gistfile1.txt

#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""

We all have seen some memes about how long did it take to load games from tape
in the old 8-bit microcomputers. 30 minutes, lol. Well, not really (or at least
not for the speccy and the CPC; sorry, no C64 data).

This is not very scientific, as it doesn't take into account multi-load,
turbos, anti-copy, etc; but look at the times and you get the idea.

Requires Python 3 and tape2wav from fuse-tools.

Juan J. Martinez (@reidrac)


Examples (file duration)

*ZX Spectrum*

ROBOCOP1.TAP 0:10:41.031020

URIDIUM.TAP 0:04:32.815057

NEBULUS.TAP 0:04:24.440091

STARGLDR.TAP 0:04:44.582313

*Amstrad CPC*
(a cdt is really a tzx)

Super Cauldron (UK,F,G) (1993) [Original] [TAPE].cdt 0:10:49.402177

Mission Elevator (UK) (1986) [Original] [TAPE].cdt 0:07:04.570091

Stormlord (UK) (1989) [Original] [TAPE].cdt 0:04:56.016417

AMC - Astro Marine Corps (UK) (Face A) (1989) [Original] [TAPE].cdt 0:06:33.826236

"""

import sys
import os
import wave
from datetime import timedelta
from subprocess import call

def main():

    if len(sys.argv) != 2:
        print("tapelen <file>")
        return

    filename = sys.argv[1]
    wav = filename + ".wav"

    try:
        call(["tape2wav", filename, wav])

        with wave.open(wav, "r") as wd:
            print(filename, timedelta(seconds=float(wd.getnframes()) / wd.getframerate()))

    finally:
        os.unlink(wav)


if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()

tapelen.py

#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""

We all have seen some memes about how long did it take to load games from tape
in the old 8-bit microcomputers. 30 minutes, lol. Well, not really (or at least
not for the speccy and the CPC; sorry, no C64 data).

This is not very scientific, as it doesn't take into account multi-load,
turbos, anti-copy, etc; but look at the times and you get the idea.

Requires Python 3 and tape2wav from fuse-tools.

Juan J. Martinez (@reidrac)


Examples (file duration)

*ZX Spectrum*

ROBOCOP1.TAP 0:10:41.031020

URIDIUM.TAP 0:04:32.815057

NEBULUS.TAP 0:04:24.440091

STARGLDR.TAP 0:04:44.582313

*Amstrad CPC*
(a cdt is really a tzx)

Super Cauldron (UK,F,G) (1993) [Original] [TAPE].cdt 0:10:49.402177

Mission Elevator (UK) (1986) [Original] [TAPE].cdt 0:07:04.570091

Stormlord (UK) (1989) [Original] [TAPE].cdt 0:04:56.016417

AMC - Astro Marine Corps (UK) (Face A) (1989) [Original] [TAPE].cdt 0:06:33.826236

"""

import sys
import os
import wave
from datetime import timedelta
from subprocess import call

def main():

    if len(sys.argv) != 2:
        print("tapelen <file>")
        return

    filename = sys.argv[1]
    wav = filename + ".wav"

    try:
        call(["tape2wav", filename, wav])

        with wave.open(wav, "r") as wd:
            print(filename, timedelta(seconds=float(wd.getnframes()) / wd.getframerate()))

    finally:
        os.unlink(wav)


if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()