Commodore 64 disk and tape emulation: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:32, 24 February 2013

Latest revision as of 18:12, 9 August 2025

(44 intermediate revisions by 34 users not shown)

Line 1:

{{Multiple issues|

{{cleanup|date=October 2011}}

{{cleanup-reorganizeProse|date=OctoberMay 20112018}}

{{external links|date=September 2012}}

}}

'''Commodore 64 disk/tape emulation and data transfer''' comprises hardware and software for [[Commodore 64]] disk & tape emulation and for data transfer between either [[Commodorethe 64]]C64 (C64)computer, Commodorethe ([[Commodore 1541|1541]]) disk drive or Commodore ([[Commodore 1530|Commodore 1530 Datasette]]) tape deck, and newer computers.

There isare a large variety of adapters for C64 disk/tape emulation and data transfer, and an even larger variety of compatible software. Many of the adapters areinterface interfacingwith the original ''[[Commodore bus|serial bus'']] disk drive plug or the ''[[Commodore Datasette|C2N]]'' tape interface. OtherOthers connectsconnect to either the ''user port'' or the cartridge ''expansion port'' using either standardized [[RS232RS-232]] interfaces or proprietary adapters. In combination with software (or [[firmware]]), the adapters can either fully support the original [[communication protocolsprotocol]]s, provide partial support or apply proprietary communication protocols. Different solutions allowsallow for letting the C64 access programs stored on another computer or the [[Internet]], and for accessing the C64 disk station and tape deck from other computers.

== History ==

Some of the oldest adapters are the ''C64 user port'' to [[RS232RS-232]] converters. Those were standardized and originally designed to connect printers and other 3rd third-party hardware, including modems. Later, those adapters have also been adopted for disk drive emulation and even Internet connections. However, the most widespread adapters were probably the different disk drive and printer plug ''C64 serial bus'' to [[Parallelparallel port]] adapter that evolved for transferring data between disk drives and parallel port supplied computers. Because of hard timing requirements on the C64 side, those are unfortunately not applicable to laptops or [[multitasking operationoperating systemssystem]]s. There also exist a more limited number of adapters for the ''C64 tape interface''. While the data transfer over the ''user port'' is usually limited to 2.4  kbit/s, the ''C64 expansion port'' cartridge interface supports transfer rates of one to two magnitudes higher through proprietary protocols. There exist ''C64 expansion port'' adapters that support both ''[[hard disk drive|hard disks]]'', ''[[memory card]]s'', ''USB-disks'' and ''[[Ethernet]]'' connections.

The software is typically [[open source]], and so is most of the hardware designs. You can therefore build most of the hardware yourself, though they are usually also available from online shops.

=== Software for C64 disk & tape emulation ===

Line 21 ⟶ 20:

! Remote software !! Remote OS !! Remote interface !! C64 software !! C64 emulation mode !! Compatible Hardware

|-

| [[#sw_1541_iiisw 1541 iii|1541-III]] || firmware || - || - || Disk || [[#hw_1541_iiihw 1541 iii|1541-III]]

|-

| [[#sw_1541emusw 1541emu|1541EMU]] || [[MS -DOS]]|| [[graphical user interface|GUI]] || no || Disk, Fastload || [[#hw_1541emuhw 1541emu|1541EMU]]

|-

| [[#sw_1541usw 1541u|1541Ultimate]] || firmware || - || menu || Disk, Fastload, Tape***, Turbotape*** || [[#hw_1541u_ihw 1541u i|1541U-I]], [[#hw_1541u_iihw 1541u ii|1541U-II]]

|-

| [[#sw_64hddsw 64hdd|64HDD]] || MS -DOS || GUI || no || Disk || [[#hw_x1541hw x1541|X1541]], [[#hw_pwrloadhw pwrload|Power-Loader]]

|-

| [[#sw_c2nsw c2n|C2N]] || Windows (Command), [[Linux]], MS -DOS, [[AmigaOS]] || text || no || Tape, Turbotape || [[#hw_c2n232hw c2n232|C2N232]]

|-

| [[#sw_c2nloadsw c2nload|C2NLOAD]] || Windows (Command), Linux, MS -DOS, AmigaOS || text || no || Turbotape || [[#hw_c2n232hw c2n232|C2N232]]

