Sony Global - Sony Data Media - DLTtape™III/III XT/ IV

Main Features

Reliable data cartridges designed to maximize media performance.

12MB/s speed and 80GB capacity

DLTtape™ uses MP (metal particle) technology in a space-saving single-reel cartridge, offering high capacity of 40GB native or 80GB compressed and high data transfer speed of 12MB/s, compressed (DLT IV cartridge in DLT8000).
To support this performance, DLT employs adaptive cache buffering, multiple heads and longitudinal serpentine tracks.

Outstanding data integrity

One reason DLTtape is recommended for mission-critical data backup applications is its ultra-low bit error rate of 1×10^-17. Sony's precision tape manufacturing technology maximizes DLT performance, with advanced defect detection to assure high quality and an optimum head-to-tape interface.

Proven archival reliability

Strict quality control and a comprehensive testing program enhance Sony DLTtape media's long-term archival reliability.

Extraordinary durability

The latest binder system helps achieve 1,000,000-pass durability for longer lasting tape as well as reduced wear on the heads. Also contributing to extended media life are the DLT drive's precision tape tension servo control and gentle tape path in which only the back of the tape touches any guide rollers.

Assured format compatibility

All DLT systems offer backward compatibility, so you can migrate to a higher capacity system with confidence.

Main Specifications

	SDLT1-320	DL4TK88	DLTVS1-160
Format	SDLT	DLT	DLTVS1
Recording Capacity (Compressed *1)	w/SDLT220 drive: 110GB(220GB ) w/SDLT320 drive: 160GB(320GB)	w/DLT4000 drive:20GB(40GB) w/DLT7000 drive:35GB(70GB) w/DLT8000 drive:40GB(80GB) w/DLT VS80 (DLT1) drive:40GB(80GB)	w/DLTVS160 drive: 80GB(160GB) w/DLT-V4 drive: 160GB(320GB)
Maximum Data Transfer Rate (Compressed *1)	w/SDLT220 drive: 11MB/s (22MB/s) w/SDLT320 drive: 16MB/s (32MB/s)	w/DLT4000 drive:1.5MB/s (3MB/s) w/DLT7000 drive:5MB/s (10MB/s) w/DLT8000 drive:6MB/s (12MB/s) w/DLT VS80 (DLT1) drive:3MB/s (6MB/s)	w/DLTVS160 drive: 8MB/s (16MB/s) w/DLT-V4 drive: 10MB/s (20MB/s)
Tape Type	Metal Particle	Metal Particle	Metal Particle
Coercive Force (kA/m)	151	151	151
Electric Resistance (Magnetic Side: Ω/sq)	1×10⁷	1×10⁷	1×10⁷
Electric Resistance (Back Side: Ω/sq)	1×10⁵	1×10⁵	1×10⁵
Durability	1,000,000 passes	1,000,000 passes	w/DLTVS160 drive: 10,000 load/unload threads w/DLT-V4 drive: up to 200 uses
Archival Life	30 years	30 years	30 years
Linear Recording Density (kbpi)	w/SDLT220 drive:133 w/SDLT320 drive:193	w/DLT4000 drive:82 w/DLT7000 drive:86 w/DLT8000 drive:98 w/DLT VS80 (DLT1) drive:123	w/DLTVS160 drive: 175 w/DLT-V4 drive: 219
Number of Data Track	448	w/DLT4000 drive:128 w/DLT7,8000 drive:208 w/DLT VS80 (DLT1) drive:168	w/DLTVS160 drive: 240 w/DLT-V4 drive: 352
Coding Channel	PRML	PRML	PRML
Tape Width (mm)	12.65	12.65	12.65
Tape thickness (µm)	8.8	8.8	8.8
Tape Length (m)	559	557	557
External Dimensions (mm)	105.8×105.4×25.4
Weight (g)	275 (with case)	292 (with case)	282 (with case)
Environmental Requirements	Operation Conditions (°F(°C);%RH) : 50~104 (10~40);20~80 2 Storage Conditions (°F(°C);%RH) : 60~90 (16~32);20~80 2 Transportation Conditions (Recorded) (°F(°C);%RH) : 41~90 (5~32);5~80 2 Transportation Conditions (Unrecorded) (°F(°C);%RH) : -9~118 (-23~48);5~80 2

*1 Compression ratio 2:1
The actual capacity, compression ratio and data transfer rate may vary depending on equipment, software usage, environments and data.
1GB= 10 billion bytes

*2 Maximum wet bulb temperature : No condensation at 79°F (26°C).

