Date   : Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:21:53 +0100
From   : mfirth@... (Michael Firth)
Subject: 16 bit IDE interfaces with microdrives

On 23 Jul 2011,@11:16, Sprow <info@...> wrote:

> Hi,
> Anyone yearning for some spinning platters in their storage solution can now
> get up to 4GB shoehorned into just 1" square.
> 
> I recently made up some more 16 bit IDE interfaces (which corrects the 2
> wire modifications needed on the last lot) which are available now 
>  http://www.sprow.co.uk/bbc/beebide.htm
> these have a standard PC 4 pin power connector from a floppy drive so can be
> used with a PC power supply to power the conventional hard disc too. A
> patched ADFS ROM is needed to talk to the hardware
>  http://mdfs.net/Info/Comp/BBC/IDE/ADFS/
> from the beeb end.
> 
> However, that's all quite big, so as an experiment I bought
>  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290416959152 ($5)
>  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280639048275 ($10)
> which is an IDE to compact flash converter and a 4GB microdrive from some
> Apple gizmo or other.
> 
> It worked fine, and the microdrive is a marvel of tiny mechanics: it's an
> actual spinning harddisc in a roughly 1" square by 3mm package. It also has
> the advantage of running of just 5V rather than needing 12V too like a big
> hard disc would do, so the power supply can just be a 5V plug adapter,
> Sprow.
> 
> 
Is there a reason to prefer a Microdrive over the same capacity of CF card,
available new at a similar price?

http://prodigytek.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=399&c=node&i=B000VY7HYM

A few years ago the Microdrives were claimed to be faster, but I suspect
flash memory has probably caught up, and I don't think the BBC really needs
the highest speed!

Regards

Michael