[comp.unix.ultrix] 8mm: Consumer grade vs. Data grade

miller@gaia.m2c.org (01/06/90)

   Hello, 

    Well, after listening to the clamor about 8mm tape subsystems
    mount, we have decided to join the ranks of the saved and purchase
    an pair of Exabyte drives. But alas, one last question to be
    answered; Do we buy Sony consumer grade tapes ( at $7.49 each) or
    blow the whole wad and get Exabyte Data grade tapes ( at $16.50
    each). I am prone to believe that Sony 8mm will suffice, while the 
    "...convienient digital error rate readout " will alert me to a
    worn-out tape. 

    Anyone have any bad experiences with consumer grade 8mm tapes? 
    Will the Exabyte give an adequate indication of the conditions of
    a tape, allowing bad tapes to be detected early? 

    Thanks



 Stephen Miller         The Massachusetts Microelectronics Center
 System Manager         75 North Drive
 miller@m2c.org         Westboro, Mass. 01581
 harvard!m2c!miller     (508)870-0312