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Thursday, 16 June 2022 09:25

Commodore Disk Transfers

The best kit setup to have (in order)

  1. Commodore 1571 Disk Drive + ZoomFloppy
  2. Commodore 1541 Disk Drive (with parallel mod) + ZoomFloppy
  3. Any Commodore Disk Drive + Any X-Cable

Buy from

These are my notes on how to transfer or image disks to and from a real Commodore Floppy disk.

Recommend Methods To Image Disks

  • Copy Protected Disks (Disk to Image):
    • PC (Windows) + 1571 + ZoomFloppy/XUM1541 + NIBTools + Images in G64 format
    • PC (Windows) + 1541 (With Parallel Port Mod) + ZoomFloppy/XUM1541 (With Parallel Port Option) + NIBTools + Images in G64 format
  • Copy Protected Disks (Disk to Emulated Disk):
    • PC (Windows) + 1541/1571 + Pi1541 + Maverick (GCR Nibbler Copier) + Images in G64 format (will not do all copy protections)
  • Normal Disks (Disk to Image):            
    • PC (Windows) + 1541/1571 + ZoomFloppy/XUM1541 + NIBTools + Images in D64 format
  • Normal Disks (Disk to Emulated Disk):
    • Commodore Computer + 1541/1571 + Pi1541 + DraCopy/Maverick (Fast Data Copier) + Images in D64 format
  • Normal Disks (Files to Image):
    • PC (Windows) + 1541/1571 + ZoomFloppy/XUM1541 + CBM-Transfer + Images in D64 format

Transfer Methods

There are some basic transfer methods I have discovered and they fall into the following groups below. Most of these methods require a real Commodore 1541 Disk Drive and they will not copy protected disks unless mentioned.

The instructions sets of the various methods for controlling the 1541 will vary, and so will the features they offer (i.e. Sector-to-Sector copying).

Directly connect a 1541 to a PC (Disk to Image)

  • PC (Windows) + 1571 + ZoomFloppy + NIBTools (can do copy protected disks)
  • PC (Windows) + 1541 (With Parallel Port Mod) + ZoomFloppy (With Parallel Port Option) + NIBTools (can do copy protected disks)
  • PC (Windows) + 1571 + XUM1541 + NIBTools (can do copy protected disks)
  • PC (?) + 1541 + KryoFlux + Their own software (can do copy protected disks)
  • PC (?) + 1541 + SuperCard Pro + Their own software (can do copy protected disks)

Directly connect a 1541 to a PC (File Transfer)

If you select all files it can work as if the disk is real standard DOS floppy disk for storing files etc. Programs with custom loaders (most full-disk games and demos) should be copied as disk images because they do not store their data in standard files.

  • PC (DOS)        + 1541 + Parallel Port Adapter + Star Commander
  • PC (Windows) + 1541 + Parallel Port Adapter + CBM-Transfer
  • PC (Windows) + 1541 + Parallel Port Adapter + Vice Emulator + (File Transfer Software | BASIC)
  • PC (Windows) + 1571 + ZoomFloppy + File Transfer Software
  • PC (Windows) + 1541 (With Parallel Port Mod) + ZoomFloppy (With Parallel Port Option) + File Transfer Software

Real Commodore, Real 1541 and an Emulated 1541 (Disk to Emulated Disk)

In this method creating a disk images is done by the fact we are emulating a real 1541 drive which stores the disk as an image. These methods will probably work when you want to copy disks between 2 real 1541 drives attached to a Commodore computer and if you really need too for some reason, a virtual 1541 to another virtual 1541.

You can substitute the 1541 with a another Commodore drive model of your choosing.

  • Commodore computer + 1541 + Pi1541 + Disk Copier Software (can do copy protected disks)
  • Commodore computer + 1541 + SD2IEC + Disk Copier Software
  • Commodore computer + 1541 + VC1541 (Parallel Port Adapter and PC) + Disk Copier Software (I am only guessing about this one but I don't think it will work)
  • Commodore computer + 1541 + 64HDD (Parallel Port Adapter and PC) + Disk Copier Software (I am only guessing about this one but I don't think it will work)

Real Commodore with a twin disk drive attached (BASIC)

I only mention this for completeness as I came across the following BASIC command

Copy the whole disk in drive 1 to the disk in drive 0 (on a dual-drive floppy only):

COPY D1 TO D0
  • COPY - C64-Wiki
  • The BASIC COPY command with logical drives can be used to copy between units of a dual disk drive (drives that use a single device number and two logical drives in that). I'm not aware any of them that could be connected to the plus/4 easily.
  • Examples of a suitable drive is probably the CBM PET 8050, 4040 etc..

 

Build your Commodore disk imaging setup in Windows

You must follow the 'Proper power-on sequence' as outlined here, also read these warnings

These instructions assume you have a Windows 10 PC, although not tested in Windows 11 and Windows 7 they might work. I will be installing all of the software you might use whether or not you use it to keep the instructions easy to follow.

  • Turn on your Windows 10 PC
  • Download
    • OpenCBM
      • Transfers files/images to/from a real CBM drive connected via an 'X-cable' on the parallel port or USB via ZoomFloppy/XUM1541.
      • Win NT/2K/XP, and Linux/i386 kernel driver and development library to control serial CBM devices, such as the Commodore 1541 disk drive, connected to the PC's parallel port via a XM1541 or XA1541 cable. Fast disk copier included.
      • Successor of cbm4li
      • Contains offical firmware for ZoomFloppy.
      • Releases are in a sub folder in the repo, not in the releases section.
    • C1541 / VICE (SDL Version)
      • A utility from the VICE emulator that works with CBM Image Files (ie: D64,D71,D81 files) NEW! CBM-Transfer 1.22 now supports latest releases..
      • VICE is an emulator collection which emulates the C64, the C64-DTV, the C128, the VIC20, practically all PET models, the PLUS4 and the CBM-II (aka C610). It runs on Unix, MS-DOS, Win32, OS/2, Acorn RISC OS, BeOS, QNX 6.x, Amiga, GP2X or Mac OS X machines.
      • Get the SDL version
    • CBM Transfer (CBMXfer)
      • An open-source GUI for OpenCBM, VICE, NIBTools and several other command-line utilities for transferring files and working with disk images.
    • NIBTools
      • Utilities to transfer images via parallel port. Supports protected disks.
  • Create a folder C:\commodore
  • Install OpenCBM
    • Unzip OpenCBM to (This is a temporary folder)
      C:\commodore\opencbm\
    • Navigate to this folder
    • Run the following command (doesn't have to be run from the command prompt). This will install the software to C:\Program Files\opencbm\
      C:\commodore\opencbm\install.cmd
    • When successful you will be prompted with some instructions 
      I could install the necessary USB drivers if you like
      • Option 1 - You have a ZoomFloppy
        • Insert the ZoomFloppy as instructed
        • Wait a moment for Windows to recognise the device
        • Press 'y' and then Enter
        • Press any key to continue . . .
        • (optionally) Update the ZoomFloppy firmware by running (doesn't have to be run from the command prompt)
          C:\commodore\opencbm\firmware-update.bat
        • Press any key to continue . . .
        • Unplug your ZoomFloppy
      • Option 2 - You don't have a ZoomFloppy
        • Press 'n' and then Enter
        • Press any key to continue . . .
    • Add the OpenCBM folder to the system PATH. If you need help follow the instructions here
      C:\Program Files\opencbm\
    • Create a folder to stored your imaged disks
      C:\commodore\floppies\
  • Install VICE for the C1541 utillity
    • Extract the VICE download to
      C:\commodore\vice\
    • Run one of the emulators such as x64sc.exe to make sure it works
  • Install NIBTools
    • Extract the downloaded package to
      c:\commodore\nibtools\
    • (optional) Add this folder to the system PATH.
      • If you need help follow the instructions here
      • This is if you are going to use the Nibtools from the command line.
  • Install CBM-Transfer
    • Extract the downloaded package to the folder
      C:\commodore\cbm-transfer\
    • There is no a separate setup that needs to be run even though this is what some istructions say. It must be for an old version.
    • Run
      C:\commodore\cbm-transfer\CBMXfer.exe
    • If you get an error as follows, you need to perform an additional step, if not, skip this step

      • How to Fix the 'comdlg32.ocx' missing Error on Windows? - Appuals.com
        • The comdlg32.ocx file is a part of the Visual Basic Runtime suite and it’s not located on your computer by default.
        • This guides you through fixing the issue
        • I located the file on one of my other computers, but this one should be fine.
      • The file should be located at one of these locations: 
        C:\Windows\System32\comdlg32.ocx (x32)
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\comdlg32.ocx (x64)
      • Get a copy of the file from another one of your PCs or the Appauls article above and place it in the correct folder for your version of windows
      • Open an command prompt in Administrator mode
      • Navigate to the relevant folder from above.
      • Run these 2 commands - They might generate an error but ignore it.
        regsvr32 /u Comdlg32.ocx
regsvr32 /i Comdlg32.ocx
    • Now run CBMXFer.exe
    • Upon first running you will get a dialogue box which can be ignored because we are fixing it in the next step
    • Under 'CBM-Transfer Options' (which should popped up automatically)
      • Set the various 'Utility Paths' which we installed earlier as follows:
        OpenCBM:     C:\Program Files\opencbm\
Vice, C1541: C:\commodore\vice\
NIBTools:    C:\commodore\nibtools\
      • Set the default 'Left' directory in the menu item 'Local Paths'
        C:\commodore\floppies\
  • (optionally) You can delete the folder below if you want, but I keep it because it has the documentation in it and a test script.
    C:\commodore\opencbm\
  • Done

Using your Windows setup to image Commodore disks

You must follow the 'Proper power-on sequence' as outlined here, also read these warnings

Now the software is setup, it is now time to use it to save those disk you have. I will mention all of the methods I know of and it is up to you to choose which is most appropriate with the disks and equipment you have.

Connect and Test the drive

  • Connect your Commodore drive to your chosen adapter (we will use ZoomFloppy) to your PC as prescribed here
    • You can use other adapters to connect your drive
    • For connection issues relating to the X Series of cables, see my article Commodore Tape Transfers | QuantumWarp
    • You can only use XM1541 or XA1541.
    • XA1541 is better.
  • Test your drive is on and working by trying these commands
        cbmctrl detect     - checks the drive is there (might be only ZoomFloppy)
    cbmctrl reset      - resets the drive
    cbmctrl status 8   - Will output some information about the drive

Making the Images

Now it is time to insert your disk that you want to image

  • OpenCBM - d64copy.exe
    • This will only work to copy 1541 formatted disks (D64)
    • Navigate to
      C:\commodore\floppies\
    • Run the command
      d64copy 8 test.d64
  • OpenCBM - imgcopy.exe
    • This is stilll under development and is not as stable as d64copy
    • This can be used to create D64, D71, D81 etc..
  • NIBTools - nibread.exe
    • Requires a 1571, or 1541 with parallel port mod
    • Will do copy protected disks
    • If you have a parallel connection in your Commodore drive, or a 1571 you can enable the "Use NibTools" option and create additional image types NIB, NBZ or G64 in a similar fashion. NibTools has many options, so please refer to the Nibtools documentation for correct usage of the various switches.
    • Navigate to
      C:\commodore\floppies\
    • Run one of these commands
      nibread test.nib
nibread test.nbz   (same as above, but compressed)
    • Convert NIB to G64 or D64 disk files
      • These NIB/NZB can be converted to G64 or D64 as required. Unless needed you should always convert the disks to .G64 as this can handle protected disks and is a better format.
      • You use nibconv.exe to change the format or removed the compression.
      • How to use NIB Disk Image Files | Commodore 64 | YouTube | Basic Bites
        • Using NIB files with your C64/1541 emulator: what they are, and how to easily convert them to G64/D64 floppy disk images.
        • As always a very clear and concise video.
    • nibread.exe can be tweaked with advanced options when edge-case disks are not working. 95% of disks should image with the default settings.
  • CBM-Transfer
    • This is a GUI for all of the above software and most functions can be done through this frontend.
    • Are using a X-Cable?
      • There are several different types of X-Cables. I recommend you use an "XM" or "XA" type for use with windows. Other types may not work.
      • XA is better.
    • I prefer to use this software.
    • Easy Disk copy
    • To make a D64 image from a disk (uses d64copy.exe)
      • Make sure NO files are selected in the RIGHT pane,
      • then click the "<-" button.
      • You will be asked for a name to save the image (the Disk Title will be the default).
      • If you have a 1571 dual-sided floppy, simply change the extension to D71.

Installing and Using links (sort)

Software

  • Fast Disk Copiers (Disk to Disk)
  • Nibblers (Low Level Disk Copiers) (native)
    • Maverick
      • C64
      • Is by far the more advanced copy program. very handy program.
      • [CSDb] - Maverick Copy by Angels (1999) - Commodore 64 Tool: Maverick Copy by Angels. Released on 1999
      • Maverick - C64 Copy ProtectionC64 Copy Protection - Maverick is one of the best software copiers for the C64. Maverick V2.0 was originally called ‘Renegade’ but was forced to change their name for copyright reasons. The last legitimate version is v5.04
      • Also has a Fast Disk Copier (sector by Sector)
      • Has a GCR Nibble mode
    • Fast Hack'em
      • C64
      • [CSDb] - Search for Fast Hack'em - CSDb
      • Fast Hack'em Parameter List - C64 Copy ProtectionC64 Copy Protection - Fast Hack’em v6.04 Parameter List Here is the list of the parameters found in Fast Hack’em version 6.04, There are 189 parameters: Fast Hackem 6.04 Parameters List by Craig A. Ernster    
      • Fast Hack'em v9.5a - Commodore Software - Fast Hack'em v9.5a by Mike J. Henry and the Basement Boys is I believe the last version of the awesome Commodore 64 copying arsenal.
      • Fast Hack'em - Wikipedia
        • Fast Hack'em is a Commodore 64 fast disk/file copier, nibbler and disk editor written by Mike J. Henry and released in 1985.
        • The most popular feature of Fast Hack'em was its ability to produce copies of copy-protected commercial software. When using the nibbler, disk copying is done on a very low level, bit-by-bit rather than using standard Commodore DOS commands. This effectively nullifies the efficacy of deliberate disk errors, non-standard track layouts, and related forms of copy prevention
    • Ultrabyte Disk Nibbler
      • Ultrabyte Disk Nibbler | C64 Copy Protection - Ultrabyte has quite a few version. From the ads 2.1, V4, V5 and V6. Early version where out in 1985 including routines to copy Electronic Arts titles. V4 included a powerful new GCR Nibbler and 105 parameters. V5 now copied Rapid Lock protection and had 205 parameters including VMAX protections. Finally V6 now has 305 parameters.
  • Other Copiers
  • GUI
    • CBM-Transfer / CBMXFer
      • GitHub - sjgray/cbm-transfer - GUI for OpenCBM and others to transfer and view Commodore disks and files.
      • The CBM-Transfer Homepage
        • An open-source front-end to several command-line utilities for transferring files and working with disk images.
        • CBM-Transfer makes using those utilities easy by providing a familiar windows interface that removes the need to learn the commandline syntax of each program.
        • CBM-Transfer also includes a multi-format file and picture viewer.
      • Windows based
      • Uses the OpenCBM driver for Windows 10, a utility from VICE and NIBTools and has some of its own binaries for copying
      • Commodore 1541 Disk Drive connected via parallel port
      • This is a front-end
      • CBMX-Transfer is a front-end to several command-line utilities for transferring files and working with disk images. CBM-Transfer makes using those utilities easy by providing a familiar windows interface that removes the need to learn the commandline syntax of each program. CBM-Transfer also includes a multi-format file and picture viewer.
      • A PC running Windows 95 or higher (see note below). Tested working on Windows 10.
      • Written in Visual Basic
      • CBM-Transfer (aka "CBMXfer") is based on GUI4CBM4WIN (G4C from now on) and is a lot more improved
  • File Transfer
  • Imagers
    • CBM-Transfer / CBMXFer
      • See above
    • OpenCBM
      • see below
    • NIBTools
    • d2d64 – Preserving your C64 disks - World of Jani
      • I needed a program to transfer C64 disks to .d64 images with a good overview of the process, but more importantly, it had to be fast and with minimial interaction to be used for reading disks in large batches. I ended up making a modified version of Nibread which i decided to call d2d64 so it would not be mixed up with the original Nibread. Nibread is part of the Nibtools utilities by Pete Rittwage at the C64 Preservation Project.
    • D64it Plus4 - Software Details - Plus/4 World
      • Plus4 / PRG
      • Creates D64 images and transfer them into mass storage devices.
  • Drivers
    • OpenCBM
      • A package of core utilities as-well as drivers and firmware for the ZoomFloppy/XUM1541 and several other related devices.
      • GitHub - OpenCBM/OpenCBM
      • OpenCBM download | SourceForge.net - Download OpenCBM for free. Win NT/2K/XP, and Linux/i386 kernel driver and development library to control serial CBM devices, such as the Commodore 1541 disk drive, connected to the PC's parallel port via a XM1541 or XA1541 cable. Fast disk copier included.
      • OpenCBM Changelog | Spiro
      • Win 7/8/10, and Linux/i386/AMD64 kernel driver and development library to control serial CBM devices, such as the Commodore 1541 disk drive, connected to the PC's parallel port via a XM1541 or XA1541 cable. Fast disk copier included. Successor of cbm4linux. Also supports the XU1541 and the XUM1541 devices (a.k.a. "ZoomFloppy").
      • Contains firmware for the ZoomFloppy
      • Has copying programs in it.
  • File Management
    • 64Copy
      • By Peter Schepers
      • 64COPY is an all-purpose DOS and C64 emulator file manager, modelled after Norton Commander, and runs under the Windows DOS VDM (32-bit or lower), and in real DOS. The 64-bit editions of Windows have no DOS VDM, so you will need to install a DOS-like emulator like DOSBox. It specializes in converting and manipulating emulator files between various formats, as well as a very flexible 6502 disassembler. 64COPY does not do any communication to the 1541/71/81 floppy drives to read disks
      • Latest v4.45 2014
    • DirMaster: a d64 editor and more | Style64
      • A Windows-based GUI application designed to help Commodore enthusiasts explore and manage their disk image collections.
      • DirMaster supports common (and uncommon) emulator disk image formats (such as .d64, .d81, .d2m, etc), almost every native Commodore archival format (such as .arc, .sda, .lnx, etc), and many native graphic formats (such as koala, doodle, amica, etc).
      • DirMaster was designed to give users a perfect blend of familiar appearance (e.g. natural looking disk image contents using the PETSCII character set) and modern GUI functionality (e.g. drag and drop, opening multiple disk images at once).
      • Extact PRG from the D64 easily with this.
      • DirMaster/Style Documentation (v3.0.0)
  • Commodore Emulators (Can connect directly to a real 1541)
    • Vice Emulator
      • Commodore 1541 Disk Drive connected via parallel port
      • I am not sure how reliable this is reliable
  • 1541 Emulator
    • VC1541 (Hardware Emulator software)
      • 1541 Drive emulator you run on your PC (supports X1541 or XE1541)
      • This works with any Commodore that has the serial port.
      • Copy from the real disk to an Emulated disk
      • Use native Commodore disk copying software or commands to copy from the real disk to an image on the emulated drive.
    • 64HDD
      • A serial bus and disk drive emulator
      • Will run with either X1541 or XE1541 cables
      • 64HDD in action | youtube | Psylicium - I found an old IBM Thinkpad laptop in the trash a couple of months ago, and decided to turn it into an emulated floppy drive for my Commodore 64, using 64HDD. This is a short video of what it does :)
      • 64hdd for real dummies! - Commodore 64 (C64) Forum - I've no idea if this is going to be of any use to anyone, but I had a lot of trouble getting 64Hdd to work. I managed to figure out most of this either myself, or by googling.
    • See this article for more information Commodore Tape Transfers | QuantumWarp

