CPCWiki - THE Amstrad CPC encyclopedia! - User contributions [en]

Category:Music and sound

2009-10-26T13:23:05Z

Nowster: Spelling

This is an alphabetical list of audio-related peripherals and software for the CPC.

[[Category:Hardware]] [[Category:Peripherals]]

Mélodie

2009-10-26T13:22:10Z

Nowster: moved M??lodie to Mélodie: Mis-spelled

[[Category:Hardware]]
[[Category:Music and sound]]
The Mélodie is a project by [[Futur's]] to make a soundcard for the CPC. The card can sample and play sound in CD quality (or maybe even more). The card also include a mixer, allowing you to plug the PSG output and the Soundplayer/Digiplayer output and to have everything on the same speakers.

M??lodie

2009-10-26T13:22:10Z

Nowster: moved M??lodie to Mélodie: Mis-spelled

#REDIRECT [[Mélodie]]

GX4000 cartridge

2009-10-26T13:21:12Z

Nowster: Spelling and grammar

[[Image:Burning Rubber - cara A.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A cartridge for the + series]]

A cartridge system was introduced with the launch of the CPC+ series. This enabled developers to distribute games via cartridges on the new Amstrad. The cartridges are protected with the [[ACID]] chip.

== Technical specs. ==
There are different versions of the cartridges which contain EPROMs of different sizes. To indicate the EPROM size to the CPC+, different combinations of links have to be shorted.

{|{{Prettytable|width: 700px; font-size: 2em;}}
|''EPROM type''||''EPROM size''||''Contacts''
|-
||27C512||64kb||LK3
|-
||27C1001||128kb||LK1 + LK6
|-
|27C2001||256kb||LK3 + LK6
|}

[[RAM7]], a French hardware developer, created a device to hack [[RAM7 Cartridge Hacker|CPC Plus cartridges]].

== Pictures ==

<gallery caption="GX4000 cartridges">
Image:Inside GX4000 cart 1.jpg|Inside view of a CPC+ cartridge
Image:Inside GX4000 cart 2.jpg|Inside view of a CPC+ cartridge
</gallery>

==Links==

[http://www.vieuzordiland.fr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=34 Vieuxzordiland's page on the matter. In French]

[[Category:Hardware]][[Category:Cartridges]][[Category:DATA Storage]]
[[Category:Stub]]

Amstrad Cartridge Identification Device

2009-10-26T13:18:59Z

Nowster: Spelling

[[Image:Inside GX4000 cart 1.jpg|frame|right|ACID protection chip within a cartridge (bottom)]]

The '''ACID''' ('''A'''mstrad '''C'''artridge '''I'''dentification '''D'''evice) protection chip is used in the [[GX4000 cartridge|cartridges]] of the [[Plus]] series and the [[GX4000]] game console. Because this chip was a custom creation by Amstrad it is currently not possible to replace this chip nor to build new cartridges, because it is not known how it works. It is labelled with "Amstrad 40908".

== Pinout ==

<pre>
+--()--+
GND | 1 16| +5V
A7 | 2 15| A6
CLK4| 3 14| A5
NC | 4 13| A4
CCLR| 5 12| A3
SIN | 6 11| A2
|CE | 7 10| A1
GND | 8 9| A0
+------+
</pre>

{|{{Prettytable|width: 700px; font-size: 2em;}}
|''Pin number''||''Name''||''Direction''||''Description''
|-
|1||GND||-||Ground
|-
|2||A7||Input||Address A7
|-
|3||CLK4||Input||Clock (4 MHz)
|-
|4||NC||-||Not connected
|-
|5||CCLR||?||?
|-
|6||SIN||?||?
|-
|7||/CE||Input||Chip enable
|-
|8||GND||-||Ground
|-
|9||A0||Input||Address A0
|-
|10||A1||Input||Address A1
|-
|11||A2||Input||Address A2
|-
|12||A3||Input||Address A3
|-
|13||A4||Input||Address A4
|-
|14||A5||Input||Address A5
|-
|15||A6||Input||Address A6
|-
|16||+5V||-||Vcc
|}

Investigation (Spanish language):
http://amstradcpc.mforos.com/305097/7723493-que-hace-exactamente-el-chip-acid-de-los-cartuchos/

[[Category:Hardware]][[Category:Cartridges]][[Category:CPC Plus]]

Category:Cartridges

2009-10-26T13:17:42Z

Nowster: Spelling

A cartridge system was introduced with the launch of the CPC+ series.

This enabled developers to distribute games via cartridges on the new Amstrad. The cartridges are protected by the [[ACID]] chip.

