TZXDuino 1.7
This fixes issues with pause lengths that we never noticed before. It should fix games like Top Gun and Street Hawk for the Spectrum and make CDT files behave as they should for the Amstrad CPC.
Changes.
*Maximum pause length of 8.3 seconds due to the TimerOne library has been worked around.
*ID20 Pause Block fixed.
*Temporary fix for pause after motor control removed.
https://mega.nz/#!aEt1VJKZ!ZFw-fP3bkNTtiPlbG_IllmR94Xni3KvIGUn6Jggfof8
Hi there I was wondering if you could help me I have a 2 x TZXDuino I bought from a sellmyretro seller, one with motor control, and they both play spectrum games fine, But I cannot play Amstrad cpc games none work, I have tried different cpc 6128's with or with out motor control, they start loading but none seem to play it just says stop on the LCD screen, I have tried different firmwares as well, any help would be appreciated.
ReplyDeletethanks
Brian
There should be nothing wrong with the firmware as 1.7 is working a lot better and works very using my design of TZXDuino and motor control. Certainly most CDT files work for me.
ReplyDeleteDo you get the "Loading xxxxxxx block xxx" message?
Did you type |TAPE before typing RUN"?
Did you press play before or after you typed RUN" and pressed enter?
In theory the SMR TZXDuino should load at least some CDT files even without Motor Control.
I did do |TAPE then RUN", I've tried pressing play and enter and other combinations and I game screen start loading, I get the "Loading xxxxxxx block xxx" message but then at the end of the I look at the LCD it says stopped, but the game screen is there but doesn't kick into the game at all, maybe you can if you don't mind send me a test file or point me in the right direction, where to get a cdt file you have tried. On the spectrum haven't had any problems at all all games work. Thanks for designing a great product saves me as loads of my spectrum tape games don't load from tape any more.
DeleteI get my CDTs from CPC-Power, https://cpcrulez.fr/index.php , or here cngsoft.no-ip.org/cpc_lzx.htm
ReplyDeleteIt does sound to me as though the SMR doesn't have their Motor Control connected correctly though or something is wrong.
try https://cpcrulez.fr/GamesTest/head_over_heels.htm as that should load.
Duncan can't believe it head over heels worked, I also tried a few more and they worked I've used the cpcrulez before on manic miner but it didn't load, but the other site you gave me worked a treat cngsoft.no-ip.org/cpc_lzx.htm the manic miner worked from that site.
DeleteIf you can try this I can't get this game Magical Drop to work http://www.cpcmania.com/NewGames/MagicalDropCPC/MagicalDropCPC.htm.
But much happier now thanks if you can try Magical Drop out or tell me how to convert it thanks.
Brian
Okay. Tried both Magical Drop CDT files and neither would load in WinAPE so I edited the CDT and added a 1024ms pause at the beginning and then tested and it loaded. I haven't tried it on TZXDuino yet but it should work in theory.
DeleteYou can download it from here.
https://mega.nz/#!bIcyUAYC!2jsfcWVNgdFBr_CpRfRc9ONVrB19fYg1CyqnjJgJxbA
Hi there I tried Magical Drop on the TZXDuino and I still got error on drive b, just after the loading screen, but I also tried it in winape and it loaded, what program do you use to add the pauses, and where do you know where do you put the pauses etc.. thanks for your help
DeleteBrian
I've tested it on my 464 and it works fine.
DeleteDo you mean you get "read error b" or "error drive b"?
If you're getting "read error b" then it sounds like you Motor Control isn't working. Is your motor control port a 2.5mm socket of 3.5mm? Do you have the REM jack connected to it?
I use ZX Block Editor and just change the file extension on the tape from .CDT to .TZX
Sorry been working didn't get time to try it out, I loaded Magical Drop without the rem and with and it still doesn't load I think it gets to block 29 I think listening to the tape sound through the tv and then I get the read error b, and thats it, I have tried the game on Winape and it loads every time.
Deletethanks
Brian
I've tried it on a couple of my TZXDuinos and it works fine so it's not the firmware or the CDT which would lead me to hardware error of either your TZXDuinos or your CPC6128 but as other CDTs seem to load fine on the 6128 I think it's the TZXDuino. How are you powering it? Are you using a USB connected to the computer or a USB charger? What class SD card are you using?
DeleteI've tried that one on a Zaxon TZXDuino and with REM it works, without rem it doesn't so I've adjusted the cdt again so that it will work on TZXDuino without Motor Control and it does work. If this doesn't work then I would suggest you get in touch with the manufacturer.
Deletehttps://mega.nz/#!bQk0FQZL!J1MVEEWL02h4tQzqwYT5ssUK_EsOl0XIJF6QQTyaxFI
I didn't remove the REM in the file all I did was look at when there needed to be a pause by watching WinApe as to which block it was and then added one.
