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General Category => Amstrad CPC hardware => Topic started by: Amstari on 13:55, 30 July 10

Title: CPC 6128 using a CTM640 monitor
Post by: Amstari on 13:55, 30 July 10
Hi,

Is it possible to use a 6128 without the extra 12 volts from a CTM644 monitor? Is the 12 volts just used to power the internal disk drive?

I want to connect a 6128 to a CTM640 monitor (the original 464 one - no 12 volt socket). I don't need to use the internal 3" disk drive on the 6128 because I will be connecting an external 3.5" drive which only needs the 5 volts. Will this work?

Cheers,
Steve
Title: Re: CPC 6128 using a CTM640 monitor
Post by: Bryce on 14:00, 30 July 10
Yeah, no problem. The 12V is only for the Disk, the rest works perfectly with just the 5V supply.

Bryce.
Title: Re: CPC 6128 using a CTM640 monitor
Post by: Amstari on 14:13, 30 July 10
Thanks Bryce!  ;D
Title: Re: CPC 6128 using a CTM640 monitor
Post by: Amstari on 02:31, 15 August 10
Quote from: Bryce on 14:00, 30 July 10
Yeah, no problem. The 12V is only for the Disk, the rest works perfectly with just the 5V supply.

Bryce.


I got a 6128 and as you said it works without the 12v using the external 3.5 drive.

Is it possible that the 12v is also required for the tape socket and headphone socket?

I have connected a MP3 player with audio files converted from CDT to the tape socket and although I can hear it through the internal speaker it is extremely quiet and results in "Read Error A" whenever I try to load a tape. It's the same MP3 player I have previously connected to my 464 with a cassette adaptor.

Also if I connect headphones to the "Stereo" socket the sound is also very quiet.

I do plan to eventually connect 12v to the CPC but would be interested if you know if this could be the problem.

Title: Re: CPC 6128 using a CTM640 monitor
Post by: Bryce on 22:09, 22 August 10
Hi Z80A,
      The 12V supply only powered the disk drive motors, it definitely shouldn't have any effect on the tape-in or stereo ouput, it's not even connected to the main PCB. However, the stereo ouput is a line-out signal, so if the speakers you connected were passive (ie: no amplifier), then it would be rather quiet, as the signal strength is well below what a speaker requires. As far as the mp3 player is concerned, experiment with the volume control on the mp3 player and you should find a volume that wont give you read errors, it won't necessarily be the same volume that worked using the cassete adapter.

Bryce.
Title: Re: CPC 6128 using a CTM640 monitor
Post by: Amstari on 12:04, 23 August 10
Quote from: Bryce on 22:09, 22 August 10
Hi Z80A,
      The 12V supply only powered the disk drive motors, it definitely shouldn't have any effect on the tape-in or stereo ouput, it's not even connected to the main PCB. However, the stereo ouput is a line-out signal, so if the speakers you connected were passive (ie: no amplifier), then it would be rather quiet, as the signal strength is well below what a speaker requires. As far as the mp3 player is concerned, experiment with the volume control on the mp3 player and you should find a volume that wont give you read errors, it won't necessarily be the same volume that worked using the cassete adapter.

Bryce.

Thanks Bryce. Once again you've been a great help.

I didn't realise that it was only a passive output on the stereo socket. I will try using some amplified speakers. 

With the tape input I've had the MP3 player at full volume and it is still too quiet. Now that I know it is not an issue with the computer I will try connecting some other MP3 players and cassette recorders.
Title: Re: CPC 6128 using a CTM640 monitor
Post by: Bryce on 13:07, 23 August 10
Maybe it's too loud? Try lower volumes perhaps?

Bryce.
Title: Re: CPC 6128 using a CTM640 monitor
Post by: Amstari on 12:29, 29 August 10
Quote from: Bryce on 13:07, 23 August 10
Maybe it's too loud? Try lower volumes perhaps?

Bryce.

Woohoo! I have it all working now.

The sounds is great through the amplified Logitech speakers I use for a PC.

Also I'm no longer having problems loading via the tape-in cable. I now know the sound of the tape loading is quiet on the 6128 compared to the 464.

Title: Re: CPC 6128 using a CTM640 monitor
Post by: Bryce on 08:57, 30 August 10
Congratulations and yes, the stereo sound through PC speakers is excellent compared to the internal speaker.

Bryce.
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