IBM 3590 - Manual (Page 101)

The tape cartridges have blue insert identification notches for High
Performance Cartridge Tape and green notches for Extended High
Performance Cartridge Tape. The leader block assembly is blue for High
Performance Cartridge Tape and green for Extended High Performance
Cartridge Tape. The 3590 cleaning cartridge has gray insert identification
notches and a gray leader block assembly.
The IBM 3590 High Performance Cartridge Tape is not compatible with 3480,
3490, or 3490E drives. It can be used only on 3590 High Performance Tape
Subsystems. Only a 3590 subsystem can read tape cartridges that are written
by a 3590 subsystem. 3490 and 3490E subsystems do not read 3590 High
Performance Cartridge Tape cartridges. The 3590 subsystem detects cartridges
that are written by 3490 or 3490E subsystems. A 3590 subsystem can not read
those cartridges.
Neither the IBM 3590 High Performance Cartridge Tape nor the Extended
High Performance Cartridge Tape are compatible with 3480, 3490, or 3490E
drives. They can be used only on 3590 High Performance Tape Subsystems.
Only a 3590 subsystem can read tape cartridges that are written by a 3590
subsystem. The 3490 and 3490E subsystems do not read 3590 High
Performance Cartridge Tape or the Extended High Performance Cartridge
Tape cartridges. The 3590 subsystem detects cartridges that are written by
3490 or 3490E subsystems. A 3590 subsystem can not read those cartridges.
Data can be copied from 3480 or 3490 standard cartridges or enhanced
capacity (3490E) cartridges by using appropriate 3490/3490E subsystems. The
data can then be written to 3590 High Performance Cartridge Tape or
Extended High Performance Cartridge Tape cartridges which are mounted on
a 3590 subsystem. Copying data from these cartridges, to enhanced capacity
cartridges or standard cartridges, may require multiple 3490/3490E volumes.
This is because datasets may exceed the capacity of these cartridges.
Chapter 7. 3590 High Performance Cartridge Tape and Extended High Performance Cartridge Tape 81