Question 1

Whats the difference between type 1 and type 2 ?

Accepted Answer

These are IEC (International Electrotechnical Committee)
standards. They provide broad standards for all tapes,
and end the need to align a deck for an individual tape. 
Type 1 is for normal "iron oxide" tapes (Fe2O3), Type 2 
is for high-bias "chromium oxide" tapes (CrO2), Type 3 
(obsolete) is for FeCr (ferric chrome), and Type 4 is 
for Fe (Metal). Type 2 tapes tend to be more expensive 
than type 1, and type 4 tapes are the most expensive. 
This is because type 2 tapes tend to have less noise and 
flatter high frequency response than type 1, and type 4 
tapes tend to have even flatter highs and even less noise.

Some Type 1 tapes are more expensive than other Type 2 tapes, 
and may be worth the extra price. More expensive tapes come
in better shells, have better lubrication, fewer dropouts, 
smoother frequency response, and better uniformity from tape 
to tape. Even though the types imply a particular tape
formulations, the type really refers to the tape performance.
For example, some iron oxide tapes have an unusual oxide
formulation with very small grains that conforms to the type
2 standard better than the type 1 standard. These tapes 
will be labeled type 2, but may not have any chrome in them.

Most modern cassette recorders sense the tape type by the
holes in the back of the housing and adjust bias and
equalization to compensate for the differences. A few
top cassette recorders (the Revox and several Nakamichis) 
automatically align to a particular tape by recording test
tones and then setting their own equalization.

In practice, each brand and model tape is slightly different. 
For the very best recordings, adjust your recorder for the
tape you use most, or buy the tape which works best in your
recorder. Manufacturers adjust each recorder for a specific
tape at the factory. So the best tape might be the one
referenced in the recorder owner's manual. In a recording 
studio, it is common to align the bias and equalization for
the specific tape used, and stick with that tape.

Taken from : http://stason.org/TULARC/entertainment/audio/general/14-24

Question 2

What type of cassette is this ? Type 1? Type 2?

Accepted Answer

type 1

Question 3

Are these the authentic brand?

Accepted Answer

As pictured, tiny print on 2-pack reads Imported by Maxell Corp of America NJ and Canada,  assembled in Indonesia, Maxell limited lifetime warrant, see details inside  (which I cannot, the audiocassettes are shrinkwrapped...)    If there's something specific I should look for on the package please send another query.

Question 4

Do these tapes mess up and get all tangled up in the player? Or drag and play slow and speed up and spit film out everywhere??

Accepted Answer

I ordered these but was unable to use with the old tape recorders my elementary school owned. They just wouldn't play at all - even though the recorders were in working condition!

Recording Capacity	1.8E+2 minutes
Unit Count	2.0 Count
Item Weight	0.14 Pounds
Color	One Color

Maxell 108527 Optimally Designed Flat Packs with Low Noise Surface 90 Min Recording Time Per Cassette

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