# Converting tape images (.CDT/.TZX) for use on a real Amstrad CPC computer

You can convert a tape-image (".CDT" or ".TZX") to a audio signal using the "PlayTZX" utility.

The "PlayTZX" utility can be downloaded from World of Spectrum.

This utility will convert the tape-image into a audio signal.

If you have a Soundblaster compatible sound card, and you run the utility in a pure DOS environment (e.g. The "Command-Line" of Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Windows XP is not a pure DOS environment. For a pure DOS environment in Windows 95 or 98 you must select "Shutdown" from the start menu and then select "Restart in MS-DOS mode"), then you can play the audio signal through your sound card.

If you are using Windows 2000, Windows NT or Windows XP then you can generate a "VOC" sample file which you can play through a sound player which can read this file format. (GoldWave can read "VOC" sample files. Go to Goldwave Homepage to download it).

If you have a CPC with a built in cassette recorder (e.g. CPC464, CPC464+), you will find that there isn't a cassette connector (5-pin DIN socket) like there is on CPC's with a built in disc drive. (e.g. CPC664, CPC6128, CPC6128+), therefore you will need to record the audio to a blank cassette. The program can then be loaded in the same way as any other Amstrad CPC cassette program. If loading is unsuccessful, then you may need to adjust the volume of the audio output from your sound card and re-record the sound. Repeat this until the program is loaded successfully by the Amstrad. Once you have found the correct volume, you can use this setting for all programs.

You will also need to connect a cable from the "Line-Out" of your audio card to the audio input of a cassette player (e.g. "Line-In"). The lead you will need is likely to be a 3.5mm phono plug to 3.5mm phono plug. Some Hi-Fi's have a 6.5mm phono socket, so you will need a 3.5mm to 6.5mm conversion adaptor.

If you have a CPC with a built in disc drive, then you will find that there is a 5-pin DIN socket. You have the option of using a special cable to connect the "Line-Out" of your audio card direct to the cassette connector of the CPC. In this case, you will need to adjust the volume of the sound output from the sound card until the program is loaded correctly by the Amstrad. Once you have found the correct volume, you can use this setting for all programs.

    playtzx /voc /128 /freq 22050

    ZXTape Utilities - Play TZX , TZX to VOC Converter and TZX Info v0.59b

    ZXTape file revision 1.10
    Number of Blocks: 19

    Creating .VOC file using 22050 Hz frequency.

    Block   1:    Pause                 Length: 16.553s
    Block   2:    --------------------  Length:   263   Speed:  70% ,Pause: 0.030s
    Block   3:    --------------------  Length:  2069   Speed:  70% ,Pause: 2.617s
    Block   4:    --------------------  Length:   263   Speed:  70% ,Pause: 0.042s
    Block   5:    --------------------  Length:   522   Speed:  70% ,Pause: 11.548s
    Block   6:    --------------------  Length:   264   Speed:  70% ,Pause: 0.017s
    Block   7:    --------------------  Length:  2069   Speed:  70% ,Pause: 2.621s
    Block   8:    --------------------  Length:   263   Speed:  69% ,Pause: 0.030s
    Block   9:    --------------------  Length:  2069   Speed:  70% ,Pause: 2.620s
    Block  10:    --------------------  Length:   264   Speed:  69% ,Pause: 0.025s
    Block  11:    --------------------  Length:  2070   Speed:  70% ,Pause: 2.631s
    Block  12:    --------------------  Length:   263   Speed:  69% ,Pause: 0.047s
    Block  13:    --------------------  Length:  2070   Speed:  70% ,Pause: 2.630s
    Block  14:    --------------------  Length:   263   Speed:  72% ,Pause: 0.038s
    Block  15:    --------------------  Length:  2070   Speed:  69% ,Pause: 2.634s
    Block  16:    --------------------  Length:   264   Speed:  69% ,Pause: 0.026s
    Block  17:    --------------------  Length:  2070   Speed:  70% ,Pause: 2.617s
    Block  18:    --------------------  Length:   264   Speed:  69% ,Pause: 0.019s
    Block  19:    --------------------  Length:  1037   Speed:  69%