There's something very cool about seeing a spectrum do all that (Even
if it's really just the case with something else running emulation). I
hadn't thought too much about the keyboard, but I suppose that would
really be the major difficulty: Getting something that plays exactly
like the original but maps to PC keyboard types for the emulator.
In theory, you could get a cheap 2nd hand spectrum (even non-working
one), a rasberry pi or beagle, and it would come to, what, somewhere
under £50? And assuming some relatively easy method of fixing up the
keyboard, you could fairly easily create your own. :-) (say's the
person who knows nothing about it lol!) It'd be cool if someone
created a general guide for doing it cheaply that way, with the
appropriate software for the Pi or Beagle, and some extra gadget for
the keyboard hookup. Then it would make a nice pack to sell to
enthusiasts with little-to-no knowledge of hardware and electronics.
Graeme, it would be very cool to see where you get with that!
Definitely something you should get working. ;-)
Warren
Quoting Andrew Gillen <a...@joua.net>:
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
