-------------------------------------------------
--------     CS1er V0.5a Beta for DOS    --------
-------------------------------------------------
--------  The Cassette to FIAD Converter --------
--------        By Dean Corcoran         --------
--------     pokeystuff@hotmail.com      --------
-------------------------------------------------

-- CS1erDOC.TXT readme file v2.0 (CS1er Release #2) --
-- 3rd Aug 2000 --

** See notes about this release at bottom of this document.

-- Description --
CS1er is a program used to decode the binary sound of files stored
on cassette tapes, used on Texas Instruments TI99/4a Computers. This
is then saved in 'FIAD' file format used on some TI Emulators.
CS1er's main focus is Data accuracy of badly recorded or damaged tapes.


This program was inspired by Dick Selis's 'Tape994a'. And you are 
encouraged to check it out also.

*** THIS PROGRAM IS NOT YET COMPLETED & CONSTANTLY IN DEVELOPMENT ***


-- READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE PROCEEDING ---

-- Disclaimer / Warranties / Guarantees / Conditions of use --
CS1er is distrubited "as is" and comes with NO Warranty or Guarantee
at all and of any kind. Nor are there any future guarantee that there
will be any future support and/or upgrades to this program. CS1er
and its author cannot be held responsible for any damages incurred, 
either directly or indirectly from its use or misuse. CS1er is used
at your own risk for your own privelege and you can be assured that it
may have bugs which may cause irratic and / or undesirable behavour.
All distrubutions must adhere to conditions in distrubution notes
mentioned below.

* IT IS A CONDITION OF USE THAT YOU AGREE TO THE ABOVE. IF YOU DO NOT
AGREE TO ANY POINT THEN YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE IT AND MUST DELETE
CS1er AND ANY ASSOCIATED FILES FROM YOUR POSSESSION.


--- System Requirements ---

This program has been made to run on a min spec machine for all to use

CS1er should run on any MS-DOS or compatible system 386 or above, 
VGA screen or better. Pentium Recommended.

NEW Amiga OS Version under consideration. Contact me for details.

Possible Plans for Windows GUI Version

--- Instructions for use ---

* Connect your sound source (Cassette Player/TI99/4a) up to the sound 
  input device on your sound card (Line In/Microphone).

* Using a Sound recording program, record the cassette file sound.
  (Try to record at a high volume level, but prevent clipping)
  (Occasional Clipping of sound OK (start of file) but not encouraged)
  (CS1er Will attempt to automatically adjust volume level)

* If possible cut off any excess non-binary sound(noise) at beginning.
  (I advise not to do any digital equalising once recorded)
  (Equalising using Analogue Equaliser prior to entering Computer
   gives better results, Try to roll-off below 250Hz & above 2KHz)

* Save your file as a Mono, 8 bit, 44.1 KHz WAV File.
  (Must Have .WAV Extension, CS1er will add this if not present)

* execute the file CS1er05a.EXE by typing it in from a command prompt
  or double clicking on its icon from a GUI.

* you will be prompted to enter a filename.

  if no path is entered, file is assumed to be in current working dir

(files are assumed to be a .WAV file recorded in Mono, 8 Bit 44100 Hz 
format. Foreign, corrupt or non-standard WAV files are not recognised
or screened out at present, and may cause irratic behavour)

* You Will then be prompted 'Display Wave (Y/N)?'

  This refers to the live display of your file being decoded. This can
  slow down the decoding process significantly.

CS1er will then load the file and start decoding.

you will be displayed some information on the file as it is being
decoded. Information such as File progress & Number of Records.

* When finished You will then be prompted to ented a destination file 
  name for the saved FIAD file containing the decoded program.

* After Saving as a FIAD file. CS1er will continue to scan WAV file
  for more recorded files and repeat this process until end of WAV
  is reached.

program will then finish.

the output FIAD file should be able to be loaded into V9T9 or any
TI99/4a Emulator which supports FIAD files.


-- Notes --
Compared to Dick Selis's 'Tape994a' Program, CS1er is very SLOW. I
designed CS1er to be as accurate as possible with noisy, dirty,
corrupt tape files. This required a very comprehensive bit recognising
routine (99% accurate on Shit sound). On my AMD K6/266 machine, with
Windows 98 Running, it is about half the speed of the actual tape 
while text only mode. The added side effect is that it's able to read
some files which my 99/4a can't. (some old tapes which I thought were
gone forever are back). But if you want speed, Use Dick's excellent
program.

* To further enhance speed, run CS1er WITHOUT Windows running.

* After reading each file from the WAV, CS1er will Jump 4 seconds
  before searching for any following files.
  (Ensure at least 3 second gap between files for best performance)

If you find any files which will not work, eMail them and I might
analyise them to make the CS1er more robust.


-- Known / Possible Bugs --

* Not Rock solid with incorrect file formats.
  ( CS1er will try & decode them )

Please forward any bugs you find, either noted here or otherwise to 
me. Please also attach any associated files for analysis.


--- Distrubution ---

CS1er V0.5a beta is freeware and can be distrubited freely provided 
it is not manipulated in any form. The CS1er-04.EXE & CS1erDOC.TXT
files must remain together at all times.

I would appreciate anyone wishing to hold a copy on a web-site to
email me the details of their web-site and credit my Name & email 
shown where it can be seen near the file's location on the page.

Source Code not currently been released.


--- Possible Future Plans ---

* Better Screening of incorrect or corrupt files

* Super Fast, Non Verbose Mode

* Faster Execution ( Already on this )

* More Options to help with decoding Bad Files.

* Fully Automatic Mode.

Many options have already been built in but can only be accessed at 
the source level. I haven't had time to implement them. Look out for
next version.

* Save to FIAD or DOAD ?

* Integration of Default Mask files into program.

Please eMail any Suggestions.


--- Troubleshooting ---

* If a file comes up with many errors try increasing volume (+50% ?)
  in a WAV file editor.

* If the program reports 'Record # Error' at the start of the file,
  it is reporting an error with the reading of the total number of 
  files. It will display the two numbers it believes the file to be
  and prompt for the entry of the correct one.

* Slow, Try running from DOS only mode. (Close-Down Windows)


--- Technical ---

Included with CS1er are the Mask Files. These are.

Bit0neg1.wav   ( Bit 0, Negative Polarity )
Bit1neg1.wav   ( Bit 1, Negative Polarity )
Bit0pos1.wav   ( Bit 0, Positive Polarity )
Bit1pos1.wav   ( Bit 1, Positive Polarity )

These Mask Files are used for the comparison of each bit.
they are 8Bit,Mono,44.1KHz Samples in WAV format. Each sample is
32 bytes long. These Masks can be manipulated to provide better 
performance on some files.  Filenames MUST stay the same & they must
stay in the same directory the CS1er EXE file is kept in.


--- Work in Progress ---

* Direct reading from soundcard Microphone or Line-In.
  (Watch out for future releases)


--- History ---

V0.5a Beta - Will read multiple files stored in one WAV
             (No need to separate whole Tape side into different WAVs)
           - Slight Speed improvement & Code Optimisations
           - Fixed Bug, (Sometimes confuse start of Sync with Data Mark)

V0.4 Beta  - First Release.


--- Contact details ---

Dean Corcoran ( Pokey )

eMail

 pokeystuff@hotmail.com
          or
 dcorcoran@colemans.com.au

Mobile Phone +61 0408 664 928

Bathurst Australia.

---------- END --------------