DAT

DAT

(computer science)

digital audio tape

DAT

(1)

Digital Audio Tape.

DAT

(2)

Dynamic Address Translation.

DAT

(1) (DATa) See DAT file.

(2) (Dynamic Address Translator) A hardware circuit that converts a virtual memory address into a real address.

(3) (Digital Audio Tape) An earlier magnetic tape technology from Sony that was used for audio recording and data backup. Introduced in 1987, DAT used 4mm cartridges that looked like thick audio cassettes. DAT was initially a CD-quality audio format that was expected to replace analog audiotapes for consumers but wound up being used by professional musicians and sound studios. In 1988, Sony and HP defined the Digital Data Storage (DDS) format for DAT as a computer storage medium. Like videotapes, DAT used helical scan recording. In 2005, Sony ceased production of DAT drives. See magnetic tape and ADAT.

Type    Native Capacity
  DDS-1    2GB
  DDS-2    4GB
  DDS-3   12GB
  DDS-4   20GB
  DDS-5   36GB

DAT Cartridge

DAT provided up to 36GB of native storage in a cartridge that was a little thicker than an audio cassette but smaller overall.

Helical Scan Formats

These are the helical scan tape formats used for digital storage. See helical scan.

Helical Scan Formats

These are the helical scan tape formats used for digital storage. See helical scan.