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From: scott@gamma.valid.com (Scott Gustafson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Re: 8mm video vs. DAT backup tape
Message-ID: <433@valid.valid.com>
Date: 9 May 91 18:47:25 GMT
References: <1991May8.032055.1@mcclb0.med.nyu.edu>
Sender: news@valid.com
Lines: 46

huff@mcclb0.med.nyu.edu (Edward J. Huff) writes:

>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).

When you say the local video store is where you are purchasing your
tapes, I hope this store has a built in computer section!!!  DO NOT
use video tapes in an 8mm tape drive!  I suggest that you use tapes
that were designed for the higher quality of data being stored.  For
example: Sony QG-112M or Exabyte's Exatape 112m.  Both of these tapes
will store the traditional 2.3 gigs and will be much more reliable
than the other video tapes.  Or, you can use any tape that has the D8
symbol on it.

>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 you want to keep your data, you better change tapes.  As for price,
the 8mm D8 tapes range from about $13 and up for the 112m length.
I don't know why Mac companies are not advertising the 8mm drives, but
the UNIX companies are.

>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?

Not at all.  If your users are backing up only their data, which should
not be nore that 2.3 gigs, then just buy another drive but buy different
tape lengths.  You don't need to waste a 2.3 gig tape on a user who 
only uses 100 megs.  There aren't any advantages to having a DAT as
compared to an 8mm tape backup unit.

scott
--
Scott Gustafson		(408) 944-4672 me	(408) 553-8713 beeper
Valid Logic Systems, 3 West Plumeria M.S.-C1, San Jose, CA  95134
Internet:	scott@valid.com
Scott Gustafson		(408) 944-4672 me	(408) 553-8713 beeper
Valid Logic Systems, 3 West Plumeria M.S.-C1, San Jose, CA  95134
Internet:	scott@valid.com