Super Spectrum
ZXNet echo conference «zx.spectrum»
Recently, quite a lot of developments have appeared that mow down the subject, but unfortunately they are not so much a subject as computers
compatible with Speccy (at a price they are often compatible with pussies).
Let's look at the main properties that a computer
worthy of being called SuperSpeccy should have:
1. It must be compatible in software with all previous machines of the
Spectrum class (all sorts of perverted hardware Profi, Atm, etc. please do not count).
2. The subject must have improved Spectrum graphics (and not
deteriorated graphics), i.e. 256x192 but with improved color
capabilities.
3. When working with such graphics, you will need to increase the RAM to 1 MBt, more
Specky is not needed.
4. It is possible, although not necessary, to increase the processor frequency.
5. You cannot use blocks from other computers in the computer (for example
soldered controllers from old video and audio cards).
> 6. And most importantly. It should be easy to assemble yourself,
>use 90% domestic parts and BE CHEAP!!!!!!!!! (otherwise
> the whole point, especially in our damn
> country, of developing such a computer is lost).
All pieces of hardware that do not satisfy at least one of the above requirements
can be safely thrown in the trash, and burn the diagrams.
P.S. May beI was too radical, but Specky began, with the help
of some comrades, to turn into a very strange device and
cease to be a computer for the people.
Sincerely yours, Igor
Get msg, Igor!
31 May 97 09:58 -- Igor Maznitsa told All about Super Spectrum:
IM> Let's look at the main properties that a
IM> computer worthy of being called SuperSpeccy should have:
/skip properties/
Apparently, only your card has all the above properties
:))
With warm greetings, Glory.
VM> Apparently, only your card has all the bouquet of the above
VM> properties :))
This is not a reason for irony, although indeed, of all the “SS” cards, my card
comes closest to the listed properties.
Sincerely yours Igor
IM>> This is not a reason for irony, although indeed, of all the “SS” my
IM>> card came closest to the listed properties.
VM> Which you yourself put forward :)
VM> IMHO, for a regular Spectrum it’s too much, and for subj - “too small
VM> will be”
If you go beyond at least one of the listed conditions, then this can lead
either to the rise in price of the car (the price is directly proportional to the capabilities) or the fragility of the model (when using chips from devices that the industry has ceased to produce).
All the groans of Specky fans boiled down to one thing - BAD GRAPHICS. From this
it follows that you only need to improve the graphics by increasing the colors, and not
turn the little Specky into a graphics station. Every time I read about
the way the Peters company is increasing the capabilities of its model, my heart
bleeds, a machine like this won’t last on the market. They’ll get together, well
they’ll look, clap and that’s it, when it comes to buying such a machine, everyone
will say: “Why should I buy a car at the price of a pussy and wait for the game makers
to distill the games from the pussy, when you can buy it and use it inexpensive
pirated software (which, by the way, will always be there)". These words
were not taken out of thin air, but from a survey of people who, fortunately, are still using Speccy.
(From them onAt this stage, A.A. Gumin is going to switch to the pussy and Mortal
Kombat seems to be his first and last major creation on Speccy.)
Recently we received information that Mr. Zonov's GMX
uses parts from old video adapters. This is not the case at all, because the life of this
board is limited by the number of old video cards. Although it is not difficult to understand him, he
money earns money and Specky's problems neither him nor any of the other "manufacturers" are interested in (everyone wants to snatch more).
It's been two months (probably) since I posted information about my
board that turns Specky into a subject, but it has one drawback, it can
be made at home (not like GMX or Sprinter), so I
think none of the big ones companies (KAY, SCORPION, etc.) were not interested, because
a month and a half after it goes on sale, it will be copied and will begin
its existence independent of the company that released it. I would probably release it myself and all the problems (with wiring and money), who can help with anything
write and we will agree.
Sincerely yours Igor
IM> Here I recently received information that Mr. Zonov's GMX
IM> uses parts from old video adapters.
The information turned out to be crap. The culprits were punished. To Mr. Zonov
I offer my DEEPEST APOLOGIES :)
Sincerely yours Igor
Hello Andrey Mihaylow! In a message of 02 Jun 97 Andrey Mihaylow wrote to Igor Maznitsa:
AM> Profi is a machine as close as possible to the proprietary version (IMHO)
AM> Take at least the number of cycles in interrupts (69888), although it is precisely because of
AM> that multiloaders slow down on it, but there is also a way out - change
AM> RF2
AM> and no problems! In our city, it’s fashionable to make a Profi with a
AM> switch.
