defor

One of the sticks of memory in an old Mac I just got from Japan has the best brand ever.

Yes, these units need some cleaning as they've been collecting dust for about a year since #MDCon... Time to get them ready for this year's show!

Because “Picture MD” is a defined (albeit obscure) standard, even though I don’t have an interface cable for my Sharp MD-PS1, the Sony DSC-MD1 can be used to copy photos taken on the Sharp to computer, and the Sharp can access photos taken on the Sony.

Official software/cable kit (DSKIT-PC4) is near impossible to find, so the sofware and cable can be replicated via this software:
archive.org/details/sony...

And a TRS style serial cable, like the one found in the MSAC-SR1.

Make sure to DISABLE the DSC-F1 compatibility mode before you connect.

DSC-MD1 (MD Cyber-shot) is fully supported by the Sony “Digital Still Canera Utility 1.5a”!
Serial cable is from the MSAC-SR1 memory stick adapter kit.
#minidisc

We spoke last year at MDCon (I was demoing MD Data drives and embedded hardware and the Vaio laptop) - great to see your video on the MDM up! Any chance you can drop me a line?

Hardware MIDI by way of OMS being a heavier load than the default QT software synth was the real surprise to me.
Also just for comparison, I also tried QuickTime 2.1 as bundled in the Pippin SDK, and there was minimal if any difference from 2.5.

Today I'm sad.

Maybe netplay will be... acceptable?

I do understand the boost in FPS for the base game as it (likely) uses acceleration for the Pippin video hardware, just as retail uses acceleration for the Valkyrie video chip on the Quadra 630, etc. architecture, but the performance impact of QuickTime is staggering.

Continued...

Framerates from the spawn point on Arrival:
- Super Marathon (v1.2) low res defaults: 28fps
- Retail v1.2 low res defaults: 26fps
- Retail v1.2 with Music enabled: 16fps
- Retail v1.2 with Music enabled, and OMS for external hardware MIDI over serial: 14fps

Continued...

I’ve had plans for years to attempt some improvements to the Pippin release of (Super) Marathon.

Disappointingly, however, I’m starting to believe this is a complete fool’s errand.

Continued…

Because I am completely new to this, and the documentation is lacking, this is my set up:
1) Connect the external box to the modem port
2) Disable AppleTalk or set it to not use the modem port.
3) Install OMS and configure.
4) Setup QuickTime Control Panel Music settings.

Hope this helps someone!

So yep, looks like #Marathon does support external #MIDI devices just fine!

(I've been wondering this for decades and just never got around to trying, but good riddance software Quicktime Musical Instruments!)

Was great seeing some other vintage video capture at VCF! Your "Abomination" scares me!

Thank you @vcfederation.bsky.social, and everyone who came and said hi at VCF East this weekend!
I had a great time with my first time officially exhibiting, meeting new people, and sharing a small fraction of my obsessions.
If you have any follow-up questions, drop me a line!

Thanks!

Rebuilding and testing Sony Vaio PCV-M350.
K6-2, Windows 98, and Control-A1 direct on the unit!

Testing out md editor 1.12 compatibility with various deck control options.

Titlin' and Dubbin'

ft. Sony Vaio PCG-SR, MD Editor 2, CDP-A39, MDS-PC2

Recreated the proprietary PDK-1 printer cable for the Sony PDF-5 #MiniDisc DATA EATA, and successfully reprinted a scanned page thanks to #RetroPrinter

Stupid ebook tricks.

The unit uses the same internals as a CLD-V2800, although track controls and display are completely removed in favor of serial control.

Now for something completely d̵i̵f̵f̵e̵r̵e̵n̵t̵ the same.
Pioneer MPC series (Their short-lived computer brand from the 90's mostly involving Macintosh clones) CLD-PC10.

There was concern (elsewhere) posted over the airflow issue using the CLD-V2800 (or CLD-PC10) in an enclosed space with low airflow, so I setup an internal temperature probe.

(Repost) Also, the hack here is simply moving the stabilizer / back panel down so that the player can slide all the way in, but also helps as it keeps discs from falling out the back. The original pegs for that panel were removed, and leftover wood ones were used after drilling new holes

(Repost) VIHALS IKEA hack: compact LD player and disc storage.

DATA EATA DATA EATA DATA EATA
(Apparently the post didnt include the image the first time around, now i feel silly.)

DATA EATA DATA EATA DATA EATA

Some versions of the Pippin keyboard seem to have an added resistor that appears to cause issues with the power-on process.
If not removed, plugging in the keyboard powers on the system for a second, then off, and the button is nonfunctional.
Just lift one end of the resistor.

Restoring keyboard power button support on the Pippin-ADB connector is as easy as connecting R25 to Pin 2 on both ports.

A ton of Data Discman ebooks arrived today. 🙌
Plan to use the duplicates for donor cases and caddies to put my own discs into.