(DAT, Digital Audio Tape) A digital audio tape recording format that uses a primary sampling rate of 48 KHz. It is also capable of directly recording the 44.1 KHz CD digital audio format. Its full name is R-DAT. The "R" describes the rotating head that is used to record the signal. The DAT system is pretty much limited to professional use in the United States. An S-DAT format was also proposed where the tape moved past a stationary head fast enough to properly record digital audio information.