A tape guide system for supporting magnetic tape about a rotary scan drum of a data transfer apparatus is disclosed. The tape guide system comprises a tape guide and a guide ramp. The tape guide has a supporting surface for supporting the magnetic tape in the tape guide's deployed position and has a non-deployed position in which the supporting surface is spaced from and non-aligned with a surface of the tape to be supported. The tape guide is arranged to be driven relative to the guide ramp towards the deployed position with a horizontal movement component, thereby causing the guide ramp to impart a vertical movement to the tape guide and, in the deployed position, substantially align at least part of the supporting surface of the tape guide with the surface of the tape to be supported. Other systems and methods are also provided.