Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!portal!cup.portal.com!Myron-Meier
From: Myron-Meier@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Ever heard of VideoTrax backup system?
Message-ID: <3394@cup.portal.com>
Date: 22 Feb 88 00:05:18 GMT
References: <364@uvicctr.UUCP>
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Lines: 52
XPortal-User-Id: 1.1001.2552


In message <364@uvicctr.UUCP>, klash@uvicctr.UUCP (Karl B. Klashinsky) writes,

>I'm looking at buying a backup unit from:
>
>VideoTrax
>3501 Sunflower
>PO Box 25059
>Santa Ana, CA 92799
>
>The unit apparently plugs into the Mac as a SCSI device, and acts as
>an interface to a VCR, allowing you to store data on standard Video tapes.
>For VHS, apparently a 3.5 hour tape can store 80 megs.
>
>So, to the point:  Anybody got any experience with one of these?  Would
>you recommend?  You know, all that "feed me some info" stuff.  Opinions
>gladly accepted.  From the little I know, I get the impression that
>it would be a cost-effective and efficient means to do backups.

I haven't had any experience with the VideoTrax system, but I did get a chance
to talk to Alpha Micro at the MacWorld Expo last month.  The VideoTrax system
has been available for quite a while in the form of an IBM card, but they just
recently announced their SCSI version (ie for the Mac).

Here's some info off their infosheet that I picked up at the show:
  * Each block of data is copied several times to ensure data reliability.
    Says that the data on the VideoTrax system is even more reliable than on
    the hard drive you're backing up. [Sounds great!].
    Average error rate for a hard disk is 1 bit in 10 to the -10.
    Average error rate on VideoTrax tape is 1 bit in 10 to the -11.
  * after back the tape can be verified to be restorable
  * can connect to any VCR, although the VideoTrax one is modified to automate
    some operations, ie. rewind, stop, play, etc...
    Works with all VHS, Beta, 8mm, and foreign VCRs
  * In 2-hour mode, VideoTrax can store up to 80MB on one standard video tape
    In 4-hour mode, VideoTrax can store up to 160MB on one tape!
  * Backs up a megabyte of data in 1.3 minutes.  = 10MB in about 13 mins.
  * Backup in either Image mode (whole hard disk) or File-by-File.
  * No tape formatting is required
  * data can be broadcast

The person I talked to in the booth told me that the Software was proprietory
and you couldn't use another program (ie DiskFit), [Darn!!] although the prog
looked pretty extensive, I really can't comment on how fast/reliable it was.

Don't write that check just yet though, He said that it probably wouldn't be
ready until April or so...sorry.

Their address is:
  Alpha Micro
  3501 Sunflower Ave.
  Santa Ana CA 92704
  (714) 957-8500