TAPE COPY AND TRANSCRIPTION

Tape copy is the bit to bit duplication of information in a tape(s) from a media into a similar media or into a dense media, without alerting the content format of the tape(s). This could be well explained as producing an identical copy of the original input tape and reducing the data volume of the input, into a higher output capacity.

While Transcription is the read or copy of encapsulation data content format of media with specification from original media preserved and also the conversion of data from one data format into another data format with file extension altered. Due to decay or malfunction of old media containing data, we at PMSL have searched and discovered various methods and techniques for data recovery, data copy, header dump and data transcription. These was achieved using Diplomat Transcription software by DPTS in UK, this software is a flexible, powerful and fast copying/transcription program with any SCSI interface device and drivers incorporated for drives ranging from 9-Track, 3480, 3490E, 3590B, 3590E, DLT, DAT, Exabyte, LTO and CD-writer.

Diplomat Copy is not format dependant, so no knowledge of the data is required and it could be run in batch mode or interactively, allowing full operator intervention and control over the output devices for maximum recovery of data held on in decaying and striction affected media. Reports are generated on files copied and errors encountered are listed with indicators for parity.

The Diplomat software allows on-screen plots of the data to be produced for real-time QC. Logs of actual data transcribed are automatically compared with run lists produced from existing databases and paper data, and any anomalies are reported for investigation by our experienced QC staff. Diplomat will read and de-encapsulate RODE data and it can also be used to produce RODE encapsulated output data.