Two tape, four reel cartridge and drive for wide magnetic recording tape

A holder for magnetic recording tape comprising:

• a first pair of tape hubs having a first magnetic recording tape wound thereon;
• a second pair of tape hubs having a second magnetic recording tape wound thereon;
• a holder assembly in which said first and second pairs of tape hubs are rotatably mounted, said holder assembly having a central space therein with each of said first and second magnetic recording tapes spanning said central space;
• and
• said first and second magnetic recording tapes each being movable in a transport direction and having a width perpendicular to said transport direction of at least approximately 24 mm.

A tape drive comprising:

• a base plate;
• four drive motors mounted to said base plate, each of said motors having a drive shaft projecting through said base plate, the respective drive shafts of said motors being parallel to each other;
• a magnetic recording head;
• and
• a positioning assembly, on which said recording head is mounted, disposed between a central two of said drive shafts, said head positioning assembly selectively positioning said recording head along a direction parallel to said drive shafts.