|
Post by virtualsky on Dec 16, 2018 18:34:39 GMT
From my Commodore blog entry 16-Dec-2018 Well, it's that wonderful time of the year once again and. in celebration of Christmas, I thought I'd bring some attention to these enjoyable holiday themed programs for your C64. Probably one of the best known programs for your Commodore is the Christmas Demo, which was created for display in retail stores selling the C64. The music is really well done and very festive, with some classic animations to go along with them. One thing about this program is that, there seems to be a couple of versions of it out “in the wild”. I say this is because I've heard one version of this that just doesn't sound as good as the copy that I have. I'm not sure why this is, but all I can say is that, the copy I have was originally taken from an official retailer's demo disk, here in Canada. So, it sounds the best on an NTSC C64 or C64Mini. Anyway, the disk can be downloaded here (it's also very playable on the C64Mini): Christmas Store Demo (NTSC)
This next program was published in Loadstar issue #115, and is called Christmas Cantata. It's a really well done Christmas music “jukebox” of sorts, with some very nice Christmas themed images to enjoy. This is a great program that you can have running in the background, as you visit with friends or opening your presents on Christmas morning. The music is really well composed and sound fantastic through the SID. It's also quite substantial, as total play time is about a half hour in duration. It also sounds great on the C64Mini, if you're so inclined. You can download the disk image with Christmas Cantata here: Christmas CantataMerry Christmas, everyone!
|
|
|
Post by ShaneRMonroe on Dec 17, 2018 2:41:55 GMT
Probably one of the best known programs for your Commodore is the Christmas Demo, which was created for display in retail stores selling the C64. The music is really well done and very festive, with some classic animations to go along with them. One thing about this program is that, there seems to be a couple of versions of it out “in the wild”. I say this is because I've heard one version of this that just doesn't sound as good as the copy that I have. I'm not sure why this is, but all I can say is that, the copy I have was originally taken from an official retailer's demo disk, here in Canada. So, it sounds the best on an NTSC C64 or C64Mini. Could this be why TheC64Mini playback on the version my friends and I are using suck? Did you see the video I posted comparing? Thanks for bringing this up!
|
|
|
Post by virtualsky on Dec 17, 2018 4:59:57 GMT
Yes, I did see that video (the one I think you posed on Lemon64), which is why I thought I'd give the copy that I have a try. The copy I have sounds much better on my NTSC C64Mini, and sounds very close to how it sounds on my real C64/C128. I was really surprised to hear how the demo sounded in that video. I can't think of any other reason as to why it sounded so bad, other than there being possibly more than one version of that Christmas demo. But, then again, maybe I'm being biased... I can't be sure.
If you could, give the version I posted a try and let me know if it sounds any better on your C64Mini. I'd be very interested to find out if there's a difference.
|
|
|
Post by ShaneRMonroe on Dec 17, 2018 12:20:38 GMT
His reply:
"same choppiness as the file I have... they are both 170k, the only difference is my file is for the executive 64, his is for the c-64."
Very interesting stuff.
|
|
|
Post by virtualsky on Dec 17, 2018 13:28:59 GMT
Choppiness? Interesting, indeed. Does he mean that the animations, like on the Rudolph segment, the sprite movements aren't smooth? Or is it a music thing? I may just have to point the video camera at the T.V. and record what I'm experiencing. Maybe I am getting the same results, but I'm just not sensing them, or simply writing them off.
|
|
|
Post by ShaneRMonroe on Dec 18, 2018 0:32:53 GMT
For him it is all about the audio. I don't hear it as much as he does. For me? I hear it here:
|
|
|
Post by virtualsky on Dec 18, 2018 3:44:59 GMT
Ah,I see (or should that be "hear"). I guess I'll just have to take the time and play the demo on both my C128 and the C64Mini at the same time and listen for the differences. It may quite possibly be that what I'm hearing is "just good enough" for my old ears.
Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by ShaneRMonroe on Dec 18, 2018 4:24:07 GMT
Ah,I see (or should that be "hear"). I guess I'll just have to take the time and play the demo on both my C128 and the C64Mini at the same time and listen for the differences. It may quite possibly be that what I'm hearing is "just good enough" for my old ears. Thanks! I considered digging my SX-64 out - but let's see what you get first. My C128 often had issues with sound (the intro of Skate or Die! never played right). Might have been the C128D ...
|
|
|
Post by virtualsky on Dec 20, 2018 20:58:43 GMT
Well, I listened to the Christmas demo on both my C128 and on my C64Mini and I cannot discern any difference between sound quality; apart from the fact that the sound system on the T.V. is better, with richer sound than what I have hooked up to the C128. But, I'm not picking up any choppiness or differences in tempo. Apart from the better tone generation from the T.V., the SID instruments sound the same to me on both systems.
So, why it's sounding different for your friend I have no idea, apart from the strong possibility that my hearing isn't as good.
|
|