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.