X128 - moved forward.
I don't know if anybody noticed but author of the X128 emulator resumed works on the program:
http://www.indigobanquet.adsl24.co.uk/x128wip/x128wip.htm
http://www.indigobanquet.adsl24.co.uk/x128wip/x128wip.htm
Post edited by Mister Beep on
ZX Spectrum 48K BEEPER Music:
http://mister_beep.republika.pl/
http://mister_beep.republika.pl/
Comments
Must try it again.
Anyway, X128 is my favourite PC based Speccy emulator, and if you use SGD as a front end it's unbeatable (far better than manually sorting through your thousands of Speccy files to find the game you want to load). It's especially great how X128 can write a suitable screenshot the game for SGD to display, the only trouble is, since SGD and X128 are DOS programs, you have to mess about a bit in Windows XP or later to get them to run, but it's well worth it.
X128 doesn't (yet) support some features, like RZX recording and playback, a built in dissassembler (though you can use the Multiface 128 + Genie dissassmebler in it, I have a few times), or totally accurate display timing (though it's good enough for all games, and most demos), but it does everything* you could ask for if you just want to play games, which is all most of us care about.
* Well, almost everything - the one thing it doesn't do is load all .tzx files instantly, some only load in accelerated time, so if I want to test a .tzx file I use the excellent ZX Spin - I also use ZX Spin for RZX playback and quick loading and conversion to .z80 format of long loading .tzx files, and for viewing demos.
Whichever way you look at it, us Speccy fans are very lucky to have such a wide range of superb emulators, all free (well, except for the (excellent, so I'm told) Speculator, but I've never used that). EmuZWin is very good indeed, but spoiled by it's unreliability, Specemu is also extremely good, and the all conquering FUSE has been ported to everything but the toaster!
I always feel sorry for Sega Saturn fans, as they're still waiting for a really good emulator to play their old classics on - this subject comes up regularly on the 'net, especially on the XBox forums when discussing what emulators are being ported to it.
Glad to here he's coming back to it.
good times
I still use X128 on my beaten up laptop. How do you "mess about a bit" with Windows XP to get it to run? Tell me more... :)
https://discordapp.com/invite/cZt59EQ
Judging by the new screenshots the author is trying to emulate the different Russian clones, not supported by current emulators. It may fill some niche.
I've e-mailed James, so if he gets the time he'll no doubt answer, otherwise I will, as I can't recall offhand what was necessary, other than having to disable long filename support from X128's configuration file. Also, I can't remember if you need VDMSound, though if you do it's trivial to install and use.
Blimey, an x128 thread!
I must admit that I haven't worked on it for a couple of months, since I've been trying to learn flash/php/sql stuff to try and earn some money.
I want to get it shaped up and finished for release, but these things take time. I have released it as a closed "alpha" to a small number of people, but there are a number of holes in it. If I did release it, that would be apparent.
Perhaps the best option would be to make it an "open" alpha?
Regarding SGD and XP... I can't quite remember the details. You definitely need to switch off the long filenames (in the INI file) and use VDMSound. DOSBox is another option, but has its own limitations to consider, depending what class of PC you are using.
Yes, I really did enjoy nosying around Russian sites and finding odd things to try and get running, which did lead to partial implementations of some clones and their extended features. Somehow I ended up doing a bit of SAM emulation too, although that led me into the odd world of SAM politics...
There's also a tiny, tiny world of software supporting a variety of hardware all using the same speech chip as the Currah.
X128 remains full of timing and display inaccuracies, but playing the games and messing about with the hardware options was always the main focus of it.
No chance, he's a lazy git ;)
So I'm not the only one still getting crap wages? How long ago is it since you and I last discussed (i.e vitriolically slagged off) job agencies? The real git (for me) is that since you are so much more talented and capable on the techy side than me, that I should be proportionally better paid than you, since it always seems to me that ability equals poverty in the computer industry. Any time you see someone trying to plug a USB stick into an ethernet connection in an office, you can bet that he's on at least four times what you're on. Plus a company car (no two trains and a bus ride every morning for him).
That could be good. Just make it clear on the web page that it's not intended for novice users, since it's an alpha version (and explain that that means untested and possibly capable of crashing and whatever else), and that if anyone just wants to play Speccy games then to use X128 v0.94 for DOS systems, or ZX Spin for Windows.
It works great in DOSBox, no problem. The only thing is, you get the expected speed reduction , because of DOSBox's overheads. On my 2GHz Windows XP laptop, under DOSBox, X128 runs at full speed with no problems, as does SGD, but I prefer to use them natively under XP (i.e. without DOSBox) as using DOSBox makes SGD take a few seconds to load up due to the admittedly huge number of games listes, whereas under XP SGD loads and is ready to use almost instantly.
Spector, if you want to use X128 on your XP system, then:
1) Install VDMSound if you don't already have it on your system (and you should have it's invaluable for getting DOS games to run with sound on XP systems)
2) Disable the LFN setting in x128.ini,
3) Just run X128 using VDMSound.
Let me know if you have any problems.
??? Any interesting anecdotes?
Unless you try the really clever demos then you don't notice any problems at all, in my rather extensive experience (wasted early-middle age :-o). Do you still intend to maybe add a full disassembler in there at some point?
