Based on the data within the above tables (and at the
URL),
there seems no doubt that DEC practised their usual
antics back in the 1980s when they practised their standard
marketing policy of adding "nothing". From my experience
with CompacTape and CompacTape II, I can definitely
say that these two tapes ARE VERY DIFFERENT:
The CompacTape is usually labelled with a BROWN
designation and the CompacTape II is usually BLUE!!
Does anyone remember if there was also a price difference
between CompacTape and CompacTape II?????????
Yes. The CompacTape II (TK70) tape was certified for use in the TK70
drive. I suspect that the TK70 drive used more tracks than the TK50,
but I haven't dug up specifications to be sure.
Before you jump all over DEC for doing this, remember that it was (and is)
standard practice in the entire disk and tape media industry to offer
the same media at different certification levels for different prices.