Is it possible to record on DC-2120XL tapes from a Ditto drive?

The DC-2120XL (550oe 14700FTPI) is externally very similar to
the Ditto tape, but much smaller capacity.

These are a convenient size for incremental backups.
(The cost per MB of capacity is greater, but filling a Ditto
for economy would put earlier backups at risk.)

The Ditto can read the 2120XL, but attempting to write brings
up a message saying the tape is the wrong type.

The Ditto software displays the tape type in the header info.

If the 2120XL tape is bulk-erased to remove all information,
the Ditto Format menu item is greyed-out.
(Does the Ditto somehow know it's the wrong type of tape,
or does the software demand a pre-formatted tape - does
anyone know if a bulk-erased Ditto tape can be reformatted?)

Is there a way round this problem, e.g. alternative software,
or do iomega have a captive market for recording tapes?

Len Warner <[log in to unmask]> WWW Pager http://wwp.mirabilis.com/10120933