ZX Tapeloader

Your Spectrum

A SMOOTHER PASSAGE Don't waste your time complaining "If only I'd bought a Grunge 96 instead of this rotten Spectrum which won't load programs", because owners of the Grunge 96 are having the same problem, and can do nothing about it. It is true that Spectrum programs aren't always easy to save on tape. Sometimes they save all right, but won't load, which isn't much help. And sometimes, commercially supplied programs won't load either. In that case, we have the recommendation of Elinca Products that you spend £15 on something they invented earlier this year for Sinclair ZX81 users - a ZX Tapeloader. The Spectrum version costs roughly the same. It fits between Spectrum and tape cassette recorder, replacing the normal grey cables, and filters noise out of the signals in both directions. It isn't guaranteed to work, but if the problem is incompatibility between computer and recorder, then it should help. And it has the extra benefit of switching cables - because one of the most common causes of failure to load and save is feedback from EAR socket to microphone. It's available mail order from Elinca at [redacted], and a cheque or postal order for £14.99 covers postage, too.

Quiet now! It's the ZX Tapeloader

Sinclair User

UNIT CUTS LOADING ERRORS The Elinca ZX Tapeloader is a box which contains all the elements to clean doubtful tapes and to ensure perfect SAVEIng and LOADing of programs. The black box contains a small meter with which to set the level of the input from the tape recorder, a three-position switch for selecting SAVE and LOAD, and two tape filters. It also has a red LED to indicate what mode it is in. The LOAD amplifier keeps the signal constant and filters-out noise caused by the pening the signal. The SAVE filter is a passive - non-powered - one which eliminates noise. The unit has two jack sockets in one side and two leads from the other to plug into the EAR and MIC sockets of the computer. It is not necessary to keep unplugging the leads with the unit on SAVEing and LOADing. The unit is powered by a PP3 battery which has to he fitted inside the unit by the user - it is not supplied. It works very well and having a meter on it makes it easy to set up. The unit is guaranteed for one year and may be returned within seven days for a refund if you are not satisfied. Elinca Products Ltd, [redacted], priced at £14.99.

Read it at Sinclair User Magazine Online

ZX Computing

TAPING TROUBLES? Elinca Products have announced the launch of a tape loader for use in helping you load and save programs to tape from the ZX81. The ZX Tapeloader filters and stabilises signals in both directions, providing a constant signal perfectly matched for the computer. The new unit incorporates an audio output indicator and signal amplifier to enable the correct computer input signal to be used, it also filters out any unwanted signals and hum from the tape recorder. Plugging and unplugging leads is also not necessary when using the ZX Tapeloader to load and save. There is a switch on the unit which you can turn either to 'save', 'off' or 'load'. The manufacturers of the unit claim the unit is especially useful solving taping difficulties, especially when so many software houses are using high speed duplicating machines which do not always give a steady signal. Further details on the ZX Tapeloader are obtainable from Elinca Products Ltd, [redacted] You could always 'phone them on [redacted].