CF-640 by 8bits4ever

Rookie (18)

10-07-2016, 21:50

This is my first post, so Hi Everybody !

I have a question, have anyone been using this cartridge : http://www.8bits4ever.com/cf-640.html ?

I also have some newbie questions:
- will I be able to mount dsk files and use them as disks ?
- if yes, is it possible to use multidisk games that way ?
- is it possible to run rom files using this device ?

I'm planning to buy it for my Philips VG8235/02.

Cheers, Mateusz

By enribar

Paragon (1208)

10-07-2016, 22:01

For that price is a very good choice!
You can mount DSK with the Runit utility, but not all DSK can be mounted (a list is available somewhere). Also, multiple DSK could be mounted.
ROM files are loadable with execrom, loadrom, odo, and other tools.
You can also see EVA movies in SCREEN8 (or SCREEN12 if your 8235 is modified to MSX2+).

By enribar

Paragon (1208)

10-07-2016, 22:13

Maybe this could be better:
http://www.8bits4ever.com/sd-512.html
but It costs a little more.

By meckert

Rookie (18)

10-07-2016, 22:38

Yeah, and it is unavailable

Are there any other options you can recommend ?

By Wild_Penguin

Hero (644)

11-07-2016, 00:09

You may have already looked at some common alternatives, but one of the most commonly recommended and easiest expansions to use is the MegaFlashRomSCC+SC. It will expand the slot, so it will require a primary slot. It's a must-have, especially if you need the extras - but if you are planning on using a slot expander and making a more customized setup, you may want to look at other alternatives.

By meckert

Rookie (18)

11-07-2016, 07:26

Well, but the price....

By Pencioner

Scribe (1564)

11-07-2016, 12:22

it's worth the price (yes it is not cheap but i never regret buying this one)

By Wild_Penguin

Hero (644)

11-07-2016, 14:10

I don't want to sound like some sales pitcher... but in the basic config, you get the Flash storage with SCC and a mass storage device (with DOS2). That means that as separate devices that would take two slots already. If you need the RAM expansion, it means you'd need a slot expander and three separate cartridges for the same functionality.

But you also need to take into consideration, that there are no other (AFAIK!) SCC+ flash cartridges out there (except the older versions from the same manufacturer), so actually you'll need up to 4 different carts (+ the expander!) to repeat the functions of the MFRSCC+SD - unless you have cannibilized an SCC cart and made it into a Flash cart (which won't be SCC+ ... unless you cannibilzed Snatcher or SD-Snatcher). In any case that is (most probably) going to cost more than the MFRSCC+SD. Do your own math

(maybe it is worth to mention that I think I heard someone say the FPGA implementation of the SCC+ does not sound 100% identical, but I think one really needs to have excellent concentration and ears to hear the difference)

But as I said before, I can see situation when the cart is not the optimal solution: that is if you want to use a slot expander and make your own setup, maybe because you already have enough (built-in) RAM, need to use a lot of different (sound) extensions simultaneously etc. - but that is not going to be cheap, either (but verifies that the CF-640 is a good product too and has it's uses)

By Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3597)

11-07-2016, 15:08

In a few months we will release our all-in-one cartridge with CF card, SCC, FMPAC, 8mb FlashROM, 2mb of configurable RAM. The boards have arrived already, waiting for the Alteras.

By Bastiaan

Champion (333)

11-07-2016, 18:05

Wow Alexey, that looks like the ultimate expansion cartridge for msx! Serious competition for the mfrsc+sd! I love the fm option.

Is it scc or scc+?
Can the ram be configured to also emulate the fm-pac sram?

By mfeingol

Champion (293)

11-07-2016, 18:23

@Alexey: not to nitpick what looks like a wonderful product (and I expect I'll buy one!), but why CF instead of SD?