Erase DLT Tape ? - A brief guide to buying a DLT eraser / degausser

DLT or Digital Linear Tape used to be known as CompacTape and is a magnetic tape storage media developed by Dec in the mid 1980's. There is a version with a higher storage capacity called Super DLT (SDLT).
Current manufacturers of cartridges for the DLT/SDLT market are Fujifilm, Hitachi/Maxell and Imation.
A new naming convention took effect in 2005, called DLT-S (Super DLT) and DLT-V.

Can I Erase DLT and SDLT tape?

Yes, and erased DLT can be re-used.
When upgrading a DLT drive with the later DLT1 drive should be aware that their existing DLTtape IV may not be usable in the DLT1 drives without degaussing (erasing) them first. Tape that has been recorded in DLT7000 or DLT8000 format will be automatically rejected.

How do I erase DLT tape and Super DLT?

In addition to erasing DLT tapes so that it can be used in the DLT1 drives, erasing DLT tapes has a number of other benefits.
Erasing DLT and other magnetic tape can extend its life thus providing cost savings. Many operators claim erasing tapes in this way can extend the life of them by up to four times.
The reduction in “down time” of computers & data processing apparatus arising from faulty or imperfect tape media is an expense which can be eliminated by erasing media with a degausser.
And finally, the quality in the performance of degaussed (erased) tape media is reported to be of high value to users and improves efficiency.

V92 Digitape Eraser , can erase the following media: Broadcast & Video: DVC Pro, Hi 8 Data: Diskettes, QIC-DC 600, 2000, TK50, 70, 85, all DLT, 3480/3490E/3590E,4mm/8mm/Exabyte/Travan , LTO 1, 2 & 3
V91 HD/DLT Eraser , can erase the following media: 3.5" & 5.24" PC hard drives; Super DLT I, II & III; DLT IV - VSL; 0." computer tape; Diskettes (single/boxed); DC 600, 2000; TK50, 70, 85: 3480/3490E/3590/3590E; 4mm; 800; Exabyte, Travan, DLT; DAT; ZIP Disk; Ultrium LTO 1, 2, 3 & 4; S-DLT; 9840; 9940. This degausser can also be used erase a hard drive.
V870 Bulk DLT Eraser , a low volume, desk top, conveyor operated degausser and is suitable for Audio, DAT, DLT, VHS and S-VHS, 4&8mm, video cassettes and computer cartridges: DC, TK 50/70, 3489/3490, 4&8mm.
V100 Bulk DLT Eraser, an automatic degausser conveyor system for high volume users, suitable for DLT IV-VSL, Super DLT I, II & III, Ultrium LTO 1, 2 & 3;Floppy discs: 10 packs, Cassettes: including Beta SP, MII, D2 S & M, R-Dat, 8mm VHS, VHS U-Matic, Betacam, 3480,3590; DC600, 1000, Audio Tapes, Beta SP, Digital Beta, VHS Digital, DVC Pro, Digital S; .
SDD Master, for those that require a confirmed secure method to erase the following media: 2.5" & 3.5" hard drives [up to a physical max. of 4"x 1"x5.8" (WxHxD). Longitudinal & Perpendicular. DLT; S-DLT; LTO1, 2, 3 & 4; 3480/3490/34901e, 3590, 9840 & T9940 tape; Ultrium & Redwood SD-3 tape & cartridges; Mammoth 1 & 2, 8mm, AIT1 & 2, M2 tape; DDS 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, DD-2 & DFT-1 & 2
SV90 CESG Approved Eraser, approved by the UK Government and meets the specified requirements of CESG Degausser Standard for the secure erasure and destruction of information stored on magnetic media up to the restricted and below level. Also meets German security approval DIN33858. Suitable for the secure erasure of: Super DLT I, II & III; Ultrium LTO 1, 2 & 3; DLT IV - VSL; Reels:- ½" & 1" NAB (16"max), Adapters required for ¼" NAB, ½" IBM & ¼" DIN, for 2" tapes only special SV90/2 is required: Cassettes:- carriages available for Beta SP, digital Betacam, Mll, VHS, R-DAT 8mm, U-matic, Betacam 3480, 3590; TK50, 75, 85; DC600, DC1000;
Mag EraSURE™ , listed on the NSA and DoD eraser list and can erase the following media: Hard Disk Drives (3.5, 2.5 & 1.8 inch up to 1 inch in height) Tape: DLT, LTO, 3480, QIC removable Magnetic Disk: 3.5 inch floppy disk, Zip, Jaz, Rev, Orb disk

Please contact us if you have any questions or need advice on choosing the right tape eraser

To learn more about Verity Systems' range of Erasers and Degaussers:

	why degauss? | Which Media? | FAQs | glossary of terms | degausser chart | health and safety
	Manual Degaussers - ideal for small to medium degaussing requirements
	Hard Drive Erasers - HDD hard disk drive degaussers
	Automated Degaussers - continuous degaussers or non-continuous degaussers, constant run
	Security Degaussers - security approved degaussers