Skip to main content

Software Updates for CASDuino and TZXDuino

Onward and upward. CASDuino is now on v1.11. The MSX side is working normally but there has been an update to the Dragon/ Tandy side. It's still not working properly but getting closer.

TZXDuino is now of 0.7beta2. This update has improved the compatibility by getting Speedlock games to work but has broken some of the normal TZX games. V0.5Beta is working on the more regular TZX files so I've included this as well but it doesn't work with TAP files.We are working on these issues.


CASDuino v1.11
TZXDuino v0.5Beta

TZXDuino v0.7Beta2

Comments

  1. Hi,

    Thanks for Artic Adventure - lots of fun playing that.

    I am having quite a bit of freezing when entering sub folders? I have to power off then on. So I am just working in the main folder. I don't think there was an issue with v1.8. - I have a root file in the sub folders.

    I am having better luck on the Dragon front! I think .CAS files are really picky on actual hardware. There is lots of talk about loading on emulators, and I think a lot of files are missing headers that are required on actual hardware.

    .CAS headers are loading and I have got title screens to load, but not got into a game yet. Maybe the .CAS files I am using are missing the EOF (End of File?) Block?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I got this game to load!! Well done guys!!!

    http://archive.worldofdragon.org/downloads/Tapes/Dragon/cas/Shanghai%20%28198x%29%28Burgin%2C%20P.%29%5Bu%5D.zip

    I think it must be down to a lot of .CAS files are suitable for emulators but not for real hardware.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's not the CAS files that's the fault as no matter the real length the playback should be the CASDuino software only plays Bach around two minutes twenty so there is definitely something wrong but it is closer to being right than it was.


    Hmmmm. Not sure why there's issues with the dubfolders because nothings actually changed in the file reading code. It may be that the FAT table needs sorting. Try finding and downloading FATSorter.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi, I'm trying to compile casduino v1.11b with arduino 1.0.6 and it returns this message:

    This report would have more information with
    "Show verbose output during compilation"
    enabled in File > Preferences.
    Arduino: 1.0.6 (Windows XP), Board: "Arduino Uno"
    menu.ino: In function 'void updateEEPROM()':
    menu:190: error: 'class EEPROMClass' has no member named 'put'
    menu.ino: In function 'void loadEEPROM()':
    menu:196: error: 'class EEPROMClass' has no member named 'get'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Update to a newer version of the IDE

      Delete
    2. Thank you very much, I work.
      One last question, what does the MSX cable have to look like? Do you have any schema or pinout to be able to make it? Because this does not work for me.

      https://sites.google.com/site/msx2cas/_/rsrc/1426126801806/home/MSXCassettePinout.png

      Delete
  5. It depends on the MSX that you have. If you have a Gradiente it uses a 5 Pin DIN. You can find the details at the following site. On either I would always recommend adding the 2.5mm Motor Control as the MSX does rely on it heavily and some games will not load if you do not have one. Head Over Heels is one such example.

    http://www.faq.msxnet.org/connector.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you very much, I ran a battery with a switch. Thank you very much

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi, I have a lot of CAS for MSX that load the loader screen but don't load the game, look like Casduino never found the end and stop.
    Any idea ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you using the 2.5mm motor control jack?
      Are you using the correct load command?
      What baud rate are you using?

      Delete
  8. Are you using the 2.5mm motor control jack? YES
    Are you using the correct load command? I think YES
    What baud rate are you using? 300 BAUDS

    My SD is Class 10 .. maybe the issue ?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Try lowering the baud rate to 1200 or 2400.

    I have had some issues with cards being slow but they have been Class 4. Class 10 should be perfectly fine but I have to admit I have never tried a class 10 card in a TZX/CASDuino.

    Do you have a list of games that didn't work and the command you used?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi I tried Bruce Lee from several site and with all 3 BAUDS and no way ... once at the end no game. For the moment I tried like 10 games and only 2 works. I will change my SD card and see..

    ReplyDelete
  11. It seem like it doesn't detect the End of Tape ...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Okay. I will test it myself.
    It seems to be fine on OpenMSX so it's not the .CAS file so it may be an old bug that's reintroduced itself or the card.
    I will check on my HX-10 but if the games doesn't load when it's stopped then try pressing play again and see if that works. It should be enough to get the game going.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Just tried it on my Toshiba HX-10 and it loads perfectly with the class 4 card I use that I know works. I will test on a troublesome class 4 card just to see if that recreates your problem.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I already try to press play but the IDE stop.
    I think I will buy a class 4 and try again. My MSX is a VG8020.

    ReplyDelete
  15. What do you mean?
    After it says stopped just press play and it will start the file from the beginning but it will not need to play it all the way through. It will just play the header file and that should signal the MSX that the game is loaded.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Yes it's what I did but game stuck with the loading screen and doesn't go further.
    I will try new Sd

    ReplyDelete
  17. Well this is the version I tried.
    It worked for me.

    https://www.planetemu.net/rom/msx-various-cas/bruce-lee-1985-comptiq-run-cas

    Just cluck on telecharger to download.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yep, same Website I use, so same Rom. From this website I tried like 15 and for the moment only 3 load completely.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Does it work at a lower baud rate?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Is it just that game or ate there others?

