MSX Hardware on Ali Express

Por tfh

Prophet (3422)

16-10-2022, 12:43

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004774952815.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004791168992.html

Por gdx

Enlighted (6422)

16-10-2022, 12:55

$90 for a 512kB SD Mapper without case and tinned contacts, it's expensive!

Por tfh

Prophet (3422)

16-10-2022, 13:17

gdx wrote:

$90 for a 512kB SD Mapper without case and tinned contacts, it's expensive!

Indeed...
Ali Express wouldn't be my first choice to buy MSX hardware anyway. Nor my 2nd, 3rd, etc..
I'd rather buy it from a group/person/shop with a link to the community, so you are supporting the MSX community.

Por AxelStone

Prophet (3199)

18-10-2022, 13:38

Very expensive and probably with poor build quality. The only advantage is the availability.

Por ray2day

Paladin (752)

18-10-2022, 19:41

:shocked:

Por meits

Scribe (6571)

18-10-2022, 22:04

Isn't that this SD mapper cartridge? I vaguely recognize it.

Por gdx

Enlighted (6422)

19-10-2022, 03:10

This is the same but SD mapper is manufactured by several people. Prices vary from simple to double, the quality of manufacture also varies. The one sold on ebay is the most expensive and the quality is not known.

It's a bit the same for the Carnivore 2. The cheapest Carnivore 2 I found cost less than 70 euros without a case.

Por sd_snatcher

Prophet (3675)

19-10-2022, 04:18

gdx wrote:

This is the same but SD mapper is manufactured by several people.

It's not. That's the SD Mapper v2, a much improved/faster version with card hot swap support, but no MegaRAM support (the MegaRAM was useless on the all MSX models without at least 128KB of internal mapper anyway). v1 and v2 have totally different CPLD firmware and ROM driver.

AFAIK, the v2 is the fastest MSX disk interface so far, and has the quickest boot too. Even more on TR models.

That doesn't justify the price though. I also think that the AliEx version if too much on the pricey range for my taste. Specially for one hardware were all the development costs were free/livre.

Por gdx

Enlighted (6422)

19-10-2022, 10:25

sd_snatcher wrote:

It's not.

Don't say that! The version on Ali Express is a v2, and I have also seen different ones (with different PCB or case) from time to time on ebay, on several brazilan, spanish and even french forums or sites.

Here are some examples found now with a fast searh:
https://oldplayers.com.br/wp/computadores/msx/sdmapper-v2/
https://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-1673034114-cartucho-...
https://www.delta-island.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1613#p1613

sd_snatcher wrote:

v1 and v2 have totally different CPLD firmware and ROM driver.

This does not fundamentally change much.

sd_snatcher wrote:

AFAIK, the v2 is the fastest MSX disk interface so far, and has the quickest boot too. Even more on TR models.

The developper of the MCC/SD Drive v4 also claims that its interface is the fastest. Anyway, can you do a benchmark to compare with my Sunrise CF?

Por sd_snatcher

Prophet (3675)

19-10-2022, 15:55

gdx wrote:

sd_snatcher wrote:

It's not.

Don't say that! The version on Ali Express is a v2, and I have also seen different ones

Meits pointed an SD-Mapper that’s clearly a v1, and the AliEx cartridge is a v2. So, no, they’re just not the same.

And you pointed two v2s and one v1, so not even the ones you selected are the same between them.

Quote:

sd_snatcher wrote:

v1 and v2 have totally different CPLD firmware and ROM driver.

This does not fundamentally change much.

I couldn’t understand what you mean. What doesn’t fundamentally change much?

Quote:

The developper of the MCC/SD Drive v4 also claims that its interface is the fastest.

Interesting. What’s the fastest transfer rate can it achieve?
And how quick does it boot to the Nextor prompt?

Quote:

Anyway, can you do a benchmark to compare with my Sunrise CF?

What driver are you using with your Sunrise CF?

Por gdx

Enlighted (6422)

20-10-2022, 02:57

sd_snatcher wrote:

Meits pointed an SD-Mapper that’s clearly a v1, and the AliEx cartridge is a v2. So, no, they’re just not the same.

If so, all the more reason to be even more vigilant because it is indicated v2 even on the PCB.

sd_snatcher wrote:

And you pointed two v2s and one v1, so not even the ones you selected are the same between them.

In fact, at the last link, this is the same as the version on Ali express.

sd_snatcher wrote:

Interesting. What’s the fastest transfer rate can it achieve?
And how quick does it boot to the Nextor prompt?

I don't know. There is an benchmark on page 47 of the manual I have.
I think this was done with the DOSSAN below.
https://www.teambomba.net/dos2tools.html

sd_snatcher wrote:

What driver are you using with your Sunrise CF?

Nextor but I can also do it with the original Rom-disk.