Panasonic 8" Optical Drive

From: Mark <mark_k_at_iname.com>
Date: Sat Sep 9 13:58:19 2000

Hi,

On Thu, 07 Sep 2000 Joe wrote:
> At 05:03 PM 9/7/00 -0700, you wrote:
> >
> >Anyone familiar with:
> >
> >Panasonic 8" optical Drive
> >Removeable Cartridges
> >Model DU-15LU
> >Manufactured 1987 by Mitsushita (sp?)
> >
> >Someone gave me a call today to see if I had one. I don't and told him I
> >would put it out to the listserver. Also, are there any other units by
other
> >companies that will read these cartridges? The main concern here is data
> >recovery. The second concern is that I will then see if I can obtain that
> >computer :)! My understanding is that only five of these units were sold in
> >the US and four were returned since they were not networkable (fact or
> >fiction?)
>
> Marvin,
>
> If it's what I think it is then I have two NIB optical disks for it.
> They're Panasonic part number TQ-FD22 and they're made by Matsushita
> Electric Industrial Co in Japan. Make an offer if you're interested in the
> disks. FWIW these are more surplus from NASA KSC.

These may not be compatible with the DU-15LU drive, assuming that drive is for
computer data storage and not video recording. Try to compare pictures of the
two types of disks.

Panasonic/Matsushita used to make optical disk video recorders for the
professional market that used 8" disks. The model numbers of the recorders
and players begin with TQ-, so I suspect the TQ-FD22 disks are for the video
recorders.

FWIW, going to eBay and searching for Panasonic TQ should bring up some
listings for the players/recorders. TQ-2026F is a player/recorder, and
TQ-2027F a player. The recording method used by these might be analogue given
their age.


-- Mark
Received on Sat Sep 09 2000 - 13:58:19 BST