DAT-Heads Digest #834, Volume #2                  Wed, 3 Jul 96 19:12:02 EDT
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From: Russ Perry <rperry@seamail.nos.noaa.gov>
Subject: 60 meter vs. 90 meter controversy
Date: Wed, 03 Jul 96 14:55:17 EST

Hey All!

I wanted to take a minute to shed some light on the ongoing audio vs.
data tape (and 60m vs. 90m tape) controversy. The information
which follows comes from a fax sent by Maxell (Georgia Factory)
to Terrapin Tapes. The guys at Terrapin were kind enough to include
the info in my latest order.

Keep in mind that this info pertains to MAXELL DAT tape, and cannot
necessarily be applied to other tape manufacturers. Maxell does, of
course, do many different brands for the OEM market was well...

                                    NO. C0008
                                    4/2/96

        4mm Data Catridge -vs- Audio DAT Cassette

The appearance of 4mm Data Cartridge and Audio DAT Cassette is
virtually identical. Then what is the difference between the two
products?

Since 90 and 120 meter Data Cartridge have thinner tape, it is only
fair to compare 60 meter Data Cartridge (HS-4/60s) with DM-120
Audio DAT Cassette (audio grade).

                       Thickness    Length    Capacity/    Coating
                        (micron)      (m)     Rec. Time
Material

HS-4/60s                   13          60         1.3 GB        MP
HS-4/90s                    9          90         2.0 GB        MP
HS-4/120s                   7         120         4.0 GB        MP+
DAT DM-120                 13          60        120 min        MP

(Note: The difference between our 60 and 90 meter Data Cartridge is
tape thickness. The coating material used for the two products are the
same. The 120 meter Data Cartridge, however, has a different coating
material.)

The difference between the HS-4/60s and the DM-120 DAT Cassette is:

                     Certify Process        MRS

HS-4/60s                  Yes               Yes
DAT DM-120                 No                No

Certify Process: This quality assurance process verifies the tape
loaded into 4mm Data Cartridge is of highest quality.

MRS: "Media Recognition System", stripe on the leader portion of the
tape allows DDS drives to recognize a DDS data grade cartridge.

The tape formulation and coating material used for both 60 meter Data
Cartridge (HS-4/60S) and DM-120 DAT are the same. Subsequently
mechanical properties are the same.

Therefore our 4mm Data Cartridge can be offered for digital audio tape
enthusiast as well, although it was designed and intended for data
storage purpose.

Needless to say, it is recommended to use 4mm Data Cartridge for
DDS data storage drives.

Mark Okafuji, Engineering Manager