IzhNews #09 05 сентября 2000

Железо

Tsvet.met. - Analysis Vozmozhnst expand color capacity Spectrum: Flash Colour and prototype circuits Gigascreen.

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        INVALID COLOUR


                                       - ... Expedition - is 
here 

                                       that means: all are one

                                       after another in single 
file ... you would 

                                       better said, all the rest
                                       unlikely that they were 
going, 

                                       while I was cleaner gun. 
AND 

                                       yet we must not forget 
the conduction                                        Zia.


                                       - Do not forget about 
that? 


                                       "Winnie the Pooh and all 
all all" 

                                               AA Milne

(C) SOLDERMAN
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            PART 1

           INTRODUCTION


  We are accustomed to our vosmikolornomu
SPECCY (although, given BRIGHT, then
You can give him another eight colors on probation).
And no one hitherto not inflate out of this
huge problem: neither the artists that paint in
narrow cells conditions "platform, nor those
who enjoyed drawing them, or at least,
saw her. And here I am - sorry for the rage -
try.

  The immediate reason for writing
this article served as a game "CRIME OF THE
SANTA CLAUS: DEJA VU ". While it is true it would be
say that the game itself, and does not serve, but the text in 
its technical information interested me. 

  Story - a lie, so it hint ... A
suddenly really? .. "- I thought. On the color boundaries 
platform and one way of expansion, indicated in the text. 

  By this method, we'll come back, but so far
Listen to the following.


             PART 2

         HOMEWORK


  Just in case - you never know what - let me remind
you structure your PC.


                STRUCTURE


   UNIT # 1 UNIT # 2 UNIT # 3

 DISPLAY microprocessor-ROM
PAD GRA

   VU DR.USTR. RAM


B1 - Interface Unit
B2 - Block of the central processing unit (CPU)
B3 - Block RAM ROM
VU - Peripherals


   Depending on the variety and configuration of your 
SPECTRUM-well blocks and their components can change the shape 
and location position, but the essence remains roughly the

same. And since our debate goes around
graphics capabilities of computers for
we are interested only block the CPU.
In fairness, that is just
case, not deprived, and interface unit. For
What - you learn later.

  So let's get back to our pseudo-hexadecimal and 
pseudo-reality shestnadtsatitsvetnoy and enumerate the border 
color of your computer: 


  1.Ekrannaya area provided # C000
(256 * 192 = 49152) pixels.

  2.Avtonomnye color of the square
shape and size of 8 x 8 pixels.

  3.Snabzhennost each ACO four basic constants: INK, PAPER 
(color and ACO pixels in it), FLASH (non-diversion of 
switching-INK and PAPER depending on bit value), BRIGHT 
(brightness ACO). Gross characteristic of ACO, therefore, 
occupies 1 byte (6 bits on the INK and PAPER and 2 for BRIGHT 
and FLASH). 

  4.Nalichie total of eight different colors for
INK and PAPER.

  5.Nalichie two working screens, called the seventh and fifth. 
Switching effect the add the illusion of a greater variety of 
colors. 

  And once again diplomatically add another
opportunity - a three-color, though the name and
does not reflect the essence.

  Despite the sort of mnogopunktie - eyes
scatter - the use of additional
Add-ins two screens and three-color
unlikely, while welcome (even
I). However, the lack of them - frequent blinking.

  A fault with the basic color capabilities - unparalleled 
sacrilege. 

  Using path PC (expansion range
colors) and some pretty creative
ideas can distinguish five main areas of reproduction of colors:

  1.Uvelichenie speed (sick theme - for
the past 10 years, advances in the entropy change of this 
factor is zero). 

  2.Naraschivanie memory (and it is in our time
characteristic SPECTRUM-y).

  3.Utilizatsiya "extra" structural components.

  4.Usovershenstvovanie existing technology (you can not think 
of something bad - I mean improvement of any color upgrade, 
existing on the sinful earth). 

  5.Avtonomizatsiya video output from the CPU (the creation of 
an autonomous Video Controller wrote in "ZX-FORMAT", but

continue this thread, I unfortunately can not for the want of 
appropriate schemes and difficulties in implementing this idea, 
though possible I, again, is not excluded).


  But for all that it should be remembered that
should not be lost compatibility with older programs as long as 
all the software will not go to the next level. But this

software should be provided with an option of setting.

  Interested in my proposals
or have information on one of the
items ask please contact the publisher. 'll Spsoben answer - 
answer. 


             PART 3

          FLASH-COLOUR


             "The king is dead, long live

                       King! "


  Again, cliche: basis of the following is one of the planes of 
the spheroid game "CSC: DV". And my text, I must say

reached propaganda direction only because of this game.

  Before vverzaniem into the abyss of essence upgrade
consider for the beginning of the value of bits in
byte color:


             X X X X X X X X

       FLASH

        BRIGHT INK PAPER


       , Where X is either 1 or 0.


  It is this shemka help us all be calculated. We return, in 
fact, to upgrade. 

  The guys from BrokImSoft suggested
(Or rather, realized already expressed and
developed the idea of) the active use of bits of FLASH, that 
is, changes value of this indicator. Theoretically, the 
creators of FLASH-bit should be responsible for Mode is mixing 
with INK and PAPER excretion and the resulting black PAPER INK

by increasing the frequency of 2 Hz to FLASH
7 MHz. When FLASH PAPER prevails, therefore, can not get 
completely smooth color and color INK 6 PAPER 2 is not equal to 
the color INK 2 PAPER 6. 

