Hello all

[Blurredman]

Hello all,


I'm new here and thought i'd introduce myself. I am 19 and I purchased an 464 with green screen about a year ago, and continued to buy and develop a big box of games for 2 months after

I soon got dis-interested. However, I cracked it open again last week and cannot stop. I am just messing around making files etc and I am pleased to say it's fun. I programmed some Visual Basic back 3 years ago now and it's not too much different apart from the visual aspect. I bought the PC cos my dad had one (how original) and then he moved on to the 6128 and I wanted to see what it was like. He said he programmed alot for night school and stuff but naturally, as is the case on many occasions not only with I, it is long gone.

I bought an MP1 and ironically, The only portable telly I have is black and white. I threw out the colour one when analogue was stopped 

I've been switching between the two, the glare of the green screen hurts my eyes, but is clearer, however the TV is vice versa.

I am, looking for a 6128, because the play return spool is a bit tempermental when not used for a while plus using cassettes is damn painful just waiting and thinking back "where did i save that last programme?" and realising you're saving over it  . I'll also be looking out for a colour monitor with with 12v for the reason above. A 6128 would really open up the usage of itself.


So, that's me

[Bryce]

Hi Blurredman,
         welcome to the Forum. It's unusual to have someone so young being interested in the CPC. You do know that it can't play Crysis or WoW don't you? Still you've obviously picked up the 8-Bit interest from your dad.
Being in Wales, it shouldn't be too difficult to get a working 6128 and a CTM644 (Colour Monitor with 12V output).

Bryce.

[arnoldemu]

Hello all,


I'm new here and thought i'd introduce myself. I am 19 and I purchased an 464 with green screen about a year ago, and continued to buy and develop a big box of games for 2 months after

I soon got dis-interested. However, I cracked it open again last week and cannot stop. I am just messing around making files etc and I am pleased to say it's fun. I programmed some Visual Basic back 3 years ago now and it's not too much different apart from the visual aspect. I bought the PC cos my dad had one (how original) and then he moved on to the 6128 and I wanted to see what it was like. He said he programmed alot for night school and stuff but naturally, as is the case on many occasions not only with I, it is long gone.

I bought an MP1 and ironically, The only portable telly I have is black and white. I threw out the colour one when analogue was stopped 

I've been switching between the two, the glare of the green screen hurts my eyes, but is clearer, however the TV is vice versa.

I am, looking for a 6128, because the play return spool is a bit tempermental when not used for a while plus using cassettes is damn painful just waiting and thinking back "where did i save that last programme?" and realising you're saving over it  . I'll also be looking out for a colour monitor with with 12v for the reason above. A 6128 would really open up the usage of itself.


So, that's me

I understand that to use tapes you need a lot of patience

So, could you develop your programs using an emulator?

When you are ready to test them on a real machine connect your cpc464 via the pc sound card and one of those fake tapes? And use a tool to convert the files into a sound the cpc464 can read?

I do most of my development using an emulator in the way I describe.
Before I release my game I run it on a real cpc to check it works ok and fix any remaining bugs then.

[Gryzor]

Hello man!

It's really something when someone who hasn't actually lived the era dips into the stuff... your dad must be proud

That said, what with all the retro-looking games going mainstream over the past couple of years it's definitely easier to get into it.

So... welcome!

Far as getting a 6128 goes, I guess eBay is your friend - I started my collection very easily when I was studying in Cardiff; bought so much stuff I couldn't get it back to Greece with me... Garage sales are a must, too. It won't cost you much, either!

[Devilmarkus]

Hi Blurredman,
using an emulator is a good choice. Especially when you don't have the place to setup a real CPC. (Like me )
I've got many different CPC models but all are kept in safe places.
Sometimes I use them to find differencies between emulators and the real hardware. (Like demos, programs and so on)
There are 4 favourite emulators I am using:
- JavaCPC (Because I code it )
- Arnold (Sure needs improvements but it's the first emulator I discovered in 2002)
- WinCPC (Also has a very accurate emulation, sad that it only emulates CRTC type 0)
- WinApe (Because it also has close emulation to the real CPCs)

So welcome to our forum and feel free to ask/submit all what you want.

[Blurredman]

Hey thanks for the warm welcome fellas!

As a rule, I hate using emulators and virtual machines. Mainly because I feel, that part of the fun (?) of playing with a system is trying to cope with its constraints and possibly enhancing those. A few years ago, I created a Windows 3.11 machine that has 30k colours at 1024x786, internet connection using ethernet NIC, fully working sound within windows etcetc. Still have the machine, and every now and then I come back to it. It has lots of software in it, DOS games etc plus windows software visual basic 3, mail and browsers too including mirc. 

