HP C5718A DAT DDS-4 Data Cartridge - Reliable 20 GB Native Backup

Our review of the HP C5718A DAT DDS-4 data cartridge finds it best suited for small IT shops and professionals who need a dependable, low-cost tape medium for routine backups and archiving. The single biggest reason to buy is reliability: the cartridge is electronically tested to withstand a minimum of 2,000 passes or 100 full backups, which makes it a sensible choice when unattended nightly backups and long-term storage are priorities. It is a straightforward, no-frills blank media option delivering 20 GB native capacity and a quoted 10 year archival life for peace of mind.

Key Features

• Capacity: Provides 20 GB native and 40 GB compressed capacity so small datasets and incremental backups can be stored efficiently on a single cartridge.
• Tape length: At approximately 492.13 feet of tape, the DDS-4 cartridge holds more data than the previous generation and reduces cartridge swaps during backups.
• Durability: Electronically tested to withstand at least 2,000 passes or 100 full backups, offering consistent performance for unattended operations.
• Archival life: Rated for about 10 years of archival storage, making it suitable for long-term retention policies and offsite rotation.
• Compatibility: Designed for use with HP SureStore DAT drives and other DDS-compatible DAT tape drives to cover common backup hardware in legacy environments.
• Cost of ownership: Marketed as a lower cost of ownership compared with some AIT and DLT alternatives, useful when per-cartridge cost is a priority.

Who It's For

The cartridge is ideal for small businesses, network administrators, and IT professionals who maintain legacy DAT tape systems and need a reliable blank media for routine backups and archival retention. It fits workflows that require unattended nightly backups and occasional full restores where durable media and predictable behavior matter.

Those running modern backup infrastructures with deduplication appliances, cloud-first archives, or who need very high native capacities should look elsewhere; this DDS-4 cartridge is aimed at legacy DAT environments rather than high-capacity, modern tape solutions.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good reliability with 2,000+ pass electronic testing for unattended backup jobs.
• Decent storage density for its generation at 20 GB native and 40 GB compressed.
• Long quoted archival life of around 10 years for records retention and rotation.

Cons

• Compatibility can vary with some plotters and older devices, and a few users reported mixed fit in specific models.
• Lower native capacity compared with more modern tape formats, which may not suit large datasets.

Specifications

Manufacturer	HP
Part Number	C5718A
Product Type	Blank Media / Data Cartridge
Native Capacity	20 GB
Compressed Capacity	40 GB
Tape Length	492.13 ft (approx)
Archival Life	10 years (quoted)

Our Verdict

The HP C5718A DDS-4 cartridge is a practical, cost-conscious choice for users maintaining legacy DAT backup systems. Its tested durability and 10 year archival life deliver dependable long-term value for routine backups, though organizations with modern, high-capacity demands should consider newer tape formats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this cartridge work in any DAT drive?
It is designed for HP SureStore DAT and compatible DDS-4 drives, but compatibility can vary by model so verify your drive supports DDS-4 cartridges.

How much data can I store?
The cartridge holds 20 GB native and up to 40 GB compressed capacity under typical DDS-4 compression assumptions.

Is it suitable for long-term archiving?
Yes; HP quotes around 10 years archival life, making it suitable for standard retention and rotation workflows.