Can Chrome II unit play Metal IV cassettes?

BrianO

You are worrying for nothing. Type IV tapes must be recorded on a machine designed to record them because of the higher recording bias used with metal tapes compared to that used to record Type II tapes. However, once the tapes have been recorded they can be played on either type of machine.

As far as head wear is concerned it is actually the oxide tapes that are more abrasive but Type IV heads are tough enough to play/record oxide tapes as well.

BTW, I feel like I'm in a time warp here. You're asking the same questions tape users were asking in the early 1980's when Type IV tapes were introduced. The answers are still the same too.

electrictroy

A timewarp eh? Well these tapes I'm trying to playback were originally recorded 1990-94, so yeah they're pretty old. The Panasonic Recorder has died, but I still listen to the tapes! :-) Oh so, Type I iron oxide and Type II chromium oxide shouldbe avoided. They are more abrasive than metal. Good to know!

I wonder what kind of tapes my Teaching Company uses? (checks). Hmmm, it appears to be Type II chrome.



I just won an auction for a Nakamichi DR-3 last night. (I spent $31..... hope that wasn't too high.) I was amazed when I read the specs on this thing. Upto 20000 hertz on *standard* Type I tape!!! Wow. My old Panasonic only went upto 17000.

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TV Band/whitespace Devices will block my Baltimore/Philly stations. No more channels 2,3,6,10,11,12,13,17,35,45,57,61,65

BrianO

I did not say that at all. The heads used in Type IV machines (ones that can record on Type IV tapes) are just as hard and resistant to abrasion as those in others. You can record/play all types in a Type IV machine.

The different types come into play in the recording process because the different types require different recording biases to be applied in the recording process to compensate for the different magnetic hysteresis properties of the materials. As far as recording in concerned, Type IV machines can record all types; type II machines can record type I and type II; a type I machine can only record Type I. I know of no manufacturer that did/does not make their equipment backward-compatible in this respect.

Once recorded the tapes can be played in any type machine with one minor caveat. Type I uses different equalization from that used by both Type II and Type IV, so a Type II or better player is recommended (but not required) for playing those types.

OTOH, if it would make you feel more at ease, get rid of your type IV tapes.

Since the original question has been answered a few times already, this is my last post on this topic.

electrictroy

Back in the early 90s I played a Type II in a Type I deck, because I was curious. The sound was "tinny"; not too satisfying. I know. That was my own personal conclusion:
- That less abrasive tapes are better for long-term protection of the head.

That's all.

Oh and thanks!

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TV Band/whitespace Devices will block my Baltimore/Philly stations. No more channels 2,3,6,10,11,12,13,17,35,45,57,61,65