Glossary

DAT

DAT (short for Digital Audio Tape) [TAB] DAT is linear magnetic tape format for digital audio, much in use during the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, employing the same rotary head technology as VCRs (Video Cassette Recorders—remember those?). DAT can record at lower (32 kHz), equal (44.1 kHz) or higher (48 kHz) sample rates than a CD.

For fear of piracy from CDs and other digital audio sources, legislation was enacted, at the behest of the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) in 1992 as part of the Audio Home Recording Act that required DAT recorders equipped with S/PDIF inputs to have Serial Copy Management System (SCMS) implemented, a feature to prevent digital copying of 44.1 kHz audio files for more than a single generation.