Write-Protecting Cassettes; Internal Function; The Load Sequence; The Unload Sequence - Sony SDX-700C Product Specifications Manual

4.2.5.

Write-Protecting Cassettes

Cassettes can be write-protected by sliding the tab on the back of the cassette open. In this state, data can be read
from the tape but not written to it. When a Write Protected tape is loaded in the drive the Tape and Status LEDs will
be lit. The Busy LED will indicate any activity on the SCSI bus or mechanical motions in the drive itself.
Caution: The Tape Log, which contains a history of usage of the tape, will not be updated when the cassette is
write-protected. It follows that the Tape Log becomes inaccurate if a cassette is used write-protected, and the media
warning cannot be relied on to indicate that the cassette needs to be copied and replaced.
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4.3. Internal Function

4.3.1.

The Load Sequence

Fast Media Load / Unload ( Effective for SDX1-25C, SDX1-35C, SDX2-36C, SDX2-50C and SDX3-100, MIC
cassette )
During load sequence, the following occurs:
(1) The drive mechanism accepts the cassette and threads the tape.
Beginning-of-Tape(BOT) and the Reference area is checked to find the tape format.
(2) The System area is then accessed and the System log is read into the drive.
(3) The drive goes on-line.
In the case of 2 partition tape the drive detects that the tape has been formatted as a two partition tape when the
Reference Area is read. The drive will then automatically position to the beginning of partition 0 before coming on
-line. Partition 0 is the partition that begins the furthest from BOM.

The Unload Sequence

4.3.2.
12.2.1. Fast Media Load / Unload ( Effective for SDX1-25C, SDX1-35C, SDX2-36C, SDX2-50C and SDX3-100,
MIC cassette )
The drive will always write any buffered data out to tape followed by an EOD prior to initiating the Unload sequence.
During this sequence the tape is rewound to BOT and, if the tape is write-enabled, the copy of the tape log held in
RAM is written back to tape. The tape is then rewound to BOM and the tape unthreaded from the mechanism. At
this stage the tape is either retained in the drive or ejected, depending on media removal is enabled by the Prevent
Allow Media Removal command.
In the case of two partition tape the drive detects that the tape has been formatted as a two partition tape when the
Reference Area is read during the load sequence. When the Unload operation begins the drive will then
automatically update the Tape Log for each partition before unloading the tape.
SONY AIT-3 drive SDX-700 series Ver.2.1
( Effective for SDX-T3N, non MIC cassette, only ) Refer to 12.2.1.
( Effective for SDX-T3N, non MIC cassette, only ) Refer to
4.Operation
The tape is then moved to
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