how can I restore a tar backup
 

I would like to restore a complete tar backup (tape)to a temporary folder and subsequently grab what I need. How do I specify the directory

hello,
the tar file is on tape? i would try a tar -xv /dev/tapedevice and see how that works, a -f flasg is used when it is a file.
also tar --help has been of great assiantce to me.