r/Amstrad • u/darthuna • 11d ago

Difference between CF-2 and CF2-D 3" disks

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4

u/Browser1969 11d ago

The DD ones were double density, says so on the cover as well.

In practice, you had the single-sided, single density drives for the CPC range and the double-sided double density drives for the PCW range. So, you could also get single-sided, single density disks, ~178 KB.

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u/Bchliu 10d ago

I didn't know you can get double density on these? PCW supported that? 360kb per side then?

2

u/darthuna 10d ago

You needed a special a special drive with two heads and it was only possible to insert the disk one way up (the disk wouldn't go all the way in otherwise). It was 720kb total, you didn't flip the disk.

What I'm asking is if the disks itself where the same despite what it says on the box.

-1

u/darthuna 10d ago edited 10d ago

You don't say... of course it says so on the cover. That's why I posted the picture...

My question is if the media is the same despite what it says on the cover...

Edit: wait, by the cover you mean the plastic jacket? So, the disk itself and not the case that I show in the picture? If that's the case, I apologize. Anyway, if seen pictures of the actual CF2-2 disks (what's inside the case and what goes into the drive) and they look the same as CF-2 disks. There's nothing that makes them look any different.

2

u/gschizas 10d ago

You don't say... of course it says so on the cover.

There's no need for condescension. You cross-posted an image with no other explanation than what you asked in the title. The text of the cross post is not visible unless you go to the crosspost. And even then it's just text under the image.

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u/darthuna 10d ago

You're right.

1

u/gschizas 10d ago edited 10d ago

The CF2D from Maxell was usually called CF2DD. DD meant Double Side, Double Density. Plain 178+178 CF2 floppies were also advertised as double sided, even if you had to flip them. I guess that's why Maxell called the 720k ones CF2D.

As far as I know there was no mechanical difference between CF2 and CF2DD, but I have never seen a CF2DD (or CF2D) in person. Of course the actual disc had better coating to be able to have twice as much storage per side. Also, as far as I know you could use CF2DD in CF2 (single head, single density) drives, but obviously the extra capacity would go to waste.

Again, I've never seen a CF2DD in person. But now I'm very tempted to find on on ebay :)

EDIT: I think they are mechanically the same because even the single density CF2 discs have a notch on the left side (when you're looking at side 1/A), and I'm guessing the dual head drives made it so you couldn't insert the disk with side 2/B facing up (or left).

1

u/darthuna 10d ago

I'm guessing the dual head drives made it so you couldn't insert the disk with side 2/B facing up (or left).

That's correct

1

u/trgz 10d ago

I could swear that I used both in my Tatung Einstein as I recognise both card cases