Ok after trying out some of this stuff in this topic http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/mp3-player-for-playing-games-%28-cpc-6128-%29/msg76812 (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/mp3-player-for-playing-games-%28-cpc-6128-%29/msg76812/#new) I am keen to build up a collection of wav files onto my 2GB mp3 player for playing games on my 464. I tried using the Otla program but it kept throwing up errors even when I was trying to learn using the sample files. Does anyone have a nice collection of already converted and working quick-loading wav files of great games (ideally would like things like SwitchBlade, RoboCop, Turrican 1 +2 and UN Squadron and such) already they can share please?
I would love it. It's simple to convert a standalone file, or game that have been packed in one file. Otherwise you need to set adresses etc That's why I used a lot SNA.
I think a better solution would be to simply playback the original CDT file directly.
Saves time and space.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.kica.tapdancer (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.kica.tapdancer)
But requires a smart phone of course.
It's really faster than Otla? 30 seconds for 64Ko SNA. Boulder Dash 1 (packed version) takes 13 seconds.
I uploaded some WAV files only because it's smaller than MP3 when compressed. 24Ko a game ;)
edit: it save time on CDT to MP3 convertion. Smaller files too even if you can put a lot of MP3 today. (take more time as well to copy)
Maybe one can also port Otla on android ;P (SBB are 64Ko)
Quote from: mr_lou on 14:41, 09 March 14
I think a better solution would be to simply playback the original CDT file directly.
Saves time and space.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.kica.tapdancer (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.kica.tapdancer)
But requires a smart phone of course.
I just tried this out on my phone and some CDT files I happened to have on my computer and so far I got Death Wish III running beautifully. Not fast loading but it did load and was a lot easier managing the files then using my little mp3 player. Very cool.
SwitchBlade seems to fail getting past loading screen. One time it said 'Read Error A'. Trying some other games now.
Quote from: Carnivac on 15:00, 09 March 14
SwitchBlade seems to fail getting past loading screen. One time it said 'Read Error A'. Trying some other games now.
I don't know the OTLA project too well (I had a look years ago, but not recently), but if you're getting Read Error A, that's the system loader getting confused (and IIRC, read error a is failing to detect the block header after the pilot tone). I'm presuming that OTLA comes with a loader section before its high speed section. Assuming you have recorded that and it's that that's failing, then you must have the volume either much too quiet or too loud for the recording.
Once you've got OTLA actually loading, it's fair to say that'll be the fastest possible way of transferring data. It can only achieve the really high data rates it does because it tolerates no variation in playback speed or volume levels. That's fine if you're connecting directly from PC to CPC via a tape adaptor, but not if you're trying to record it. Also, if I remember rightly, I don't think it's tolerant of inverted polarity (i.e. if your wire swaps + and - around) when connected directly to a PC.
However, I suspect the real problem is because you're compressing to MP3. The way MP3 encoding works is by removing the high frequency components that the human ear can't easily hear. If you have a high-enough bitrate MP3, this might be OK for a normal loader at 1000 or maybe 2000 baud, but it's not at all surprising that OTLA's about 12000 baud is getting mangled as this is exactly the range of frequencies that MP3 is designed to get rid of. You'd be far better seeing if you can get WAV or FLAC files onto your MP3 player.
Tapdancer (as recommended by mr_lou) should work fine (although I've not tested it) as there's no compression anywhere. Of course, you'll also need to get the right volume level.
Sorry I meant SwitchBlade failed using Tapdancer (as I had quoted mr_lou's post in that post). As did my copies of Strider II and Batman (3D). Ghostbusters, Seymour goes to Hollywood, Roland on the Ropes and Death Wish III were all successful as was loading a scr image file I put onto a CDT using JavaCPC Desktop.
Where's a good CDT resource? The old sites don't seem to be about any more.
When I was using the OTLA files (of which I just couldn't figure out to make my own. Way too complex for me) it was often failing during loading and saying Read Error B. And they were all WAV files from Token's RAR file in the mp3 player topic.
I did abuse also with the speed, they all worked for me back. By looking the last Otla's setting, I see I wrote 100 ms in the pause editbox, by defaut it's 500 ms. I was trying to load Boulder Dash the fastest way I could, for the fun ;) (to win 1 sec)
I found some CDT in my drive =]
http://www.speedyshare.com/WrtU6/CDT.ZIP (http://www.speedyshare.com/WrtU6/CDT.ZIP)
(I think it's a part of what Gryzor uploaded on the wiki)
Quote from: Carnivac on 17:44, 09 March 14
Where's a good CDT resource? The old sites don't seem to be about any more.
