Kickstarter 3 - Crash live 2025 talk from the #ZXSpectrumNext team.
Kickstarter 3 - Crash live 2025 talk from the #ZXSpectrumNext team.
Another #zxspectrum rescued!
Upper RAM issue resolved, still needs a colour tune up but it works.
The edge connector needed scrubbing with a glass fibre pen (IPA was not enough on its own), so that the DivMMC would actually work (M1 line perfectly fine).
But it passes tests now 😎
(NB: yellow line is the monitor, not the Speccy)
Another #zxspectrum rescued!
Upper RAM issue resolved, still needs a colour tune up but it works.
The edge connector needed scrubbing with a glass fibre pen (IPA was not enough on its own), so that the DivMMC would actually work (M1 line perfectly fine).
But it passes tests now 😎
(NB: yellow line is the monitor, not the Speccy)
Nodes of Yesod from the Odin Computer Graphics Team!
Happy 40th Anniversary to Nodes of Yesod! This was the first original game I shipped, way back in 1985 at Odin Computer Graphics, in Liverpool, England. The specific release date seems to be lost in the mists of time, but it was a Crash Smash in the August 1985 issue of Crash magazine, so I’m probably only off by a month or two.
Do you remember playing the game? What did you like or dislike about it?
Some of my memories from that time are shared on my blog: https://blog.stevewetherill.com/2022/02/odin-computer-graphics-part-one-1985.html
#NodesOfYesod40 #ZXSpectrum #ClassicGaming #RetroGames #Nostalgia
Nodes of Yesod from the Odin Computer Graphics Team!
Happy 40th Anniversary to Nodes of Yesod! This was the first original game I shipped, way back in 1985 at Odin Computer Graphics, in Liverpool, England. The specific release date seems to be lost in the mists of time, but it was a Crash Smash in the August 1985 issue of Crash magazine, so I’m probably only off by a month or two.
Do you remember playing the game? What did you like or dislike about it?
Some of my memories from that time are shared on my blog: https://blog.stevewetherill.com/2022/02/odin-computer-graphics-part-one-1985.html
#NodesOfYesod40 #ZXSpectrum #ClassicGaming #RetroGames #Nostalgia
Developer of 32+ years for #SAMCoupe #computer - #hardware, #software and magazines. Plus #Retrocomputing hardware for #RC2014, #ZXSpectrum, #Soundchip.
Recent releases: (⭐ newest!)
➡️ #SAMCoupe 🌐 https://www.samcoupe.com
⭐ Quazar Surround 2024 Editions
⭐ VIC-20 Cartridge Interface (new batch available)
⭐ SAM Revival 9 revamp (with Manic Miner!)
SAM Revival 11 revamp
SAM Revival issue 26
Mechanical Keyboard
Trinity Ethernet Interface v1.2 (+SD storage)
➡️ #RC2014 + Compatibles 🌐 https://2014.samcoupe.com
⭐ SAA1099P Soundchip Interface
SID Soundchip Interface
ZX True Tone (ZXTT)
Graphic OLED
➡️ #ZXSpectrum 🌐 https://zx.samcoupe.com
ZX 2 Way
ZX-RC2014 Bus Interface
ROM Slot + Flash Cart
🌊 Rescate Atlántida; un clásico español de Dinamic lleno de acción submarina y exploración. Pilotamos un minisubmarino con la misión de rescatar a la tripulación de una ciudad sumergida mientras combatimos criaturas marinas y gestionamos el oxígeno y la energía.
Gráficos coloridos, dificultad ajustada al milímetro y ese inconfundible estilo ochentero de Dinamic que lo hacía todo épico. 💾💙
#ZXSpectrum #RetroGaming #Dinamic #8bit #España
🌊 Rescate Atlántida; un clásico español de Dinamic lleno de acción submarina y exploración. Pilotamos un minisubmarino con la misión de rescatar a la tripulación de una ciudad sumergida mientras combatimos criaturas marinas y gestionamos el oxígeno y la energía.
Gráficos coloridos, dificultad ajustada al milímetro y ese inconfundible estilo ochentero de Dinamic que lo hacía todo épico. 💾💙
#ZXSpectrum #RetroGaming #Dinamic #8bit #España
I woke up in the middle of the night after I realised that Uncle Clive missed out on the one thing that would have made the Sinclair #ZXSpectrum a serious business machine - Including a number pad on the #Microdrive!
I am sure if the Interface 1 had the Microdrive port on both sides then it wouldn't just be a hit with the lefthanded users too!
@raymierussell
You've done some great work handling text! You're right that and'ing and or'ing on display memory is slow.
I have a routine that renders the text offscreen, then copies the buffer to screen using the stack very fast.
Very rough and off the top of my memory:
LD SP, <screen memory>
LD HL, <offscreen buffer>
LD BC, <byte count>
LOOP:
LD DE,(HL)
PUSH DE
INC HL
INC HL
DEC BC
JP NZ, LOOP
So you only AND and OR the head and the tail of the string on screen, and only in the cases that's needed.
