A addon from [[Draysoft]] & [[Evesham Micros|Evesham Micro Centre]] that enables you to freeze any program make duplicates of tapes and store it copy software. The device connects to discexpansion port, and allows to copy data from an external tape deck to the CPC464's built-in tape recorder. Draysoft & Evesham Micro Centre also produced a Doubler version for the [[ZX Spectrum]]. According to adverts, the doubler also had "spectacular success on the CBM64". Now, thanks to Jose Leandro, the hardware specialist of the spectrum, with his famous page : http://trastero.speccy.org/cosas/JL/JL.htm We can know more about this hardware.
== Pictures ==
<gallery caption="Mirage ImagerDoubler">
Image:MI 1.JPG|Image:MI 2.JPG|Image:MI 3.JPG|Image:MI 4.JPG|Image:mirage imager 1.jpg|Image:mirage imager 2draysoft doubler.jpg|PCBAttached on the back of a CPC464Image:mirage imager 3Doubler Publicity.jpg|Publicity (From CPCrulez)
</gallery>
<gallery caption="Scans by Robcfg">
Image:DraysoftDoubler_PCB_Top.jpg|PCB Top
Image:DraysoftDoubler_PCB_Bottom.jpg|PCB Bottom
Image:DraysoftDoubler_Front.jpg|Front Box
Image:DraysoftDoubler_Back.jpg|Back Box
</gallery>
<gallery caption="Doubler Layout, thanks to Jose Leandro">
File:Doubler - interface_delante.jpg|Doubler - Front Box
File:Doubler - interface_detras.jpg|Doubler - Back Box
File:Doubler - cara_componentes.jpg|Doubler - Components
File:Doubler - cara_pistas.jpg|Doubler - Tracks
File:Doubler PCB.png|Doubler - PCB Front
File:Doubler Layout.png|Doubler - Layout
</gallery>
<gallery caption="Software">
Image:DraysoftDoubler_Tape_Doubler.jpg|Doubler Tape
Image:Draysoft 1.png|Doubler in action
Image:DraysoftDoubler_Tape_Speedcop.jpg|SpeedCop Tape
Image:Draysoft 2 speedcop.png|SpeedCop conversion program
</gallery>
== Technical ==
The hardware simply consists of an external cassette input:
Port F0E0h - Draysoft Doubler External Tape Data Input (Bit5) (Read Only)
* '''Port Conflicts:''' Port F0E0h may conflict with various [[Peripherals]] (which often decode only 1-2 address lines being low). Moreover, it conflicts with the internal Port F4XXh (PPI.PortA, which decodes only A11,A9,A8). To the worst, while running the Doubler software, PPI.PortA is set to 00h, so the Draysoft hardware must output a very strong HIGH level to pull-up the PPIs LOW level.
* '''Doubler software''' (Side A) executes an endless loop that forwards changes on Port F0E0h.Bit5 to PPI.PortC.Bit5 (and also to the Screen Border color). The software doesn't attempt to decode data blocks, it just forwards the data, and thus also works with any kind of non-standard data blocks. Similar results can be gained using a normal Dual HiFi Tape Deck - the advantage of the Draysoft method is that it outputs 'harder' digital transitions, however, it does add some timing inaccuracies, so the copy isn't exactly the same quality as the original.
* '''Speedcop software''' (Side B) is a baudrate conversion tool, allowing to select 1000, 2000, or 3000 bps. It's also allowing to remove SAVE"FILE",P protections. Speedcop is using only the internal recorder, ie. this program is not using the external hardware at all.
== Manual ==
<pre>A M S T R A D D O U B L E R PREPARATION (1) Switch off your computer and plug the Doubler unit onto theedge connector that is marked "FLOPPY DISC". (2) LOAD the Doubler software provided in the normal fashion. (3) Plug one end of lead provided into the socket on the Doubler.Connect the other end of the lead to the EAR socket of a décentquality mono tape deck. (4) Put a blank cassette into the Amstrad's built in cassetteplayer, put the cassette that you wish to back up into the othercassette deck. Adjust the volume of the extra cassette deck tojust under maximum. STARTING "DOUBLING" You are now ready to start the process. Simply follow the screenprompts and the tape will be backed up. A visual indication ofthe process is provided by the flashing border, this can providea useful indication to the suitability of the volume setting onthe extra tape deck. The bars on the border should be solid,looking very similar to a Sinclair Spectrum while loading. There should be no break up of the border during the pausesbetween blocks of data, if this is happening then reduce thevolume of the extra cassette deck. If by reducing the volumeenough to get rid of border break up you lose the solidity ofthe flashing border, during blocks of data, it is unlikely thatthe extra tape deck that you are using is suitable for the job. ONCE THE TAPE HAS RUN THROUGH YOUR BACK UP IS COMPLETE. S P E E D C O P Once LOADed in the normal fashion Speedcop can be used to makeback ups of all programs using conventional Amstrad loadingSystems. Follow the screen prompts provided. It is possible as you will see to select your own SAVE speed andto "deprotect" programs. With some long programs it may not bepossible to LOAD all the program to be backed up in one go. Ifthis happens SAVE the portion of the program that has been LOADedthen put the original back in and LOAD the rest of the program,Speedcop will know where to continue from.</pre> == Download == * [[Media:Mirage Imager ManualDoubler & SpeedCop.pdfzip|Mirage Imager ManualDoubler & SpeedCop.zip]] (tape) (CDT for emulators) * [[Media:Doubler Eagle.zip|Doubler (Eagle).zip]] (pdfDoubler files for Eagle)
== Weblinks ==
* [http://www.stcarchivcpc-power.decom/hc1986/11_mirageimagerindex.php Review(German)?page=detail&num=6370 ''Doubler'' from CPC-Power]* [http://cpcrulez.free.fr/hardware_mirage_imagerhardware-interface_debug-draysoft_doubler_speedcop.htm ''Doubler'' from CPCrulez review(french)]
[[Category:Hardware]] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Manual]]