[Coco] [Color Computer] Way around it?

[Chad H]

Just to throw out a couple of ideas here...
I do have a CCR-81 recorder that's fully functional I have used with
success.
But I have also had success with 3 other methods of using the cassette cable
on portable audio devices to save/load data.

1.  Microcassette recorder
   This works well, although there is no motor control. I simply start the
REC just before I start the save operation on the coco.  I start the 'load'
operation on the coco before I start the PLAY on the unit.

2.  MiniDisc recorder.
   This nifty little unit lets me record 180 mins of mono audio in digital
cd-like format (MD's are miniature CD's smaller than a floppy and reside
inside a plastic casing making it nearly indestructible under normal use.)
I have never had one of these go bad.  I just jack it in the same way I do
on the Microcassette recorder and voila!   As a plus, I can skip tracks just
like a CD really quick and find the data I'm looking for to PLAY back to the
CoCo.

3. CD audio.
	This is similar to above and allows me to play back from a audio CD.
However, since I don't have a direct "CD burner" device with a audio input
(like the MD unit), I run a audio adapter and extension cable from the
output of the CoCo cassette cable into the AUX input on my PC's sound card.
I then do the save operation on the CoCo and record the input on my PC as a
WAV or MP3 file.  Then I can go back and burn these files to a CD and there
we go. :)

Just some ideas, there are many good alternatives to a CCR-80 series tape
recorder.
- Chad

-----Original Message-----
From: coco-bounces at maltedmedia.com [mailto:coco-bounces at maltedmedia.com] On
Behalf Of Mike Pepe
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 4:44 PM
To: CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts
Subject: Re: [Coco] [Color Computer] Way around it?

Karl, there is nothing special about the speed of a TRS-80 cassette
deck. I think yours is just out of adjustment. Those belts don't last
forever.


> -----Original Message-----
> From: coco-bounces at maltedmedia.com [mailto:coco-
> bounces at maltedmedia.com] On Behalf Of Karl Sefcik
> Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 1:09 PM
> To: CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts
> Subject: Re: [Coco] [Color Computer] Way around it?
> 
> Vacuumboy,
> 
>     If you have the cassette interface cable, then all you need to do
> is
> plug it into any cassette recorder, the only thing is that the tape
> speed is slower, and that tape can be only played back on normal
> machines. If you have an inexpensive cassette recorder from a drug
> store
> or Target (or other), that will work fine.
>    One other thing, you may have to turn the input level down because
> the Coco data is a square wave, and you will be recording on a device
> that is made for recording audio. Likewise, you may have to jack the
> playback output up.
>    I bought a table Pennfest one year, realized I brought my Coco (for
> demos), but failed to bring a data recorder (was going to travel
light,
> with just a Coco, CM-8 and tape deck. I bought an ordinary cassette
> player, was able to save data, and later I bid on one in an auction
and
> got one. Just that the tapes I made before on the other wouldn't work
> on
> the latter, because they played back at a higher frequency, and
weren't
> recognized by the Coco as data for it.
> Karl
> 
> 
> vacuumboy1 wrote:
> > I don't have a cassatte  tape player to save my programs. Is there
> any other way to save? Again, any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
> >
> >
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> >
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