Heres one of the first images of the playbasic spectrum emulator
Written by Lee chatt with lots of help learning the PLAYBASIC language, from the GURU himself "kevin picone"
I really like what I see (and the whole idea), but the ZX Spectrum could only display two colours in any given 8x8character cell. What are we actually seeing in this image?
nice one lee. i look forward to giving it a try
It's a pretty 'out there' sort of usage really, so kudos for setting such an ambitious task. The UI stuff seems to be coming along pretty well, can't help wondering just how the 'core' is progressing though.
Quote from: buggage on August 18, 2012, 04:00:32 PM
I really like what I see (and the whole idea), but the ZX Spectrum could only display two colours in any given 8x8character cell. What are we actually seeing in this image?
The speccy does only display 2 colours! this is just a start up screen, were all 49152 pixels are being plotted.
Baggey
Quote from: kevin on August 19, 2012, 01:07:02 AM
It's pretty 'out there' usage really, so kudos for setting such an ambitious task. The UI stuff seems to be coming along pretty well, can't help wondering just how the 'core' is progressing though.
Hi kevin,
There's still some work to do on the display yet!
Most of all the code for registers, addressed registers, flags and index registers are setup thou!
Its going to be a long process typing in the menomics thou! As will have the 255 instructions to setup and then there will be the ones were will index to more menomics!
Ill use the gosub idea seeming its quicker than case statements! to select them.
The blank areas will display the op'codes etc as the program is running!
The top area will display the Registers and Flags at the present program counter position!
Soon im going to learn how to load in a ".scr" file and display it! might use this as a feature were you scroll through the ".scr's". Where you can load the game!
Im also going to need to learn how to load in a "snapshot" and pull the relevant header code to set everything up and then fill the emulated memory bank!
This can then start the z80 emulation progress etc!
Im a fair way, away yet!
Oh what does "kudos" mean!?
Baggey
Hi all
very interesting project , way over my head ,but good luck with this and look forward to it when up and running
kudos "acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement"
mick :)
QuoteSoon im going to learn how to load in a ".scr" file and display it! might use this as a feature were you scroll through the ".scr's". Where you can load the game!
...
...
This can then start the z80 emulation progress etc!
Cool. Can't wait to see this in action :)
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Its going to be a long process typing in the menomics thou! As will have the 255 instructions to setup and then there will be the ones were will index to more menomics!
You probably won't need all 256, as not all of them will be executable instructions. I wouldn't be too surprised if you couldn't set up a table and then generate the entire instruction 'decoder' source code from the data sheet. Much the same way the pixel plotter routine worked the other day.
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The blank areas will display the op'codes etc as the program is running!
The top area will display the Registers and Flags at the present program counter position!
Writing monitor/disassembler is essential, but not sure why you want to try and render the code from the current program count. If you do this every instruction that's a massive overhead. It make sense to have a 'pause' or step mode to check the state, even some type of break point mode, for debugging when programs won't run.
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Soon im going to learn how to load in a ".scr" file and display it! might use this as a feature were you scroll through the ".scr's". Where you can load the game!
Im also going to need to learn how to load in a "snapshot" and pull the relevant header code to set everything up and then fill the emulated memory bank!
This can then start the z80 emulation progress etc!
Seriously, I'd be focusing purely on the z80 emulation. One approach i've used in the past, is to use a cross assembler to generate some absolute addressed executable code, then try executing on the my core and the real hardware / emulator. Which is pretty tedious, but a good way to isolate issues on a one to one basis. Trying to run a complete game upfront, just isn't going to happen.
Interesting project!!!!!! KUDOS FOR SURE I hope you keep working on this.
I"m actually developing an interest in writing emulators myself and seeing one work in playbasic is great... it gives me hope hehe. For playbasic to be even better (and more useful)
Now all we need to do is write an snes assembly reader/runner (A very basic one) and instead of completely re coding the dkc2 game engine I can use parts of the original through snes core emulation (that'd be... so tedious) hehe Just wishful thinking.
