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General Category => Amstrad CPC hardware => Topic started by: skywalky on 11:33, 07 July 15

Title: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: skywalky on 11:33, 07 July 15
Hi. I like to make another batch of the Transtape for CPC. The Spanish Hacking device from HM. Transtape - CPCWiki (http://cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Transtape)

The PCB is in MX4 format and the price will be about 30€ assembled and 22€ on kit to DIY. Shipping cost not included.
I do not build the cable to connect on CPC but if you need one I think TotO kindly can make you one.  ;D

I hope people are interested.

(http://i.imgur.com/nBCgrsB.jpg)


INTERESTED PEOPLE (10 boards):
1 - acf76es (VaDeRetro) - Paid - Address - Shipped - Received
2 - Gryzor (CPCWiki) - Paid - Address - Shipped
3 - archcosmo (CPCWiki) - Paid - Address - Shipped
4 - yannis_uno (CPCWiki) - Paid - Address - Shipped
5 - abraxas_clone (eMail) - Paid - Address - Shipped
6 - vidamia (ZonaDePruebas) - Paid - Address
7 - VZ (CPCWiki) - Paid - Address - Shipped - Received
8 - ?
9 - ?
10 - ?

UPDATES
01/10/2015 - PCBs ordered
01/10/2015 - RAM ordered
01/10/2015 - EPROM ordered
02/10/2015 - EPROM shipped
08/10/2015 - RAM shipped
08/10/2015 - Components ordered
13/10/2015 - Components shipped
14/10/2015 - Components received
14/10/2015 - PCBs shipped
27/10/2015 - RAM received
27/10/2015 - EPROM received
30/10/2015 - PCBs received
04/11/2015 - Start the assembly
10/11/2015 - All Boards assembled
11/11/2015 - Boards Tested - All OK
13/11/2015 - Boards shipped
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: Singaja on 12:01, 07 July 15
So the purpose of this device is the same as of Multiface? Are there differences / benefits vs MF?
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: skywalky on 12:25, 07 July 15
I think the only benefit is that que copies made with the Transtape work on any CPC without the Transtape connected. I think the MFII does not allow this without external software.
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: Audronic on 23:56, 07 July 15
Is there an Owners manual available (English) Please


Ray
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: Dizrythmia on 05:18, 08 July 15
Seeing as I own a Multiface 2 I'd like to see a full list of features before committing to buy. If there's something in there that wows me then I'll definitely buy it :)
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: TFM on 17:13, 08 July 15
Well, just look at the Wiki pages!  ;)
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: Gryzor on 18:46, 20 August 15
Put me down for one.


Is this project still on?
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: archcosmo on 12:25, 21 August 15
I'd be interested in one of these (an assembled version) as well


Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: yannis_uno on 12:40, 21 August 15
Me too! I would like to purchase 1 assembled Transtape clone please!

Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: skywalky on 16:43, 21 August 15
Ok. I have made a batch of 10 boards before the first reply here but if there are 5 or 6 people interested I can make another batch.
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: Gryzor on 17:11, 21 August 15
Yay :)
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: skywalky on 18:11, 24 September 15
Hello again. The next week I will raise the project again. Here is the current list:

- acf76es (VaDeRetro)
- Gryzor (CPCWiki)
- archcosmo (CPCWiki)
- yannis_uno (CPCWiki)
- abraxas_clone (eMail)
- vidamia (ZonaDePruebas)
- VZ (CPCWiki)

Someone else?
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: Gryzor on 18:17, 24 September 15
Quote from: skywalky on 18:11, 24 September 15
Hello again. The next week I will raise the project again. Here is the current list:

- acf76es (VaDeRetro)
- Gryzor (CPCWiki)
- archcosmo (CPCWiki)
- yannis_uno (CPCWiki)

Someone else?
Ahhh cool news, great to hear it!

Sent from my Amstrad CPC464 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: VZ on 12:49, 30 September 15
One more for me, please  :D
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: Phantomz on 13:49, 30 September 15
Is there any emulator that supports " Transtape " rom ?

