{"id":307,"date":"1998-05-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"1998-05-28T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/?p=307"},"modified":"2007-04-27T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2007-04-27T00:00:00","slug":"dds-data-versus-dat-audio-tapes","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/articles\/dds-data-versus-dat-audio-tapes\/","title":{"rendered":"DDS Data Versus DAT Audio Tapes"},"content":{"rendered":"

As expected, we received many inquiries as a result of our TTOTD on DAT tape speed as it relates to data DAT lengths (TTOTD 5\/5\/98). There is much confusion and controversy about whether data DAT tapes can be used as audio DAT tapes and vice versa. Given that this is a controversial subject (meaning there is not one all encompassing correct answer), I shall try to shed some light on some of the issues.Data DAT tapes (and drives) conform to a variety of standards. The main one that is relevant today is the DDS standard. Just because a tape may be called a “data DAT” does not mean it conforms to these standards. DDS tapes always have the special DDS logo. Audio DAT tapes, which are designed to conform to standards set up by the audio industry bear the DAT logo.In principle a 60 meter DDS tape could\/should work in an audio DAT machine like a T-120 DAT tape. We showed in the TTOTD for 5\/5\/98 that these are roughly the same length tapes. A 90 meter DDS tape can cause problems because they are thinner (to accommodate the additional length) and most sources agree that their use should be discouraged as they can cause a variety of maintenance problems with machines, some of which are serious. Tape formulations vary among audio DAT manufacturers, but DDS tapes must conform to specific standards that are within the tolerances of audio DAT machines. They “should” work, but then why not just use audio DAT tapes and be sure.Other DDS formats, such as DDS-2 and DDS-3 are for storing more data so the tapes are even longer and thinner. There is little debate on whether these can be used in audio DAT machines. The answer is a resounding NO. Don’t try it.So can an audio DAT tapes be used in a DDS drive? Sometimes. Great answer, huh? In principle (again), a T-120 DAT is equivalent to a 60 meter DDS tape. In many instances they work just fine, however, there are three potential problems:§Most sources suggest that DDS tapes must conform to higher standards than DAT tapes. This could mean problems with reliability, especially with long-term archives using audio DAT tapes.§All DAT tapes have recognition holes on the bottom. These holes are used by machines to indicate what type and length of tape are inserted. Almost all lengths of audio DAT tapes show up in a DDS drive as a 60 meter DDS tape. Your drive will not be able to tell you if you have inserted a tape that is too short to back up the quantity of data you have selected (assuming it will fit on a 60 meter DDS).§Some DAT drives require that the tape have the MRS indicator in order to operate. MRS, which stands for “Media Recognition System” was apparently not in the original 4mm DAT tape specification, and its purpose seems to be to let a drive know when an audio DAT or other non DDS approved media has been inserted. A MRS tape has a short zebra-pattern region between the clear leader section and the remaining magnetic tape section. Some newer data drives will treat non-MRS tapes as read only, but many still ignore MRS altogether.That’s about all we have time\/space for. In conclusion, you’re probably better off to use DDS tapes in DAT drives, and DAT tapes in DAT audio recorders. In a pinch you can mix and match them under the guidelines above.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","categories":[],"tags":[],"storecat":[],"itemids":[],"manufacturers":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n