Both Comparex Informationssysteme GmbH and Hitachi Data Systems have announced 36-track capability on their 6390 and 7490 cartridge tape subsystems, sourced from Hitachi Ltd: the bi-directional recording technique doubles the amount of data that can be stored on a cartridge, and the use of Improved Data Recording Capability increases capacity to 1.2Gb; also, the IBM-Lexmark Enhanced Capacity Cartridge with double tape length further increases capacity to 2.4Gb; the new E models read 18-track tapes and a single controller handles both types of drives; they ship in September 1992 and Escon adaptors will be fitted at a later date.
