Differences Between CompacTape I, II, III

From: Eric Smith <eric_at_brouhaha.com>
Date: Sun Oct 24 14:37:24 1999

> Based on the data within the above tables (and at the URL),
> there seems no doubt that DEC practised their usual
> antics back in the 1980s when they practised their standard
> marketing policy of adding "nothing". From my experience
> with CompacTape and CompacTape II, I can definitely
> say that these two tapes ARE VERY DIFFERENT:
> The CompacTape is usually labelled with a BROWN
> designation and the CompacTape II is usually BLUE!!
> Does anyone remember if there was also a price difference
> between CompacTape and CompacTape II?????????

Yes. The CompacTape II (TK70) tape was certified for use in the TK70
drive. I suspect that the TK70 drive used more tracks than the TK50,
but I haven't dug up specifications to be sure.

Before you jump all over DEC for doing this, remember that it was (and is)
standard practice in the entire disk and tape media industry to offer
the same media at different certification levels for different prices.
Received on Sun Oct 24 1999 - 14:37:24 BST