Something about Phoenix-999
ZXNet echo conference «zx.spectrum»
Hi, All!
The gradually emerging concept of the new Spectrum-compatible
computer "Phoenix-999" makes it possible to introduce it to respected Spectrumists.
Place and time of _alleged_ birth:
April-May 1999, St. Petersburg.
Fathers: ;) Andrey Savichev, Igor Maznitsa
Processor: z84c0010 10 MHz(20), if 20 drops in price to $3, then definitely
it’s the only one (this is a kmop z80 at 20 MHz).
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z380 definitely won’t be! it is impossible to make a cheap board with it, and an expensive one
will not be competitive with pensions going into circulation.
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Main memory: static 12-20 ns 4x32kx8 = 128k including video memory,
battery for storing the contents of the memory and running the clock;
I/O processor and graphics accelerator/procedural processor
( TOP SECRET :) );
Flash: 128k-1M;
Logic on the board - Altera, the cheapest possible, one-time;
ROM: 64-128k.
OS: TR-DOS v ?.??, CP/M v ?.?
Availability floppy drives and screws are not expected, they are displayed on flash ;)
as the latter became significantly cheaper in 1999 - 2001. and CD-ROM.
Local network support ("remote disks" in writing), built-in
"low-speed" ;) modem, interface to IBM PCasync up to 115,200 baud
(for storing archives, unused programs
and installing proprietary software - you don’t need cartridges either, you’ve played enough of the game,
approached any pussy, for example in a store ;), at work or at a neighbor’s,
installed a new one).
Connecting a CD-ROM (optional, but I hope that over time it will become basic),
mouse, standard keyboard Spectrum (optional) and an IBM PC keyboard.
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Limit price of the finished board: $39.99 :)
This is the main thing in our concept: first of all, the computer should be
cheap and accessible, and everything else as damned money will allow ;)
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Sound: high-quality optional (for separate prices) money), low-quality
optional (for some money), and the basic set will only have FM.
Video: all extensions are small and transparent:
1) 4 pages of a standard Spectrum screen 256x192 attr.;
2) 2 pages 256x192 4 colors from any 256 colors with memory
any of the possible palettes;
2 pages 512x192 attr.
3) 1 page 512x384 attr.;
1 page 512x192 4 colors from random 256 colors with memory
palette;
1 page 256x192 16 colors out of 256 with memory palette.
Video output: SVGA, CGA (optional)
Video accelerator for working with 2D, 2.5D (like Batman) and 3D (like Doom) graphics.
Sprite memory.
Text modes: 32 characters, 42 characters, 64 characters, 80 characters.
VT52 hardware-software emulator for CP/M .
Support for 8086 -> z80 converter.
Hardware model identifier.
Clock-calendar.
11.04.98
Sincerely, Andrey Savichev
Reference information (very brief!) E-mail: mas...@satan.spb.su
May you have eighty-three bags of hryvnia, Andrew!
Somehow a long time ago, specifically Sunday April 12, 1998 at 10:05 Andrew
Savichev wrote All:
AS> Processor: z84c0010 10 MHz (20), if 20 falls in price to $3, then
AS> it’s definitely the only one ( this kmop z80 at 20 MHz).
Hmm. Painfully cheap.
AS> Main memory: static 12-20 ns 4x32kx8 = 128k including
AS> video memory, battery for saving memory contents and running
AS> clock; I/O processor and graphics accelerator/procedural
AS> processor ( TOP SECRET :) ); Flash: 128k-1M; The logic on the board is Altera,
AS> the cheapest possible, single-use; ROM: 64-128k.
[skip]
AS> =======================================================================
AS> Limit price of the finished board: $39.99 :) This is the main thing in our
AS> concept: first of all, the computer should be cheap and accessible, and
AS> everything else as damned money will allow ;)
AS> ================================================================================================ Excluded (or interesting) It would be nice to look at your calculation, I admit that
mine is approximate and does not reflect _Moscow_ prices for the kit, because I
can’t come up with a board cheaper than $100, even if you throw out everything unnecessary.
At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the costs of developing and manufacturing the board.assembly,
configuration, programming of the matrix and ROM (programmer), percentage of defects,
absence of necessary components in warehouses (and availability of analogues). I don't yet
calculate taxes, racketeering, discounts for distributors, guarantees, etc.
