TDK Dynamic Performance D - 1997 - US
High Output Dynamic Performance. Tape made in Japan.
The earlier Ds (1986~1992) are held in higher esteem, but as time went on, tape particles got smaller and so the tape got better. Compared to later D tapes produced (ie. Imation 2008), these have darker tape, smoother tape, and shinier tape, all of which all add up to a brilliantly manufactured Type I tape... made in Japan. See a chart below about 4 of the late TDK D tapes depicting visual tape observations. This 1997 version is TDK D tape at its best, and soon enough after this, it gets worse, not better. However, still far superior to anything being produced these days, with maybe RTM of France, being the only exception. Unsure if the current Maxell UR tape produced in the Philippines has managed to maintain superior quality vs. that of produced tape in China.
Even thought the shells of this version aren't quite as thick as earlier ones, we feel this performs better as a cassette that the earlier, more revered versions. See video below to about late TDK D produced tapes. The tapes shown in the video are really good as per Tony Villa, yet this 1997 compared to these versions is visibly even better.
Note 1: 60 Minutes: Light to moderate scuffing on the wrappers.
Note 2: 90 Minutes: The wrappers are all perfect or nearly perfect.
Note 3: 120 Minutes: Moderate to heavy scuffing on the wrappers, with some other small blemishes. Rarely offered.
Also, see last picture on the cassette pic choices for a visual comparison:
1997 Dynamic: Perfectly smooth tape pancake cut. Flat, dark tape. Smoothest of these 4 choices. Shiniest of the 4 choices. This one takes the top choice spot here #1.
2001 Dynamic: Well cut tape pancake. Flat, dark tape. The grainiest looking of the 4 tapes, therefore, the least smoothest of the lot. Still shiny and dark. Takes spot #4 here, even though Tony Villa's recording test rendered it as a very high performing tape, that took signal of up to +7 with little or no distortion.
2003 Superior: Worst cut tape pancake. Very smooth, shiny, dark, flat tape, much like the 1997 tape. Takes choice #2 here.
2008: Superior: Well cut tape pancake! Very smooth, shiny, flat tape, much like the 1997 tape. Least dark tape of the lot. Takes spot #3 here.
About TDK:
TDK was founded in Tokyo, Japan, on 7 December 1935 to manufacture the iron-based magnetic material ferrite, which had been recently invented by Yogoro Kato and Takeshi Takei.[3] In 1952 and 1957 they began production of magnetic tapes, with compact cassette tapes following in 1966; it is for these that the company is most widely noted. TDK used to manufacture an extensive portfolio of magnetic and optical media, including several formats of videotape and blank CD-R and recordable DVD discs until the recording business was sold to Imation in 2007.
Operations in the USA began in 1965 with a New York City office,[4] and European operations began in 1970 with an office in Frankfurt, West Germany.[5]
Since 1997 TDK has gradually withdrawn from the production of compact cassettes. First with the MA-X and AR ("Acoustic Response"), then the AD ("Acoustic Dynamic") and SA-X line in 2001 and 2002 respectively, then the MA ("Metal Alloy") line in 2004. The SA ("Super Avilyn") and D ("Dynamic") lines were withdrawn in 2012 under Imation ownership. Industry trends see the company moving into new forms of media; in 2004 TDK was the first media manufacturer to join the companies developing BD post-DVD technology.[4] TDK operated a semiconductor division in California for about a decade, but divested it in 2005.
In late 2007, Imation acquired TDK's recording business, including flash media, optical media, magnetic tape, and accessories, for $300 million.[6][7] This also included a license to use the "TDK Life on Record" brand on data storage and audio products[8] for 25 years.[6] In September 2015, Imation announced that it had agreed to relinquish this license[9] and would cease selling TDK-branded products by the end of the year.[10]
TDK Dynamic Performance D - 1997 - US