[lug] 8mm video vs. data tapes

[ljp]

At 10:08 4/29/2001 -0600, you wrote:
> >>>>> "Wayde" == J Wayde Allen <wallen at lug.boulder.co.us> writes:
>
>So "data tape" might not be so different from "analog tape" after all.
>[ObConspiracy: I doubt that we'd ever get a straight answer from a
>tape manufacturer, however, since they can make more money by
>splitting the market and charging a premium.]

Being an old timey musician, I can say, for a fact. that there IS a 
difference between the (audio cassette) high bias tape and the standard 
type, in 2 important ways. Width, high bias mylar is thicker, thus less 
prone to stretching & breakage. And density. The high bias mylar has more 
magnetic particles per mm than normal bias, thus can retain more and 
higher/lower frequencies than standard bias. Not only that, high bias tape 
generally uses higher quality rollers, and lube.
I am sure that the same probably holds true for all mylar tapes. Although I 
am not sure about the differences between 8mm tapes. Sometimes 
manufacturers put tape 'specs' on the covering.

ljp