If X128 would access and use the SGD .dat data files like SGD does, then a Windows version of X128 would do away with the need for SGD, and hence the need for DOS compatibility at all.
Zzzzzz, er, probably last month. ;)
That's one vote for open alpha...
Basically, you can't emulate any Quazar hardware at all. This inhibits SimCoupe too.
There's some funky Russian and Eastern European Spectrum modifications out there, which all seems to be open. 256x192x16 fixed palette, 320x200x16 with redefinable palette, overscan modes, text modes, MOD players, MP3 players, SAA, FM soundchips...
Yes, I'll stick a proper debugger in there. Perhaps SGD read-only access would be a good idea for starters...
X128 V0.95B Open Alpha (DOS & Windows)
You can report bugs and request features, but it may take a while before I can get the time to do them.
Have "fun".
It was a very good utility for me, as TR-DOS works on every Spectrum machine after typing:
RANDOMIZE USR 15616
and not only on Pentagon/Scorpion, like it's on Spectaculator, which is a major mistake.
http://mister_beep.republika.pl/
Beep: You have to press F3 then TAB now. There are now 3 levels of F3 menu, which you get through with TAB to go "deeper" and Esc to pull back.
P.S. Your email spam filter is impregnable!
Btw, if that's about my e'mail account then I'm sorry, I have no influence on the filter, the account sucks anyway.
http://mister_beep.republika.pl/
I am very glad to see a good emulation of the Russian models (specially the ATM 1 and 2) and of course SamCoupe.
Havent tested a lot of classic spectrum models, but for the alpha stage all seems ok.
Tried a couple of games for ATM and everything worked well:
http://i45.tinypic.com/2hx1uza.png
http://i45.tinypic.com/2ufao8k.png
I'd had one request, if its possible to implement "General Sound" support for Russian models i will really appreciate this..
I only noticed a small graphic bug when i wanted to move the screen on the desktop, they remained as artifact, like a snapshot of the main emu screen.
I like this emulator, keep up with great job.
Cheers.
http://zx-pk.ru/
Everytime when i insert a tzx, small red sign appear on the upper left corner of the screen and emulator refuse to load game.
Also, when i set edge loaders to Off, tap files doesnt load too..
Whats wrong??
And one more question, how to save emulator settings, after exit?
I try to change some things, editing ini file (eg. default dirs for games, etc.), but nothing happened.
http://zx-pk.ru/
The version of this file is not compatible with the version of windows you're running...
Ive tried various settings in compatibility but no success.
Im using Windows 7 64-bit.
TAP edge: OFF allows TAPs to be loaded at the slowest possible speed. Trap is the fastest and doesn't require play/stop. Unfortunately for you, TZX Trap hasn't been implemented yet.
RND: Interesting, I haven't tried it on anything as modern as Win 7 64-bit. It's a standard 32-bit windows executable... is there any more info given?
You're probably running the DOS version (x128.exe) rather than the Windows one (x128w.exe) - 16-bit DOS applications (or 32-bit ones which don't use the native DPMI interface) can't run on 64-bit Windows.
FWIW the Windows build runs fine on Windows 7 x64 here.
Thanks Jmk, that helps.
I just load "ahh... the tape loading era" and it works perfectly. :)
http://zx-pk.ru/
Yes I was, doh!
> I'd had one request, if its possible to implement "General Sound" support
Good point.
> for Russian models
That's a common mistake. It's not for "Russian" models but GS works with every Spectrum.
One needs something similar to TS2068 'twister-board' to use it.
Yarek Adamski works on it (to remove conflicts with divIDE) but it takes him longer and longer time. Maybe Velesoft could design it?
I can find a good man who would later produce it and sell. Maybe even with General Sound itself.
As for Neo General Sound - it has regular ZX-bus.
http://mister_beep.republika.pl/
I don't know info about new NEO GS soundcard, but old (original) russian General Sound interface work with any Z80 based machines without adress space contention. It's problem on ZX Spectrum models. ZX ULA slow-down CPU and general sound(original) not work. After patch code in GS rom work ZX correct. It's tested some years ago. General Sound is complette external Z80 based computer connected to ZX bus. Software support is small and all GS based software is for TR-DOS only !!!
For ZX Spectrum models is more usable ZXM SOUND CARD:
http://micklab.narod.ru/ZXMSoundCard.htm
This card contain only 2x AY-3-8910 clones (TURBO-SOUND) + sound chip used in SAM COUPE. You can see examples on YOUTUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFP1agqs7bI
TURBO SOUND and SAA sound chip is emulated also in some ZX emulators...
> (original) russian General Sound interface work with any Z80 based machines without adress space contention. It's problem on ZX Spectrum models. ZX ULA slow-down CPU and general sound(original) not work. After patch code in GS rom work ZX correct. It's tested some years ago.
There are several demos for regular Spectrum 128 and they use GS. But they have to be loaded from tape which is pointless (loading from a tape anything bigger than 128Kb is a torture).
> General Sound is complette external Z80 based computer connected to ZX bus. Software support is small and all GS based software is for TR-DOS only !!!
That's what can be changed if the GS is spreaded within West.
Still I know at least two TAP demos for GS.
But remains the problem of a conflict between GS and divIDE. Not solved yet. I mean - solved only in theory.
http://mister_beep.republika.pl/