Search found 1953 matches

by Peter
Tue Jan 23, 2024 1:41 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: FPGA replacment for the ZX8301 ULA and more
Replies: 211
Views: 97451

Re: FPGA replacment for the ZX8301 ULA and more

tofro wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 1:32 pm This definitly sounds like a faulty socket?
Why? It works with the original ULA and the contact pressure should be higher with the thicker gold contacts now.
Zero effect of cleaning the contacts and re-seating.
I have two units and on both I can reproduce exactly the same message.
by Peter
Tue Jan 23, 2024 1:30 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: FPGA replacment for the ZX8301 ULA and more
Replies: 211
Views: 97451

Re: FPGA replacment for the ZX8301 ULA and more

Hi Leon, I have now received my ULA replacements, nicely soldered and packaged. I like the more compact for factor. Thank you very much for all the work. zx8301_repl.jpg The video output is good, but unfortunately both units generate Minerva error messages: fault1.jpg fault2.jpg The fault is the sam...
by Peter
Mon Jan 22, 2024 1:56 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: QL replica
Replies: 41
Views: 4896

Re: QL replica

dilwyn wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 11:47 am Personally, my "ideal solution" would be a Q68 that plugs into a BBQL, like the QIMSI's "mini-Q68" [...]
Hear, hear! But you would not want to rip out the QL mainboard, right?
by Peter
Sun Jan 21, 2024 9:50 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Q40 and Q60 video controller for flatscreen monitors
Replies: 60
Views: 22873

Re: Q40 and Q60 video controller for flatscreen monitors

Probably way too much compute power than the Pi can deliver. The CPU power might be sufficient, but there is no fast enough realtime interface for the input data on the Pi Zero. I have re-checked prices for the OSSC and they seem down to 115 €. Probably makes more sense than tinkering our own scan ...
by Peter
Sun Jan 21, 2024 9:36 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: QL replica
Replies: 41
Views: 4896

Re: QL replica

From your comments I understand that QBase with QZero will have much higher performance in 1024x768 high color resolutions than the Q68. Is that correct? That is correct. For now I still hold that part of the Qzero FPGA identical with Q68, for simplicity reasons. But the video RAM can be separated ...
by Peter
Sun Jan 21, 2024 5:33 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: QL replica
Replies: 41
Views: 4896

Re: QL replica

- QL K/B to PS/2 adapter: i was not aware of this, my opinion is that this interface could be a success. I used a Spem keyboard until it broke, now I am using happily in one of my QL the QIMSI to interface also mouse/keyboard You are aware this was QL matix keyboard to PS/2, not vice versa? - Q68 i...
by Peter
Sun Jan 21, 2024 2:36 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: QL replica
Replies: 41
Views: 4896

Re: QL replica

Hummm... what if... we do a OpenHardware reproduction and share it. As far as I can see, Tetroid has already done the design work. It would be inefficient to re-invent the wheel. I'd be willing to participate in a donation if that leads to a solution. The other big problem is manufacturing a board ...
by Peter
Sun Jan 21, 2024 1:40 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: QL replica
Replies: 41
Views: 4896

Re: QL replica

Derek_Stewart wrote: Sun Jan 21, 2024 1:35 pm The Qzero and QLbase are not in production, so I do not talk about anything that is unavailable.
No public release does not mean unavailable. "Ask and it will be given to you" ;)

We are talking working hardware here, I just have no time for writing docs and answering tons of questions.
by Peter
Sun Jan 21, 2024 1:37 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: QL replica
Replies: 41
Views: 4896

Re: QL replica

There was a designer whose nick is Tetroid. He developed two alternative boards that fits into QL original case, T1 and T2 boards. Also a reply of QL Iss6 (not sure if pre) board. Inside the original QL case, these "pure retro" replacements would be more my taste than an FPGA accelerated ...
by Peter
Sun Jan 21, 2024 12:23 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: QL replica
Replies: 41
Views: 4896

Re: QL replica

Spectrum community is much much larger, many people develop and many users are around. And despite the much smaller audience the QL has the Q68. If you look at the technology - 40 MHz 32/16 bit CPU instead of 28 MHz 8 bit - 32 MB RAM instead of 2 MB - 1024 × 768 resolution instead of 640 × 256 - 65...