Device that used to load computer programs by audio output.
The files with the data to carry out the audio upload are stored on an microSD card, and are of different types depending on the computer to which they are directed.
For example, there are .TZX files that are specific to the Sinclair Spectrum, and others such as .CDT that are for Amstrad CPC. There are some extensions, for example .CAS or .TAP, that can be shared by different computers, but their internal encoding is different, so only those specific to the computer model for which you want to upload via audio should be used.
The main firmware based on MAXduino project, we are little optimized for our hardware. The processor has an arduino bootloader built into it and you can reflash this device to suit your needs, the UART port is routed.
The main difference between firmwares is that each one is only capable of playing certain tape files, so some are specialized, although not restricted, to certain computer models, for example, the TAPuino with Commodore computers (C64, VIC20, etc.), the CASduino with MSX computers, the TZXduino with those from Sinclair (Spectrum, ZX80 or ZX81), and the MAXduino, which was born as a unification of the TZXduino and CASduino firmwares, has a more generalist approach, and allows loading on a large number of computers and formats.
ZXTape systems support
In latest version of firmware systems supports, as well as the file format, are the following:
- Spectrum: TAP and TZX
- Amstrad CPC: CDT
- MSX: CAS and TSX
- ZX80: Or
- ZX81:P
- Dragon 32/64 / Tandy CoCo: CAS and TSX
- Acorn Atom and Electron: UEF (uncompressed) and TSX
- SVI Spectravideo: TSX
- Oric 1 and Oric Atmos: Does not support oric TAPs, but does support TAPs converted to TSX
On the other hand, it is possible to incorporate data into the TSX files, not only from the MSX files, but also from any computer to use coding Kansas City Standard.Like this in NataliaPC’s github (https://github.com/nataliapc/MSX_devs/tree/master/TSXphpclass ) we find utilities to convert different types of tape files to TSX:
- uef2tsx.php: For the .UEF of the Atom, Electron and BBC Micro computers from the Acorn company.
- oric2tsx.php: For Oric .TAPs
- drg2tsx: For Dragon and Tandy CoCo .CAS files
- svi2tsx: For SVI Spectravideo .CAS
- cas2tsx: For MSX .CAS
Main futures
- A TYPE-C connector provides the 5v power.
- A slot to insert an microSD card. The card must be formatted in FAT32 or FAT16, with models up to 8GB capacity working without problems.
- A 3.5mm stereo jack connector for audio output. It only uses the left channel, so stereo-stereo or mono-mono cables work.
- A 2.5 mm jack connector for the remote function (control of the cassette motor by the computer, for example in Amstrad CPC, MSX, Acorn Electron or BBC Micro).
- Big 1.3 inch 128×64 pixel OLED screen to display menus and file names, so it is better for those who no longer have the vision as they used to.
Five pushbuttons
- 1- Play/Pause
- 2- Stop
- 3- Up
- 4- Down
- 5- Root or menu
