With 24 bit/96kHz sampled audio now becoming the professional standard for music production, the requirements for data backup and storage have instantly doubled (or more) in size compared to the old 24 bit/44.1/48K standard. File transfer speed (which relates to extra studio time and overhead) has also become more important when it comes time to copy these huge data files. Using a 1/2-inch metal pigment tape, Ultrium offers data transfer rates between 10 mB/s to 40 mB/s and a minimum storage life of at least 30 years. Emtec's new media comes in four sizes for up to 200 GB of compressed data on a single tape. There is an embedded chip in the Ultrium's "smart" cartridge that transmits calibration and initialization information directly to the host drive ensuring accurate data transfer every time.