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CasLink2

by AuroraMSX on 17-08-2008, 16:40
Topic: Software
Tags: Utilities
Languages:

Source: comp.sys.msx

At the MSX Info Update 2008, Alexey Podrezov released CasLink2, the successor to CasLink. CasLink2 is a tool which allows you to upload programs and data from your PC to your MSX via the cassette interface; a very convenient option for those who own an MSX without disk drive. What is interesting about this project is that it is able to directly encode files into the audio signal for the MSX, so you don't need to fiddle around with WAV or CAS files. New features in version 2 include:

  • MP3 output for Creative and Apple players
  • various MP3 bitrates
  • CD quality WAV files
  • 3600 baud upload to MSX
  • CRC checking of uploaded binaries
  • normal and inverted waveforms

Relevant link: CasLink2

***update*** In contrast to what we assumed, bi-directional support is not implemented yet (recording data from an MSX and decoding it into separate files). Sorry about the confusion!

Comments (14)

By Yukio

Paragon (1540)

Yukio's picture

17-08-2008, 18:57

I think that I am needing the other way around! A way to upload stuff from cassette to the Personal Computer ...

By AuroraMSX

Paragon (1902)

AuroraMSX's picture

17-08-2008, 19:57

I think that I am needing the other way around! A way to upload stuff from cassette to the Personal Computer ...If you'd checked out the website of CasLink2, you would have found out that that is actually possible, too.

By sinus

Expert (85)

sinus's picture

17-08-2008, 23:15

Brilliant, very useful stuff. Simulating a disk drive through the tape connector sounds like a dream, but for sure you made a step forward. Thx!Running Naked in a Field of Flowers

By PingPong

Prophet (4096)

PingPong's picture

18-08-2008, 16:53

There is a bug in the sourcecode.
CasLink2.cpp line 105 "if (strlen(argv[2]) > 12 || *(argv[2] + 1) < '0' || *(argv[1] + 1) > 'z') ExitOnError(1);"

By Yukio

Paragon (1540)

Yukio's picture

18-08-2008, 18:10

If you'd checked out the website of CasLink2, you would have found out that that is actually possible, too.

From the site:
The next version of CasLink will also support decoding of files sent from MSX via cassette interface, so it will become a truly bi-directional application.

/r - record data from MSX into a sound file and decode it
/d - decode data from a WAV sound file

Please none that /r and /d options are not avilable in this version of CasLink2. They will be implemented later.

By Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3571)

Wierzbowsky's picture

19-08-2008, 20:49

The post about CasLink2 on the front page is not accurate. The bi-directional support is not ready yet. So CasLink2 can only encode files for MSX. Please correct this, thanks. I will be happy to get your feedback about CasLink2. Send bug reports as well.

Alexey Podrezov

By AuroraMSX

Paragon (1902)

AuroraMSX's picture

19-08-2008, 22:55

I stand corrected. Text updated...

By jltursan

Prophet (2619)

jltursan's picture

20-08-2008, 12:53

Would be great if a project like CasLink2 joined efforts with others like OTLA. 12000bps must be enough for anyone! :)

By cax

Prophet (3740)

cax's picture

20-08-2008, 23:46

MicroWAVer has ramdisk with DiskROM and a rom patcher in it, so let's integrate it too !
pitpan, bring your WAVeR with it's features !

Maybe we should plan something big and then combine our efforts ?

By PingPong

Prophet (4096)

PingPong's picture

21-08-2008, 20:47

The ability of output on the fly a file through the audio of the pc will give us a good alternative to disk if the speed could reach the same order of magnitute of the otla prj.!

By Manuel

Ascended (19316)

Manuel's picture

22-08-2008, 23:50

cax: that's the spirit! You are all seeming to aim for roughly the same, or at least the same field. Expand the scope slightly and all of this could fit into a single project Smile

By Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3571)

Wierzbowsky's picture

23-08-2008, 10:43

Otla seems to be a very interesting project. Unfortunately the author did not translate anything into English, so it's difficult to figure out the details, but the general idea is clear. I agree to join efforts with other developers to build a kickass project of loading msx stuff using cas interface.

By [WYZ]

Champion (451)

[WYZ]'s picture

26-08-2008, 17:08

As far as I could test OTLA is the fastest and most safety loading method even with low volume signal. IMHO it would be the way to concentrate the efforts.

By decicoder

Rookie (19)

decicoder's picture

12-09-2008, 23:10

Regarding the lack of information there is now a wiki for otla project in English (and Spanish):
http://code.google.com/p/otla/w/list