2 Aug
2010
2 Aug
'10
11:32 a.m.
No, not the same. C64, like pretty much every other
1980's home
computer, used plain (Type I, ferro) audio cassettes; but I distinctly
remember seeing tape streamer tapes listed in catalogues with the same
mechanical characteristics as audio cassettes, bar for a cutout in the
center of the long, narrower side of the housing. This presumably to
prevent regular audio cassettes from being used in the tape drives.
I'd assume they had at least different magnetic properties, if not
minor mechanical differences, too.
AFAIK apart from that notch, they are mechanically the same -- same
positieond of spools, capstan holes, head access hole, etc. Same design
of spool/hub. Same position of the write-protect hole. I don't think
there were any mirros for optical sensorts in the data cassetes either,
but they may well have detected the clear leader by reflecitons off the
cassette shell, so only light-coloured cassettes would work.
-tony