Automated Tape System for File-based Workflows and Digital Media Archiving Now Provides Up to 6.4 TB of Removable Storage

Quantum Corp. , the leading global specialist in backup, recovery and archive, today announced that its SuperLoader^(TM) 3A autoloader is now available on the LTO (Linear Tape-Open) tape drive platform, beginning with LTO-3. With the addition of this leading midrange tape format, Quantum can now provide broadcasters and video professionals up to 6.4 TB (native) of high-performance, removable, networked storage. The A-Series professional video solutions feature a tape-based file system and network-attached storage that is MXF(1)-aware to provide the ideal data tape solution for today's file-based workflows. Quantum will be demonstrating its A-Series solutions at the International Broadcasters Convention (IBC), RAI Centre, Amsterdam, Stand 10.401, Sept. 7-11.

"We are excited to introduce the SuperLoader 3A on the LTO platform," said Mark Ostlund, director of rich media storage for Quantum. "It joins our multi-award winning A-Series professional video product line, which our customers have embraced as complete, scalable archive solutions that enable file-based workflows while greatly simplifying storage of their rich media assets."

The SuperLoader^(TM) 3A with LTO-3 incorporates Quantum's revolutionary A-Series technology which was designed specifically as a storage solution for professional video environments with file-based workflows. Building upon proven IT standard tape technology, the SuperLoader 3A accommodates one or two magazines, each holding eight data cartridges, in a 2U rackmountable enclosure. Individual tapes can be loaded or removed from the front "mail" slot, and the magazines can be removed for bulk loading, unloading or shelf-storage.

Featuring a Gigabit Ethernet interface and built-in FTP server, the SuperLoader 3A is a network-attached tape storage solution, which permits direct access to every workstation and server on a computer network. Being MXF-aware enables videotape-like access to content by timecode for sub-clip creation, fast access to metadata stored on the tape and an unprecedented level of interoperability between applications and environments.

LTO-3 Performance Advantage

Quantum's LTO-3 A-Series tape drives provide a higher-capacity archiving solution than traditional videotape-based storage. At its maximum data transfer rate of 68 MB/s (native), the LTO-3 A-Series drive is designed to transfer DVCPRO content recorded at 25 MB/s, 20 times faster than real-time speeds, while 100 MB/s DVCPRO High Definition content can be transferred five times faster than real-time speeds.

The 400 GB (native) capacity of an LTO-3 data tape equates to more than 30 hours of 25 MB/s High Definition (HD) content. Each tape carries its own file system directory, allowing direct drag and drop access by applications and operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Mac OSX. In addition, each tape

is designed to have a robust 30-year archival life that ensures the longevity of critical video content while allowing tapes to be easily moved between SuperLoaders, stand-alone A-Series tape drives and even video facilities.

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