In addition to a higher storage capacity than past LTO generations, LTO 5 also offers new architecture features such as the LTFS file system that turn magnetic tape into a directly addressable data source, like a hard disk drive.

FORBES: Magnetic Tape Turns 60

However with the introduction of lighter weight and more flexible plastic substrate magnetic tapes, combined with a vacuum column to control the tension that the magnetic tape experiences during use, the IBM 726 was a prototype of the modern digital tape recording system.

FORBES: Magnetic Tape Turns 60

The LTFS LTO file system allows modern digital tape storage to be used like NAS file systems and simplifies the use of magnetic tape libraries and allows faster access to the content stored on them.

FORBES: New Storage Choices to Drive 2013 Data Markets