AND if you know your stuff you'd know that the zx80 (I think that's what you're trying to recode) Would actually be the same as the modified gameboy chip (the original)
The nintendo gameboy had a slightly modified z80 chip in it.
And if it isn't a z80, then the zx spectrum emulator core could be changed/ported into a z80 core. AND THEN slightly modified to allow the running of a gameboy emulator.
Here's a second screenshot for my Speccy emulator! Which as you can see is progressing along nicely!
loading scr's is proving a little difficult as im trying to build 5 images rotating to be selected if you wish to play particular game.
When this is successful, i will upload an exe of the working progress so far!
Well here we go with another update :D
Loading the scr's has proved more difficult than i thought. If anyone remembers how the spectrum screen was loaded?
That was strange enough!
So after much trial and error with the calc's for screen buffer replication, attribute replication and not to mention some of the look up tables etc, etc needed.
Here is a loaded scr of the very first game i owned!
looks good =)
Thanks!
Its going to be a few weeks before anymore as im going on holiday! :D
Heres another for now.
It's looking pretty good, but what is actually running ? I ask, as there seems to be a some mock up in the pictures. So you've started the Z80 core ?
QuoteLoading the scr's has proved more difficult than i thought. If anyone remembers how the spectrum screen was loaded?
So I take it spectrum programs (for emulation) are is stored in some type of hunk based data image where there's a screen shot in it ? Got a link to some examples ?
Spectrum,
TAP- and BLK tape format (http://www.zxmodules.de/fileformats/tapformat.html)
TZX FORMAT (http://www.worldofspectrum.org/TZXformat.html)
SPECCY EMULATOR FILE FORMATS (http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/faq/fileform.html)
QuoteSo I take it spectrum programs (for emulation) are is stored in some type of hunk based data image where there's a screen shot in it ?
No, the loading screens are built up from data being loaded from the file - a line (monochrome pixels IIRC) at a time, then coloured in at the end. I suspect that this is not happening here, but rather a screenshot of the loading image is being displayed - ie, not really loaded in the same way as a Spectrum did it. Like you say Kevin, a mock up (for now hopefully).
I had a routine many years ago that allowed an Amstrad CPC to load in a Speccy screen properly, but it's long since lost. It wasn't difficult to do, although it was Z80 code, as the Amstrad used Z80 too.
[EDIT] Here's a video of a game loading - http://vimeo.com/43676648 It's different to some games, but similar enough to get an idea how it works.
QuoteNo, the loading screens are built up from data being loaded from the file - a line (monochrome pixels IIRC) at a time, then coloured in at the end. I suspect that this is not happening here, but rather a screenshot of the loading image is being displayed - ie, not really loaded in the same way as a Spectrum did it. Like you say Kevin, a mock up (for now hopefully).
yeah, had a look see at the TAP file format a few hours ago. Makes sense that if any hunk is loaded directly before/into video memory, the image will appear to spool on (for want of better word)
You don't miss nothing!
yeah the text information is some mock up code. Just made to test the layout of the Speccy user interface.
whats happening is im loading the screen buffer which is (16384 or 4000) and ends in (22527 or 57FF) the next 768 Bytes are paper and Ink colour's. Starting at (22528 or 5800) ending at (23295 or 5AFF).
The .scr file is the bulk data as you call it for the screen display and attributes file. 6144 for display 768 for ATTR file making an .scr file 6912 Bytes all told!
World of Spectrum is a good site http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ (ftp://http://www.worldofspectrum.org/)
So im testing the loading of .scr's. Putting the information into a look up memory bank. so when the screen emulator part checks the display bank in puts all the information onto an image of 255,192 with the relevant ink and paper palette.
Using fastdot to draw the actual size of 49152 pixel's and drawrotatedimage to blow up and stretch!
not all the screen is changed at once so im using a look up to see which line has changed and display it! So this should help speed it up a bit. But not sure when scrolling games are loaded wether it will be to slow!?
