TDK

TDK - was founded in Tokyo, Japan, on 7 December 1935 to manufacture the iron-based magnetic material ferrite, which had been recently invented by Yogoro Kato and Takeshi Takei. In 1952 and 1957 they began production of magnetic tapes, with compact cassette tapes following in 1966; it is for these that the company is most widely noted. TDK used to manufacture an extensive portfolio of magnetic and optical media, including several formats of videotape and blank CD-R and recordable DVD discs until the recording business was sold to Imation in 2007. Operations in the USA began in 1965 with a New York City office, and European operations began in 1970 with an office in Frankfurt, West Germany. Since 1997 TDK has gradually withdrawn from the production of compact cassettes. First with the MA-X and AR ("Acoustic Response"), then the AD ("Acoustic Dynamic") and SA-X line in 2001 and 2002 respectively, then the MA ("Metal Alloy") line in 2004. The SA ("Super Avilyn") and D ("Dynamic") lines were withdrawn in 2012 under Imation ownership. In late 2007, Imation acquired TDK's recording business, including flash media, optical media, magnetic tape, and accessories, for $300 million. This also included a license to use the "TDK Life on Record" brand on data storage and audio products for 25 years. In September 2015, Imation announced that it had agreed to relinquish this license and would cease selling TDK-branded products by the end of the year.

Brand Manufacturer Model Description Type Length Year Made in Market
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AD 80 TDK TDK AD AD-80K Type I Normal 80 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AD 90 TDK TDK AD AD-90K Type I Normal 90 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AD 120 TDK TDK AD AD-120K Type I Normal 120 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AD-X 46 TDK TDK AD-X AD-X46K Type I Normal 46 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AD-X 54 TDK TDK AD-X AD-X54K Type I Normal 54 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AD-X 60 TDK TDK AD-X AD-X60K Type I Normal 60 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AD-X 80 TDK TDK AD-X AD-X80K Type I Normal 80 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AD-X 90 TDK TDK AD-X AD-X90K Type I Normal 90 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AD-X 120 TDK TDK AD-X AD-X120K Type I Normal 120 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AE 10 TDK TDK AE AE-10K Type I Normal 10 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AE 20 TDK TDK AE AE-20K Type I Normal 20 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AE 30 TDK TDK AE AE-30K Type I Normal 30 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AE 46 TDK TDK AE AE-46K Type I Normal 46 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AE 60 TDK TDK AE AE-60K Type I Normal 60 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AE 90 TDK TDK AE AE-90K Type I Normal 90 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AE 120 TDK TDK AE AE-120K Type I Normal 120 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AE 150 TDK TDK AE AE-150K Type I Normal 150 1989 Japan Japan
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AL 30 TDK TDK AL Acoustic Master Type I Normal 30 1989 Japan USA
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AL 60 TDK TDK AL Acoustic Master Type I Normal 60 1989 Japan USA
Compact Cassette: TDK  - AL 90 TDK TDK AL Acoustic Master Type I Normal 90 1989 Japan USA