Freecom FC TapeWare AIT-260i User manual

2
This document contains proprietary
information which is protected by
copyright.
All rights reserved. No part of this
document may be photocopied,
reproduced or translated to another
language without prior written consent
of Sony.
The information contained in this
document is subject to change without
notice.
SONY MAKES NO WARRANTY
OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO
THIS DOCUMENT.
Sony shall not be liable for errors
contained herein, indirect, special,
incidental or consequential damages in
connection with the furnishing,
performance or use of this document.
Your AIT TAPE DRIVE is assigned a
Model No. ATDNA2A for regulatory
compliance certifications.
The number is indicated on the model
number label on your drive along with
the rated voltage and current.
VORSICHT
Diese Ausrüstung erfüllt die
Europäischen EMC-Bestimmungen für
die Verwendung in folgender /
folgenden Umgebung(en):
•Wohngegenden
•Gewerbegebiete
•Leichtindustriegebiete
(Diese Ausrüstung erfüllt die
Bestimmungen der Norm EN55022,
Klasse B.)

3
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
For your protection, please read these
safety instructions completely before
operating the appliance, and keep this
manual for future reference.
Carefully observe all warnings,
precautions and instructions on the
appliance, or the one described in the
operating instructions and adhere to
them.
USE
Power Sources – This unit should be
operated only from the type of power
source indicated on the marking label.
If you are not sure of the type of
electrical power, consult your dealer or
local power company.
For the unit with a three-wire
grounding type ac plug:
If you are unable to insert the plug into
the outlet, contact your electrician to
have a suitable plug installed. Do not
defeat the safety purpose of the
grounding plug.
AC Power cord: (for AC mains
operating unit only)
The AC power cord should have
appropriate safety approvals or
marking for the country in which the
equipment will be used. Consult your
dealer or local power company.
Cleaning – Unplug the unit from the
wall outlet before cleaning or
polishing it. Do not use liquid
cleaners or aerosol cleaners.
Use a cloth lightly dampened with
water for cleaning the exterior of the
unit.
Object and Liquid Entry – Never
push objects of any kind into the unit
through openings as they may touch
dangerous voltage points or short out
parts that could result in a fire or
electric shock. Never spill liquid of
any kind on the unit.

4
INSTALLATION
Water and Moisture – Do not use
power-line operated units near water -
for example, near a bathtub,
washbowl, kitchen sink, or laundry
tub, in a wet basement, or near a
swimming pool, etc.
Power-Cord Protection – Route the
power cord so that it is not likely to be
walked on or pinched by items placed
upon or against them, paying
particular attention to the plugs,
receptacles, and the point where the
cord exits from the appliance.
Accessories – Do not place the unit on
an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket,
or table. The unit may fall, causing
serious injury to a child or an adult,
and serious damage to the unit. Use
only a cart stand tripod, bracket, or
table recommended by the
manufacturer.
Ventilation – The slots and openings
in the cabinet are provided for
necessary ventilation. To ensure
reliable operation of the unit, and to
protect it from overheating, these slots
and openings must never be blocked or
covered.
•Never cover the slots and openings
with a cloth or other materials.
•Never block the slots and openings
by placing the unit on a bed, sofa,
rug or other similar surface.
•Never place the unit in a confined
space, such as a bookcase, or built-
in cabinet, unless proper ventilation
is provided.
SERVICE
Damage Requiring Service – Unplug
the unit from the wall outlet and refer
servicing to qualified service
personnel under the following
conditions:
•When the power cord or plug is
damaged or frayed.
•If liquid has been spilled or objects
have fallen into the unit.
•If the unit has been exposed to rain
or water.
• If the unit has been subject to
excessive shock by being dropped,
or the cabinet has been damaged.
•If the unit does not operate normally
when following the operating
instructions. Adjust only those
controls that are specified in the
operating instructions. Improper
adjustment of other controls may
result in damage and will often
require extensive work by a
qualified technician to restore the
unit to normal operation.
•When the unit exhibits a distinct
change in performance - this
indicates a need for service.
Servicing – Do not attempt to service
the unit yourself as opening or
removing covers may expose you to
dangerous voltage or other hazards.
Refer to all servicing to qualified
service personnel.

