problems with 8mm DAT

[Dave Sill]

In article <1990Nov8.232544.1296 at ariel.unm.edu>, collier at triton.unm.edu (Michael Collier) writes:
>In article <1990Nov8.131229.21054 at cs.utk.edu> Dave Sill <de5 at ornl.gov> writes:
>>In article <1990Nov7.200419.25168 at ariel.unm.edu>, collier at triton.unm.edu (Michael Collier) writes:
>>>we have a Mountain Computer Inc. "FileSafe 2100-D" 2048 Mb 8mm DAT
>>>drive, as distributed by DEC.
>>
>>DAT is 4mm.  8mm is Exabyte.
>
>so how does "Exabyte" technology differ from "DAT" technology? may i
>assume that our drive is not a "digital/analog tape" (DAT), but something
>else entirely?

The FileSafe 2100 is an 8mm (Exabyte) drive.  The tapes used are standard 8mm
videotapes (consider buying them from the local K-Mart at a fraction of what
DEC charges), but the transport is different than that used in 8mm video.  It
was developed by Exabyte, who, as far as I know, still makes all of the drives
used for data storage.

DAT (Digital Audio Tape) is a different story.  The tapes and transports used
for DAT are the same for both audio and data applications, and are made by
several different manufacturers.  DAT tapes are half the width of Exabyte
tapes: 4mm.

-- 
Dave Sill (de5 at ornl.gov)
Martin Marietta Energy Systems
Workstation Support