SATA tape drives?

In article ,
Brian Hughes wrote:

> That's a pretty open area; internal, external, tape size, tape cost,
> transfer rate all come into play. You might try browsing NewEgg.com's
> listings:
> <http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=46&name=Tape-Zi
> p-Drives>
>
> I think you'll find that there aren't a lot of choices for an external
> tape drive. The majority of (affordable) tape drives are using an AIT
> format and SCSI is still the major interface. You have more choices with
> an internal drive but then you need a place to put it.
>
> Quantum has internal SATA DLT-V4 tape drives (160 GB native) for under
> $900
> <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16840113018>
> but you'll need an enclosure and an eSATA card if you want external.
>
> You use Retrospect, right? You might want to check the compatibility
> lists first before deciding. Not all tape drive types may be supported.

All good suggestions. Thanks. While I think about it and get the money
together, I'm using an external disk I already have on hand.

I've been using New Egg as as search location. :-D The issue is that as
far as I can tell, eSATA is the future. SCSI is, as you say, current,
but it's also more expensive and not as forward-looking. That's why I'm
trying to do with something else. If I had my *real* preference, I'd
use Firewire (400 or 800), but I can't expect that, unless I can find an
appropriate enclosure.

The problem is that I already have a full-height SCSI enclosure. I'd
need to go buy a $300 (or was it $400?) SCSI 320 card from ATTO, as they
don't seem to have the 160 cards anymore. Maybe I could find a used one
on eBay or something.

The cost of media is also important. IIRC, DLT and SDLT carts are kinda
pricey. I can get an internal LTO-2 drive for $750 or so
<http://coastalmicrosupply.com/product_info.php?products_id=607>, but
it's SCSI so I'd need an enclosure to deal with converting it to
something better (in my opinion) or give in and use SCSI. BTW, I'm not
a shill for these people. I've used them as a source for media, so they
send me ads. This one made me think, so I'd say it worked. It's not
spam since I had a relationship with them already, as well.

--
While its true that "you can't fix stupid", apparently you
can package it up and sell it. -- fnorgby on TMBO
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