New SD2IEC from NKCElectronics

RobertB · February 01, 2009, 11:23 AM

NKC Electronics has developed a new SD2IEC flashcard drive for the Commodore. The older version has been sold out for months. Now the new version is out in prototype form.

The new SD2IEC comes in two parts, a mainboard and an optional daughterboard. NKC Electronics' Tony Kim explains, "The idea of having a separate board for the connectors is to be able to install the main board inside a DTV, Commodore console, or 1541 box. Or users can create a 1541 look-alike box with the SD2IEC inside. Having the boards separate helps in creating custom layouts. It was suggested by Shadowolf, the designer of the SD2IEC hardware."

Furthermore, he says, "The boards were tested by Shadowolf with all the JiffyDOS and other turbo loaders as supported by the SD2IEC firmware.... The board fully implements the original Shadowolf SD2IEC v1.2 design. I even added the rest of the unused pins of the atmega644p chip as pads on the PCB, for users to add possible future enhancements. The layout on the PCB was mine, but it was reviewed by Shadowolf (he is way more picky in following good electronics design rules), so the PCB has his name on it, as a sign of 'approval'."

Tony also explains that there is limited availability, which means only 3 working prototypes. However, he said, "...as soon as interest grows, I can produce 100 or more (current PCB design) in days/weeks."

The links to the new SD2IEC pics are

http://www.nkcelectronics.com/sd2iec-boar2.html

http://www.nkcelectronics.com/sd2iec-daughter-boar2.html

Tony has been kind to send our club one of the prototypes for testing, and in the upcoming weeks I will report on our findings.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore/Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org/

SmallCleverDinosaur · February 02, 2009, 02:44 AM

Quote from: NKC Electronics websiteThe most prominent use of SD2IEC is emulation/replacement of a Commodore-1541 disk drive for a C64.

Since this device emulates an IEC device, do you think it will work equally well in the C128 mode?

RobertB · February 02, 2009, 04:46 AM

Quote from: SmallCleverDinosaur on February 02, 2009, 02:44 AM
Since this device emulates an IEC device, do you think it will work equally well in the C128 mode?

Though I have not tested it with all machines, it should work with all Commodore 8-bit computers with an IEC port (well, maybe not with the C65). At the past FCUG meetings, we have successfully used the older SD2IEC with the Commodore 128 in C64 and C128 modes. The new SD2IEC prototype will be tested at the Feb. 8 FCUG meeting.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
Catch the Fatman and Circuit Girl at
http://vimeo.com/jeri

SmallCleverDinosaur · February 02, 2009, 05:33 AM

I can't wait to see the results of that test

If it works, do you know how to get in touch with Tony to let him know I want one?

RobertB · February 02, 2009, 10:50 AM

Quote from: SmallCleverDinosaur on February 02, 2009, 05:33 AMIf it works, do you know how to get in touch with Tony to let him know I want one?

Contact him at

orders(at)nkcelectronics.com

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
Catch the Fatman and Circuit Girl at
http://vimeo.com/jeri

brain · February 04, 2009, 02:31 PM

Quote from: SmallCleverDinosaur on February 02, 2009, 02:44 AM
Quote from: NKC Electronics websiteThe most prominent use of SD2IEC is emulation/replacement of a Commodore-1541 disk drive for a C64.
Since this device emulates an IEC device, do you think it will work equally well in the C128 mode?

In C128 mode, it will function fine, subject to the following caveat: sd2iec (the firmware in NKCs HW) does not support burst mode. So, unless you own JiffyDOS, you will be limited to normal 1541 speeds.

uIEC uses the same firmware, and I have a number of folks successfully using them with C128(D)s

Jim

RobertB · February 16, 2009, 06:50 PM

SCCAN member, Joe M., has been putting the SD2IEC through its paces, and below are some of the problems and triumphs that he has had with the device (edited for clarity) --

From: Joe M.
Date: Thu, February 12, 2009 12:47 am

Robert,

I soldered your daughter board but how does it mate with the main board?

