Using audio cassette

From: Hans Franke <Hans.Franke_at_mch20.sbs.de>
Date: Fri May 18 04:17:50 2001

> >> Using a 90 minute tape, with a 10 second sector size, I would put a
> >> File allocation table at the start of the tape and that would tell the
> >> machine where to go to get a piece of data. Has anyone experimented
> >> with this sort of set up? I figured on audio tape because they are
> >> small, robust, and cheap. The computer will only be 16-bit so I don't
> >> think the speed of the storage would be a problem as my files won't be
> >> that big. It's got to be better than paper tape anyway.

> >Haave you considered using magnetic tape to build your own drum memory?
> >Would this even work? I don't know, I've only considered it.

> How about an approach similar to the Sinclair Microdrive, using an endless
> loop (curled up in a zigzag fashion inside the cassette)? That way, seeking on
> the tape should be easier, since you'd only need to be able to roll the tape
> in one direction without any rewinds.

Well, there are special cassetes available for answering machines
and/or voice services. During the last years most of said apps
have been replaced by digital recording, but replacement tapes
are still available... usualy they have only a very short length.
the maximum I know is good for 5 minutes - most are only good for
30 seconds.

Gruss
H.

--
VCF Europa 3.0 am 27./28. April 2002 in Muenchen
http://www.vcfe.org/
Received on Fri May 18 2001 - 04:17:50 BST

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