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From: dlm@cuuxb.UUCP (Dennis L. Mumaugh)
Newsgroups: net.video,net.audio
Subject: Using computer tape for video recorders
Message-ID: <311@cuuxb.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 6-Dec-85 17:59:36 EST
Article-I.D.: cuuxb.311
Posted: Fri Dec  6 17:59:36 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 7-Dec-85 20:50:36 EST
References: <533@aero.ARPA> <760@bu-cs.UUCP> <449@olivee.UUCP>
Reply-To: dlm@cuuxb.UUCP (Dennis L. Mumaugh)
Organization: ATT Computer Systems Center, Lisle, Ill.
Lines: 25
Keywords: computer tape
Xref: watmath net.video:1722 net.audio:6737

In article <449@olivee.UUCP> gnome@olivee.UUCP (Gary Traveis) writes:
>> Has anyone out in the net thought of (or implemented) using computer 
>> magtape in 2400' reels and placing it in empty video cassette shells?
> ...
> Don't do it

In addition to other reasons for not using computer tape for video there is
a very important reason why computer tape should not be used either for
audio OR video tape:

Computer tape is specially formualted to have a magnetic oxide with a 
square BH loop to make it very hard to change its magnetization.

Digital tape drives use hefty drive signals to record data and make sure
it is either one or zero.  Using this tape on audio or video records will
give severe distortion.  Also it is almost impossible to erase the old
data off of a computer tape using the electronics of a regular recorder.
Bulk erasers help a bit.

Many years ago I got ahold of some computer tape that was slit and put
on 1/4 inch reel.  Listening to it on my recorder was wild.  I heard the
most sureal music/sounds you could imagine.
-- 
=Dennis L. Mumaugh
 Lisle, IL       ...!ihnp4!cuuxb!dlm