At the moment this is my desk:
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g164/Blurredman/P1060440.jpg?t=1291890235

As for my dad being proud I am not so sure, he is way past that. And the past is the past to him and he doesn't dwell on it like me
He gave interest and played some games with me for a when I just got the machine but he leaves me to do stuff on my own otherwise since. He did say to go and get a 6128 and colour monitor after playing around though 

Of course, I can't really share any of what I make with anyone personally. The only one I knew who had a CPC was my dad and he got rid of them some 22 years ago. Obviously he's not interested in that side of it anymore and it's impossible to change his mind-maybe he had too much of a good thing back in the day? 

Anyway, thanks again.         

[Bryce]

You have a 19" 4:3 TFT, why not use it for the CPC. You'll need to make a slight modification to your MP1 and you'll need to buy one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/ClimaxDigital-Video-S-Video-Converter-Compatible/dp/B001AUFVYE/ref=sr_1_11?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1291892075&sr=1-11 (or similar, there are cheaper ones around if you search), but it will give you a colour screen on you CPC and save you some desk space.

Bryce.

[Blurredman]

Well, for one thing. I like dedicated monitors because I like to do more than one thing at once. Say, I am programming and I am browsing the net on the other computer(s). Maybe this setup confuses you, because I have two computers there already. The top one is my 3DFX gaming machine for the games such as those in big boxes at the top of the shelf.

Here was my setup prior to the change around of machines and other things 2 days ago:
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g164/Blurredman/P1050534.jpg

I have dos/windows PC's under my bed also just for your knowledge    I just wish I had more AMSTRAD stuff 

I'm constantly looking on eBay for CTM664 and 6128. But looking at French/German websites such as those akin to Gumtree there are tons of machines on them. 

[fano]

Hi Blurredman , welcome on board !

I'm constantly looking on eBay for CTM664 and 6128. But looking at French/German websites such as those akin to Gumtree there are tons of machines on them.

You may try to contact Megachur at CPCrulez (http://cpcrulez.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4395&p=13508#p13508) , he wrote he had CTM644 to give maybe he'll be ok to send you one if you pay postage.

[Blurredman]

Hi Blurredman , welcome on board !
You may try to contact Megachur at CPCrulez (http://cpcrulez.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4395&p=13508#p13508) , he wrote he had CTM644 to give maybe he'll be ok to send you one if you pay postage.

Is he a member on this forum?   

[MacDeath]

Bonjour and welcome aboard.



You seem to be from UK ?

the main problem is that most CPC material is to be found in France...



Can't you find a cheap and old Colour TV ?


This is a bit sad you have a 464 instead of a 6128 or even a 6128+... thoses tapes are such a pain in the @$$...


If we could dezvelopp a proper CPC-internet solution, this would be easier to directly download stuffs... but yet again the 64K only config is not optimal.


Do you have access to some electronical stuffs ,
getting yourself some kind of extensions could be better...


exemple if you could get a 3"1/2 disk drive to work on your CPC...

When you are ready to test them on a real machine connect your cpc464   via the pc sound card and one of those fake tapes? And use a tool to   convert the files into a sound the cpc464 can read?

Can't it work with the external Tape driver plug and a simple MP3 audio device ?

er... does the CPC464 even have a 2nd/external tape plug ?
If so just get a DIN and solder a few wires...

the MP3/cassette adapter still use the Tape-drive censor, this may be a bit old by now.

[Blurredman]

Hello there matey,

Yes I am from Britain. And yes, there seems to be loads of merchandise on French websites! But then, would I want a computer system which is littered in unfamiliar characters and the start-up being in French ?

Yeah; I could get a cheap colour telly from any fair- but then there would be an issue with 12v when I eventually get a 6128. So I am looking ahead. As I said, I had one, but threw it away in favour of the black and white telly not thinking this would be a problem in the future.

Anyway. I've been scouring eBay for a few months now and come across a few things. I use eBay because I got my current AMSTRAD (464) and monochrome monitor plus games for £5 and I've been looking for deals 

I did see a 6128 with a couple of discs but that went for £27 + £10 p&p  and a DDI-1 went for £26 + £9 p&p which I think is crazy also. So, I will continue to look on places like these but I will intend to go early to some car-boot sales.

I am not a beginner when it comes to electronics and such though- I know it doesn't sound much compared to some on this forum but I did used to wire my own 9pin serial cables and extra length sound cables.


But in answer to your question. No; the 464 does not have any input on it for external devices such as a tape deck.

[MacDeath]

and the start-up being in French ?

Actually the basic is still in english and display a "Ready".

conccerning the 12V a common solution is to modify a PC power supply...

My good old CPC6128 was modified by my brother : it has no more 3" disk drive but a 3"1/2 disk drive which is 5V... but to be fait when the drive start to work, the monitor get some parasites on the pictures...

No; the 464 does not have any input on it for external devices such as a tape deck.

The 464+ does...