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: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2012 11:18 AM
To: <[email protected]>
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