Hardware

  • 1541 Emulator
    • SD2IEC (Hardware Emulator device)
      • This connects direct to a real Commodore computer
      • Commodore 1541 Disk Drive connected to the commodore computer
      • Use native Commodore disk copying software or commands to copy from the real disk to an image on the emulated drive.
      • How to Copy C64 Disks between SD2IEC and Real Drives | YouTube | Jan Beta
        • A little tutorial video about how to copy .D64 disk images from an SD2IEC (or equivalent device) to a real floppy disk using a 1541 disk drive (and also vice versa).
        • Set SD2IC to Device 9 (non permanent)
          • OPEN 15,8,15 - Opens channel 15 for device 8
          • PRINT#15,"u0>CHR$(9) - this send the command to change the drives address to 9
          • CLOSE 15 - Closes channel 15
        • Use DraCopy on a real C64
      • sd2iec (firmware) - C64-Wiki - This page describes the functionality of the sd2iec firmware including disk commands that can be issued from the Commodore.
      • Does not support G64 images
    • Pi1541
    • Raspberry Pi
  • PC 1541 Adapters
    • ZoomFloppy Adapter
      • Based on XUM1541 developed by Nate Lawson.
      • ZoomFloppy brings Commodore disk archival into the 21st Century, bridging the gap between the both the IEEE-488 and IEC-based disk intelligent Commodore™ disk drive line and contemporary personal computers.  Taking up the baton from the ever-popular X*-1541 line of parallel port interfaces, ZoomFloppy provides complete functionality for newer machines running multitasking and multi-user operating systems and those systems lacking the legacy parallel port upon which the X*-1541 interfaces depend.
      • ZoomFloppy Set Up | YouTube | Hey Birt!
        • Follow along as we wrap a case around a ZoomFloppy board, install the USB driver and OpenCBM software on the PC as well as learn how to back up a floppy disc to a .d64 file. There is a lot more you can do with a ZoomFloppy, if you have questions let me know in the comments below.
        • In this video he uses GUI4CBM4WIN to transfer files.
      • ZoomFloppy will always be compatible with the XUM1541 firmware
      • ZoomFloppy – RETRO Innovations
        • Excellent description of this product and it's features.
        • How is the Zoom Floppy different then the XU1541?
          • Performance
            • 25-second backup without optimizing (parallel transfer, needs cable in drive).
            • Still faster even for serial xfers.
          • Functionality
            • supports Burst Nibbler protocol via nibtools. Allows raw g64 backups (read and write). Works with vmax/epyx etc etc.
          • Reliability
            • interrupt xfers in the middle (^C), start another transfer, and everything gets reset and restarted properly
            • Supports infinite holdoff
          • IEEE-488 Support
            • ZoomFloppy is one of a few solutions for USB access to the IEE-488 drives, and the only one that understands PET/CBM IEEE commands.
            • Can talk directly to Commodore Disk drives such as the PET 4040 and PET 8050.
          • Future Expansion
            • All signals are available on the X5 Expansion Port.
            • only 7 KB used out of 32 KB FLASH on microcontroller
          • How does ZoomFloppy compare to a XUM1541 device?
            • ZoomFloppy is an implementation of an XUM1541-compliant interface. XUM1541 specifies a protocol that is used to transfer data from the interface to the OpenCBM libraries. In many cases, the terms can be used interchangeably, though they do not mean exactly the same thing. Incidentally, ZoomFloppy is partially named after the “xum” in XUM1541, which many people pronounce as “zoom” .
        • How to use ZoomFloppy – The WP Guru - ZoomFloppy is an ingenious contraption by Nate Lawson which lets you connect real Commodore disk drives via USB to modern computers.
      • ZoomFloppy adapter can access CBM Commodore PET Dual drives (i.e. 4040/8050)
      • ZoomFloppy – RETRO Innovations - homepage
      • ZoomFloppy review – Vintage is The New Old
      • This seems to be a next generation adapter that works with everything including PET drives.
      • I have not used this but included it because it keeps popping up
      • Commodore Software - CBM Transfer v1.22a - CBM Transfer v1.22a by Steve J. Gray (Released Sept. 13th, 2021) - This is an excellent Windows based program for transfer files from a real Commodore 1541/71/81 to a PC using either the Zoom Floppy or USB based XUM cable.
      • XUM1541 Setting up guide | load64.com
      • ZoomFloppy from Box to using in 10 minutes. | YouTube | Steve's Real World - Unboxing and use of a ZommFloppy
      • A ZoomFloppy, PixelBook Go, and Raspberry Pi - marcbilodeau.com - The ZoomFloppy is an essential tool for any serious Commodore 64 enthusiast. Learn about it and how to set one up with a Pixelbook Go and Raspberry Pi.
      • Getting two ZoomFloppies to Work on the Same Windows 10 Box - Realm of Zoggins - You have probably made poor decisions in life when you come to the conclusion that you need so many Commodore drives hooked up to your PC that you need more than one ZoomFloppy, but here I am to tell my story.
    • XUM1541-II
    • KryoFlux (PC Adapter)
      • KryoFlux Products & Services Ltd.
        • KryoFlux is a USB-based device designed specifically for the reliability and precision needed to acquire reliable low-level reads suitable for software preservation.
        • This is the official hardware developed by The Software Preservation Society, an authority in authentic floppy disk imaging and preservation.
        • UK Company.
    • SuperCard Pro (CMBSTUFF)
    • Burst Nibbler
      • The package came with software to be run on the Commodore C64
      • The connection cable is the same pinout of the ZoomFloppy (i am guessing)
      • Commodore 1541 Parallel Cable with ZoomFloppy & Burst Nibbler Demo | YouTube | Steve's Retro Gaming - This video shows a mix of ZoomFloppy/Burst nibbler hardware and software and how they can be mixed and matched when using the parallel mod on a Commodore 1541.
      • [CSDb] - Burst Nibbler V1.9 by Octagon (1988) - Commodore 64 Crack: Burst Nibbler V1.9 by Octagon. Released on 1988
      • Burst Nibbler for Commodore 64/128 Datel Parallel Cable & Software Zoom floppy compatible - GameDude Computers
        • Deep Scan Burst Nibbler!  Zoom floppy compatible Powerful Software
        • The notes below explain how the ZoomFloppy and this Burst Nibbler gets the un-modified data to make perfect backups.
        • The Burst Nibbler system is probably the most powerful disk copier available for the Commodore computer.
        • It gains its power by using parallel data transfer. With standard nibblers the data is read from the disk and decoded into a standard format before being transferred to the host computer by the serial bus. This is all well until it comes across some non-standard data on the disk. Because it can't recognize the code it is unable to decode into the form needed for serial transfer. With parallel transfer the data is read from the disk and transferred directly to the host computer without the need to decode it. This is achieved because the Burst Nibbler System is actually hardware and software package. The hardware consists of a parallel cable that plugs into the computers user port. The other end of the cable plugs into the Via chip socket inside your disk drive. The software is a powerful Nibbler control program with various parameter settings to maximize results.
        • Transfers raw GCR Code via cable!
        • Fitted in minutes usually no soldering!
        • Only package to copy up to 41 tracks!
        • Will copy a whole disk in under 2 mins!
        • Full and half tracks copied - no problem!
        • Make a perfect copy every time!
        • Fitting involves lifting the 6522 Via chip inside the drive, inserting it into the socket on the cable and plugging the whole assembly back into the socket, the other end just plugs into the user port and has a through connector for your other hardware.
    • Parallel Port Adapters (XE1541/XA1541/etc....)
    • XU1541
      • The xu1541 | Spiro's home on the web - Homepage
      • Originally developed by Till Harbaum
      • This project is now dead and you should not use these adapters anymore unless you have one already.
      • The xu1541 was the modern way to connect CBM IEC bus devices to todays USB equipped PCs (The more modern alternative is the XUM1541).
      • It was meant to replace the printer port solutions based on the so-called original x1541 cable.
      • It provides a means to send low level IEC commands forth and back via the USB. PC software developed to support this interface may then directly access the disk drive and the contents of a disk inserted. It should also be possible to access other IEC devices like printers. Currently e.g. the git version of the OpenCBM software supports this interface.
    • XUM1541
      • Developed by Nate Lawson
      • The firware and schematics are released as Open Source
      • ZoomFloppy is based on this.
      • Introducing xum1541: the fast C64 floppy USB adapter | rdist
        • I’ve been working on a project in my spare time that I’m now ready to announce. It is a USB interface for the C64 1541 floppy drive, which allows it to be connected to a modern PC.
        • The xum1541 (pronounced “zoom”) is built from a modified version of the xu1541 firmware.
        • It is a USB full speed device and supports high-speed parallel cables.
        • The hardware USB support significantly speeds up transfers.
        • It will support mnib (aka nibtools), which provides low-level imaging to backup copy protected disks. I’m most excited about this feature since it is critical to archiving original floppies for the C64 Preservation Project.
      • XUM1541 Homepage | Nate Lawson - Nate's original prototype page.
      • Nate recommends buying a ZoomFloppy prebuilt.
      • A GitHub XEUM1541 project
      • OpenCBM/xum1541 at master · OpenCBM/OpenCBM · GitHub
        • Official XUM1541 firmware
        • Win 7/8/10, and Linux/i386/AMD64 kernel driver and development library to control serial CBM devices, such as the Commodore 1541 disk drive, connected to the PC's parallel port via a XM1541 or ...
  • Commodore Drives
    • 1541
      • Commodore 1541 - Wikipedia
        • Disks formatted on the 1541 are compatible with the 1551
        • You can only change the devices ID number permanently with a hardware mod.
        • the default device ID is 8, but this can be changed to 9 and possible 11.
        • You can use software to change the device ID temporarily
        • Both theses change methods are written in the user manual.
        • Commodore Pet can read 1541/1551 formatted disks
      • Readers' Feedback: Commodore 1541 Disk Drive Device Number Update
        • Commodore Disk Drive Device Number Update (From Compute! Issue 50 / July 1984)
        • Covers hardware mod and software method, both mentioned in the user manual (page 48)
        • The 1541 demo disk that was included with your drive also contains a program to change device numbers. LOAD the program DISK ADDR CHANGE then RUN. The user prompts will tell you what to do.
        • If you feel uncomfortable changing the device number using the hardware method, the same thing can be achieved with a software (program) modification. Here is the procedure:
          1. Turn off all disk drives
          2. Turn on the disk drive whose device number you want to change
          3. Type and enter the following commands: 
            CLOSE 15: OPEN 15, 8, 15
PRINT # 15, "M-W", CHR$(119) CHR$(0) CHR$(2) CHR$(n + 32) CHR$(n + 64)
CLOSE 15
            • Change the n in the PRINT#15 command above to the device number you want to assign to the disk drive. It might be best to limit the device numbers to the range between 9 and 14.
            • Note the syntax of the PRINT#15, "M-" … command. Contrary to the instructions in the 1541 user's manual, do not include the colon after the memory-write (M-W) command. If the colon is included, the device number change will not be successful.
          4. Now you can turn on the other drive(s), and start processing.
        • The 1541 demo disk that was included with your drive also contains a program to change device numbers. LOAD the program DISK ADDR CHANGE then RUN. The user prompts will tell you what to do.
      • Change Device Number - Software Method (From Manual / Pg48)
        • The device number is selected by the drive by looking at a hardware jumper on the board and writing the number based on that jumper in a section of its RAM. Once operation is underway, it is easy to write over the previous device number with a new one.
        • The Code 
          FORMAT FOR CHANGING DEVICE NUMBER:

    PRINT#file#,"M-W:" CHR$(119) CHR$(0) CHR$(2) CHR$(address+32)
    CHR$(address+64)

EXAMPLE OF CHANGING DEVICE NUMBER (FROM 8 TO 9):

 10 OPEN 15, 8, 15
 20 PRINT# 15, "M-W" CHR$(119) CHR$(0) CHR$(2) CHR$(9+32)
    CHR$(9+64)
      • "HOW TO" change the 1541 drive assignment. | AmiBay
        • Every now and then i see that people are wondering how to change the 1541's drive assignment from say,8 to 9. So here is a little write up on how to do it, with pictures and a little hand drawn diagram.
        • This tutorial show you how to add your own DIP switches to your drive.
      • The 1541 demo disk that was included with your drive also contains a program to change device numbers. LOAD the program DISK ADDR CHANGE then RUN. The user prompts will tell you what to do.
      • Ruud's Commodore Site: 1541 - Ruud's Commodore site, information about Commodores and old PCs. This particular page is dedicated to the 1541 hardware and how it works.
    • 1541-II
      • Commodore 1541-II DIP switches - The Silicon Underground
        • Commodore's 1541-II disk drive has a pair of DIP switches in back. Here's how to set the Commodore 1541-II DIP switches so you can run more than one drive.
        • It shouldn’t strictly matter how you connect the drives, but Commodore recommended plugging drive 8 straight into to the computer. Plug drive 9 into drive 8. If you need help connecting them, see my earlier post on connecting Commodore disk drives.
        • For what it’s worth, the switch settings are the same on a 1571 or 1581 drive as well.
      • Device 12 - Changing the Commodore 1541 Default Device Number To Anything! | The Commodore Room - In this video, we change the 1541-II device number to start at 12 rather than the default 8. This way, you can avoid the lengthy process of software device number changes and easily daisy chain a couple dozen 1541's together!
    • 1551
      • Commodore 1551 - Wikipedia
        • Disks formatted on the 1551 are compatible with the 1541
        • You can only change the devices ID number permanently with a hardware mod.
        • the default device ID is 8, but this can be changed to 9 and possible 11.
        • You can use software to change the device ID temporarily
        • Both theses change methods are written in the user manual (age 71).
        • Commodore Pet can read 1541/1551 formatted disks
      • Change Device Number - Software Method (From Manual / Pg71)
        • The preferred way to temporarily change the device number of a disk drive is via a program. When power is first turned on. the drive reads an 110 location whose value is controlled by a jumper on its circuit board, and writes the device number it reads there into memory locations 119 and 120. Any time thereafter, you may write over that device number with a new one, which will be effective until it is changed again, or the 1551 is reset
        • The Code 
          FORMAT FOR TEMPORARILY CHANGING THE DISK DEVICE NUMBER:

    PRINT#15,"%n"

    Where n = 8 or 9

EXAMPLE

    Here is a program that sets any device number:

10 INPUT "NEW DEVICE NUMBER"; DV$
20 IF NOT (DV$ = "8" or DV$ = "9") THEN 10
30 OPEN 15,8,15, "%R"+DV$: CLOSE 15

If you send only the % sign, the device number will toggle between 8 and 9.
      • The 1551 demo disk that was included with your drive also contains a program to change device numbers. LOAD the program DISK ADDR CHANGE then RUN. The user prompts will tell you what to do.
      • Commodore 1551 and Plus 4 Update | YouTube | OldSkoolCoder - A simple repair for a 1551 not reading disk because the head is jammed.
      • Commodore 1551 Disk Drive - Peripheral - Computing History - Originally known as the SFS481, and designed specifically for the Commodore Plus 4, it is in appearance like a charcoal grey 1541. The drive plugs into the cartridge slot of the machine, using its own wired in interface.
      • Commodore 1551 - C64-Wiki - A small article on this unique drive.
      • Commodore 1551 - Hardware - Plus/4 World - The Commodore 1551 floppy drive is a rare beauty. Designed for the Commodore 264 series, it borrows the nice black look of the Commodore Plus/4. It connects through the parallel port, unlike the more common 1541 drive, which had a serial connection.
      • Commodore 1551 Academic - The Commodore 1551 (originally introduced as the SFS 481) was a floppy disk drive for the Commodore Plus/4 home computer. It resembled a charcoal-colored Commodore 1541 and plugged into the cartridge port, providing faster access than the C64/1541 combination. Commodore reportedly planned an interface to allow use of the 1551 with the C64, but it was never released.
    • 1571
      • The internal RAM of this drive is sufficient to load a complete track into memory which is require to beat some copy protections.
      • A 1571 can backup protected disks natively becasue it can read the a whole Track into RAM including read errors.
      • A parallel mod on a 1571 just speeds the drive up. I have not seen anyonbe who has done this mod so I could be wrong.
    • Parallel Port mod
      • This is mainly done on the 1541 thought it can be done on the rest of the drives with varing levels of difficultly.
      • It allows greater speed for transfers but it main feature is it allows direct access to the GCR data so copy protectsion can be imaged as-well. See Burst Nibbler notes above for more information.
      • Commodore c64 128 user port parallel adapter + 1541 drive parallel port | eBay
        • I know you have to add the parallel mod onto a 1541 to allow nibbling and it gives it speed increase. But I see on the mod 1571, does this mean you can apply this parallel mod to a 1571 for increased speed?
        • Yes, it can be used in a 1571 also, but in this case you can't use a header connector because the space inside is limited and you may need to raise the cover a little.
        • The 1571 has also the "burst" mode that can be used to increase speed and burst nibbling without parallel connection, so the mod in the 1571 is not very useful.
    • Floppy disk Recovery 
      • Rescuing Floppy Disks - Archiveteam - This page is meant to be a clearinghouse for various options that a person or group of reasonable technical ability could use to rescue data from floppy disks. If any of these options seem daunting, a number of people have offered to accept floppy disks and pull the data using these tools.
    • Cleaning a drive
      • DIY 5.25 inch cleaning diskRetro Commodor
        • I’m dumping quite a lot of disks in different formats. For that I’m using the Kryoflux, but quite often are the disks dirty, and the dirt gets stuck to the read head of the drive.
        • This article shows you how to make your own cleaning disk and then how to use it to clean your drives heads.
    • Disk Misc

Commodore BASIC/Disk Commands

  • COPY - C64-Wiki
    • Copy the whole disk in drive 1 to the disk in drive 0 (on a dual-drive floppy only) 
      COPY D1 TO D0

or possibly

COPY D8 TO D9
    • The BASIC COPY command with logical drives can be used to copy between units of a dual disk drive (drives that use a single device number and two logical drives in that). I'm not aware any of them that could be connected to the plus/4 easily.
    • Examples of a suitable drive is probably the CBM PET 8050
  • To load and show directory 
    LOAD"$",8
LIST
  • To load a PRG and execute it 
    LOAD"TTAPSERV.PRG",8
RUN
  • DIRECTORY - C64-Wiki
    • BASIC 3.5+ (i.e. C16 and Plus4)
  • DLOAD - C64-Wiki
    • BASIC 3.5+ (i.e. C16 and Plus4)

Notes

Published in Emulators
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Thursday, 26 May 2022 15:26

My Evolis New Pebble Card Printer Notes

I have an 'Evolis New Pebble' Card printer (a.k.a Pebble 2) and these are my notes (and solution) for getting this printer to work on a Windows 10 PC.

Running a Evolis New Pebble (a.k.a Pebble 2) on Windows 10

This is my easy solution

  • Install and use Pebble 4 Windows 10 drivers (Pebble 2/3/4 share the same driver,)
  • Connect the Pebble on to a HP JetDirect Ex Plus (J2591A) Print Server.
  • Set the print server up on your network
  • Install the printer in Windows 10 using a standard TCP/IP port with the IP of the print server and then select the Evolis Pebble driver.

 

My Research

Make new Drive Belt (Poly Belt / PU Belt)

I could not find anywhere I could by a new drive belt but discovered you could make your own very cheaply

The belt is a Round PU Belt and we will replace it with a one having the following specs:

  • 2mm Diameter
  • 6 inches / 152mm

This is what my belt looked like when I took it out. It is no longer flexible and if you look you can see where the PU join is.

What you need

  • A couple of bricks
  • A PC Blanker plate with a flat head (where you screw it to a case) which allows it to be head in place by the brick
  • A small blow torch
  • A 6 inch length of your PU belt

What I did

  • Heated up the top of the blanker plate with the blow torch until read hot.
  • Touched the top of the blanker plate with each end of the PU belt.
  • When they were melted (hot enough) I removed them from the blacker plate and pushed them together making sure they were even.
  • I held the 2 ends together for about 2-3 mins
  • Leave for a few minutes more.
  • Test the new belt is strong by pulling it.

What other people have done

Replace Pebble 2 Drive Belt

This is just an outline of what to do as stripping the printer is easy, just a bit fiddly at ppints.

  • Drive belt location
  • remove lid screw
  • remove the card bucket screw
  • remove screws on the side
  • remove screws below
  • waggle top cover off (carefully)
  • unscrew control board and pull out
  • remove the drive motor
  • take the circlip of the drive cog
  • replace drive belt (made earlier)
  • re-assemble printer

HP JetDirect Ex Plus (J2591A) Print Server

This is an old piece of kit with no Web Admin so some notes are required.

HP Jetdirect EX Plus Print Server Manuals | HP® Customer Support - Manuals or user guides for your HP Jetdirect EX Plus Print Server

Reset Configuration

  • Make sure the unit is off
  • Connect the unit tot he network with an ethernet cable.
  • Hold the 'Test' button down
  • Power on the device
  • keep holding the 'Test' button for 5-30 seconds and then release.

Get IP Address of Box

Pick the easiet option below to get the IP address of the box.

  • Option 1 - Press the 'Test' button and a diagnostic sheet will printout with the IP.
  • Option 2 - Check you DHCP server for a new entry.
  • Option 3 - Scan your network with an IP scanner.
    • Advanced IP Scanner
    • Angry IP Scanner
    • Slitheris Network Discovery
  • Option 4 - Check to see if you can connect to the box's fallback IP of 192.0.0.192
  • Option 5 - Possibly use Web JetAdmin?

See Current Configuration

Do this

  • telnet 10.0.0.127
  • Press Enter
  • Press Enter
  • Press / + Enter to show current configuration
  • Press ? + Enter to show configurable options

Gives this

Please type [Return] two times, to initialize telnet configuration
For HELP type "?"
> >
   ===JetDirect Telnet Configuration===
        Present Config  : BOOTP
        MAC Address     : xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx
        Host Name       : 10.0.0.127

        IP Address      : 10.0.0.127
        Subnet Mask     : 255.255.255.0
        Default Gateway : 10.0.0.1
        Syslog Server   : 0.0.0.0
        Idle Timeout    : 90 Seconds
        Set Cmnty Name  : Not Specified

        DHCP Config     : Disabled
        Passwd          : Disabled
        Novell          : Enabled
        DLC/LLC         : Enabled
        Ethertalk       : Enabled
        Banner page     : Enabled
>
        To Change/Configure Parameters Enter:
        Parameter-name: value <Carriage Return>

        Parameter-name  Type of value
        ip:             IP-address in dotted notation
        subnet-mask:    address in dotted notation
        default-gw:     address in dotted notation
        syslog-svr:     address in dotted notation
        idle-timeout:   seconds in integers
        set-cmnty-name: alpha-numeric string (32 chars max)
        dhcp-config:    0 to disable, 1 to enable
        novell:         0 to disable, 1 to enable
        dlc-llc:        0 to disable, 1 to enable
        ethertalk:      0 to disable, 1 to enable
        banner:         0 to disable, 1 to enable

        Type passwd to change the password.

 Type "?" for HELP, "/" for current settings or "quit" to save-and-exit.
 Or type "exit" to exit without saving configuration parameter entries
>

Set Static IP

This sets static IP and disables some unused protocols. The settings above are only temporary so need to be set permanently.

NB: when you type these in, you will not see text appear in the console

  • telnet 10.0.0.199
  • Press Enter
  • Press Enter
  • host-name: JETDIRECT
  • ip: 10.0.0.199 <Carriage Return>
  • subnet-mask: 255.255.255.0 <Carriage Return>
  • default-gw: 10.0.0.1 <Carriage Return>
  • dhcp-config: 0 <Carriage Return>
  • novell: 0 <Carriage Return>
  • dlc-llc: 0 <Carriage Return>
  • ethertalk: 0 <Carriage Return>
  • banner: 0 <Carriage Return>
  • quit

Notes for Options

  • DLC/LLC
    • HP's proprietary Logical Link Control/Data Link Control protocol.
    • DLC/LLC protocols are provided for legacy systems that might require support
  • Ethertalk
    • Is for Apple Mac OSand devices.
  • Banner
    • Print a port-specific LPD banner page.
    • From HP Jetdirect Print Servers Administrator's Guide.

JetDirect Notes

Downloads for Pebble Printers

  • Pebble 2/3/4 share the same driver, so use the Pebble 4 driver for Windows 10
  • Seagull do a generic driver which i have not tried.

Most downloads are not available on the evolis.com website for the older printers so I had to look on 'The Wayback Machine' for some.

 NB: I have most of the drivers and some manuals stored locally.

 

Published in Printers
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Monday, 25 April 2022 14:15

My AQEMU Notes

Build Instructions for GitHub - chronic8000/aqemu: AQEMU - Qt frontend for QEMU. Maintained by Chronic Engineering (Windows & Linux). GPLv2. · GitHub

This assumes you are using vscode and I will be using my default locations

Also we will not be bundling QEMU, I will use https://qemu.weilnetz.de/w64/ 

Setup Dependencies

  • Git for Windows
  • MSYS2
    • Install to: 
      D:\libs\msys64
    • After installing, open MSYS2 UCRT64 from the Start menu. In the terminal run 
      pacman -Syu
      • this updates stuff
      • select yes when prompted
      • the terminal will probably close when finished
      • Reopen MSYS2 UCRT64, and re-run the command again to do further updates
    • Then install the build tools: 
      pacman -S --needed mingw-w64-ucrt-x86_64-gcc mingw-w64-ucrt-x86_64-pkgconf mingw-w64-ucrt-x86_64-ninja mingw-w64-ucrt-x86_64-spice-gtk mingw-w64-ucrt-x86_64-gobject-introspection mingw-w64-ucrt-x86_64-libvncserver mingw-w64-ucrt-x86_64-qt5-base
      • select yes when prompted
      • we can now close this terminal
    • Make the MSYS2 UCRT64 tools available to VS Code (including gcc, pkgconf, ninja, spice) I have added it temp in the build script for now
      • If you only want it for the current PowerShell window, this is much easier: 
        $env:Path += ";D:\libs\msys64\ucrt64\bin"
      • If you want it permanently, Windows has a built-in command: 
        setx PATH "$($env:PATH);D:\libs\msys64\ucrt64\bin"
    • Notes
  • Qt for MiniGW
    • Qt says: We recommend you use the Qt Online Installer for first time installations and the Qt Maintenance Tool for changes to a current install.
    • Download
    • Install
      • Create an account if needed
      • Login with your account
      • Install to: 
        D:\libs\Qt
      • Don't install the MSVC version of Qt.
      • Deselect `Qt 6.11 for desktop development`
      • Select Custom Installation and pick
        • Show archive versions using the toggle at the top right 
        • Select only
          • Qt for Development --> Qt --> Qt 5.15.2 --> MinGW 13.1.0 64-bit
      • Select `Qt 6.11 for desktop development`
        • This is installing (maybe to its own system use)
          • MinGW
          • CMake
          • Ninja
          • Qt
      • Don’t associate common file types with Qt Creator
      • NB: I am not sure if I need all of the programs
  • Cmake
    • Install
      • Use the Windows installer.
      • Add CMake to the system PATH (the installer does this for you, but you need to reboot)
    • Notes
      • I used cmake for for making notepad++ plugin 
        C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\18\BuildTools\Common7\IDE\CommonExtensions\Microsoft\CMake\CMake\bin
  •  WinLibs - GCC+MinGW-w64 compiler for Windows
    • WinLibs standalone build of GCC and MinGW-w64 for Windows
    • What is it? In short: it's a free C and C++ compiler for Microsoft Windows.
    • I don't think I have needed it yet with this project.