|-

| [[#sw_cbmlinksw cbmlink|CMBLINK]] || Windows (Command), Linux, MS -DOS, AmigaOS || text || no/yes*,** || Tape || [[#hw_c2n232hw c2n232|C2N232]], [[#hw_x1541hw x1541|X1541]], [[#hw_pc64hw pc64|PC64]]

|-

| [[#sw_iecatasw iecata|IEC-ATA]] || firmware || - || - || Disk || [[#hw_iecatahw iecata|IEC-ATA]]

|-

| [[#sw_mmc2iecsw mmc2iec|MMC2IEC]] || firmware || - || - || Disk || [[#hw_mmc2iechw mmc2iec|MMC2IEC]]

|-

| [[#sw_over5sw over5|Over5]] || [[Windows 98]], Linux, MS -DOS || ? || yes || Disk || [[#hw_user_port_rs232hw user port rs232|UserPort-RS232]]

|-

| [[#sw_uiecsw uiec|uIEC]] || firmware || - || - || Disk || [[#hw_uIEChw uIEC|uIEC]]

|-

| [[#sw_prlinksw prlink|Prlink]] || Linux, MS -DOS, AmigaOS || text || yes** || Tape || [[#hw_pc64hw pc64|PC64]], [[#hw_prlinkhw prlink|Prlink]], [[#hw_x1541hw x1541|X1541]], ([[#hw_64nethw 64net|64NET]])

|-

| [[#sw_sd2iecsw sd2iec|sd2iec]] || firmware || - || - || Disk || [[#hw_sd2iechw sd2iec|SD2IEC]]

|-

| [[#sw_serialslavesw serialslave|Serial Slave]] || Windows, Linux, AmigaOS, [[MacOS]], Web interface || no || yes || Disk || [[#hw_expansion_port_rs232hw expansion port rs232|ExpansionPort-RS232]]

|-

| [[#sw_v1541sw v1541|V-1541]] || Web interface || Web page || yes || Disk || [[#hw_user_port_rs232hw user port rs232|UserPort-RS232]]

|-

| [[#sw_vc1541|VC1541]] || MS DOS || GUI || no || Disk || [[#hw_x1541|X1541]]

|-

| [[#sw_vc1541sw vc1541|VC1541]] || MS -DOS || GUI || no || Disk || [[#hw_x1541hw x1541|X1541]]

|}

.* no software required with C2N232, but with X1541 and PC64

.** a simple Basic version of the software on the C64 side is available for typing in to the C64 before the first use.

.*** The 1541 Ultimate II have special adapters to support TAPE emulation.

=== Software for PC to disk & tape transfer ===

Line 65:

! Remote software !! Remote OS !! User interface !! Transfer mode !! Compatible Hardware

|-

| [[#sw_c64ssw c64s|C64S]] || x || x || x || x

|-

| [[#sw_disk64|Disk64]] || x || x || x || x

|-

| [[#sw_linuxserver64sw disk64|Linux Server 64Disk64]] || x || x || x || x

|-

| [[#sw_mnibsw linuxserver64|MNIBLinux Server 64]] || ?x || textx || Diskx || ?x

|-

| [[#sw_disk64sw mnib|Disk64MNIB]] || x? || xtext || xDisk || x?

| [[#sw_mtap_ptap|mtap & ptap]] || DOS || ? || Tape || [[#hw_x1541|X1541]], [[#hw_c64stapeadapter|C64S tape adapter]]

|-

| [[#sw_nibtoolssw mtap ptap|NIBTOOLSmtap & ptap]] || Windows XP (etc.)*, Linux*DOS || text? || DiskTape || [[#hw_x1541hw x1541|X1541]]&[[#hw_xp1541|XP1541]], [[#hw_xu1541hw c64stapeadapter|XU1541C64S tape adapter]]

|-

| [[#sw_opencbmsw nibtools|OpenCBMNIBTOOLS]] || [[Windows XP]] (etc.)*, Linux* || ?text || Disk || [[#hw_x1541hw x1541|X1541]], &[[#hw_xp1541hw xp1541|XP1541]], [[#hw_xu1541hw xu1541|XU1541]], [[#hw_zoomfloppy|ZoomFloppy]]

|-

| [[#sw opencbm|OpenCBM]] || Windows XP (etc.), Linux || separate GUI tool || Disk || [[#hw x1541|X1541]], [[#hw xp1541|XP1541]], [[#hw xu1541|XU1541]], [[#hw zoomfloppy|ZoomFloppy]]