DeleteThe parts list is almost identical except for the 2.5mm jack and the right angled 12x12x7.3mm push buttons (it's designed to fit in a PP9n case) but that is an old PCB design and there are a few things wrong with it. I haven't released an updated version as I've never had chance to make any prototypes yet.
It's easy enough to add a REM socket to one of those TZXDuino by getting a 2.5mm socket and wiring the rear to pin 6 on the underside and the side to a GND.
However you should make the manufacturer aware as there may well be others with the same problem and if he doesn't fix it then future customers will have the same problem.
Hi there if I made one of the PCB's up would the motor control work on a CPC, thats all It's going to work on.
DeleteIve been looking on eBay but can't find the 2.5mm jack pcb version only this version unless you know where I can buy them .
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PCB-Mount-3-Terminals-2-5mm-Mono-Jack-Socket-Female-Connector-Black-10-Pcs-/361350065264?epid=1338744591&hash=item5422246c70:g:nsgAAOSwGJlZNtwd
thanks
Brian
The holes in the PCB design are not in the correct place as I had to design them from scratch without having the actual parts in my hand and the holes are too small as well.
DeleteThose 2.5mm jacks are the sort that I use in the standard build and what I added to my Zaxon build but are not suitable for the PCB.
I've had a look on Aliexpress and ebay and it looks like they're no longer available.
Wait. I've just found some F236D mono socket chassis mount.
Deletehttps://www.ebay.co.uk/p/5-X-Pieces-Electrovision-F236D-2-5mm-2-Pole-Mono-Socket-Chassis-Mount/1104796208?_trksid=p2047675.m4096.l9055
Hi Duncan thanks for that, the reason I want to build my own TZXduino is the one I bought from SMR the mono socket is wrong side of the ear socket and my lead doesn't fit properly, I put your design into diptrace but if I altered it to fit the components do you think it would work, including the motor control ? but I'm not very good at designing things but I can have ago if you could tell me what to alter to make the motor control working on the pcb you desingned.
Deletethanks
Brian
The motor control works and is all wired up correctly but the holes are out of position and too small for the components. It doesn't sound much but if you resize the holes then you need to reposition things to keep it within acceptable parameters. The same thing goes with the buttons. Plus producing a one off PCB is actually quite expensive. I wouldn't recommend it.
DeleteHI Brian Underhill. Why you not ask me , i'm seller , via SMR?
DeleteHi zaxon i didnt think of asking you ive already bought 2 of these units from you but wanted to make a few boards of my own i was wonfering if you email the file for the pcb. as i have lots of spectrums and cpc's i want to make the tape players for.
Deletethanks
brian
Is there any plan to implement also a Recorder to let us save the programs from ZX Spectrum to tzx file?
ReplyDeleteWe are looking into it but it may require a complete redesign of the firmware and the boards to fit it all in.
DeleteI tried the TZXDuino today with both a TZX file and a TAP file. After several seconds of loading ok, the Duino starts making some popping sounds and then the screen shows "Stopped" and the ZX show "R Tape loading error". I tried this several times and I cannot make the TAP/TZX play till the end no matter what. What is wrong? I tried dizzy 2 and manicminer iff that matters.
ReplyDeleteThere could be many reasons as to why that isn't working.
DeleteWhat firmware revision are you on?
Where did you get your TZXDuino?
Where did you get the TZX or TAP files from?
What type of Spectrum do you have?
1. The current firmware, v1.7
Delete2. I've built it myself on a breadboard based on Arduino Nano and using the Serial terminal display. So I have only attached the buttons, the microSD card (not class 10) and the 3.5mm audio jack.
3. The Tape images are from WorldOfSpectrum and they play fine through PC converted to WAV.
4. The spectrum model is irrelevant as it the problem is not related to the speccy, but it is a 48K model.
Hope you can point me in the right direction to debug!
It sounds like it's more than likely the serial monitor causing the problem. It's only there as a debugging tool and should not be used as a display.
DeleteI also tried an OLED display... the same thing.
DeleteI noticed that no more files are displayed on the screen after the popping sounds and the screen stays at "Stopped". If I press play I get No file selected.
DeleteIf I reset everything works again.
Definitely the memory getting full.
ReplyDeleteYou should try changing the font to 7x14 on the OLED1306. That will save about 10% memory on the build. That should fix the problems using the OLED.
If the low memory is the problem, why does it manifest also when running with serial terminal instead of OLED?
DeleteBecause using the serial terminal eats at the free memory and the speed as it affects the interrupts
DeleteThanks, I will try tomorrow.
DeleteThank you for sharing valuable information. Nice post. I enjoyed reading this post.
ReplyDeleteทองดีฟันขาว