 

Setup VSCode Project

  • Create a project folder 
    D:\websites\htdocs\projects\standalone\aqemu
  • Open the project folder in VSCode
  • Clone the aqemu GitHub Repository 
    git clone --recursive https://github.com/chronic8000/aqemu.git .
    • The --recursive is important because the repository has submodules, including the optional QEMU source tree.
    • If you are not bundling QEMU the submodules might not be needed
  • Add a `localonly` folder
    • create the folder and add an exception in htaccss
    • Put all the downloaded assets in here
  • Create a build folder 
    D:\websites\htdocs\projects\standalone\aqemu\build_win

Build Instructions

We are still in VScode in the aqemu workspace

  • This builds: WinLibs UCRT MinGW + Qt 5.15; SPICE from MSYS2 ucrt64 via PKG_CONFIG_PATH only. 
  • $env:Path += ";D:\libs\msys64\ucrt64\bin" is added because I have not added MSYS2 to my windows PATH.
  • cmake needs to use forward slashes (/)
    • CMP0207 — CMake 4.4.3 Documentation
      • CMake 4.3 and above prefer to normalize paths to use forward slashes before matching.
      • This policy provides compaitiblity for projects that may have been relying on matching backslashes only.
  • Run this powershell script 
    $env:Path += ";D:\libs\msys64\ucrt64\bin"
$env:PKG_CONFIG_PATH = "D:\libs\msys64\ucrt64\lib\pkgconfig"
mkdir build_win -Force; cd build_win
cmake -G Ninja `
  -DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH="D:/libs/Qt/5.15.2/mingw81_64" `
  -DAQEMU_WITH_SPICE_GTK=ON `
  ..
ninja
.\aqemu.exe
    • Add the ucrt64\bin folder temporarily to the environmental PATH variable This is an issue becasue of its placement in the path chain)
    • Adds to PKG_CONFIG_PATH to the environmental variables. It is not persistent
    • makes a folder called build_win and then moves to it
    • cmake is essentially the project's own Windows build command.
    • ninja compiles the binary

First script that works from claude

$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
$repo = 'D:\websites\htdocs\projects\standalone\aqemu'

# ucrt64 first on PATH so its gcc/ninja/pkg-config win over anything else installed
$env:Path = "D:\libs\msys64\ucrt64\bin;$env:Path"
$env:PKG_CONFIG_PATH = "D:\libs\msys64\ucrt64\lib\pkgconfig"

cmake -G Ninja `
  -DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH="D:/libs/msys64/ucrt64" `
  -DAQEMU_WITH_SPICE_GTK=ON `
  -S $repo -B "$repo\build_win"
if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw "cmake configure failed" }

ninja -C "$repo\build_win"
if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw "ninja build failed" }

& "$repo\build_win\aqemu.exe"
  • -DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH="D:/libs/Qt/5.15.2/mingw81_64" ` also works.

PowerShell Build Scripts (from claude)

  • Why do i have build.ps1 and package_win.ps1? do they do the same thing, is there functionality cross over?
    • They're two stages of one pipeline, not duplicates:
      • build.ps1 — configures CMake and runs ninja to compile aqemu.exe into build_win\. At the end it calls package_win.ps1 for you (build.ps1:48).
      • package_win.ps1 — takes the already-built build_win\aqemu.exe and turns it into a portable folder: copies the binary, pulls in Qt plugins, walks the DLL import tree recursively to bundle every dependency, verifies nothing's unresolved, and optionally zips it up.
    • So there's no real overlap in what they do — build.ps1 handles compiling, package_win.ps1 handles packaging — they're just chained together so .\build.ps1 alone gets you from source to a distributable dist\aqemu\ folder. The reason package_win.ps1 exists standalone is so you can re-package without a full rebuild (e.g. after just touching Qt plugins or DLL logic), via .\package_win.ps1 -Zip.
    • So You don't actually have to run both manually — build.ps1 already calls package_win.ps1 for you at the end, passing along your -Zip switch:
    • You'd only run package_win.ps1 by itself if you wanted to re-package without rebuilding (e.g. you didn't touch source code but want to re-verify DLLs or just re-zip).
  • Here's what .\build.ps1 -Zip actually does:
    • Runs cmake configure and ninja -C build_win — this is an incremental build. If build_win\ already exists with prior build artifacts, ninja only rebuilds what changed (like any normal build). It does NOT wipe/rebuild everything from scratch.
    • Calls package_win.ps1 -Zip, which packages whatever build_win\aqemu.exe currently is into dist\aqemu\, then zips that folder to dist\aqemu-win64.zip.
  • What should I run? 
    .\build.ps1 -Zip
    • This will recompile and build the /dist/aqemu-win64.zip
  • To force a true from-scratch build, you need -Clean too: 
    .\build.ps1 -Clean -Zip
    • This wipes build_win\ first (build.ps1:40), then reconfigures, rebuilds everything, and zips the result.

Notes

  • This directory is hardcoded in CMakeLists.txt twice for spice 
    C:/msys64/ucrt64/bin
  • This directory is hardcoded in scripts/build_img4_windows.ps1 
    C:\msys64\ucrt64\bin

Troubleshooting

 

 

 

 

Published in Virtual Machines
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Thursday, 07 April 2022 13:14

My Network Cable Notes

I am installing network sockets in every room in my house. I will have at least 1 Cat6a socket in each room running back to a nexus in one of the small bedrooms that is being used as a server room.

I will make sure that the socket locations allow the rooms to be used as normal if i decided to remove all of the kit.

I want to future proof the cabling so Cat6a is the best choice. Cat7 is difficult to use and only delivers the same as Cat6a. Cat8 has run length limitations and should only be used in datacentres for that reason. Not much stuff supports Cat8.

My Cable Selection

All sockets and wires must be shielded to CAT6a specs otherwise it is pointless. Use what ever you want to connect into the socket (patch cables) as you wont be burying these into the wall and they can easily be upgraded later if you kit needs a faster speed.

Cable Research

I took a while to find all of this information out but I have now put it here as a reference

Where to Buy

This is list of places in the UK to buy network cable and in particular Cat6a. Make sure you buy the right stuff.

  • Kenable
    • UK’s biggest selection of computer cables, network, audio, video & CCTV equipment | Buy Online
    • A company with a wide range of networking products. The descriptions are clear and correct.
    • kenable_ltd on eBay
  • Excel Networking Solutions
    • Excel Networking is a world-class premium performance end-to-end infrastructure solution – designed, manufactured, supported and delivered – without compromise.
    • Cat6a Cable
    • Look through their catalogue for the right type of cable. The information is very clear.
    • All datasheets are available.
  • Comms Express
    • Complete network supplies specialists providing all types of business solutions, including server & data racks, network cables, & cabinets. Order online today.
    • Supplies Excel products including network cable.
  • The Network Store 
    • We supply a large range of cat 5 cable, cat 6 cable, network sockets, patch panels, cabinets and fibre optic products all at competitive prices
    • Supplies Excel products including network cable.
  • broadbandbuyer
    • Distributors of WiFi, routers, access points, switches, cables, firewalls, VoIP, and data cabinets to small business and installers.
    • Supplies Excel products including network cable.
  • FruityCables
    • Patch Cables from 29p. All types of Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a & Fibre Patch Cables delivered tomorrow.
    • Supplies Excel products including network cable.
  • Universal Networks
    • Universal Networks is a network cable supplier, providing a wide range of bespoke networking systems since 1994. Find out more about our solutions here.
    • This company is probably for SMEs
  • Datazonedirect
    • Networking and Telecommunications Products For All Job Sizes!
    • Only company I found that sells External Cat6a F/FTP
    • datazonedirect on eBay
  • Cablenet
    • Audio Visual, Voice and Data Cables and professional hardware at Cablenet.co.uk
  • Connectix Ltd Group
    • Cable Monkey
      • Thousands of products in stock | Next day delivery or same day collection | Premium quality products at low prices for home and business
      • Wide variety of products.
    • Netstore Direct
      • Networking equipment, cables, fibre, switches, routers, racks & cabinets in stock and available for next day delivery. Discover our fantastic prices and order online today
    • Magic Patch
    • Connectix Cabling Systems
Published in Networks
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Tuesday, 05 April 2022 13:22

My Server Rack Mount Cabinet Notes

This is my research into Server Cabinets

My Kit

  • Cabinet: Excel Environ CR600 - 600mm Wide Comms Rack (542-2468-GSBN-BK) (24U 600w x 800d)
    • 24U allows me to have:
      • a shelf for my UPS
      • a shelf for 2 x Desktop PCS
      • a shelf for Low profile PC that I will use for my router
      • a rack mount KVM switch
      • a rack mount switch
      • a rack mount patch panel
      • Some cable tidies
    • Not too tall so I can put a monitor on the top and a Wifi keyboard attached to my KVM for occasional use.
    • Max Load: 800KG
  • 3 x StarTech 1U 19 inch Adjustable Vented Rack Mount Shelf Heavy Duty Fixed Server Rack Cabinet Shelf (ADJSHELFHDV)
    • They fill the full depth of my cabinet (from post to post)
    • Strong
    • Can be used for whatever I want
    • Vented to keep air flowing and I can use these vents to secure equipment with
  • Penn Elcom Delux Cage Nut Tool CN01 | PennElcomOnline.com
    • Good for removing nuts easily and can be used for putting them in when plenty of space.
  • Penn Elcom Economy Cage nut tool SX1100 | PennElcomOnline.com
    • Easy for putting tools in. can be done from the front so not much space in the rack is needed.

Cabinets / Racks

  • 4 posts
    • Cabinets which have 4 posts can usually have their posts moved closer together if required (i.e. they are adjustable)
    • 21inch (53.34cm) is the distance between the forward and rear facing parts of the posts (usually)
  • 2 post
    • This configuration is usually found in the smaller cabinets.
  • Half
  • Different widths and heights
  • Most 19" cabinets are 600mm wide. This allows some space either side of the racks.
  • Rack Unit Calculator from Penn Elcom Online
    • A rack unit (or U) is the standard terminology for describing sizes associated with 19 inch racking. Knowing how much rack unit space you require is incredibly important when installing 19 inch rack cabinets and enclosures. The unit calculator below can convert rack U's into cm, inches and feet, which makes it a very useful tool for any installer or musician who needs to know exactly what equipment to buy when building a 19 inch rack. Scroll down for a complete table of rack U-to-inch/feet/cm values.
  • Server Rack Buying Guide | Server Rack Ordering Info
  • How to Plan A Server Rack Installation | Cabinet Layout Guide | Home Network Rack
  • Before You Buy - Server Racks | StarTech
    • This video covers things you need to know before you purchase a server rack, including what a rack unit is, the difference between 2 and 4 post racks, open and closed racks, and minimum and maxmimum mounting depths, as well as to consider mounting devices on both sides of a rack, whether you need casters, want to bolt your rack to the ground, or leave it free standing.

Shelves / Drawers

There are different Types of Shelves

  • Cantilever
    • This are fixed by 2 posts. A front or rear pair.
    • When describing the size of these shelves i.e. 350mm/450mm/500mm this refers to the depth of the shelf.
    • They are all the same width because they are for 19" racks.
  • Clamping
    • This is similar to a cantilever shelf except the sides are level all the way to the back.
    • These level sides allow clamps to be attached to the sides to help attach things.
  • Fixed
    • These require a 4 post cabinet and are fixed at both ends.
    • Tend to have higher load capacities
    • When describing the size it refers to the overall depth of the cabinet usually. So a 800mm deep cabinet would require a 550mm (21inch/53.34cm + the M6 bolts) so it would fit inside the cabinet. Double check this before purchase as sometimes sellers get mixed up.
    • They are all the same width because they are for 19" racks.
  • Fixed (Adjustable)
    • Same properties as a Fixed shelf but with the ability to configure for a range of cabinet depths.
  • Sliding
    • These are used for things like keyboards or light equipment you need to pull out easily.
  • Drawers
    • These are just like your normal clothes drawers except made out of metal.
    • Usually have locks on them

They can come with Different options

  • Vented
    • Holes are milled into the metal to provide better air circulation.
  • Heavy Duty
    • Thicker or better quality metal that can take more weight.
    • These units are usually heavier that normal shelves.
  • Different colours
    • Personal choice, but I always will pick black.

Where to Buy

Cabinets

Shelves

Published in Networks
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Sunday, 03 April 2022 12:18

My Treadmill Notes

General Treadmill Questions

Slippery Treadmill Belt / Why are my trainers slipping on the Running Belt?

This is dealing with you and your trainers slipping on the treadmill belt, not about the belt slipping on the motor.

Scenarios

  • Visually it looks like it should still have traction. when I clean it, it looks pretty gross and seems to help a little bit but gets slippery again soon after.
  • When I try to google anything the results are mostly people talking about "slipping" as in the belt itself is slipping.
  • New trainers don't make a difference
  • The belt feels slippy underfoot
  • My trainers started to slip while walking, running is no longer safe.
  • Cannot push and pull the belt while the Treadmill is off with just my feet and trainers (Belt surface is very slippy).

Causes

  • The belt is smooth because it is covered in dirt.
  • The belt is too smooth to provide grip.
  • The belt is now porous and is letting the lube through from the underside of the belt to the top layer which you walk on.
    • When I wipe the belt down, black grease comes off.
    • It sounds like you are slipping on the lube for the belt. The lube is on the underside of the belt to keep it from dragging on the walk platform but sometimes some of it can work its way out of the edges and might have gotten onto the top of the belt. In that case you can wet a cloth in warm water and mild soap and use it to remove the lube from the walking surface.
    • Since you already tried wiping away the lube with no success it might be that your belt has worn to the point where the lube can soak through the belt itself to the walking surface. Unfortunately, in that case the lube will continue to work through every time that you clean the belt and the only way to get your treadmill back to normal will be to replace the walk belt.
  • The belt has completely worn out.

Solutions

  1. Take a bucket of warm soapy water and bristled scrub brush and scrubbed the whole thing, then towel it off. This will remove any lube that has come trough the mat.
  2. Roughen up the belt with sandpaper.
    • Hold down sand paper on the belt while it's running.
    • It seemed to help a little but I think the sandpaper I used was to fine grit.
    • Don't use too abrasive sandpaper or you will ruin your belt.
  3. Buy a new treadmill belt (because it is worn out)

Example of Bad Running Belt

The images below show the underside of my failed Running belt.

 

Treadmill Running Belt is slipping on the motor

This section deals with issue relating to the belt not being correctly moved by the motor.

The Running Belt might need oiling/Lubrication?

  • If the belt slips on the motor.
  • The treadmill is making a droning noise.
  • The speed is inconsistent, i.e. when your feet touch the belt, it slows down.

How to lubricate your Treadmill Running Belt

Carl Lewis MOT25 - General

Description

The Carl Lewis MOT25 Foldable Motorised Treadmill comes with a 0-9mph speed range and a full 15% maximum power incline, adding more variation to your workouts. Workout programmes and pulse monitor provides motivating and safe exercise. The running deck folds up at the press of a button and can be wheeled away for easy storage.

Features

Walking and running are some of the best forms of exercise for improved general fitness. Using a treadmill puts less impact on your joints and also offers a more varied workout with performance feedback.

  • Power incline 0 - 15%
  • 3.0 HP peak
  • 0 - 10 mph speed range
  • Cut off key
  • Power folds for storage
  • 41 x 132cm running area
  • Computer Displays; speed, distance, time and pulse
  • Product dimensions: (H)117, (W)160, (D)80cm
  • Max body weight: 115kg

Links

Servicing Carl Lewis MOT25 Treadmill

Servicing the Console

On my console I found I had the following issues

  • Buttons did not work properly, and would stick often.
  • Console was very loose and so would not stay upright
  • LCD displays were not always working properly

Follow these instructions and you should be able to fix both.

Obviously make sure the unit is not plugged in

  • Sellotape the console to the handles as shown below. This prevents the unit falling while you are taking it apart.
  • Unscrew the 15 screws at the BACK of the unit. There are 4 screws under the sticker on the front which would allow access but it would make a mess of your console so i decided not to go this route.
  • Carefully pull the back casing away from the unit and you will find some wires fall out. Make a note of these wires and how they look for easier re-installations, a photo with your phone is probably best.
  • Put the case back to one side. I would put the screws in this to keep them safe.
  • Reposition the case for easier access to the PCB.
    • Remove the Sellotape holding the case in place
    • Push the case forwards and it will come off the main crossbar
    • place the console case flat on the arms of your treadmill
  • Remove the 2 rubber grommets making not of their position

    • the flat bit goes at the bottom and allows the screw cylinders to meet each other when you put the case back together
  • Clean the rubbers and crossbar (this fixes the console not standing up straight)
    • simply was the rubber grommets in warm water (no soap) with your hands to remove all of the dirt and then let them air dry some where warm in your house.
    • If the rubber has perished, use a fine grain sandpaper to roughen them up a little.
    • Clean the cross bar with a lint free cloth and some Isopropanol Alcohol
  • If you want to remove the wires from the PC to make things easier, make notes of what went where or take several photos.
    • I personal left all of the mains wires connected and just disconnected the heart monitor sensors after putting labels on them and then motor control plug.
  • Remove the 2 screws from the heart rate monitor module.
  • Remove the other black screws from the main PCB.

    • Note how tight them were.
    • Also the image above still has the Heart Rate monitor attached. There are 2 more screws underneath it for the main PCB.
  • You can now remove the PCB from the case.
    • Some of the LCDs and their rubber connectors will still be attached and some left on the PCB, so make note of what went where
  • Pull the rubber buttons out and clean them
    • Warm water in your sink (no soap) and wash with your hands gently.
    • Shake of the majority of the water and then place the rubber buttons somewhere warm in your house to air dry. You should make sure both sides get dried.
    • Do not use any cloths to clean these as the fibres will get stuck on the button and you will have to start again.
  • The button pads on the PCB need cleaning.
    • Using a lint free cloth and some Isopropanol Alcohol just rub on the pads gently until they are clean
  • Cleaning the display feed PCB pads - I have not done this bit.
    • Using the same technique as the cleaning the button pads, clean the display PCB pads
  • Cleaning the display rubber signal transfer pads - I have not done this as I am not sure if this will damage them
    • Clean them with Isopropanol Alcohol
  • Re-install the dry and clean buttons
  • Re-install the main PCB
    • Correctly locate the display transfer pads either on the PCB on on in the main case ready for mating.
    • Place the PCB back in the main case
    • Screw the PCB down making sure that you lightly press the board down while doing this to get a good compression of pads.
  • Re-install the Heart Rate monitor daughter board.
    • place down correctly and screw in
  • Re-install the dry and clean rubber grommets (in the correct direction)
  • Push the case back on
    • Correctly locate the wires (as per photo you took earlier)
    • push the case back on to the crossbar with the rubber grommets going into their appropriate slots.
    • The 2 metal stops should be push against the black blocks on the cross bar. This should put the console in the upright position.
    • Sellotape the case in position (as before) so we can work on it easier.
  • Reconnect the heart rate monitor

Now is a good time to check if all of the buttons, displays and functions work before continuing. Be safe when messing with mains voltage. Fix any issues before going any further.

  • Change to/from Miles/Kilometres if required.
    • see notes below
  • Push the rear case back onto the main case
    • When you do this make sure no wires are trapped where they should not be as this will stop the case going back together.
    • If in doubt consult your photo from earlier on how the wires should go back in.
  • Done

Your buttons and displays should now work with no issues for years to come.

Changing from Miles to Kilometres

Assuming you have the console opened as described above, the change from Miles to Kilometers or the other way around is easy.

There is a jumper on the PCB that controls this feature and only has 2 positions:

  1. Closed (Jumper present) = Miles
  2. Open (Jumper missing) = Kilometres

The location is shown in the image below (currently closed), set to your preference as required:

This option is set in the factory due to the region it was going to get sold in.

Removing the Running Belt

  • Put the treadmill flat with no incline
  • Because there is a large capacitor in the motor housing you should leave the unit to discharge over night or be very careful.
  • Make sure the treadmill is off and unplugged
  • Remove the Rear Roller Adjustment covers by removing the 2 screws that hold each of them in.
  • Remove the side rails by pulling sliding them off the end.
     

     
  • Your treadmill should now look like this with the Main Motor Cowling still present at the back
  • Remove the Power Supply and Main Motor area cowling.

    • removing the 4 holding screws
    • lift the covering straight up. It should move with relative ease.
    • The will now expose the power supply and main motor
  • Remove the Rear Roller (not the motor end)

    • Unscrew the adjustment bolts a little bit on one side and then the other, so the bolts are released evenly otherwise the roller could become stuck or damaged. Keep doing this until the bolts have been removed.
    • Put the bolts to one side
    • Take a photo of the roller so you know how it was installed
    • The roller is now loose and can be removed by pushing it towards the motor


      Make sure you do not loose the metal washers
    • Place the roller on a piece of clean plastic or surface. A bin/Trash bag should do.
    • Put one of the adjustment bolts back in the roller and the other placed back in the treadmill. This is so you can identify which way around the roller fit in the treadmill.


  • Remove the front motor roller
    • Before removing the bolt, put some Tipex on the shaft so when you take it out you know the insertion depth it was set at.
    • The adjustment bolt should be unscrewed all the way.
    • Remove the motor belt whilst making a note of what direction it goes in
    • Remove the roller and place next to your other roller.
  • Remove the the Deck (and belt)
    • Unscrew the anti-static plates from the Deck and then put the screws back in the board for safe keeping
    • Unscrew the Deck fixing screws in the order as shown below but only partway before you move to the next screw.

      • They have to be removed in this way because the screws sometime unscrew the rubber mounting below instead of coming out on their own and this method prevents the Deck from getting damaged by lifting the Deck evenly irrespective of which screws fail to come out of their rubber mounting on their own.



      • Take your time doing this section and make sure you use a the correct screw fitting (low profile fat cross)
      • When you think you have undone the all of the a screws, lift the Deck and see if it is free.
      • When free lift both the Deck and the belt away from the treadmill.
    • Separate the belt from the Deck
    • The running belt is removed.
    • Remove any rubber mountings still present on the underside of the deck.
    • Your treadmill should now look like this
    • Replace any rubber mounts that came off with the Deck back onto the frame of the Treadmill.