| [[#sw_personalc64|Personal C64]] || x || x || x || x

|-

| [[#sw_starcommandersw personalc64|StarPersonal CommanderC64]] || DOSx || ?x || Diskx || [[#hw_x1541|X1541]], [[#hw_xp1541|XP1541]]x

|-

| [[#sw starcommander|Star Commander]] || DOS || textmode dual pane file manager || Disk || [[#hw x1541|X1541]], [[#hw xp1541|XP1541]]

| [[#sw_trans64|TRANS64]] || x || x || x || x

|-

| [[#sw_x1541sw trans64|X1541TRANS64]] || DOSx || textx || Diskx || [[#hw_x1541|X1541]]x

|-

| [[#sw x1541|X1541]] || DOS || text || Disk || [[#hw x1541|X1541]]

|}

.*This software requires that OpenCBM is available.

Line 96 ⟶ 95:

|-

! Hardware

! Type<ref>''Cable'': Wires and plugs only, ''Connector'': Wires, plugs and simple components, ''Adapter / Cartridge'': PCB with standard and or programmable components</ref>

! C64 interface

! 1541 / C2N interface

Line 104 ⟶ 103:

| 1541-III

| Adapter

| [[Commodore bus|Disk connector]]

|

| [[SD card]], [[MMC card]]

| firmware

|-

| 1541EMU

| Connector

| [[Commodore bus|Disk connector]]<ref name="diskconnector">Disk connector interfaces (e.g. x1541/xp1541 cables) have [[hard real-time]] requirements, and are in general not compatible with [[Pentium]] and newer PCs or multitasking operation systems.</ref>

| Disk

| Parallel, game port

Line 125 ⟶ 124:

| 1541U-II

| Cartridge

| Expansion port, disk connector, TAPE adapter

|

| [[SD_card#microSD|MicroSD]] card, [[USB flash drive]], Ethernet, TAPE adapter

| Integrated

|-

Line 156 ⟶ 155:

| Audio

| TapWav, TAPClean, AudioTAP, WAV-PRG

|-

|-

| Comet64

Line 245:

| Disk connector

|

| [[CompactFlash card|CF card]], SD card, [[integrated drive electronics|IDE]] hard disk drive

| firmware

|-

Line 283:

| OpenCBM

|-

| USB2IEC

| Adapter

|-

| Disk

| USB

| OpenCBM, VICE Emulator

|}

Line 294 ⟶ 300:

=== Floppy disks ===

; Full emulation:

* The ''1541EMU'' emulates the internal hardware of the Commodore 1541 disk drive on a host computer and supports the [[#hw_1541emuhw 1541emu|1541EMU cable]] only. The 1541EMU software was designed in 2001-20022001–2002 by Ville Muikkula et al.<ref name=1541emu>[{{cite web|url=http://www.kotinet.com/1541/ |title=Home of 1541EMU] |publisher=Kotinet.com |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref> The realtime requirements for emulating the 1541 disk drive are exceptionally hard. PCs with multitasking operating systems are therefore not supported. Even though the timing can be adjusted in software, the communication is not likely to work on PCs with newer processors than Pentium.[ref required]

* The ''1541 Ultimate'' firmware completely emulates the Commodore 1541 disk drive on the [[#hw_1541u_ihw 1541u i|1541U-I cartridge]], using a [[Commodore bus|disk connector]] output on the cartridge. Full emulation is also planned for the [[#hw_1541u_iihw 1541u ii|1541U-II cartridge]]. It allows access to the disk content on memory cards (I) and USB-disks (II). The selected disk can be downloaded either through an accurate 1541 on-board emulation (II). A proprietary protocol is also available for faster but not fully compatible transfer (both I and II).<ref name=1541ultimate>[{{cite web|url=http://www.1541ultimate.net/content/index.php |title=Home of 1541 Ultimate] |publisher=1541ultimate.net |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref><ref name=1541ultimateC64wiki>[{{cite web|url=http://www.c64-wiki.com/index.php/1541_Ultimate |title=1541 Ultimatec on the 64-Wiki] |publisher=C64-wiki.com |date=2010-11-30 |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''Chameleon'' firmware completely emulates the Commodore 1541 disk drive on the [[#hw_turbochameleon64hw turbochameleon64|Turbo Chameleon 64 cartridge]], using a disk connector output on the cartridge. The emulator provides access to a MMC or SD card on the cartridge.

