Changes
PCW Plus
,'''PCW Plus'''
Based on certain features that the '''[[ANT]]''' project, (Arnold Number Two) from the Amstrad/Locomotive development team led by Ronald Perry, would also possess.
Nowadays emulated and FPGA-ed too.
The name ''PCW+'' was not used due to the existence of the 9512+ model:
'''+ ''' implies a 3.5" drive, while '''Plus ''' implies colour.(Note that a ''PCW Plus'' UK magazine also existed after the ''8000 Plus'' name was dropped). John Elliot's PCW '''Joyce''' emulator supports colour with JOYCE 800x600 driver.[[File:Joyce Color.png|200px|thumb|center|PCWcolour by Elliot's Joyce]] In the evolution of '''Habisoft's CP/M Box''' emulator and its research into the PCW system arose the idea to clone the '''dk'Sound''' board (existed at that 80´s time as add-on). This had the AY sound chip. And later, thanks to FPGA technology, the PCW was equipped with an accessory that would enable colour video: '''ColorIN Board'''.
Historically, only one commercial program, published by Ocean, ''"HeadOverHeels"'' by Ritman and Drummond, supported the AY chip on the PCW.
The conversion trail was followed by Kachorro in its Spectrum ports of ''Barbarian'', ''Coliseum'', and ''Xecutor''.
[[File:1N+M5u.png|200px|thumb|center|ZX to PCW, new color palette]]
But the possibility of standardizing color options in PCW (Plus) was now opened up with the '''ColorIN specifications''':
'''0''' – PCWclassic monochrome: '''2 colors, 720x256'''.
'''1''' – Groups bits 2 by 2, giving '''4 colors; 360x256'''.''User could choose and recolour classic PCW software.'' ''[N SuperGameBoy style.]''
'''2''' – Same as 4-bit. '''16 colors, 180x256'''.''Useful on Interactive Fiction text Adventures with Graphic Window.''
'''3''' – 8x1 attribute mode, as Timex/Thomson/MSX/... 8+8 bits are read, the first 8 are background and ink (4+4) and the next 8 are the bitmap. This allows for '''16 colors in 360x256''', at the cost of using only 2 different colors every 8x1 pixel. Due to the delay, the screen shifts one character to the right.''[Reminds N GameBoyColor DX recolouring.]''
'''4''' – Experimental, unofficial: '''90x256''', with '''256 direct colors''' from the 8-bit palette. It therefore ignores the color palette. Enterprise-style, not particularly useful, but colorful.
Regarding the interface:
Port $80 is used to send a value to select a register. Port $81 is for associated data; both support reading and writing. Similar to the operation of integrated circuits such as the PSG or a VDP, it allows sending many values with a minimal interface.
[[File:bM0V3i.png|200px|thumb|center|4colour game PCWplus]]
This is how '''KachorroSoft''' created the incredible colour ports of '''AMC''' and '''MadMixGame''' with graphics from the CPC; '''Phantis''' from MS-DOS CGA and CPC; and '''Hundra''' from the ZX Spectrum. But with new colour palettes.
[[File:Hundra PCW 4color.png|200px|thumb|left|Mode1pcw 4colors]]
[[File:PCW 16color.png|200px|thumb|center|Mode3pcw 16colors with Attributes]]
* PCW Plus enables fantastic '''loading screens''' never seen before on 8-bit systems.
Color and sound enhanced versions of '''Batman''' and '''Head Over Heels''' will follow later. Showcasing the capabilities of the PCW Plus system
[[File:hohe0.png|200px|thumb|left|so nice loading screen]]
[[File:hohe2.png|200px|thumb|center|isometric 4color with palette change in different rooms]]
[[File:bmpe0.png|200px|thumb|right|amazing loading screen]]
* PCWplus technical specifications add too: joystick dk'Tronics and '''DAC sampler sound'''.
* '''Backward compatibility''' with the classic PCW is maintained in the software.
* PCW Plus is currently ''supported by'' the '''ZEsarUX''' and '''CP/M Box''' emulators.
By numerous FPGA board PCW cores thanks to Steddyman; Rampa; Albconde; ManuTeira and Turri21 ('''Mister'''; '''Mist/SIDI'''; '''Poseidon'''; '''Calypso'''; '''NeptUNO+''' ; '''Sidi64/128''' ; '''Senhor''' ).
links:
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https://enriqueggalvez.itch.io/