Adat XT question (bruce anyone?)

[Wireneck]

OK I know everyone told me not to buy an adat off ebay but of course like a dumbass i did anyways. (I don't have access to any stores that sell them used and the price for new is out of my budget)
I purchased an alesis adat-xt for $300 with only 350 hours. It arrived this morning, i plugged it up, stuck a tape in and of course what happens? NO GOOD TIME CODE and ERROR code 7 pop up. (hold your laughter)
So i come down stairs get on my comp ready to have it out with the seller but decided to get on the bbs and check a few things first. After reading some old post i think i know whats up with the unit but someone clarify this for me.
-There are more than one model of Xt adat (Xt and XT-20). One being 16 bit and the other 16 or 20. Someone please confirm this for me. This would explain my problem, im using tapes formatted 20 bit from my Lx adat. Since i have an XT, it can only read 16 bit.
I would just format a new tape and try it but i dont have a tape to spare and like i said before, no access to stores with this kind of stuff. Sorry for such a long post. Thanks guys

 

[DDev]

Sounds like you've nailed your problem on the head. A tape formatted for 20 bit won't do much good on an XT unless you re-format it.

If you are really desparate to see if the machine works you can use a regular VHS tape and format it. I wouldn't recommend making a habit of it, but it should format and allow you to check out the unit.

I've had good luck with both of the ADATs I bought off ebay, but there is always the possibility that someone else won't.

Good luck,
Darryl.....

 

[Wireneck]

Ok i formatted a tape and its working great (thank god). The bbs saved me from sounding like a total jerk, i was about 2 mins from mailing the guy a death threat lol. Oh well
thanks