Rotating Digital Audio Tape (R-DAT): A Format Overview
Peter Alabi Dare, Ryuichi Katsumi · SMPTE Journal · 1987
The 1/4-in. analog audio tape format, which has survived for 35 years in the audio recording industry, is now being challenged by the rotating digital audio tape (R-DAT) format. This article discusses the proposed format in terms of track dimensions, error detection and correction, its unique automatic track-following signal, the possibility of duplication by magnetic contact printing, and cassette size. The format offers the end user digital quality at analog expense.