Threre's only one way to find out thou!
Emulating the 16K and 48K is going to be my main emulation as the 128K uses ram pages etc which will be difficult!?
I believe the Z80 core has around 720 instructions its going to be alot of typing!
I already have images of the ROM starting at 0000. Im going to be concentrating on the z80 snapshot files. Which are the RAM of the game! But sorting the header of this is going to be difficult, As will have all the flags, stack pointers, registers and program counter information etc. So it will run at that point in time when the snapshot was taken.
summary
Its a genuine spectrum .scr being loaded stored in a memory bank just like the spectrum and using an x,y coordinate system referenced to display address and and ATTR file!
so i can change pixels anywhere they occur and of course colour.
I could simulate a loading screen by starting at 16384 and work through each byte, finishing at 23295 of the display just like a spectrum game loading! ANY REQUEST'S for this in the final version?
My next step is to use the .scr's to select the game or file name. display the .scr loading screen wait to run is clicked. Then start the game. But i want to scroll scr's in the file select. Just like the Ipod's.
Sounds like you're going in the right direction. Keep it up :)
Z80 Instruction Set links.
http://map.grauw.nl/resources/z80instr.php
http://www.ftp83plus.net/Tutorials/z80inset_fullA.htm
Ignore Just testing embedding vimeo videos. (See here for a how (http://www.underwaredesign.com/forums/index.php?topic=3911.0))
http://vimeo.com/43676648
[vimeo]43676648[/vimeo]
Quote
yeah the text information is some mock up code. Just made to test the layout of the Speccy user interface.
whats happening is im loading the screen buffer which is (16384 or 4000) and ends in (22527 or 57FF) the next 768 Bytes are paper and Ink colour's. Starting at (22528 or 5800) ending at (23295 or 5AFF).
The .scr file is the bulk data as you call it for the screen display and attributes file. 6144 for display 768 for ATTR file making an .scr file 6912 Bytes all told!
I see, so
.scr is common speccy image format then? Like FLI etc on the C64 (Vic Vision (http://www.underwaredesign.com/?page=programs.Vic-Vision) )
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So im testing the loading of .scr's. Putting the information into a look up memory bank. so when the screen emulator part checks the display bank in puts all the information onto an image of 255,192 with the relevant ink and paper palette.
Using fastdot to draw the actual size of 49152 pixel's and drawrotatedimage to blow up and stretch!
not all the screen is changed at once so im using a look up to see which line has changed and display it! So this should help speed it up a bit. But not sure when scrolling games are loaded wether it will be to slow!?
You could cache the frame, but my gut feeling is that would add more overhead than you gain, so it'll probably not be worth it. Basically the CPU core will execute for bunch of cycles, you 'll no doubt have to emulate the beam position of video hardware, this can be expressed as factor the cycle count per frame. On a real hardware, each scan line might cost 255 cpu cycles (it doesn't, but for the sake this example), The beam position could then be cheated by simply dividing the cycle count by (cycles per scan line), to the number of scan lines from the system start, then mod it within the vertical blank gap.
Knowing the beam position is how to tigger a video refresh, the simplest option would be to drop the entire frame in one hit. Assuming raster programming isn't common place on the speccy (like it is on the c64), then that'd would work well enough. Moreover, i'm assuming the beam position can be read in software here on the speccy?, if so, then some programs will sit in wait loops when rendering waiting for it reach a scanline. So you'd need to some emulation of it.
Quote
Emulating the 16K and 48K is going to be my main emulation as the 128K uses ram pages etc which will be difficult!?
I believe the Z80 core has around 720 instructions its going to be alot of typing!
720 ? Had a look and there doesn't seem to be that many.
For paging i'd just copy the banks, which would choke on some programs, but it'd probably work ok as long the app doesn't flip/flop between pages. Then it'd really choke. The advantage is that it avoids having a displacement offset every single read/write.
