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General Category => Amstrad CPC hardware => Topic started by: Bryce on 12:20, 10 September 10

Title: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: Bryce on 12:20, 10 September 10
Was this a magazine project?

http://cgi.ebay.de/CPC-Bremse-CPC-Slow-Motion-ultra-rare-collectors-item-/200516296511?pt=Klassische_Computer&hash=item2eafb3df3f

Bryce.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: arnoldemu on 12:29, 10 September 10
Quote from: Bryce on 12:20, 10 September 10
Was this a magazine project?

http://cgi.ebay.de/CPC-Bremse-CPC-Slow-Motion-ultra-rare-collectors-item-/200516296511?pt=Klassische_Computer&hash=item2eafb3df3f (http://cgi.ebay.de/CPC-Bremse-CPC-Slow-Motion-ultra-rare-collectors-item-/200516296511?pt=Klassische_Computer&hash=item2eafb3df3f)

Bryce.
I think I've seen this before. And I may even have an article about it within my really old cpc web documents.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: Bryce on 13:08, 10 September 10
Post the details on the Wiki, if you find them. Maybe I'll build a few if anyones interested :o)

Bryce.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: MacDeath on 14:59, 10 September 10
Something that makes CPC runs slowlier ? WTF ? no really need for this lol...


Well, perhaps an extension that force many interuptions ?
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: Bryce on 15:37, 10 September 10
It's probably using the CLK pin to insert wait states in each cycle or something similar. We'll know when arnoldemu finds the schematic.

Bryce.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: arnoldemu on 15:54, 10 September 10
Quote from: Bryce on 15:37, 10 September 10
It's probably using the CLK pin to insert wait states in each cycle or something similar. We'll know when arnoldemu finds the schematic.

Bryce.
well I'll have a good rummage through my documents. Hopefully I'll find this one, if not I'll find some info on some other slomo devices.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: Gryzor on 08:50, 12 September 10
Is anyone buying this?
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: MacDeath on 00:37, 13 September 10
My Amstrads are slow enough thx you... ;D
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: Cpcmaniaco on 01:19, 13 September 10
On the spanish mag :

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Amstrad_Sinclair_Ocio_01 (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Amstrad_Sinclair_Ocio_01)

On the pages (42 - 45) :

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Amstrad_Sinclair_Ocio_01_-_Pag_42.jpg (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Amstrad_Sinclair_Ocio_01_-_Pag_42.jpg)

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Amstrad_Sinclair_Ocio_01_-_Pag_43.jpg (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Amstrad_Sinclair_Ocio_01_-_Pag_43.jpg)

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Amstrad_Sinclair_Ocio_01_-_Pag_44.jpg (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Amstrad_Sinclair_Ocio_01_-_Pag_44.jpg)

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Amstrad_Sinclair_Ocio_01_-_Pag_45.jpg (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Amstrad_Sinclair_Ocio_01_-_Pag_45.jpg)

You have a Hardware Proyect like it.

Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: Bryce on 08:42, 13 September 10
Interesting and pretty simple, it's just "messsing" with the Ready signal to slow things down, but it doesn't sync with the CPCs clock signal, so the delay could be "un-even", ie: some commands run at full speed, some delayed.

Bryce.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: TFM on 03:29, 14 September 10
Quote from: Bryce on 15:37, 10 September 10
It's probably using the CLK pin to insert wait states in each cycle or something similar. We'll know when arnoldemu finds the schematic.

Bryce.


A looong time ago, I built a similar but better device, which is able to reduce speed as much as you like - using a poti. It uses the wait pin of the cpu. Runs without problems. It was described in an old Happy Computer issue.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: TFM on 03:30, 14 September 10
Quote from: MacDeath on 00:37, 13 September 10
My Amstrads are slow enough thx you... ;D


Slow? Not at all :-)) The coder makes the speed :-)))
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: Bryce on 08:57, 14 September 10
The Ready signal on the Expansion Port is the Wait signal on the CPU, Amstrad just decided to re-label it. The Spanish magazine uses this to slow the CPC as well, just I don't think they implimented it very well, because it's kind of random.

Bryce.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: arnoldemu on 09:37, 14 September 10
Quote from: arnoldemu on 15:54, 10 September 10
well I'll have a good rummage through my documents. Hopefully I'll find this one, if not I'll find some info on some other slomo devices.
I looked through my old e-mails and files and found nothing.
I did a search on comp.sys.amstrad.8bit and came up with an article where Andreas Grosche mentioned he had one and would send me a picture of it:

http://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.amstrad.8bit/browse_thread/thread/5783088864d7ac41/8b30ea685913209c?lnk=gst&q=slomo#8b30ea685913209c

I remember saving this picture to my computer, but I don't have it anymore.

Reading through the other posts, I am sure it works the same.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: arnoldemu on 09:38, 14 September 10
So with all of these they use the wait signal. This means that the video should continue without interruption.
However, this does mean, that demos that use rupture can't be stopped, because the rupture would be broken.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: TFM on 21:35, 14 September 10
Quote from: Bryce on 08:57, 14 September 10
The Ready signal on the Expansion Port is the Wait signal on the CPU.
Bryce.

