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Drean Commodore 64C & Cute 32

May 18th, 2020 2 comments
Drean Commodore 64C & Cute 32

I took advantage of the cleaning of one of my Drean Commodore 64C to try the Cute 32 (CBM Universal Tape Emulator) also with this version of the C64, i have nothing else to say except that it works perfectly.

The output video is in black and white because the DREAN is made in Argentina and uses the PAL-N standard.

Gallery:

Cute 32 – CBM Universal Tape Emulator by Manosoft

Cute 32 CBM Universal Tape Emulator by Manosoft

Cute 32 – CBM Universal Tape Emulator by Manosoft

Has been passed a while since Manosoft (known for the C64SD, Princess and Princess Ultra) announced the arrival of the CUTE 32,
but now this jewel Made in Italy is finally available.

The group Manosoft consists of two people; Hawui1 (Andrea) takes care of the software part and Manosoft (Damiano) takes care of the hardware part.

The CUTE 32 is a CBM Universal Tape Emulator which means that it works with most Commodore machines.

  • Commodore 64
  • Commodore VIC-20
  • Commodore Plus4
  • Commodore C16/C116
  • Commodore PET

The heart of CUTE 32 is enclosed in a FABULOUS small-scale reproduction of a Commodore Datassette 1530 (C2N).

The finishing and the quality of the material used for the external box is something of spectacular both to the touch and aesthetically.

The ease of use is Manosoft style, which is all very intuitive; WIFI connection, File Management and options on the CUTE 32 Display and finally with the Windows application.

The main features are many and i try to summarize them very briefly, at the bottom of the page i leave you the official Link of the WEB page
where you can find the complete list of technical characteristics.

Main Technical Features:

  • Remote Control Console program that allows you to use all the functions of the CUTE32 from a PC via Wi-Fi.
  • CUTE32 has a display and a keyboard and can be used in all its functions even without a PC.
  • Ability to control multiple cards simultaneously from a remote device via the console.
  • Firmware update directly from CUTE 32 if connected via WIFI or via a file downloadable from the website www.manosoft.it.
  • Real Time clock with automatic update.
  • Fully digital, logarithmic volume adjustment of the buzzer.
  • Player compatible with TAP V0, V1 and V2 – DMP V0 and V1 – HTAP V0. All positioning functions are active on any file format.
  • Progress bar that allows you to understand where you are in the virtual tape.
  • PCB designed to reduce noise and RF interference, optimized impedance to minimize signal deformations.
  • Very high quality case printed with the latest 3D technologies (even better quality than a printed container) and designed with CAD / CAM
  • Visual Azimuth check functionality directly on the display with two levels of precision that allows accurate adjustment of the Azimuth of the recorder before grabbing.
  • .. and much more.

What is supplied with the CUTE 32:

  • 1 8-pole miniDin cable for connection to the Commodore 16/116/ Plus4.
  • 1 Tape adapter for connection to the Commodore 64 / VIC20 / PET.
  • 1 Micro USB cable for external power supply.
  • 1 A care leaflet for the precautions for use in Italian / English.
  • 1 User manual in Italian / English.
  • 1 Metal pin for Factory Reset.
  • 1 Sticker to replace the graphics of the CUTE 32 with one similar to the original of the Commodore Datassette 1530 (C2N).

I thanks Manosoft, it was really a pleasure and an honor to try the CUTE 32.

I tried the CUTE 32 with a U64 (Ultimate 64) and a Commodore PET and everything works perfectly.

Gallery:

Video:

source: manosoft.it

Princess C64SD v3.0 by Manosoft

August 19th, 2014 No comments

Hi all, like one year ago Manosoft amazes us again, this time he did a great job of merging the ITS TAP Player module with the C64SD and from this merger comes the Princess, an interface with both previously released interfaces.
The Princess interface is elegant as only Manosoft can do, the box color has changed and is a white sand that matches perfectly with the whole 8-bit Commodore Home Computer series.

In addition to the color were also added new controls and visual led. Below the instructions of each command on the front/back side of the Princess interface.

Front side:

  • [1] Play/Stop switch for TAP file.
  • [2] Reset button.
  • [3] Disc Change button. (down/autoswap.lst)
  • [4] LED:
    • Yellow – Virtual Motor of the Tape.
    • White – Reading.
    • Red – General Error.
    • Green – Power.
  • [5] Floppy Drive Connector (IEC) Computer side.
  • [6] Connector Cassette side Computer
  • [7] Auxiliary Power 9v.

 

Back side:

  • [1] SD Card slot.
  • [2] Red Button – Setpoint tap file / (up/autoswap.lst)
  • [3] Dip Switch for selecting the Floppy drive Device (SD2IEC).
  • [4] Audio volume (monitor function) TAP Player.
  • [5] Mini DIN 8-pin connector to be connected to the tape port of the Commodore 264 series.
  • [6] Auxiliary Power 9v.
  • [7] Pass-through Floppy Drive Connector (IEC)
  • [8] Pass-through Tape connector to use with a Datasette 1530 or 1531 with a another adapter.

 

 

Like the previous C64SD v2.0 interface, the Princess has a pass-through connector for the cassette recorder and one for the Floppy Disk Drive.

I don’t forget to speak about the nice addition, a small Piezo Speaker to hear the sound of the bytes that are loaded with the TAP Player and also a nice “beep” that warn if the interface on power up working correctly.

Damiano alias “Manosoft” is a good manufacturer of 8 Bit peripherals and also a great friend. I take the opportunity of this article to greet Damiano and congratulate for this new interface for the 8-bit Commodore Home Computer series.

Soon will be available on the Manosoft website two new software packages (C64 and AIO)

“AIO” is an innovative system that will allow the creation of the SD Card of 4GB or higher in a few minutes from an image file created ad hoc.

On the Commodore 64 side was also written a new program called “MENU” with some utilities like the initialization of the SD Card for the Princess C64SD v3.0 interface.

The development of the TAP Player firmware with the SD2IEC protocol has been made possible thanks to the collaboration of Hawui1 promoter and developer of the ITS Module and some other things.

The Princess C64SD v3.0 interface will be available for sale in the next months on the Manosoft site.

Princess C64SD v3.0 Video Preview: