A converter is utilized with at least one implicit addressing sequential media device to simulate explicit addressing sequential media device performance from the perspective of host applications. Responsive to receiving explicit addressing read/write commands from the host application, the converter converts the explicit addressing read/write commands into implicit addressing read/write commands and passes the implicit addressing read/write commands through to the device. Optionally, responsive to device capability queries from a host application, the converter reports that the device utilizes explicit addressing. As another option, responsive to receiving commands other than explicit addressing read/write commands from the application host, the converter examines the commands to monitor sequential media address, and relays the commands to the device substantially free of any modification.