I've just merged support for the VZ-350/500/700 family. It's at an initial stage but is viable.
Specs:
* Z80 @3.694700 MHz
* 32k ROM
* 16k banking model in all 4 segments
* Banked graphics memory (custom ASIC)
* 16/64/128k memory available
Support has been aded for:
* ROM printer
* Generic console (40x24 and 80x24)
* Lores graphics (80x48 and 160x48)
* Inkey keyboard handling
Planned:
* Hires graphics and console (320x192 resolution)
Details can be found on the wiki page: https://github.com/z88dk/z88dk/wiki/Platform--VZ700
This port has been tested on real hardware (thanks @nippur72). Due to a Mame bug, .wav files produced for the emulator will not work on the real hardware (they are too fast) but z88dk supports produce files suitable for both emulator and real hardware.
(classic) New target: VTech VZ350/500/700
Thanks for this new target!
But when I compile it for MAME as described in the Wiki...
?I get this compiler error:
Error: illegal option '--fast'
And how exactly do you switch to 80x24 mode?
These instructions may not be clear to everybody (at least not for me), please elaborate...
But when I compile it for MAME as described in the Wiki...
Code: Select all
zcc +vz700 world.c -create-app -Cz--audio -Ca--fast
Will create a file that will load on the Mame emulator.
Error: illegal option '--fast'
And how exactly do you switch to 80x24 mode?
Code: Select all
Mode 1 - 80x24, 2 colours (select colours and then clear the screen to switch)
Sorry Robert, that was a fat finger problem on a UK keyboard. It's an argument to appmake so it should be -Cz--fast
That sentence regarding 80x24 mode makes little sense so I've rewritten it - basically you can pick the colours in 80x24 mode, but they only take effect when screen is cleared.
I think I need to sleep
That sentence regarding 80x24 mode makes little sense so I've rewritten it - basically you can pick the colours in 80x24 mode, but they only take effect when screen is cleared.
I think I need to sleep
Ok, no problem. Now it compiles without error.
But for some reason, when I try to load the tape file in MAME, it keeps searching until the end of the tape without finding any program?
I tried the MAME and "hardware" version, and I tried both the .cas and .wav file.
I was running a VZ700 in MAME 0.199 and 0.170.
Try compiling my plottest.c file with this batch file (modify the z88dk root directory):
But for some reason, when I try to load the tape file in MAME, it keeps searching until the end of the tape without finding any program?
I tried the MAME and "hardware" version, and I tried both the .cas and .wav file.
I was running a VZ700 in MAME 0.199 and 0.170.
Try compiling my plottest.c file with this batch file (modify the z88dk root directory):
Code: Select all
setlocal
rem Set your z88dk root path here
set z88root=C:\Misc\z88dk\
set path=%PATH%;%z88root%bin\
set zcccfg=%z88root%lib\config\
set z80_ozfiles=%z88root%lib\
REM Will create a file that will load on real hardware.
zcc +vz700 plottest.c -o plottest_vz700 -create-app -Cz--audio
REM Will create a file that will load on the Mame emulator
zcc +vz700 plottest.c -o plottest_vz700_MAME -create-app -Cz--audio -Cz--fast
endlocal
rem pause
I'm using mame 0.194, vz700 and the .wav file. As mentioned there are issues with the emulator around the speed of tape files, though I'm surprising that an older one doesn't work.
If you can compile appmake yourself, then tweak the values of bip and bop in src/appmake/vz.c around about line 57 or so.
If you can compile appmake yourself, then tweak the values of bip and bop in src/appmake/vz.c around about line 57 or so.
I've just tested the --fast .wav file against mame 0.201 on OSX and it loads successfully. It looks like the .cas files don't work.
As an (important) aside, the port has been renamed from +vz700 to +laser500 in the 20180909 build - it was pointed out the VZ700 doesn't actually exist as a machine and that the Vtech Laser 500 is by far the most common member of the family.
As an (important) aside, the port has been renamed from +vz700 to +laser500 in the 20180909 build - it was pointed out the VZ700 doesn't actually exist as a machine and that the Vtech Laser 500 is by far the most common member of the family.
Meanwhile, dom has solved all known problems with this new target:
- the loading problem when a long output file name has been specified using the -o option
- keyboard input fixed
- BASIC error message that appeared after program termination removed
Thanks to dom for that. A new release of my game H-Tron is out, it now supports the Laser 500/700.
The .cas file still cannot be loaded in M.A.M.E., you have to use the .wav file instead.
- the loading problem when a long output file name has been specified using the -o option
- keyboard input fixed
- BASIC error message that appeared after program termination removed
Thanks to dom for that. A new release of my game H-Tron is out, it now supports the Laser 500/700.
The .cas file still cannot be loaded in M.A.M.E., you have to use the .wav file instead.