X Tape is the newest version of media designed for use with only VXA-2 and VXA-320 generations of VXA drives and autoloaders. X Tape is made from PEN-based substrate of 4.7 micrometer thickness in lengths of 62m (X6), 124m (X10) and 230m (X23). Compatible with VXA-2 and VXA-320 drives and autoloaders, but due to the thinner substrate, X Tape is not compatible with VXA-1 drives. In addition you must have firmware level 2105 or higher to use X6 or X10 tapes. VXA X Tapes use AME media, which provides significantly longer tape life than other tape technologies (500 minimum uses) as compared to only 99 maximum recommended uses for DDS tapes. VXA X Tape offers the scalability of three different cartridge capacities, and the ability to reliably restore data even under the most extreme conditions.

VXA X Tapes are available in 40/80 GB (native/compressed), 80/160 GB and 160/320 GB capacities for the same VXA-320 drive, or 20/40GB (native/compressed), 40/80 GB and 80/160 GB capacities for the same VXA-2 drive. Different tape capacities provide you the flexibility to choose the capacity that best meets your current storage and budget needs with the ability to add capacity on demand, simply by using higher capacity VXA Tapes.