Review: Sd2iec c64 / c128

[mjnurney]

Introducing the sd2iec!

The SD2IEC is a hardware mass storage device using an SD/MMC card and interfacing with the IEC bus. The SD2IEC is an emulation/replacement of a Commodore-1541 disk drive for a C64 and 128.

The hardware is a small credit card sized board with an sd reader
Slot and 5 wires soldered on it, which need either connecting to
The c64 serial port with a plug or soldering directly to the c64 / 128 motherboard.

(i have diagrams if anyone needs them)

With each new firmware revision , new features are added.

Use:

It's pretty simple to use, copy your .d64 and run them as you would a real c64 disk drive program or use a simple file manager. I personally use the file manager, it's quick and easy to use, highlight the program name and press fire on the joystick- easy.

Speed ?

Well it's quick , a game will load in about 20 seconds (ish) depending on its size but if you have jiffy dos installed, cut this by more than half.

Compatability?

99% of games and demos I have tried, work. However fast loaders are not supported - as of my firmware anyway. I have had issues with 128 software but I should revisit this - its been six months or so

Features of SD2IEC.
D64/M2I support (both reading and writing for D64, even with direct sector access using U1/U2)
PRG/P00 etc. support
Subdirectory support (CMD command syntax).
Support for Turbo Disk AKA Fast Load AKA Speeddisk fastloader
Supports the JiffyDOS fast serial bus protocol
Supports the Final Cartridge 3 fastloader/fastsaver
Supports an external "disk change" button
Supports FAT long file names
Supports FAT12/FAT16/FAT32 formatted SD cards
Improved IEC compatibility (expect all apps that run in VICE without exact floppy emulation to run)

Over all view?

Cheap , quick , silent and easy to use. Some comparability issues but these are minor. The more expensive 1541 emulation devices off more speed and 100% comparability but at a much higher cost.

Where can I get one?

eBay, amibay, google - some shops sell them online.


Pics & vids later ...

youtube sd2iec

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSgA9jYpV_k

 

[Justin]

thanks Mike, nice one

 

[mjnurney]

Any time just trying to help

 

[SaviorX]

http://store.go4retro.com/products/uIEC_SD.html

 

[SkydivinGirl]

As SaviorX pointed out, the uIEC from Retro Innovations is pretty much identical in capabilities and function. I even think they use the same firmware.

As for fastloader support that is built into software, it will never be possible with the uIEC or SD2IEC. This is because the fastloaders load into the 1541's memory and is processed by the 1541's processor. Since the uIEC and SD2IEC devices do not emulate the 1541's processor, the software will not work.

Good review. I love my uIEC and use it just as often as my 1541U.

Heather

 

[Elerion]

I have a question regarding SD2IEC V1.2 (On 0.10.2 firmware)

I can not get disk-change button to work (pins 1 and 2).
When I press it, d64 file is not changed. Is there a file naming convention? I didn't find anything documented.

And another question... If you can change for example from disk1.d64 to disk2.d64, can you change back to disk1.d64 somehow?

E

 

[thecellartroll]

A word of warning with the NKC board pictured: their quality control is rubbish and their after sales just as reliable. A few of those boards (including mine) were delivered non working to Lemon64 users. They don't offer to replace faulty boards!

Better go with Jim Brain's ones that Heather mentioned. They seem to work most of the time and you can actually get hold of Jim to help if they don't!

 

[SkydivinGirl]

I can not get disk-change button to work (pins 1 and 2).

Have you created your autoswap.lst file in the directory where the disks are located? If not, create a text file named autoswap.lst in the same directory where the D64 files are. In the text file, put the full name of each D64 you want to swap between.

For example, your autoswap.lst might look like:

My Program Disk 1.d64
My Program Disk 2.d64
My Program Disk 3.d64

After doing this, the disk change button should work.

Heather

 

[Elerion]

For example, your autoswap.lst might look like:

My Program Disk 1.d64
My Program Disk 2.d64
My Program Disk 3.d64

After doing this, the disk change button should work.

A-ha!

Didn't know that!

Thanks Heather!

E

 

[Witcher1979]

Cracking review m8. I had one of these and I found it fantastic to use. I even did the solder job straight onto the mobo as my first ever job so it is also pretty easy to fit this way. I stuck loads of heat glue on it as well

 

[SkydivinGirl]

OK guys, let's just stay on topic of the review please.

@Elerion

Please let me know if that works for you!

Thanks!

Heather

 

[Justin]

@all,

guys please can we keep this as a review, if you know of an alternative device, how about reviewing it?

i have cleaned up this thread to make it a review again

cheers, Justin

 

[fratzengeballer]

I confirm that there are a lot of versions out there, if you are not into soldering one yourself, I can warmly recommend the one by jim brain.

Just make sure, if you don't want to put it inside your c64/128, to buy the deluxe daughtercard version.
I have several drives myself and they are all working flawlessly.
Flashing the easyflash cartridge with the new supported firmware 0.10.x is a bless

 

[Elerion]

@Heather. It does have problems with some symbol chars and long filenames, but having that in mind, It works great!

 

[SkydivinGirl]

Yay! I'm so happy it worked for you, Elerion! Swap lists are necessary for multi-disk games because you can't change the disk any other way once you are in the game. The only problem is that you have to remember which disk is in the virtual drive.

Heather