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Kempston joystick interface testing progress with zipstik
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Redesigning a ZX Spectrum 128k - my childhood dream
- Thread starter myPinballs
- Start date
Since I installed Winzip on my iPad, a nice little quirk has happened. Sometimes when I click on a file type that the iPad doesn't normally like, I now get a prompt to open the file type in a related app.
This happens when I click on a .TZX file. It prompts me if I want to open it in Speccytape. I click yes and it then drops the .TZX file directly into Speccytape just like it used to from WOS.
I'm currently using this site to get games.
http://www.oldgamesfinder.com/?
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Replaced the capacitors in my Spectrum and removed the obsolete TV modulator and the picture is still wavy.
A couple more things to try yet.
Most likely sync issues. Is the ULA a known good one? Also for reference, depending on what output you are using Analogue, Composite Video, RGB you will get varying degrees of picture improvement. This is why using the highest quality option available on my design was a must - RGB SCART.
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Some final tests for the setup coming to the Play Expo event in a couple of weeks. 8th - 9th October over in Manchester. Bought a new 32" TV for the event and been playing about with the settings. The Zoom2 option seems to give a good full screen image especially for R-Type so will give that ago and also have the regular 4:3 option to.
I have a few scrap Spectrums that I can try the ULAs from.
There are a couple of transistors just below where the TV modulator was that could also be to blame apparently.
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Wow, that looks fantastic.
I'd definitely be interested in one of these when they're available to buy.
Thanks, i'll add you to the list of interested people for when the first batch of boards is available. I'll be getting the first batch of pcb blanks ordered after Play Expo along with a couple of other new projects to.
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Wow pretty cool stuff!
Like others, I was a C64 man (er boy back then) and mates had a speccy. Remember all those games! Horace, Manic, Jet Pac, fond memories. One mate had a 'Dragon 32' - remember those? Commando was cool and I can remember the theme tune now. Ha Ha, I feel old.
Like others, I was a C64 man (er boy back then) and mates had a speccy. Remember all those games! Horace, Manic, Jet Pac, fond memories. One mate had a 'Dragon 32' - remember those? Commando was cool and I can remember the theme tune now. Ha Ha, I feel old.
Can u not put hdmi on your version?
I was addicted to the dizzy games on my old amstrad think I had them all
I was addicted to the dizzy games on my old amstrad think I had them all
The Playground hierarchy ....
Cool kids = C64 or Speccy
Secretly wishing they were cool kids but weren't = Amstrad
Posh kids = BBC or Electron
Unlucky kids = Dragon, Oric , MSX,
Token American kid in school = Texas TI 99 or Atari 400/800
Poor kids = ZX81 or Vic 20 *still* when everyone else had upgraded by Xmas 84
Even tho amstrads graphics and games were no different than c64 hardly anyone had amstrad. We wanted an amiga but got the amstrad [emoji53]. And to make things worse it was the cpc 464 with the green monitor lol
Disagree strongly ...the C64 handled graphics way better than the Amstrad. The Amstrad struggled with scrolling and couldn't handle too many colours at same time iirc, the sound was inferior and the 64 had a load more classic games that never made the Amstrad.
The playground arguments that never die
My School mate made his fortune from Writing Spectrum games... before moving on to bigger and better platforms.
He worked for Mikrogen for a while before moving to Virgin and then forming his own companies etc. I did the graphics for one of his first games, did i stick at it ? ho hum....
He worked for Mikrogen for a while before moving to Virgin and then forming his own companies etc. I did the graphics for one of his first games, did i stick at it ? ho hum....
Who was your school mate then BigIan? Come on, here's your chance to regale us with tales of the famous people you knew (well, famour to nerds like us).
Amstrad and Speccy weren't actually that dissimilar as both were based on the Z80 chipset. We had both the speccy and the C64 and although the C64 lacked the higher resolution graphics of the spectrum it did have hardware sprites and scrolling and the audio chip was just superb.
I still prefer the Speccy though, although that's more likely because it was the first computer we had and the one we spent most time playing.
Amstrad and Speccy weren't actually that dissimilar as both were based on the Z80 chipset. We had both the speccy and the C64 and although the C64 lacked the higher resolution graphics of the spectrum it did have hardware sprites and scrolling and the audio chip was just superb.
I still prefer the Speccy though, although that's more likely because it was the first computer we had and the one we spent most time playing.
What sort of ballpark price are you thinking of for this @myPinballs?
A guy called Dave Perry. He was responsible for some good games like MDK and Earthworm Jim etc.
Also helped start up Gaikai before selling it to Sony a few years ago.
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Disagree strongly ...the C64 handled graphics way better than the Amstrad. The Amstrad struggled with scrolling and couldn't handle too many colours at same time iirc, the sound was inferior and the 64 had a load more classic games that never made the Amstrad.
The playground arguments that never die
Most of the amstrad titles were just speccy ports because of the shared cpu chip. Still annoyed about the Amstrad take over of the Sinclair range of computers and the fact they stopped production of the +3 as it was still selling too well for their own amstrad models to compete. Thanks a lot sugar you tool!
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Looking at the £100 mark (inc vat plus postage) for assembled and tested boards.
Self assembly kits will also be available also for those inclined for less. There may be a supplement for the custom ULA chip if you don't have one to provide, i haven't confirmed this yet though as looking at sources and options on replacements.
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In a word No. There is no benefit from changing from RGB scart. The resolution of the ZX spectrum's video output is fixed by the hardware design of the custom chip sinclair created right at the start. In fact it is this design that enabled the whole computer to be produced for the low cost and get it into so many homes and programmers at a time when other machines sold for 1000's
Was only because I'm sure they will start phasing out scart sockets on TVs shortly if they haven't started already
Is this for just the board or do you get the case thing to?
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- Jul 21, 2011
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What cap you got on your composite?
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Just the assembled pcb. You'll need to use your old plus case or source one. I am thinking about possibly making some new bottom half cases so that you don't need to get the dremel out on an original one, but thats for the future. I'll also be offering power supplies and scart cables as options to.
I might have to find one I'm quite tempted. I'll have to try and find u at the expo
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Yes come over and have a go on my prototype. I'm easy to find - they'll be a massive myPinballs sign or two like previous years! And I'm back to back with Heighway man to on the floor plan this year to
Does it come preloaded with a load of games?
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Pre-ordering now available on my website store here : http://mypinballs.co.uk/electronics/store.jsp Total cost of board is £100, or £120 with the custom ULA chip inc vat plus postage. 50% upfront for pre-order, then remainder when ready.