; Partial emulation:

* The ''64HDD'' is a serial bus and disk drive emulator, developed in 1999-20101999–2010 by Nicholas Coplin.<ref name=64hdd>[{{cite web|url=http://www.64hdd.com/64hdd.html |title=Home of the 64HDD project] |publisher=64hdd.com |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''MMC2IEC'' firmware provides emulation of the Commodore 1541 disk drive on the [[#hw_mmc2iechw mmc2iec|MMC2IEC]] adapter, providing access to a MMC memory card.

* The ''sd2iec'' firmware provides fullaccess emulationto ofan theSD Commodorecard 1541with diska driveCommodore DOS-compatible interface on the [[#hw_sd2iechw sd2iec|SD2IEC]] adapter, providing access to a SD memory card. It also supports many fast loaders, but it is not a Commodore 1541 disk drive emulation.

* The ''uIEC'' firmware provides emulation of the Commodore 1541 disk drive on the [[#hw_uiechw uiec|uIEC]] adapter, providing access to either an IDE hard disk, a CF memory card or a SD memory card, depending on the version, but it has been superseded by a port of the sd2iec firmware to the uIEC hardware in 2008.

* The ''VC1541'' is a Commodore 1541 serial protocol emulator developed in 1997-19981997–1998 by Torsten Paul.<ref name=vc1541>[http{{cite web|url=https://vc1541.sourceforge.net/ |title=Home of VC1541] |publisher=Vc1541.sourceforge.net |date=2003-07-29 |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

; Proprietary options:

* The ''Over 5'' is a software package for transferring files between a C64 and ana host machine (which can be an Amiga, PC or [[Unix]] box). It works in two different ways, either using the C64 as a server to the host for accessing floppy disks or using the host as a hard disk server for the C64. Over5 was developed in ????-2002 by Daniel Kahlin. It was later ported to [[Windows_API#Major_Versions|Win32]] by Martin Sikström and to Unix by Andreas Anderson.<ref name=over5>[{{cite web|url=http://www.kahlin.net/daniel/over5/ |title=Home of Over5] |publisher=Kahlin.net |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''Serial Slave'' allows you to use a PC as a virtual disk drive for your C64 or [[Commodore 128|C128]]. It was developed in 2001-20022001–2002 by Per Olofsson and friends.<ref name=serialslave>[http://www.cling.gu.se/~cl3polof/serslave/ Home of Serial Slave] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20011129124555/http://www.cling.gu.se/~cl3polof/serslave/ |date=2001-11-29 }}</ref>

* The ''V-1541'' is a program that replaces the standard LOAD and SAVE operations on a Commodore 64 computer. The V-1541 program allows your Commodore 64 computer to access files and other content on the [[Internet]] at CommodoreServer.com. CommodoreServer.com is a Virtual Disk Drive to which you can upload D64 [[disk imagesimage]]s from any Internet computer and later download the disk from the Commodore 64.<ref name=v1541>[{{cite web|url=http://commodoreserver.com/BlogEntryView.asp?BID=FFB55F09EA4348BE921BCC59BAA725C6&EID=9ABF9EE56AF3486AB8B167F2BEC327DF |title=Official blog of Commodore Server] |publisher=Commodoreserver.com |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

; Disk transfer:

* The ''C64S'' (C64 Software Emulator) is a Commodore 64 emulator that supports transfer to/from a 1541 disk drive. It was developed in 1994-19971994–1997 by Miha Peternel.

* The ''DISK64'' is a disk transfer tool developed in 1993-19941993–1994 by Alfred Schwall.

* The ''MNIB'' was developed in 2000-20042000–2004 by Markus Brenner. It has been succeeded by [[#sw_nibtoolssw nibtools|NIBTOOLS]].

