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- Definition: A cassette is a small, rectangular plastic container housing magnetic tape, used for recording and playing back audio or video.
- Audio Cassettes:
- Purpose: Designed to record and playback sound.
- Components: Contains two reels of magnetic tape, which runs between them.
- Format: Commonly used for music, dictation, and personal recordings.
- Popular Era: Widely used from the 1970s to the early 2000s before digital formats became prevalent.
- Video Cassettes:
- Purpose: Used for recording and playing back video.
- Format: VHS (Video Home System) was a common standard for video cassettes.
- Components: Similar to audio cassettes but with a broader tape for video recording.
- Physical Characteristics: Typically features a rectangular shape with a protective plastic shell, labeled sides, and tape reels inside.
- Playback Device: Requires a cassette player or recorder to function; audio cassettes need a cassette deck, while video cassettes need a VCR (Video Cassette Recorder).
- Legacy: Though largely replaced by digital formats and streaming services, cassettes remain a nostalgic medium for collectors and enthusiasts.
