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That depends on how that tape was formatted. There are plenty [1] of articles [2] out there [3] on the use of digital video tape as a backup medium, if your tap

That depends on how that tape was formatted. There are plenty [1] of articles [2] out there [3] on the use of digital video tape as a backup medium, if your tape happens to have been created through one of these processes you should be able to read it in a similar fashion. Instead of dvgrab these seem to use dvconnect, time to start experimenting I'd say. [1] https://www.linux.com/news/using-camcorder-tapes-back-files/ https://www.linux.com/news/using-camcorder-tapes-back-files/ [2] https://www.networkworld.com/article/2302563/using-a-camcorder-for-data-backup.html https://www.networkworld.com/article/2302563/using-a-camcord... [3] https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-software-2/using-a-mini-dv-camcorder-in-linux-to-backup-onto-tape-4175571667/ https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-software-2/us...

ggm 5y ago
It was written either on a DEC Ultrix or SunOS system in the late 1990s probably by dd of tar blocks
- betamaxthetape 5y ago
  A quick online search leads me to Data8 [1], which I admit I've never heard of. Do you think that could be the format you're thinking of? I know that SCSI drives were made for DDS [2], which (at least, initially) used the same tapes as the DAT audio format. But those used 4mm tapes, so probably aren't what you have. Alternatively, it could have been a custom built system that recorded data onto video 8mm tapes. That will probably be a bit harder to get the data off unless you know the details of the setup used. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data8 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data8 [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Data_Storage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Data_Storage
- the_third_wave 5y ago
  It was quite likely written on an Exabyte device [1], you may be able to find out which by looking at the type of tape used - MP tape was used on standard Exabyte drives, ME (shiny, evaporated metal) tape on 'Mammoth' drives. It could also be AIT [1], a Sony-proprietary format which competed with Exabyte. [1] https://web.archive.org/web/20070226174943/http://www.exabyte.com/support/online/documentation/whitepapers/history.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20070226174943/http://www.exabyt... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Intelligent_Tape https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Intelligent_Tape
  - ggm 5y ago
    Yes. it's an Exabyte.

ggm 5y ago

It was written either on a DEC Ultrix or SunOS system in the late 1990s probably by dd of tar blocks

betamaxthetape 5y ago
A quick online search leads me to Data8 [1], which I admit I've never heard of. Do you think that could be the format you're thinking of? I know that SCSI drives were made for DDS [2], which (at least, initially) used the same tapes as the DAT audio format. But those used 4mm tapes, so probably aren't what you have. Alternatively, it could have been a custom built system that recorded data onto video 8mm tapes. That will probably be a bit harder to get the data off unless you know the details of the setup used. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data8 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data8 [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Data_Storage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Data_Storage
the_third_wave 5y ago
It was quite likely written on an Exabyte device [1], you may be able to find out which by looking at the type of tape used - MP tape was used on standard Exabyte drives, ME (shiny, evaporated metal) tape on 'Mammoth' drives. It could also be AIT [1], a Sony-proprietary format which competed with Exabyte. [1] https://web.archive.org/web/20070226174943/http://www.exabyte.com/support/online/documentation/whitepapers/history.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20070226174943/http://www.exabyt... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Intelligent_Tape https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Intelligent_Tape
- ggm 5y ago
  Yes. it's an Exabyte.