Cleaning the Running Belt area

This assumes you have just removed the old one and your treadmill following the instructions above.

This is optional but highly recommend because you don't swap your running Belt everyday.

While your treadmill is open, clean the following parts with warm soapy water:

  • The rollers
    • Clean only with a lint free cloth by wiping the rollers clean of any dirt.
    • They do not need to be oiled
    • So dirt might just need some encouragement with your finger nails to come off, again be gentle.
  • Deck
    • avoid the slippery running surface with soapy water, this should be cleaned with a clean lint free cloth only
  • Anti-Static plates
  • The side rails
  • The corner covers
  • The Motor Housing/Cowling
  • The Motor area

Installing a new Running Belt

This assumes you have just removed the old one and your treadmill following the instructions above.

  • Follow the instructions above in reverse with the following exceptions:
    • Before running or configuring the belt, Check to see if your Running Belt needs Lubrcation. If it does, apply some lubrication sparingly to the slide surface of the Deck. This is important to prevent damage.
  • Done

Front Roller Angle Configuration

Not all Treadmills have this adjustable front roller

This is required otherwise your Running Belt will always track left and no amount of adjustment will fix it.

Method 1

  • Screw the thread in to the Tipex mark you made earlier on the adjustment bolt

Method 2

  • Pull the belt tight against the Front roller
    • With your hands evenly placed on the belt (so both sides are pulled the same)
    • Palm down and pulling the running belt towards you
    • Not much force is required
    • The motor will make a bit of a weird noise, but this is normal
  • You should now see that the running belt is probably on an angle
  • Using the drive roller adjustment bolt
    • Tighten this slowly until the Front Roller and therefore the Running Belt are in alignment (parallel) with the Deck. Check with a ruler as shown below.
    • The belt should be in the middle of the slide surface.
    • Every few turns you might need to re-pull the belt with you hands to make sure it is sitting right and the adjustment is applied correctly.

How to configure the Running Belt's tension (Euro Treadmill Belts Method)

Video: Replacement treadmill belt - how to tension your belt | EuroTreadmillBelts.com

These are my notes for this method which I have used successfully.

You can use masking or electrical tape instead of Tipex

  • This method creates a 0.5% pre-tension on the belt.
  • This is a precise method and so should your measurements
  • Before starting, the belt should be installed but not tensioned
  • Tensioning your belt
    • Make 2 marks on each side, exactly 1 meter apart. It does not really matter where these marks are as long as they are 1m apart.
    • Leaving the tape measure on the treadmill (not on the Running Belt), tension one side untill you have stretched it my 5mm. You will see the Running Belt stretch against the tape measure.
    • Now do the other side.
    • See if the belt is now gripping, if not, tension each side up a little more (not too much)
  • Dynamically Track
    • If the belt is gripping, you can make adjustments using the tension screws independently to correct any issue with the left/right tracking.
  • After Fitting
    • Ideally the belt should allow enough room to fit the belt and give about 50-60% of the adjustment potential to tension the bel. This allows for further tensioning during the belts lifetime.

Stomp Test

After you believe you have configure/tensioned your Running belt correctly as per the method above, we now need to do a final test.

  • How To Adjust A Treadmill Belt | Treadmill Maintenance
    • This is best to be done with the cowling of so you can see the actually motor, but is not required.
    • Video time is set to the part where the stomp test is demonstrated
    • This video also shows you how to track a Treadmill but not pre-tension it.

Re-assemble the Treadmill

This is pretty much the reverse as above (after installing your new belt), but here is an overview:

  • Replace the motor cowling
  • Put the side rails back on
  • Put the Rear Roller Adjustment covers back on.

Cleaning the Incline and Vertical Store motor areas

This area is only possible to access if you put the treadmill into it's vertical storage mode.

  • Put the treadmill in to it's vertical storage mode
  • Because there is a large capacitor in the motor housing you should leave the unit to discharge over night or be very careful.
  • Make sure the treadmill is off and unplugged
  • Remove the feet protectors
  • Remove the Vertical Storage and Incline Motor Cowling

Parts Close Up Pictures

  • Power Supply and Main Motor Area (Front)
  • Power Supply and Main Motor Area (Rear)
  • Main Motor
  • Main Motor Belt
  • Power Supply
  • Power Supply Switches
  • as
Published in Health
Read more...
Tuesday, 01 March 2022 14:11

cPanel - Global Email Filter not working

I wanted to filter emails by the From field using the 'Global Email Filters' feature in my cPanel Account, but this is not working.

Below is an example rule called 'Dodgy SPAM (PCP)'.

And this is an example email I wanted to block:

From:	PCP Claims <pcpclaims@somespammer.com>
Sent:	13 February 2022 17:35
To:	iamspam@example.com
Subject:	If you took finance for your car, you may have been overcharged
 
Did you take finance for your car? 

There's a chance that you were overcharged 
  
If you have a current PCP agreement, or it has ended within the last 5 
years, then the likelihood is that you were the victim of mis-selling.  
 
Whether that's undisclosed commission, hidden APR's, failure to offer a 
more suitable product or one of many other reasons. 
 
Get A Free Assessment 

If you no longer wish to receive these let us know here

When i tested the email it says "Error: You do not own an email filter that matches the given parameters."



So my rules are in place and I have a suitable email text to test and it should be working.

NB: It should be noted that blocking SPAM using the individual email account filters works fine, just not the global one.

Solution

After some back and forth tickets with my provider the following solution was reached and my issue disappeared.

There is some problem with 'Global email filter' option from the cpanel itself due to which is not working. Now we have forwarded this issue to the Cpanel team. They will look into it and once we received any update from them then we will update you on the same ticket accordingly.
Hosting Provider

So they then followed this up with the following resolution:

I found that the vfilters file for this domain was missing. This is where the global filters are normally stored and read from when Exim processes them.

[01:46:26 server77 root@xxxxxxxx ~]cPs# cat /etc/vfilters/quantumwarp.com
cat: /etc/vfilters/quantumwarp.com: No such file or directory

I created this file and corrected permissions.

[01:47:00 server77 root@xxxxxxxx ~]cPs# touch /etc/vfilters/quantumwarp.com && /scripts/mailperm abcdefg --verbose
Checking mx configuration for demo.quantumwarp.com (abcdefg)...[auto]...Done
Checking mx configuration for quantumwarp.com (abcdefg)...[local]...Done
Checking mx configuration for search.quantumwarp.com (abcdefg)...[auto]...Done
Fixed permissions on /etc/vfilters/quantumwarp.com : was (0644), now (0640)
Fixed ownership of /etc/vfilters/quantumwarp.com : was (uid=0,gid=0), now (uid=1481,gid=12)
Fixed permissions on /home/abcdefg/mail/quantumwarp.com/hosting/dovecot-quota: was (0600), now (0640)

The custom filters are now there as normally expected:

[01:50:28 server77 root@xxxxxxxx ~]cPs# wc -l /etc/vfilters/quantumwarp.com
65 /etc/vfilters/quantumwarp.com

With this, the filters should proceed to function as expected. You may find this helpful for testing the filters going forward:

As per their update (cPanel), there was issue with the vfilter configuration file which was missing for the site (quantumwarp.com). Now they have rectified the issue and  'Global Email Filter' option is working fine now.

 

Published in cPanel
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Sunday, 13 February 2022 09:42

Commodore Tape Transfers

I struggled to find instructions on how someone actually transferred a real Commodore Plus4 or C16 tape into a TAP file written for newbies. I hope to address that and once you have done a couple everything will make sense. I always find once I have got something to work everything else gets easier.

Prerequisites

Hardware

  • 2 x Pendrives
    1. One for booting Dos
    2. One for holding all of the software we will run (Commodore and PC) and to hold TAP of captures tapes.
  • 1 x Transfer cable (X1531 / XE1541)
    • X1531
      • Used for connecting 1531 directly to the PC's parallel port.
    • XE1541
      • Is better for newer PCs.
      • is compatible with VC1541 and MTAP so I will use this one.
      • This is the same as X1541 but with diodes for newer types of parallel ports.
    • Other cables such as can be used, but for the purposes of this tutorial this is what I am going to use becasue it is what I have
  • 1 x Old PC with a compatible Parallel port (LPT) (DOS PC)
  • 1 x Modern Windows 10 PC
  • 1 x Commodore Computer (C16 / Plus4 / C64)

Software

  • Rufus - For creating bootable USB Pendrives
  • Windows 98 SE Boot Disk Image
  • Enhanced DOSKEY
    • Enhanced DosKey with autocompletion
    • You can probably use DOSKEY from MS-DOS if you can find it.
  • CWSDPMI - (Is included in MTAP and VC1541)
  • MTAP
  • TAPSERV (included in MTAP)
    • Software that runs on a C64 to aid in generating digital backups of tapes (TAP) of the X1541 cable range.
    • Only Wholewave (V1 TAP) format is supported.
  • PTAP
  • VC1541
    • 1541 Drive emulator you run on your PC (supports X1541 or XE1541)
    • This works with any Commodore that has the serial port.
  • TTAPSERV
    • By Ulysses777
    • Software that runs on a C16/Plus4 to aid in generating digital backups of tapes (TAP) of the X1541 cable range.
    • Both Wholewave (V1 TAP) and Halfwave (V2 TAP)  formats are supported.
  • Tape Wave Checker (formerly WAVCHECK)  (will add link later)
    • By Ulysses777
    • A VERY experimental program for checking the waveform of a tape.
  • PTAP
    • Temporary download link
    • By Ulysses777
    • This is an experimental modification of PTAP which will also work with halfwave tapes. There are no extra command line switches needed.
  • TAPClean Front End
    • A fork of FinalTAP with a GUI
    • Maintained by Luigi Di Fraia (and is maintained)
  • Archiver-Copy
    • Plus4
    • Written by Pigmy, a legendary member of the early Plus/4 scene
    • Should handle reading halfwave.
    • Copy between any combination of tape and disk.

Batch Files and Commands

We now need to work out what commands we are going to need and then build the relevant batch files.

Bach files are optional because they just run the command we program them to do but they will save you a lot of time and heartache when you get the command wrong and have to type it again.

MTAP

Most of the transfer methods below use MTAP so it is important we deal with the MTAP commands now and while we are at it, we will make some batch files to make life easier.

The Commands

mtap - Commodore TAP file Generator v0.36

usage: mtap [-lpt] [-x[e]] [-buffer <size>] [-v] <tap output file>
  -lpt<x>:  use parallel port x (default: lpt1)
  -x:       use X1541  cable for transfer
  -xa:      use XA1541 cable for transfer
  -xe:      use XE1541 cable for transfer
  -b:       increase buffer size (default: 4 MB)
  -h:       halfwaves
  -v:       record Version 0 TAP
  -vicntsc: record VIC-20 NTSC tape
  -vicpal:  record VIC-20 PAL  tape
  -c16ntsc: record C16 NTSC tape
  -c16pal:  record C16 PAL  tape
  -c64ntsc: record C64 NTSC tape
  -c64pal:  record C64 PAL  tape

Once you understand these you can write your own as required.

Explained Examples

mtap -lpt1 -b 10 -h -c16pal C:\TAPS\OUTPUT.TAP
  • -lpt1 - MTAP only works on the parallel port so what is this. This is X1531 mode and is the original method to grab tapes using the X1531 cable (or C64S adapter)
  • -b 10 - Use a buffer of 10MB. MTAP needs to store the whole tape in memory otherwise it will fail. The buffer default is 4MB but some tapes are bigger (not many) so it does not harm to set it to 10MB.
  • -h - Sample the tape in halfwave mode. This sets MTAP to sample in halfwaves which is specific to C16 and Plus4 computers
  • -c16pal - There is a need to set the frequency of the sampling because it is different in the NTSC and PAL regions and also across the different devices.
  • C:\TAPS\OUTPUT.TAP - This is obviously the output location of the TAP file. Keep the filepath and filename all in CAPS so VC1541 can handle the TAPs.
mtap -xa -b 10 -c16pal C:\TAPS\OUTPUT.TAP
  • -xa - use XA1541 cable for transfer. This requires you are running either TTAPSERV.PRG (C16/Plus4) or TAPSERV.PRG (C64) on your Commodore of choice. These are called Tape Servers and aid in getting full digital copies of tapes via real hardware.

Batch Files

In this section you build your own MTAP commands and then move them into batch files (makew.bat and makeh.bat).

These batch files will go in the root of the Software pendrive and can be called instead of typing out the whole command every time (unless you install DOSKEY)

  • Create your MTAP commands.
    • We are going to make one for Wholewave and one for Halfwave tapes.
    • There are some examples below.
      mtap -lpt1 -b 10 -h -c16pal C:\TAPS\OUTPUT.TAP
mtap -lpt1 -b 10 -c16pal C:\TAPS\OUTPUT.TAP
  • Make the MTAP Batch commands.
    • We are going to make one for Halfwave and one for Wholewave tapes.
    • Edit the file makeh.bat (Halfwave) and put your command in it with the format: 
      mtap -lpt1 -b 10 -h -c16pal C:\TAPS\%1.TAP
    • Create a file called makew.bat (Wholewave) and put your command in it with the format: 
      mtap -lpt1 -b 10 -c16pal C:\TAPS\%1.TAP
    • To run the command from DOS, enter the relevant command below to which will create a TAP with the name OUTPUT.TAP
      makew OUTPUT
makeh OUTPUT
      • When the batch file is run, the batch variable %1 will be replaced by the name, OUTPUT.
      • So from this you can see you only have to type in the new name for the TAP file whether you are sampling a Wholewave or Halfwave tape.
    • Done

VC1541 Batch file (Virtual Disk Drive)

  • Create a file called diskemu.bat and its contents should be this command line 
    vc1541 -dir C:\DISKS -lpt 1 -cable XE1541 
  • Move this batch file to the the root of the Software pendrive
  • Done

Setup Windows PC

We all need one of these.

Setup DOS PC

This is your old computer with a compatible parallel port.

Build DOS

Now we need to configure the DOS environment.

  • Bootable pendrive
    • Install and run Rufus on your Windows PC
    • Take one of the pendrives and make it bootable with Rufus using the Win98SE boot disk image.
  • Software Pendrive
    • Take the other pendrive and format it with FAT32
    • Put the software on the pendrive as shown below:
      /DISKS/AZIMUTH.D64
/DISKS/TAPSERV.PRG
/DISKS/TTAPSERV.PRG
/DISKS/TAPE_WAVE_CHECKE.PRG
/TAPS/
CWSDPMI.EXE
diskemu.bat
doskey.com
makeh.bat
makew.bat
MTAP.EXE
PTAP
VC1541.EXE
    • The folders 'DISKS' and 'TAPS' must be in capitals for VC1541 to use them.
    • Yes I know they are not all disks !!! but is a nice easy name for a folder.
  • You might not use all this software but it makes it easier for these instructions.

Boot DOS

We need to boot from the DOS pendrive (on the DOS PC) you have just built and follow these instructions to complete your DOS environment preparation.

Connect your Commodore cables to the PC before turning on either the PC or the Commodore on to prevent damage.

  • Place both pendrives in your DOS PC
  • Ensure in the BIOS that the following are set
    • LPT1 = ECP (this is a good default but this depend on your cable)
    • Boot from USB is enabled
    • Legacy USB Keyboard/Mouse
    • Check other settings are suitable.
  • Turn the DOS PC on
  • Window 98SE Boot disk will load
  • Select "Start computer without CD-ROM support." as this prevents any junk being loaded
    The bootable pendrive will map to the drive letter A:
    The Software pendrive will map to the drive letter C:
  • Run the following commands 
    c:
doskey
CWSDPMI   (optional, see below)
    • C: just puts us where we should be.
    • DOSKEY just makes life easier because you can use the up and down arrows to save re-typing commands.
    • CWSDPMI
      • Is not always needed.
      • To check, run MTAP.EXE and if it runs without error, installing CWSDPMI can be skipped.
      • I had one motherboard that needed this another that ran with the need. This might be the difference between AMD and Intel but I am not sure.
      • If CWSDPMI is required, the error will be "Load error: no DPMI - Get csdpmi*b.zip"
      • In Windows you don't need the CWS*.EXE files at all, since Windows uses DPMI already. But don't use MTAP in Windows, this just helps explain the issue.
      • DPMI = (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) server
      • The sed (Stream Editor) FAQ - 5.5. What is CSDPMI*B.ZIP and why do I need it?
        • This explains the issue well.
        • binaries and sources are available here.
      • Alt Downloads
      • HDPMI - DPMI Server (Version 3.17) - An alternative to CWSDMPI but I have not used it or had the need. This is for reference only.
  • Your DOS environment is now setup and ready for use.
  • Proceed to 'Transfer Methods' section and pick which options suits you and your equipment.

Notes

  • This is my setup which works well but you can
    • Try other DOS disks such as FreeDos which will only require 1 pendrive
    • Different software for creating bootable USB
    • Be crazy and boot from a real floppy disk
    • Use a Win98SE disk with the bare minimum of files on it. I just used the default one because I did not want to spend the time removing all of the unneeded stuff.
  • if you use Rufus and to create bootable USB pendrive then the partition on it will only be 1.44MB which is normal.
  • MS-DOS 6.22 does not support FAT32 so that is why we use Win98SE boot diisk which supports it.
  • You might need to try different LPT modes on your mother board (SPP/ECP/EPP/ECP+EPP) to see which one works. bear in mind your adapter cable has to be compatible with that LPT mode.
  • Parallel Port (additional)
    • Parallel port - Wikipedia - An article on Parallel Ports and their different modes.
    • Downtown Doug Brown » Parallel Port Tester
      • After playing around with a ton of parallel port cards in an attempt to figure out Willem programmer compatibility, I decided it would be useful to write a parallel port tester program. Just a simple utility where you can set the output value of each output pin and read the value of each input pin.
      • An easy to use Windows utility
    • Parallel port output - Simple circuits and examples to describe how to use PC parallel port as general purpose output port.
    • How to Use a PC's Parallel Port to Commun | Maxim Integrated - This tutorial shows how to build a quick, simple, and cost-effective 2-wire (I2C-compatible) interface using a PC's parallel port. No difficult to procure ICs, microcontrollers, or firmware needed.
    • DOS Utilities Collection
      • Many DOS utilities
      • LPTstat v1.0 (LPTSTAT.EXE) - The PC parallel port uses a practically direct I/O port to pin connection. LPTstat shows each bit's status in real-time, and includes the bit's location in the PC address space and its corresponding pin number on a DB-25 connector. You can use the left and right arrow keys to switch LPT ports, and the up and down arrow keys followed by ENTER to toggle a bit.
    • PCI Parallel port doesn't work under DOS 6.22 | PC Review
      • Hi all,I tried to get a PCI parallel port (LPT2) to work under DOS 6.22, but without luck. When I connect the printer to LPT1 it is immediately online even if the computer is turned off, whereas for LPT2 the card isn't recognized, and the printer never gets online.
      • Some PCI parallel cards just will not work under as a DOS parallel port. Under DOS, there were only 3 recognized addresses ( 0x3bc, 0x378, and 0x278) and 2 recognized IRQs 7 & 5. These are not normally assigned to a PCI device because of possible conflicts with existing devices. Any PCI card that will work with DOS programs must be settable to these settings, either through a utility program/driver or jumpers. I know there are some out there, just don't remember who makes or sells them. You need to search for a PCI card that specifically says it will work with DOS programs. Or rewrite the DOS program to use the addresses and irqs the PCI card is being assigned.
    • Check if printer is on LPT from DOS batch file - 'm searching for a method to check from a batch file if a printer is connected to LPT port.
    • How can I make a test lpt port in MS-DOS ? - Techyv.com - Hi everyone, I think my lpt port is damaged, please, how to proceed to check this error? And how to make a dos lpt test? thank you in advance!

 

Transfer Methods (Commodore Tape to PC)

There are several methods on transferring tapes to .TAP files on a PC but are mostly the same for Vic20, C16, Plus4, C64, C128, PET tapes.

  • Plus4 and C16 tapes should be always sampled in Halfwave mode (TAP V2)
  • C64, C128, VIC20 and other Commodore tapes should be always sampled in Wholewave mode (TAP V1)

Connect Parallel Port direct to a Commodore Cassette drive (X1531 Method)

There are 2 adaptors that can be used to connect your tape drive directly to your LPT port on the PC,  this just depends on whether it is a 1530 or a 1531 drive. These two drives are identical inside and just differ in their connectors. The 1531 has a mini DIN connector whereas the 1530 (C2N) has a female edge connector. When people refer to the X1531 Cable this can mean either drive setup with their appropriate adapter.

  • C64S tape adapter
    • In this link you can see a modified X1541 connector with a tape port added. You can make an adapter without the serial port.
    • Don't connect the tape drive and a serial device at the same time
    • Only connect the power when using the tape drive.
  • X1531 tape connector - A simple tutorial on how to make the adapter for the 1531 Tape Drive.
    • Will only work on a SPP parallel port on older PCs.
  • More notes on cables below in the 'Cables' section

Some people online say that the 'Game Port' might not be able to supply enough power to the Datassette when doing long tapes. I am unable to confirm this but perhaps should be something to watch out for.

Instructions

  • (Optional) Edit your batch files on the Software pendrive
  • Make sure the PC is turned off.
  • Connect the X1531 cable to the PC and the 1531 Datassette.
  • Make sure the parallel port is set to SPP
  • Load your DOS environment on the DOS PC
  • Turn the Commodore computer on.
  • Place a cassette into the 1530/1531 the drive that you want to sample.
  • Make sure the tape is fully rewound before you start.
  • Now sample the tape with MTAP by running one of these commands on the DOS PC, select the appropriate one or use your own:
    mtap -lpt1 -b 10 -h -c16pal C:\TAPS\OUTPUT.TAP
mtap -lpt1 -b 10 -c16pal C:\TAPS\OUTPUT.TAP
makeh OUTPUT
makew OUTPUT
    • The batch commands assume you have set your batch files as follows (to match the examples above): 
      makeh.bat
mtap -lpt1 -b 10 -h -c16pal C:\TAPS\%1.TAP

makew.bat
mtap -lpt1 -b 10 -c16pal C:\TAPS\%1.TAP
  • "Press <PLAY> on tape!" will appear, now press play on your Commodore Datassette.
  • The tape will play to the end and then play button will pop up as normal.
  • (optional) Re-run to get a second copy
    • Binary compare the 2 tapes (or quickly by size with DOS dir command), they should be the same. same size or very close.
    • If they don't match it could be because 'the tape is damaged or dirty'/head needs aligning/tape players is defective/heads are dirty/rubber band faulty
    • Regular cleaning of the tape heads when using old tapes is important
  • Turn off the DOS PC and move the Software pendrive to the Windows PC
  • Load the TAP in an emulator and see if it works.
  • Done

TTAPSERV (Preferred Method)

This will do Wholewave and Halfwave tapes (i.e. All Commodore tapes)

This is the most reliable method of reading taps because it is using real Commodore C16 or Plus4 that supports both Wholewave and Halfwave tapes, and this method ensures the Datassette will get enough power for it's motors when dealing with long tapes.

This is what I do to transfer my commodore tapes to the PC.