Another issue will be shadowing the custom hardware and roms. Do these overlap ram in 16K / 48K machines?
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I already have images of the ROM starting at 0000. Im going to be concentrating on the z80 snapshot files. Which are the RAM of the game! But sorting the header of this is going to be difficult, As will have all the flags, stack pointers, registers and program counter information etc. So it will run at that point in time when the snapshot was taken.
Running a snap shot is really the only option and I wish you luck with that approach, but I still feel you'll a better chance using a cross compiler and writing/testing each opcode.
Hi im back,
Knackered from my holiday.
Anyways ive spent a few days getting back in to the program. In the process ive sorted a couple of bugs!
The menu loader with scr files is progressing :) its about 2/3rd's of the way to completion. This is going to be, were ill release an EXE with files so you can play with the progress so far!
There are a lot of un-documented codes on the speccy Z80. i have some old books from my teenage years that document them all!
Off the top of my head. There are 2 8-bit register's which can be used to address 65535, i think which makes the 48k ram with the rom. On the 16K it ony addressed the 16k ram that was available!
Now the 128K speccy isn't something i was familiar with. so for me to start a 128k emulation is going to be another big learning curve!?
The SCR format is a PC version of the SCREEN$ on the speccy.
Im hoping to have this finished for the weekend!
Baggey
Well Here it goes! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
As promised.
Something to playwith
Release 0.0sp
And here is the second part! just merge over the first file.
There may be some teething problems and there may not?
version 0.0sp part2
Enjoy Baggey ;)
Hi,
These zip files need to be extracted to "C:\"
Ive now checked the downloadz
As long as you extract both files to "C:\" in winRAR. You will find on drive C:\. A folder called "spectrum_playbasic"
Click on this folder to open, now run the exe!
kind regards baggey
and the keys are ?
Use your mouse! When your in full Screen mode press escape key to go back to monitor mode!
I am now working on the screen display emulation a bit more! some of the loading screens should have flashing items. Such as "press any key" etc.
This needs to be bought to life.
The famous screen of "manic miner" flashed the words "manic" and then the words "miner". This is to do with (bit7 or And 128) of the ATTR display byte file. The inbuilt routine in ROM flashes the ink and paper colours respectively.
Ive also found a few more bugs which ive sorted on the screen display emulation as well.
Also to do with the screen display im going to work on the Display to simulate the loading of the SCR's just for that RETRO feel!
When ive addressed these items i shall upload another release ;D
Kind regards Baggey
Well ive got the flashing working nearly 50%
"Manic Miner" in my opinion is the best one to start with so.
Here is "Manic Miner" scr
and the latest EXE which i suppose is a beta but im not calling it a release!
Baggey
Hi KEVIN,
Check your Email
Baggey
fair enough, but what's with all the double posting..
I dont know what you mean buy double posting?
more than one post in a row in quick succession..
I dont know whats happened there then ???
At the moment. ive simulated the flash of the spectrum Hardware. Rewritten the screen setup code and implemented some of Kevin's code ideas. To speed up file loading and screen printing!
working on the code to simulate the speccy way of loading code byte by byte now.
I shall then release another version of the emulator where there is more physical interaction, with the loading of the screens and the flash screen buffer simulation!
Baggey
So people here we have the latest version Release 0.1sp
It has rewritten file loading code.
Mouse scroll fixed.
Scr or Screen$ loading simulation.
And Ive rewritten the main code again.
Enjoy!
Baggey
Im at the point now were i need to :-
Build the Z80 core, Load the Rom and check its spitting out the right op-codes. Also the right effects on the flags etc!
Im going to build a program that will generate a lot of the code for me! But Alas im still going to be doing a lot of Mundane typing!
No one said it was going to be easy :o
WATCH THIS SPACE!!
Kind regards Baggey
Is it done yet? :P
Its going to be a while yet!
But if you download, what ive done so far! Youll have a taste of things to come ;D
Baggey
Just an update!
