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Richard L. Hess Tape Timing Chart How long is it...
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We provide high-quality transfers/copies even from hard-to-play tapes.

This Tape Timing Chart is approximate. Most reels will contain a bit more tape than indicated time implies, typically about 6%. The footage is actual.

These timings are for one program. There can be as many as four mono programs on one 1/4-inch tape.

Note that the double and triple play tape is very fragile. We can transfer it, but there is greater risk that it has already been damaged. Note that the 1.5 mil tape is often referred to as “50-micron (µ)” and the 1.0 mil tape is often referred to as “35 µ.” The confusion arises with the thinnest tapes. Both double play and triple play tape use 0.5 mil base film and are so marked in the USA and other places using the "mil" designation. The metric designation (µ) refers to the total nominal thickness of the tape, so double play tape is 25 µ and triple play tape is 18 µ, clearly showing the thinner mag coat on triple play tape.

Tape Timing Chart (Nominal minutes)
Reel	Tape	Footage	Speed [in/s (formerly i.p.s.)]
Reel	Tape	Footage	1.875	3.75	7.5	15	30
5-inch	1.5 mil 50 µ	600	60	30	15	7.5	3.75
	1.0 mil 35 µ	900	90	45	22.5	11	5.5
	0.5 mil Double 25 µ	1200	120	60	30	15	7.5
	0.5 mil Triple 18 µ	1800	180	90	45	22.5	11
7-inch	1.5 mil 50 µ	1200	120	60	30	15	7.5
	1.0 mil 35 µ	1800	180	90	45	22.5	11
	0.5 mil Double 25 µ	2400	240	120	60	30	15
	0.5 mil Triple 18 µ	3600	360	180	90	45	22.5
10.5-inch	1.5 mil 50 µ	2500	240	120	60	30	15
	1.0 mil 35 µ	3600	360	180	90	45	22.5
	0.5 mil Double 25 µ	4800	480	240	120	60	30
	0.5 mil Triple 18 µ	7200	720	360	180	90	45

Tape Timing Chart (Actual minutes) Thanks to Tom Fine Caution: There is always some requirement for leader tape and there are always tolerences, so the nominal time table is safer, although often, when a transfer is undertaken, the following times end up driving the costs. Remember, all of these times are for one pass of the tape. There can be anywhere from one to four different programs (passes) on the tape.
Reel	Tape	Footage	Speed [in/s (formerly i.p.s.)]
Reel	Tape	Footage	1.875	3.75	7.5	15	30
Small Reels		150	16	8	4	2	1
Small Reels		300	32	16	8	4	2
5-inch	1.5 mil 50 µ	600	64	32	16	8	4
	1.0 mil 35 µ	900	96	48	24	12	6
	0.5 mil Double 25 µ	1200	128	64	32	16	8
	0.5 mil Triple 18 µ	1800	192	96	48	24	12
7-inch	1.5 mil 50 µ	1200	128	64	32	16	8
	1.0 mil 35 µ	1800	192	96	48	24	12
	0.5 mil Double 25 µ	2400	256	128	64	32	16
	0.5 mil Triple 18 µ	3600	384	192	96	48	24
10.5-inch	1.5 mil 50 µ	2500	267	133	67	33	17
	1.0 mil 35 µ	3600	384	192	96	48	24
	0.5 mil Double 25 µ	4800	512	256	128	66	32
	0.5 mil Triple 18 µ	7200	768	384	192	96	48
Other Lengths	12.5" reel 1.5 mil 50 µ	3750	400	200	100	50	25
Other Lengths	14" reel 1.5 mil 50 µ	5000	533	267	133	67	33

Richard L. Hess Tape Timing Chart How long is it...

Richard L. Hess
Tape Timing Chart
How long is it...