PlayTape

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Playtape was an audiotape format and playback system introduced in 1966 by Frank Stanton. It was a two-track system, and was launched to compete with existing 4-track cartridge technology. The tapes played anywhere from 8 to twenty-four minutes, and were self rewinding. Because of its portability, PlayTape was an almost instant success, and over 3000 artists had recorded in this format by 1968.

At the time of PlayTape's launch, Earl Muntz's Stereo-Pak (based on the broadcast "Fidelipac" cartridge system) was the current reigning sound delivery system, and his car players were offered with stereo sound. Bill Lear's 8-track tape system, though in production, had still not achieved its market potential. Moreover, neither Lear or Muntz was offering a portable player, though Muntz eventually did sell one.

While PlayTape found some success in targeting the youth audience, it was not as successful in targeting the business audience. Stanton marketed his device as a dictation machine, but he was unable to persuade businesses to adopt his creation. Issues of player quality limited sales, and ultimately, the introduction of home and portable players by the 4-track and 8-track manufacturers led to the demise of PlayTape.

Only a handful of small compact players, and a few very rare car players were sold to the open market. They are collector’s items today.

[edit] PlayTape Specifications:

  • Channels = mono or stereo
  • Tape Width = 1/8"

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Audio format
Analog

Phonograph cylinder (1870s) • Gramophone record (1895) • Wire recording (1898) • Reel-to-reel audio tape recording (1940s) • Vinyl record (1948) • Fidelipac (1959) • Stereo-Pak (1962) • Compact Cassette (1963) • Stereo 8 (1964) • PlayTape (1966) • Mini Cassette (1967) • Microcassette (1969) • Elcaset (1976) • Picocassette (1985)
Digital

Compact Disc (1982) • Digital Audio Tape (1987) • ADAT (1991) • MiniDisc (1991) • Digital Compact Cassette (1992) • 5.1 Music Disc (1997) • Super Audio CD (1999) • DVD-Audio (2000)
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