Another optimisation is to keep two pointers, one for each of the two characters you have to print next, each pointer pointing to the start of the character bits in the font table. So after fetching pixel bits, you only and and or between registers, and you only EX pointers, also swapping fast.
Regarding ZX Spectrum Next (KS3) dual SD card support:
- There are no exact specs confirmed by any official source describing how dual SD support will work.
That being said, a rough consensus of sorts seems to have formed among enthusiasts about the most plausible model that's to be expected:
Internal SD likely holds system / OS / firmware stuff
External SD likely handles games, data, user storage
Internal SD is probably not removable via standard user access
Backing up internal without opening is uncertain / possibly non-trivial
Other conjectures about system updates over WiFI and other work modes have been theorised, but seem to be considered less plausible by most.
#ZXSpectrum #speccy #Spectrum #ZXSpectrumNext #SpectrumNext #retrocomputing
@raymierussell
You've done some great work handling text! You're right that and'ing and or'ing on display memory is slow.
I have a routine that renders the text offscreen, then copies the buffer to screen using the stack very fast.
Very rough and off the top of my memory:
LD SP, <screen memory>
LD HL, <offscreen buffer>
LD BC, <byte count>
LOOP:
LD DE,(HL)
PUSH DE
INC HL
INC HL
DEC BC
JP NZ, LOOP
So you only AND and OR the head and the tail of the string on screen, and only in the cases that's needed.
Another optimisation is to keep two pointers, one for each of the two characters you have to print next, each pointer pointing to the start of the character bits in the font table. So after fetching pixel bits, you only and and or between registers, and you only EX pointers, also swapping fast.
Font 6x6, that yields a matrix of 42 columns and 32 rows on the Spectrum's 256x192 resolution.
On a tiny LCD screen I have of 240x135, I should get 40 columns by 22 rows. That's compatible enough textwise.
New toys! 🎶🔉
A quick demonstration of @quazarsamcoupe’s new SAA1099P sound interface card. You’re listening to Arcane Zone Part 2 by Yerzmyey.
(I’ve just hacked a BASIC wrapper around Bórik’s player routine; any jitters or stutters are my fault! As is the gonzo camera work).
Regarding ZX Spectrum Next (KS3) dual SD card support:
- There are no exact specs confirmed by any official source describing how dual SD support will work.
That being said, a rough consensus of sorts seems to have formed among enthusiasts about the most plausible model that's to be expected:
Internal SD likely holds system / OS / firmware stuff
External SD likely handles games, data, user storage
Internal SD is probably not removable via standard user access
Backing up internal without opening is uncertain / possibly non-trivial
Other conjectures about system updates over WiFI and other work modes have been theorised, but seem to be considered less plausible by most.
#ZXSpectrum #speccy #Spectrum #ZXSpectrumNext #SpectrumNext #retrocomputing
Even though it's a one-off, unofficial, and artisanally built, at least one ZX Spectrum Next laptop does exist.
https://www.dorchester3d.com/printing/blog/2020/11/zx-spectrum-next-laptop-version-2
I think this is a very good idea.
#ZXSpectrum #Speccy #Spectrum #retrocomputing #SpectrumNext #retrocomputing #ZXSpectrumNext
Developer of 32+ years for #SAMCoupe #computer - #hardware, #software and magazines. Plus #Retrocomputing hardware for #RC2014, #ZXSpectrum, #Soundchip.
Recent releases: (⭐ newest!)
➡️ #SAMCoupe 🌐 https://www.samcoupe.com
⭐ Quazar Surround 2024 Editions
⭐ VIC-20 Cartridge Interface (new batch available)
⭐ SAM Revival 9 revamp (with Manic Miner!)
SAM Revival 11 revamp
SAM Revival issue 26
Mechanical Keyboard
Trinity Ethernet Interface v1.2 (+SD storage)
➡️ #RC2014 + Compatibles 🌐 https://2014.samcoupe.com
⭐ SAA1099P Soundchip Interface
SID Soundchip Interface
ZX True Tone (ZXTT)
Graphic OLED
➡️ #ZXSpectrum 🌐 https://zx.samcoupe.com
ZX 2 Way
ZX-RC2014 Bus Interface
ROM Slot + Flash Cart
I don't have survivalist inclinations, but I entertained the thought for a moment. Consider it sci-fi.
What if all semiconductor and computer production stopped today, indefinitely?
#permacomputing #retrocomputing #ZXSpectrum #Speccy #Spectrum #z80
Gary Lineker's Hot Shot by Ben Daglish
./g/GaryLinekersHot-Shot.ay?#0
Title: Gary Lineker's Hot Shot
Author: Ben Daglish
#ZXSpectrum
#chiptune