USB-Powered Data Device Offers Modern Convenience in Compact Format
In a fascinating blend of retro and modern technology, a tech creator known as Bitluni has reimagined the micro cassette dictaphone, transforming it into a miniature replica of the Commodore Datasette.
The tiny Datasette replica, aptly named by Bitluni, is not just a nostalgic nod to the past. It employs FSK (frequency-shift keying) for data encoding, similar to the method used on the Commodore 64. This approach, while less efficient than modern data transfer methods, adds to the device's charm and historical accuracy.
To get data onto the micro cassettes, Bitluni built a resistor ladder DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter). The data transfer in the demonstration video was via serial console.
Despite its small size, the micro cassette replica can store approximately 1 MB of data. However, due to the inferior tape transport of the micro cassette dictaphone, each byte had to be duplicated to ensure accurate reading.
The video embedded below showcases the loading of PacMan (8 kB) from tape via USB. The code for this project can be found on GitHub.
For those interested in using an old Datasette with a modern PC, the article provides a solution. It mentions other cassette-mass-storage interfaces that have been seen over the years.
Bitluni's project is not just a novelty item. He plans to turn the micro cassette replica into the world's least-practical mass storage device. While it may not rival the speed and capacity of modern storage solutions, it certainly adds a unique twist to data storage.
A tip for this article came from Stephen Walters. We thank him for his contribution.
