Richard L. Hess
Tape Timing Chart
How long is it...

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This Tape Timing Chart is approximate. Most reels will contain a bit more tape than indicated time implies, typically about 6%. The footage is actual.

These timings are for one program. There can be as many as four mono programs on one 1/4-inch tape.

Note that the double and triple play tape is very fragile. We can transfer it, but there is greater risk that it has already been damaged. Note that the 1.5 mil tape is often referred to as “50-micron” and the 1.0 mil tape is often referred to as “35 micron.”


Tape Timing Chart (Nominal minutes)
Reel Tape Footage Speed [in/s (formerly i.p.s.)]
1.875 3.75 7.5 15 30
5-inch 1.5 mil 600 60 30 15 7.5 3.75
1.0 mil 900 90 45 22.5 11 5.5
0.5 mil Double 1200 120 60 30 15 7.5
0.5 mil Triple 1800 180 90 45 22.5 11
7-inch 1.5 mil 1200 120 60 30 15 7.5
1.0 mil 1800 180 90 45 22.5 11
0.5 mil Double 2400 240 120 60 30 15
0.5 mil Triple 3600 360 180 90 45 22.5
10.5-inch 1.5 mil 2500 240 120 60 30 15
1.0 mil 3600 360 180 90 45 22.5
0.5 mil Double 4800 480 240 120 60 30
0.5 mil Triple 7200 720 360 180 90 45


Tape Timing Chart (Actual minutes)
Thanks to Tom Fine
Caution: There is always some requirement for leader tape
and there are always tolerences, so the nominal time table is safer,
although often, when a transfer is undertaken, the following times end up driving the costs.
Remember, all of these times are for one pass of the tape.
There can be anywhere from one to four different programs (passes) on the tape.
Reel Tape Footage Speed [in/s (formerly i.p.s.)]
1.875 3.75 7.5 15 30
Small Reels 150 16 8 4 2 1
300 32 16 8 4 2
5-inch 1.5 mil 600 64 32

16

 8 4
1.0 mil 900 96 48 24 12 6
0.5 mil Double 1200 128 64 32 16 8
0.5 mil Triple 1800 192 96 48 24 12
7-inch 1.5 mil 1200 128 64 32 16 8
1.0 mil 1800 192 96 48 24 12
0.5 mil Double 2400 256 128 64 32 16
0.5 mil Triple 3600 384 192 96 48 24
10.5-inch 1.5 mil 2500 267 133 67 33 17
1.0 mil 3600 384 192 96 48 24
0.5 mil Double 4800 512 256 128 66 32
0.5 mil Triple 7200 768 384 192 96 48
Other Lengths 12.5" reel 1.5 mil 3750 400 200 100 50 25
14" reel 1.5 mil 5000 533 267 133 67 33


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