Sony's SDX700 tape drive is a large capacity storage device that uses the high performance AIT technology. Sony SDX700 tape drive represents AIT tape format-3. The SDX-700 series drive stores data with enhanced level of reliability. Its Read-after-write technology decreases the error rate and assures read/write accuracy. When the user inserts the AIT-3 tape cartridge, the Sony SDX-700 tape drive automatically loads the AIT-3 tape media into the drive mechanism. Sony SDX700 AIT3 drive offers new features like advanced three level error correction code (ECC). This advanced feature of AIT-3 tape drive allows stable tracking and boosts the transfer speed.

Sony SDX700 reliably stores and retrieves the data from the AIT backup tape cartridges. It supports AIT-1, AIT-2 & AIT-3 formats. These AIT-3 drives use SCSI interface with 160 megabytes per second transfer rate. These Sony SDX700 tape drives feature 18MB buffer memory. The drive dimensions are 41.2mm X 101.6mm X 155.0mm.

Sony SDX700 AIT-3 tape drive supports the following backup tapes of AIT-3, AIT2 and AIT1 format: HP AIT 1 tape (part number Q1997A), Sony AIT-1 backup tapes (part number SDX1-25C and SDX1-35C), Sony AIT-2 data tapes (part number SDX2-36C, SDX2-50C, SDX2-50W, 10SDX250CBA and SDX2-50WA), HP AIT2 tape cartridge (part number Q1998A), Sony AIT3 tapes (part number SDX3-100C and SDX3-100W), HP AIT 3 backup tape (part number Q1999A).

Every device requires some safety precautions that should be strictly followed so that the device can deliver greater performance over a longer time span. Similarly the Sony SDX-700 drives also require certain precautions that you should consider while storing and extracting your valuable data. We should avoid placing them at places that subject to high humidity, vibration, high temperature, mechanical shock and direct contact with sunlight. Avoid moving the tape drive while it is performing its backup operations, because this may lead to malfunctioning of the data storage tasks. You should avoid switching off the tape drive's power while it is recording data on to the backup cartridge. Because this can lead to damage or loss of data as the recorded information becomes un-readable.

These Sony AIT tape -3 drives come with built-in cleaning function, and therefore you will require lesser cleanings by AIT cleaning cartridges. But it is recommended that you should use the AIT cleaning cartridges for long term durability. For the tape drive's cleaning purpose, Sony and HP has developed some high class cleaning cartridges. The part number of Sony AIT cleaning cartridges is SDX1-CL and that of HP AIT cleaning cartridge is Q1996A.

High speed Sony AIT-3 SDX-700 drive has the capability to record 260 GB data at rate of 12 MB per second at 2.6:1 compression. File access time of SDX-700 tape drive is 27 to 37 seconds and its average media loading time is almost less than 10 seconds. AIT3 data tapes are more advantageous as they offer more flexibility to the users. Now you can make the AIT-3 tape cartridges write-protected, all you have to do is to slide the tab which is on the back of the AIT tape cartridge of the 3 backup format.