* The ''NIBTOOLS'' is a disk transfer program designed for copying original disks and converting them into G64 and D64 disk image formats on a PC. NIBTOOLS requires [[#sw_opencbmsw opencbm|OpenCBM]]. NIBTOOLS is based on [[#sw_mnibsw mnib|MNIB]] and was developed since 2005-2010 by Pete Rittwage, Markus Brenner and the C64 Preservation Project team.<ref name=nibtools>[{{cite web|url=http://c64preservationdiskpreservation.com/nibtools |title=NIBTOOLS at the C64Disk Preservation Project] |publisher=diskpreservation.com |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''OpenCBM'' allows for access to a VIC [[Commodore 1540|1540]], 1541, [[Commodore 1570|1570]], [[Commodore 1571|1571]], or even [[Commodore 1581|1581]] floppy drive from the PC on [[Windows NT]], [[Windows 2000|2000]] and XP. With OpenCBM you can copy D64 or D71 images from a real drive to the PC, or from the PC to a real drive with the help of ''d64copy''. Furthermore, you can copy single files in both directions. Some more tools (for example, cbmctrl) are given, too. OpenCBM started out as ''cbm4linux'', a Linux-only solution written in 1999-20031999–2003 by Michael Klein.<ref name=cbm4linux>[{{cite web |url=http://www.lb.shuttle.de/puffin/cbm4linux/ |title=Home of cbm4linux] |publisher=Lb.shuttle.de |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11 |archive-date=2006-09-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060926153103/http://www.lb.shuttle.de/puffin/cbm4linux/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Spiro Trikaliotis ported it over to the Windows platform in 2005 under the name ''cbm4win''. With version 0.4.0, both versions were joined back into one source with the common name ''OpenCBM''. For Windows, due to limitations of the drivers of the cards, it is unlikely that [[Peripheral Component Interconnect|PCI]] or [[PC_Card#CardBus|CardBus]] cards will work. However, [[Industry Standard Architecture|ISA]] cards will work. For Linux, chances are high that all cards will work.<ref name=opencbm>[http{{cite web|url=https://www.trikaliotis.net/opencbm |title=OpenCBM on Spiro's home on the web] |publisher=Trikaliotis.net |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''Personal C64'' is a Commodore 64 emulator that supports transfer to/from 1541 disk drive. It was developed in 1994-19971994–1997 by Wolfgang Lorenz.<ref name=personal64>[{{cite web|url=http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/crossplatform/emulators/msdos/pc64/PC64-en.html |title=Home of Personal C64] |publisher=Zimmers.net |date=1997-06-05 |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''Star Commander'' copies files and disks between a PC and the Commodore 1541/1570/1571/1581 drive, optionally using fast loader. Star Commander was developed in 1994-20101994–2010 by Joe Forster/STA.<ref name=starcommander>[{{cite web|url=http://sta.c64.org/sc.html |title=Home of Star Commander] |publisher=Sta.c64.org |date=2010-01-11 |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref> Commodore disk drives expect a tighter synchronization than the Commander can keep under a multi-tasking PC operating system. The best results is therefore obtained by running the Commander under plain DOS.<ref>[http://sta.c64.org/scdoc.html Documentation of StarCommander], section 3</ref>

* The ''Trans64'' is a program to transfer files between the PC and a C64 floppy drive. Trans64 was developed in 1994-19971994–1997 by Bernhard Schwall.

* The ''X1541'' was developed in 1992 by Leopoldo Ghielmetti.

=== Cassette tapes ===

; Full emulation:

* The ''C2N'' fully emulates the Commodore 1530 via the C2N232 device. C2N was developed in ???? by Marko Mäkelä.<ref name=c2n>[{{cite web|url=http://www.ktverkko.fi/~msmakela/8bit/c2n232/software/index.en.html |title=Marko Mäkelä's old computers: Commodore C2N Datasette Codec c2n] |publisher=Ktverkko.fi |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''C2NLOAD'' first provides a [[turbo tape]] over the standard Commodore 1530 datasette Load routine, and then automatically loads the requested program file at 38.400 bit/s. C2NLOAD was developed in 2001-20062001–2006 by Marko Mäkelä.<ref name=c2nload>[{{cite web|url=http://www.ktverkko.fi/~msmakela/8bit/c2n232/software/index.en.html |title=Marko Mäkelä's old computers: Commodore C2N datassette emulator with RS-232 interface] |publisher=Ktverkko.fi |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

; Proprietary options:

