Hi all!
I've working for some time in a port of and Amstrad CPC Emulator for Android. Finally, there is a version worth publishing.
It's fully functional and runs most of existent CPC software.
You can download it at:
CPCDroid - Amstrad CPC on Android phone (http://fmsdevel.wisecoding.es/blog/cpcdroid---2011-03-02)
QR:
(https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?chs=150x150&cht=qr&chl=http://fmsdevel.wisecoding.es/blog/cpcdroid---2011-03-02&choe=UTF-8)
It is based on PSPCAP32 (port of Caprice 32 for PSP) by Zx81 and uses Pelya SDL library.
Main features are:
- Screenshot support
- Snapshot support (5 slots per loaded disk name)
- Disk A & B Support
- Autodetection of start file inside loaded DSK image (the program should start automatically after insertion of disk if not disabled in settings)
- Comments for games
- Cheats
- Keyboard remapping (saving, loading, etc..) to ease use of CPC Keyboard with SDL touchscreen virtual buttons
- Joystick remap (as in keyboard remapping)
- Settings support (for changing emulator parameters as rendering mode, skip fps in slow or older phones, etc...)
- Configuration menú can be used without losing CPC emulation state
- Text virtual keyboard can be used in the emulator (press "AB" virtual key on screen upper left side)
- Onscreen virtual keypad with 6 buttons (configurable in the main menu) for controlling CPC programs.
- Runs at CPC full speed (50 fps) in some of the new Android phones (tested on Motorola Defy and HTC Desire). Older phones can set frame skip values to improve emulation speed.
You can download CPC Software and run it on the emulator from different websites on the Internet.
Here are some real captures of the emulator running on Motorola Defy:
(http://fmsdevel.wisecoding.es/file/page/images/cpcdroid/captures/screenshot_0.png)
(http://fmsdevel.wisecoding.es/file/page/images/cpcdroid/captures/screenshot_4.png)
Hello!
Just for the sake of discussion I'll repeat what I wrote to you in private...
Just finished playing some Batman the Movie on my Desire HD... :) Thanks for this version, it's now quite usable!! It runs at 50fps (it only occurred to me just now to uncap it, oh well) solidly and I didn't find any bugs in the emulation...
A couple of notes:
No matter what option I choose scaling doesn't seem to change, the screen just moves to the top and left in some cases. With a nice 800x480 screen and a powerful CPU I think more could be done :)
It saves data in the app-data folder, but it's the only app that does so on my system (among 160-odd apps), which means yet another folder in the already cluttered SD root... (yes, it's the SDI (?) that's used that does it, but still silly. At least you can change it in the settings)
The settings menu is too sensitive and I miss my option more often than not
THe virtual control keys could really be moved out of the way...
Other than that, superb stuff!!! I'll post it on the CPCWiki's main page.
Btw, I was wondering how many people in here have Android devices? Not too many I would guess...
I have a HTC Hero and a Scroll Tablet, both running Android. I'll test the emu out on both and let you know my verdict!
HTC Desire here!!!!
Lets have a survey ;)
/Ygdrazil
Hmmm a tablet! If proper scaling is implemented it could look great... Scanlines maybe? Though they eat lots of CPU cycles...
What resolution does the Desire run at? It's still 800x480, isn't it?
Yes the Desire is 800x480!
I also have a Android Tablet (Kendo Something) I will test, but the APK files seems to be offline :-(
/Ygdrazil
Quote from: Gryzor on 19:02, 08 March 11
Hmmm a tablet! If proper scaling is implemented it could look great... Scanlines maybe? Though they eat lots of CPU cycles...
What resolution does the Desire run at? It's still 800x480, isn't it?
Um, both links (Megaupload and direct) are up, just checked them... maybe the QR code is wrong? Here, try this:
(http://qrcode.kaywa.com/img.php?s=6&d=http%3A%2F%2Ffmsdevel.wisecoding.es%2Ffile%2Fsw%2Fcpcdroid.apk)
Quote from: Gryzor on 09:03, 09 March 11
Um, both links (Megaupload and direct) are up, just checked them... maybe the QR code is wrong? Here, try this:
(http://qrcode.kaywa.com/img.php?s=6&d=http%3A%2F%2Ffmsdevel.wisecoding.es%2Ffile%2Fsw%2Fcpcdroid.apk)
I do not understand this, what do you do with this.
