# Tape Images

BeebEm emulates a cassette recorder. You can load a tape image file using the File menu. BeebEm supports loading either UEF or CSW format tape images. There are lots of tape image files available on the Starway to Hell website.

Once a tape image is loaded you can use the BASIC interpreter and BBC operating system to access the files in the tape image. Some useful tape commands are:

*TAPE | Select tape filing system
*CAT | List files on the tape image
LOAD "" | Load a BASIC program from the tape image
CHAIN "" | Load and run a BASIC program
SAVE "<file>" | Save a BASIC program to the tape image
*RUN | Load and run a binary program

Note that tape emulation disabled when the Hardware →Basic Hardware Only menu option is ticked. See the Menu Options section.

## Running Tapes

Most tapes can be run by typing:

            *TAPE
            CH.""

If that does not work, rewind the tape and try:

            *TAPE
            *RUN

Tape loading can be quite slow so BeebEm has menu options to artificially speed up loading. You can also use the Speed menu (or keypad `+` and `-`) to speed up the whole emulation, which speeds up tape loading.

## Tape Position Control

BeebEm has a Tape Control window that enables you to move the tape position around by clicking on the block you want to load next. If a block is missed when loading from a tape you will need to move the tape position back to retry the block.

The State indicator at the bottom of the window shows whether the emulated tape recorder is playing, recording, or stopped. Use the Play, Stop, and Record buttons to change state.

## Writing to Tape Images

If you want to save files to a tape image then you can use the Record button on the Tape Control window. If you have a tape loaded then pressing Record will append saved files to the end of the tape image. If you want to create a new tape image then eject the current tape and press New Tape. The tape block list will be updated when recording finishes (press Stop when the save completes). Note that saving files is only supported for UEF and not CSW format tape images.