  Author's scheme is in Appendix
newspaper, and interested can see it - it is in the format 
pictures and tear with "CSC: DV" 

  A simple mathematical calculation shows that the circuit 
realizes * 111111 (64) INKov enabled BRIGHT and the same with 
the disabled. Total we have 128 INK-s - Quantitative their 
level almost reaches for a round number # FF. And here I seem 
to meet with the author's mistake. The fact that they indicated 
for the upgrade based BRIGHT 240 colors, and I counted only 
128. Who of us is right? 

  From advertising FLASH-mode ALMOST refrain. And without that, 
it is clear that this RULEZ. Confine myself to exercise your 
imagination: Imagine quest type "DIZZY" with such

diverse palette. Seriously? And me too.

  There is this upgrade its shortcomings,
I do not argue, even enumerate. But. Harm that
upgrade you would not have brought (who, incidentally, saw what 
is now yuzaetsya FLASH?). 

  And here is the promise of drawbacks:


  - Radical black PAPER;

  - High (as before) size color square;

  - There is no function FLASH in its original form (although 
the lack of it?). 


  However, these shortcomings do not overshadow
progressive upgrade. What is the most important advantage of 
FLASH-mode, think? Yes, that unlike other ways FCU 
(FLASH-COLOUR-UPGRADE) SAVES compatibility with older programs 
and even does not require a mechanical switch. 

  What awaits this idea in the future? Here
here and begin concrete proposals
Growing up in the fertile soil surrounding the author and in 
his own plump head. 

  The most important thing in the idea - it's a catch. AND
in the FCU, it is clearly at a height (by the way, the origins
FCU belongs not BrokImSoft, and
VD STUDIO, but it's just so, by the way). Use a bit of 
FLASH-and - it must be figured out. And now - about the ideas. 

  Two screens. Continue? With your agreement, not against it. 
Already noted that the low the rate of blinking screens makes 
their application, which, however, not exclude cooperation (as 
we have seen, for example, in this newspaper). However, there 
is an original idea. What if a blending mode of the two screens 
(DSM - DOUBLE-SCREEN-MIXER), followed by excretion in the 
display area of ​​the result? What if you put the regime on 
display it in any port? And what If this port to port FLASH-a 
(for example, put the regime in FLASH 0, although with this 
turn of affairs for many will disagree)? And get the same FCU 
(without BRIGHT accounting for 64 colors), only equipped with 
INK and PAPER, or treatment for perverts (16384 INK-s), if both 
exist and both are an upgrade. So avoid questions at once say 
that in DSMrezhime supposed to make the predominance the fifth 
screen, and it will, firstly, keep up to four levels of 
brightness gradations, and secondly, to distinguish, as in the 
case FCU, mixing PAPER PAPER 7 with 2 of the mixing PAPER 2 
PAPER 7. And yet. In the familiarity, but the two main colors, 
painted in a palette of 256 (including BRIGHT) Flowers may well 
financially there are two derivatives of colors: in addition to 
mixtures INK-INK and PAPER-PAPER, may, accordingly, variations 
INK-PAPER and PAPER-INK. A it is fraught with promise.


  And now for the port, DSM employee. It can be as BRIGHT 1-0, 
FLASH 0, and manual trigger (the last option I vote with both 
hands). Meanwhile, the call the author's ideas. This RTD. And I 
hope not violated his copyright on this idea, expressing it, 
and suggesting zhelezyachnikam (ie there are those among you 
who are able) to make scheme under this very idea.


  But the third step in a seemingly balanced sequence FCU-DSM 
you I am afraid, be disappointed. It is not directed at Stony 
breeding color palette - I think, obtained from past upgrades 
256 flowers completely satisfy the pathological

color deficiency spektrumistov. We
turn to the size of familiarity ...

  Yes, it is familiarity, does not even
square eyes - I was warned in advance
all the difficulties of installing an upgrade
(Sm.abzats above). To do this, select
its characteristic four bytes that
lead to degradation of INK, PAPER, FLASH,
BRIGHT to a more reasonable size - 4 * 4
pixel - with subsequent increase in size of the picture (and it 
becomes equal 6144 +768 * 4 = 9216). Under the display mode

reduce the familiarity, presumably
also have to highlight the switch.

  Objecting. As already described above, with
objections to the third step, I agree. And about the rest ... 
Hmm. Remember: PC came out only when Sir SINCLAIR stopped 
trying to improve his creation. This maxim, and the 
conclusions, I hope you are able to do themselves. 


         LAST PART

           OPPORTUNITIES


  Granted, not written about everything. Just
nothing more concrete to offer than
I can not.

  Yes! Write, gentlemen. It depends on you future partition (or 
at least my participation in therein). Will try to answer or, 
if the scheme and send ideas, write an article on this hearth. 
You and the cards. Write to address of the publisher.


  And now turn to those who do
software. Do it! But do not just do, but
Communicate your creation with new technical twists. And they 
themselves set their own. And the thing with the spread of the 
upgrade will go together and soon. 

  Was glad for you to try - most importantly,
that was at least some effect.
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