    ReplyDelete
  21. Well for the moment 80% of the games tested

    ReplyDelete
  22. Really? That many failed?
    Wow. That is unusual.
    I'm hoping it is the sd speed.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I Knowl :-) im suspecting my SD or my MSX :-) but some game like Camelot Warrior works like a charm ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm guessing that if some work it's less likely to be your MSX.
    Fingers crossed anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  25. No way :-( I bought a brand new class 4 and same issue ... I'm wondering if this is 100% compatible with all MSX system ..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All MSX's are built to a standard and CASDuino uses CAS2WAV as a basis and works on other types of MSX so it should work on yours.
      The only thing I can think of now is maybe the volume on the amplifier isn't quite right for your MSX.
      Unscrew the top of the box and, with the buttons facing you, you will see the amplifier on the right hand side. On the Amplifier is a blue potentiometer with a white top and 103 written on it. With a flathead screwdriver adjust the potentiometer so that the flat side is vertical to you.
      Try again to load Bruce Lee.
      You may have to keep adjusting but it should work.

      This is the amp and where I've found id the best setting for it.

      http://i64.tinypic.com/iy3nts.jpg

      Delete
    2. I tried to increase volume until the top and each time the same, Bruce Lee won't load and Barbarian stuck at the end without running...

      Delete
    3. I forgot to say anticlockwise increases and clockwise decreases volume. Did you try decreasing the volume?

      Delete
    4. Just try another game :Thor .. same as Bruce lee ..loading and when it should start MSX reboot ...

      Delete
    5. Yes, I try from left to rigth .. testing each 1/4 of turns

      Delete
    6. Very strange.

      There's only two there things I can think of. Connect the CASDuino to a pc and record the output as a WAV then using OpenMSX set up as the same sort of MSX as yours, you try to load the recording and see if it has the same issue.
      The other one is send it back to me and I'll investigate it as much as I can.

      Delete
    7. Okay. Just recorded the output from my CASDuino and loaded it in OpenMSX using an VG 8020 configuration and Bruce Lee worked for me. So it should work for you.
      If you try recording and loading in OpenMSX and it works then the issue is possibly with your MSX. If it doesn't load in OpenMSX then the issue is probably with the CASDuino somewhere and I would recommend sending it back to me (I will of course refund the postage).

      Delete
  26. Ok I did it, that's the error I received from Open MSX :
    Warning: NOK received on command: cassetteplayer {D:/Buce Lee.wav}
    error = Failed to insert WAV image: "WavData error: Unknown WAVE data format: 0x3" and also failed to insert CAS image: "D:/Buce Lee.wav: not a valid CAS image"

    ReplyDelete
  27. Okay that sounds like an issue with the recording. What did you use to record it?
    Try GoldWAV. That's what I use and it's free. That or Audacity.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Ok, I have the Wav, I ear the Wave in my PC but nothing happen on OpenMSX .. just the message : "You reached the end of tape ...." after 3 minutes of loaded.
    I can send you the Wav file if you want.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Some news, I just tried something like 10 games this morning and all working fine. So far the only games that never works are Barbarian, Abu Simbel and Bruce Lee ... maybe it's my MSX ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can you send me recordings of those three games so I can check them?

      Delete
  30. Hi, I have some news, I investigate and found this :
    "Due to some differences in the chipset, the Philips VG-8020 was not always 100% compatible with other MSX-computers. Typing 'poke -1,170' before loading programs usually fixed the bug"

    So I try in Bruce Lee and I reach the menu but the game fail .. but at least I reach the menu.
    So the problem is definitevely my MSX (VG8020/20 French) and not the CASduino.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for letting me know.

      I'm sorry that it's your MSX but glad it's not CASDuino or the hardware.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

TZXDuino Firmware 1.16, 1.17, and an updated TZXDuino Instruction Manual

  TZXDuino 1.16 In TZXDuino 1.15.3 I added a bug that lowered the volume of some Spectrum TZX files and all ZX80/81 TZX, O, and P files so they didn't work for many people. I fixed this for 1.16. You can download TZXDuino 1.16 from here.   TZXDuino 1.17 The MAXDuino team added ORIC TAP playback functionality to their firmware which I have adapted to TZXDuino. I don't have an Oric Atmos to test it on so I have been recording the playback and loading on Oricutron and everything I have tried has worked. Obviously things may be different on a real machine. Team MAXDuino have also added a speed up function for Oric TAP files which I will add to TZXDuino 1.18 but so far I have been unable to get it to work correctly. You can download TZXDuino 1.17 from here.   And finally there is the updated instruction manual which now tells you how to access Turbo mode for the Electron, ZX80, and ZX81. It also says for Oric but that has not been implemented yet. You can download the pdf of v...

And Now For Something Completely Amazing.

 When Andrew Beer and I came up with this idea the intention was for people to build their own and many people have but once in a while someone comes up with something so amazing it really needs to be shared. JamHamster came up with the idea of fitting a TZXDuino in a cassette. Originally it was powered by USB and had a 3.5mm Ear socket but it looked amazing. Then he added a battery so that it was self powered. Then he added a head from a CD to cassette adapter. Then he added a switch under that head so that when you press play on the Cassette Recorder it plays the file you've selected. And the TZXCassette was born Because he is a great guy he's also uploaded the instructions on how to build one to Github and you can download the instructions and build your own. Now at the moment there is no REM control it may not work as well with a CPC 464 as it does with with a Spectrum +2 but it is a stunning piece of electrical engineering and a work of art in my opinion.

New CAS/TZXDuino firmware

New firmware . TZXDuino 1.15.3 Adapted the MAXDuino ID19 code and TurboMode for ZX80/81. To access Turbo Mode for ZX80/81 and Electron please switch Turbo Mode On in the menu Also added UEF Chunk 117 which allows for differing baudrates in BBC UEFs. Added a Spectrum Font for OLED 1306 users converted by Brendan Alford. Option added to userconfig.h Added File scrolling by holding up or down buttons. By Brendan Alford. Download from here. CASDuino 1.24 Added a Spectrum Font for OLED 1306 users converted by Brendan Alford. Option added to userconfig.h Added File scrolling by holding up or down buttons. By Brendan Alford. Download from here.