I have been planning for a while not to do this modification. But I was going to use an I2C IO Extender chip instead of the USB keyboard hack. With this I should be able to map exactly the spectrum keyboard map into Linux. Ive had the broken spectrum and a couple of beagle boards sitting on my shelf for 6 months or so but had no time to get soldering!
It can be done easilly with the Pi or Beaglebone as well, and they are significant cheaper and smaller. Graeme On 13/04/12 12:56, Andrew Gillen wrote: > Hi Warren > > This idea reminds me of the ZX Spectrum that was modded to run linux. > > Check out > > http://www.retrothing.com/2009/04/modding-a-sinclair-zx-spectrum-to-run-linux.html > > http://www.retrothing.com/2009/04/modding-a-sinclair-zx-spectrum-to-run-linux.html > > and > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0qh7dvaH98 > > That Beagleboard solution isn't a cheap one, and it requires a fair > bit of hackery to get the keyboard sorted, but it looks like a > fantastic result. I'd like to try the PI out in a similar capacity, > but I lack the degree of expertise in electrical hackery unfortunately > to see it through with any confidence of success. If I can find a > similar membranous keyboard to that which was used on that set up for > a low enough price, it won't stop me trying, though. > > Much of the experience in playing old games is in using the old kit > itself. No amount of PC emulation and full stroke keyboard use can > replicate that ZX feel. > > SAMwise it is different, the keyboard is of a good enough standard for > emulation to represent a pretty accurate experience for me. > > Cheers > > Andrew > > > -------------------------------------------------- > From: <war...@wdlee.co.uk> > Sent: Friday, April 13, 2012 11:18 AM > To: <sam-users@nvg.ntnu.no> > Subject: ZX Spectrum 'relaunch' > >> Off on a bit of a non-SAM tangent (but probably somewhat related for >> most of us) I came across this the other day: >> >> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/8304237/ZX-Spectrum-relaunch-gaming-goes-back-to-the-future.html >> >> >> Lots of you have probably already heard this, but I don't remember it >> being mentioned, so thought I would! ;-) >> >> Supposedly a company were going to relaunch the zx spectrum this >> year (by the looks of it, as a 48k speccy keyboard that links up to >> an iPhone or similar to run an emulator), to coincide with the 30th >> anniversary, but it doesn't look like it's going to materialise any >> time soon. I know something similar is/was being planned for the C64? >> >> However, it got me thinking... Obviously in this day and age, many >> of use want to enjoy the retro gaming experience, but we haven't >> exactly got the space to keep things set up. I intend to have my SAM >> set up permanently at some point, but I very much doubt I'd ever get >> the space to dedicate to other systems, so clearly something that >> pleasantly replicates the original experience quickly and easily >> with modern advantages would be a pleasing alternative. >> >> So I figured, what would make an easy to use 'spectrum' emulator for >> playing all the old games? You'd want HDMI output for ease with >> modern televisions, SD card storage, and have it all fit into one of >> our old rubber keyed friends. How do you do this on a budget at that >> size? The first thing that popped into my head, is the Raspberry Pi >> (if it ever gets to selling!!). Small enough to probably fit in a >> speccy case, with HDMI out and card reader. Surely this could make >> for a fairly cheap and effective 48k Spectrum emulation experience? >> >> I think the Speccy is particularly suited, because let's face it, for >> most of us it was about the games more than anything. I don't think >> anything similar would work for the SAM, because what makes that >> such a unique experience (for me, anyway) is the original and >> additional hardware in addition to the software. But for a speccy I >> could see it being great fun, to play the games with ease on a >> keyboard that replicates the old experience but with updated >> advantages. (I think a SAM equivalent would have to be more along >> the lines of Colin's 'SAM-in-a-can' projects, but rather than old SAM >> parts, something that accurately replicates the original hardware >> with modern additions) >> >> Not being much of a tech person I'm not sure about the feasibility, >> but it seems like a wasted opportunity in todays market where >> retro-gaming has had somewhat of a resurgence? >> >> Warren >>
