Born Dead #0A 02 июня 1999

История     Фирменный Спектрум

voice from the grave - Loki: Super Spectrum Sprinter or the 80th?

ЇЄ ЄєЇGOLOS FROM GRAVES ЇєЄ ЄєЇ


(C) UnBEL! EVER ^ SPEED CO. ^ XTM


             LOKI: SUPER SPECTRUM SPRINTER or 80th?

It is no secret that all Spektrumistov can be divided into two 
large groups: "old school" and "new wave". For the first 128k

memory and AY-Chip are the same unshakable foundations
life such as marriage, family, army, prison, morgue .... The 
second on the contrary, ready to beat his fists on his chest, 
praising their PROFI / SCORPION 's, describing them insane 
kilobytes listing a long list of all sorts of peripherals, not 
forgetting about this modem / screw clock "on Gluck's" and as 
"peep" of the season - operatsonnuyu system NeOS! :)


Moreover, in recent times on the horizon loomed another
monster this unhealthy movement on acceleration Spectrum. AND
it is not General Sound, and not even GMX - devices, among 
other things much closer to our computer than any out there

Simm-ins. I'm talking about the nightmare demomeykerov, dental
pain system programmers, artists eye and ear tick
colic musicians - the computer is almost (!) is compatible with 
ZX, but bearing the proud name of sport SPRINTER. In any case 
not I want to collide with the authors and creators .... 
Honestly for the past year since FT'98 I could almost forget 
about This miracle of e-thoughts. However, obviously coming 
CC999 quicken and, moreover, in full, all these memories.


And I remembered about the SPRINTER an ulterior motive ... The 
reason for writing you read two paragraphs of text has become 
the material that you, dear readers, can read below. This is a 
translation of Sinclair User magazine in June 1986, article, 
survey the new Clive Sinclair's project, code-named LOKI-SUPER

SPECTRUM. This article was held in the magazine's most 
prestigious location and was oformenna and written about as 
well as reviews of all other Sinclair machines sovmestimye 
(SPECTRUM +, 128, +2, etc.) were published in the SU as 
advertising (or rather an independent expert examination) 
approximately one month prior to admission of new cars for 
sale. That is, for the time this spektrumistov article was not 
just empty words! They knew that if such material is published, 
then the machine is already in close to completion stage. 
Moreover, in subsequent issues SU can read some enthusiastic 
responses of people SUPER SPECTRUM'om interested. Remember me 
most struck a "bourgeois" who wrote: "Revision" This is what

done? I just bought myself SPECTRUM +, but you're here
begin to chafe about SUPER SPECTRUM ... It would be better, I 
waited month or two and adding 50 pounds bought a new miracle

Sinclair. "And indeed, Imagine a car for 200
pounds, which was capable of in 1986 by a number of issues
standing on one rung with COMMODORE AMIGA, typing then
turnovers, but which cost about 1200 pounds. On the pc at the 
time of the question it was not ... So what? I'm interested in 
you? Then, let's - read ....


(It should be noted that the modest information about this car 
already appeared in national publications, such as the famous 
book A. Larchenko and Rodionova "ZX Spectrum and Tr-Dos for 
users and programmers. "However, only the source can be fully

convey the whole truth and dispel some myths / stereotypes
in the minds of spektrumistov over the years due to lack of 
complete and truthful information)


/------------------------------------------------- 
------------- \ 

Source: Sinclair User, June 1986
Translation: ZS, June 1999 (13 years later!)
Meaning added: UnBEL! EVER


                        SuperSpectrum!


    In Amstrad'a has a secret weapon Sinclair'a - SuperSpectrum
worth £ 200, the computer that has everything that should
have an Amiga.


    Since the deal with Amstrad'om, Sinclair strongly
progress in the development of a new Spectrum - SuperSpectrum'a 
(SS), Sinclair User and now has all the details, not

lighted earlier.


    A computer code named Loki after the
Norse god of the patron saint of games designed to replace
Spectrum 128 and will cost less than 200 pounds, but will have
such graphics and sound, which has not yet been
even at a price five times higher.


    Inspiration for the creation of SS without a doubt become 
Commodore Amiga. The highlight of SS, as well as Amiga, a 
special custom chips. SS has 2 of these chips, which are 
responsible for the graphic screen (Rasterop) and for audio 
playback, both with direct memory access. This gives the 
machine an opportunity to create incredibly fast 3D graphics 
and high-quality Hi-Fi sound. Here Only Amiga worth more than 
1500 pounds, and SS will cost less than 200.



