Bonus points if you then run SimCoupe on it, to see if it still feels wrong!
I created a quick SimCoupe binary for the Raspberry Pi back in Feb, which I've tested in the development VM under QEMU. Still waiting for real hardware to see how well it runs though. I was kinda hoping I pre-registered early enough with RS, but I've not received one of the magic vouchers yet. I'll have to see if my Farnell order works out... Si On 13 Apr 2012, at 12:43, [email protected] wrote: > 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 <[email protected]>: > >> 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 >>> >> > >