Instructions

  • (Optional) Edit your batch files on the Software pendrive
  • Make sure the PC is turned off.
  • Connect the Plus4 to the parallel port of the PC using the XE1541 cable
  • Make sure the parallel port is set to ECP
    • This is recommended in the VC1541 instructions because of auto-detection of EPP/DMA is dodgy.
  • Load your DOS environment.
  • Turn the Commodore computer on now otherwise you will might get a cable detection error and file transfers will be disabled.
  • Run the VC1541 software on the DOS PC. (CWSDPMI.EXE might not be needed on your system, see notes above) 
    VC1541.EXE -dir C:\DISKS -lpt 1 -cable XE1541
or
diskemu.bat
  • The 'DISKS' folder should already be selected because we defined it in the commands above and this folder has the TTAPSERV.PRG in it, if not, just browse for the file with your cursor keys.
    • The directory shown on the left is what is presented as the directory to the Commodore computer.
  • Load TTAPSERV.PRG on your Plus4 by typing in the following command:
    LOAD "TTAPSERV.PRG",8
  • VC1541 now will transfer the file from the PC to the Plus4 as if it were a real 1541 disk drive.
  • Type RUN on the Plus4 to launch TTAPSERV.
  • Set TTAPSERV to the appropriate mode to match your MTAP command.
    • F1 = Wholewave
    • F2 = Halfwave
  • Exit VC1541 on the DOS PC
  • Place a cassette into the 1530/1531 the drive that you want to sample.
  • Make sure the tape is fully rewound before you start.
  • Now sample the tape with MTAP by running one of these commands on the DOS PC, select the appropriate one or use your own:
    mtap -xe -b 10 -h -c16pal C:\TAPS\OUTPUT.TAP
mtap -xe -b 10 -c16pal C:\TAPS\OUTPUT.TAP
makeh OUTPUT
makew OUTPUT
    • The batch commands assume you have set your batch files as follows (to match the examples above): 
      makeh.bat
mtap -xe -b 10 -h -c16pal C:\TAPS\%1.TAP

makew.bat
mtap -xe -b 10 -c16pal C:\TAPS\%1.TAP
  • "Press <PLAY> on tape!" will appear, now press play on your Commodore Datasette.
  • The tape will play to the end and then play button will pop up as normal.
  • (optional) Re-run to get a second copy
    • Binary compare the 2 tapes (or quickly by size with DOS dir command), they should be the same. same size or very close.
    • If they don't match it could be because 'the tape is damaged or dirty'/head needs aligning/tape players is defective/heads are dirty/rubber band faulty
    • Regular cleaning of the tape heads when using old tapes is important
  • Turn off the DOS PC and move the Software pendrive to the Windows PC
  • Load the TAP in an emulator and see if it works.
  • Done

These instructions were adapted from the forum thread Best or easiest way to transfer from tape - Commodore 64 (C64) Forum

TAPSERV

This will do Wholewave tapes only. (Cannot sample some C16 and Plus4 tapes)

  • Same as for TTAPSERV.PRG except
    • You use a Commodore C64
    • You use TAPSERV.PRG as the tape server
    • There is no option to select Wholewave or Halfwave tapes.
  • This is the original tape server that is designed to run on the C64 but is only capable of capturing Wholewave tapes.
  • TAPSERV for the C64 cannot read halfwave tapes, as the C64 is unable to read them itself.

1530USB (Audio and WAV)

I have not used this method

This is a little more around the houses but might be useful when the tape is really dirty.

DC2N (DMP Files)

I have not used this method, hence the lack of detailed instructions

DC2N is a piece of hardware that can do high resolutions dumps of tapes to it's own DMP format which can be converted to TAP but requires a special piece of hardware

This seems to be the preferred way of making tape backups in the scene because they are high res and you can make TAP files from them.

OpenCBM - ZoomTape/ZoomTAP/TapeXUM/tapread.exe

I don't know much about this, but I discovered TAP utilities in the OpenCBM package and references to a ZoomTape device.

  • TapeXUM - c64scene.pl
    • TapeXUM is an adapter that connects a tape recorder (Datasette) to a PC via USB. With its help, you can save and archive data on a cassette from/to TAP files. TapeXUM is based on the ZoomTape project.
    • ZoomTape was an appetizer for ZoomFloppy whose audience is mainly Commodore fans from overseas. In the states, the purchase of a computer with a station in the 1980s was not a utopia and the cassette player was forgotten very quickly and probably often never even found its way into homes, which results in their lack of sentiment towards the cassette medium. The story was different with us, the tape recorder was the basic accessory.
    • I decided to resurrect ZoomTape on a new board using DIY-friendly electronic components, such as the Arduino Pro Micro, which, combined with appropriate modifications in the code, contributed to positive results. I called the whole thing TapeXUM and I published all the files related to the project free of charge. Everyone can assemble and test the adapter with the cassette on their own. Currently, the device will only work in Windows 7 and 10 64-bit, and communication is carried out using tools in the command line.
  • GitHub - r1me/TapeXUM: - Capture and write Commodore tapes via USB device. The project's home
  • TapeXUM - Capture and write Commodore tapes via USB device - Share Project - PCBWay
    • What's TapeXUM ?TapeXUM is a USB device that can read and write to cassettes of Commodore 16/64/VIC-20 (read and write) and ZX Spectrum (read only) format. It requires a Commodore datasette connected to it. This project is based on ZoomTape by Arnd Menge, a great idea and originally a part of OpenCBM package. TapeXUM uses Arduino Pro Micro and through hole components so it's a DIY friendly design.
    • Explains a bit of the history aswell.
  • ZoomTape daughterboard for the ZoomFloppy, when available? - Commodore 64 (C64) Forum
  • ZoomFloppy - CBM 1530/1531 - Tape Drive Connection | jonnz.de 
    • This might of been an original concept but schematics were never released.
    • It gives some screenshots of the software in use.
    • Advises to use the Google Group here - https://googlegroups.com/group/zoomfloppy-users 
    • zoomtape.de.vu - This seems to be the same site. I have used Wayback Machine to get this site
  • Zoom Floppy and Cassette | Google Groups
    • This is the part of the discussion showing a schematic of a ZoomTape/TapeXUM
    • RetroInnovations has made a schematic and mentions Arnd Menge has made an imroved version.
  • CRX 2018 - Nate Lawson - ZoomFloppy | YouTube | Commodore Retro eXpo
    • Presentation by Nate Lawson about the history of the ZoomFloppy and the latest update in the works.
    • This is an excellent talk going ito some of the technical details on how the device and the various Commodore driver work
    • ZoomTape Daughter board mentioned at this time - Arnd Menge designed the daughter board but does not seem to of released it.

Transfer Methods (Other)

TAP to WAV

see 1530USB

Manual Copy PRGs to Emulated Disk drive

  • Setup a virtual Commodore Disk Drive on a PC (VC1541/viceEMU/etc...)
  • Run manual BASIC commands or other PRG to copy files from the tape to the disk drive.
  • What command did I use for King Size to Disk. asked here http://plus4world.powweb.com/forum/44433 
  • The emulated disk drive can be supplied from where ever but the VC1541 over the XE1541 cable is a good starting point.
  • From tape to disk? - Commodore 64 (C64) Forum
    • Just using BASIC commands to copy programs from Tape to Disk will not work.
    • The reason is that when you use the SAVE command it will only copy the BASIC portion of the game.
    • You must use a copier program which defeats the object of this method.
    • Some tapes will use their own Turbo Loaders to load the game and this could cause issues.
    • This might only be true if you use SAVE"FILENAME" / SAVE"FILENAME",1 / SAVE"FILENAME",1,0 / SAVE"FILENAME",8 / SAVE"FILENAME",8,0 as these statements only save the BASIC part.
  • SAVE - C64-Wiki
  • LOAD - C64-Wiki
  • When a program autoruns it is because the code that has just been loaded has overwritten the 'Ready' prompt call so when the 'Ready' prompt is called after the program has been loaded, the PRGs code is executed instead of the 'Ready' prompt and thus the program runs.

I have used the following method to get games of the King Size Volume 1 & 2 tapes to a Disk. This will not work with games that have Turbo Loaders.

LOAD"FILENAME"       (Load as normal)
Press Run/Stop       (You must be able to stop the program with this key)

SAVE"FILENAME",8     (Save the file to disk as a BASIC program)
or
SAVE"FILENAME",8,1   (Save the file to disk as Machine Code, If above save does not work try this one)
  • Just to state the obvious
    • You do this procedure on a real Commodore computer whilst running VC1541 Disk emulator on your DOS PC and then the PRG saves will be on your PC.
    • Check the Saves work

Creating TAP files from PC/PRG/Disk (not real tapes) - TAP to Tape

Access real drives in emulators

  • VICE - Connect Real Disk Drives
    • VICE uses OpenCBM as a proxy to communicate with the real drives so it is only limited by this software. 
    • You need a compatible cable to connect your Disk Drive: XM1541, XA1541, XU1541, XUM1541 (a.k.a ZoomFloppy)
      • The following addon cables are supported: XP1541 or XP1571
    • OpenCBM - Supported Disk Drives
    • VICE communicates with the drive, but the uses the CBM4WIN driver which only implements basic access to the drive.
    • Also a lot of custom loaders used in games etc will simply fail when using Vice with a real drive. It's much better to use the XM1541-cable only for creating disk images and using those in VICE.
    • OpenCBM - Supported Drives
    • For saftey only connect your Commodore equiment when you PC is off. I have heard that connecting these devices while on can damage the Commodore kit.
    • In VICE:
      • Settings --> Peripheral devices --> Drive Type = the drive you are adding. I am not sure how important this is, but it cant harm to have this match.
      • Settings --> Peripheral devices --> IEC-Device , enable and set 'Device type' to "Real device (OpenCBM)".
  • YAPE (Parallel 1541 emulation)
    • In YAPE
      • Settings --> Drive X setup --> Drive Emulation = Parallel 1541 emulation [CPU level/compatibility mode]

 I have not found any support for directly using the 1530/1531 to Datassettes in any emulator. If anyone knows different please let me know.

Capture PET Tapes to Disk using a 1530/1531 Datassette attached to a C64

I got this from How can I get PET Tape programs onto disk? | Port Commodore

  • I have not tried this and I don't fully understand this code but I wanted to add this to my site as well so it does not get lost.
  • This involves using a Commodore 64 but with the code being BASIC it might work on a C16/Plus4
  • I am guessing this changes the tape sample frequency.

You could load/save programs (which relocates the start address which you have to fix later) or you can use this program I discovered for the 64. This program will automatically LOAD each file off of tape and subsequently SAVE it to disk (device number 8) and continue until you stop it (or a disk error occurs when it attempts to save a file with the same name as one already on disk, disk full, or end of tape.)

Here is the listing (remember this is written for the Commodore 64):

5 rem tape2disk
10 for i=53181 to 53247:read a:poke i,a:next i
20 print "[clr][down][down][down]tape to disk transfer program!"
30 print"[down]insert formatted disk in drive 8."
40 print"[down]insert tape, rewind and then press play.[down]"
50 sys 53181
100 data 169,1,162,1,160,1,32,186,255,169,0,162,65,160,3,32,189,255
110 data 169,0,32,213,255,169,8,162,8,160,255,32,186,255,169,20,162
120 data 65,160,3,32,189,255,173,61,3,141,251,0,173,62,3,141,252,0
130 data 169,251,174,63,3,172,64,3,32,216,255,76,189,207
  • Type this in, SAVE it (don't want to type it in again, right?),
  • put a blank formatted disk in drive 8, type RUN.
  • If everything is working the message will display and the computer will now ask you to press PLAY on tape, put in a cassette,
  • rewind if necessary, and press PLAY.
  • Let it run through the tape (this could take an hour or more if it is a long tape).
  • Reset the computer and load the disk directory.
  • You should now have the tape programs on the disk
  • NB: that the filenames are all padded with extra spaces, you will need to use a disk or directory editor to “fix” the file names.

Notes

What Happens?

This is a table that will just let you know what happens when you sample tapes using a Datasette 1531 and various setups and tapes. This will help you identify what is normal behaviour and what sort of tape format you are sampling.

Software / Hardware / MTAP Mode Fullwave Tape
(Number Builder)		 Halfwave Tape
(Bridgehead +4)
  • (Fullwave)
  • MTAP Only
  • X1531 Cable / Plus4
  • mtap -lpt1 -b 10 -c16pal %1.tap
  • File Size: 195KB
  • The program name is visible in VICE TAP browser
  • The program loads correctly
  • File Size: 247KB
  • The program name is visible in VICE TAP browser
  • The program (header) is found and the Plus4 tries to load the PRG but it never succeeds and the tape runs to the end.
  • (Halfwave)
  • MTAP Only
  • X1531 Cable / Plus4
  • mtap -lpt1 -b 10 -h -c16pal %1.tap
  • File Size: 390KB
  • The program name is visible in VICE TAP browser
  • The program loads correctly
  • File Size: 494KB
  • The program name is visible in VICE TAP browser
  • The program loads correctly
  • (Fullwave)
  • MTAP + TTAPSERV
  • XE Cable / Plus4
  • mtap -xe -b 10 -c16pal %1.tap
  
  • File Size: 195KB
  • The program name is visible in VICE TAP browser
  • The program loads correctly
  
  • File Size: 247KB
  • The program name is visible in VICE TAP browser
  • The program (header) is found and the Plus4 tries to load the PRG but it never succeeds and the tape runs to the end.
  • (Halfwave)
  • MTAP + TTAPSERV
  • XE Cable / Plus4
  • mtap -xe -b 10 -h -c16pal %1.tap
  
  • File Size: 390KB
  • The program name is visible in VICE TAP browser
  • The program loads correctly
  
  • File Size: 194KB
  • The program name is visible in VICE TAP browser
  • The program loads correctly
  • (Fullwave)
  • MTAP + TAPSERV
  • XE Cable / C64S
  • mtap -xe -b 10 -c16pal %1.tap
  
  • File Size: 195KB
  • The program name is visible in VICE TAP browser
  • The program loads correctly
  
  • File Size: 251KB
  • The program name is NOT visible in VICE TAP browser
  • ?BREAK  ERROR - The tape does not get to the end.
  • (Halfwave)
  • MTAP + TAPSERV
  • XE Cable / C64S
  • mtap -xe -b 10 -h -c16pal %1.tap
  
  • File Size: 195KB
  • The program name is NOT visible in VICE TAP browser
  • Blank screen and the tape just runs to the end.
  
  • File Size: 250KB
  • The program name is NOT visible in VICE TAP browser
  • Blank screen and the tape just runs to the end.

NB: replace %1 for output.tap or whatever you want your tape to be called.

X Series Adapters Types

XA1541 is the most advanced of the legacy X series adapters. ZoomFloppy/XUM1541 is now recommended for standard disk drive operations.

I have found some good explanations of the different cable types and I will put theme here for you to look through

Imaging Tapes

  • When imaging tapes
    • When imaging tapes, keep a constant eye on the tape head, it will get covered in crap from the old taps.
    • Pressing pay will expose the heads making them easier clean. regular cleaning when dealing with old tapes get consistent results
    • I recommend getting a proper tape cassette cleaner
    • If you find you transfers getting smaller or inconsistent and then the TAPs not working this is most likely becasue your tape player heads are dirty. This does not preclude the other basic stuff ie belts, motor and a knackered head. this is caused by tape player working and then it stops working because of use.
    • If the tape keeps causing the play button to trigger (like when you get to the end of the tape) the fastfoward the tape and rewind it and this will loosen it off.
    • The TAP file is created as the tape is played and the size is dependent on the length of the tape, the contents do not change the size.
    • When you transfer a tape to TAP some times there will be a slight difference in the file sizes but this is normal. They should be around the same size.
    • If you start getting a lot of tap grabs faiing using TTAPSERV.PRG then it could be the serial port on your Commodore failing or the serial interface.
    • When using MTAP, if you find you start getting some bad results, try rebooting your DOS PC. I am sure MTAP is stable but it does not harm.
    • If the tape does not read first time, keep trying and trying as it seems to clean crap off the tape.
    • Clean the tape head regularly as tapes deposity crap on the heads, especially old ones.
    • Try at a different part of the day i.e. cold in morning, warm in the afternoon might make data capture better (not 100% abut this one)
    • Dont run your tape player too long (i.e. loads of tapes).
      • These datassettes are old.
      • Let them cool down between batches.
      • When the motors are warm as they do not provide as much power/torque.
    • Tapes that dont read properly on the first time more than likely will have deposited crap on the tape head so after a dogy read, inspect clean the head.
    • I tend to do tapes in small baches of ten and then check/clean heads. i would rather have 10 failed tapes than 50.
    • After imaging long tapes, check the head because it is like doing several small tapes
    • On bad tapes always do A and B sides as one might work
    • Some tapes have different stuff on side A and side B. I generally read the tape insert to assess this. If in doubt do both sides as they might be different anyway (i.e. Winter Games)
    • If you image the tape the several times on the same side and the file size is the same then it is most likely to be a good digitisation.
    • The same program on different sides of the tape can generate slightly different file sizes but should be within 1KB
    • Some tapes are not recorded on both sides (this is rare)
    • Dont leave TTAPSERV running when you are not imaging tapes because it keeps the tape player powered up and spinning (i.e. the capston)
    • If your datassette jams
      • The XE1541 LED will probably go off if running MTAP
      • It will be permanently powered off for safety (i think)
      • You must power cycle your Commodore to bring it back online
  • Check on Plus4 World
    • Always check on plus4world to see if your tape, inlay and any other information such as stickers are present and correct.
    • Sometimes you might have a slightly different version.
    • I would recommend to always image your tapes (in V2/halfwave) just incase this is not on plus4world.
  • If your TAP files are very small (<1KB) when using TTAPSERV or TAPSERV
    • The connection from your PC to the datasette is faulty.
    • check you XEM1541 for blown diodes, i did and I found one had gone. Teseting them is outside the scope of this article. But it is not hard and just requires a multimeter.
  • TAP doesn't work - When you check a TAP image it is not working, these are some reasons:
    • Doesn't Work: potentially the tape is halfwave and you have not added the switch
    • You can check against the same tape on Plus4world and see if it has the same number of parts/files
    • Check it runs in VICE and then if not check in YAPE as some times it will run in one but not the other.
    • Always make sure the all program runs. I also use a cheat when the game has mulitple parts on the tape that are loaded after you complete one section so I can check each part (i.e. Ye Are Kung fu).
    • Getting garbled graphics on the screen
      • Does not (always) mean the TAP image has failed.
      • Some rare games will only play on a C16 (or Plus 4 with 16k ram)
      • Does not like that does not like that particular emulator. Try the game in another emulator.
    • Not all games work with LOAD"" - some need LOAD"",1,1 and some a SYS command. Instructions are usually found on the inlay if required.#
    • Check for notes or loading instructions on plus4world, someone might have already found and fixed the issue
    • The datasette needs cleaning.
    • Set the Tape player Head Azimuth
    • When using VICE use 'Attach/Load' the 'Autostart' does not always work. i.e. Space 2 Pilot will not load
    • The tape has perished beyond recovery.
  • VICE does display TAP file directory for halfwaves because the headers are stored in fullwave
  • c64 use - TAPSERV or COPY 235 (disk and tape)
  • Finaltap/CleanTAP will check tap image validity and give you loads of information on it - This only works on wholewave tapes (i.e. C64)
  • is there a command to copy ech file on tape to the disk
  • Tape Transfer | Commodore Info Page - A great overview of the process.
  • Tapes usually have the game recorded on both sides of the tape.
  • Commodore 16 tape imaging | offog.org - A real persons instructions on how he imaged his tapes.
  • Archiving C64 Tapes Correctly – pagetable.com - A article how this guy on his journey figured out how to image C64 tapes. It does have some technical aspects to it but is an easy read.
  • Accurately dump Commodore 64 tapes | PythonRepo - This includes a full process from research, to programming in Python and building a custom adapter. Diagrams and schematics are available.
  • Commodore 64 C64S Tape Adapter | YouTube
    • This homemade C64S Tape Adapter allows You to connect a C2N datasette to a PC running DOS and transfer data from or to Your C64 tape deck.
    • This video shows the guy using this nice looking adapter to capture TAP images and using tapeio.exe to check head azimuth.
    • I have tapeio.exe and although it is a C64 program it will allow you to set the head azimuth of your Commodore Datasette from a PC, see the video.
    • Links to all the required software
    • A great video.
  • Best or easiest way to transfer from tape - Commodore 64 (C64) Forum - I based my instructions on this.
  • RAW Audio and WAV
  • GitHub - francescovannini/truetape64:  - Accurately dump Commodore 64 tapes by building an inexpensive hardware adapter
  • awsm — Build your own 1530 to C16,C116,Plus/4 adapter and make an C64 SD2IEC work on your 264 computer
    • Build your own 1530 to C16,C116,Plus/4 adapter and make an C64 SD2IEC work on your 264 computer

Tape Formats

  • VICE Manual - 17 The emulator file formats - Very technical and includes the frequencies at which the various Commodore computer tapes were recorded at.
  • Tap file - Just Solve the File Format Problem - A basic description of a TAP file
  • The C64 file formats list | ist.uwaterloo.ca - A lot of detailed information.
  • How did the Cbm64/vic20 tapes work technically - Markus Brenner described the actually reading/writing process of Commodore tapes drives to help with the author of YAPE  implement TAP support in his Plus/4 emulator.
  • C64 RAW TAPE (.TAP) FILE FORMAT. - A simple breakdown.
  • The DC2N Project Homepage - Technical information - The DC2N format and other technical data.
  • zinc64/Analyzing C64 tape loaders.txt at master · binaryfields/zinc64 · GitHub
    • This explains Turbo Loaders and other technical details about the tape process.
    • A Turbo Loader is a piece of software that is loaded by the normal Commodore tape procedures and is then executed as any normal program. The function of the Turbo Loader is to read non-standard pulses on the tape which are put together a lot closer that normal tapes allowing them to be loaded up quicker and have a higher density of data on a tape.
  • How Commodore tapes work | wav-prg
  • Forget T64
    • it's not really a tape archive but more something like a file container. If you want real backups of tapes then use the TAP format.
  • TAP filesize depends on the amount of data not tape length, but it is a good indicator (longer tape, bigger TAP). Halfwave files are twice the size of a Wholewave tape.
  • TAP files come in the following flavours:
    • V0 - The intial format and is not used anymore.
    • V1 - This revision only supports Wholewaves and it referred to as Wholewave mode.
    • V2 - This supports Wholewaves and Halfwaves but is also referred to as Halfwave mode.
  • VICE (C64) will not load TAP V2 files
    • Rather than it being impossible it probably is a choice of the developers not to use TAP V2 for C64 as it is never needed.
    • You cannot see filenames in the files either as it porbably doe snot know how to search for headers in them.