CPC-POWER (http://www.cpc-power.com/) and CPCRulez (http://cpcrulez.fr/) are the places to go.
I have them all ;D
Just need a good place to upload them for this week :-\
Quote from: Neil79 on 00:26, 12 March 14
I have them all ;D
Just need a good place to upload them for this week :-\
Thanks. could you please private message me when you have done so I get the email notification?
I did nab a few off CPC Power that I couldn't wait for but that captcha crap certainly kills the enthusiasm.
http://cpcrulez.fr/GamesDL_tape/index.php (http://cpcrulez.fr/GamesDL_tape/index.php)
Lots here!
Quote from: Token on 18:36, 09 March 14
I did abuse also with the speed, they all worked for me back. By looking the last Otla's setting, I see I wrote 100 ms in the pause editbox, by defaut it's 500 ms. I was trying to load Boulder Dash the fastest way I could, for the fun ;) (to win 1 sec)
I found some CDT in my drive =]
http://www.speedyshare.com/WrtU6/CDT.ZIP (http://www.speedyshare.com/WrtU6/CDT.ZIP)
(I think it's a part of what Gryzor uploaded on the wiki)
Going to give your CDT files a try as I think some of mine are corrupt ( only work via emulator )
Still can't get Dizzy 1 to work >:(
http://www.speedyshare.com/PzYXv/Dizzy-I.zip (http://www.speedyshare.com/PzYXv/Dizzy-I.zip)
Quote from: Token on 20:28, 14 March 14
http://www.speedyshare.com/PzYXv/Dizzy-I.zip (http://www.speedyshare.com/PzYXv/Dizzy-I.zip)
Just tried this and on fast dizzy it starts up and I get a ERROR load and on normal dizzy it doesn't even start
I know what you're thinking about now. Sell the phone and get a HxC lol ;)
Quote from: Neil79 on 21:10, 14 March 14
Just tried this and on fast dizzy it starts up and I get a ERROR load and on normal dizzy it doesn't even start
I got that ERROR too when the signal is too hot, I'd to reduce the volume a lot. The both works on my 464.
With the fast version it simple: if you manage to get the blue/black stripes with error text on the background reduce the level until the stripes get bigger (=the good level, at least this setting should work with slow version), then you don't even have to restart, simply rewind the audio.
Quote from: Token on 22:11, 14 March 14
I got that ERROR too when the signal is too hot, I'd to reduce the volume a lot. The both works on my 464.
With the fast version it simple: if you manage to get the blue/black stripes with error text on the background reduce the level until the stripes get bigger (=the good level, at least this setting should work with slow version), then you don't even have to restart, simply rewind the audio.
Will try that now :)
Quote from: Token on 20:28, 14 March 14
-
Success I got Dizzy 1 working - normal
By using a Speaker Booster on my Android phone, then dropping the volume by one. Worked fine and I played it, took the Speaker Booster off as a test and sure enough it wont load at all :)
I'm glad it work, good job ;)
Quote from: Token on 01:33, 15 March 14
I'm glad it work, good job ;)
Now if you could do every game in WAV i'd be happy or MP3 :laugh:
Thanks again Token!
That's some games ;)
You can drag'n'drop your CDT into Tapir dialog (Win32 freeware) on the left or right side, then you save it in WAV (play to WAV, 44100 Hz)
http://newton.sunderland.ac.uk/~mikie/tapir0906071950.zip (http://newton.sunderland.ac.uk/~mikie/tapir0906071950.zip)
Here is my old CDT dumps.
It may be faster than downloading a lot of single files ;)
Nice, Cheers
downloaded with my thanks.
Pretty much all my games work now either through Tapdancer or playing the MP3/Wav version! It's great that if one doesn't work via one version it does via another 8) 8)
Quote from: Neil79 on 00:26, 12 March 14
I have them all ;D
Just need a good place to upload them for this week :-\
See that "Downloads" link at the menu bar above? ;)
You want me to upload all the CDT files? :-\
Oh and awesome download section, bloody shame the new stuff is all *.dsk :(
You could up just a single archive containing them all; wouldn't be too big...
Quote from: Token on 02:08, 15 March 14
That's some games ;)
You can drag'n'drop your CDT into Tapir dialog (Win32 freeware) on the left or right side, then you save it in WAV (play to WAV, 44100 Hz)
http://newton.sunderland.ac.uk/~mikie/tapir0906071950.zip (http://newton.sunderland.ac.uk/~mikie/tapir0906071950.zip)
Doesn't work for any of Cholo's CDT's. Dunno why I'm trying tho I dont have a real CPC
Edit: I do know why its not working. Its cos I'm dropping the zips, silly me