* The ''CBMLINK'' is a data transfer system between Commodore 8-bit computers and other systems (Amiga, IBM PC compatible, Apple, Unix workstations[[workstation]]s). Supported by the VICE emulator. CMBLINK was developed in 2001-20032001–2003 by Marko Mäkelä, based on [[#sw_prlinksw prlink|PRLINK]].<ref name=cbmlink>[{{cite web|url=http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/crossplatform/transfer/C2N232/cbmlink.html |title=Marko Mäkelä's old computers: cbmlink] |publisher=Zimmers.net |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''Linux Server 64'' was developed by Roger Lawhorn. It supports the same commands as [[#sw_cbmlinksw cbmlink|CMBLINK]], but adds a series of commands for printing and scanning using hardware connected to a PC.<ref>[{{cite web |url=http://rll.home.insightbb.com/ |title=Home of Linux Server 64] |publisher=Rll.home.insightbb.com |date= |access-date=2013-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015021426/http://rll.home.insightbb.com/ |archive-date=2012-10-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* The ''Prlink'' is a software for data transfer between Commodore 8-bit computers and an Amiga (AmigaDOS) or a PC clone (Linux, MS-DOS). Prlink was developed in 1994-19961994–1996 by Marko Mäkelä and Olaf Seibert. It was succeeded by [[#sw_cbmlinksw cbmlink|CBMLINK]] developed in 2001-20032001–2003 by Marko Mäkelä.<ref name=cbmlink />

; Tape transfer:

* The ''mtap & ptap'' are MS-DOS tools for creating real tape files (.TAP files) from original C64, VIC-20 and C16 tapes using the Commodore Datasette, and for playing back .TAP files to real tapes for use with an actual Commodore 64 machine. mtap & ptap were developed in 1998-20021998–2002 by Markus Brenner.<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://markus.brenner.de/ |title=Minstrel's Commodore page: mtap & ptap] |publisher=Markus.brenner.de |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

== Hardware by C64 compatibility ==

; Tape connector adapters:

* The ''C2N232'' adapter is a RS-232 interface that can be plugged to the cassette port of an 8-bit Commodore computer and supports emulation of the tape deck. The C2N232 hardware was designed in 2001-20032001–2003 by Marko Mäkelä. It is freely available as open source, and a few hundred were built and sold.<ref name=c2n />

* The ''C64S'' tape adapter lets you connect your tape deck to a PC parallel port.<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://markus.brenner.de/adapter/index.html |title=Markus Brenner: The C64S tape adapter] |publisher=Markus.brenner.de |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''Cassadapt'' tape adapter allows to convert tape programs (T64 and PRG) from a PC to either the Commodore 64 or a C2N tape deck.<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://cbm8bit.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79:cassadapt&catid=63:commodore-8bit-designs Cbm8bit: |title=C8D Cassadapt] |publisher=Cbm8bit |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

; [[Commodore bus|Disk connector]] adapters:

* The ''1541-III'' is a PIC [[microcontroller]] controlling a MMC/SD card with .D64 files. It does however NOT support fastloaders.<ref>[{{cite web |url=http://jderogee.tripod.com/project1541.htm |title=1541-III] |publisher=Jderogee.tripod.com |date= |access-date=2013-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912091801/http://jderogee.tripod.com/project1541.htm |archive-date=2013-09-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* The ''1541EMU'' cable hardware supports full emulation of the Commodore 1541 disk drive. The cable exists in type0 and type1 flavors with full and slightly reduced compatibility, respectively.<ref name=1541emu/> The 1541EMU hardware was designed in 2001-20022001–2002 by Ville Muikkula ''et al.'' for use with the [[#sw_1541emusw 1541emu|1541EMU software]]. The 1541EMU cable is available through both building instructions and shops.<ref name=x1541shop>[{{cite web|url=http://sta.c64.org/x1541shop.html |title=The X1541 Shop] |publisher=Sta.c64.org |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''1541U-I'' (and ''1541U-II'') emulates a 1541 disk drive for Commodore computers. It uses an SD-card or MMC-card to store virtual floppy disks. Disk content can be browsed through software on the cartridge and navigated through buttons on the device. The selected disk can be downloaded either through the fully compatible 1541 interface or through a faster but less compatible proprietary interface.<ref name=1541ultimate />

* The ''X1541'' cables allow (full emulation of? /) copying to and from the Commodore 1541 disk drive. The realtime requirements for emulating the 1541 disk drive are exceptionally hard, and a variety of cable flavors have been constructed to improve compatibility with multi-tasking systems and faster PCs than the Pentium to some degree.<ref name=x1541sta>[{{cite web|url=http://sta.c64.org/xcables.html |title=The X-series interfaces] |publisher=Sta.c64.org |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref> For compatibility, check the documentation of each application, or confer the reference. The X1541 cable is available through both building instructions and shops.<ref name=x1541shop /><ref name=66copycentral>[{{cite web|url=http://ist.uwaterloo.ca/~schepers/cables.html |title=64Copy Central] |publisher=Ist.uwaterloo.ca |date=2012-01-12 |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref> The original X1541 cable was designed in 1992 by Leopoldo Ghielmetti for use with the [[#sw_x1541sw x1541|X1541 software]].