== Technical specs. ==

A device to hack [[RAM7 Cartridge Hacker|+ cartridges]]

== Pictures ==

<gallery caption="GX4000 cartridges">

Image:Inside GX4000 cart 1.jpg|Inside view of a CPC+ cartridge
Image:Inside GX4000 cart 2.jpg|Inside view of a CPC+ cartridge

</gallery>

[[Category:Games]] [[Category:Hardware]][[Category:DATA Storage]]

ASIC

2009-10-26T13:17:03Z

Nowster: Tidy up

Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)

An ASIC is an especially manufactured custom chip designed to fulfil special functions.

The main reason is to perform special tasks or combine different electronic components into a single Integrated Circuit (chip).

==Amstrad Custom chips==

The Amstrad CPC used one custom chip: the video [[Gate Array]] (also called VGA – no connection with the Video PC standard).

Latter [[CPC]] cost down series included a "pre-ASIC" to merge the VGA and the CRTC.

The Amstrad [[Plus]] included a "second heart" simply referred as the ASIC.

CPC+ ASIC's part number is 40489

This Amstrad Plus ASIC perform many additional features that the old CPC series couldn't: the "Plus Features".

*Hardware Sprites.
*[[CRTC]] emulation.
*Hardware Scrolling.
*Maybe some interactions with the [[Amstrad Cartridge Identification Device|ACID]] chip in cartridges.
*DMA sound channels.
*Many many more.

== Known Flaws==

The Amstrad Plus ASIC improved a lot of the old CPC's capability.
Yet this was a bit flawed.

*Despite removing some tasks from the CPU ([[Z80]]), the ASIC had to use specific central memory addresses, so "took away" this memory from the CPU...

This was not that important for a 64KB RAM system (464+ and GX4000) yet this is a serious limitation when dealing with Extra memory (6128+ and Extra RAM peripheral)

*There's a DMA bug (Help needed).

*Some argue that the ASIC simply badly emulates an old CPC, but it is not really one. The colours are slightly different and some software (games) couldn't work until modified (patches for such old CPC games often exist now).

As a result, some people say that the Plus is not a CPC.

==Internal Links==

*[[Arnold V specs]]
*[[Arnold V Specs Revised]]
*[[Programming:Unlocking ASIC]]
*[[B-ASIC]]

*[[CRTC]]
*[[Gate Array]]

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application-specific_integrated_circuit ASIC at Wikipedia]
General information on ASICs.

*[http://www.kjthacker.f2s.com/docs/arn5new.html Asic and Plus features at Unofficial CPC ressources 1.4]
*[http://www.kjthacker.f2s.com/docs/arnold5a.html Asic and Plus features at Unofficial CPC ressources 1.5]
*[http://www.kjthacker.f2s.com/docs/cpcplus.html Extra Plus Hardware Information]

[[Category:CPC Plus]][[Category:Hardware]][[Category:Programming]][[Category:Datasheet]][[Category:Graphic]]
[[Category:Stub]]

Gate Array

2009-10-26T12:42:21Z

Nowster: Tidy up

Gate Array

Also designated as Video gate Array (VGA).

== Introduction ==

The gate array is a specially designed chip exclusively for use in the Amstrad CPC and was designed by Amstrad plc.

In the CPC+ system, the functions of the Gate-Array are integrated into a single [[ASIC|ASIC]]. When the ASIC is "locked", the extra features are not available and the ASIC operates the same as the Gate-Array in the CPC allowing programs written for the CPC to work on the Plus without modification. The ASIC must be "un-locked" to access the new features.

In the [[KC Compact Computer|KC compact]] system, the functions of the Gate-Array are "emulated" in [[TTL logic|TTL logic]] and by the [[Zilog Z8536 CIO|Zilog Z8536 CIO]].

In the "cost-down" version of the CPC6128, the functions of the Gate-Array are integrated into a ASIC.

The Gate Array is described here is the one found in a standard CPC.

== What does it do? ==

The Gate Array is responsible for the display (colour palette, resolution, horizontal and vertical sync), interrupt generation and memory arrangement.

== Controlling the Gate Array ==

The gate array is controlled by I/O. The gate array is selected when bit 15 of the I/O port address is set to "0" and bit 14 of the I/O port address is set to "1". The values of the other bits are ignored. However, to avoid conflict with other devices in the system, these bits should be set to "1".

The recommended I/O port address is &7Fxx.

The function to be performed is selected by writing data to the Gate-Array, bit 7 and 6 of the data define the function selected (see table below). It is not possible to read from the Gate-Array.