I have the Rom loaded in and im working through memory starting at 0000.
The dissambler is progressing along, which im checking. It is spitting out the right code and seems to be having the right effect on registers etc!
Im making a few alterations to the GUI Interface as well. Im adding Hex values to the emulator and Decimal button for it.
Also im adding a fullscreen load simulate in the GUI as well.
This really is turning into an in depth task! Which i didn't realise when i started! However im still keen to keep going!
It will be nice when ive emulated enough instructions. Where i can see some on screen changes!
Ie, When 1982 Sinclair Research. Flashes up.
Baggey
Ive made some changes to the GUI layout. This is how it will finally look!
The dissembler is now coming on a treat. Changes to this will be adding functionality to the flag registers and making sure the right things are happening.
The step mode is handy for this, which will be also useful later if you want to see how the machine code programs are working in ZX spectrum memory.
Another step closer to getting the 1982 Sinclair Research to flash up!?
Baggey
Excellent news :)
excellent work baggey. very slick mate!
baggey really good work!
Are there any instructions for using it?
QuoteAre there any instructions for using it?
Hi, What do you want instructions on!?
I may make a .doc of buttons and there usages if people want them? But it should be fairly straight forward. That could also be easy for me to say! As ive programmed it.
So if you have any ideas as to instructions and usage. This could be made possible. :)
OH! and thanks for the incouragement people. ;D
Baggey
Hi all
Keep up the good work baggey ,
mick :)
Good day! Everyone.
Ive hit a major turning point. In the Spectrum Playbasic Emulator.
I shall release version 0.2!
In this post ill give the main folders again as there, has been a lot of changes to the GUI interface.
Then the EXE.
When it flashes up. At the bottom right hand corner is the STEP button. This executes line by line of machine code.
So, when the speecy is turned on it starts emulating at 0000 Hex.
roughly 10 instructions in, well arrive at the OUT (254),A. A will hold the value 7 ie, white colour.
After this instruction youll see the border change colour! :o
This is yet again a closer step to "C 1982 Sinclair Research" flashing up ;D
HERE we go!
Download all files to C:\spectrum_playbasic FOLDER. you'll have to create this!
In an eairler post you'll find the 2 Part SCR.rar file which you will need if you don't have it already!
Sorry for all the files in bit's! But we have a limitation of 3.5 Meg's UPLOAD!
The actual folder "Spectrum_Playbasic" now contains 12.8 Meg's!
The folder you setup should look like this when done "today.png"
Finally. Enjoy this latest release :P
"I have checked and downloaded all files"
//////////
After Monkeybots suggestion im trying out DROPBOX.
Heres the link to the files https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fzwx9afsxlyos8r/VgCSHD0kLA (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fzwx9afsxlyos8r/VgCSHD0kLA)
It wasn't easy to setup and i don't know if ive done it right!?
Yep it works! Takes about 30 Sec's to download. But you need to register with dropbox! LINK www.dropbox.com (http://www.dropbox.com)
//////////
Kind regards Baggey
QuoteSorry for all the files in bit's! But we have a limitation of 3.5 Meg's UPLOAD!
why not use dropbox? then just paste a public link...
what is dropbox?
its cloud storage,you get 2 gb for free.very useful.
i have got the emu working but the mouse pointer is running very slowly.i don't know if this may have something to do with not being able to attain the screen res you request in your readme, i can only get upto 1366x768.
Yesterday I spotted a copy of hungry Horace for the speccy on eBay and it was upto £21!
I have found when playing music, downloading files etc the mouse is draggy!
But running on my computer which isn't a laptop. Its Running fine just on its own :) It only works on my main PC because of the resolution its run in.
I think, this is how it will be. All instructions are in memory etc, etc so its a mater of making the right effects and changes. As at the moment everything is just written with ZERO.
I could probably make the mouse checks and placement more often! Which will give the "human" better feed back? But this would add more overhead!
