Sinclair ZX80 / ZX81 / Z88 Forums

PokeMon,

Is the ZX8-CCB also good for adding composite video to a Spectrum 48k?

No - it is for monochrome black and white only.

How is the latest batch of ZX8-CCB boards coming? Can we place an order soon?

Well - it took some time to get the ZX8-CCB back as it was sold out temporarily in end of january this year. Due to a member request I did add a special (optional) feature with a horizontal sync generator which delivers sync information when it is not available. Typical situations on a ZX81 (or ZX80) this is the FAST mode, LOAD and SAVE. It is like the ZX81-SCP I developed one time in a quite small series. There is a microcontroller on the backside able to overdrive the video signals.

The boards should be available in beginning of april (just ordered today as I did not find time in the past to do the changes and think of it) and the basic price will be the same for the standard module ZX8-CCB (without sync generator) with EUR 7.50 or GBP 6.00 and about EUR 11.50 or GBP 9.00 for the extended module. This may be available a few weeks later as the microcode has to be developed/tested from me first. It is now just prepared. It will also possible to upgrade the module later while soldering a programmed controller on the backside which is SMD but not to hard to solder with a 1.27mm or 0.05 inch pitch. Just for people who need it fast.

The dimension of the board (21x25mm) and the position of the contacts/wires did not change.

Here is the new component side:

and solder side:

and schematics:

I'm looking forward to seeing this since it is the next step to updating my ZX81 . I may also get a Z8-KDLX budget permitting. Does the special feature keep the screen from blanking out while in Fast mode? I see it uses a TI MSP430. I've had a little fun with those chips on the TI LaunchPads I have.

Yes - it is a MSP430 controller as I have some experiences with the development environment from earlier projects. An Attiny would do the job, too, I think. But it saves time when experienced with a controller family already.

So the old CCP board is NOT? upgradeable with the sync generator...

Nope. You could do manually on a breadboard as schematic was attached.

Wonderful improvement! Now, how about a frame buffer to hold the screen until display can be executed?

Just sayin'...

I made a study about that earlier already and have a solution in my mind but in the moment no chance to realize. Anyway would be larger in size and more expensive. I have another solution in my mind which may come in summer. Maybe.