The Preferences Window

This window shows the current values of preferences that apply to sample generation and default directories.

Sample Generation Preferences

These preferences are used when generating a sample from a ZX81 program. This happens when you load a .P or .TZX file using the File -> Open menu option in the Main Tape Converter window.

Preference Description

Frequency The frequency in Hz of the generated sample. Allowed values are 22050Hz (low quality) and 44100Hz (CD quality). Samples generated with lower quality will be smaller in file size but may have a lower rate of success when playing to a real ZX81.

ZX81 File Name .P files do not contain the ZX81 program name but the sample does, so when generating a sample from a .P file, it is necessary to supply the ZX81 program name. The value supplied here is used.
When generating a sample from a .TZX file, the program name information is included so this value is not used in that case.

Square wave Indicates whether to generate the sample using a square wave form (if checked) or a sinusoidal wave form. I've had more success using square waves when playing to a real ZX81; it may depend on your sound hardware.

Preference	Description
Frequency	The frequency in Hz of the generated sample. Allowed values are 22050Hz (low quality) and 44100Hz (CD quality). Samples generated with lower quality will be smaller in file size but may have a lower rate of success when playing to a real ZX81.
ZX81 File Name	.P files do not contain the ZX81 program name but the sample does, so when generating a sample from a .P file, it is necessary to supply the ZX81 program name. The value supplied here is used. When generating a sample from a .TZX file, the program name information is included so this value is not used in that case.
Square wave	Indicates whether to generate the sample using a square wave form (if checked) or a sinusoidal wave form. I've had more success using square waves when playing to a real ZX81; it may depend on your sound hardware.

Default Directories

These preferences hold the default directories used when loading or saving files of the given types. The values are automatically updated each time you load or save a file, or can be set here.

Preference Description

.P directory The directory that is shown in the file save window when saving ZX81 program data to .P files using the File -> Save as .P files menu option.
This value is automatically updated if you choose a different directory when saving .P files.

.TZX directory The directory that is shown in the file save window when saving ZX81 program data to a .TZX file using the File -> Save as .TZX file menu option.
This value is automatically updated if you choose a different directory when saving a .TZX file.

Sample directory The directory that is shown in the file open and save windows when loading or saving sound samples using the File -> Save menu option.
This value is automatically updated if you choose a different directory when loading or saving a sample file.

Always save samples as a .ZIP file When selected, sample files are always saved as the first entry within a compressed .ZIP file.
If this is not selected, then sample files are saved directly to sample files, unless the file name that the sample is saved with ends with .ZIP, in which case the sample is saved as the first entry within that ZIP file.

Preference	Description
.P directory	The directory that is shown in the file save window when saving ZX81 program data to .P files using the File -> Save as .P files menu option. This value is automatically updated if you choose a different directory when saving .P files.
.TZX directory	The directory that is shown in the file save window when saving ZX81 program data to a .TZX file using the File -> Save as .TZX file menu option. This value is automatically updated if you choose a different directory when saving a .TZX file.
Sample directory	The directory that is shown in the file open and save windows when loading or saving sound samples using the File -> Save menu option. This value is automatically updated if you choose a different directory when loading or saving a sample file.
Always save samples as a .ZIP file	When selected, sample files are always saved as the first entry within a compressed .ZIP file. If this is not selected, then sample files are saved directly to sample files, unless the file name that the sample is saved with ends with .ZIP, in which case the sample is saved as the first entry within that ZIP file.

Other Options

These preferences hold other miscellaneous options.

Preference Description

Always show the results dialog after analysis When selected, the Analysis Results window is made visible every time analysis is done. This happens after a sample is loaded or manually modified.

The maximum number of errors allowed This limits the number of errors that can be encountered before analysis of the current program is aborted.
Note that changing this value does not cause the current sample (if any) to be reanalyzed.

The maximum number of warnings allowed This limits the number of warnings that can be encountered before analysis of the current program is aborted.
Note that changing this value does not cause the current sample (if any) to be reanalyzed.

Preference	Description
Always show the results dialog after analysis	When selected, the Analysis Results window is made visible every time analysis is done. This happens after a sample is loaded or manually modified.
The maximum number of errors allowed	This limits the number of errors that can be encountered before analysis of the current program is aborted. Note that changing this value does not cause the current sample (if any) to be reanalyzed.
The maximum number of warnings allowed	This limits the number of warnings that can be encountered before analysis of the current program is aborted. Note that changing this value does not cause the current sample (if any) to be reanalyzed.