Quote from: Gryzor on 16:34, 07 March 11
Btw, I was wondering how many people in here have Android devices? Not too many I would guess...
Yup an HTC Desire Z (with a keyboard)
Quote from: steve on 12:47, 09 March 11
I do not understand this, what do you do with this.
You have to download a QR Barcode decoder from your Android Market (I use QuickMark), then you can take a picture of this barcode with your camera and the app will decode it in an URL
----
fms : Is there a hope that you will someday support, for joystick, the hardware keyboard that some devices have ? It's a bit frustrating to have one and to be forced to use the touchscreen to control the joystick.
Quote from: steve on 12:47, 09 March 11
I do not understand this, what do you do with this.
You mean you've ben missing out on the fun of QR codes? :) Interesting article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_Code but basically, as remax said, you can use a barcode scanner (I use the aptly named "Barcode Scanner", https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.zxing.client.android&feature=search_result), and then whenever you read an article with an embedded QR or see one in real life you just point your device at it, take a snapshot and it automatically does the rest, like download a program, open a page, send an SMS, decode personal information...
@remax and gryzor
Thanks for the explanations, I do not have an android so was not aware of this QR thing, as soon as someone ports firefox to the CPC, my PC's going out the window, :laugh: as the CPC is the greatest computer of all time. :laugh:
Quote from: steve on 18:16, 09 March 11
@remax and gryzor
Thanks for the explanations, I do not have an android so was not aware of this QR thing, as soon as someone ports firefox to the CPC, my PC's going out the window, :laugh: as the CPC is the greatest computer of all time. :laugh:
At least, You're aware that Android is an Operating System for portable devices such as mobile phones and not some kind of robots? :D
Quote from: steve on 18:16, 09 March 11
@remax and gryzor
Thanks for the explanations, I do not have an android so was not aware of this QR thing, as soon as someone ports firefox to the CPC, my PC's going out the window, :laugh: as the CPC is the greatest computer of all time. :laugh:
Ooh, get one mate! My girlfriend[nb]yes, ok, wife[/nb] says she's never seen me so in love with a gadget before :D
Quote from: remax on 14:41, 09 March 11
fms : Is there a hope that you will someday support, for joystick, the hardware keyboard that some devices have ? It's a bit frustrating to have one and to be forced to use the touchscreen to control the joystick.
Hi!
Yes, I think I will do it. The problem is I don't have access to an Android device with keyboard so I can't test or get information about how key presses get to the SDL layer and to the emulator itself.
Please, open an issue in the emulator web site (http://fmsdevel.wisecoding.es) to keep track for this feature request. This way, once I get access to such a device or some of my friends get one, I will be able to try to add physical keyboard support (basically it's a testing problem).
I suggested this in another thread, so I might as well bring it here - would it be impossible to communicate with the G-sensor through SDL? It'd make a great addition for several games like Spindizzy, Arkanoid and others...
Quote from: fms on 11:31, 12 March 11
Hi!
Yes, I think I will do it. The problem is I don't have access to an Android device with keyboard so I can't test or get information about how key presses get to the SDL layer and to the emulator itself.
Please, open an issue in the emulator web site (http://fmsdevel.wisecoding.es (http://fmsdevel.wisecoding.es)) to keep track for this feature request. This way, once I get access to such a device or some of my friends get one, I will be able to try to add physical keyboard support (basically it's a testing problem).
In fact, I believe that you can already use keyboard by manually configure each key in SDL Configuration (at least, in a first try, i succeded in having the 'Z' for fire). But it would be too long and tedious.
I'll post a request.
Quote from: Gryzor on 19:01, 12 March 11
I suggested this in another thread, so I might as well bring it here - would it be impossible to communicate with the G-sensor through SDL? It'd make a great addition for several games like Spindizzy, Arkanoid and others...
