Having a lot of TV series I was wanting to backup I decided that instead of buying a lot of DVD discs it would be easier to store everything on tape. I don't have to worry about scratches appearing, or accidentally dropping the thing as easily, plus since some DAT tapes have 400GB of storage, this would seem to be the perfect solution. Only one problem...I know absolutely nothing about tape drives, or what kind of tapes I should get.
I have looked at newegg, and have noticed that recent models are around $350 and up, and have noticed that they are different types of tape. Also, when looking at ebay, I noticed that they are some outdated tape drives that go for $100. Why is this? Is it that only certain kinds of tape can be used on them (in other words the older drives won't accept newer tapes that have well over 200+ GB of storage)?
Anyway, sorry If I sound painfully ignorant on what I'm talking about, but as stated earlier, I know nothing what-so-ever about this, so any help would be appreciated.
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Anonymous2009-10-20 9:31
There are numerous tape cartridge formats, with most types coming in a variety of storage capacities. Every few years they come out with a new generation that usually doubles the capacity. Newer drives are usually able to read older tapes, but for writing they need to match.
The highest capacity DAT right now is 160 GB although that's with drive compression, the native capacity is 80 GB. Since it's video, your compression ratio probably won't be very good and you'll get closer to 80.
LTO is the most popular format for backup, with capacities up to 800 GB native. DLT was another popular format but they stopped making new generations a couple years back.
One thing to note is that you'll have to restore to disk if you want to watch anything. DVD is more convenient since you can play directly from the disk.
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Anonymous2009-10-20 9:55
Here is the tape I found that had 800gb of data on it.
I assume of course that means 800GB when compressed, because otherwise, it would just be 400GB. Twice the storage capacity, but twice the chances of data corruption I guess (assuming of course that compressions when applied to hard drives also apply here). Also few quick questions; would this drive be compatible with the above tape?
Final question can these tapes be written to multiple times? In other words, delete the old data, and replace it with new data (kind of like a floppy disc)? Also what is the total transfer speed of a USB device? I imagine it's going to be less than 80MB/sec, so I imagine at least 20-40MB/sec.
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Anonymous2009-10-20 10:30
>>3
Your first tape is an LTO Ultrium 3, drives for this are expensive, but the tapes are very reliable and can sit on the shelf for decades. I have LTO tapes in rotation that have been rewritten probably 100 times. Also, the drive checks the data for integrity as it's written and will report any write errors.
That Iomega REV drive isn't a tape drive, it's more like a hard drive that you can swap the platters in.
I wouldn't use USB, get SCSI/SAS.
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Anonymous2009-10-20 11:24
Actually a $420 drive is breaking the bank already; the last thing I need is a $200+ adapter card. I was preferring USB because I plan on using the tape drive only once a month or so, and I figured this was a better idea than an internal device, which would just create clutter inside the computer chassis (five hard drives, two DVD burners, plus one heat monitor...wires everywhere) but I am willing to go with SATA if need be.
Do you know of any recommended non-SCSI tape drives that would be compatible with the above tape? Also how can you tell what tape is write compatible with what drive?
Fuck head just buy a couple 100$ terabyte harddrives and use this for disc-to-disc backup. WAy WAY WAY fucking cheaper. Tape costs 30-50 bucks for 200GB-400+gb native. I just sway a 640gb on sell for 40$.
Everyone should call this number:215-412-3775.His name is Bob Durnst. Ask for his son Kevin. His son's cell phone number is 215-767-8855. Annoy the crap out of them. They hate jews and his dad punched my little brother.
>>9
not entirely so, good sir, i use them at work still. Got nearly 100 of them still sitting around from years ago. the data on them does not get as corrupted as hard disk can and they can literally sit on the shelf for 80 fuckin years and work like you just took them out of the box.