Pros & Cons HxC SD-Interface

[CPCIak]

What's your experience with the new SD-Interface?

(+) well made -> doesn't look like a homebrewn device
(+) standard shugart bus -> not only for CPCs
(+) very easy to use: 3 buttons up, down & select
(+) huge blue display

(-) DSK files aren't supported: You have to convert all files to "HFE" ones
(-) I've successfully uploaded files to the sd interface. Problem: No app can handle these hfe-files expected the hxc one.

Problem fixed  v1.3.9.0

(-) Several DSKs I've copied back to 3" are corrupted copy protection?
(-) although it's jumpered as drive B, I have to select drive A after booting
Thanks to nurgle for clearing this point

[Gryzor]

Still waiting for mine, but it's a worthwhile thread... maybe, if it builds up a little, we should send the link to the creator...

[viddi]

Some converted .dsk files don´t work.
E.g.: Prehistorik 2 (Plus version)!

I hope this game will be supported soon.

[Devilmarkus]

Some converted .dsk files don´t work.
E.g.: Prehistorik 2 (Plus version)!

I hope this game will be supported soon.

But you can transfer it now to 3" or also 3,5" should work, too:
http://cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php/topic,736.0.html

[viddi]

I know and already did.
(CPCDiskXP also supports its protection)

HFE support would be nice, though.

[Devilmarkus]

Well I also tried transfer with CPCDiskXP and the disk failed to load...

But let's go back to topic

[nurgle]

(-) although it's jumpered as drive B, I have to select drive A after booting

For those who do not own one: The SD-Card HxC can emulate two floppy drives on the shugart bus. Therefore you can select "Drive A" and "Drive B" in the menu on the display to insert two different images. When used as an external drive on a CPC6128 you can of course only use one external drive, this means you only use the first drive on the HxC. This leeds to the situation that you have to load an image into "Drive A" on the HxC which is then of course recognized as |B on the CPC as |A is the internal drive.


This is of course a cosmetic issue and not a real problem. I have an ABBA switch in my CPC6128 which means I always insert images into "Drive A" in the HxC which then becomes |A or |B on my CPC depending on the position of the ABBA switch.

[Cholo]

(-) Several DSKs I've copied back to 3" are corrupted

I havnt had this error myself. But i did have a HFE being wrongly read because i shut the power off before "ejecting" the image. Seems to me its quite importent that you remember to eject and remount the floppies before turning off/on.

Another Con: the powerplug on the SD version is somehow not compatible fully with a normal pc power cable. So you either make a hole or file off the "tooth" so that the pc cable will able to lock on correct.

[CPCIak]

A new software version has just been released (v1.3.9.0)!
Now it's possible to convert hfe- into dsk-files

http://hxc2001.free.fr/floppy_drive_emulator/HxCFloppyEmulator_soft.zip

[Cholo]

A new software version has just been released (v1.3.9.0)!
Now it's possible to convert hfe- into dsk-files

http://hxc2001.free.fr/floppy_drive_emulator/HxCFloppyEmulator_soft.zip

Woohoo! Looks like praying to the old gods actually works.

[Gryzor]

Ahhh now you're talking

I think my unit is at the post office, got a notification today... did he send them out registered/signed-for?

[CPCIak]

I think my unit is at the post office, got a notification today... did he send them out registered/signed-for?

Yes, you are right Gryzor!

[Cholo]

Ahhh now you're talking

I think my unit is at the post office, got a notification today... did he send them out registered/signed-for?

Indeed both the USB and SD one came with recorded mail.

Wiki updated a bit:
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Guide_for_HxC_SD_Version

[Cholo]

Found another Con:
- unlike with a real drive, you cant format the disc. Like if you have a Data disc then you cant copy a System disc on top of it. Or you cant copy a 42 track disc on a 40 track image.

[woody.cool]

So, is it worth getting one of these?
I'm considering one for my CPC6128
Also, will it work with a CPC464? do I need the FD-1 (or is it the DD-1, can't remember) interface for use with a CPC464?

[Devilmarkus]

Also, will it work with a CPC464? do I need the FD-1 (or is it the DD-1, can't remember) interface for use with a CPC464?

Logically yes.
You need the controller.
It's easy to modify it to get power from 464. (Short C115 on it's pcb, that's all)

[woody.cool]

Logically yes.
You need the controller.
It's easy to modify it to get power from 464. (Short C115 on it's pcb, that's all)

Nice one!
Considering a purchase now.

[Devilmarkus]

Nice one!
Considering a purchase now.

But remember:
When you modify it's power input, and you want to use it later with a 3" drive, you need to undo this change.

[woody.cool]

But remember:
When you modify it's power input, and you want to use it later with a 3" drive, you need to undo this change.

It's mostly for use with my 6128 tbh, but maybe the odd time on the 464.

[CPCIak]

Has anyone tried out the new firmware v.1.1.1.0?

[Gryzor]

How do you know which version you have? And where did you see 1.1.1.0? And what's new? And how do you install it?

Well, I got my unit on Friday... and now I can't find my 6128s!!!!! Ahhhhh darn...

I also bought a new SD card and upon starting the program I found that big con about the size of the generated files... You see, I bought a 2GB SD card thinking it'll be plenty for the CPC collection, but of course... Oh well.

[CPCIak]

The actual firmware is shown when you switch on the interface.
News & updates from the author can be found here: http://hxc2001.free.fr/floppy_drive_emulator/index.html#intro

In order to update the firmware you've got to copy the *upd and *cfg file to a fresh formated SDCard

[Gryzor]

Thanks... his web pages are all over the place!

[Cholo]

Upgrading the firmware is also expained in the Wiki:
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Guide_for_HxC_SD_Version

Anyone spots new functionality with the new firmware, please speak up 

[Gryzor]

Yeah, silly me, I read the article later...

But the changelog doesn't have any major new functionality, I doubt you'll notice anything unless you have an Amiga?