{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
| ''Bit 7''
| ''Bit 6''
| ''Function''
|-
| 0
| 0
| Select pen
|-
| 0
| 1
| Select colour for selected pen
|-
| 1
| 0
| Select screen mode, ROM configuration and interrupt control
|-
| 1
| 1
| RAM Memory Management (note 1)
|}

===== Note =====

This function is not available in the Gate-Array, but is performed by a device at the same I/O port address location. In the CPC464, CPC664 and KC compact, this function is performed in a memory-expansion (e.g. Dk'Tronics 64K RAM Expansion), if this expansion is not present then the function is not available. In the CPC6128, this function is performed by a PAL located on the main PCB, or a memory-expansion. In the 464+ and 6128+ this function is performed by the ASIC or a memory expansion. Please read the document on RAM management for more information.

==== Pen selection ====

When bit 7 and bit 6 are set to "0", the remaining bits determine which pen is to have its colour changed. When bit 4 is set to "0", bits 3 to 0 define which pen is to be selected. When bit 4 is set to "1", the value contained in bits 3-0 is ignored and the border is selected.

The pen remains selected until another is chosen.

Each mode has a fixed number of pens. Mode 0 has 16 pens, mode 1 has 4 pens and mode 2 has 2 pens.

===== Summary =====

{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
| ''Bit''
| ''Value''
| ''Function''
|-
| 7
| 0
| rowspan="2" | Gate Array function "Pen Selection"
|-
| 6
| 0
|-
| 5
| -
| not used
|-
| 4
| 1
| Select border
|-
| 3
| x
| rowspan="4" | Ignored
|-
| 2
| x
|-
| 1
| x
|-
| 0
| x
|}

<br>

{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
| ''Bit''
| ''Value''
| ''Function''
|-
| 7
| 0
| rowspan="2" | Gate Array function "Pen Selection"
|-
| 6
| 0
|-
| 5
| -
| not used
|-
| 4
| 0
| Select pen
|-
| 3
| x
| rowspan="4" | Pen number
|-
| 2
| x
|-
| 1
| x
|-
| 0
| x
|}

==== Colour selection ====

Once the pen has been selected its colour can then be changed. Bits 4 to 0 specify the hardware colour number from the hardware colour palette.

Even though there is provision for 32 colours, only 27 are possible. The remaining colours are duplicates of those already in the colour palette.

===== Summary =====

{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
| ''Bit''
| ''Value''
| ''Function''
|-
| 7
| 0
| rowspan="2" | Gate Array function "Colour selection"
|-
| 6
| 1
|-
| 5
| -
| not used
|-
| 4
| x
| rowspan="5" | Colour number x
|-
| 3
| x
|-
| 2
| x
|-
| 1
| x
|-
| 0
| x
|}

==== Hardware colour palette ====

{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
| ''Colour Number''
| ''Colour Name''
| ''Color''
|-
| 0
| White
| bgcolor="#808080" |
|-
| 1
| White (note 1)
| bgcolor="#808080" |
|-
| 2
| Sea Green
| bgcolor="#00ff80" |
|-
| 3
| Pastel Yellow
| bgcolor="#ffff50" |
|-
| 4
| Blue
| bgcolor="#000080" |
|-
| 5
| Purple
| bgcolor="#ff0080" |
|-
| 6
| Cyan
| bgcolor="#008080" |
|-
| 7
| Pink
| bgcolor="#ff8080" |
|-
| 8
| Purple (note 1)
| bgcolor="#ff0080" |
|-
| 9
| Pastel Yellow (note 1)
| bgcolor="#ffff50" |
|-
| 10
| Bright Yellow
| bgcolor="#ffff80" |
|-
| 11
| Bright White
| bgcolor="#ffffff" |
|-
| 12
| Bright Red
| bgcolor="#ff0000" |
|-
| 13
| Bright Magenta
| bgcolor="#ff00ff" |
|-
| 14
| Orange
| bgcolor="#ff8000" |
|-
| 15
| Pastel Magenta
| bgcolor="#ff80ff" |
|-
| 16
| Blue (note 1)
| bgcolor="#000080" |
|-
| 17
| Sea Green (note 1)
| bgcolor="#00ff80" |
|-
| 18
| Bright Green
| bgcolor="#00ff00" |
|-
| 19
| Bright Cyan
| bgcolor="#00ffff" |
|-
| 20
| Black
| bgcolor="#000000" |
|-
| 21
| Bright Blue
| bgcolor="#0000ff" |
|-
| 22
| Green
| bgcolor="#008000" |
|-
| 23
| Sky Blue
| bgcolor="#0080ff" |
|-
| 24
| Magenta
| bgcolor="#800080" |
|-
| 25
| Pastel Green
| bgcolor="#80ff80" |
|-
| 26
| Lime
| bgcolor="#80ff00" |
|-
| 27
| Pastel Cyan
| bgcolor="#80ffff" |
|-
| 28
| Red
| bgcolor="#800000" |
|-
| 29
| Mauve
| bgcolor="#8000ff" |
|-
| 30
| Yellow
| bgcolor="#808000" |
|-
| 31
| Pastel Blue
| bgcolor="#8080ff" |
|}

