Talk:Cassette tape

message: I am moving the following uncited material here until it can be properly supported with inline citations of reliable, secondary sources, per WP:V, WP:NOR, WP:CS, WP:NOR, WP:IRS, WP:PSTS, et al. This diff shows where it was in the article. Nightscream (talk) 16:07, 3 September 2022 (UTC)
thread_title: Uncited material in need of citations

message: Hello,
Over the next few weeks I plan to restructure some of the sections in this article. Particularly in the "Cassette types" section, I would like to add some subheadings to differentiate between each type to allow for better user readability. Feel free to leave any suggestions or questions here. ZacZig (talk) 18:13, 20 February 2024 (UTC)
thread_title:  Adding more headings for readability 

message: In the flaws section, a longevity of up to 30 years is cited, based on old research. Recent data suggests it to be closer to 100 years: https://www.clir.org/2022/08/study-reveals-new-findings-on-longevity-of-legacy-magnetic-audio-tape/ Mind Booster Noori (talk) 03:27, 1 March 2024 (UTC)
replies: text: As the study notes, its conclusions about open real audio tape may not be applicable to other later formats like Cassette tape and certainly not to later non-iron oxide formulations.  Tom94022 (talk) 07:37, 1 March 2024 (UTC)
thread_title:  Longevity 

message: This article should take care to explain how casette players / recorders keep constant linear tape speed? Since the diameter of providing (unpowered) and receiving (powered) spools change constantly and their diameters are unknown, due to existence of 15 to 120 and even 180 minute casettes, the process seems far from trivial.
Logically, the middle line of the tape which separates left and right sides, should be free of metal oxide and be just transparent plastic carrier, onto which a stroboscopic pattern would be printed at factory - allowing decks to control linear speed exactly via optical sensor. However that's not the case, probably due to cost reasons, so what's the solution? 94.21.229.15 (talk) 14:56, 7 April 2024 (UTC)
replies: text: What makes you think cassette tape recorders bothered to keep constant linear speed? The ultra compact pocket dictation machines just dragged the tape through willy-nilly, relying on playback on a similar machine to keep the voice recording intelligible. But you are right, we should describe somewhere how a capstan drive works - the pinch roller system drags tape off the reel at a constant speed, and the drive and takeup spools just provide enough tension to take up the slack...must find a good simple description because I don't understand it well enough to write an article section on it. --Wtshymanski (talk) 05:41, 8 April 2024 (UTC)
replies: text: Hurray! Someone has already written tape transport which explains all this in detail. See-also reference in a minute or two. --Wtshymanski (talk) 05:44, 8 April 2024 (UTC)

text: Constant linear speed is not specific to Compact Cassette transports, but to all tape recorders. It is true that the lowest-end reel-to-reel machines did without it, but anything better had to have linear speed. Enter the capstan and pressure roller combo, as early as the first Magnetophones. Retired electrician (talk) 06:34, 12 April 2024 (UTC)
thread_title:  Speed, wow, fluter but the basics are missing.