English

French

German

Spanish

Drive/media compatibility table

Media	Drive
Media	DLT2000	DLT2000XT	DLT4000	DLT7000	DLT8000
Super DLTI	Rejected	Rejected	Rejected	Rejected	Rejected
DLT Tape VS1	Rejected	Rejected	Rejected	Rejected	Rejected
DLT Tape IV (Compressed *)	Rejected	Rejected	Read/Write 20GB (40GB *)	Read/Write 35GB (70GB *)	Read/Write 40GB (80GB *)
DLT Tape III XT (Compressed *)	Rejected	Read/Write 15GB (30GB *)	Read/Write 15GB (30GB *)	Read/Write 15GB (30GB *)	Read/Write 15GB (30GB *)
DLT Tape III (Compressed *)	Read/Write 10GB (20GB *)	Read/Write 10GB (20GB *)	Read/Write 10GB (20GB *)	Read/Write 10GB (20GB *)	Read/Write 10GB (20GB *)

Media	Drive
Media	DLT VS80 (DLT1)	DLT VS160	SDLT220	SDLT320	SDLT600
Super DLTI (Compressed *)	Rejected	Rejected	Read/Write 110GB (220GB *)	Read/Write 160GB (320GB *)	Read
DLT Tape VS1 (Compressed *)	Rejected	Read/Write 80GB (160GB *)	Rejected	Rejected	Read
DLT Tape IV (Compressed *)	Read/Write 40GB (80GB *)	Read	Read	Read	Rejected
DLT Tape III XT	Rejected	Rejected	Rejected	Rejected	Rejected
DLT Tape III	Rejected	Rejected	Rejected	Rejected	Rejected

* Compression ratio 2:1

Cartridge Mechanism

Cartridge Mechanism
Simple and clear! DLT write protection
High-strength shell that has passed rigorous drop impact testing
Expertise incorporated into the leader tape
High-speed rotation provided by ball bearings
Centering mechanism that prevents misalignment even when subjected to vibration

Cartridge Mechanism

Simple and clear! DLT write protection

The status of write enabled/protected is indicated on two faces with Orange marked switches, helping prevent unintended operations.

High-strength shell that has passed rigorous drop impact testing

The shell is made of a polycarbonate rugged enough to withstand Sony's rigorous drop impact testing. Original testing involving 75 cm drops onto plastic tiles at different orientations helped to develop a thoroughly rugged cartridge.

Expertise incorporated into the leader tape

For the leader tape, we use a PET film measuring 50 µm in thickness (eight times thicker than the magnetic tape) that will withstand repeated loading/unloading. This leader tape passed over 20,000 iterations of loading/unloading testing.

The leader tape end is chemically etched to reduce creasing on the magnetic tape marked by raised portions where the tape is spliced.

High-speed rotation provided by ball bearings

A ball bearing is used as the contact point between the cartridge upper shell and reel center to achieve stable, high-speed rotation, reducing tracking and jitter errors during high-speed rotation of the reel.

Centering mechanism that prevents misalignment even when subjected to vibration

The lower shell's center hole edge is tilted at the same angle as the reel's contact surface, thereby preventing misalignment of reel center. This prevents not just misalignment of the reel while the cartridge is moved, but chucking errors at the time of loading.

Flat reel flange

Linear tape movement is ensured by optimized structure and clearance between the reel and tape. Outstanding tracking performance can be provided without a servo.

We developed a highly flat surface for the reel flange around which the tape is wound. This minimizes wobbling during rotation that affects linear tape motion (LTM).

Azimuth Recording

High-density recording supported by Azimuth recording technology

New-generation DLT uses Azimuth recording technology that performs recording while adjusting the recording head angle. This system alternates recording head angles when moving between adjacent tracks, reducing interference between adjacent tracks and making it possible to record more data within a limited space.