Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!uupsi!cmcl2!mcclb0.med.nyu.edu!huff
From: huff@mcclb0.med.nyu.edu (Edward J. Huff)
Subject: 8mm video vs. DAT backup tape
Message-ID: <1991May8.032055.1@mcclb0.med.nyu.edu>
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Sender: notes@cmcl2.nyu.edu (Notes Person)
Nntp-Posting-Host: mcclb0.med.nyu.edu
Organization: NYU Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
Date: 8 May 91 03:20:55 EDT
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Our lab recently purchased an 8mm video tape backup drive from 3rd Wave.
It included Retrospect.  The tapes are available from the local video store
at $6 to $8 each, and they hold over 2 gigabytes.  (Nominal 2.5 gig).
We purchased the Retrospect remote 10 pack, and use it with Apple ethernet
cards for network backup.

We have encountered a few problems:  The "compare" option fails when 
used over the  network.  Sometimes a backup hangs, and when you cancel, 
Retrospect remains in the "stopping" phase indefinitely.  The problem 
might be related to the INIT for the Pinnacle Micro MO drive.
But usually, backups go fine, and usually restores go fine.  
Sometimes a restore fails once, but if you start over, it works.

My question is, why do I see DAT tapes advertised a lot, and almost
no one advertises 8mm video?  Even 3rd Wave didn't advertise the 8mm
in the latest magazines.  Are we going to have a reliability problem?
Or is it just that the 8mm costs more than the DAT drive?  The tapes
are the reverse:  DAT costs about $18 per tape, for a comparable
amount of storage.  We store a LOT of data, which must be retained
permantly.

If we have to buy another tape drive because of users lined up
to backup data, is there a reason to buy a DAT unit rather than another
8mm unit?