Can TZ887 tapes be read by TZ885 table top library.

[Ed Segura]

I have a customer that has TZ887 tapes at his home site and I am setting up a TZ885 Library at my site. I don't have any other Library, so my question is can the 887 tapes be read by the 885 library? Thanks for your time....

[Uwe Zessin · Accepted solution]

A TZ87 should be able to write DLT tapes in TZ85 format, but a TZ85 tape drive cannot read TZ86, TZ87 or higher formats.

You might be able to pre-initialize the tapes in the TZ85 tape drive and just re-use them with the same density in the 87.

[Ed Segura]

Sorry if i'm confused, but we do have TZ85 and TZ87, but and if I seem lost I apoligize. I am concerned about the TZ885 drive and TZ887 tapes, I don't know if you just missed a digit. Thx and please can you respond again. Thx

[David Ruska]

A TZ887 is a TZ88 drive in a 7 slot loader.
A TZ885 is a TZ88 drive in a 5 slot loader.

Thus, they have the same drive and tapes are therefore interchangeable.

[David Ruska]

BTW, an TZ88 is the DIGTAL (DEC) name for the Quantum DLT4000.

[Ed Segura]

Sorry for the confusion again, but I just got word that the tapes that the customer has are TZ877, now can these be read by a TZ885 Library? Thanks

[David Ruska]

The TZ877 will have a TZ87 drive (in a 7 slot library).

A TZ88 drive (in a TZ885 library) can read tapes from a TZ87.

The TZ87 is the same as a Quantum DLT2000XT.

[Ed Segura]

Thank You for the last question answered, I really appreciate it.