Need to know DDS drive used to write backup tapes

[Doc Shipley]

Antonio Carlini wrote:
>  
> 
>>   If the cartridges (note correct USian spelling) have a tape length 
> 
> 
> Is there a non Usian spelling?

   No, just an incorrect one.  "carthridges" seems to be all the rage on 
CCtalk.

> Indeed. The thing not to do is put a DDS3 (or DDS2) DAT tape in
> a DDS1 drive. At least not if the drive is a TLZ04 since you 
> will "significantly" degrade the head's lifetime. I never
> found out how significant "significant" is. The problem is
> that tapes longer than 60m were designed to be used on drives
> that wrapped them around the heads at a different angle, so
> the tapes are different. The difference is enough to wear
> the TLZ04 head much more than is acceptable. I do not know
> whether dropping a 120m tape (DDS3) into a TLZ06 (DDS2 drive)
> will have similar effects.
> 
> So be careful out there!

   I don't think that either the TZ04 or the TZ06 do the media 
recognition required to spit an incompatible tape, but then, I've never 
seen a 120m DDS3 circa 1992.  ;)

   Just to pick nits, I've never seen 60m 4mm referred to as DDS.  DDS1 
is 90m and higher, as far as I know.  If anybody has a correction for 
me, it's very welcome.


	Doc