Actually it can be done. You must configure "Accelerometer" in "Change device settings" when starting the emulator. I have tried it before and it works, but I don't know if it is good enough for playing games.
Quote from: remax on 16:58, 13 March 11
In fact, I believe that you can already use keyboard by manually configure each key in SDL Configuration (at least, in a first try, i succeded in having the 'Z' for fire). But it would be too long and tedious.
I'll post a request.
Yes indeed. Pelya SDL library allows to map keys to SDL key events. But, I think (and you specified it correctly in the issue you opened in the web site) that currently is not the easiest and best way to to it.
What I would like (I have to look at it further later) is to "map" somehow the physical keyboard to the CPC keyboard (not to the joystick, at least, at first). This way, you could directly use the CPC games or programs with "keys" that, at least for me, when I used my old CPC was my prefered input method (I didn't really like the joystick).
Anyway, if you don't mind, when I get working on this new functionality, I will contact you to test it.
Today I've finishing adding a new option to the emulator that allows expanding the screen (requested by Gryzor) (fit width) and also to select CPC model (CPC464,664 or 6128). Probably I will wait to have physical keyboard added to the version before releasing this new one.
Quote from: fms on 23:15, 13 March 11
Anyway, if you don't mind, when I get working on this new functionality, I will contact you to test it.
No problem, if i have a little spare time, i'll be glad to help :)
I've bought the Gametel bluetooth gamepad for my Android phone now, and finding that your emulator is missing support for the joystick fire-button (aka the Dpad center button).
Any chance you'll be implementing this?
You only need to accept android.view.KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_CENTER as firebutton, which is pretty standard anyway.
Also, it would be nice to be able to disable the on-display buttons, since I don't need them with the Gametel. :)
Thanks
Hi. I have a galaxy s5 and after selecting options on sdl screen emulator closes and goes back to home screen. Please help.
Quote from: simondo on 19:39, 10 July 15
Hi. I have a galaxy s5 and after selecting options on sdl screen emulator closes and goes back to home screen. Please help.
Unfortunately the one thing we lack is a decent emulator on Android. Even putting up a prize for someone to port Arnold (or ACE, or any CPC/Plus) emulator to Android failled to generate any interest.
I guess we have to stick to our real kit and desktop emu's and play Genesis/ megadrive games ont he move.
I seem to have no end of problems with this emulator on my HTC One phone and also my JXD android gaming tablet.
Lots of crashes and it refuses to load .dsk files downloaded from CPC-Power (only ones from the NVG seem to work).
:\
@fms (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=406) - any updates coming for this to fix the bugs and crashes?
Thanks guys. Desktop emulator it is until I can sort my real CPC 464 keyboard issues and CTM640 bowed image problem.
Quote from: Xyphoe on 22:44, 10 July 15
Lots of crashes and it refuses to load .dsk files downloaded from CPC-Power (only ones from the NVG seem to work).
CPC-POWER embeds the message "File downloaded from * * * C P C - P O W E R * * *" at the end of all DSK files downloaded from the site. That's probably why it won't accept them (although I have no way of confirming if this is actually the case).
Quote from: Nich on 20:27, 16 July 15
CPC-POWER embeds the message "File downloaded from * * * C P C - P O W E R * * *" at the end of all DSK files downloaded from the site. That's probably why it won't accept them (although I have no way of confirming if this is actually the case).
:( Yeah, I had to support that in Arnold wip.
Quote from: CraigsBar on 22:08, 10 July 15
Unfortunately the one thing we lack is a decent emulator on Android. Even putting up a prize for someone to port Arnold (or ACE, or any CPC/Plus) emulator to Android failled to generate any interest.
I guess we have to stick to our real kit and desktop emu's and play Genesis/ megadrive games ont he move.
It's having the time and I'm not so familiar with Android, plus there are so many Android devices that getting it to work on most is hard work.
Maybe later this year.
My main focus is linux (my desktop platform at home), windows (use it at work and on a laptop at home) and mac (although I've not been able to compile and test it on mac recently - maybe worth me picking up a cheap old mac mini just to compile and check it builds on).