Re: Archive of tapes - Reel to Reel and Cassette.
"Reel to reel performance with cassette convenience" claimed Sony's advertising when Elcaset was released in the 1970's. The tape is 6.3mm (¼ inch) running at 9.5cm (3¾ inches per second) giving a recording time of 90 minutes. Unlike compact cassette, Elcaset tape is automatically pulled out of the housing by the transport mechanism. Although the recorders had a 70us position to take a chrome bias tape I believe none were made. Tape formulations FeCr and SLH are the same as for their open reel format of the period. These tapes came with a non-working EL-5 recorder and when repaired may eventually detail process in the success stories section.
Performance is quoted with dolby switched off, add 5dB@1kHz and 10dB>5kHz:
FeCr as 20Hz to 22kHz signal to noise 62dB
SLH as 20Hz to 20kHz signal to noise 59dB
#1: A compact cassette on steroids? Elcaset compared with a standard compact cassette.
#2: Unboxed Elcaset Ferro-chrome FeCr (type 2)
#3: End-on views of box (top), tape path (middle) and erase protection tabs (bottom)
#4: Unboxed Elcaset Ferric SLH (type 1)
However good the format was on paper it did not sell and after a few years Sony ceased production.
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