Holotape

A holotape, alternatively called a holodisk, holo-disc, or a THT (Tape Holography Technology) tape, is a durable laser-readable storage device produced by Wattz Electronics, based on the tape holography technology, storing their information safely for extended periods of time. 
==Background==
Developed using tape holography technology as early as 2063,Wastelad and Grognak & the Ruby Ruins released in 2063 holotapes were a high-density, laser-readable, magnetic tapeProject Siphon holotapes storage device (newer models used a manufactured-crystal for storage).Holotape instructionsDoctor 0: "I think Wattz manufactured Or was it holotapes? Never can keep those two straight. Anyway, we're of small energy cells. (Doctor 0's dialogue) These disks and tapes were the very latest in pre-War information storage technology and quickly became the most widespread data storage medium, available in a variety of compatible variants.Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets p.88: "Holodisks and HolotapesThese disks and tapes were the very latest in pre-War information storage technology. They hold a whopping 256K of information—apiece! While it's unlikely that anyone will ever need that much storage space for any sort of data, these durable disks and tapes are often encoded with useful information. Standardized holodisks and holotapes—holos—are still used throughout the Wastes for transferring information. Taking a holo from one person to another is an effective way of delivering a lot of information in a small package. Some holos impart their information to you—just use the holo in your inventory, and then check your Pip-Boy to see if the holo's information was downloaded to your Pip-Boy's memory for your reading pleasure. These tapes aren't usually worth anything—but the information they carry sure can be. From food for thought to food for your belly, the desert is filled with surprises.""{5800}{}{Tape}{5801}{}{A Wattz Electronics Holodisc tape. This particular tape looks to be into very poor condition.}"(PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout))
While early holotape models could store only as much as 256 kilobytes of data, averaging between 128 and 64 kilobytes, the latest models from 2077 could store up to 4 terabytes (4,000 gigabytes) of data.Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p. 5-20: "THT TAPES (Holotapes)""THT Tapes can store an incredible amount of data, some can hold as much as 256k. The standard tape holds 64k, with the middle model holding an average of 128k (barring any bad inches of tape). THT Tapes are based on Tape Holography technology, storing their information safely for extended periods of time. Use the THT Tape to add it’s information to a compatible reader, in your case - the PIPBoy 2000."The Vault Dweller: "{121}{}{I heard something about holo-discs, how can I read them?}"Vree: "{128}{Vree21}{Use your Pip-Boy 2000 to read the discs. Insert the disc into the reader. If you have the proper computer skills, you should be able to scan the data.}"The Vault Dweller: "{1002}{}{Discs}"Vree: "{196}{Vree302}{They are high-density, laser-readable, manufactured-crystal storage devices. Each one holds over 4,000 gigabytes of information.}"(Vree's dialogue) Storage in holotapes were divided into "blocks" and a typical commercial holotape had a capacity of 256 blocks to properly store data.EX-72 Project Data The amount of data in a holotape all depended on the compression of the data.
By 2287, the Institute had holotapes of their own, capable of storing the entirety of libraries, such as the Boston Public Library, onto their storage banks.X6-88: ""(X6-88's dialogue) Holotapes were capable of storing transmissions and software backups, and G.E.C.K.s were advertised as including a holotape with an abridged version of the Library of Congress as standard.Klein: "WHAT ARE YOU DOING BACK? MOBIUS' THREATS PERSIST! WORSE, HE'S FILLING UP OUR TRANSMISSION STORAGE HOLOTAPE TO CAPACITY!"(Klein's dialogue)The Courier: "This chip looks like it was mass-produced. Are there other chips?"Klein: "[SUCCEEDED] ARE THERE OTHER CHIPS?"Doctor 0: "**"Dala: "He's asking, yes. Dr. Klein, there are other personalities. If you recall, you hurled them off the Sink balcony after your argument with Mobius."Klein: "IT IS AN ARGUMENT IF ONE IS CLEARLY RIGHT AND THE OTHER IS CLEARLY WRONG! I REMEMBER NOW. YES, LOBOTOMITE, THERE ARE OTHER CHIPS. IF YOU WANT, FIND THEM. I BELIEVE THEY ARE STORED ON HOLOTAPES IN MANY OF OUR FACILITIES. BUT YOU SHOULD STAY OUT OF THOSE - EXPLORING AND DISCOVERING THINGS. THE SINK CENTRAL "INTELLIGENCE" SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR YOUR... HEH... "(Doctor 0, Dala's, and Klein's dialogue) 
Holotapes had more uses before the war aside from data storage. Specific models were meant to hold entertainment, such as music, movies, and holotape games, with special-purpose players developed for displaying large, high resolution volumetric images or to play holotapes for personal use in a home environment via holotape players.Found in home holotape players in Fallout 4 Holotapes could utilize terminal functionality, adding the ability for use with stationary terminals, together with interactive games.Museum of Technology Vault exhibit: "Bored? Don't be! Step into our Entertainotron Room and watch the latest holotapes or perhaps listen to a symphony. Another Vault-Tec innovation."The Courier: "Where did you learn that?"Arcade Gannon: "Not from the Legion, if that's what you're getting at. Books. Sheet music. Gladiator movie holotapes. Bits and pieces here and there. The Followers have extensive libraries, but we all draw water from the same old well. Even Caesar."(Arcade Gannon's dialogue)PRO SCEN.MSG: "{1500}{}{Holo Generator}""{1501}{}{A large-scale THT entertainment tape player. No new movies have been made in 80 years.}"
A RobCo terminal with a holotape player was added as a part of the time capsule known as the "Treasures of Jamaica Plain," displayed among other remnants of the past in the Jamaica Plain Town Hall basement.Treasures inventory; Central tables
==Characteristics==
Their appearance varies between games. In Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout Tactics, holotapes are interchangeably referred to as holodisks and contained holotape reels in a translucent protective casing, roughly comparable to a VHS tape or computer hard drive. 
In Fallout 3 and New Vegas, they are flat, with a gray metal casing, a vision slit that reveals the tape reels, and square shaped. 
In Fallout 4 and Fallout 76, holotapes were redesigned with an orange and yellow plastic casing that completely conceals the tape reels, with a gray metal circle in the upper left corner. When played outside power armor, the player character will open the PIP-Boy and insert the tape. They can also be played on terminals. In Fallout 76, calling an emergency supply drop actually requires the player to insert the emergency drop holotape.
==Behind the scenes==
Holotapes are based on the real world 1969 RCA SelectaVision HoloTape Player, which involved etching holographic grooves onto a tape for later playback.HoloTape on Cedmagic.com
==Gallery==
TAPE3.gif|Fallout and Fallout 2
Letter.png|Fallout Tactics
Holotape.png|Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas
Holotapefp01.png|Texture file
Fo4 holodisk.png|Fallout 4, Fallout 76
FO4 Holotape.png|Fallout 4, Fallout 76
FO76 Automatron.webp|A game on holotape
FO4 Captain Cosmos holotape.png| Cut holotape game from Fallout 4
FO4 Captain Dunleavys holotape.png|A holotape in the wild
FO76 Blank holotapes.jpg|A whole bunch of holotapes!
FalloutShelter holodisk.png|Fallout Shelter
VDSG Holotapes page 20.png|Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p. 5-20
==References==
Non-game
 
de:Holodisk
es:Holodisco
fr:Holobande
pl:Holodysk
ru:Голодиск
pt:Holodisco
uk:Голодиск
zh:全像磁碟