kassettformat

Kassettformat, or cassette format, is a term used in media technology to describe the set of standards that define the physical and technical characteristics of cassette-based media. It covers aspects such as the shell dimensions, tape width, magnetic coating, transport mechanism, and the recording or data density that determine compatibility between players, recorders, and the media itself. The concept arose with the widespread adoption of magnetic tape in the mid-20th century and was shaped by multiple manufacturers through standardization efforts to allow interchangeability of cassettes and devices.

The term encompasses several families of formats, including audio cassettes (such as the Compact Cassette), microcassettes, videocassettes (like VHS, Betacam and their successors), and data or computing cassettes used for storage and archival purposes (for example certain DAT and data cassette systems). Each format is defined by a particular combination of shell size, tape width, track layout, and transport mechanics, which influences aspects such as recording capacity, durability, and playback quality. For example, the Compact Cassette uses a relatively narrow magnetic tape and standardized gear to enable widespread consumer use.

In practice, kassettformat has varied significantly over time and across regions, leading to a landscape of competing formats and eventual consolidation around a few dominant standards in various domains. The rise of digital media reduced the prominence of traditional cassettes, but cassette formats remain relevant for archival work, hobbyist use, and the preservation of legacy audio, video, and data systems.