An 8mm-wide magnetic tape technology that is used in analog and digital camcorders (see Hi8) and in data applications. Exabyte Corporation enhanced the international 8mm format established in 1984 and turned it into a high-performance digital storage device in 1987. The cartridges held 2.5GB, a breakthrough for the time.
The Mammoth Brand
In 1996, Exabyte introduced the Mammoth drive, a capstan-less version of its 8mm line, which initially supported AME-based 20GB cartridges and earlier MP-based cartridges. The lack of capstan reduces wear on the tape, because the capstan has to press against the medium to move it. Mammoth-2 later increased capacity to 60GB. Tape libraries hold from 500GB to more than 1TB.
Imation Became the Sales Outlet
Exabyte, which used to sell its products direct and through OEMs, signed an exclusive, worldwide distribution agreement with Imation Corporation in late 2003. The alliance included an equity investment in Exabyte. See magnetic tape and helical scan.
Mammoth Cartridge
The storage capacities may be "mammoth," but the cartridges are smaller than a deck of playing cards.
Helical Scan Formats
These are the helical scan tape formats used for computer storage. See helical scan.
The Mammoth Brand
In 1996, Exabyte introduced the Mammoth drive, a capstan-less version of its 8mm line, which initially supported AME-based 20GB cartridges and earlier MP-based cartridges. The lack of capstan reduces wear on the tape, because the capstan has to press against the medium to move it. Mammoth-2 later increased capacity to 60GB. Tape libraries hold from 500GB to more than 1TB.
Imation Became the Sales Outlet
Exabyte, which used to sell its products direct and through OEMs, signed an exclusive, worldwide distribution agreement with Imation Corporation in late 2003. The alliance included an equity investment in Exabyte. See magnetic tape and helical scan.
Mammoth Cartridge
The storage capacities may be "mammoth," but the cartridges are smaller than a deck of playing cards.
Helical Scan Formats
These are the helical scan tape formats used for computer storage. See helical scan.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Poll: What kind of camcorder do you own?
- Other = iPhoneMini-DVIf it ever craps out on me I'll go with an HD recorder.Old Reliable Analog TapesI guess those of us who never saw the need, nor fell under sufficient influence of marketing hype, to abandon the inferior, but perfectly good and still functional analog tape formats (analog 8mm,...
- Discussion threads 2009-08-26
- VCR converts old tapes to digital video (yes, you read correctly)
- Just when you thought that six-foot-high stack of video tapes you've been hiding in the basement was a dream deferred ("one day I'll watch Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark on original tape..."), good news arrives: now you can rip those crusty tapes to digital files and...
- Blog posts 2008-05-27
- The application interface problem
- The application interface problemKISSIn the early 90s, I was able to work with these kinds of users and design an interface. I worked at GenDyn and we had a computer room staffed with Computer Operators. These people were not computer experts - they were sometimes known as "tape hangers". In...
- Discussion threads 2008-05-12
- A question of hard drive capacity
- A question of hard drive capacityHow much house is enough?This question of hard drive space is the classic question of storage and asset preservation narrowed down to digital life. How many filing cabinets do you need? How big a cellar? How much attic space? Like all...
- Discussion threads 2007-09-04
- Sony DVDirect VRD-MC3
- The Sony DVDirect VRD-MC3 takes the pain out of transferring video and photos from your camcorder, VCR, or media cards onto DVDs that are playable on a PC or DVD player. At $250, it's far more expensive than a run-of-the-mill DVD burner, but it also offers more features. And for...
- Product reviews 2007-04-05
- Hi-end audio pro weighs in on DRM conundrum
- Hi-end audio pro weighs in on DRM conundrumI fail to see the point.Is it his point that you should make your own products and sell it the way you want? If so he correct.$20,000 stereo vs $0.99 songsDavid, you are either whinning or boasting about your audio system, perhaps...
- Discussion threads 2005-09-23
- TapeCopy 2.1 (Windows)
- Gives you the ability to migrate the data on your media from one media format to another such as moving existing tape data from 4mm tapes to AIT tapes, duplicating tapes for off site storage, archiving, or sending copies to others. Migrate between 9 Track, 3480/3490, QIC, Travan, 4mm DAT,...
- Software downloads 2004-05-02
- Gates pushes PC-TV connection
- Gates pushes PC-TV connectionWell, I'm sure that...As long as it's based and controlled by Microsoft Software and DRM, and is a Windows-Only idea, he's very excited about it.If the industry doesn't sign on to Microsoft's vision of DRM, or it's Windows-Only world and turns to cross-platform idea's instead the interest...
- Discussion threads 2004-01-08
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- The more you simplify, the more you save
-
When you transition from your existing Red Hat environment to SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, you can recognize dramatic cost savings, perhaps as much 50%
- Learn more >>
- Learn more about tools to grow your business
-
The Business Essentials Guide provides you useful tools and templates to help grow your business and save you time with automated shipping solutions.
- Save time with the UPS Business Essentials Guide
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
SmartPlanet
- Thought-provoking progressive ideas on diverse topics that intersect with technology, business, and life, and matter to the world at large. Visit SmartPlanet
- More from IBM
-
- How to Drive Better Business Outcomes with Exceptional Web Experiences Download the eBook
- Driving Business Agility through SOA Connectivity & Integration Read the White Paper from IBM
- Linking Decisions and Information for Organizational Performance Read the Tom Davenport study