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Contents
SDX-460V/SDX-260V Tape Drive ......................................................................... 6
Introduction .............................................................................................................. 7
Product Features ............................................................................................... 7
Precautions ....................................................................................................... 8
Installation ................................................................................................................ 9
Jumper Setting.................................................................................................. 9
Option Switches (DIP Switch) ....................................................................... 10
Mounting Holes.............................................................................................. 12
Reconfiguring from 5.25" Model to 3.5" Model............................................ 14
Orientation...................................................................................................... 15
Attaching and Removing the Dust Cover ............................................................... 16
Attaching the Dust Cover ............................................................................... 16
Removing the Dust Cover .............................................................................. 18
Operation ................................................................................................................ 19
Location of 3 LEDs ........................................................................................ 19
Drive Operation.............................................................................................. 20
Interface Implementation........................................................................................ 22
Supported ATA Commands ........................................................................... 22
Supported ATAPI Packet Commands............................................................ 22
Specification ........................................................................................................... 23
Product Specifications.................................................................................... 23
Sony Contacts ......................................................................................................... 25

6
SDX-460V/SDX-260V Tape Drive
The Sony SDX-460V/SDX-260V drive is a high capacity data storage
device using Advanced Intelligent tape (AIT) technology. The SDX-460V/
SDX-260V drive achieves high data reliability through Read-After-Write,
an additional level of Error Correction Code, and other features.
The Sony SDX-460V/SDX-260V drive stores data on tape using a standard
format called AIT (Advanced Intelligent Tape) and ALDC formats.

7
Introduction
Product Features
*Assuming a 2.6 : 1 compression ratio.
(The compression ratio varies according to the type of data.)
•Supported Format : AIT-E Turbo, AIT-1 Turbo and AIT-1 (SDX-460V)
: AIT-E Turbo (SDX-260V)
•Burst Transfer Rate 100 MB/s Ultra DMA (mode 5)
•Large 12 MB Buffer Memory
•3.5” Standard Height, 5.25” Half Height
•ATA/ATAPI-6 Interface
•Frame Rewrite Function
•Three levels of Error Correction Code (ECC)
•High Speed search (120 times normal Read/Write speed)
•Random Read, Append Write
Data Capacity
Transfer Rate
(sustained)
SDX-460V SDX-260V
40 GB uncompressed 20 GB uncompressed
(with AIT-1 Turbo 186 m tape) (with AIT-E Turbo 98 m tape)
104 GB compressed*52 GB compressed*
(with AIT-1 Turbo 186 m tape) (with AIT-E Turbo 98 m tape)
6 MB/s uncompressed 6 MB/s uncompressed

8
Precautions
Installation
Avoid placing the drive in a location subject to:
–high humidity
–high temperature
– mechanical shock and vibration
–direct sunlight
Operation
• Do not move the drive while it is operating. It may cause malfunction.
•Avoid exposing the drive to sudden changes from a low to high in
temperature. This may cause water condensation to collect inside the
drive. If the ambient temperature should suddenly rise while the drive is
turned on , wait at least one hour before turning on the drive. If you
attempt to operate the drive immediately after a sudden increase in
temperature, a malfunction may occur.
• Turning off the power to the drive while it is writing to tape may cause
the tape to become unreadable. All previously negotiated parameters will
be lost, whenever power to the drive is cycled.
Transportation
•Keep the original packing materials to facilitate transportation of the
drive.
•Always remove the tape before moving the drive. After removing the
drive from the computer, repack the drive into its original packing.

9
Installation
Jumper Setting
Master
Slave
Cable Select
No Connection
Jumpers Drive Setting
Master
Slave
Cable Select
IDE Interface Connector
Power Connector
4 3 2 1
5V GND GND 12V

10
Option Switches (DIP Switch)
DIP Switch Positions
Default
ON
OFF
12345678
DIP Switch
1Drive Mode (OFF)
2Drive Mode (OFF)
3Drive Mode (OFF)
4Drive Mode (OFF)
5Reserved (OFF)
6Periodic Cleaning Req (ON)
7DC Control (1) (ON)
8DC Control (2) (OFF)

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Cleaning Request Mode
Periodic cleaning requests can be enabled by a DIP switch.
ON
OFF
12345678
When switch 6 is ON, cleaning requests are enabled. When enabled, the
“CLEANING REQUEST” LED on the front panel lights after every 100
hours of operation.
When this LED lights, clean the drive with a head cleaning cartridge.
Note
To maintain the drive in optimum condition in environments affected by dust and other
contaminants, we recommend keeping cleaning requests enabled.
Data Compression Control DIP switch
Data compression can be selected by DIP switches. Data compression is
enabled while position 7 [DC Control (1)] is ON. Control by host can be
disabled when position 8 [DC Control (2)] is ON.
1Drive Mode
2Drive Mode
3Drive Mode
4Drive Mode
5Terminator Power
6Periodic Cleaning Req (ON)
7DC Control (1)
8DC Control (2)

