The Sinclair QL Forum

Hi Peter,

What is the benefit of connecting the Q68 to a QL...

Derek_Stewart wrote:What is the benefit of connecting the Q68 to a QL...

The Q68 could act as the UltraGold-Video-RAM-ROM-SER-Mouse-Sound-Dual-SDHC-RTC-Battery-Ethernet extension card
All of those QL extensions were actually requested!

At least case and keyboard would still be original, and the original mainboard acting as coprocessor for the keyboard. I admit that it would be crazy.

Hi Peter,

There maybe scope for both products.

Yes, but will 70% want standalone and 30% QL extension? Or vice versa?

Hence the idea to use one board for both. Unfortunately, my gut feeling says that a QL extension card should better have the QL bus connector instead of using I²C.

Even if the original QL hardware only supplies keyboard data: Not using the QL bus does not "feel" good for a QL extension.

Peter wrote:At least case and keyboard would still be original, and the original mainboard acting as coprocessor for the keyboard. I admit that it would be crazy.

It sounds worth it, just for that

Peter wrote:The Q68 could act as the UltraGold-Video-RAM-ROM-SER-Mouse-Sound-Dual-SDHC-RTC-Battery-Ethernet extension card
All of those QL extensions were actually requested!

At least case and keyboard would still be original, and the original mainboard acting as coprocessor for the keyboard. I admit that it would be crazy.

Seems to be the best solution . What, if one asks for the microdrives to play "The Pawn"...?

robheaton wrote:If you wanted to use the QL original keyboard, perhaps the QL USB keyboard mod by Tynemouth Software could be used?
http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/201 ... board.html

Many thanks for your hint, that is a nice board. Not of direct use for Q68, which has no USB.

But the idea of such an IO board looks interesting. In case of the Q68, someone could design a similar board, using something else instead of USB.

Maybe with connectors for two QL-SD style "microdrive" replacements, the QL drive LEDs, Reset button, etc.
Maybe even QL network, although I doubt that someone would adjust the timings. (SMSQ/E for QXL supported QL network, so it's not completely unrealistic.)

Peter, it looks gorgeous Could you list the specs, please?

If I were to get one, Id need a stand-alone model, as Ive had to rid myself of all my original QL hardware <sob!>

Per

Peter,
I don't see any worth in having Q68 inserted in the QL !
I can accept the idea to have (initially) a PS/2 keyboard, I should have one of them somewhere, but what about having the possibility to manage external usb keyboard and mouse ? I mean something integrated wireless like Logitech system. I am using it at the moment with Mist

But, but ...never mind the stage of development in which the board is, if Q68 is in some way working with SMSQ/E ....can I have one board? Please consider to build some for us beta-tester...

Ciao
Fabrizio

pjw wrote:Peter, it looks gorgeous Could you list the specs, please?

Preliminary specs:

- Plain 68000 core, running approximately at QXL speed
- 32 MB SDRAM
- PS/2 keyboard and mouse
- Two fullsize SDHC card interfaces
- SER
- Ethernet
- Battery buffered realtime clock (battery separate from clock device)
- Stereo sampled sound output
- 1024x768 VESA VGA signal, QL modes in hardware, Q60 highcolor modes
- 8x10 cm board size, fits existing case
- Extension bus, 8 bit data width
- Single 5V power supply

Remarks:
- Maybe Ethernet will exist, but not become a specified feature
- Will run SMSQ/E with highcolor drivers
- QDOS Classic and Minerva exist, but may not be released+maintained for lack of time
- Sound quality may be reduced during SDHC card access
- Further video modes better suitable for Full HD Monitors in consideration for later upgrade
- Cache and 68020 support in consideration for later upgrade
- Maybe Q68 will only be possible as tinkerer/community project without official support
- Q68 is far slower than a Q60! Highres+highcolor screen modes can significantly reduce system speed