SD2IEC - C64 Hardware Device Review

[Neil79]

Thanks to ScitechSuppliesLTD who has kindly sent us this nifty little product for review, we will be able to delve into the usage of hundreds of classic C64 games without the fuss of the cassette issues all on an SD device!

http://www.indieretronews.com/2014/1...re-review.html

[hansel75]

Nice review there Neil!

Of note with the Sd2iec's is that 'some' of the newer demos won't run on them if there multiload using tricky routines.

You need a real disk drive or the 1541 Ultimite-II to play them properly!

As for c64 games i have yet to find one that didn't work from the Sd2iec and Infinity rom packs

For the price you can't beat them for what they can offer!

[Neil79]

Thanks Hansel! If you could reply to the article in comments, it would help others that are about to purchase an SD2IEC

Cheers again

[TMR]

Originally Posted by hansel75

Of note with the Sd2iec's is that 'some' of the newer demos won't run on them if there multiload using tricky routines.

The "tricky routines" are just using standard features of the disk drive that the SD2IEC doesn't emulate, namely the drive CPU and support chips. You're safe with most single file demos (but not all because there are a few like Panta Rhei which use the drive as a sort of co-processor) and a few multi-loaders as long as they don't rely on those unemulated drive electronics, but it will fail on anything IRQ loading so no Edge Of Disgrace, Wonderland 12, Comalight 13 or older titles like Deus Ex Machina (2000) or Dutch Breeze (1991).

Games like Defender Of The Crown, Flimbo's Quest or Dragon's Lair 2 that load whilst something else is happening on screen will also be incompatible unless using a cracked version that takes out that functionality.

Originally Posted by hansel75

You need a real disk drive or the 1541 Ultimite-II to play them properly!

Or a Turbo Chameleon.

[ElectroBlaster]

They also sell the 1541-III.

Tempted to buy one of these but which one?

SD2IEC or 1541-III?

[TMR]

Originally Posted by ElectroBlaster

They also sell the 1541-III.

Tempted to buy one of these but which one?

SD2IEC or 1541-III?

They're all similar devices (if memory serves, it goes 1541-III, MMC2IEC and SD2IEC with uIEC using the same firmware but i could be a little out) so generally speaking they all suffer from similar compatibility issues with fastloaders that use the drive electronics, limiting you to a subset of games or demos that work and transferring to floppy for the rest.

It's probably best to see these devices as augmenting a disk drive whereas the 1541 Ultimate 2 and Turbo Chameleon replace it.

[Neil79]

Another SD2IEC arrived this morning Review will come at some point

[crazyc]

I have one similar to the pic below - it is indeed cool and can work with both my 64 and my plus 4.