[Info-vax] TLZ7

[Kari Uusimäki]

On 4.11.2010 13:01, smithfarm wrote:
> I recently obtained an old DAT drive. I don't know anything about it
> other than my VAXstation sees it as a TLZ7, and the person I received it
> from said it does 2 GB uncompressed (which would make it DDS-1).
>
> Here is a picture of the drive:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/2uaeuwv
>
> VAXstation console SHOW DEVICE comes up with a bunch of MKA (TAPE) and
> JKA (CHNGR) devices.
>
> When I open up the drive, the front panel comes out and I can load a
> single tape. However, from the looks of it there must be some kind of
> cartridge for loading multiple tapes at once. But this cartridge, if it
> exists, is missing. Still, I can load an individual tape if I am careful
> not to drop it.
>
> Any comments on this drive? Will it only work with DDS-1 tapes or can I
> use DDS-2 and DDS-3 tapes in it as well?
>
> How would I go about testing it?
>
> It doesn't say DIGITAL on it anywhere, just a sticker that says it
> passed quality control on December 13, 1985 (85.12.13). And HI-POT TEST
> OK. There are two RCA plugs on the back in addition to the SCSI plugs.
>
> Thanks, as always.
>
> Nathan


The device is then similar to the (DEC) TLZ6L.

The DAT (or later DDS) was created by SONY and for some peculiar reason 
adopted to a computer peripheral. Personally I cannot recommend it to be 
used for important backups because of its unreliability. For hobbyist 
use it is a small and easy toy with which you can learn how to use tape 
drives and how to make backups and restores.

DLT, SDLT or LTO tape drives are very reliable and have much better 
performance and therefore they are mostly used in production environments.