How much does AY cost now? And VG93?
AS> Background information (very brief!) E-mail: mas...@satan.spb.su
To make it sound decent, this is a very optimistic forecast.
With respect, Tim. tyu...@usa.net [team Aries are Rulez Forever]
What are you saying!!! Do you want to put it in 40 tanks?! Imho not real! Maybe at 41, it
may be! (joke) :))))
AS> Video accelerator for working with 2D, 2.5D (like Batman) and 3D (like Doom)
^^^^^^^^^^^^
What will it do? Maybe a Zbuffer, memory for textures, dipolar
approximation, additional effects???
As for 2D, it’s not clear what kind of axel you can come up with. The only thing, of course
you can put mat.resistance and call it an axel! Well, 2.5D is a great thing you said!!! Is this the new standard? It seems like it’s not 2D and not 3D?!
Well, okay, again, what is the principle of the axel’s operation based on???
AS> . Support for 8086 -> z80 converter. The hardware ID
AS> of the model. Clock-calendar.
AS> 04/11/98
P.S.: All this is good, but why, there is Sprinter, imho it needs to be developed,
besides, you wrote that Phoenix will be developed by 2 people, but is this possible?
It requires a serious team with powerful support from both the hard and
soft side, and initial capital is also needed!
And the main thing is the point! If F. Peters is still producing his computer in experimental small batches, then what awaits your computer? And by the way, will it really turn out to be more steering, and even
if so, then again the Sprinter has already completed the first part of the distance and imho
it’s not bad at all, but the Phoenix seems to be the samewill remain a legend, like that bird of the same name ;)
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In general, all this reminded me of my own situation, when I, in an impulse, began to do something, but then either cooled down, or, on reflection, realized that all this was not real! And this happened very often. But I have unlearned this. But AS seems to be in the midst of this, so to speak, “disease”. That’s why we see him so often
written full of life, energy and unrealizable ideas!
p.s: Yes, it seems some people still haven’t realized that they are not in a fairy tale or in a kindergarten!
AS> Sincerely, Andrey Savichev
Hello, Andrew Savichev! I remember that on April 12, 98 you took it and launched
in All with this:
AS> Operating systems: TR-DOS v ?.??, CP/M v ?.?
Are you kidding me? Let's make another professional brake... IMHO if we do it, it will be compatible with the Sprinter. Moreover, the concept is very
close to it. Otherwise, we’ll disagree on standards again and won’t go anywhere with 128 kb
+flopovod.
Bye, with a pack of viciouses, Pavel Fedin.
Andy is that you?
...why did you tell Andrew Savichev about Something about Phoenix-999?
AH> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ What is he going to do? Maybe Zbuffer, memory for
AH> textures, dipolar approximation, additional effects??? As for 2D
AH>, it’s not clear what kind of axel you can come up with. The only thing, of course, you can
AH> put a mat. resistor and call it an axel! Well, here’s 2.5D, that’s cool
AH> you said!!! Is this a new standard? It seems like it’s not 2D and not 3D?! Well, yes
AH> okay, again, what is the principle of Axel’s work based on???
idea: connect voodoo to the Spectrum ;) No, connect to voo-doo
zetnik with a disk drive... and rulez. ;)
AH> P.S.: All this is good, but why, there is Sprinter, imho and it is necessary
fame does not give rest... imho...
Good Luck...
... "There may be a correlation between humor and sex.
Further research is clearly indicated."
Greetings, dear Max!
Spring is just around the corner, Max Romanoff and Andy Harchenko,
talking to each other o:
MR> idea: connect voodoo to the spectrum;) No, connect to voo-doo
MR> zettenik with a disk drive... and rulez. ;)
Yeah, you can generally bring the user to such a point that in order to switch from
one platform to another, he only needs to replace the motherboard...
Andrey is that you?
...why were you telling me about A let's connect to the spectrum... (but let's
not connect :) ?
AM> Yeah, you can generally bring the user to such a point that for
AM> the transition from one platform to another, he only needed to replace the
AM> motherboard...
some are already leading to this...
AM> Rather, there is no need to turn the pedals, so they invent...
well...
Good Luck...
... Who's General Failure & why's he reading my disk?