* The ''XP1541'' cables are variants of the [[#hw_x1541hw x1541|X1541 cables]] flavors, adding parallel support for faster transfer between PC and the C64 disk drive. The XP1541 cable was designed in 1997 by Joe Forster/STA.<ref name=xp1541sta>[{{cite web|url=http://sta.c64.org/xp1541.html |title=The XP1541 interface] |publisher=Sta.c64.org |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''XU1541'' adapter (beta) attaches a 1541 etc. disk drives to a PC using the USB connection, opening for easy transfer of disk images from and to the disk drive. The XU1541 is currently only recommended for people who are willing to cope with glitches and will perhaps even do some testing and bug hunting.<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://www.trikaliotis.net/xu1541 |title=Spiro's home on the web: The XU1541] |publisher=Trikaliotis.net |date=2008-01-28 |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''ZoomFloppy'' connects your Commodore 1541/1571/1581 drives to a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. This allows you to read and write files or entire disk images from the original media.<ref name=zoomfloppy>[{{cite web|url=http://www.root.org/~nate/c64/ZoomFloppy-Manual-1.0b.pdf |title=Nate Lawson: The ZoomFloppy manual] |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref> The ZoomFloppy uses the XUM1541 firmware by Nate Lawson, based on [[#hw_xu1541hw xu1541|XU1541]].<ref name=xum1541>[{{cite web|url=http://www.root.org/~nate/c64/xum1541/ |title=Nate Lawson: The XUM1541 firmware] |publisher=Root.org |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref> The [[printed circuit board|PCB]] was manufactured by Jim Brain and can also be bought online.<ref>[{{cite web|author=IEEE Connector |url=http://store.go4retro.com/products/ZoomFloppy.html |title=Go4Retro online store: ZoomFloppy] |publisher=Store.go4retro.com |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

; RS232RS-232 user port adapters:

The User Port RS232RS-232 adapters provides a low-speed serial port for Commodore 8-bit computers, originally for connecting printers etc. They can operate at speeds of up to 2.4 &nbsp;kbit/s.

* The ''Comet64 Internet Modem'' is a Serial-to-Ethernet (S2E) device. This modem connects to the user port and provides an Internet connection. Also available with RS232RS-232 output.<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://commodoreserver.com/products.asp?CategoryID=1 Commodoreserver.com: |title=The Comet64 Internet Modem] |publisher=Commodoreserver.com |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''EZ-232 RS232'' Serial Interface provides a low-speed serial port for Commodore 8-bit computers. It can operate at speeds of up to 2400bit2400 bit/s, when configured as a standard interface, and at speeds of up to 9600bit9600 bit/s, when configured as a UP9600 interface. The EZ-232 RS232 Serial Interface was designed by Jim Brain.<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://www.everythingcommodore.com/request.php?224 |title=Everything Commodore The EZ-232 manual] |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''Handic V24'' is a RS-232 converter for Commodore machines.

* The ''VIC-1011A RS232C'' is a RS-232 converter for Commodore machines.<ref>[http://sleepingelephant.com/denial/wiki/index.php?title{{citation needed|date=VIC-1011A_RS232C_adapter Denial Wiki: VIC-1011A RS232COctober adapter]</ref>2019}}

; Proprietary user port adapters:

* The ''PC64'' cable was designed in 1994 by Wolfgang Lorenz.<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://sta.c64.org/pc64.html |title=The Joe Forster/STA: PC64 overview] |publisher=Sta.c64.org |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''Power-Loader'' cable is a companion for the [[#hw_x1541hw x1541|X1541 cables]] flavors, adding parallel support for faster transfer between PC and the C64. The Power-Loader (Pwr/XE) cable was developed by Nicholas Coplin, for use with [[#sw_64hddsw 64hdd|64HDD]]software.<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://sta.c64.org/pwrload.html |title=The Joe Forster/STA: Power-Loader] |publisher=Sta.c64.org |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref>

* The ''Prlink'' is a cable designed for the [[#sw_prlinksw prlink|Prlink]] software by Marko Mäkelä and Olaf Seibert.

