vDrive ZX - Microdrive Hardware Emulator

Name: vDrive ZX - Microdrive Hardware Emulator
SKU: 15655
Price: 80.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.92 (9 reviews)

(9 Reviews)

The vDriveZX delivers hardware emulation for up to eight Sinclair Microdrives

Designed by Charlie Ingley in New Zealand

vDrive ZX - Microdrive Hardware Emulator 1

vDrive ZX - Microdrive Hardware Emulator 2

vDrive ZX - Microdrive Hardware Emulator 3

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2018-12-11T00:22:55.562Z-ZX-side-iso-tindie_txt.jpg

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The vDriveZX delivers hardware emulation for up to eight Sinclair Microdrives

What is it? 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 vDriveZ…

What is it?

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.

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

Any combination of Spectrum and Interface 1 ROM listed above are supported. For the 128K systems listed, both the 128K and 48K Basic modes are supported.

The User Manual is available for download

Why did you make it?

The Sinclair ZX81 was my first computer and was quickly followed by a Spectrum 48K (and much more recently, a QL). The technology was fascinating, very accessible, and provided a great training ground for the years that were to come.

When the Microdrives were announced I couldn’t wait to get hold of one (I only ever had one) and, contrary to their reputation, I found the combination of Interface 1 and Microdrive reliable and certainly cheaper than the alternatives of the day.

Sadly, time has taken its toll and although the drives themselves hold up well with a bit of care, the remaining cartridges will probably not see another decade or so out before they become unusable.

This is where the vDriveZX comes in. As with other devices such as floppy emulators, the vDriveZX provides an analogue of the original hardware performance. I’ve resisted the urge to provide any kind of ‘turbo’ mode as there are a host of devices that already do this. The focus was on faithful emulation and compatibility.

What makes it special?

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

The 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.

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Charlie Ingley Shipping Policy:

UK Customers please note: Due to Tindie not collecting VAT for UK customers at checkout I am unable to ship to the UK from this store. I do however have an alternate sales channel that does sell directly to UK customers. Please contact me on sales@vretrodesign.com for more information.

New Zealand buyers only! Please be aware that the Tindie prices do not include GST. This will add 15% to the listed price (not including shipping which has GST already included). As a GST registered company, resident in New Zealand, I am legally required to collect GST on purchases within New Zealand. I will contact you upon purchase with details on how the GST amount can be settled.

Note that I do have an alternate sales channel that does sell directly to NZ customers with GST collected at checkout. Please contact me on sales@vretrodesign.com for more information.

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (5.00)

Documentation: (4.89)

Shipping: (4.78)

Communication: (5.00)

Marco | Oct. 6, 2022

Transaction and product very good!!!

Transaction and product very good!!!
Fantastic and accurate seller, communication very fast and technically accurate

David | May 31, 2021

Simply awesome

Very easy to install and it works perfectly, formating emulated cartridges, with the amazing amount of 127KB, simulating up to 8 microdrives, works like a charm with Multiface One, and it's very similar to the original microdrives without the annoying motor noise. Thanks for this jewel.

Sasa | May 12, 2021

vDrive ZX is great!

Thanks man, for such special device! I am looking to test and use it as soon as i fix my IF1. I'll definetly shop again here.

Marta | Nov. 5, 2020

Awesome.

A wonderful piece of hardware that strives for compatibility with ZX Microdrive. It has a nice toolkit for handling MDR images, and works perfectly with my ZX Spectrum 128K.

The finish is really professional and clean, and the documentation is very good.

A great purchase.

Steve | Aug. 1, 2020

Superb Upgrade

5min to install and works like a charm. Using the Microdrive is great again. My best ZX Spectrum upgrade.

John | May 4, 2019

vDrive ZX - A fantastic bit of kit !

I've bought a few of these now. They are BRILLIANT. I now have the ability to continue to experience the classic microdrive experience, but using modern, reliable technology. It's just how I remember them - obviously the only difference is the drives now use an SD card, instead of a microdrive cartridge, but once you've used the built in toolkit to format the sd card, and create all your cartridge images, you then just use the microdrive as you would way back in the 80's. It even takes the same amount of time to read and save files! You could continue to use the original microdrive, with cartridges, but 30 years on, they are even more un-reliable, so I'm so glad the vDrive exists! The only thing it doesn't do, is make the motor noise..... Shipping to the UK took about 2 weeks.

Michal | April 7, 2019

This is real ZX Microdrive replacement!

Hi!

I ordered vDrive at 14. February and got it in April (I don't know exact date, I was on a vacation). Still worth of waiting, because it's really nice piece of hw and it really works like real microdrive. The build-in firmware have nice toolkit, you can use for format SD card, create/remove directories and files. Downloaded MDRs files works without problems too.

mike/zeroteam

Paul | March 25, 2019

Great addition for those that use their Spectrums

For me this is exact what I wanted. Solid convenient and reliable storage of my work. If you’ve read the website you’ll know that this is not just a single Microdrive it’s all 8! On top of that you can create “Banks” of 8, so the limit of storage is the size of the SD card - which in 1980s terms 32GB is unlimited.

It’s fully Microdrive command compatible *”m”;1;”MyGame”. So unlike other as solutions you can save as well - to me this was the most important factor. Finally the format on the SD card can be used on a pc and the file can be read by your emulators as well.

Downside you need your own microdrive case to put it in. It’s very slightly slower than the real microdrive - but only just.

I am very happy.

Liam | March 10, 2019

A 21st Century ZX Microdrive

This is a brilliant piece of hardware, and a wonderful addition to any Sinclair ZX Spectrum with a ZX Interface 1. The unit is very well made, and easy to fit into an old ZX Microdrive housing. The supplied fitting and usage manuals are superbly clear, and easy to follow. The unit I received was very well packed, and was sent quickly via airmail.

Sir Clive couldn't have foreseen the development of the vDrive ZX, but this device gives 21st Century ZX Spectrum users all the joys and benefits of microdrives, without any of the difficulties! So, here we have the best of old and new - absolutely fantastic!

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