A holotape, also called a holodisk or holo-disc, is a laser-readable storage device produced by Wattz Electronics. It is based on Tape Holography Technology and stores information safely for extended periods of time.[Pub 1]
Background
Developed using tape holography technology as early as 2063, holotapes are a high-density, laser-readable, manufactured-crystal storage device.[1][2][3][4] These disks and tapes were the very latest in pre-War information storage technology and quickly became the most widespread data storage medium, available in a variety of compatible variants.[Pub 2][5]
While early holotape models could store only as much as 256 kilobytes of data, averaging between 128 and 64 kilobytes, the latest models from 2077 could store up to 4 terabytes (4,000 gigabytes) of data.[Pub 1][3] Storage in holotapes were divided into "blocks" with a capacity of 256 blocks to store data.[6] The amount of data in a holotape all depended on the compression of the data.[7]
The Institute had holotapes of their own, capable of storing the entirety of libraries, such as the Boston Public Library, onto their storage banks.[8] Holotapes were capable of storing transmissions and software backups, and G.E.C.K.'s were advertised as including a holotape with an abridged version of the Library of Congress as standard.[9][10] Holo Generators were used to create THT entertainment tape players, but some did not function after the war.[11][Pub 1]
Holotapes had more uses before the war aside from data storage. Specific models were meant to hold entertainment, such as music, movies, and holotape games, with special-purpose players developed for displaying large, high resolution volumetric images or to play holotapes for personal use in a home environment via holotape players. Holotapes could be played on terminals, their content including movies, video games and music.[12][13][14]
A RobCo terminal with a holotape player was added as a part of the time capsule known as the "Treasures of Jamaica Plain," displayed among other remnants of the past in the Jamaica Plain Town Hall basement.[15]
Gameplay
Their appearance varies between games. In Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout Tactics, holotapes are interchangeably referred to as holodisks. In Fallout 3 and New Vegas, they are gray and in Fallout 4 and Fallout 76, holotapes are orange. When played, it can be seen inserted into the Pip-Boy.
By Game
| Image | Name |
|---|---|
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Fallout holodisks |
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Fallout 2 holodisks |
|
Fallout Tactics holodisks |
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Fallout 3 Holotapes |
|
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Fallout: New Vegas holotapes |
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Fallout 4 Holotapes |
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Fallout 76 Holotapes |
Gallery
Fallout and Fallout 2
Fallout Tactics
Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas
Texture file
Fallout 4, Fallout 76
Home holotape player
Fallout 4, Fallout 76
A game on holotape
A holotape in the wild
A whole bunch of holotapes!
Fallout Shelter
Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p. 5-20
References
- ↑ Grognak Intro Screen
- ↑ Holotape Instructions
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Vault Dweller: "{121}{}{I heard something about holo-discs, how can I read them?}"
Vree: "{128}{Vree21}{Use your Pip-Boy 2000 to read the discs. Insert the disc into the reader. If you have the proper computer skills, you should be able to scan the data.}"
The Vault Dweller: "{1002}{}{Discs}"
Vree: "{196}{Vree302}{They are high-density, laser-readable, manufactured-crystal storage devices. Each one holds over 4,000 gigabytes of information.}"
(VREE.MSG) - ↑ Doctor 0: "I think Wattz manufactured holodisks. Or was it holotapes? Never can keep those two straight. Anyway, we're out of small energy cells. Dala.
(Doctor 0/Dialogue) - ↑ "{5800}{}{Tape}
{5801}{}{A Wattz Electronics Holodisc tape. This particular tape looks to be into very poor condition.}"
(PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout)) - ↑ EX-72 Project Data
- ↑ Project Siphon holotapes
- ↑ X6-88: "A single Institute holotape could hold all of the text in this library."
(X6-88/Dialogue) - ↑ Klein: "WHAT ARE YOU DOING BACK? MOBIUS' THREATS PERSIST! WORSE, HE'S FILLING UP OUR TRANSMISSION STORAGE HOLOTAPE TO CAPACITY!"
(Klein's dialogue) - ↑ Courier: "This chip looks like it was mass-produced. Are there other chips?"
Klein: "[SUCCEEDED] ARE THERE OTHER CHIPS?"
Doctor 0: "*Are you... echoing what he said, or... are you asking for real?*"
Doctor Dala: "He's asking, yes. Dr. Klein, there are many other personalities. If you recall, you hurled them off the Sink balcony after your argument with Mobius."
Klein: "IT IS NOT AN ARGUMENT IF ONE IS CLEARLY RIGHT AND THE OTHER IS CLEARLY WRONG! I REMEMBER NOW. YES, LOBOTOMITE, THERE ARE OTHER CHIPS. IF YOU WANT, FIND THEM. I BELIEVE THEY ARE STORED ON HOLOTAPES IN MANY OF OUR FACILITIES. BUT YOU SHOULD STAY OUT OF THOSE - NO EXPLORING AND DISCOVERING THINGS. THE SINK CENTRAL "INTELLIGENCE" SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR YOUR... HEH... NEEDS."
Doctor 0, Dala, and Klein's dialogue) - ↑ PRO SCEN.MSG (Fallout 2): "{1500}{}{Holo Generator} {1501}{}{A large-scale THT entertainment tape player. No new movies have been made in 80 years.}"
- ↑ Museum of Technology Vault exhibit: "Bored? Don't be! Step into our Entertainotron Room and watch the latest holotapes or perhaps listen to a symphony. Another Vault-Tec innovation."
- ↑ Courier: "Where did you learn that?"
Arcade Gannon: "Not from the Legion, if that's what you're getting at. Books. Sheet music. Gladiator movie holotapes. Bits and pieces here and there. The Followers have extensive libraries, but we all draw water from the same old well. Even Caesar."
(Arcade Gannon's dialogue) - ↑ PRO SCEN.MSG: "{1500}{}{Holo Generator}"
"{1501}{}{A large-scale THT entertainment tape player. No new movies have been made in 80 years.}" - ↑ Treasures inventory; Central tables
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p. 5-20: "THT TAPES (Holotapes)"
"THT Tapes can store an incredible amount of data, some can hold as much as 256k. The standard tape holds 64k, with the middle model holding an average of 128k (barring any bad inches of tape). THT Tapes are based on Tape Holography technology, storing their information safely for extended periods of time. Use the THT Tape to add it’s information to a compatible reader, in your case - the PIPBoy 2000." - ↑ Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets p.88: "Holodisks and Holotapes
These disks and tapes were the very latest in pre-War information storage technology. They hold a whopping 256K of information—apiece! While it's unlikely that anyone will ever need that much storage space for any sort of data, these durable disks and tapes are often encoded with useful information. Standardized holodisks and holotapes—holos—are still used throughout the Wastes for transferring information. Taking a holo from one person to another is an effective way of delivering a lot of information in a small package. Some holos impart their information to you—just use the holo in your inventory, and then check your Pip-Boy to see if the holo's information was downloaded to your Pip-Boy's memory for your reading pleasure. These tapes aren't usually worth anything—but the information they carry sure can be. From food for thought to food for your belly, the desert is filled with surprises."