If the graphics chip is anything like to the one used in the TI-99/4 and 4A home computers, it has what is effectively a higher column mode where each character is 6x8 instead of 8x8. So you can define those pixels, but you just can't see them in that mode.
Super cool, I love a micro with a build in machine monitor 😁 Never heard of this machine before so thanks for sharing it. Oh and Snorkers would be proud of your improvements to the BASIC Fruit Machine game 😊
That's a nice machine to see working. I remember the magazines and the ads for these and many others around that time, but pre-teen me couldn't afford any of them. I was stuck with playing around with TTL and dreaming of my own computer for long enough that it made no sense to build a design like this.
@@8-bitbitsa821 You're right of course. I could. I'd probably enjoy it if I did. I also ought to get around to finishing the 6803 based SBC that I started designing in the mid-80s. But what would I actually do with these things on completion except watch them collect dust ? I had a pretty large collection of retro computers up until 20 years ago when I sold or gave away most of them before emigrating. Sometimes I think it'd be fun to still have a TRS-80 model 1, for instance, but while some of these things helped me with learning about computers before I had a career in software, or were used as part of my work, they're not really of much use now. Tinkering is still fun, though, so I use quite a lot of Arduinos (mostly Nanos) these days to control stuff around the house, switching loads to make best use of solar power, controlling a ventilation system etc. This is where 8 bit computing is for me now. They only cost a couple of $ each and it's so trivially easy to program those little machines to do stand-alone useful stuff for you. I also have dev kits for 8051s and RL78s and other stuff, but the Arduino is just too easy to play with and get a result. Occasionally I get to incorporate chips with 1970s date codes that I bought as a kid into the new Arduino projects. That amuses me.
Glad you got it all up and running 😉👍🏻
Mine has the same bit error in the graphic ROM, I’ll get around to programming another sometime 👍🏻
Piece of history restored.
Great episode - love it - next step getting the tape interface tuned and running?
Yes I think so after a good clean up. I wonder if an SD card interface would be on the cards..
If the graphics chip is anything like to the one used in the TI-99/4 and 4A home computers, it has what is effectively a higher column mode where each character is 6x8 instead of 8x8. So you can define those pixels, but you just can't see them in that mode.
Super cool, I love a micro with a build in machine monitor 😁 Never heard of this machine before so thanks for sharing it. Oh and Snorkers would be proud of your improvements to the BASIC Fruit Machine game 😊
Ace! Hope to see more of this interesting machine!
More to come!
That's a nice machine to see working. I remember the magazines and the ads for these and many others around that time, but pre-teen me couldn't afford any of them. I was stuck with playing around with TTL and dreaming of my own computer for long enough that it made no sense to build a design like this.
You can build one now, not too late 😉
@@8-bitbitsa821 You're right of course. I could. I'd probably enjoy it if I did. I also ought to get around to finishing the 6803 based SBC that I started designing in the mid-80s. But what would I actually do with these things on completion except watch them collect dust ?
I had a pretty large collection of retro computers up until 20 years ago when I sold or gave away most of them before emigrating. Sometimes I think it'd be fun to still have a TRS-80 model 1, for instance, but while some of these things helped me with learning about computers before I had a career in software, or were used as part of my work, they're not really of much use now.
Tinkering is still fun, though, so I use quite a lot of Arduinos (mostly Nanos) these days to control stuff around the house, switching loads to make best use of solar power, controlling a ventilation system etc. This is where 8 bit computing is for me now. They only cost a couple of $ each and it's so trivially easy to program those little machines to do stand-alone useful stuff for you. I also have dev kits for 8051s and RL78s and other stuff, but the Arduino is just too easy to play with and get a result.
Occasionally I get to incorporate chips with 1970s date codes that I bought as a kid into the new Arduino projects. That amuses me.
@@DavidHembrow Hey David…
Most of the fun is in the journey ;-)
th-cam.com/video/XFfRsGMdzgI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=K1t-8-NfKS2Aby1i
Very interesting computer HLD, these tutorials are interesting cheers.
Those times when you need to spread thermal paste with a brush lol
Very interesting machine, keep it up! :)
You say 1978 Trans Am and I think Smokey and the Bandit.
Ace!🔋
🍵
Nice work old boy!