Quarter-Inch Cartridge
Tape Data Recovery - Quarter-Inch Cartridge
Quarter inch cartridge (QIC) tape is a magnetic tape data storage format introduced by 3M Company in 1972. Originally, the tape was ¼ -inch (6.35 mm) wide and had a length anywhere between 300 feet and 1,500 feet. Data is written to the tape in linear tracks, in a specific mode called ‘serpentine’ mode, where the tracks alternate direction by use of a head switch or step.
QIC tape is enclosed in a rugged package of aluminum and plastic that holds two tape reels.
QIC has been widely used, and many variations are still in use – thanks to the efforts of the QIC trade association that encouraged hardware and software developers to use QIC drives and media. The association also publishes QIC standards, including the interfaces and logical formats.
QIC Formats
The first format used in QIC tape was 5.875 in x 3.875 in (150 x 99mm) Data Cartridge (DC) format. The first product based on this format, the DC300, had 300 feet of tape and held 200 kilobytes. Various QIC DC recording formats emerged with focus on higher capacity. Some of the later QIC DC drives used the SCSI interface.
Following DC, the smaller Minicartridge (MC) form factor, with size 2.375 in x 3.125 in (61 x 80mm) was introduced. This was small enough to fit in a 3.5 in drive bay.
Another important format, Travan (TR) was introduced for personal computer use. TR is evolved from MC, and used a longer and wider (8 mm) tape to yield much higher capacities.
The main difference between QIC cartridge and other types was that it contains an endless drive belt which is moved at a uniform speed by a motorized capstan.