    Nevertheless, SS is an 8-bit machine. It even has
mode is compatible with the Spectrum 48. Processor is the latest
version of the old Z80A. He called and Z80H is twice
faster - with a frequency of 7MHz. At this frequency is the 
time for fast interrupt handler that is not behind the video

leaving time for programs to work faster than
Spectrum 48.


    But the real power lies in micromachines already mentioned
special chips. Because of the direct memory access huge
amount of graphic information can be moved at the
time, which would necessarily lost, and with such
rate, which is incredible for the CPU, even if the latter
not busy.


    In accordance with the selected CPU and fast memory. SS will
have two 64Kb Bank, each of which consists of two
256K-bit chips. One bank is available for the CPU and 
Rasterop'a and will contain video information, as well as audio 
data (Waveform tables). Bank switching is necessary for 16-bit

access to the entire memory. 4-bit system can address
1Mb of memory. At least two of the bank will occupy ROM
others - of RAM.


    For high-quality images play 53Kb of RAM. Even with
7MHz Z80 not have done it with so much information for
provide a suitable animation, so Rasterop irreplaceable. He
moves 8-bit data from one address to another in a video
memory, can perform logic operations using the data
receiver and the source and its own registers. Animation and
screen scrolling become an automatic process, CPU only
send some control commands during each
interrupts.


    Another idea taken from Amiga - hardware, drawing lines
so SS can create beautiful 3D vector
schedule. The screen will measure 256 by 212 pixels and 64 
colors. One byte corresponds to one color, the remaining two 
bits are used Bob'om (blitter objects), which creates

sprite animation, and determine the collision multicolor
graphic forms.


    The same principle of separation of memory will synthesize
high-quality sound. The very sound, to create an 8-bit DAC
(DAC), can be heard through
TV, stereo headphones or put into Hi-Fi system.
Additional audio converter allows you to record
any sound and use it as a musical voice. Music
keyboard will be available as well as for the SS w
additional devices.


    You can be blinded by such graphics and sound, but the SS 
as well has other features that are necessary for the success 
of the new machine.



    SS will be equipped with a tape player, and perhaps Amstrad
place it in the main body, and Softcards likely
will become the new standard in storage software. These cards
(Razmeom with a credit card) can store up to 1Mb of the program 
and to Moreover, they are cheap enough.



    Another thing that may attract Amstrad with SS, a built-in
operating system CP / M - simply connect the controller and
drive, and SS will be able to use the same tools that Amstrad
CPC and PCW machines.


    To understand what can SS, look at what may
Amiga. Many who saw the Amiga, should reconsider their views
on other machines. It can create fast-drenched 3D
objects, animation, the quality is close to the actual video, 
and reproduce high quality digital sound - a real voice

and this technical sounds. SS can not be compared with the 
Amiga in speed, but very close to him, and be able to do

almost the same effects.


    The biggest question is: will the Amstrad support SS
or not - now they have that right? They will simply
crazy if you will not. With the technology and market Sinclair'a
Amstrad'a SuperSpectrum - Loki the gameplayer - to conquer the 
world. 


                    Description of the components.


    Keyboard.


    One feature that will differentiate SS from other
Sinclair'ov created earlier, the keyboard will be adapted to
the fastest of the referent. Good keyboard will attract
people who buy a computer for games, and for processing
texts. Another novelty is the lack of words on the keys,
associated with the 48K Basic'om. Basic SS is based on 
SuperBasic'e QL'a. Additional information will be introduced 
light pen, which will become standard.



    Memory.


    The base SS will 128Kb RAM. Half of it will be busy
screen and sound, that does not look particularly attractive, 
but Replacement banks would extend it.



    It is assumed that a large number of software will be 
written in ROM - up to 1Mb - on special Softcards, and thus

will be a lot of memory to work. SuperBasic, text,
music editor, animation editor and CP / M will be
built, and the interface Softcard-Rom will become the standard, 
giving faster downloads, and software vendors to protect against

piracy.


    Processor Z80H.


    Sinclair computers before and after the processor QL
Zilog Z80A processor with a clock frequency of 3.5MHz. SS 
operates at 7MHz and performs all operations in half the time, 
whether working with numbers, treatment given or screen print.



    More speed does not just mean fast execution
program - a powerful CPU interrupt handler will work
not distracting to rebuild the screen, thanks to valuable
additions. Creators of games will be satisfied with the 
opportunity change the screen on each line.



    Sound generation.


    SS will have a built-in synthesizer sound on a special
chip, ie it will sound better than other computers,
excluding the Amiga. It will sound amazing - in other
words - to be any sound you want. Sound recorded in
RAM can be played with any speed, using
Filtering and envelope control. There also will Midi interface
stereo input and output (in the style Walkman) and built-in 
music editor.



