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Sony DLT, SDLT, DLT VS1 Tape Cartridge FAQ's
Sony DLT Tape
A powerful solution for mission-critical backup and
mulitmedia applications 12MB/s speed and 80GB capacity
DLT tape uses MP (metal particle)technology, offering high capacity of 40GB native or 80GB compressed and high data transfer speed of
12MB/s (compressed with DLT-8000). To support this performance,DLT employs adaptive cache buffering, multiple heads and longitudinal serpentine tracks.
Outstanding data integrity
One reason DLT tape is recommended for mission-critical data
backup applications is its ultra-low bit error rate of 1x10-17. Sony’s precision tape manufacturing technology maximizes DLT performance, with advanced defect detection to assure high quality and an optimum head-to-tape interface.
Proven archival reliability
Strict quality control and a comprehensive testing program enhance Sony DLT tape media’s long-term archival reliability.
Extraordinary durability
The latest binder system helps achieve 1,000,000-pass durability for longer lasting tape as well as reduced wear on the heads. Also contributing to extended media life are the DLT drive’s precision tape tension servo control and gentle tape path in which only the back of the tape touches any guide rollers.
Assured format compatibility
All DLT systems offer backward compatibility, so you can migrate to a higher capacity system with confidence.
Compatibility
Advanced cartridge mechanism
Deployed in U.S. government agencies and the financial industry, DLT drives are widely used for backup of network server and workstation data. Large capacity, rapid transfer rate, and quick file access also make this format highly suitable for multimedia applications such as DVD mastering.
| Model Name | DLT Tape IV |
| GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS | |
| Magnetic Material | Metal Particle (MP) |
| Recording Capacity (Compressed*) | 40.0GB (80.0GB*)(DLT-8000/DLTVS80)
35.0GB (70.0GB*)(DLT-7000)
20.0GB (40.0GB*)(DLT-4000)
|
| MAGNETIC CHARACTERISTICS | |
| Coercive Force (kA/m) | 151 |
| PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS | |
| Tape Width (mm) | 12.65 |
Tape Thickness (ìm)
Minimum Tape Length (m) | 9.0
557 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS | |
| Operation Conditions (ºF(ºC);%RH) | 50~104 (10~40);20~80** |
| Storage Conditions (ºF(ºC);%RH) | 60~90 (16~32);20~80** |
| Transportation Conditions (ºF(ºC);%RH) | 41~90 (5-32);5~80 (Recorded)** |
| Transportation Conditions (ºF(ºC);%RH) | -9~118 (-23~48);5~80 (Unrecorded)** |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| External Dimensions (mm) | 105.8x105.4x25.4 |
| Weight (g) | 292 (with case) |
* Compression ratio 2:1.
** Maximum wet bulb temperature: 79°F(26°C) at no condensation.
Sony DLT-VS1 Tape
 | Sony DLT tape VS1
Dedicated cartridge for DLT VS160 drives and DLT-V4 drives, featuring Sony media technology. |
Developed in partnership with Quantum,
the format proprietor
Sony partnered with Quantum to develop dedicated media for the DLT VS160 drive and DLT-V4 drive. Every aspect of these advanced data cartridges reflects Sony’s half century of magnetic media experience and mastery. With its outstanding durability and reliability, this storage media more than satisfies performance expectations.
Up to 320GB compressed storage capacity
In DLT-V4 drive, DLT tape VS1 offers compressed storage capacity of up to 320GB (160GB native) per cartridge and a compressed data transfer rate of up to 20MB/s (10MB/s native).
*In DLTVS160 drive, compressed data capacity of up to 160GB (80GB native) and compressed
transfer speed up to 16MB/s (8MB/s native) will be realized.
Ultra-smooth surface treatment
Special calendering technology creates an ultra-smooth magnetic
media surface, which dramatically reduces the error rate to support high data density with excellent reliability.
Consistent signal characteristics
DLT tape VS1 delivers the signal characteristics necessary for a consistently high recording density with high output, thanks to Sony’s ultra-thin coating technology, which forms a magnetic layer about half as thick as in previous products.
Roadmap
Surface Roughness
Smoother surface equals improved data density
Thinner magnetic layer structure
| MODEL NAME | DLTVS1-160 tape |
| MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS | |
| Recording Capacity (Compressed*) | 80GB (160GB*) |
| Maximum Data Transfer Rate (Compressed*) | 80GB (160MB/s*) |
| Tape Width (mm) | 12.65±0.01 |
| Tape Thickness (μm) | 8.80±0.40 |
| Tape Length (m) | 563.00±0.91 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS | |
| Operation Conditions (°F(°C);%RH) | 50~104 (10~40);20~80** |
| Storage Conditions (°F(°C);%RH) | 60~90 (16~32);20~80** |
| Transportation Conditions (Unrecorded) (°F(°C);%RH) | -9~118 (-23~48);5~80** |
| Transportation Conditions (Recorded) (°F(°C);%RH) | 41~90 (5~32);5~80** |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| External Dimensions (mm) (W x H x D) | 105.8 x 105.4 x 25.4 |
| Weight (g) | 222.5 (cartridge only) |
* Compression ratio 2:1.
