C64 SD V2 by Manosoft ::The future of media storage, is Secure Digital or SD for short. It is used almost everywhere and on every computer, even on the humble Commodore.
Currently there are three known SD card mediums around :
1. Retro Replay
2. Ultimate 1541
3. Chameleon 64
However, there is another product that you should be aware of ... It's the C64 SD by Manosoft !
Just like many of the other available Hardware that has SD reader capabilities, the C64 SD offers the ability to the following image formats : D64, PRG and P00. T64 isn't supported at the moment. The Hardware is based on SD2IEC.
The Workings ::The C64 SD is ideally powered via the C2N Tape port and also uses the Serial port for Disk control on a Commodore 64 or VIC 20 and apparently the Plus/4. However, my tests have been done whilst using a Commodore 128 and because of the Tape port and Serial port arrangment, I am having to use power via a 9v Battery through a custom made Long DC Power Plug 2.5mm/5.5mm. Although, an external Power Adapter could be used that uses 5v with the correct polarity. ( further tests required )
There is also a through port that enables the use of a Serial Cable for Daisy chaining to another Disk Drive. I set the C64 SD to Device 9 and daisy chained it to an Excelerator+ Plus Drive ( Device 8 ). This proved useful when copying files and converting images.
All images can be loaded via two browsers :
CBM-Command ::CBM-Command lets you copy Files to and from Images and real Disks. It also lets you convert a C64 Disk to D64 and vice versa.
Quite ingenious really, but a little slow. However, if you are only copying the odd disk or two, it's bearable.
Although, slow and somewhat clunky, this program is pretty good at doing what it's supposed to do ... Copy Files and convert from D64 to Disk and Disk to D64. ( please see Speed Transfer Trials )
Fibr :: ( site currently down )
Excellent for just loading Disk Images ( D64 ) or Files ( PRG ), ( PRG, ( P00 ).
Also, there is an additional program called :
Dra Copy ( site in German, but can be translated using Google Translate )
I haven't used this program properly, so there are no comments on this yet.
Speed Transfer Trials :CBM-Command via C64 SD ::D64 to Disk = 14-15 mins ( includes format )
Disk to D64 = 12 mins
File ( 192 blocks ) to Disk = 3:45
Disk ( 192 blocks ) to File = 3:05
Star Commander via XA1541 v2 ( Turbo Transfer Setting ) ::D64 to Disk = 2:24 mins ( includes format )
Disk to D64 = 1:45 mins
File ( 192 blocks ) to Disk = 0:56
Disk ( 192 blocks ) to File = 0:57
These speeds might seem quite different, but I think if Jiffy DOS was applied in some way, the C64SD transfer rates might improve. So, further research and testing is required here.
L.E.D. ,Button and SD Card Information ::Apart from the SD Card slot, there are three L.E.D's and two Buttons :
L.E.D.'s from left to right : Blue ( Read / Write ), Read ( Busy ) and Green ( Power )
Button's from left to right : Reset C64SD, Disk Swap
SD Card : Must be formatted as FAT16 ( upto 4GIG - clarification )
Summary ::The review and undertakings might not have been as in depth as I originally wanted, but to be honest, I am very pleased with the C64SD. Okay, it might not be a good looking device like the competitors, but it is practical and it's workings deliver all that is needed. Well, for me anyway and perhaps you ? Maybe future software and firmware updates may deliver options for a Commodore SID Player and faster File and Disk Transfer. For the price of 60 Euros, it's really is a steal !
*** At the time of this review, the C64SD is currently - " Out of Stock ". ***
Please contact Manosoft for further information : email [
manosoft@libero.it ] / www [
http://c64sd.roxer.com ]
*** News Update ***New model available : C64SD Infinity : [
http://www.manosoft.it/ ]
