three varieties now as I understand but it's very recent, I would think II.

An easy way to figure out if it's I or II is to record to a cassette with dbx (which will be type II by default) and play it back with dbx (make sure not to overload the cassette recording). If it sounds like reasonably wonky if could be?

Actually, I don't know the differences other than II was created for cassettes and RTR makers also adopted it.

In 1979 this tapist might have had a Type II deck or they could've used an outboard adapter like my 155 (four channel Type I in this case).

Des or Skywavebe would know a lot more or that devil Google I guess.

[VintageSteve]

Since dbx comes in three varieties now as I understand but it's very recent, I would think II.

An easy way to figure out if it's I or II is to record to a cassette with dbx (which will be type II by default) and play it back with dbx (make sure not to overload the cassette recording). If it sounds like reasonably wonky if could be?

Actually, I don't know the differences other than II was created for cassettes and RTR makers also adopted it.

In 1979 this tapist might have had a Type II deck or they could've used an outboard adapter like my 155 (four channel Type I in this case).

Des or Skywavebe would know a lot more or that devil Google I guess.

Thanks, W.B.
... looks like my noobness is showing...*footmouth*
As you suggest, Google is the oracle. I posted the question in a moment of "i'd rather not do it myself". So, with a mimimal amount of googling:

* dbx I and dbx II are not at all compatible.
* dbx I was the "professional" type, used mostly in studios.
* dbx I (professional) was incorporated into the X-1000R deck which was targeted as a "semi-professional" deck.
* dbx II was developed for noisier media like cassettes and records. It was used for a while in certain limited audiophile LP recordings.
* the unit my friend lent me, while not stating type I or II, must be a type II since it has a selector button labeled "disc".

Bottom line: I suspect the tapes he lent me are type II. Once I get the TEAC running, however, I will have both types of dbx available to try. So. There ya go.*check*

[Warped Bezel]

I surmise that we aren't far apart on our knowledge of dbx.

Therefore we are the Noobie Bros.

[VintageSteve]

I surmise that we aren't far apart on our knowledge of dbx.

Therefore we are the Noobie Bros.

Funny guy!! *lmao**lmao*