This tape format can be used to backup data systems in addition to its original intended audio used
by:

A.
Digital Audio tape (DAT)

B.
Digital video tape (DVT)

C.
Digital Casio Tape (DCT)

D.
Digital Voice Tape (DVT)

Explanation:
Digital Audio Tape (DAT or R-DAT) is a signal recording and playback medium introduced by Sony in
1987. In appearance it is similar to a compact audio cassette, using 1/8″ magnetic tape enclosed in a
protective shell, but is roughly half the size at 73 mm x 54 mm x 10.5 mm. As the name suggests the
recording is digital rather than analog, DAT converting and recording at the same rate as a CD (44.1
kHz sampling rate and 16 bits quantization) without data compression. This means that the entire
input signal is retained. If a digital source is copied then the DAT will produce an exact clone. The
format was designed for audio use, but through an ISO standard it has been adopted for general
data storage, storing from 4 to 40 GB on a 120 meter tape depending on the standard and
compression (DDS-1 to DDS-4). It is, naturally, sequential-access media and is commonly used for
backups. Due to the higher requirements for integrity in data backups a computer-grade DAT was
introduced.