MXF Aware DLT Backup Drive...

[filmstox]

Just ran across this drive.

http://www.quantum.com/Products/TapeDrives/DLT/SDLT600/SDLT600a/Index.aspx

It looks like a nice fit for long term backup of all our P2 data. PC Mall shows the SDLT600 at around 3500.00, I haven't found the 600A and don't know if the designation matters. It's 300GB (600 compressed) per $100 tape and you can access MXF files directly off tape via time code.

Quantum's new SDLT 600A is the first data tape system enhanced for professional video. This revolutionary system combines the well established benefits of data tape archiving with video tape convenience and accessibility.

The SDLT 600A’s feature set makes the drive MXF-aware which permits video tape-like access to subclips by timecode and provides an unprecedented level of interoperability between applications and environments.

...

Because it uses Super DLTtape II™, the SDLT 600A delivers a 30 year tape archive life to protect professional video, audio and data assets better than any video tape backup. Each cartridge holds 300GB of information and allows faster-than-real-time transfer rates of up to 288 Mb/sec. And, because each Super DLTtape II contains key MXF metadata in a tape-based file directory, your media is transportable and exchangeable for seamless application independence.

...

Unmatched Performance and Capacity – At a native 36 MB/s, data transfer is many times faster than real time, even in HD. At a native capacity of 300 GB per tape, a single tape can accommodate more than six hours of 100 Mb/s HD content

It looks like I might be buying a deck for the HVX after all, of sorts. The nice thing is that the investment will serve my facility as a whole allowing for high quality data backup of all of the rest of our data as well the video content.

If anyone else out there has access to one of these, I'd love to know how it works.

-filmstox

 

[alpi69]

pricey.
Is anyone considering a low-cost alternative like me? A DDS-4 drive (20-40GB per $ 5 - tape)? I could charge every customer 50 bucks for backup and then have budget for up to 6 tapes for that ($ 20 for the overnight job of backing up).

3500 for the drive lone is too much.

 

[mochouinard]

Even thought I HATE TAPE... It is very interesting... File system based Tape backup with MXF support.

Too bad I dont like tape :|

I ratter just plug a HD into my hotswap bay and voila, direct access to everything. No wait.

Im not going to use P2 and use tape

 

[SoundMaster]

Before you invest in the hardware look at the history of tape drives and how soon the HARDWARE went obsolete. NO DRIVE MEANS NO PLAYBACK OF ARCHIVED MATERIALS and they typically DON'T last as long as the tapes. I can show you huge libraries of open reel audio tape that CAN'T be used until it has gone thru a special oven for drying! Got some 8 track tapes?? Where did that 8 track tape deck go?!?