===== Notes =====

This is not an official colour.

=== Select screen mode and ROM configuration ===

This is a general purpose register responsible for the [[Video modes|screen mode]] and the ROM configuration.

==== Screen mode selection ====

The function of bits 1 and 0 is to define the screen mode. The settings for bits 1 and 0 and the corresponding screen mode are given in the table below.

{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
| ''Bit 1''
| ''Bit 0''
| ''Screen mode''
|-
| 0
| 0
| Mode 0, 160x200 resolution, 16 colours
|-
| 0
| 1
| Mode 1, 320x200 resolution, 4 colours
|-
| 1
| 0
| Mode 2, 640x200 resolution, 2 colours
|-
| 1
| 1
| Mode 3, 160x200 resolution, 4 colours (note 1)
|}

This mode is not official. From the combinations possible, we can see that 4 modes can be defined, although the Amstrad only has 3. Mode 3 is similar to mode 0, because it has the same resolution, but it is limited to only 4 colours.

Mode changing is synchronised with HSYNC. If the mode is changed, it will take effect from the next HSYNC.

==== ROM configuration selection ====

Bit 2 is used to enable or disable the lower ROM area. The lower ROM area occupies memory addresses &0000-&3fff and is used to access the operating system ROM. When the lower ROM area is is enabled, reading from &0000-&3FFF will return data in the ROM. When a value is written to &0000-&3FFF, it will be written to the RAM underneath the RAM. When it is disabled, data read from &0000-&3FFF will return the data in the RAM.

Similarly, bit 3 controls enabling or disabling of the upper ROM area. The upper ROM area occupies memory addressess &C000-&FFFF and is BASIC or any expansion ROMs which may be plugged into a ROM board/box. See the document on upper rom selection for more details. When the upper ROM area enabled, reading from &c000-&ffff, will return data in the ROM. When data is written to &c000-&FFFF, it will be written to the RAM at the same address as the ROM. When the upper ROM area is disabled, and data is read from &c000-&ffff it will be the data in the RAM.

Bit 4 controls the interrupt generation. It can be used to delay interrupts. See the document on interrupt generation for more information.

===== Summary =====

{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
| ''Bit''
| ''Value''
| ''Function''
|-
| 7
| 1
| rowspan="2" | Gate Array function
|-
| 6
| 0
|-
| 5
| -
| not used
|-
| 4
| x
| Interrupt generation control
|-
| 3
| x
|
*1 Upper ROM area disable
*0 Upper ROM area enable

|-
| 2
| x
|
*1 Lower ROM area disable
*0 Lower ROM area enable

|-
| 1
| x
| rowspan="2" | Mode slection
|-
| 0
| x
|}

== Programming the Gate Array - Examples ==

Defining the colours, <br>Setting pen 0 to Bright White.
<pre>LD BC,7F00 ;Gate Array port
LD A,%00000000+0 ;Pen number (and Gate Array function)
OUT (C),A ;Send pen number
LD A,%01000000+11 ;Pen colour (and Gate Array function)
OUT (C),A ;Send it
RET

Setting the mode and ROM configuration,
Mode 2, upper and lower ROM disabled.

LD BC,7F00 ;Gate array port
LD A,%10000000+%00001110 ;Mode and ROM selection (and Gate Array function)
OUT (C),A ;Send it
RET
</pre>
==== Conversion chart ====

The hardware colour number is different to the colour range used by the firmware, so a conversion chart is provided for the corresponding firmware/hardware colour values and the corresponding colour name.

===== Note =====

The firmware keeps track of the colours it is using. Every VSYNC (assuming interrupts are enabled) the firmware sets the colours. This enables the user to have flashing colours. If the user selects a new colour using the gate array, the new colour will flash temporarily and then return to its original colour. This is due to the firmware resetting the colour. When using the firmware, use its routines to select the colour, and the colour will remain.

