Talk:Commodore Datassette

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Contents

[edit] "Datassette" vs "Datasette"

The C64 Programmer's Ref Guide says "Datassette" (2 s'es)... --Wernher 02:54, 10 Jan 2004 (UTC)

... but various versions of the 1530/C2N's original packaging says both "Datasette" and "Datassette" (see Zimmers' pictures), and accordingly, that info is now duly included in the article. --Wernher 14:27, 11 Jan 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Cassette copying feasability

"Many a potential software pirate fancied themselves smart for trying to copy software recorded on tapes through an ordinary twin tape deck. This seldom met with success:"

This is rubbish, back in the 80s almost all my high school would exchange compliation tapes of games created by copying on twin tape decks. The tapes could normally survive at least 2 or 3 generations of copying too. --Anonymous

You're absolutely right; I can confirm this from ditto contemporary experiences in Norway. We even got usable results from playing the game cassette loudly on one deck and copying it via the microphones on another (in a closed room -- No-Go Zone for little brothers/sisters etc). :-)
The reason I haven't removed this statement long ago was that I thought I'd wait until we had a general article on compact audio cassette data storage in place, and then move the stuff over there, where it belongs (i.e., this technique was not limited to CBM Datassettes, but used across most home computer formats AFAIK). But thanks to your reminder, I'll 1) comment out the statement (using "<!--" and "-->"), and 2) a) start a compact cassette computer storage article myself, or b) expand the data storage coverage in the compact audio cassette article into a full section (if no one else beats me to it, that is). --Wernher 18:49, 1 Apr 2005 (UTC)

[edit] C2N vs 1530

Whilst they're functionally identical, the C2N name on its own seems to refer to the PET-style datassettes, whereas 1530 means the newer C64/VIC ones. Though this rule doesn't seem that firmly set, it seems to have been the common nomenclature.

In the datassette manual I have has the new-style drive on the cover, and refers to it exclusively as the "1530 DATASSETTE", but there's a note at the bottom of page 1 saying "This manual also applies to the C2N DATASSETTE". However, the same manual's cover reads:

1530 Datassette Unit
Operating Instructions
Model C2N

This survey, which presumably uses the nomenclature that Commodore users used, gives this breakdown of what datassette drive people own.

  • 1530 datasette, 63.7%.
  • C2N, 48.1%.
  • 1531 (Plus/4), 15.1%. This alleges that there's quite a few 264-series computers connected to Datasettes.
  • (Third-party clones, 26.1%.)

Crucially, it lists C2N and 1530 seperately. I have a original-shape datassette, and the label on its bottom calls it simply a "Commodore C2N Cassette", implying that the "Datassette" name came about later, presumably with the new-shape drives.

I propose that this naming distinction should be mentioned in the article. Can anyone who used 8-bit Commodores back in the day give any clarification, confirmation or objections? boffy_b 14:53, 24 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Commodore 1531-C64/128 compatibility?

The article says:

Through the use of an adaptor, [Commodore 1531] could be used with a C64/128, but only to read and write tapes in the 1531 format. As such, it could not be used to load C64/128 software.

I believe - in fact, I know - this is not true. I had a Commodore 64 and I used it with a 1531. (Bought by accident, as the store went out of 1530s.) 1531 had a Mini-DIN connector, so an adaptor was indeed necessary. But once you connected it, there was no difference: I could load games from my friends' 1530-recorded tapes without a problem, and they could load from mine. The format has nothing to do with the cassette recorder: it is determined by the computer that sends the data. GregorB 21:34, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

I apologise for putting this mis-information into the article. I bought a 1531 with an adaptor on ebay and tried to use it with my C64. Tapes would start playing, but not load, even though they worked with all other Datassette drives I have. I suppose either my adaptor or 1531 must be faulty. boffy_b 11:01, 11 October 2006 (UTC)
Well, no big deal - it's fixed now. Your problem may indeed be due to a hardware fault, but may also be due to the simple fact (not spelled out in the article, but rather well known) that - if turbo tape is used - the tape recorded on one 153x is not necessarily readable on another 153x without azimuth adjustment. So, when I said that I could load games "without a problem", that really meant "without a problem that azimuth adjustment could not solve". The article is also a bit unclear on one point: the device is indeed very unreliable, but that's only when turbo tape is used. Without turbo tape (i.e. working as designed) it is very realiable, but also slow to the point of being unusable. I'll update the article accordingly when I catch some time... GregorB 17:16, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] data format

Anybody has detailed information about the data format stored on tape?. Jcea 18:10, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

...and the (original) transfer rate? My guess is 512 bits per second, but I can't back it up with a citation. GregorB 15:24, 19 September 2007 (UTC)

http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/crossplatform/transfer/C2N232/ —Preceding unsigned comment added by Petchboo (talk • contribs) 18:04, 7 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] “Turbo Tape” formats “only widely used in the UK”?

In its present version, the article makes a claim that so-called “turbo tape” software was “only widely used in the UK, as the US market had long since moved onto disks.” I think the “turbo tape” formats were widely used all over Europe – and at least in the Nordic countries. (I know for a fact that “turbo tape” loaders and storage formats were widely used in Finland – having used those utilities myself and seen them used commonly at the time.) — Jukka Aho (talk) 00:08, 19 April 2008 (UTC)