Recent Posts

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 10
1
Other MODs / Re: Record PIN on Datassette C2N , board 1531
« Last post by Uijtdewilligen on November 05, 2024, 12:21:49 PM »


Quote from: spok on March 15, 2024, 02:28:47 PM
Hi do anyone Know which PIN i have to connect for record from extern source (Smartphone or MP3 player) to the datasette?


While saving from the commodore 64 you can read data on wire A, the low data 0.3 Volt, the high data is 3.4 Volt. When saving just by switching S1, you provide the same signal yourself. I recommend to apply 1.8 Volt bias voltage.
2
1530USB Datasette to PC Adapter / Re: Can't seem to get a reliable backup to new tape using my C2N
« Last post by Remzi on October 27, 2024, 04:12:35 PM »
It's picking up quite a bit noise.You should try a different tape deck.
3
1530USB Datasette to PC Adapter / Re: Can't seem to get a reliable backup to new tape using my C2N
« Last post by rossoe on October 27, 2024, 02:36:55 PM »
Thanks Remzi, I ran that head.wav through VLS at the settings you noted on the 1530USB - here is the visual after backing up in the DC2N4 serial client:




DMP results in TAPClean:




Post a clean operation in TAPClean - which also saved it out to a TAP:




I ran a 2nd backup and got slightly higher Recognized figure of 96%:




Results on real C64 - it came up with some flashy colour bars for a few seconds then back to Ready on Blue screen (same in VICE 3.8 ):




Here is the DMP and TAP generated:
test_WAV_04.DMP
clean.test_WAV_04.tap

Whilst I had the C64 out I also tested out original copy of Crazy Comet and Super Zaxxon which all loaded and worked fine from the C2N.

What is the recommendation re recording over the same tape? as during all these tests, must have been 20-30 tests in a row I used the same 2 tapes, which were fresh and unused initially, but would I see any issues re-recording over the same section of tape that many times?  understandably I'm sure it's best to use fresh tape when making master backups, however I can't really do that for iterative testing like this, as I have limited amount of fresh tapes.
4
1530USB Datasette to PC Adapter / Re: Can't seem to get a reliable backup to new tape using my C2N
« Last post by Remzi on October 27, 2024, 11:53:58 AM »
Try recording this WAV file to cassette tape.

Use VLC media player,volume level %100.
Windows USB speaker volume at %90.

See if it loads fine on real C64.
5
1530USB Datasette to PC Adapter / Can't seem to get a reliable backup to new tape using my C2N
« Last post by rossoe on October 27, 2024, 05:40:54 AM »
I was getting good backups with the 1530USB, but having trouble getting any of the backups recorded back to tape.

Azimuth was adjusted using an azimuth program live on C64, and also a 3000Hz calibration tape was used to calibrate motor speed.

I decided to also get a DC2N4-L to see if it helped with added graph analysis/visuals of the back ups and also exploring usage of DMP's as initial backup storage. so the tests below are combo of backing up with DC2N4 and then recording to a C2N with 1530USB & AutioTap.

Test 1: - Using my own copy of super zaxxon copied to DMP via a DC2N4-L
volume at %70
The red arrow was just me noting when it recognised the file name.
Result - This played fine in VICE 3.8






Then I recorded the DMP from above back to tape, by first converted back to TAP, and then backed that up to check the results, it seemed alot more spread out than the read performance from prior test?
This failed to run in VICE, or be recognised in TAPClean




I then switched to backing up to tape a small prg called azimuth, so that I could iterate through the tests quicker:

Test 2: -
volume 100%
Freq 44100
Result - failed to run in VICE & Failed TAPClean







Test 3: - This was the closest I seemed to get to having TAPClean recognise the tap after converting from DMP
volume 75%
Freq 44100
Result - failed to run in VICE & Failed TAPClean





I've tried testing with 96000freq and it does not improve things in this instance.
I don't know if this is an issue with settings, or something not right with my recording part of the head? as the read seems to be ok given I can make good backups of original tapes.

I've attached the 3 TAP files from above failed attempts:
new_super_zaxxon.TAP
azimuth_100_44100.TAP
azimuth_75_44100.TAP
6
1530USB Datasette to PC Adapter / Re: Any more on the way?
« Last post by leederbyshire on September 05, 2024, 11:18:43 PM »
Thank you very much.  Ordered.
7
1530USB Datasette to PC Adapter / Re: Any more on the way?
« Last post by Remzi on September 05, 2024, 09:02:35 PM »
I have some more available again.
Thank you for your interest.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134427072245
8
1530USB Datasette to PC Adapter / Any more on the way?
« Last post by leederbyshire on September 05, 2024, 12:01:43 PM »
Is there a new batch being made, or does anyone have one to sell?

Thanks.
9
1530USB Datasette to PC Adapter / Re: Quality check of the recordings - a discussion
« Last post by Remzi on April 14, 2024, 08:26:32 PM »
Hi,welcome to the support forum  ;D

If the game loads and runs fine on Winvice,it is a good dump.
FinalTap sometimes gives errors if that loader is not in its database.
Try testing and cleaning with TapEx

If recorded tapes gives errors on real HW,it is either your azimuth alignment is not very good or another windows sound was recorded to the tape.
Record this software (right click,save as) to the tape.Use it with a original tape which has a faster fastloader like Novaload.
If you happen to have Crazy Comet or Evil Dead original tapes even better.
10
1530USB Datasette to PC Adapter / Quality check of the recordings - a discussion
« Last post by frm on April 14, 2024, 06:52:43 PM »
Hi everybody, I just recently started my adventure in the world of preservation, buying a 1530USB.
I toyed with some tapes after testing the functionality of them on my trusted c64 and had some mixed results.
For the most part, if it works on real HW, the TAP also works, but I get some reports from finalTAP which I can't properly understand...

Let's talk examples:
Space Harrier from Encore (budget EU version) - it worked like a charm (also used POKEs to advance A LOT in the game) but finalTAP reports a "51% recognized"
Header test : PASS - Recognition test : FAIL - Checksum test : PASS - Read test : PASS - Optimization test : PASS

Mario's bros 2 (which is actually the ocean version of Mario Bros) by the notorius Armati brand* reports 23% and still works fine
Header test : PASS - Recognition test : FAIL - Checksum test : FAIL - Read test : PASS - Optimization test : PASS
I get the recognition fail, since it's just a pirated version, buth why the checksum fails and the game plays?

I'll add that both are single load programs, if that helps.

Even the Gryzor demo on the back of Combat school is a single load (78 laps for a single level...) and passed all tests - strange, because when I tried to load it on C64 it went out of memory error  :o

Last, Combat school itself: it didn't load on the real HW, nor did the TAP, but I still get a fascinating 94%
Header test : PASS - Recognition test : FAIL - Checksum test : FAIL - Read test : PASS - Optimization test : PASS

The question boils down to "am I doing it right?" before I have to start over the work  :)
Also, any guide, documentation, threads you can point me to will be appreciated.

*Armati unprotected games and sold them in Italy way before copyright laws were extended to SW
Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 10