It would be cool to check it out, it might come in handy for some gx4000 conversions where the game is compressed.

I like the idea that the saves work without hardware, would come in very handy on the gx4000 as we can't plug anything in.

I can't use multiface two saves on gx4000 games as antimultiface requires 128k  :doh:
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: skywalky on 14:26, 30 September 15
Quote from: VZ on 12:49, 30 September 15
One more for me, please  :D
OK
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: skywalky on 17:03, 30 September 15
I have sent PM to all interested. In the message I don't say to send me your Shipping Address but please reply with your Address. Thank you
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: archcosmo on 05:58, 01 October 15
payment sent, and also replied to your PM  :)

thanks
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: skywalky on 10:06, 01 October 15
The boards will be last week of October or first week of November.
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: skywalky on 14:02, 05 October 15
I've updated the first post with the status.
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: Gryzor on 17:34, 10 October 15
Yay! More boards in my room :)
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: skywalky on 15:06, 15 October 15
Quote from: Phantomz on 13:49, 30 September 15
Is there any emulator that supports " Transtape " rom ?

It would be cool to check it out, it might come in handy for some gx4000 conversions where the game is compressed.

I like the idea that the saves work without hardware, would come in very handy on the gx4000 as we can't plug anything in.

I can't use multiface two saves on gx4000 games as antimultiface requires 128k  :doh:
No, the Transtape is not yet emulated.
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: TFM on 21:50, 15 October 15
Use the Multiface II instad. This one is emulated.  :)
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: Phantomz on 22:45, 15 October 15
Quote from: TFM on 21:50, 15 October 15
Use the Multiface II instad. This one is emulated.  :)

A emulated Multiface II doesn't help with GX4000 conversions, as you need the Multiface II plugged in for any save files to work.

I know there is a program antimultiface, but this requires 128k, so again, this is no use as the GX4000 only has 64k.

If Transtape doesn't need the interface to be plugged in to load any save files it made, this could then be used to make carts.

For example, load the game, redefine the keys etc, save the file and convert to cart, this would be handy if this could be done in emulation.

I've never used or seen Transtape before, so not sure how it works or saves.
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: TFM on 23:14, 15 October 15
Good points... reminds me about Mirage Imaginer.
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: skywalky on 20:52, 05 November 15
I'm assembling the boards. Next week I can ship the Transtapes.
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: mahlemiut on 04:14, 06 November 15
Quote from: Phantomz on 13:49, 30 September 15
Is there any emulator that supports " Transtape " rom ?
I'm working on Transtape support for MAME, but not quite getting the mapping exactly right.
Trying to determine which bits mean what in its I/O ports (FBF0 and FBFF) is not easy, although I'm pretty confident that bit 1 of FBF0 enables/disables the ROM.
If anyone does know, please do let me know. :)
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: Gryzor on 08:25, 06 November 15
Nice news, thanks for the update @skywalky (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=900) !
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: skywalky on 09:31, 06 November 15
Quote from: mahlemiut on 04:14, 06 November 15
I'm working on Transtape support for MAME, but not quite getting the mapping exactly right.
Trying to determine which bits mean what in its I/O ports (FBF0 and FBFF) is not easy, although I'm pretty confident that bit 1 of FBF0 enables/disables the ROM.
If anyone does know, please do let me know. :)
Can I help you with the transtape in a real CPC?
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: mahlemiut on 11:36, 06 November 15
Quote from: skywalky on 09:31, 06 November 15
Can I help you with the transtape in a real CPC?
Actually, I wonder if the ROM is mappable without pressing either button.  An OUT &FBF0,2 might make it appear at &0000...
Title: Re: Transtape Clone (MX4)
Post by: arnoldemu on 22:43, 06 November 15
I updated the wiki with what I could find from the schematics.

Interesting:
- detects lower/upper rom state based on a read in the lower rom/upper rom area (monitors ROMEN).
- an opcode read of a memory address (well a partially decoded memory address) causes rom and ram to be disabled (so it can return to the stopped program)
- I added the exact decoding of the ram and ports.

Some of these devices like this involve monitoring memory accesses etc...
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