8500 compressed format tapes are written using the mta8500c alias. DLT-7000 drives will be installed as appropriate to support such instruments, but will not be installed mountain wide at this time. The ability to read such tapes will be maintained downtown. KPNO will stock DLTtape IV tapes that may be purchased by observers. The DVD-R format remains a future possibility.
Observers remain ultimately responsible for the safety of their data.