update: Towards the goal of a next-generation video solution for M100, I have some progress to share. Recall this thread where I suggest that the "Geoff VT100 adapter" as the hardware to focus on.
First, I have a "beta" VT100 driver solution, which is closely based on Microsoft Disk-Basic (minus the disk stuff). While still buggy, I can now drive the VT100 board, and attached VGA monitor from BASIC. Secondly, in order to really support M100, the software component in the VT100 emulator board needs to be extended. I'm working on that. This does imply that the "Geoff VT100" board, as it was originally designed, won't work perfectly for M100. But, I'll post the updated software image so anyone with this board already can update their board. I'll keep posting updates as this progresses. Steve On Sun, Apr 5, 2020 at 8:41 AM Stephen Adolph <twospru...@gmail.com> wrote: > As some of you may recall, it is fairly straightforward to access an 80x24 > screen in CP/M through the use of the M100 serial port, and an external > VT100 emulator. > > This device: > http://geoffg.net/terminal.html > > is a great example of how to connect a modern VGA flat screen display to > the M100. However, this exact design isn't really convenient, as the > serial data has to be connected with a custom cable. (see the little white > 4 pin header). > > I've decided to make a variant of this design that has a DB-9 connector on > it, for serial data, so that it can be easily connected to the M100. > > I'll be making kits available for this design, and the price will be 30$ > US. Hopefully by making this affordable and easier to connect, this can > become the defacto solution to 80x24 display! > > This solution will work with CP/M right away, but the next task will be - > how to use this solution with Model T natively. This will take some > software work. A port of the "DVI software" to leverage serial > communication to the VT100 adapter is one way to do this. > > This solution is also compatible with the "BCR serial port" modification > which allows for serial data transmission at up to 120kbits/sec. A nice > solution to exernal video that frees up the real RS-232 port of the laptop > for comms. > > I'll be updating the REX wiki with some information on this. Kits aren't > ready just yet. I'm waiting for my boards to arrive. > > cheers > Steve > > >