Kevin has given me hints and help with my code on loading the files in memory quicker and helped me with direction. In creating my plotting routines, which Made a big difference.
These tips and suggestions are in the beginners threads if anyone is interested?
Im in the process of cooking the Great British "Roast" at the Mo. And shall check this cloud thing out with google ;)
QuoteYesterday I spotted a copy of hungry Horace for the speccy on eBay and it was upto £21!
I Thought £5.50 was expensive then. Halo 4 is £44 :o
Kind regards Baggey
After Monkeybots suggestion im trying out DROPBOX.
Heres the link to the files https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fzwx9afsxlyos8r/VgCSHD0kLA
It wasn't easy to setup and i don't know if ive done it right!?
Yep it works! Takes about 30 Sec's to download. But you need to register with dropbox! LINK www.dropbox.com
It's free! But if you don't like this method? Let me know.
Kind regards Baggey
Hi all
yep works fine here , just copy all files to c: drive
coming along nicely
mick :)
how's this progressing then Baggey?
Yeah, it's been a while since we've had an update.
Is this dead? :(
It's not that surprising if it is, given that it's pretty ambitious task trying to write a system emulation at the best of times. Doing it in PB, really requires an expert knowledge of PB and the system in question. Making the probability of failure pretty high.
i thought it seemed rather ambitious...
Yeah, I know. But it was a fun idea and it's certainly different.
Hi all
That's a shame Baggey , seems you put in a lot of hard work into this project and for it to come to an end
but look forward to any up and coming projects
mick :)
I didn't put any work into it. It wasn't my project it was Baggey's!
We are not the same dude, dude: buggage != baggey :P
According to his profile he hasn't been around since before Christmas last year. Shame.
Hi All
I do apologise buggage , to much staring at this monitor over the last few days I think
im getting all confused , erm I put a golly money box on e-bay yesterday , lucky someone contacted me I call it a golly moxey fox , lol , oh dear
mick :)
hi all,
Yes its been awhile for any releases!
The thing is, Typing every instruction in by hand and relating it to the playbasic emulator. Has been a laboriously boring task :(
So with bags of enthusiasim, i was doing like 20ish instructions a day. which, after a couple of months or so got to be so boring. The enjoyment of programming this project was lost!
Its not dead just shelved :-[
Ive been busy this year in france on and of. Rebuilding an old cravan to live in, as well as other things.
some of the documentation, on some instructions. I have found not easy to follow. So almost impossible to predict the right flag effects which creates gobbledegook very quickly. Causing what is known as the good old fashioned crash!
I do promise there will be in time, time to get this project started again! :) as it was a hobby.
Where i left the project thou. The only thing, i wasnt going to be able to do in playbasic. Was emulate sound ???
Kind regards Baggey
ll fait longtemps!
It's Been a long time!
If your still watching and interested and would like to help in my quest check this out!
SORRY IT'S NOT PLAYBASIC!
https://www.syntaxbomb.com/index.php/topic,8285.msg347048308.html#msg347048308
Kind Regards Baggey
So is it running now or what ??
Yes,
Here it is https://www.syntaxbomb.com/showcase/specblitz-zx-spectrum-48k-emulator/
Ive also started a C64 Emulator as well
https://www.syntaxbomb.com/blitzmax-blitzmax-ng/c64_blitzmax-emulator/
Using Playbasic got me started! ;D
It Would be nice to turn Circle and get it Translated into Playbasic. Maybe createing new Commands etc.. along the way?
It's using "FastGLDrawPixMemorymap(p:TPixmap, x:Int, y:Int)", "SetGraphicsDriver(GLMax2DDriver())" These were the Key things to get the Pixels done.
For Sound "FreeAudio DirectSound" using Mutex. Would prefer "SDL"
Kind Regards Baggey
The Thing about this forum was feed back is good! I have many Emulators to write! Without Feedback this is dead!
Baggey
QuoteWithout Feedback this is dead!
Feedback about what ?