12
Mounting Holes
For 3.5" Standard Height
155.0 0.5mm [6.10" 0.02"]
90.0 0.3mm [3.54" 0.01"]
60.0 0.3mm [2.36" 0.01"]
70.0 0.3mm [2.76" 0.01"]
31.0 0.3mm [1.22" 0.01"]
21.0 0.3mm [0.83" 0.01"]
41.2 0.5mm
[1.62" 0.02"]
4.8 0.5mm
[0.19" 0.02"]
6-M3 (depth 2.5mm [0.10"] max.)
6-M3 (depth 2.5mm [0.10"] max.)
42.0 0.3mm [1.65" 0.01"]
94.0 0.5mm [3.70" 0.02"]
101.6 0.5mm [4.00" 0.02"]
+
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9.8 0.6 mm [0.39" 0.02"]
+
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7.4 0.6mm [0.29" 0.02"]
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7.6±0.5 mm (0.30±0.02 in)
95.5 mm (3.76 in)

13
For 5.25" Half Height
79.2 0.3mm [3.12" 0.01"]
79.2 0.3mm [3.12" 0.01"]
47.5 0.3mm [1.87" 0.01"]
7.0mm [0.28"]
79.2 0.3mm [3.12" 0.01"]
47.5 0.3mm [1.87" 0.01"]
94.0 0.5mm [3.70" 0.02"]
21.8 0.5mm
[0.86" 0.02"]
41.2 0.5mm
[1.62" 0.02"]
9.9 0.5mm
[0.39" 0.02"]
139.6 0.5mm [5.50" 0.02"]
146.0 0.5mm [5.75" 0.02"]
149.0 0.5mm [5.87" 0.02"]
155.0 0.5mm [6.10" 0.02"]
70.0 0.3mm [2.76" 0.01"]
42.0 0.3mm [1.65" 0.01"]
4-M3
6-M3
+
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31.0 0.3mm [1.22" 0.01"]
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9.8 0.6 mm [0.39" 0.02"]
+
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7.4 0.6mm [0.29" 0.02"]
+
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(5.75±0.02 in)
146±0.5 mm
(0.3±0.02 in)
7.6±0.5 mm
(3.76 in)
95.5 mm

14
Reconfiguring from 5.25" Model to 3.5" Model
You can reconfigure the 5.25" model to the 3.5" model yourself.
1Remove the 2 screws for each side rail.
2Take the side rail off.
Side Rail (L)
Side Rail (R)

15
Orientation
10°10° 10°10°
10°
10°
10° 10°

16
Attaching and Removing the Dust
Cover
Attaching the Dust Cover
1Align the dust cover’s hinge clips (one on each side) with the
pins of the drive bezel.
•The dust cover should be positioned so that the magnets*on the
cover’s back face the drive bezel.
*This magnet does not affect the tape of the cartridge.
•Holding the dust cover at an angle as shown in the figure below, set
the hinge clips on top of the bezel pins, positioning them so that
they bracket the pins.

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2Press down at an angle on each side in turn until you hear
the hinge clips click into place.
Caution
Do not press the dust cover in horizontally from the front. Doing so
could cause the dust cover to break.
3Close the dust cover.
This completes attachment of the dust cover.

18
Removing the Dust Cover
1Open the dust cover.
2Holding the dust cover at both corners, carefully raise the
dust cover.
The dust cover hinge clips and drive bezel pins uncouple.
Note
We recommend that you use the drive with the dust cover.

19
Operation
Location of 3 LEDs
There are three LED indications (TAPE MOTION LED, CLEANING
REQUEST LED, REPLACE TAPE LED) and an EJECT button on the
front panel of the unit.
Front Panel (for 3.5" Standard Height)
TAPE
MOTION
CLEANING
REQUEST
REPLACE
TAPE
Advanced
Intelligent
Tap e
LED EJECT button
LED Indication for Drive Status
The LED indicators are defined as follows.
LED
TAPE CLEANING REPLACE Sense
MOTION REQUEST TAPE
Independent Independent Tape Loaded
Independent Independent Tape Access in Progress (write/read)
Independent Independent Tape Access in Progress (others)
Independent Independent Cleaning is requested
Independent Independent Cleaning is Not Completed
Independent Independent Media Error Occurred
H/W Error Occurred
on
Slow
1 pulse (0.9 sec on/0.3 sec off)
Fast
1 pulse (0.3 sec on/0.3 sec off)

20
Drive Operation
Loading a Cartridge
Note
While setting the data cartridge, do not turn off the host computer. This
may cause a malfunction or damage data.
1Turn on the host computer. Check that the drive’s TAPE
MOTION LED, CLEANING REQUEST LED and REPLACE
TAPE LED go off.
2Open the dust cover.
3Set the AIT data cartridge orientation as shown here and
insert it into the data cartridge slot.
By inserting the data cartridge to the extent, it is automatically set in
the drive and the TAPE MOTION LED lights.
Unloading a Cartridge
The cartridge can be removed from the SDX-460V and SDX-260V either in
response to a ATAPI Unload Command, or by pressing the EJECT bottom.
By pressing EJECT button, the tape is rewound and the cartridge ejected
from the slot.