Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!sdd.hp.com!hplabs!otter.hpl.hp.com!hpltoad!hpopd!hpcpbla!kev From: kev@hpcpbla.HP.COM (Kevin Jones) Newsgroups: comp.periphs.scsi Subject: Re: info wanted on DAT tape devices Message-ID: <9850027@hpcpbla.HP.COM> Date: 6 Jun 91 17:33:15 GMT References: <4071@ssc-bee.ssc-vax.UUCP> Organization: HP Computer Peripherals Bristol, UK Lines: 72 > Does any vendor make a DAT that will fits in a 3-1/2 inch bay ?? HP Archive corp I assume you mean 3.5" "form factor" which in the real world measures 4 inches wide x 1.6" high x 6" deep (all measurements approximate - I'm sitting here with a worn ruler). > What is involved in converting to DAT from the 1/4 inch tape device ?? Its entirely dependant on what sort of SCSI commands your system is sending to the tape device. You might get lucky and not have to change any of your system software but don't count on it. > I am having trouble getting specs and such on DAT devices. I have > found that Archive ........ (uugh..... he's used the A-word - but I would say that :-) HP also manufactures DAT drives. HP/SONY pioneered the DDS format on which HP, SONY, ARCHIVE, WANGDAT, WANGTEK drives are based. HP has 3 products: HP35450 5.25" full-heigh DAT drive. HP35470A 3.5" half-height DAT drive. HP35480A 3.5" half-height DAT drive with built in data compression. (the 3.5" products are very new. You might well encounter blank expressions when you ask about them). > I DON'T need a system that is packaged with a bunch of S/W and such > since the S/W would be useless to me. In which case you will have to go to a distributor. Unless you pay premium for a boxed drive with power-supply, fan software, pledges of support etc (more $$$) then "one off" sales just ain't worth it for the manufacturers. > And a last question; How about the write speed/time of the DAT > compared with the 1/4 inch tape unit? HP35450, HP35470A = 183Kbytes/Sec. Approx 11 Mbytes/min. For a 4 meg file, a ball-park figure of about 30 seconds sounds about right. The HP35450 supports only 60 meter DAT tapes and can store approx 1.3Gbytes per tape. HP35470A supports 60 and 90 meter tapes and can put 2.0Gbytes on the 90 meter tape. HP35480A (ie. a '470A with data compression) will "go faster" if your data is "compressible" (ie. if there is a lot of redundancy in the data). With VERY redundant data it can easily get up to 1 Mbyte/Sec. Most computer data is nowhere near this redundant but a "custom data collection system" might/might-not produce exiting/dissapointing results. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin Jones. | Hewlett Packard Ltd, | Computer Peripherals Bristol, kev%hpcpbla@hplb.hpl.hp.com | Filton Road, | Stoke Gifford, Tel: 011 44 272 799910 (ext 22351) | Bristol. BS12 6QZ. | ENGLAND. ----------------------------------------------------------------- This response does not represent the official position of, or statement by, the Hewlett-Packard Company. The above data is provided for informational purposes only. It is supplied without warranty of any kind.