Posted By
commodore69
on 2014-10-01
16:23:18
|  My Plus 4 tape deck has died, where is the best to get a replacement?
One of my plus 4 tape decks has died. Where do I get a replacement, as I once had an adapter lead that converted a C64 tape deck to a plus 4, but I don't know where that went. So who can help?
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Posted By
SVS
on 2014-10-02
02:04:20
 | Re: My Plus 4 tape deck has died, where is the best to get a replacement?
If I'm not wrong, the characteristics of 1531 model (C16/+4) are not the same than 1530 (C64). I mean the difference is not just the connector.
Then I suggest you to find one at ebay. For about 20 Euros you can find a brand new unit.
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Posted By
Hans
on 2014-10-02
03:51:46
| Re: My Plus 4 tape deck has died, where is the best to get a replacement?
What is your location, commodore69? - I keep various 1531 and can forego without one of those easily..
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Posted By
Hans
on 2014-10-02
06:49:32
| Re: My Plus 4 tape deck has died, where is the best to get a replacement?
MIK, don't ypou also think that € 19,90 plus postage is ridiculous & beyond common sense? A complete 1531 is being offerd for the same price, free shipping inside Germany:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Commodore-Datassette-1531-schwarz-fur-C16-guter-Zustand-Top-Funktion-mit-OVP-/121426930905?pt=Klassische_Computer&hash=item1c459becd9
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Posted By
MIK
on 2014-10-02
07:41:35
 | Re: My Plus 4 tape deck has died, where is the best to get a replacement?
You can get them in the UK even cheaper. The thing is... that adapter is hard to find and if you have been after one then 20 Euro's is nothing when it's a very specialist item.
Those that know better would rather use a low mileage 1531 as most C64 tape games take any where from 3 times longer and beyond to load. That means most 1530's have had a hard life vs the C16/Plus4 1531 eating a handful of Mastertronic tapes and not much else. 
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Posted By
retroscener
on 2014-10-02
08:58:37
 | Re: My Plus 4 tape deck has died, where is the best to get a replacement?
Question is, why would anyone want to use a 1530 on the C16/Plus4 when I hear that the 1531 is better anyway? Obviously the reason why the 1531 adapter is more commonly available for the C64.
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Posted By
Paradroid90
on 2014-10-02
14:54:52
| Re: My Plus 4 tape deck has died, where is the best to get a replacement?
I have a 1531 in the loft, i am not using at present  I am in the UK if your interested
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Posted By
commodore69
on 2014-10-02
19:33:00
| Re: My Plus 4 tape deck has died, where is the best to get a replacement?
I got a replacement datasette everything is running fine and the games work fine so THANKS EVERYONE!
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Posted By
MMS
on 2014-10-03
18:39:04
 | Re: My Plus 4 tape deck has died, where is the best to get a replacement?
as far as I know, there is no real difference between 1531 and 1530, even some 1530 got the black housing plus c64 connector.
I had friends, who bough their PLUS/4 with 1530+adapter provided in the box.
The data format (compression, waveform) is really different, but it depends on the computer, not on the datasette.
I would not say Plus/4 is better, seems much more sensitive to head position than C64, I mean I rememebr the head adjustment thingies on my C16, while I never had to do on c64. Maybe only my memory plays with me 
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Posted By
commodore69
on 2014-10-03
17:20:31
| Re: My Plus 4 tape deck has died, where is the best to get a replacement?
1531 and 1530 DATASETTES are identical its just one has a c16 plug on it and the other has a c64 plug on it as if COMMODORE wanted to make things easier the connectors would go the same on the c16, c64, VIC 20 then any DATASETTE CONNECTS TO ANY COMPUTER SO THEN YOU CAN USE THEN ALOT EASIER WITHOUT THESE ADAPTORS!
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Posted By
MMS
on 2014-10-03
19:05:27
| Re: My Plus 4 tape deck has died, where is the best to get a replacement?
I agree.
Probably the first computer in their mind was a C116 like machine, as originally they wanted to create a cheap ZX Spectrum competitor machine (yeah, just see the look, the size and the buttons...).
On the C116 the C64 sized connectors (cassette, Joystick) just do not fit due to the housing size limitations.
I think after TED developped, and their saw it's flexibility on the same platform, they build up the full range up to C=364 (I really miss it. that should have been the Plus/4, and people would take it more serious at introduction, a numberic keypad make every machince look more serious/professional (see A1200 and A600).
Then even coumputer magasizes would not mix it up as a "next" C64 gaming machine.
C16 should have 32KB or 64Kb to close the gap between the two machines (less serious, but still OK for gaming) and only the cheap-cheap C116 should utilize 16kB with cheap budget games.
A REAL Marketing failure that 364 was not introduced at all, completely missing the focus group.
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Posted By
commodore69
on 2014-10-03
20:43:03
| Re: My Plus 4 tape deck has died, where is the best to get a replacement?
THAT FAT CONNECTOR FOR THE DATASETTE ON A C64 WAS TOO BIG AS ON THE PLUS 4 IT WAS SMALL AND THE VIC 20 TOOK A C64 STYLE CONNECTOR FAR TOO BIG AND UGLY THE PLUS 4 WINS EVERY TIME SO WHY DIDNT COMMODORE USE A PLUS 4 STYLE CONNECTION ON ALL MACHINES?
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Posted By
JamesC
on 2014-10-04
01:05:12
| Re: My Plus 4 tape deck has died, where is the best to get a replacement?
@commodore69 BECAUSE THE 64 CONNECTOR WAS A LEFTOVER FROM THE PET MACHINES IN 1978 OR SO AND WAY BACK THEN IT WAS CHEAPER TO DO A CIRCUIT BOARD CONNECTION THAN TO SOLDER ON A PROPER METAL CONNECTOR
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