DC2N - a Digital
Datassette replacement for Commodore homecomputers DC2N - a Digital
Datassette replacement for Commodore homecomputers
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DC2N stands for Dumping C2N and it's a stand-alone unit that lets the users
dump (ie. make a digital backup of) real PET-, VIC20, and C64-tapes directly to
a flash-card without the interference of the operating system or filesystem of the host
computer. DC2N can also be connected to various Commodore homecomputers (C64, VIC 20, PET) and act as a tape drive, the so-called datassette. Finally, DC2N incorporates a tape duplicator that lets people save TAP files back to tapes using a datassette (this feature needs to be ordered separately). Brilliant tape quality can be achieved! I chose to use SD cards as storage medium. This implies many advantages: compactness, low-power consumption, and an almost endless time of operation, just to name a few. Before asking questions, please be sure to read the ordering, FAQ, and technical information sections. Thank you!
When used as a datassette replacement, connected to the tape port of a Commodore computer, the DC2N can play back tape images that are stored on a SD card. In this mode of operation, the DC2N draws the power it requires directly from the Commodore computer it's connected to. DC2N supports the FAT-16 file system and for playback purposes it reads files in TAP format. A TAP file to play is selected by means of the LCD and pushbuttons on the DC2N device. Once a valid file has been selected, it can be played back by DC2N by pressing the PLAY pushbutton. Any tape loader is fully supported, including multiloaded tape programs. DC2N also features a FFWD function and the LCD shows a counter that comes handy when it is needed to seek any program on a multi-program TAP file. For recording purposes a different file format, the DC2N DMP format, is used to save data to the SD card. This format has been defined by myself to allow an accurate representation of the data that is being saved. Its description can be found here. I also wrote multiplatform PC tools that allow easy conversion between the DC2N format and the TAP one. These are available here. When used as a dumping system, an external PSU is required to power DC2N: thus DC2N becomes a standalone device and must not be connected to any Commodore computer. In this mode of operation the DC2N format is used to store the tape contents on the SD card while it is being played by a datassette connected to the DC2N. What DC2N users say about it: Nigel: My goodness the device is workiking:-) I cant believe it. Brilliant. I had some old tapes I had converted to tap files the origionals had been damaged now or cant be read they are loading up and I can play them this is so cool Wow the counter works and the reset! this is excellent i am so excited (no realy i am!) The device is exactly what i wanted for many years I was told that it was impossible to make such a unit. ...it was noted that the device was very well executed in its contruction and we all played games loaded from SD card. Thomas: I have managed to dump two originals, and have tested to convert them to .tap. Works perfectly. This is the greatest device ever... only some 998 originals left to dump! :-) Håkon: I have received a DC2N from Luigi, and it is everything I hoped it to be - and more. What a splendid piece of equipment this is! I am currently in the process of dumping my tape collection for preservation purposes. [...] Thanks again Luigi for mad skills and generous help in this matter! Matt: Wow, that is truly amazing. Very, very impressive piece of hardware. Congratulations! I am right now watching the Vice emulator cyberload the last ninja from the image I just dumped and converted. This is going to be a lot of fun :) Dave: The DC2N is a fantastic bit of kit. I had no problems getting up and running with some suitable .tap files. I created a few of my own and also got a few from the internet. The internet ones had to be converted to type 0 but with the support of Luigi's website and the tools available for download there this was no problem. The first one I loaded was LOCO and this worked with no problems at all. I have since worked with over 100 .tap files and have had no problems. I must admit I really enjoy the tape loading and hearing those great loading tunes again. Real nostalgic stuff. If you are into real C64's and can get hold of one of these great devices then go for it. You won’t be disappointed. Many thanks to the persons who supported this project: Robert 'Peepo' Taylor (building, ordering, testing, and plenty more stuff), Bo Gøran Kvamme & Francis Rath (board prototypes), Tom Roger Skauen (testing, bugreport, & suggestions), Martin 'enthusi' Wendt (support), Fungus (ideas & support), Lars Pontoppidan (ideas), Romeo Cane (components), Nicolas 'X1541' Welte (info about tape port connectors), Richard Lagendijk, Ron van Schaik, & Fabrizio Gennari (HCC show in Holland), Nigel Parker (Commodore Free articles), and all the people who gave me a feedback as well. Luigi. e-mail me (*) Only available upon request and subject to additional charges. Subject to approval. The problem with this feature is that tapes mastered by means of DC2N will have a better quality than those produced with a Commodore computer, as shown in the comparative images below.  Tape image produced by recording the signal coming out of a Commodore 64  Tape image produced by recording the signal coming out of a DC2N |
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