A data storage device is disclosed comprising a reel that is rotated for a first interval in order to expose a first frame of a magnetic tape to a head. The head is actuated in a first and second dimensions over the magnetic tape in order to access the first frame of the magnetic tape.

First and second tracks of a magnetic recording medium are read simultaneously via a first reader that provides a first signal based on detecting a total perpendicular field of the first and second tracks. The first and second tracks are read simultaneously via a second reader that provides a second signal based on detecting a total longitudinal field of the first and second tracks. Data is detected from the first and second signals.