    Input and output.


    List periphery impressive. Fully buffered
expansion bus Z80, RGB, TV and video outputs, the controller 
FDD, parallel printer port, dual joystick, light pen,

network connector and tape port will make many people
happy. For experts made Midi input / output and stereo
input / output, as well as the connector for headphones type
Walkman. In addition, GENLOCK input that allows JUMEIRAH BEACH 
RESIDENCE keep schedule SS, and video signal. Will be 
accessible CD player discs and frame grabber. Light n EPO is 
naturally too connects, and is a standard and will be delivered

with the car.


    Peripherals include a floppy drive,
music keyboard and RAM expander. HDD, CD ROM,
"Mouse, modem, audio and video grabber'y are also supported.


    Video screen.


    If you think you have created a good effect on the screen
Spectrum'a, then you probably have not seen anything yet - SS 
may compete with the graphics state-of-the-art on the Amiga. 
Although under screen is devoted almost 6 times more RAM, the 
screen has the same horizontal resolution as QL (512 points) - 
but only 16 colors available! Reduce the resolution to 256 and 
you can select 256 colors or 64 colors and four sprites Plan

(Sprite plane). All of these huge potential controls
embedded chip - Rasterop (blitter'u similar to Amiga). He
has direct access to video memory, and therefore all
carried out very quickly. Rasterop includes interface
light pen.


    Compatible with Spectrum'om.


    The machine will be compatible with the Spectrum 48. Inside 
the SS will a replica of the old ROM. You can select the old 
regime and the CPU will slowed down to 3.5MHz. Probably most of 
the software for the Spectrum can be run in this mode. However, 
you can not write programs on a standard Basic'e, it will be 
hidden from the user (You want to write programs that will run 
twice slower?), but programs that use it will be

available after you download them. Maybe some people will not
miss mikrodrayvov, but it looks like the latter do not enjoy 
much popularity. Likewise there are no plans to support the 
sound chip AY, that is, the actual compatibility with the 128th 
model will not. 

\ ------------------------------------------------- 
-------------/ 

The figure given in the journal shows the machine than the
resembles SPECTRUM +2. Enhanced keyboard,
separate key-pad keys with tsifrovmi made by the cursor
keys, built-in (as in 2) on the right tape and 7 buttons
management to nimu. In short, one in a few easy but only two
longer. The most important keys selected color. The enclosure
black, with the famous logopipom SPECTRUM in the upper right 
corner. Emphasize that this is an image, not a photograph, and 
below More and signature - Artist Impression. So perhaps Loki

look not so! Unless of course he did ever looked ...
-------------------------------------------------- -------------
And so, dear readers. And then AMIGA-RULEZ, PC-SUX ... Whatever
case is decided could, if AMSTRAD started issuing the 
above-described machine! I now see REFRESH such as 64-colors or 
there BLACK RAVEN three volumes of 4MB to close in quality to 
VGA graphics!


The question this raises is not even, why not become AMSTRAD
further develop LOKI. With this I do not understand
They had a good example - Sinclair QL - machine that "uncle"
Clive released back in the 84th year. The machine, which for 
several years ahead of all trends in the development of 
micro-computer industry. And of course, being a revolutionary, 
QL was not understood by the masses. A small number of software

high price, and a number of technical miscalculations Sinclair
the development and marketing machine ... All this has led to 
the failure market and the collapse of the empire SINCLAIR with 
the subsequent sale brand AMSTRAD'u .... By the way, that is 
the QL you the next issue will describe in detail ZS, collected 
and processed a large number of publications on this computer.


Well, why do we then SPRINTER? What do people think its 
creators? Me as a person with enthusiasm, it is understandable 
desire of people to create something new, revolutionary kind of 
... But inevitably awaits them financial collapse (especially 
if you remember that "not a country called Honduras"), the 
collapse and disintegration, as SPRINTER is no longer something 
out there, "Repeater" and the real the machine with commercial 
claims. Sorry for them as individuals, yet more sorry for those 
uncomprehending users who shouted excitedly about steepness 
SPRINTER'a. I'd like to believe that CC'999 "Sprinterovtsy" 
show something decent, something more than local "windows", 
pseudo-DOOM and distilled from the PC to the cartoon terrible 
sound quality. But God knows the situation with SPRINTER'om no 
better than a year or two ago. And in the yard almost a third 
Goals (not to mention the PIII) - pace of life more grow ... We 
were once buried with military honors Spectrum, not the to take 
it in the guise of SPRINTER'a. 


                                                  Amen.
"And could live ...."