TSV05

[maxfli]

Is TSV05 the name of the tape media? What is the name of the actual drive and controller?

I’ve done some google searching but haven’t come up with much.

Thanks,
Maxfli

 

[Bitly]

The TSV05 includes the drive and controller. I believe the tape format is standard 9-track tape, but I could be mistaken.

TSV05 Users Guide

CW

 

[gslick]

As mentioned in the previous reply, the TSV05 Tape Transport Subsystem consists of the M7196 LSI-11 interface/controller module, and the TS05 tape transport. The tape is standard 9-track PE 1600BPI format.

From a software point of view the TSV05 controller should be compatible with TS11/TS04 controllers.

I'm not sure if the interface between the TSV05 controller and the TS05 tape transport is basically a standard formatted Pertec interface.

3.2 TSV05 OPERATIONS
The TSV05 is compatible with TS11/TS04 software in all operating
system level functions. Generally, any utility that supports a
magtape subsystem (device code MS) supports the TSV05. For
detailed procedures and examples, refer to the utilities manual
for your operating system.

Operation of the TSV05 may differ slightly from that of the
TS11/TS04 at the level of user-written application programs. Refer
to Section 3.3. for detailed descriptions of program-accessible
TSV05 functions.

3.3 PROGRAMMING
The TSV05 follows the same programming protocol as the TS11/TS04
subsystem. The nature of the TS05 transport dictates that some
status bits will be redefined. In addition, the TSV05 has special
features not available in the TS11/TS04 subsystem.

http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/qbus/EK-TSV05-IN-001_TSV05_Installation_Guide_Sep82.pdf

 

[cchhrriiss11]

I'm actually looking for an M7196 if anyone has an extra? I've got a TS05 tape drive, but no controller (or cable).

-Chris

 

[gslick]

I'm actually looking for an M7196 if anyone has an extra? I've got a TS05 tape drive, but no controller (or cable).

-Chris

I've seen some suggestions that a TS05 tape drive is actually a rebadged Cipher F880 (with some slightly-different firmware) with a Pertec formatted interface.

For example, there are some references to that here:
https://sjmulder.nl/dl/tuhs/Documentation/TUHS/Mail_list/1998-December.txt

Here is a reasonably priced board labeled as a TSV05 M7530-PA, which appears to be an Emulex QT14, although it might have some tweaked firmware:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/323764412680

That board might be difficult to use unless you had an S-handle compatible chassis to put it in, and the cables it uses are unusual. (I actually happen to have a set of cables that would go from an S-handle QT14 to a normal 50-pin ribbon cable breakout board).

Maybe you could try finding an Emulex QT13 Pertec interface controller, which can be installed in a usual Q-bus chassis, and use plain straight through 50-pin ribbon cables, and maybe that could be configured to work with the TS05 tape drive.

 

[cchhrriiss11]

I've seen some suggestions that a TS05 tape drive is actually a rebadged Cipher F880 (with some slightly-different firmware) with a Pertec formatted interface.

For example, there are some references to that here:
https://sjmulder.nl/dl/tuhs/Documentation/TUHS/Mail_list/1998-December.txt

Here is a reasonably priced board labeled as a TSV05 M7530-PA, which appears to be an Emulex QT14, although it might have some tweaked firmware:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/323764412680

That board might be difficult to use unless you had an S-handle compatible chassis to put it in, and the cables it uses are unusual. (I actually happen to have a set of cables that would go from an S-handle QT14 to a normal 50-pin ribbon cable breakout board).

Maybe you could try finding an Emulex QT13 Pertec interface controller, which can be installed in a usual Q-bus chassis, and use plain straight through 50-pin ribbon cables, and maybe that could be configured to work with the TS05 tape drive.

Thanks -- I've got a TU80 controller (M7454), I wonder if that would work?

-Chris

 

[gslick]

Thanks -- I've got a TU80 controller (M7454), I wonder if that would work?

-Chris

I've seen some suggestion that an M7454 TU80 controller is a Dilog DU132, with tweaked firmware. There isn't a manual for the Dilog DU132 on Bitsavers, and I haven't found one online anywhere else.

If you have a Unibus system you can use with the M7454 TU80 controller, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to see if you could get it to work with the TS05 tape drive.

I've never used any actual DEC tape drives, only a Fujitsu 2444AC Pertec interface 9-track tape drive with Emulex and Dilog Q-bus controllers. I do have a Unibus Pertec interface controller, I don't think I have ever gotten around to trying that out yet.