Photographs of computer tapes; tape specifications
media and data conversion services by Disc Interchange


9-track tape

Half inch tape wound on open reels.
Common sizes: 600',  1200',  2400'.
Also available: 100', 300', 3600'
Photo: 2400' reel (Photo is half the scale of photos of other media.)
 
All 9-track media is the same regardless of reel size, except the 3600' reels, which use a thinner media and the same reel diameter as the standard 2400' tapes. 
9-track tapes can be recorded in four densities: 800, 1600, 3200, 6250 BPI (Bits Per Inch).
800 BPI is a very old format seldom seen now.
3200 BPI was a little-used format and the least common.
1600 BPI and 6250 BPI are the most common formats. 
 
Approximate tape capacity with a large block size: 
Length Reel Size 800 BPI 1600 BPI 3200 BPI 6250 BPI
300' 7"   2 MB   5 MB 10 MB 20 MB
600' 7"   5 MB 10 MB 20 MB 40 MB
1200' 8.5" 10 MB 20 MB 40 MB 80 MB
2400' 10.5" 20 MB 40 MB 80 MB 160 MB
3600' 10.5" 30 MB 60 MB 120 MB 220 MB
(Actual capacity is very dependent on block size.)
9-track round reel tape
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