The Sony LTX800G cartridges are manufactured with newly developed fine magnetic particles and a higher thermal stability binder in order to maximize performance. The fourth generation data cartridge also adopts Sony's newly developed thin-layer coating technology and a smoother surface coating process, which allows low error rates and stable output under a wide range of operating conditions.To provide continued backward-compatibility, the LTO Ultrium 4 format hardware has read-and-write capability with LTO 3 cartridges, and read capabilities with LTO 2 cartridges. The LTO 4 format also features hardware-based encryption capabilities to better protect the storage and transport of sensitive information.