I’m pleased to announce the launch of the SPECTRA interface, a new multi-purpose interface for the 16K/48K ZX Spectrum. Its primary function is to allow the Spectrum to be connected to a TV via a SCART socket to produce an RGB picture that is sharp, bright and completely free from dot-crawl.
The SPECTRA interface plugs into the expansion port of the Spectrum and connects to the TV using a standard SCART cable. There is no need to make non-standard modifications to the Spectrum since the SPECTRA interface only requires access to those signals available on the expansion bus. The Spectrum’s sound is also directed through the SCART connection to allow it to be heard loud and clear through the TV speaker(s). The clarity of picture and sound is equivalent to that only seen when using the monitor socket of a 128K Spectrum or a Spectrum emulator.
An exciting additional feature of the SPECTRA interface is its ability to extend the Spectrum’s display to support 64 simultaneous colours and at a variety of increased vertical resolutions, resulting in a total of 12 different display modes! Support is also provided for multiple screen banks, similar in concept to that featured on the 128K Spectrum models. At long last, the limited colour abilities of the Spectrum can be overcome, opening the potential for new visually stunning programs.
But the features of the SPECTRA interface don’t end there, as it also provides the following:
- A Kempston joystick socket, with support for auto-fire joysticks.
- A ZX Interface 1 compatible RS232 socket, ideal for connecting to a printer, modem or a PC.
- A reset button.
- Optional support for a ZX Interface 2 ROM cartridge socket.
- Optional support for an onboard ROM to override the Spectrum’s internal ROM.
- The ability to extend Spectrum BASIC via a ZX Interface 1 compatible paging mechanism (offering the potential to extend BASIC with commands to drive the new display modes).
- A rear, full width gold plated expansion bus.
- A set of configuration switches to allow each new facility to be enabled / disabled, ensuring full compatibility with all existing hardware, e.g. ZX Interface 1, ZX Interface 2.
Mas información en su web:
http://www.fruitcake.plus.com/Sinclair/ ... rface.html