AM> Click and you have a PROFI, another click and you have a PENTAGON, and finally I saw a PROFI converted to a branded Speccy at
AM> FIKUS-PIKUS, so just
AM> a little more effort and a
AM> click and you have a branded one Speccy!.Although here you can argue until
AM> infinity
AM> and each machine has its own shortcomings...
A certain Kiril Gromov (CHUNG SOFT) has already rewritten the clock generator for 100%
compatibility! In Moscow, many have already sewn it up! All branded multicalor
work, and there are no more problems with the makeshift!
Alex from FFC COMPUTERS.
IM> 1. It must be compatible in software with all previous machines
IM> of the Spectrum class (all kinds of perverted hardware Profi, Atm, etc.
IM> please do not count).
Let's say...
IM> 2. The subject must have improved Spectrum graphics (and not
IM> degraded pisishnoy), i.e. 256x192 but with improved color
IM> capabilities.
Then it’s not Super, “but just trash” (c) cartoon
IM> 3. When working with such graphics, you will need to increase the RAM to 1 MB,
IM> more Specky is not needed.
Yes. And with normal graphics (installation of a video card), the necessary RAM
will already be on it...
IM> 4. You can, although not necessarily, increase the processor frequency.
Of course you can! But it is _very_ desirable to have a switch that would allow
the user to make it standard...
IM> 5. You cannot use blocks from other computers in the computer (for example,
IM> soldered controllers from old video and audio cards).
Is this just for fun? Or out of harm? “Standard” video cards
and multi-cards work very well, outdated ones are sold for ridiculous money
but nothing even close to similar can be done in semi-handicraft conditions...
On the day of May 31, 97 Igor Maznitsa had the good fortune to write to All:
>> 6. And most importantly. It should be easy to assemble yourself,
Who will pay for the development? (Although enthusiasm here is possible and justified.)
St.Petersburg codepage 866
Monday June 09 1997
22:34
Dear Serge!
* Saturday June 07 1997 01:02, Serge Zonov write to Igor Maznitsa
* Subj: ~Super Spectrum~
SZ> 50-70 There is not enough money or time to separate the cases :)
SZ> Serge !
If you use SIMM, the number of cases will be greatly reduced, because
the bulk consists of m\s RAM.
Sincerely yours Igor
AM> These are mutually exclusive requirements. Unfortunately.
Everything ingenious is simple. The Spectrum was and remains an ingeniously simple and cheap
invention, and this is what its popularity is connected with.
Clive Sinclair is a genius, that’s why he became a sir and invented the Spectrum.
At the moment, different people (not geniuses at all) are trying to develop something
compatible with Speccy, but they do it very clumsily and try to immediately
catch up with the capabilities pisishka, in connection with this, their developments are not at all ingenious
very complex and expensive.
We must look for ingenious circuit solutions that will satisfy
the requirements put forward by me. There is nothing impossible in what I have listed,
the main thing is not to immediately try to create a Spectrum that could compete
with Pentim. Spectrum is an incomparable platform and it has
its own unique advantages that no Pentium will have.
Sincerely yours Igor
IM> If you use SIMM, the number of cases will be greatly reduced, because
IM> the bulk is made up of m/s RAM.
and maybe some old PC chipset can be attached?
like Ali 1429 or something else?
and ports in the same way (drag those with multis onto the board)
yet a single-board spec is both cheaper and easier manufacturing...
Sasha [Team OS/2] [Team EDSMO]
AM>> Andrew
DP> You are not talking about Sprinter for an hour ;-)
About him, about him, dear... Come on, deal with them. How dare they!
:-)))))))))
DP> Sincerely, Denis.
Sincerely, Dmitry (OLDMAN).
DG> About him, about him, dear... Come on, deal with them. How dare they!
DG> :-)))))))))
Yes, I don’t mean that, I just heard the same words from Nikolai Noskov when he
said what a Sprinter should be.
DG> Sincerely, Dmitry (OLDMAN).