Halfwave / Wholewave

  • There are 2 ways of recording tapes in the Commodore range and they vary how the signal is recorded on the tap.
    • Wholewave
      • All Commodore computers in the 264 range can read this format.
      • Example Wholewave Games: Number Builder
    • Halfwave
      • This format is only compatible with the C16 and Plus4
      • For the same tape, halfwaves files are twice as big
      • halfwaves TAPs are twice the size for the same length (time) of tape.
      • For the same length of tape, the halfwave files are twice as big
    • Example Halfwave Games: Aardvark, ACE, ACE2, Airwolf2, Beach Head, Bongo, Bridgehead +4, Demolition, Finders Keepers, Frank Brunos Boxing, Ikari Warriors, Legionnaire, Molecule Man, Paper Boy, Pharaohs Tomb, Sea Strike, Sky Hawk, Space Pilot, Steve davis Snooker, Strip Poker, Strip Poker 2, Summer Events, Task Force, Thrust, Tomcat, Who Dares Wins 2 and Winter Events.
    • Transfering C16 taps to real tapes - the horror, the pain... - Commodore 64 (C64) Forum
      • PTAP does not support halfwaves
      • PTAP options have vic20ntsc / vic20pal, but there's no option for c16, so i just used "ptap nameofthegame.tap"
      • The C16 and Plus/4 can use either half or whole (C64) waves
      • One can convert a half-wave TAP to a whole-wave TAP and record it at C16 frequency?
        • Short answer is that "halfwaves" can not be converted to "wholewaves". It's because the C64 tape input is level-triggered whereas the plus/4's is edge-triggered.
        • The long answer would be that some TAP images could indeed be converted to C64's native "wholewave" format (where an entire square wave pulse is encoded per TAP "unit"). Those loaders that do not invert (usually incidentally) the phase of the signal. This is depending on the actual loader: KERNAL and Novaload are generally fine, but later tape turbos will not work as wholewave TAP whatever we'd try. Most TAP images on Plus4world are in fact encoded in wholewaves, especially the old "classic" games, mostly because a lot of the archiving was already done when Markus figured that the plus/4 is just different in this respect.
    • "Half-wave" means that by one TAP byte we measure the length of one half of a square wave pulse, and the initial phase is "low" (for the same C64 TAP you would store the sum of the two subsequenting bytes on one TAP byte). While the C64 tape input is edge triggered (IIRC) the plus/4 does not have this and many custom tape loaders invert the phase of the tape pulse (probably incidentally). 
    • Captured King Size Volume 1 and 2 tapes with MTAP and TAPSERV but the programs will not load - Plus/4 World
      • My discovery on imaging tapes and finding out what Halfwaves were.
      • Lots of information here and a good thread to read if you are stuck.
      • The size difference for your Number Builder TAPs is normal. The reason for this is explained by the differences between the two TAP formats:
        • The fullwave/wholewave TAP format is the original format, and was originally designed for C64 emulators. Each byte in the file represents the duration of a complete low-high wave, which is how the C64 responds to tape pulses.
        • However, because the fullwave TAP format is designed to assume a low-high wave, it will not work for turbos which use inverted (high-low) waves. That's where the halfwave TAP format comes in. Each byte in a halfwave TAP file represents the duration of each half of each wave cycle independently.
        • Basically, the halfwave TAP format is simply a more precise method of dumping tapes. Any tape that can be dumped as a fullwave TAP can also be dumped as a halfwave TAP, and there are some tapes that can only be dumped as a halfwave TAP.
    • TAP -> WAV -> PC sound card -> cassette recorder -> datasette -> c16/+4 - Plus/4 World
      • this discusses halwaves
      • sampling from an audio sort
      • Physically modifying your Plus4 to play loading sound from the tape player and potential using this sound to set the azimuth of the heads.
    • Are turbo loaders required to use halfwave formats? = I think so.
    • Is halwave a type of turbo? = no, halwave wave is how the signal is stored on the tape.
    • How can I tell which tapes are using halfwaves? = Use 'Tape Wave Checher'
    • Does TAPSERV.PRG handle halfwaves? = no
    • Will TTAPSERV image C64 tapes, will it do PET tapes? = It will do C64 tapes, but might not do PET tapes
  • What is the default Tape wave format for the Plus4 - Forum (#44961) - Plus/4 World
    • The normal kernal save routine is wholewave. Anything that does not use a Turbo is wholewave.
    • Halfwave is only found with Turbo Loaders on C16/Plus4, but maybe only 75% of the Turbo Loaders out there actually use it.
    • Novaload is a wholewave for example, but stuff from say Anco are ALL halfwave. Something like that commercial Kingsize Turbo saving program was halfwave.
    • Halfwave was used to prevent copying or make it more difficult, but that just turned out to be puny. All halfwave did was make some prog's a bit more difficult to load if your tape deck was not aligned properly.

Hardware

Datassette Maintenance

You need to make sure your Datassette is running well so I will outline the things your should do.

Squeaking Tapes

  • If your tape makes a squeaking noise, stop what you are doing and read this section

I swapped my belts in my commodore 1531 drive and on a few cassettes I get a squeaking noise, the tapes then either really slow down or the tape player just stops turning but the play button does not pop up. I have cleaned the pinch roller with isopropanol alcohol.

This is a common issue with older tapes, and it is usually the tapes that cause this. These instructions assume your Datassette is in perfect working order (i.e. clean heads, working drive belt).

Cause

  • The tape inside the cassettes when they are made are impregnated with a lubricated (not visibly to naked eye etc..) to aid the tape running smoothly through tape players. Over time this lubricate dissipates and this lack of lubricant that causes the squeak.
  • In particular, the squeak is caused by the tape on the donour reel creating too much friction preventing the 'Pinch Roller' from pulling the tape through smoothly. When this happens the 'Pinch Roller' slips on the tape creating the distinctive squeak.
  • When a tape squeaks, where does the noise come actually from?
    • The tape between the sponge and the head? = No.
    • The pinch roller slipping on the tape? = Usually, as it’s trying to pull the tape through, but can’t get it off the reel.
    • Other = Can also be the cassette drive belt slipping on the pulley / capstan.

Solutions

  • Fast forward and rewind the tape a few times. This does not always work.
  • Turn the cassette player so the receiving reel is towards the ground.
    • This is not the same as turning the tape over.
    • This changes the abient fall direction of the tape and might re-wrap it better ad/or make less friction.
    • This will only make a small difference so don't expect miracles.
  • Try a different drive. Sometimes a drive might have a slightly more powerful motor which is just enough.
  • How to relubricate your stuck cassette tapes | YouTube | ANA[DIA]LOG
    • This explains squeaky tapes and potentially how to fix them.
    • In this video we learn how to restore the lubricant in audio cassette tapes and obtain perfect transportation free of wow and flutter issues and squeaky sounds!
    • This is not really a permanent solution, it is more to allow you to recover the data on the tapes.
  • Cassette tape cleaner - What, how & why? | YouTube | Techmoan - This video shows a tape cleaning machine. Perhaps build your own.
  • (Thanks to Dave @ www.dataserve-retro.co.uk)
    • Lubricate the tapes manually  
      • Me
        • I swapped my belts in my commodore 1531 drive and on a few cassettes I get a squeaking noise, the tapes then either really slow down or the tape player just stops turning but the play button does not pop up. I have cleaned the pinch roller with isopropanol alcohol.
        • Do you know what this could be?
      • Dave
        • That’s a very common problem.
        • It’s not a Datassette issue, it’s the tapes themselves (unless you know for certain that they were OK before the belt change).
        • For some reason, some tapes (a lot) tighten up with age to the point where cassette players struggle to pull the tape through and audibly complain.
        • I have tried quite a few ways of sorting this out over the years, lubricating the cassettes, cleaning them with head cleaner and lubricating with silicone, WD40 and PTFE lubricant sprays.
        • I did get some success with silicone lubricant which didn’t damage the tape and I thought all was well. However, after a few weeks on the shelf, I tested them again but they were tight again and wouldn’t load. It seems to be a terminal illness for them.
        • Will this spray be good for fixing tapes (temporarily of course)
    • Use a tighter belt?
      • Me
        • I am still playing around the squeaking tapes. I think the squeak is the drive belt slipping probably caused by the tape and in particular the clamping of the tape by the head into the spring loaded sponge. I will let you know. I thought it might of been the pinch roller but I am not sure. I am also going to try a tighter belt as this will be able to generate more friction on the spools and see if that solves my issue. Fastforward and rewind work fine. My goal is to sample my tapes not really to keep them as a going concern.
        • How tight should these rubber bands be on the tape player. I am just wondering if they are actually tight enough because if I hold one of the rollers (spinny things inside) with my finger and spin another, it is quite free. I am just wondering if I got a bum band or your suppliers are sending you some out of tolerance. Some on the internet say 80mm and another advert says 75mm band, maybe this is the issue. My tapes all fast forward and reverse with no issue.
        • I am also going to try a tighter belt as this will be able to generate more friction on the spools and see if that solves my issue. Fastforward and rewind work fine.
      • Dave
        • Be careful with a tighter belt, it will make the tape run at the wrong speed with the increased tension, the motor will struggle and they fail quite quickly when too tight.
    • Mould is a real problem on floppy disks, but not seen it very often on cassettes though.

Drive Emulators

  • Commodore 64 disk / tape emulation - Wikipedia - A big list of emulators of which most will work with the C16 and Plus4.
  • Partial Emulators (Parallel Port)
    • VC1541
      • Can run with a X1541 or XE1541 cable
      • Easy to setup
      • supports read and write
      • VC1541 disk drive not recognised/not found
        • Start order: Power PC on to DOS, turn Commodore Computer on, run VC1541
        • You might have to reboot both PC and the Commodore sometimes
        • Check physical connections. unplug and re-plug them, especialy with old cables the connections might not be perfect
      • If the XE adapter LED goes off upon accessing VC1541 with the Commodore computer
        • There is probably a bad connection.
        • I redid my solder joints on the adapter (cold joints) but also pay attention to the pin connections of the parallel port onto the board as these could be liable for failure.
    • vice1541EMU
      • Might need a special cable The 1541EMU cable (type 1) | Star Commander
      • I think it can use a XE1541 cable??
      • 1541EMU - C64-Wiki
        • The 1541EMU software emulates the internal hardware of the Commodore 1541 disk drive on a PC connected to the C64 by a designated cable. Because the actual 1541 hardware is emulated, even fastloaders can be supported.[1]
        • The 1541EMU software can run successfully only on PCs with real-time capability and single task operating systems. The requirements for emulating the 1541 disk drive are exceptionally hard. The software was developed on Pentium PCs, and timing can be an issue on newer computers.
      • 1541EmU: Demo | YouTube | Electronics Tinkerer
      • GitHub - ElectronicsTinkerer/1541EmU: Source code and eagle files for the 1541 Emulator
      • With this software you can use your PC computer as a disk drive for those 8-bit Commodore home computers that are equipped with serial bus (this includes for example C-64, C-128, VIC-20, Plus/4 and C-16). Instead of recognizing just the stock serial bus protocol and some of the drive commands, 1541EMU completely emulates the internal hardware of the Commodore 1541 disk drive. This means that even fastloaders are supported.
    • 64HDD
      • A serial bus and disk drive emulator
      • Will run with either X1541 or XE1541 cables
    • CBM-HD
      • CBM-HD is a project where a PC simulates one or more IEEE devices. If you are familiar with 64HDD, a PC simulating a 1541 drive, then you can consider CBM-HD as its IEEE equivalent. 
      • Emulates PET drives (IEEE): 3040, 4040, 8050, 8250
      • This requires a special interface
  • Hardware Drive Emulators
    • Pi1541
      • Pi1541 is a real-time, cycle exact, Commodore 1541 disk drive emulator that can run on a Raspberry Pi 3B, 3B+ or 3A+.
      • A powerful setup but can be pricey.
      • Can get them in mini 1541 drive cases
      • Unlike SD2IEC, Pi1541 emulates a 6502 and the two 6522s. Any code it is asked to run is run in a cycle exact way.
      • As Pi1541 can execute code on its emulated 6502 core it supports a vast range of fast loaders (games and demo scene) even copy protected originals.
    • SD2IEC
      • Very popular on eBay and you can get them in mini 1541 3D printed cases
      • SD2IEC supports a limited set of fast loaders by attempting to guess the fast loader from the code sent to it. SD2IEC will not, and cannot, execute the code, it just simulates the communication protocols. As a consequence only a small amount of popular fast loaders are supported.

Emulator

  • VICE
    • When you reset the emulator, the tape counter is reset, so to disable it:
      • If using the older Win32 interface, it's in Settings -> Datasette settings -> uncheck 'Reset Datasette with CPU'
      • If using the GTK interface, it's in Settings drop menu -> Settings -> I/O Extensions -> Tape port devices -> uncheck 'Reset datasette with CPU'

Tape Wave Checker (TAPE_WAVE_CHECKE.PRG) (a.k.a WAVECHECK)

  • Download here
  • Yes, there is an 'R' missing at the end because the filename exceeded the maximum number of allowd characters, which is 16.
  • A VERY experimental program for checking the waveform of a tape.
  • When you run it, you'll get a blank screen, and it will display flashing bars when reading the tape.
  • If the bars are white, it means the waveform is undetermined, this normally happens on leader sections.
  • If the bars are continuous green, then the waveform is normal (low-high).
  • If the bars are red, then the waveform is inverted (high-low), and will need a halfwave TAP.
  • If you get mixed white and coloured bars, or flashes of white bars, then it probably uses an asymmetric waveform (Darron Broad's turbo loader is an example of this). Again, this will need a halfwave TAP.
  • Also, try not to start playing the tape in the middle of a leader section, as it may show the wrong colour happy.

How it works

This software listens to a tape when you play it and visually displays the type of wave being read. This software works just aswell in an emulator with a TAP file.

  • The Start sceen
  • If it shows a blank screen when the tape is being played then not data is being read.
  • If the bars are white, it means it is an undetermined wave type, this normally happens on leader sections.
  • If the bars are continuous green, then the wave type is a: Normal (low-high) wave
  • If the bars are continuous red, then the wave type is an: Inverted (high-low) wave. This will need a halfwave TAP image.
  • If you get mixed white and coloured bars, or flashes of white bars, then the wave type is probably an: Asymmetric wave. This will need a halfwave TAP image.
     
  • Also, try not to start playing the tape in the middle of a leader section, as it may show the wrong colour.

Software

  • Tape Wave Checker (TAPE_WAVE_CHECKE.PRG) - See above
  • MTAP
  • TAPDancer - Play TAPs from PC
  • FinalTAP / TAPClean differences - Commodore 64 (C64) Forum
    • Hello, I am the author of Final TAP (SubChrist), I worked on it between 2001-2006 and released the source in 2006, the sources were picked up and worked on further by a team of TAP experts/enthusiasts and their project is TAPclean.
    • I honestly couldn't tell you exactly what the differences are as I havn't followed their developments too much but it's probably safe to assume they have added support for a few of the less common formats/loaders (this was their primary objective I think) + ironed out a few issues and ported it to other platforms.
    • The difference between TAP v0 and TAP v1 is all about the pauses (silence) in TAP files, TAP v1 uses a kind of run-length compression rather than storing long sequences of zeroes in the file (TAP v0).
    • ps. The preferred method of dumping cassette tapes to binaries is now through the use of the (Luigi di Fraia's) DC2N hardware which can create higher resolution dumps (not TAP files) than were previously possible with ie. the X1541 adaptor and ie. Marcus Brenner's MTAP software.
    • These high res dump files (from the DC2N) should never be edited/cleaned but TAP files can be generated from them.
    • Some other TAP information
  • [CSDb] - TapEx V1.7 by SLC (2021) - A tool for analysing, verifying and cleaning Commodore 64 tape images (TAP V0, TAP V1 and DC2N RAW files (16, 24 & 32 bit).
  • Commodore Software - Tape Utilities  
    • A great list of tools
    • Categories: Tape Tester / Alignment Tools, Tape Transfer Tools, Tape Turbo Loaders
    • Tree: Commodore 64 Software --> Utilities --> Tape Utilities
  • Crossplatform Transfer Utilities | Zimmers.net - A wealth of software here but might not be the most upto date software.

Basic Commands I might use

To load and show directory
LOAD"$",8
LIST

To load a PRG and execute it
LOAD"TTAPSERV.PRG",8
RUN
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Wednesday, 12 January 2022 20:16

Capture Digital Video Cassette Tapes and Convert with Chapters

DV tapes are now a legacy technology but because they are digital you can still get your videos back without data loss as long as the tapes and camera are in good working order. There are a couple of steps to go through to get these videos in a usable format.

FireWire is also known as iLINK or IEEE1394 depending on the brand, but they are all the same.

This article is a follow on to my other article Capture Analogue Video Cassette Tapes | QuantumWarp, there is a lot of cross over so you might find answer there aswell.

Prerequisites

  • Windows 7 PC with a 1394 FireWire port
  • WinDV
    • WinDV is a small and easy to use Windows application for capturing videos from DV device (camcorder) into AVI-files and for recording AVI-files into DV device via FireWire (IEEE 1394) interface.
    • Hover over the screenshots to get more information on the configuration options.
    • WinDV 1.2.3 - VideoHelp - An alternative download page.
  • MKVToolNix + GUI (gMKVExtractGUI or MKVCleaver)
  • HandBrake
  • VLC Media Player (optional)
  • AviDemux
  • MediaInfo
  • A DV Camcorder (Video Camera)
  • Firewire Cables
  • Firewire Card

Setting Up Windows

  • Make sure you have a FireWire device installed in your Windows 7 PC, obviously.
  • Change to Legacy drivers
    • This is done because Windows 7 removed the DV functionality from the drivers that were present in Vista, however they are still accessible if you want them. The legacy driver has been completely removed in Windows 10, hence why we are using Windows 7. Vista is far too old to be using.
    • Go into the Device manager and locate your 1394 FireWire Drivers
    • Change this to the Legacy version
    • A reboot is probably not needed but it does not harm to perform one here.
  • Install all of the software above so it is ready when needed.

Notes

Capture the Videos (WinDV)

For the user of the camcorder (video camera) it was possible to hit a button on the camera that would put a marker on the video stream which was breakpoint (like a chapter). These breakpoints were also present when the user stopped and started the camcorder. WinDV captures the video stream but when it discovers one of these breakpoints it creates another file. Not all cameras add this marker. The files are labelled sequentially (by default) in time order.

  • Go into the Device manager and Change the FireWire drivers to the 'Legacy' version.
  • Connect your camera to the PC with the Firewire cable.
  • Turn your camcorder on.
    • Windows will find a new device and then new drivers for it are installed. It location indevice manage should be in `Imaging devices`:
    • The camera should be turned to the correct mode for data transfer if not already.
  • Put a cassette in the Video Camera
  • Now open WinDV
    • i did use open as administrator, but i don't think it makes any difference)
  • Open the config and set the following:

    • Discontinuity treshold (sec): 1
      • Every time a user has set a chapter, I want it as a separate file.
      • Setting this value to anything other than 0 tells WinDV to automatically split the video into a new file whenever it detects a gap in the recording timestamp on the tape.
    • AVI-Type: type-2 AVI (vids+auds)
      • Type 2 is generally recommended for modern video editing software.
    • Max AVI size (frames): 1000000
      • This is the maximum number of frames per file.
      • Changing this setting prevents WinDV chopping tapes automatically into chapters when there are none.
      • DV format is 1500 frames a minute
      • Default: 22500 (15 minutes / 900 seconds)
      • Allowed Range: 10 --> 1000000 (666.667 minutes / 11.11 hours)
  • Enable DV Device Control

    • Make sure the checkbox next to the Config button has a tick in it.
    • This allows the DV-camcorder or VCR to be automatically controlled by WinDV.
    • The "Error: No video device found" message is just because I did not have my camcorder plugged in when I did the screenshot.
    • In WinDV, this checkbox is for the control of your camera to start and stop recording, when checked, this feature allows WinDV to communicate with your camera, providing you with the ability to send commands to the camera from the software.
    •  Checked:
      • When the box is checked, WinDV will take control of your camcorder or other DV device. It can cue the tape, initiate play for pre-roll, and start/stop recording automatically. This is typically the standard setting for capturing footage.
    • Unchecked:
      • When the box is unchecked, WinDV does not control the tape transport. This is used for "live" capturing or with certain devices where external control is not needed or not supported, such as with an ADVC converter. 
  • Click Capture
    • when you click capture on WinDV it waits until it gets a signal from the camera to start recording, and when the tape is done will stop capturing.
  • Press play on the camcorder and the capture will begin

Notes

  • You are more than likely to get many files create but this is normal.
  • Windows 10 does not natively support DV Tapes anymore, it was removed. I think the last version that has it is windows 7
  • In windows 7 + vista you still need to change the drivers to legacy drivers
  • You can install the drivers in windows 10 by using some extracted (tutorials in my links)
  • Firewire cards don't always work because of incompatibilities
  • Using windows 7 or vista and WinDV is probably the easiest way to capture videos
  • Some software allows you to control the DV camera from the PC (possibly virtual dub)
  • WinDV - No audio on some scenes / Only 1 scene has no sound, the rest of the tape is fine.
    • There can be a mix of working and non working scenes, it does not have to be just 1, this description just makes it easier to explain.
    • Cause:
      • This is caused by recording over another video with a different sound format (12/16bit) and there being no defined scene definition, so WinDV never changes is sample rate/type hence the lost audio.
      • This is caused by the audio type changing while playback is occurring, and this is most likely because the user used the same tape in 2 different cameras and they had different settings. Changing the settings on a camera would also have the same effect.
        • WindDV will does not recognise the change in the audio type so audio is no longer recorded because the codec it is using no longer understands the audio stream.
        • This issue only occurs when you swap scenes and the 2 scenes have different audio encodings.
        • Video is unaffected because the video format is always constant and if the bit rate changes it does not matter. there are also key frames at the begining of every scene.
    • Solutions:
      • You have to record the scenes before and after the audio change separately and then later bring them back together but this time using the same codec and audio settings. This will involve transcoding.
      • Start capturing in the new section (to be sure, when audio of the new scene starts) so there is no failed format transition (Preferred)
      • Use audio cable to capture audio the old fashion way
      • Use another software (untested)
      • Try WinDV Type1 capture (untested)
    • Links
      • no sound in DV captures - VideoHelp Forum
        • Joining the discussion late, but starting the camera slightly before capturing is the solution I also found when I had a similar issue (no sound on some transferred DV). There's a known bug in WinDV that effects using the WinDV camera controls and not getting audio; confirmed by WinDV's developer.
      • WinDV - help in transferring Type-II AVI - VideoHelp Forum
      • No sound in winDV captures, DV-type 2 - VideoHelp Forum
        • It's probably a mismatch between audio sample rates. (edit: as I see you are now noticing.) DV can record 4 channels @ 32khz or 2 channels @ 48. Once you have "taught" windv what you are using it ought to be ok. If your tape switches back and forth you will need to restart the capture at each break. 44.1 is very unusual though technically it is in the specs.
      • [SOLVED] Strange problem with capturing MiniDV via firewire - missing audio - VideoHelp Forum
        • sometimes tapes were re-used and the audio settings had been changed. if the very beginning of the tape was used in 16 bit mode and later recorded over at the 12 bit setting windv or other transfer software will start in 16 bit mode and stay there even if the recording goes to 12 bit mode.
        • one way to get around it is to not start he capture on the computer until you hear audio from the recording you want. that way the software will start in the right mode.
      • WinDV, Audio capture issue - VideoHelp Forum - WinDV captures and separates all the dv video as desired. However, 2 of the 12 files do not have any sound (2 video segments). The 2 files are at random places in the dv tape. The 10 other files are perfectly fine.
      • WinDV - WinDV digital video capture program instructions
  • No Sound at all
    • Causes:
      • Is the relevant codec on your PC missing?
      • Does your TV support the relevant codec?
      • Are your speakers on?
    • Solutions:
      • Try VLC player
      • You could recapture the tape but it is unlikely to be this if other tapes sample fine
      • Install missing codecs
      • Try playing on another device

Correct DV Video Bitrates (AviDemux)

The video and audio formats must match otherwise errors will occur when we try and merge the videos with MKVToolNix. For the most part you will find your videos are all the same format but occasionally they might not be.