There is a clear pin 1 on the main board, but the daughter board does not have a pinout. Usually circuit board manufacturers will make the via at pin 1 square, or at least label pin one on the header.

So-
Does it go with the IEC's facing the same direction you insert SD card?
Or
Does it go with the IEC's facing out the back?

--------------

Tony Kim of NkcElectronics.com answered, "...I need to make it more clear, as a reverse connection can damage the main board. It must be connected like PICTURE 2, with the IEC jacks facing out the back. I will add some pictures to the product page.

You can install it 2 ways, with the main board below / db top or the daughter board below and main board top."

--------------

From: Joe M.
Date: Sun, February 15, 2009 1:44 am

Robert,

The sd2iec is pretty fun to play with!

Took me a while to figure out how to mount a .d64, once I did it was even more fun...

The directions (what exist) are horrible... you may know this but in case you don't, to mount a .d64 in the current directory it would be:

open1,8,15,"CD:nameofd64.d64":close1

The example they gave did not include the colon and assumed the .d64's were in a sub-directory.

Also after looking for some instructions on how to use the sd2iec, I saw that the daughterboard is supposed to come with a 90 degree, 10 pin female plug. That is why when you see it in the picture, it is underneath... yours came with a straight one.

After using it, it is still easy to use this way though.

[snip]

Joe

---------------

From: Joe M.
Date: Sun, February 15, 2009 5:21 pm

One thing I was impressed with was mounting an INFOCOM .d64 image. Infocom games have an unorthodox directory structure and it worked fine with the sd2iec. I remember being with Josh and trying his 1541 Ultimate and it didn't work the first time. As a matter of fact I dont think we got it to work 100%. So it looks like it will be a handy little tool to add to your collection.

I used a Sandisk micro 512meg in a Sandisk micro to sd adapter; it worked perfect out the gate.

Joe

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
CommVEx v5 info - http://www.commodore.ca/forum and click on ComVEX

RobertB · March 10, 2009, 07:11 AM

QuoteTony Kim of NkcElectronics.com answered, "...I need to make it more clear, as a reverse connection can damage the main board. It must be connected like PICTURE 2, with the IEC jacks facing out the back. I will add some pictures to the product page.

You can install it 2 ways, with the main board below / db top or the daughter board below and main board top."

As of today, only one picture has been added to the SD2IEC daughterboard area, and it shows the 10-pin female connector facing downward from the the daughterboard. However, no pics have been added showing the orientation of the SD2IEC mainboard in relation to the daughterboard. (There are several pictures in the SD2IEC area, detailing the components on the mainboard.)
At yesterday's SCCAN meeting, we successfully read .d64s off of Microcenter 2 gb SD and Microcenter 4 gb SDHC cards with the SD2IEC.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
http://retro-link.com

SmallCleverDinosaur · March 10, 2009, 07:36 AM

Robert, do you have any pictures of your SD2IEC fully assembled? There are no pictures of that on NKC's website. Isn't it possible to buy it from them fully assembled? Or do they not ship it like that?

Looking at their homepage it looks like you have to buy two items, the SD2IEC board itself and then the daughter board. But the daughter board only seems to be delivered as a "do-it-yourself-KIT"?

From the pictures on their website, it looks like the daughter board connects to the mainboard by the use of a connector that is soldered on the daughter board. Is that true? If so, it looks like the connector will make the connectors for the serial cable face downwards, once the daughter board is connected to the mainboard. That doesn't seem like a perfect solution.

Well, as you can see, if you have any pictures of the assembled product that would be great

RobertB · March 10, 2009, 08:56 AM

Quote from: SmallCleverDinosaur on March 10, 2009, 07:36 AM
Robert, do you have any pictures of your SD2IEC fully assembled? There are no pictures of that on NKC's website.

I do have some photos, but they are not posted yet.

