Quantum DLT 2000 Handbook page 74

Access door
Tape
Drive access
Figure 7-2 One-Reel Design of DLTtape Cartridge
the wasted space found in competing technologies and offers the
highest data density on the market.
The one-reel design of the DLTtape cartridge offers two major bene-
fits. First, the DLTtape cartridge has no wasted space. It is packed full
of tape, which means more capacity per cartridge. Second, the tape
path between the supply reel in the cartridge and the takeup reel in
the drive is very stable. Instead of traveling between two loosely-
anchored reels, as found in most dual-reel cassette systems, the
DLTtape media travels between the supply reel in the DLTtape car-
tridge and the firmly anchored internal take-up reel. (See Figure 7-2.)
Another feature very specific to the DLTtape cartridge is the tape
leader. Every DLTtape cartridge includes a specially designed tape
leader at the front end of the tape. The leader on DLTtape III,
DLTtape IIIXT, and DLTtape IV cartridges includes a specially
designed loop. When the cartridge is inserted in the tape drive, a hook
at the end of the take-up leader securely mates with the tape leader
loop and gently pulls it through the HGA to the take-up reel. This
procedure is reversed when the cartridge is removed from the drive.
Leader
QUANTUM DLTtape HANDBOOK
Supply reel
Write
Protect
switch
eliminates
7.3