Checking the videos have the same format

Below are some options for checking if the video files are all in the same format:

  1. Examine the files with MediaInfo (preferred)
    • Gives you complete readout of each files specifications and codecs it uses.
    • The information provided here will be helpful if you need to converts a video file to a matching format, as you will need to know the new format.
  2. Use Windows explorer
    • Open the folder with the files in
    • Change to details view
    • Enable the bitrate column
    • Examine the results to see if all the bitrates match
  3. Test output resolution with VLC player
    • You can test the output resolution by
      • playing the video file in VLC Player
      • Taking a Snapshot: (Video --> Take Snapshot) which will go into your "My Pictures" folder.
      • Check the resolution of the Snapshot.
  4. You can try merging the videos and see if you get an error.
    • It will do this before proceeding to do any real work.

Changing the Audio Bitrate (When required)

These instructions are just for changing the audio because this is most likely going to be the only issue you have

  • Open Avidemux
  • Open the file with the incorrect bitrate (File --> Open)
  • Under Audio Output
    • Change 'Copy' to 'PCM'
    • Click 'Filters'
    • Click 'Resampling (Hz) and change to the relevant bitrate (i.e. 48000)
    • Click 'OK'
  • Under Output Format
    • Select 'AVI Muxer'
  • Click 'Save'
  • You will be prompted to save the new video, select a name and location and click 'OK'
  • Repeat this for each video segment you need to re-sample.

These new files can now be used along with your others in the next section because they will all match.

Notes

Merging the video files while creating chapters (MKVToolNix)

The videos (and happy memories) have now been recovered into a digital format (corrected when needed) on your PC but are in a weird format which only VLC Player will play and they are still split in to multiple files, 1 for each chapter. If you only have 1 file then not all of this section will apply to you.

The files created by WinDV are labelled (by default) in time order so we can still use them to create chapters and this is one of the reasons for the multistep approach.

We will now use MKVToolNix to combine the video parts into one MKV file with chapters:

  • In the input window add the first video fragment/file.
  • Select the file you have just added in the input window and click 'Append Files'
  • Select all of the other files/chapters you want to add
    1. Set the view to details to sort by date/time, so do they start oldest first
    2. Now select them all (excluding the first file which is already added)
    3. They can now be added in one go, instead of one by one (unless you want too !!)
  • Set (Output Tab --> 'Generating chapters') = 'One chapter for each appended file'
  • Set the output location and file.
  • Now to run click on 'Start multiplexing'
  • This software will now create a single MKV file with chapters using the original uncompressed codecs, hence the large size.

Links

Transcode to a Usable Codec (HandBrake)

The file we created in the previous section will play and have chapters in VLC Player but the codecs used are very old and not many Televisions or consumer kit will play the DV codec so we must now convert them into one they will use, however you just want to archive the files or play them on a PC you do not need to do this step as these files can be played with VLC player.

  • Prevent crashing tips
    • Do not control your transcoding over Remote Dsektop (RDP)
    • Set Windows to the High Performance profile
    • Disable screen being turned off
    • Disable the screen saver
    • Set Windows to never sleep
    • Once encoding is started, leave your PC alone
    • Limit the number of threads encoding can use. This is set in `Advanced Options` on the `Video Tab`.
  • Other notes
    • H.265 is not present on all new devices, but the number that support this improved codec is growing.
  • Target File
    • .MKV - This is a great choice because it supports chapters and is widely supported.
  • Target Stream
    • Progressive: We will be converting the source from an interlaced to a progressive format while retaining the original Storage Aspect Ratio (SAR) and Display Aspect Ratio (DAR).
    • We are not permanently upscaling the stream becasue HandBrake does not upscale sources well.
  • Target CODEC:
    • Video: H264 - MPEG-4-AVC(part 10) (avc1) :: H.264 (x264)
    • Audio: MPEG AAC Audio (mp4a) :: AAC (avcodec)
    • These are modern CODECs that can be played on most, if not all modern TVs and PCs.

Instructions

In the panels below make sure your settings match what is shown and that you read each step's notes.

The instructions are for PAL so if you are working with NTSC you will need to change frame rates and resolutions to the relevant settings accordingly.

Source Selection

  • Open your file that you want to transcode.
  • Once you get the hang of things you can do batch conversions.

Summary Tab

  • Select the H.264 MKV 720p30 preset
  • Set you output location

Dimensions Tab

  • Orientation and Cropping: N/A
    • Cropping is not needed because our source files are already the correct size. Cropped would only be needed if you are removing the overscan area.
    • The DV format does not have black bars or overscan, the whole resolution is used for the image.
  • Resolution and Scaling: Anamorphic
    • PAL and NTSC digital formats always rely on the frames being stored as one resolution (SAR), and then stretched to match the screen it is being displayed on (DAR) which is why we have the `Anamorphic` option which controls the display resolution (DAR).
    • Option 1 - Anamorphic
      • Leave `Anamorphic` on automatic as it always works as expected as you can see by the 4:3 Aspect Ratio. We are just changing the codec used and currently HandBrake only offers limited support for upscaling.
      • Target Storage Resolutions
        • PAL = 720 x 576 (SAR = 5:4)
        • NTSC = 720 x 480 (SAR = 3:2)
      • Target Display Resolutions
        • PAL = 768 x 576 (DAR = 4:3)
        • NTSC = 720 x 540 (DAR = 4:3)
      • HandBrake Documentation — Anamorphic Guide
    • Option 2 - Upscale
      • Use this to set the Storage and Display resolutions to be the same.
        • PAL = 768 x 576 (DAR = 4:3)
        • NTSC = 720 x 540 (DAR = 4:3)
      • Enable Allow Upscaling
      • You might need to disable Optimal Size
      • I am not sure how well HandBrake upscales
      • How to Upscale and Enhance Video Quality with HandBrake
        • As for upscaling, HandBrake does support it—but only to a limited extent.
        • In versions 1.4.0 and later, a feature called "Allow upscaling" was introduced.
        • When enabled, this option allows you to increase the resolution of your video beyond its original dimensions.
        • However, the output will be a larger version of the original video, not necessarily a clearer or more detailed one.
        • In most cases, upscaling with HandBrake simply stretches the pixels, without actually improving visual quality.
      • HandBrake Documentation — Resizing Video
        • While upscaling is NOT recommended, there are some instances where it is useful (i.e. uploading to YouTube). To enable this, check the “Allow upscaling” checkbox.
      • NB: When upscaling gets better in HandBrake I would recommend using it.
  • Borders: N/A
    • If you see black bars, these would of been cut of when played back as the CRT screens never showed the whole frame/image, but the image will always have a 4:3 ratio.
    • This option allows you to add borders but unless you are wanting to retroactively create a legacy PAL or NTSC video file you will not need this.

Filters Tab

HandBrake Documentation — Summary of Filters - gives further information about these options.

  • NTSC and Pal are recorded in Rec .601 but we are not bothered what they were, but what they will be stored as.
  • These videos will only ever be played on a modern TV or monitor and are not for archival purposes, in which case it is a bit different.
  • We will convert to BT.709, Progressive (i.e. non-interlaced). I have not upscaled becasue HandBrake is not great at it yet.

  • Interlace Detection: Off
    • All DV and VHS videos are interlaced, so detecting interlacing throughout the video file is pointless.
    • Tooltip: Interlace Detection, when enabled, allows the Deinterlace filter to only process interlaced frames.
    • Ocassionally you maight need to specify the field order and the instructions for that are below in the notes section.
    • I want to completely deinterlace a few files, how do I enable 100% deinterlace detection? · HandBrake/HandBrake · Discussion #6098 · GitHub
      • Disable the interlace detection filter, then the deinterlace filter will deinterlace everything.
    • Interlace detection: how beneficial is it? · HandBrake/HandBrake · Discussion #5979 · GitHub
      • Deinterlace without interlace detection will be somewhat faster
      • Interlace detection can have a small number of false negatives which result in some visible combing where the deinterlacer should have been applied, but wasn't
      • Interlaced video that is relatively still with little motion will be higher quality with interlaced detection enabled because the still scenes will not have the deinterlace filter applied (which degrades quality)
      • If some of your video is interlaced and some not, interlace detection can be used in a "set it and forget it" preset that can be used on all your videos
  • Deinterlace: Yadif + Bob
    • Deinterlace (Filter)
    • Preset (Tunes)
      • Default
        • Default: Is well balanced for speed and quality.
      • Skip Spatial Check:
        • Lets Yadif skip correcting certain avoidable artifacts for a slight speed boost.
      • EEDI2:
        • Uses a slower, higher quality interpolation algorithm for Decomb. Useful for the most difficult sources.
        • EEDI2 is the best, but very slow???
      • Bob
        • Attempts to better preserve motion for a slight penalty to perceived resolution.
        • When you select this option, the deinterlacer will look at the previous and next frame to help it build the current frame.
        • eg: If you select Yadif + Bob this is the same as Yadif 2x on OBS studio.
        • The name Bob comes from the fact that the scanner bobs between the odd and even lines.
        • https://forum.handbrake.fr/viewtopic.php?t=43050 
          • So bob will extract both fields and makes separate frames.
          • If you don’t use a Bob, you throw away half of the Fields (and half your temporal resolution ) lead into a 30 frames per second output.
        • Use Bob if doubling the frame rate
    • Field Selection (Manual/Custom) (HandBrake)
      • An interlaced source file has 2 fields per frame (Top field / Bottom Field), so when transcoding HandBrake will read the field order from the file's metadata. This is why there is no general option for selecting field order as it is not usually needed.
      • For reference:
        • VHS: Top Field first
        • DVD: Top Field First
        • DV: Bottom Field First
      • Field order detection (Parity) - for Yadif and Bwdif and I think also for DeComb.
        • The default value is auto. If the interlacing is unknown or the decoder does not export this information, top field first will be assumed.
        • Field detection is automatic by default for most deinterlaces and specifically Yadif/bwdif
        • When dealing with digital sources (i.e. DV) the file will have a value in it's metadata saying what field is first and this is read and used by HandBrake.
        • You should never need to set a custom Deinterlace option for this.
        • If the field order is wrong, the transcoded video will be horrid.
      • Using Yadif or Bwdif, if you want to specify which field is first you need to specify the mode and then the field to be first as follows: 
        ## Yadif/Bwdif format
mode=m;parity=p

## Yadif/Bwdif Bob with automatic selection
mode=7;parity=-1

## Yadif/Bwdif Bob with TFF
mode=7;parity=0

## Yadif/Bwdif Bob with BFF
mode=7;parity=1
        • Decomb has different options to (Yadif and Bwdif)
        • If You hover over the Custom input field it will show you the format.
      • HandBrake/libhb/param.c - L173-L216 · HandBrake/HandBrake · GitHub - Shows the modes and presets in the code.
      • Deinterlace looks great, but the frames are out of order | Reddit
        • If you hover over a field, there is a tooltip (most of the time) that explains the options.
        • For Yadif, if you select Custom as the preset, and hover over the box that appears, it tells you that Yadif has mode=m:parity=p options, so I then went into the activity log to see what option number I'd been using and plugged that in, then used 0 for one test and 1 for another test to see which would work on my video. From that one test I'm guessing that 1 is default, so try using parity=0 on the videos that weren't working for you.
        • Edit: According to this thread on github, I have them reversed. TFF=0, BFF=1 and there's an auto mode, which I assume handbrake uses by default? 
          • = these match bwdif in ffmpeg which is based on yadif
      • add frame order setting to filters when using deinterlace or decomp · Issue #1928 · HandBrake/HandBrake · GitHub
        • This has a link to the presets values for the deinterlacers
        • It would seem you want to set mode=23:parity=p for bob, with p set to -1 for auto, 0 for top field first, or 1 for bottom field first.
    • The Deinterlace Library
      • HandBrake/libhb/deinterlace.c at master · HandBrake/HandBrake · GitHub - HandBrake's development repository 
        /* Deinterlace Settings
 *  mode:parity
 *
 *  mode   - yadif deinterlace mode
 *  parity - field parity

 *
 *  Modes:
 *      1 = Enabled ("send_frame")
 *      2 = Spatial [Yadif only]
 *      4 = Bob ("send_field")
 *      8 = Selective
 *
 *  Parity:
 *      0  = Top Field First
 *      1  = Bottom Field First
 *      -1 = Automatic detection of field parity
 *
 */
    • What is Deinterlacing?
    • Deinterlace Examples
      • EEDI2 vs Yadif vs Bob Deinterlacing. Handbrake. - YouTube
        • Practical side-by-side examples
        • EEDI2 is the best looking one, but it's so painfully slow. Yadif looks the same as Decomb.
        • To use EEDI2 would I still need to use the Bob version if doubling the frame rate as I have to with Yadif? I like to retain smooth motion and these are 50fps shows interlaced at 25fps. I might give EEDI2 a go if I don't lose the will to live before the encoder finishes.
    • Tutorials
      • How to Deinterlace Videos and Remove Jagged Artifacts
        • How to deinterlace videos to non-interlaced and progressive files without jagged edge artifacts? Learn best ways to deinterlace videos to smooth motions with Handbrake, VLC, Premiere, etc.
        • Deinterlace video using a combination of Yadif or Decomb using a preset bob, eedi2, or eedi2 bob.
        • DeComb EEDI2 (without Bob) is the best image quality. Less aliasing and best missing lines reconstruction. The one which looks more like progressive footage. The problem is: it is very very slow, takes lots of time.
        • DeComb Bob (without EEDI2) is the best quality/speed balance. It has a little more aliasing but not disturbing and it is much faster. Best option if you cannot wait longer.
      • Most effective 2x deinterlacer? | Reddit
        • They are two different algorithms for deinterlacing.
        • I am a big fan of yadif. It is a much simpler deinterlacer, and much faster, and in motion, to me, everything looks as it would look on an actual TV. If it looks wrong in yadif, then it'll look wrong viewing it on an actual interlaced TV, IMHO.
        • But, decomb is an attempt to improve on it further, and it can sometimes get a slightly better result in cases where yadif (and real interlaced TVs) struggle like near-horizontal lines or repeated patterns of fine horizontal lines. Also, decomb is a bit "smarter" in the sense that it can switch into different modes depending on context. Visually to me, though, occasionally this means it leaves a little bit of "combing effect" in the picture where it is only slight, which yadif by its nature never does. On the other hand, yadif by its nature can tend to have a bit of a "smoothing" effect which you may or may not like.
        • Having performance/speed tested bwdif as implemented in the Handbrake nightlies, it's fast and/or parallelizes well with many cores, so it beats Decomb+EEDI2 by an order of magnitude or more. Hopefully, it ends up being the qualitatively superior option that some users are looking for, but that remains to be seen, I don't think I'm qualified to do that testing so I'll have to wait for somebody else to do it.
      • Best Deinterlace Settings? | Reddit
        • The safest bet if you don't know the source is Bob deinterlace, 2x frame rate (I prefer "yadif" to "decomb" but YMMV, decomb is much slower though) but you can do better with film source DVDs which will usually be telecined as 3:2 pulldown so you can do a detelecine first, in most cases auto will work, and then completely disable deinterlacing and it should be crisp.
        • thanks for sharing your knowledge. I got great results for deinterlacing an old interlaced sitcom from dvd source, went with yadif + bob + 2x framerate (59.94) and the motion is so smooth, picture looks great (although a bit softer), and no visible combing. I always thought "decomb + default" was fine, but I apparently didn't know what I was missing :) It's fantastic.
        • For me, I have found that decomb with the preset of EEDI2 Bob works great. Takes a long time though. I have interlaced detection at default and everything set to off.
      • A Complete Guide to Deinterlace Video with HandBrake
        • How to use HandBrake to deinterlace DVD or video? What's the difference of Yadif and Decomb? Is there a simpler tool than HandBrake to deinterlace video? All will be answered in this article.
        • Yadif is a popular and fast deinterlacer.
        • Decomb switches between multiple interpolation algorithms for speed and quality.
        • Interlace Detection, when enabled, allows the Deinterlace filter to only process interlaced video frames.
      • HandBrake deinterlacing settings? - digitalFAQ Forum
        • Use Decomb, EEDI2Bob
        • It's better than Yadif for AA (anti-alias), but still worse than QTGMC.
        • Yadif leaves % of jaggies, not pleasant to watch.
      • HandBrake deinterlacing settings | Reddit
        • When you use 'bob' you have to set the framerate in the video tab accordingly.
        • 50fps for PAL, 59.94 for NTSC, with 'constant framerate' selected
        • Should come out nice and smooth like watching it on a CRT TV.
        • Field order will be automatically detected.
      • Handbrake settings for DVD Decomb/Deinterlace? | AVS Forum
        • Custom Deinterlace options. These might be an old version.
        • As long as your DVD only contains a single type of interlaced video, there is normally a clear best choice on which deinterlace filter to use in Handbrake:
        • If each half frame shows a different point in time, you should use filter "Decomb → EEDI2 Bob". If that takes too long for you, "Yadif → Bob" is your next best option. Setting the framerate to "Same as source" results in the loss of half your frames. Instead, set the framerate to how many half frames per second your source has: PAL DVD: 50i → 50; NTSC DVD: 59.94i → 59.94. I recommend always using constant framerate. Footage interlaced in this way was normally taken with an interlace scan camera, commonly used in TV productions. You can use MediaInfo to get the framerate of your source, but know that it shows the number of full frames per second, and you want to encode one frame per half frame when using Bob-style deinterlacing; unless you need to encode to a specific target framerate of course.
        • If each point in time is shared by two successive half frames it means they were created from a progressive source, film for example, and you can just interleave them again to regain the full height resolution by having all deinterlace and detelecine filters disabled. Commonly found on PAL DVDs. Framerate "Same as source" will select the correct framerate here. Again, go with constant framerate.
        • For reverting the 3:2 pulldown that's used to make 23.976p material compatible with the 59.94i NTSC standard you need to use a detelecine filter, "Default" should do the job for the vast majority of movies on NTSC DVDs. Make sure to enforce a (constant) framerate of 23.976 fps when using this filter.
      • Handbrake - Home-Recorded DVDs to MP4s - Best Deinterlace Settings - VideoHelp Forum
        • I have only just realised that coverting a PAL DVD using Bob results in a 50fps file anyway - even when the framerate is left as "same as source". I really thought this produced a 25 fps file.
        • Check your output files. Handbrake doesn't always double the frame rate when bob is selected and the output framerate is Same As Source. It depends on some other settings too. For example, using Deinterlace:decomb will not double the frame rate. Using Deinterlace:Yadif will.
        • And routinely bobbing all your videos isn't the best for most film sources (most movies, TV shows, etc.). Every pair of frames will be identical, making them harder to play back smoothly, and wasting some bitrate.
        • I've never use Decomb as I was told this was not the best method. So should I be using Yadif or Decomb? And also, what are the best Preset and Interlace Dection settings for the types of DVDs I'm encoding?
      • Best De-interlacing to turn 50/60 fields per second to 50/60P | Reddit
        • What is the best way to convert 50/60I to 50/60P? I am transcoding satellite feeds and want to keep the temporal resolution of 50/60fps
        • The best option in Handbrake would be EEDI2 Bob but it's extremely intensive and will take a very long time to run. If time isn't an issue then it should be your best quality option then. 
        • I usually go with Decomb Bob or Yadif Bob. Decomb claims to switch between various algorithms but I haven't noticed any improvement between it and Yadif. 
        • Bob deinterlacing modes are the ones that retain the temporal resolution. 
        • Always make sure you change the output frame rate to exactly what you want it to be, if you leave it set to "same as source" it will come out at the standard halved "frame rate", ie 59.94Hz video will be 29.97p, even if you have Bob deinterlacing enabled. 
        • So make sure you pick 59.94 frames per second, or 50 frames per second for PAL stuff.
      • Andrew's Tutorial Blog: Which deinterlacing algorithm is the best? Part 1 - HD interlaced footage
  • Denoise: Off
  • Colourspace: BT.709

Video Tab

  • Video Encoder: H.264(x264)
    • Because DV, VHS and TV all use the same constant frame rate, this is what you should use.
    • H.264(x264) is a software encoder
    • By using a software encoder, encoding will probably will take longer but you will be using the latest version of the CODEC. Using a Hardware encoder is ok and if the kit is very new it should not be a problem.
    • HandBrake Documentation — Video codecs
  • Framerate (FPS): 50 / Constant Framerate (FPS)
    • PAL = 50 fps
      NTSC = 59.94 fps
  • Color Range: Limited
    • Options
      • Same as source = Automatic
      • Limited = Colors are limited to 16-240
      • Full = Full Color Gamut 0-255
    • Notes
      • `Same as source` - I am not sure if the colour range is set in a DV header and if it is needed to be for correct auto detection, so why take the risk. 
      • Color range selection · Issue #5743 · HandBrake/HandBrake · GitHub
        • Half of the players out there can't even display full range properly, so if your source is not full range it's better to keep it the limited range.
  • Quality: RF 22
    • This is the default value
    • This is what I use in OBS for VHS capture and is a good level for video sources where there can be some graininess.
    • Constant Quality = CQP
    • HandBrake Documentation — Adjusting quality - This gives the recommended RF settings for various media and why.
  • Encoder Options
    • Encoder Preset: VerySlow
      • VerySlow is the best you should use. Placebo generates such large files for such little gain it is not worth using.
      • This set the preset flag for the H.264 encoder.
      • Each of the encoder's presets enable different preconfigured settings like those you can add in `Advanced Options`(such as look ahead and B frames) and inmost cases only selecting the best preset for you is all that is needed.
      • The presets do not directly control compression but because as you go up the presets, more features are enabled which in turn increases compression of the video.
      • HandBrake Documentation — x264 Presets and Tunes
        • UltraFast - Very high speed encoding, but requires much higher bit-rates to maintain quality. This means you can expect much larger file sizes.
        • Placebo - Extremely slow encoding but provides the best Quality and/or filesize for a given source. - This option is often considered a placebo because it offers diminishing returns in terms of quality and filesize.
        • Typically, it’s recommended to use the Very Fast to Slow settings range for best results, or one of the slower options if you don’t mind the speed loss. Medium is a good balance and most of HandBrakes presets use this option.
    • Encoder Tune: None / Fast Decode = off
      • Maybe set this to `Film` to combat some graininess
      • HandBrake Documentation — x264 Presets and Tunes
        • Film - Real life footage, films etc may benefit. (Not Cartoons or Anime). Typically won’t do any harm to if left on for most content.
        • Animation - Used for hand-drawn animated content.
        • Grain - Typically used for very grainy or old content.
        • Still Image - Can be used for Slideshows, Presentations etc where there is very little moving content.
        • PSNR - Used for benchmarking quality. Should not be used for normal use.
        • SSIM - Used for benchmarking quality. Should not be used for normal use.
        • Fast Decode - Optimise for faster decoding. Useful for low power devices that struggle to decode the video.
      • Preset Options — x265 documentation
        • x265 has ten predefined --preset options that optimize the trade-off between encoding speed (encoded frames per second) and compression efficiency (quality per bit in the bitstream).
        • Film Grain - This setting aims to encode grainy content with the best visual quality. The purpose of this option is neither to retain nor eliminate grain, but prevent noticeable artifacts caused by uneven distribution of grain. 
        • Fast Decode - disables encoder features which tend to be bottlenecks for the decoder. It is intended for use with 4K content at high bitrates which can cause decoders to struggle. It disables both HEVC loop filters, which tend to be process bottlenecks:
      • beandog's x264 preset reference - x264 is well documented, and I like using it, but sometimes I want to see all the flags that a preset is using, compared to the defaults. So, I put this little table together to work as a reference.
    • Encoder Profile: high
      • Auto = HandBrake will pick the best profile it thinks you setup will handle.
      • Baseline = The most compatible with the weakest compression.
      • High = Most CPU to compile, most CPU to decompress.
      • I don't know what `high422` and `high444` are.
      • HandBrake Documentation — Profiles and Levels
        • Video Profiles - Define the features / capabilities that the encoder can use.
      • HandBrake Documentation — x264 Profiles and Levels
        • H.264 profiles - Define the features / capabilities that the encoder can use.
        • H.264 Levels - The levels are another form of constraints that define things like maximum bitrates, framerates and resolution etc. 
    • Encoder Level: 4.1
      • This controls the maximum compression but also what devices can play this file as they need to be able to play this level of file.
      • HandBrake Documentation — Profiles and Levels
        • Levels - The levels are another form of constraints that define things like maximum bitrates, framerates and resolution etc. 
      • A “best settings” guide for Handbrake 0.9.9 and 0.10 | mattgadient.com
        • Higher profiles & levels tend to get you better compression (so better quality in a given filesize). However, you’re going to be limited by the profile support of the hardware devices you’re planning to play your videos on.
        • Currently, High Profile, Level 4.1 is the most popular profile on recent / cutting edge devices. Such a device will also play Baseline/Main, and any level between 1.0-4.0. The industry’s stagnated at Level 4.1 for a couple years, probably because it’s at the point where it’s “good enough” until H265 starts taking over.
      • Levels - Advanced Video Coding (AVC) - Wikipedia
        • As the term is used in the standard, a "level" is a specified set of constraints that indicate a degree of required decoder performance for a profile.
        • For example, a level of support within a profile specifies the maximum picture resolution, frame rate, and bit rate that a decoder may use.
        • A decoder that conforms to a given level must be able to decode all bitstreams encoded for that level and all lower levels.
    • Advanced Options
      • Nothing to add here because the `Encoder Preset` has done everything for us.

