Beta Disk Interface
Encyclopedia
Beta Disk Interface is a disk interface for ZX Spectrum
computers. It was developed by Technology Research Ltd (United Kingdom
), in 1984 and released in 1985 with price £109.25 (or £249.75 with one disk drive). Beta 128 Disk Interface is a 1987 version supporting ZX Spectrum 128 machines (difference is in access points addresses). Beta disk interfaces were distributed with TR-DOS operating system in ROM, also attributed to Technology Research Ltd. Latest firmware version is 5.03 (1986).
The interface was possibly based on WD1793 chip.
The interface handles single and double sided, 40 and 80 track double density floppy disk
s, up to 4 drives.
) in 1989. Beta 128 schematics are included in various Russian ZX Spectrum clones.
Some variants of schematics support only 2 drives. Phase correction of drive data signal is made different ways.
ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
computers. It was developed by Technology Research Ltd (United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
), in 1984 and released in 1985 with price £109.25 (or £249.75 with one disk drive). Beta 128 Disk Interface is a 1987 version supporting ZX Spectrum 128 machines (difference is in access points addresses). Beta disk interfaces were distributed with TR-DOS operating system in ROM, also attributed to Technology Research Ltd. Latest firmware version is 5.03 (1986).
The interface was possibly based on WD1793 chip.
The interface handles single and double sided, 40 and 80 track double density floppy disk
Floppy disk
A floppy disk is a disk storage medium composed of a disk of thin and flexible magnetic storage medium, sealed in a rectangular plastic carrier lined with fabric that removes dust particles...
s, up to 4 drives.
Clones
This interface was popular for its simplicity, and Beta 128 Disk Interface was cloned all around USSR. First known USSR clones were ones produced by НПВО "Вариант" (LeningradLeningrad
Leningrad is the former name of Saint Petersburg, Russia.Leningrad may also refer to:- Places :* Leningrad Oblast, a federal subject of Russia, around Saint Petersburg* Leningrad, Tajikistan, capital of Muminobod district in Khatlon Province...
) in 1989. Beta 128 schematics are included in various Russian ZX Spectrum clones.
Some variants of schematics support only 2 drives. Phase correction of drive data signal is made different ways.
Operating systems support
- TR-DOSTR-DOSTR-DOS is a disk operating system for ZX Spectrum with Beta disc and Beta 128 disc interface. TR-DOS and Beta disc were developed by Technology Research Ltd , in 1985. Most disk releases for ZX Spectrum are made for TR-DOS....
- iS-DOSIS-DOSiS-DOS is a disk operating system for Russian ZX Spectrum clones. iS-DOS has been developed in 1990 or 1991, by Iskra Soft .It handles floppy disks , hard disks, and CD-ROM...
- CP/MCP/MCP/M was a mass-market operating system created for Intel 8080/85 based microcomputers by Gary Kildall of Digital Research, Inc...
(various hack versions) - DNA OS