Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!mailrus!sharkey!fmsrl7!nucleus!bruce
From: bruce@nucleus.mi.org (Bruce Lilly)
Newsgroups: comp.periphs
Subject: Re: Audio DAT recorders as computer backup devices
Summary: digital audio != data
Keywords: audio DAT
Message-ID: <1990Jun12.142136.9936@nucleus.mi.org>
Date: 12 Jun 90 14:21:36 GMT
References: <21987@megaron.cs.arizona.edu>
Sender: bruce@Broadcast.Sony.COM (Bruce Lilly)
Organization: Sony Communications Products
Lines: 44

In article <21987@megaron.cs.arizona.edu> bakken@cs.arizona.edu (Dave Bakken) writes:
>In the last week or two it has come out that audio DAT recorders will
>be available here in the USA as early as September.  The prices will
[...]
>
>Could these guys be used for computer backup?  I guess that your are
>supposed to be able to make perfect copies of a CD.  This might imply
>that there is digital input/output in these beasts (or at least
[...]
>
>If they could be used for this purpose, it seems that it could be
>cheaper than buying the DATs that are currently available for
>computer backup, just because of the large numbers involved.
>
>Any informed comments would be appreciated.  Thanks!
>-- 
>Dave Bakken			bakken@cs.arizona.edu	uunet!arizona!bakken
>U of A Computer Science		(602) 621-4098

1)	The (Sony/Philips) digital audio I/O format is quite specific
	to digital audio applications. You would have to build an interface
	to/from that format ($$$).
2)	Audio DAT recorders are designed for real time record/play operation.
	They are not start/stop data recorders.
3)	(Consumer) DAT recorders generally have no type of control interface,
	except for a handheld remote controller. Therefore, unattended backups,
	which are possible with a data recorder with a computer interface,
	would not be practical.
4)	The error concealment used in the event of uncorrectable errors is
	designed to minimize audible disturbances. For data recording an error
	flag is desired.
5)	Etc., etc. etc. ....

The moral(s) of the story is(are):
	If you want a data recorder, buy a data recorder.
and
	You get what you pay for (or, to be more correct, You don't get what
	you don't pay for).

All of the above apply in principle to digital video recorders as well (so don't ask...).

--
	Bruce Lilly, Product Manager, Digital Television Tape Recording,
	Sony Communications Products Company