Audio Tab

  • These audio settings are the highest quality the DV format can goto and are far better than VHS, so use these.
    • Bitrate: 384kbps
    • Mixdown: Stereo
    • Samplerate: 48kHz
    • Bit Depth: 16-bit (which I think it is)

Subtitles Tab

  • Nothing to do here.

Chapters Tab

  • Nothing to do be done here unless you want to name all of your chapters.
  • The file/chapters can always be edited later without re-encoding.
  • Leave chapter markers on.

Start Encode

  • Click on the `Start Encode Button

  • HandBrake will now create a new MKV file, maintaining the chapters (if present).

  • This MKV will have a massively reduced filesize with the additional benefit that this file will play on most modern TVs and devices.
  • For me a 1 Hour tape (13.3GB) was about 1GB in size when converted.

Save your Preset (optional)

Now that you have entered your settings you might as well save them for future use.

  • Click on the `Save New Preset` button
  • Fill in your presets basic information

  • Audio is not stored in the main part of the preset so for some reason has to be set independently here other wise the Audio will be left as default when you load your preset.
  • Subtitles does not need anything changing.

Batch Convert

Make sure you have followed the instructions above at least once and you have saved the settings as a preset (e.g. 'DV Tapes').

  • Optionally set your default output folder before starting.
    • Open and HandBrake
    • Set folder here: Tools --> Preferences --> Output Files --> Default Path
      • The default folder is the `Videos` folder in your profile.
    • Close HandBrake
  • Open HandBrake
  • Select all of your files either by dragging or selecting a folder.
  • All of the files will be opened as titles.
  • Select your 'DV Tapes' preset which will apply it's settings to all of the titles.
    • However the output folder is not included and as such it will use the default output folder.
    • The input filename is used as the output file name but with the extensions changed to MKV (in our case).
  • Add to Queue --> Add all
  • Start Encode
  • Done, wait for the files to be transcoded.

Notes

General

  • Remux
    • Changing Container
    • no transcoding (changing of codecs) occurs.
    • Remuxing Files to MKV | Plex Support - Remuxing, in our context, refers to the process of changing the “container” format used for a given file. For example...
  • Muxing
    • Is the merging of multiple sources/files into one container file (i.e. MKV).
  • Transcode
    • Re-encoding the video/audio stream to another format
  • Software Decoders
    • Software decoders are much better at encoding as they are not limited to what the hardware will do and are not time limited. They can take much longer to encode the same video source but the output is generally better.
    • Software can be updated to benefit from the latest Algorithm and codecs but hardware generally cannot.
    • I only use hardware encoding in OBS because I need to encoded on the fly which is where hardware encoding is much better. When capturing from a video cassette, you cannot wait for the system to finish encoding a frame before it gets the next one. When transcoding a file there is no such time constraints.
    • If your cpu is powerful enought you can use software encoding for analogue capture as there is nothing stopping you, but just make sure your system can keep up with sampling from analogues sources because of the aforementioned timing constraints.
  • Hardware vs Software Encoding
    • HandBrake – Convert Files with GPU/Nvenc Rather than CPU – Ryan and Debi & Toren - In this post, I’ll show how to use this feature in Handbrake and show some comparisons to illustrate the benefits and tradeoffs that result. 
    • Software Encoding is much better than hardware compression because:
      • Always the latest algorithm available
      • Not limited by input time, so can convert at it's own pace meaning there will be no dropped frames.
      • can produce the best compression ratios
      • More options available
    • Hardware Encoding
      • This is useful when your CPU cannot handle the amount of bandwidth coming from a live stream or analogue source.
      • Very useful for on the fly compression
      • Usually old algorithms.
      • Limited options
      • Compression not as good as software
      • The encoded can not be upgraded because it is on the silicon

DV Format and Hardware

  • General
    • DV Specs
      • The DV format does not have black bars or overscan, the whole resolution is used for the image. 
      • PAL
        • Interlaced
        • Storage Field Resolution: 720x288
        • Storage Frame Resolution: 720×576
        • Storage Aspect Ratio (SAR): 5:4
        • Display Frame Resolution: 768x576
        • Display Aspect Ratio (DAR): 4:3
        • Audio: PCM
      • NTSC 
        • Interlaced
        • Storage Field Resolution: 720x240
        • Storage Frame Resolution: 720x480
        • Storage Aspect Ratio (SAR): 3:2
        • Display Frame Resolution: 720×540
        • Display Aspect Ratio (DAR): 4:3
        • Audio: PCM
    • DV - Wikipedia
    • KB Corel: About DV (IEEE-1394) connections with Studio
      • Has a picture of the port
      • Possible labels:
        • 1394
        • iLink
        • DV
        • Firewire
    • DV uses lossy compression of video while audio is stored uncompressed and should be transferred (as per this tutorial) and not captured via other means.
    • DV Format Explained with Examples - Free Video Workshop - DV format facts. What are the different types of DV formats. How is DV compressed? Explore the different types of DV tapes and more.
    • DV (from VHS/Hi8/miniDV) -> HD. Expand color/luma? Bad idea? - VideoHelp Forum
      • HDV is similar to DV in that both use 4:2:0 (actually PAL DV uses 4:2:0 and NTSC DV uses 4:1:1 but the amount of information is the same).
      • HDV and DV also have the same luma/chroma ranges (the 16-235 etc). So, the important part of your process is the quality of the upsampling from SD to HD. This is especially true for NTSC since it has to go from 4:1:1 to 4:2:0 (assuming that's what your final format uses).
      • If your final format supports 4:2:2, it would be wise to test that option for NTSC DV source.
  • MiniDV
  • DV vs HDV

Codecs and Encoding Formats

  • MKV
    • Is a container.
    • The data within can use different codecs for sound, audio
    • This container can hold subtitles and other assets etc...
  • .264 and .265
    • Are not supported by medium to old TVs
    • I am not sure what a modern Vestel TV (LG, JVC) supports.
  • Vestel TVs
    • Do not like ExFAT, they do like FAT and NTFS.
  • AAC or AC3
    • MKV, AAC Or AC3 - VideoHelp Forum
      • With DVDs I usually convert to MP4 as the files are lower then 4gb. I try to keep the audio intact, if i can't then I use AAC.
      • Use AC3 when you want 5.1 etc.. see link above
    • HandBrake defaults to 'AAC (avcodec)
  • HandBrake default formats for MKV
    Video: H264 - MPEG-4-AVC(part 10) (avc1)    :: H.264 (x264)
    Audio: MPEG AAC Audio (mp4a)                     :: AAC (avcodec)
  • MKV standard code
    Video Mpeg4 AVC (x264)
    AC3 (lav)
  • EEDI2
    • EEDI2 - Avisynth wiki
      • EEDI2 (Enhanced Edge Directed Interpolation) resizes an image by 2x in the vertical direction by copying the existing image to 2*y(n) and interpolating the missing field. It is intended for edge-directed interpolation for deinterlacing (i.e. not really made for resizing a normal image, but can do that as well).
      • Links to various GitHub repositories
      • GitHub - HandBrake's EEDI2 port with nicely commented source code: eedi2.c, eedi2.h

Software

HandBrake

  • Description
    • is a transcoder
    • maintains chapters
    • lots of presets for different devices
    • support most (if not all) video formats)
    • has a batch mode
  • Official Sites (HandBrake)
  • Official Documentation (HandBrake)
    • When looking at the documentation be aware there is documentation for each version number and Google/Bing just pick one. So my advise is too make sure the version in the URL is `latest` and does not specify a number like 1.7.0 which you can just replace with the word `latest`.
    • HandBrake Documentation - English documentation is currently available for the following HandBrake versions.
    • HandBrake Documentation — CLI Guide - The following details all the available options in the command line interface.
    • HandBrake Documentation — Summary of Filters
      • Colorspace + tonemap filter. Can change/tonemap the colorspace of the video into one of the following:
      • If this set to “Off” then HandBrake will keep the colorspace of the video.
    • HandBrake Documentation — Custom Presets
      • HandBrake comes with many built-in presets which cover the most common use case scenarios. However there are many scenarios and devices that many not be covered.
      • Audio and Subtitle settings are special. The preset does not store selected audio and subtitle tracks from the main window. It uses rules to automatically select them for each new source or title that you selected. You can modify these rules by editing the settings on the relevant “selection behaviour” screen.
    • Hardware Decoding
  • Tutorials
    • Handbrake: Complete Step-by-step Guide (2024 Update) — RapidSeedbox - Learn all about Handbrake, a tool that easily converts video content recorded from almost any common device and converts it into common video formats.
    • A “best settings” guide for Handbrake 0.9.9 and 0.10 | mattgadient.com
      • Aimed at v0.9.9 but helpful for all versions of Handbrake, this guide is aimed at those who want to understand what each of the options actually do.
      • This is where things can get a little tricky. Higher profiles & levels tend to get you better compression (so better quality in a given filesize). However, you’re going to be limited by the profile support of the hardware devices you’re planning to play your videos on. Here’s the order of things:
      • Explains the different tune settings including level
      • currently, High Profile, Level 4.1 is the most popular profile on recent / cutting edge devices.
      • Almost every current-generation device supports High Profile, Level 4.1.
      • Thus, you probably don’t want to exceed Level 4.1. If you go any higher, your video probably won’t play, or will play-with-glitches on any current smartphones, tablets, etc. Note that some slower computers which lack hardware playback support may also struggle to smoothly play back videos encoded at very high levels.
    • Using Handbrake for H.264 encoding - YouTube - Handbrake is a free program that can make high quality H.264 and H.265 video. I use it to make all my tutorial videos as it can compress them to very small files and still look good. You can also use it to remake files which do not work properly in your editing program.
    • Tips for Encoding Videos using HandBrake
      • Tips for creating good video encodings or DVD/BluRay rips, specifically when using HandBrake.
      • The tips give concrete instructions for the program HandBrake, which is a freely available, popular, and good tool for encoding videos—if you use it correctly.
      • A very indepth tutorial and does not just apply to HandBrake.
      • Yadif or Bwdif vs. decomb
        • My advice is to only use either the ‘Off’ or ‘Bwdif/Yadif
        • Does not mention EDDID
        • Avoid decomb, unless you are dealing with the rare case of mixed interlaced and progressive material, because this is one of those dubious algorithms that attempts to only apply deinterlacing when it believes it to be appropriate.           
      • Regular deinterlace vs. ‘Bob’
        • The first implementations of deinterlace methods only tried to produce one deinterlaced output frame per input frame. As I explained above, video may contain two unique fields per frame and in that case one would want two progressive deinterlaced frames per interlaced frame. In HandBrake the deinterlace filters have a ‘Bob’ preset (no idea where the name comes from). This is the one you need if you want to get both fields out of a single interlaced frame, and you must also set the output framerate to twice that of the interlaced input. Only enable this if the video really has two fields per frame, otherwise you'll just get each frame repeated twice. 
        • In HandBrake the deinterlace filters have a ‘Bob’ preset (no idea where the name comes from). This is the one you need if you want to get both fields out of a single interlaced frame, and you must also set the output framerate to twice that of the interlaced input. Only enable this if the video really has two fields per frame, otherwise you'll just get each frame repeated twice.
          • = use bob + 50 for PAL and 59.94 (twice the frame rate, mtaches the field rate)
          • = x2 option in OBS
        • The lowest sensible RF value is widely considered to be 18 (beyond that, you're wasting bits on encoding invisible details).
        • For high-definition movies, 22 is generally a good value, for DVD material it is better to stay around 20. 
        • A file encoded at RF 22 with the ‘slow’ preset will usually but not necessarily be smaller than one encoded with the ‘fast’ preset, but even when it isn't smaller, it will likely look better. 
      • Denoise
        • In short: if you want to preserve film grain, you will need a very high bitrate. If you want a small file, apply denoising to get good image quality at a low bitrate. NLMeans works best.
          • = use  NLMeans + does loose some of the image
          • = HQDN3D will inevitably degrade the entire image
          • = denoise will reduce file size but you potentially will loose quality
        • Modern codecs like H.264 are pretty good at keeping quality acceptable even at lower bitrates. However, although these codecs do have a kind of denoising effect at low bitrates, below a certain point this breaks down and the codec makes a mess of it. If you have a noisy video source (e.g., low-quality VHS tapes, a DVD of an old TV show, a film with a lot of ‘grain’), and you cannot afford encoding it at the extremely high bitrate that will correctly preserve all the noise, then it is a better idea to filter out as much of the noise as possible before the actual encoding starts. The codec will then have a much easier job at producing a good image at a low bitrate.
      • Recent versions of HandBrake have two types of denoise filters: the old HQDN3D (has nothing to do with Duke Nukem 3D by the way), and the new NLMeans.
    • Easiest Best Optimal settings for Handbrake DVD to H264 Video Conversion on Mac, Windows and Linux 2022 - This is a simple easy guide on how to make the best encodes with the smallest file size in Handbrake using H.264 without having to know or understand all of the settings. Just copy my settings and you’re done!
    • Tweaking4All.com - HandBrake - Optimizing Video Encoding (h264)
      • For those who'd like to optimize the video encoder settings with HandBrake seeking to reach optimal results when it comes to file size and quality.
      • Rule of thumb: DVD RF 20, BLU-RAY RF 22
    • How to Compress Video Files without much Quality Loss using Handbrake - In this step by step tutorial you will get acquainted with Handbrake, and how to use it to compress large videos without much quality loss.
    • Best Settings for Video Compression in Handbrake | NVENC / CPU - YouTube - NOTE: PASCAL GPUS, NVIDIA 1000 SERIES, has a very weak NVENC engine that does not have many features that allow for good compression of H264 and H265. Users who have these GPUs will see drastically worse compression results and should stick with CPU compression settings used in this video. 
    • Handbrake Complete Tutorial Part 1: How to Transcode & Compress Videos | OCFreaks!
      • An in-depth guide cum tutorial showing how to properly transcode videos using handbrake, with all the settings explained in as simple and concise a manner as possible, without sacrificing the finer details.
      • Covers de-interlacing
      • Denoise: If you’ve got excess grain or blur in your video, you can use this option to reduce it, but at the expense of loss of finer details.
      • Deblock: This filter can be used to remove visible sharp edges between adjacent macroblocks. Only use this option as a last resort.
      • x264 Exclusive Settings:
      • x264 Preset: By using this slider you can adjust the level of tradeoff between encoding speed and filesize and/or quality. The extreme left setting will finish encoding quicker but the filesize will be larger for the quality. The extreme right setting will take much longer to encode, but it will offer the lowest filesize for the quality.
      • x264 Tune: Options of None, Film, Animation, Grain, Still Image, PSNR, SSIM, Fast Decode are provided. Choose any one of these options according to your requirements. (For example, Film if your source is a movie, Grain if you want to retain grain, etc. PSNR and SSIM will offer you maximum quality the way a computer will see it, and is not generally recommended to use.)
      • H.264 Profile: Four profile options are provided: Main, Baseline, High, Auto.
        • Main: Less CPU intensive, Fast Encode, Fast Decode (Playback), Large Filesize.
        • Baseline: More CPU Intensive, Slower Encode, Slower Decode (Playback), Lower Filesize.
        • High: Most CPU Intensive, Slowest Encode, Slowest Decode (Playback), Lowest Filesize.
        • Auto: Selects the Profile most suited for your settings automatically.
      • H.264 Level: Each H.264 level provides a set of constraints like max bit rate, frame size, etc for encoding. For the full list of constraints for each level, see: H.264 Levels
    • Handbrake Tutorial Part 2: x264 Advanced Encoding & Compression Settings Guide | OCFreaks!
      • An in-depth Guide/Tutorial explaining all the x264 intricacies and advanced settings offered in handbrake advanced tab. The settings in this tab are for those who like to tweak and fine tune the encoder's settings for the video.
      • Very in-depth
      • Shows how to access advanced tab
  • HandBrake vs FFMpeg
    • HandBrake Documentation — Supported source formats
      • One of HandBrake’s strengths is its ability to open a wide variety of video formats. HandBrake uses FFmpeg libavformat and libavcodec libraries under the hood and generally can open whatever FFmpeg will, in addition to disc-based formats like DVD and Blu-ray.
    • What the difference between ffmpeg and software like Handbrake? | Reddit
      • Handbrake will do things to try and save the user from themselves. For example, if you resize the video to a size that is not within the original video’s aspect ratio, it will automatically correct and resize to a size that maintains aspect ratio. It may have updated to include a option to choose to not do this, but things like this are what make handbrake different. With Ffmpeg, you can see the automatic choices being made if you turn up its logging verbosity.
      • Handbrake uses ffmpeg's libraries under the hood. It's essentially a GUI frontend for ffmpeg. As such, it simplifies a lot of operations for the user, meaning that it's both much easier to use for newcomers but also much more restricted in its functionality.
      • Handbrake does have at least one feature advantage over FFmpeg. They have their own NLMeans filter which is multithreaded and therefore massively faster than FFmpeg's single-threaded one. They also have presets for the various filters they have, which I'd say counts as a feature advantage, I certainly could use such presets in FFmpeg.
    • [FFmpeg vs HandBrake] What’s the Difference and Which One to Choose? - Aiming to help users understand what transcoding program they want, this article reviews two well-known open-source software FFmpeg and HandBrake, and makes a detailed comparison between them in an FFmpeg vs HandBrake guide.
    • Handbrake vs ffmpeg | Reddit
      • Handbrake (in most cases) uses the same encoders on back-end that ffmpeg uses. H264 is encoded using a software library called x264, and HEVC uses a software library called x265. Handbrake just gives you a nice GUI and hides some advanced options available in ffmpeg.

VLC Player

Other DV Software (WinDV Alternatives)

Windows and Drivers

  • Win8 and Win8.1 FireWire drivers
    • legacy IEEE1394 OHCI drivers from Microsoft
    • Extract the drivers by running 
      msiexec /a C:\full_path_to_1394_OHCI_LegacyDriver.msi /qb TARGETDIR=C:\full_path_to_1394_extract_dir
    • Install with the right button or by updating the IEEE1394 driver and make sure it has a "(Legacy)" after the update. This will enable "Microsoft DV Camera and VCR", but that's it. Virtualdub, WinDV or any capture software are able to connect to your DV camera or device.
  • FireWire port-based device does not work correctly in Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 - Microsoft Support - Fixes an issue in which legacy 1394 bus drivers (1394bus.sys and Ochi1394.sys) are lost in Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.
  • FireWire card and Windows 10 - Encoding old MiniDV's
    • I have a few older camcorders that use FireWire cables to connect to a PC. In the past, before Windows 10 and older versions of Vegas, I didn't have any issues connecting and encoding/transferring videos from older tapes. Windows 10 and new PC's don't play nice with FireWire cards, as I have learned from personal experience and posts on forums.
    • So is there another way to connect an old camcorder with a FireWire cable to my brand new PC with Windows 10 so that I can import old tapes?
  • DV capture with Windows 10 - VideoHelp Forum
    • Between XP and Vista the support for DV capture was dropped and everything I've found over the internet is useless so far, from what I've discover is that you need to install the legacy IEEE1394 OHCI drivers from Microsoft.
    • Windows 10 for DV is a useless piece of junk! With linux and dvgrab it works like a charm!
  • Import mini DV tapes into Windows 10 Movie Maker - Microsoft Community | Microsoft Answers - Trying to import video from an old Panasonic Vid camera using mini DV tapes into Windows 10 Movie Maker (MM). When I click 'import video' in MM I get a message saying, 'the video device is currently in use. Close any other programs and try again'. The thing is, the video device is not in use. I've tried turning off and back on again but I have the same result. I'm getting nowhere, can anyone help please?
  • Does Windows 11 support FireWire 1394? - Microsoft Community
    • I trying to get some Digital8 video tapes from my Sony DCR TRV725E to my PC where i've installed a FireWire PCi interface.
    • Windows 11 does support FireWire 1394. The issue you're experiencing with ClipChamp and Microsoft Teams may be specific to those applications. It's recommended to contact ClipChamp support for further assistance. Meanwhile, you can continue using WinDV or try alternative video capture software for your FireWire camera.

DV Capture Tutorials

 

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Tuesday, 11 January 2022 09:18

My Radiator Notes

Ecostrad, Beldray, Warm Home Heating are all made in the same factory because they all have the same specs, the advertising liturature is all the same and they all use the same APP to control them. This is my opinion.

 

Published in House
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