vDriveZX – Microdrive Hardware Emulator

vDriveZX – Microdrive Hardware Emulator

The vDriveZX delivers hardware emulation for up to eight Microdrives and includes a comprehensive toolkit for managing Microdrive Cartridge images which are stored on SD Card. The vDriveZX is simply connected to your Interface 1, either with your existing Microdrives or by itself. An existing Microdrive case (not included) is used to house the vDriveZX (the installation manual can be [downloaded]).

The SD Card file system implementation is DOS based and is compatible with systems which can read or write to FAT16 or FAT32 media. The vDriveZX supports SD Cards with a capacity of up to 32GB.

The vDriveZX adopts the MDR image format. This format is supported by popular emulators such as Spectaculator and FUSE, and in general, images created with these emulators will be compatible with the vDriveZX and vice versa. MDR images can be formatted, saved to, read from and erased by standard Interface 1 commands on real Spectrum hardware. The write protect flag is fully supported.

Works With:

As well as the standard 16K and 48K Spectrum ROM the vDriveZX supports the following:

– Spectrum 16K/48K standard, Gosh Wonderful and Beckman ROM

– Spectrum + standard and Spanish ROM

– 128K Spectrum (Toast rack) standard, Spanish and French ROM

– 128K Spectrum +2 (Grey) standard and Spanish ROM

– ZX Interface 1 version 1 and version 2 ROM.

– Multiface Multiface 1 and Multiface 128

In the 128K systems listed, both the 128K and 48K Basic modes are supported

The vDriveZX aims to take the hassle out using Microdrives and replicate what the original hardware set out to do.

vDriveZX can also provide a simple way of preserving existing cartridge contents, ensuring that future cartridge wear and tear is kept to a minimum.

The result is a unique solution that will hopefully go some way to provide the original Microdrive experience for the Spectrum.