** Maximum wet bulb temperature: No condensation at 79°F(26°C).
Sony SDLT Tape
 | Super DLT with advanced technical features has storage capacity up to 160GB Native, 320GB Compressed. |
Ultra-smooth tape surface and thin
magnetic-layer tape technology
The SDLT platform achieves tremendous storage capacity by
using MRC Magneto Resistive Cluster heads for high data density recording. This head technology is so sensitive that it may sometimes increase noise. To solve this problem, Sony greatly reduced the spikes on the tape surface so the tape can run without generating surface noise.
POS: Pivoting Optical Servo for higher track density
To assure accurate tracking of its increased data tracks, the SDLT
format uses a tracking servo. This innovative POS (Pivoting Optical Servo) tracking system precisely handles the high track density of SDLT by reading permanent optical guidance tracks etched on the back of the tape. Based on the positioning of data read from these tracks, the servo adjusts the MRC head position for correct alignment with the target data tracks on the magnetic side of the media.
 | PRML: Partial Response Maximum Likelihood
SDLT adopts a more sophisticated data channel, PRML. PRML enhances reliability of data read from the tape and also helps achieve high-density recording. |
SDLT Migration Path
Super DLT tape drives offer full backward read compatibility with the current DLT format, DLT-4000/7000/8000, and DLT-1. In the future, SDLT will migrate to higher capacities and data transfer rates on the
format roadmap.
Roadmap
Positive Engagement Tape Leader Buckling Mechanism
The Super DLTtapeTM cartridge adopts a new buckling system design at the end of tape, which enhances reliability under heavy usage cycles, such as with automated equipment. Plastic materials used in
this mechanism are highly robust to resist wear despite repeated loading and unloading.
| MODEL NAME | SDLT1-320 tape |
| Drive of Use | SDLT220 Drive | SDLT320 Drive |
| GENARAL CHARACTERISTICS | |
| Recording Capacity (Compressed*) | 110GB (220GB*) | 160GB (320GB*) |
| Data Transfer Speed (Compressed*) | 11MB/s (22MB/s*) | 16MB/s (32MB/s*) |
| Track Pitch | 448 |
| Recording Density (kftpmm) | 5.5 (133kbpi/135kftpi) | 7.9 (193kbpi/196kftpi) |
| PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS | |
| Tape Width (mm) | 12.65 |
| Tape Thickness (μm) | 9.0 |
| Tape Length (m) | 564 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS | |
| Operation Conditions (°F(°C);%RH) | 50~104 (10~40);20~80** |
| Storage Conditions (°F(°C);%RH) | 60~90 (16~32);20~80** |
| Transportation Conditions (°F(°C);%RH) | 41~90 (5~32);5~80(Recorded)** |
| Transportation Conditions (°F(°C);%RH) | -9~118 (-23~48);5~80(Unrecorded)** |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| External Dimensions (mm) | 105.4x105.8x25.4 |
| Weight (g) | 275 (cartrige only) |
* Compression ratio 2:1.
** Maximum wet bulb temperature: 79°F(26°C) at no condensation.
*Data Media Cartridge Tape Care & Handling Tips
Others Alternatives
Yes, overall ther are two alternative tape storage standards to DLT/SDLT include LTO and AIT.
LTO (Linear Tape-Open) tape is an open-format tape storage technology developed by Hewlett-Packard (HP), International Business Machines (IBM), and Certance. The term "open-format" means that users have access to multiple sources of storage media products that will be compatible. The high-capacity implementation of LTO technology is known as the LTO Ultrium format, or simply LTO Ultrium.
The LTO Ultrium technology has evolved through several generations.The latest of these is Generation 3, which became available in late 2004 and provides data storage capacity of up to 800 gigabytes (GB) and a maximum transfer rate of 80 to 160 megabytes per second (MB/s). Generations 4, 5, and 6 are currently under development. Generation 4 is planned to provide a maximum storage capacity of 1.6 terabytes (TB) and a transfer rate of up to 240 MB/s. Generation 5 is expected to have a maximum storage capacity of 3.2 TB and a transfer rate of up to 360 MB/s. Generation 6 is expected to have a maximum storage capacity of 6.4 TB and a transfer rate of up to 540 MB/s. (All of these capacity and transfer speed figures are based on 2:1 data compression.)
AIT (Advanced Intelligent Tape) is a magnetic tape format developed by Sony. AIT tapes contain non-volatile memory called Memory-in-Cassette (MIC). This storage space contains data about the tape which can be read quickly by a tape drive, without having to read data from the slower magnetic media.
Capacity Transfer Rate:
LTO:
| Generation | Capacity | Transfer rate |
|---|
|
| LTO-3 (current) | 400GB | 80MB/s |
| LTO-4 | 800GB | 120MB/s |
| LTO-5 | 1.6TB | 180MB/s |
| LTO-6 | 3.2TB | 270MB/s |
SDLT:
| Generation | Capacity | Transfer rate |
|---|
|
| SDLT600 (current) | 300 GB | 36 MB/s |
| SDLT-5 | 1.5-1.75 TB | 100-125 MB/s |
| SDLT-6 | 3-3.5 TB | 200 – 250 MB/s |
| SDLT-7 | 6-7 TB | 400-500 MB/s |
SAIT:
| Generation | Capacity | Transfer rate |
|---|
|
| SAIT-1 (current) | 500 GB | 30 MB/s |
| SAIT-2 (released soon) | 1 TB | 60 MB/s |
| SAIT-3 (later this decade) | 2 TB | 120 MB/s |
| SAIT-4 (ca. 2010) | 4 TB | 240 MB/s |
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