Emulators
Today, many, perhaps, there is a desire at least for some time
to throw the "Quake" away and play in
something old and painfully familiar.
Come on, think with what platform begins your introduction to
the wonderful world of computers? And many would say: with
ZX-Spectrum. With the help of emulators, Spectrum, Review
which is devoted to this article, I propose
you plunge into the past and remember your
Computer "childhood." Of course, after PC
you do not even look at the Spectrum
strategy or simulators, but the arcade on
Spectrum has always been good. Personally, I
gladly spent time with some
old games after a long hiatus.
The first emulator "Spectrum" I saw years
six years ago, but the speed of his work on
286-m processor and four-color CGA instead
Spectrum of sixteen is not very happy. Recently I decided to
check how well situation with emulators for Spectrum online.
And what do you think? It turned out the people wrote and wrote
such vengeance emulators! And now in the court in 1998, and
Performance PC to emulate 8-bit computers are more than enough.
The Internet kept tens of thousands of toys and Spectrum
programs. It turns out Spectrum that is almost completely
"moved" to Internet.
I fished from the web about a dozen emulators and
I hasten to share the results. But first
should say a few words about file formats, which are used by
these programs. All files can be divided into two type: the
so-called tapes, and snapshots. The first is a virtual kind of
tapes used in ZX-Spectrum. Emulators can "boot"
with these files. As you might imagine, the download in this
case is much faster than real tape loading. There are several
basic formats of this type. . Tap-easiest, supported by many
software emulation (similar Format:. ltp,. spc); keeps only
files and their titles - sequentially, as in
tape. If the recorded programs are loaded outside the box of
this size would have to give. But it can be stored Programs
using podgruzku tape (Eg, multi-level games).
. Voc-well-known storage format
sounds. The files contain the sound from the tape, allowing you
to store programs custom boot (though quite
Wasteful this business, I tell you) are most often used when
transferring programs from tape to computer. . Tzx-roughly the
same as that. Voc, but storage accounted particular recording
magnetic tape, so that files of this format takes up less space.
To download the software from these files must be in BASIC-48
on the keyboard to type LOAD "" or choose [Tara Loader] menu
Spectrum-128 and "run" tape with the emulator. Now consider the
second family of formats.
Snapshot (z80,. Sna,. Snp,. Prg) - file
Spectrum memory contents and registers. In this case,
completely eliminating the need for loading programs from tape
and Disk (virtual or real). With these files, you can store
programs with non-standard load after
Once you are able to load them into memory
emulator, and you can save the game,
you set a new record in the results table.
In addition, there are files of floppy TR-DOS (. Trd,. Dsk,.
Fdi) and mikrodrayva files (. Mdr), but they are also rarely
used. Often you will fall and. Scr-files containing the image
of memory "Spectrum" (a picture). Information on the
possibilities of programs shown in the table. Now a few words
about each of them. To avoid confusion (as the names are
similar), I will indicate the names of the creators of the
programs (in parentheses) and the version number (probably when
you read this line, the network has more than fresh).
The first was found Z-80 emulator v3.03 (G.
A. Lunter). It was he who inspired me to
further exploration, as in this program, I finally saw all
sixteen colors that are supported by the Spectrum. But there
was one snag: it's shareware-program, and
for registration need to put $ 23,
otherwise, certain functions will not work. Registratsiyadelo,
of course, is good, but There are many totally free
emulators are not inferior to that as possible.
JPP v14/12/92 (A. Gulbrandsen) and Irish
(K. Phair) - known emulators, but
rather outdated, little support
file formats and emulate only the earliest
Model Spectrum. I mention them only then,
so you do not spend time on them.
Nuclear ZX Spectrum v3. 69 (R. Garabik, L.
Salanci) - a good emulator, but lack of support for PC-joystick
and sound maps is disappointing.
Warajevo v 1. 50 (Z. Juric, S. Ribic) -
roughly the same as the previous
emulator, but with support for PC-joystick
database programs. Have already downloaded this
version, I later discovered that the web is
and a later version (v2.00), supporting tzx-format and whatnot.
This emulator is quite good and continues to evolve;
so recommend. The authors have started to create a program in
Sarajevo, when there was war. In doc-file, you can read as
arduous work of the programmer in the field, when there is no
electricity and other for a peaceful life.
The next three emulator created by our
Compatriots (loud "Hurrah !!!").
UKW v 1.2 (?). The program has a rather
a powerful debugger.
ZX-Emulator v0.30b - apparently the author of this
Program VS Yudin is a great expert in the field of video
programming, as this emulator better than all of the I have
seen celebrating, Xia with effects on curbs and other
associated with the frequency lines and personnel. Excellent
emulation and sound. Disadvantages: low frame rates
(About 50 Hz as the TV) and the lack of support for the
joystick. ZX-Spectrum v3.04b (H. Shalaev) - good
choice for enthusiasts to experiment.
The program provides a wide choice of
settings and allows you to create and connect the extension, eg
to download files of any format. K
Unfortunately, through the sound card output
only the sound of a synthesizer sound speaker output from the
PC-Speaker. ZX-32v1.03b (V. Kapartzianis) - the only one of
all the emulators for Windows 95. I note of the shortcomings of
distortion, and the fact that when working in full screen mode
appears interlaced. X-12V v0.8 (J. MsKeu) - this emulator I
I use most often. Emulation, including on Windows, is
excellent, the program supports all the formats are well c
joystick works, good prints sound. Of course, there are many
more emulators for different platforms. Perhaps
I found the most perfect and powerful of
them, but if so, then here you are, and maps
in hand.
. Resources
.. The World Of Spectrum
(Www.void.demon.nl / spectrum.html) - here
are both the newest versions of emulators
and archive software with search engines.
.. The Planet Sinclair
(Www.nvg.unit.no/sinclair/planet/
index.html)
.. The ZX-Spectrum Software Museum
(Http://zx-museum.org.ru)
Among other things, on the above
pages you will find many references to
Other pages on the same subject. If that is not enough - search
machine at your disposal.
Emulsion-Re-formats A S. Control PC-R. Examples
torus bench files Y B. tion joy t. Remark
JPP 1948 sna, voc - - ck + +
Irish 48 prg - -? - *
Nuc-48 sna, snp principle lear tap, ltp + - ck12 - * ter
covox
48 z80, sna debugged
UKV TR-tap, spc? + Ck + chik
DOS fdi
48 z80, tap base
Wara-128 voc, mdr DATA
jero + - ck12m + * for
about
g
48 z80, sna
X-128128 tap, voc + + ck12m + +
TR sit, tzx
DOS trd, dsk
Z-80 48 z80 + + ck2um + - principles
128 tap ter
Z-80 48 z80, tap principle reg 128 voc + + ck2um + * ter
Uchi
LTL
48 z80, sna
ZX-32128 dsk, cpd + + ck12 + +
TR-zip
DOS
48 z80, sna change ZX-128 trd, fdi + + ckm - + equate.
Emul TR-scr Rusk.
DOS fold.
ZX 48 z80, sna podSpe-128 trd key.
ctrum TR-+ + ck2m + + dopo
DOS lne
tions
NOTES TO TABLE: 1. Emulation Yamaha AY. 2. Types Supported
Control: with-cursor; k-kempston; 1-interface2 (Sinclair'1);
two-interface 2 (sinclair2); u-userdefined; m-kempston mouse.
3. Emulation of real-time: + yes;-no *
required speed setting emulation.
Computerra # 46 * November 24, 1998
By Bonifacy (500:612 / 1.09)
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