; RS232RS-232 expansion port adapters: Expansion port cartridges provides a high-speed connection to an external computer and/or the Internet. The output interface is a RS232RS-232 interface for connecting to an external computer. Internet connection can be obtained through the external computer or via a series to Internet adapter.<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://www.armory.com/~spectre/cwi/hl/nm-uds.html |title=Using a UDS-10 (UDS-100) Device Server] |publisher=Armory.com |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref> Some adapters also have separate Ethernet interface for connecting to Internet. The most common cartridges for external connection is listed below.<ref>[http://thedailyreviewer.com/hardware/view/cartridge-based-rs232-options-115208258]{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

* The ''RR Net'' is an add on to the ''Retro-Replay'' cartridge that allows for broadband Internet access.

* The ''Silver Surfer'' add on to the ''Retro-Replay'' cartridge provides RS232RS-232 capabilities. It provides a transfer rate probably similar to that of ''Turbo232'', limited to 57.8 &nbsp;kbit/s for most software.<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://www.ar.c64.org/wiki/Silver_Surfer |title=Silver Surfer] |publisher=Ar.c64.org |date= |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref> Silver Surfer is available from an online store.<ref>[http://www.vesalia.de/e_silvsurf%5b7330%5d.htm Vesalia.de online store: Silver Surfer].</ref>

* The ''SwiftLink-232'' is a RS-232 serial port cartridge for the C64/128. It provides up to 38.4 &nbsp;kbit/s transfer rate.<ref>[http://www.ar.c64.org/w/images/5/56/SwiftLink_Manual.pdf Replay Resources: The SwiftLink manual] {{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Swiftlink was maufacturedmanufactured by CMD, who has stopped producing Commodore gear. There exist several clones such as the ''Datapump cartridge'' or the ''Pitchlink cartridge''.<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://www.e.kth.se/~e92_aan/projects.html#c64 |title=Andreas Andersson: Over5 and Swiftlink clones] |publisher=E.kth.se |date=2002-04-21 |accessdate=2013-10-11}}</ref> The ''Link-232'' is another clone of Swiftlink.

* The ''Turbo232'' cartridge is a high-speed RS-232c modem interface for Commodore 64 or 128 computer. It provides up to 230 &nbsp;kbit/s transfer rate, though limited to 57.8 &nbsp;kbit/s for most software.<ref>[http://www.ar.c64.org/w/images/4/4e/Turbo232_Manual.pdf Replay Resources: The Turbo232 manual] {{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Turbo232 was manufactured by CMD, who has stopped producing Commodore gear.

; Proprietary expansion port adapters:

* The ''1541Ultimate-II'' emulates a 1541 disk drive for Commodore computers on a cartridge, using MicroSD or USB disks to store virtual floppy disks. The disk can be downloaded through fast, but not fully compatible proprietary disk emulation. Disk connector for fully compatibility is integrated, but not yet supported in software (as for the [[#hw_1541u_ihw 1541u i|1541U-I]]). Disk content can be browsed through software on the cartridge and navigated through buttons on the device.<ref name=1541ultimate />

* The ''Comet64 Internet Modem'' Serial-to-Ethernet device provides an Ethernet connection. See the [[#hw_comet64internetmodemhw comet64internetmodem|Comet64 Internet Modem]] entry under the ''User Port RS232'' section.

== References ==

{{reflistReflist|30em}}

==External links==

* Data transfer alternatives by ''Bo Zimmerman'' (updated around 2005): [http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/crossplatform/transfer/transfer.html Data Transfers with Commodore Computers]

* Disk and tape transfer at ''The Starcommander'' pages (updated around 2010) [http://sta.c64.org/dosprg.html Useful DOS software], [http://sta.c64.org/winprg.html Useful Windows software], [http://sta.c64.org/linuxprg.html Useful Linux software], etc.

* Relevant tools listed by ''World of Fairlight'' at [http://www.fairlight.to/tools/pc.html The C64 tool list].

* Tape transfer and conversion (updated around 2006) [http://wav-prg.sourceforge.net/alternatives.html Alternatives to ''WAV-PRG and Audiotap''].

* Internet connection: [http://homestead.vcsweb.com/content/the-internet-for-commodore-c64128-users-a-manual The Internet For Commodore C64/128 Users - a manual] from Commodore Homestead.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Commodore 64 disk tape emulation}}