3.1.2) What other cassette recorders can I use with my Atari?

Important contributor to this section: Tomasz Krasuski

Unlike other microcomputer systems of the time period, only Atari-specific
cassette tape recorders could be used with Atari 8-bit computers.  Several
such peripherals were produced by companies other then Atari:

Compu-Mate Computer Data Recorder by General Electric (GE, G.E.)
- 3-5148A (unit) / 3-5156 (box)
- 3-5149A Atari/Commodore Interface Module (IFM)
- 1st data cable: Data Recorder <-> IFM Interface or Data Recorder <-> C64
- 2nd data cable: IFM Interface <-> Atari computer SIO connector
- Monophonic -- No support for audio track as supported by other program
  recorders for the Atari
- No second SIO port - must be at end of SIO chain
- Battery operated or uses an external power supply
- Switch on the bottom, Atari or "All other computers".
- More info: http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=128505
- Pics: http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/161936-atari-1010-problem/

Phonemark PM-4401A and derivatives
- Manufactured for Atari as the Atari XC12
- "Round" window and "notched" top case design
- No second SIO port - must be at end of SIO chain
- PM-4401A by Phonemark
   - Top of unit: "Phonemark" in white lettering on black label
   - Bottom of unit: "Computer Cassette Data Unit"
   - Box: Blue background, "Phonemark Computer Cassette" "PM-4401A"
          "Suitable For Use With Atari Home Computer"
- XG12 [by Phonemark for Datamark]
   - Atari XE case color
   - Top of some units: "Datamark  XG12" in red lettering
   - Top of other units: Black label, no branding
   - Bottom of unit (some): "Datacorder" on gold label
   - Box: Datamark DM-6402A (see below).  These units seemingly sometimes
          shipped by Datamark as a substitute for their own DM-6402A.
   - See below for the Datamark-derived version of the XG12.
- TurboData [by Phonemark for ?????]
   - Atari XE case color
   - Built-in Turbo upgrade???
   - Top of unit: "TurboData" in red lettering on white label
   - Box unknown
- XL12 [by Phonemark for Logical Design Works (LDW) on behalf of Atari]
   - Atari XE case color
   - Top of some units: "For Atari  XL12" in red/silver
   - Top of other units:
     "For Atari XE, 800XL" in white lettering on black label
   - Bottom of some units: "Computer Cassette Data Unit" "Model No XL12"
   - Bottom of other units: "For Atari"
   - Box: Atari-like, with red strip down ONE side of box, "XL 12" in large
          font (with space in middle), "XC12" mistake in smaller type, "For
          Atari" does NOT use Atari logo font, Phonemark unit is pictured
   - Utilized parts supplied by Atari, after Atari discontinued their own XC12
   - Sold in Chile and in Eastern Europe
   - Replacement for the Atari XC12; would be replaced in Europe by the XCA12
   - See below for Datamark-derived version of the XL12.
- XCA12 [by Phonemark for California Access (brand of LDW) on behalf of Atari]
   - Atari XE case color
   - Top of unit: "For Atari Computer" in black/red/black, "XCA12" in silver
   - Bottom of unit: "For Atari Computer" "Model Number XCA12"
   - Box: Atari-like, white with orange strip down one side of box,
          "For Atari Computer" with Atari logo font
      - Front (very small pic): http://img.archiwumallegro.pl/?876820703
      - Rear: http://preview.tinyurl.com/ogh8j9p
   - Utilized parts supplied by Atari, after Atari discontinued their own XC12
   - Sold in Eastern Europe, especially Poland
   - Replaced the XL12; would be replaced by the CA12 (once Atari parts supply
     ran dry)
- CA12 [by Phonemark for California Access (brand of LDW)]
   - Atari XE case color
   - Top of unit: "For Atari Computer" in black/red/black, "CA12" in silver
   - Bottom of unit: "For Atari Computer" "Model Number CA12"
   - Printed circuit board has the markings "P.M." "4401-5" "REVB"
   - Box: White with Orange highlights, "CA-12 Program Recorder"
          http://www.aceton.pl/images/105338.jpg
   - Sold in Eastern Europe, especially Poland
   - Replacement for the XCA12 (produced independently of Atari)

Datamark DM-1301A
- Similar dimensions to Phonemark PM-4401A and derivatives, but even more
  Atari-inspired case styling includes slanted lines matching those of Atari
  XE computers and peripherals.
- Top of unit: "Datamark" in red lettering
- Unit pictured in center:
  http://www.retrogames.cl/imagenes/varios/zz/caseteras.jpg
- Box: Atari-like, with red stripes down BOTH sides
- Box pictured at upper-left:
  http://www.retrogames.cl/imagenes/varios/zz/casencaja.jpg

Datamark DM-6402A and derivatives
- "Square" window and "un-notched" top case design
- No second SIO port - must be at end of SIO chain
- DM-6402A by Datamark
   - Atari XL case color, black label (unlabeled), black buttons
   - Units exist????
   - Box: Black background, "Datacorder Unit" in yellow, "Model DM-6402A" in
          orange", "Power Without the Price" in red
- XG12 by Datamark
   - Atari XE case color
   - Top of unit: "Datamark  XG12" in red lettering
   - Box: Datamark DM-6402A (see above)
   - See above for the Phonemark-derived version of the XG12.
- XL12 [by Datamark for Logical Design Works (LDW) on behalf of Atari]
   - Atari XE case color
   - Top of units: "XL12" in silver
   - Top of some units: "For Atari" in silver/red
   - Bottom of some units: "Datarecorder" "For Atari Computer" "DM-6402A"
   - Bottom of other units: "For Atari"
   - Box: Atari-like, with red strips down BOTH sides of box, "For ATARI" uses
          Atari logo font, features photo of Datamark original version unit
   - Utilized parts supplied by Atari, after Atari discontinued their own XC12
   - Sold in Chile and in Eastern Europe
   - Replacement for the Atari XC12; would be replaced in Europe by the XCA12
   - See above for the Phonemark-derived version of the XL12.

Taihaho Computer Cassette
- Photos in this AtariAge Forums thread: http://preview.tinyurl.com/nxfabz9

LINKS
http://computers.mcbx.netne.net/8bit/aptaperec/index.htm
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