QuoteIsn't it possible to buy it from them fully assembled?

The daughterboard is not assembled.

QuoteLooking at their homepage it looks like you have to buy two items...

If you want to "embed" the SD2IEC within a computer and solder all the connections, then you just need the mainboard. If you want to make an external drive out of it, then you would need the daughterboard.

QuoteBut the daughter board only seems to be delivered as a "do-it-yourself-KIT"?

Right.

QuoteFrom the pictures on their website, it looks like the daughter board connects to the mainboard by the use of a connector that is soldered on the daughter board. Is that true? If so, it looks like the connector will make the connectors for the serial cable face downwards, once the daughter board is connected to the mainboard.

I do not have that type of connector. My connector faces downward (or you can solder it to face upward), and then when the mainboard is connected, it is on the same plane as the daughterboard.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
http://retro-link.com

RobertB · March 10, 2009, 09:14 AM

Quote from: SmallCleverDinosaur on March 10, 2009, 07:36 AM...if you have any pictures of the assembled product that would be great

I have asked and sent my SD2IEC pics to Andrew Wiskow to host.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
http://retro-link.com

RobertB · March 11, 2009, 06:25 AM

Andrew Wiskow is now kindly hosting my pics of the NKCElectronics.com SD2IEC. Go to

http://cottonwood.servebbs.com/wiskow/sd2iec.htm

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
http://retro-link.com/smf/

SmallCleverDinosaur · March 11, 2009, 05:30 PM

Thanks for great photos

Is the SD2IEC main board powered through the power connector on the daughter board or does it need its own power? What should the voltage level of the power supply be?

RobertB · March 11, 2009, 05:57 PM

Quote from: SmallCleverDinosaur on March 11, 2009, 05:30 PM
Thanks for great photos

Is the SD2IEC main board powered through the power connector on the daughter board or does it need its own power? What should the voltage level of the power supply be?

If used without the daughterboard, you would have to solder
wires from a power source on the C= computer to the SD2IEC
mainboard. If used with the daughterboard, the SD2IEC's
power connector accepts 5 to 9 volts DC. At last Sunday's
SCCAN meeting, we used a 9 volt power adapter.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
http://retro-link.com/smf/

SmallCleverDinosaur · March 19, 2009, 07:02 AM

I received my SD2IEC and daughter board today. I placed the order on the 11'th of march. Only 7 days to ship it across the World. Good work!

It's actually much smaller than I thought it would be. So to show it's real size, I've taken some photos with another device as reference for the size. A device I think most of us is familiar with. The 1351 mouse

On these pictures you can see the daughter board (green) connected to the SD2IEC board (blue).

BTW, I asked to get my daughter board pre-soldered so I wouldn't have to solder it myself. That was no problem

RobertB · March 19, 2009, 04:16 PM

Quote from: SmallCleverDinosaur on March 19, 2009, 07:02 AMIt's actually much smaller than I thought it would be. So to show it's real size, I've taken some photos with another device as reference for the size. A device I think most of us is familiar with. The 1351 mouse

The uIEC/SD is even smaller than the SD2IEC mainboard. I have some photos of the SD2IEC sitting next to the uIEC. When I have them developed, I'll have them posted somewhere.

QuoteBTW, I asked to get my daughter board pre-soldered so I wouldn't have to solder it myself. That was no problem

I did not know that was an option. Did you have to pay extra to NKCElectronics.com to have them solder it?

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
Notacon 6 / Blockparty 3 on April 16-19
http://www.notacon.org , http://www.demoparty.us

SmallCleverDinosaur · March 19, 2009, 05:23 PM

Quote from: RobertB on March 19, 2009, 04:16 PM
I did not know that was an option. Did you have to pay extra to NKCElectronics.com to have them solder it?

I didn't either, so I thought, no harm in asking

As I asked about it, they answered that it was no problem getting it pre-soldered and at no extra cost