Ah thanks!  :)  You are the hardware expert, glad to have you here!  :)
Title: CPC Slow Motion
Post by: OCT on 00:40, 10 January 11
Quote from: Bryce on 12:20, 10 September 10
Was this a magazine project?
http://cgi.ebay.de/CPC-Bremse-CPC-Slow-Motion-ultra-rare-collectors-item-/200516296511?pt=Klassische_Computer&hash=item2eafb3df3f
Too rare for having been one, but CPCAI did cover it, in its final issue IIRC.
Another "CPC-Bremse" seems up for grabs at http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200563682251 ...
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: TFM on 20:43, 10 January 11
Maybe I shall sell mine too, but the good thing is I can slow down the CPC stepless.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: CPCIak on 14:56, 21 January 11
Could someone scan the HappyComputer or CPCAI article, please.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: TFM on 20:21, 21 January 11
The Happy Computer one works fine.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: OCT on 16:00, 20 February 11
Another one for the 6128 in particular is at http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200578321574
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: Bryce on 09:00, 21 February 11
I never saw the point of these slow motion thingies, the CPC is slow enough as it is. If anyone is interested in a plan / layout for this kind of thing, then let me know and I'll do one up.

Bryce.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: robcfg on 12:41, 21 February 11
Well, it is useful if you have trouble with Orion Prime's minigames...  :D


Might sound evil, but I'm only joking, hehehe!
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: TFM on 23:38, 21 February 11
In the old times such a slowdown has been very useful for debugging. Having said this, I must admit, that emus are way more efficient in debugging today. (Even if I don't like that fact).
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: Bryce on 11:01, 22 February 11
Emulators are good if you don't own the real hardware, but I've never understood people who have a real CPC packed away in a box and choose to use the emulator instead. It's like owning a Ferrari that's parked in the garage, but then staying at home to play Need For Speed.

Bryce.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: arnoldemu on 12:16, 22 February 11
Quote from: Bryce on 11:01, 22 February 11
Emulators are good if you don't own the real hardware, but I've never understood people who have a real CPC packed away in a box and choose to use the emulator instead. It's like owning a Ferrari that's parked in the garage, but then staying at home to play Need For Speed.

Bryce.
I am one of these people so I can explain ;)

Emulators are great for developing software.

For a start you can reload quickly if the program crashes, you can use the debugger to look at ram and hardware state, and you can easily step through the code.

You can also leverage the power of pc/mac etc to build the code and convert gfx quickly.

But developing a program only on an emulator is not the best idea.
I always test on a real cpc, because often there is some difference, and sometimes this is significant enough to require changes (e.g. some colours appear darker on a real cpc).

Now, why don't I always have at least one cpc setup?

Really I don't have a lot of space.

Our house is small, and because the wife is not bothered about my amstrads (but knows I love them and tolerates them), then she is ok for me to have them down only for a short time ;)
Other times they get in the way.

I store them away until I need them, bring them out only for testing and set them up on the floor beside the pc.
I find this works well.
I have a few cpcs because I have one with each crtc type in them, and of course a plus and a kc compact.

The best time is when the wife and daughter go to visit her mum, then most of them come out and I setup them up for the week ;)
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: Bryce on 13:01, 22 February 11
I can understand it for development reasons, I was more referring to people who use emulators to play games, while a real CPC is packed away in a box.

Bryce.

P.s. You didn't mention having a Ferarri in the garage, so I assume you're only "effected" by the first example.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: xesrjb on 15:50, 22 February 11
http://www.zock.com/8-Bit/D_CPCguide01.HTML#01 (http://www.zock.com/8-Bit/D_CPCguide01.HTML#01)

xesrjb ;)
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: Bryce on 16:26, 22 February 11
That's a very general description rather than a "Guide to building one". As well as that, using a variable resistor to slow the CPC down would be a very rough non-linear way of doing it, there's absolutely no way of knowing whether a cycle will be paused or not. The other devices mentioned usually used an NE555 or similar to give a defined speed-reduction based on the output frequency of the 555.

On a general note regarding the 8-bit Nirvana site, it has always baffled me that someone would go to the bother of writing so many hardware project descriptions without a single diagram, schematic or picture of the devices. The whole advantage of the Interweb is the fact that you can include pictures / video etc !!!

So now here's my new MegaFlash Project, in text form only:
Connect Pin 1 of the Flash to pin 6 of the 74LS374 with a 1/4 watt 10K resistor connecting pin 8 of the 74LS374 to ground. Now solder pin 33 of the 50 way connector to the cathode of a 1N4148 diode and add a 100nf capacitor between pins 7 and 14 of the 74LS04 making sure that the leads are as short as possible..... Bare with me, this could take a while, only 415 pages to go... Ok, maybe I will add a schematic :D

Bryce.

Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: TFM on 18:31, 22 February 11
Quote from: Bryce on 11:01, 22 February 11
Emulators are good if you don't own the real hardware, but I've never understood people who have a real CPC packed away in a box and choose to use the emulator instead. It's like owning a Ferrari that's parked in the garage, but then staying at home to play Need For Speed.

Bryce.

That's exactly the way I see it too. Emulators are usefull if you can't use real hardware. And they are also good for debugging purposes. But I want to have a running CPC system, that is able to do everything - WITHOUT the need of having a PC.

EDIT: I think it's also a philosophical question. Some people tend to a CPC and some to a PC. So the other one is just a 'tool' and can be packed away every now and then.

If I'm at home (Munich) then I work with my CPC and I can do everyting with it I want to do (if not, I can code ;-). But a PC is just a damn tool for me, nothing else. And the PC can be packed away or thrown away, doesn't matter. But my CPCs are holy, and nobody will touch them in a rude way.
Title: Re: And while we're at it.. wtf is this?
Post by: Gryzor on 16:31, 23 February 11
...because cops will get you, or the missus will.
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