This article is from the storage FAQ part1, by Rodney D. Van Meter with numerous contributions by others.
Streaming tape drive
Quoted 40 GB includes 2:1 compression
Quoted 3.0 MB/sec includes 2:1 compression
Extended 5.25-inch form factor
SCSI-2 interface, either single-ended or differential,
optional fast SCSI.
Compression is DLZ (Digital Lempel-Ziv)
"...a head life of 10,000 hours (compared to 2,000 hours for
other tape products), a recommended average of 10,000 read/writes per
cartridge, and an MTBF of 80,000 hours."
Search speed averages 68 seconds
Repositioning time 1.3 seconds
Hard error rate: 1 x 10**17 bits read
Undetected error rate: 1 x 10**30 bits read
Serial serpentine (128 tracks), variable block
bits/inch: 82,000
Tracks/inch: 256
Recording media: CompacTape (tm) IV
0.5 in x 1,700 ft x .3mi thick
Cartridge: 4.1 x 4.1 x 1 inch
shelf life: 10 years
Height: 3.235 in, width: 5.7 in, length: 9 in
Reliability: 80,000 MTBF
Media reliability: 500,000 passes in start/stop mode (or an
average of 10,000 uses/cartridge)
 
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