Are tape drives a realistic storage solution?

[therealslimfigge]

Whenever I'm done with a project I burn the important raw files off to DVD. My hard drive setup is limited to 250 gigs and I find that my machine runs faster if I format it once I'm done with a project.

I've seen "tape drives" at Fry's and online. From what I've read, they come in 20-40gig tapes. These tapes, per gig, come off as an inexpensive storage solution for a project. Has anyone ever tried this?

(I searched on the forums and found some talk on this topic, but nothing substantial enough to motivate a financial decision.) Thanks! =D

 

[khmuse]

We use Quantum DLT tape drives for both project archives and also as media delivery for DVD replication (necessary if you need to supply 2054 byte sectors for CSS protection). While kinda expensive, they are very fast and very reliable and are considered archival media.

 

[Neil Rowe]

..sure, theya re wideley used as database backup storage and such, but i thin the new holographic stuffs will be alot more viable for us when its out.

 

[pmark23]

I used to use tape back in 96/97 to archive DV footage and projects. Now they're useless because there isn't an XP driver for that tape machine, and it isn't compatible with any newer tape machines!

Just use hard-disks -- they're cheaper, faster, and will always work.