Patent ID: 8797682

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a magnetic head, the magnetic head having: a first array of data transducers; a second array of data transducers spaced from the first array; and a third array of data transducers positioned between the first and second arrays, the magnetic head being positionable between a first position and a second position, wherein a longitudinal axis of the third array is oriented at a first angle relative to a line oriented perpendicular to an intended direction of tape travel across the magnetic head when the magnetic head is in the first position, wherein the longitudinal axis of the third array is oriented at a second angle relative to the line oriented perpendicular to the intended direction of tape travel when the magnetic head is in the second position, wherein a pitch of the data transducers of at least two of the arrays presented to the tape is compatible with a first format when the magnetic head is positioned between the first and second positions, wherein the pitch of the data transducers of at least one of the arrays is compatible with a second format when the longitudinal axis of the third array is oriented about perpendicular to the intended direction of tape travel, wherein a data track pitch of the first format is different than the data track pitch of the second format.