{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
| ''Firmware Colour Number''
| ''Colour Name''
| ''Hardware Number''
| ''Quick reference colour value''
| ''Colour''
|-
| 0
| Black
| 20
| &54
| bgcolor="#000000" |
|-
| 1
| Blue
| 4
| &44
| bgcolor="#000080" |
|-
| 2
| Bright Blue
| 21
| &55
| bgcolor="#0000ff" |
|-
| 3
| Red
| 28
| &5C
| bgcolor="#800000" |
|-
| 4
| Magenta
| 24
| &58
| bgcolor="#800080" |
|-
| 5
| Mauve
| 29
| &5D
| bgcolor="#8000ff" |
|-
| 6
| Bright Red
| 12
| &4C
| bgcolor="#ff0000" |
|-
| 7
| Purple
| 5
| &45
| bgcolor="#ff0080" |
|-
| 8
| Bright Magenta
| 13
| &4D
| bgcolor="#ff00ff" |
|-
| 9
| Green
| 22
| &56
| bgcolor="#008000" |
|-
| 10
| Cyan
| 6
| &46
| bgcolor="#008080" |
|-
| 11
| Sky Blue
| 23
| &57
| bgcolor="#0080ff" |
|-
| 12
| Yellow
| 30
| &5E
| bgcolor="#808000" |
|-
| 13
| White
| 0
| &40
| bgcolor="#808080" |
|-
| 14
| Pastel Blue
| 31
| &5F
| bgcolor="#8080ff" |
|-
| 15
| Orange
| 14
| &4E
| bgcolor="#ff8000" |
|-
| 16
| Pink
| 7
| &47
| bgcolor="#ff8080" |
|-
| 17
| Pastel Magenta
| 15
| &4F
| bgcolor="#ff80ff" |
|-
| 18
| Bright Green
| 18
| &52
| bgcolor="#00ff00" |
|-
| 19
| Sea Green
| 2
| &42
|-
| 20
| Bright Cyan
| 19
| &53
| bgcolor="#00ffff" |
|-
| 21
| Lime
| 26
| &5A
| bgcolor="#80ff00" |
|-
| 22
| Pastel Green
| 25
| &59
| bgcolor="#80ff80" |
|-
| 23
| Pastel Cyan
| 27
| &5B
| bgcolor="#80ffff" |
|-
| 24
| Bright Yellow
| 10
| &4A
| bgcolor="#ffff80" |
|-
| 25
| Pastel Yellow
| 3
| &43
| bgcolor="#ffff80" |
|-
| 26
| Bright White
| 11
| &4B
| bgcolor="#ffffff" |
|}

This chart also gives a quick reference guide for programming the colours. The number is the colour number which can be sent directly, once the pen has been selected, to get the colour wanted.

Example:
<pre>ld bc,7f00+1 ;Gate array function (set pen)
;and pen number
out (c),c
ld bc,7f00 ;41
;Gate array function (set colour)
;and colour number
out (c),c
ret
</pre>
==== Palette R,G,B definitions ====

There are 27 colours which are generated from red, green and blue mixed in different quantities. There are 3 levels of red, 3 levels of green and 3 levels of blue, and these can be thought of as off/no colour, half-on/half-colour, and on/full-colour.

To display a CPC image you will need to use a analogue monitor with a composite sync.

This table shows the relationship between hardware colour number, colour name and RGB mixing.

<br>

{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
| ''Hardware Colour Index''
| ''Colour Name''
| ''R %''
| ''G %''
| ''B %''
| ''Colour''
|-
| 0
| White
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 50
| bgcolor="#808080" |
|-
| 1
| White
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 50
| bgcolor="#808080" |
|-
| 2
| Sea Green
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 50
| bgcolor="#00ff80" |
|-
| 3
| Pastel Yellow
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 50
| bgcolor="#ffff80" |
|-
| 4
| Blue
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 50
| bgcolor="#000080" |
|-
| 5
| Purple
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 50
| bgcolor="#ff0080" |
|-
| 6
| Cyan
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 50
| bgcolor="#008080" |
|-
| 7
| Pink
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 50
| bgcolor="#ff8080" |
|-
| 8
| Purple
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 50
| bgcolor="#ff0080" |
|-
| 9
| Pastel Yellow
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 50
| bgcolor="#ffff80" |
|-
| 10
| Bright Yellow
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 0
| bgcolor="#ffff00" |
|-
| 11
| Bright White
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 100
| bgcolor="#ffffff" |
|-
| 12
| Bright Red
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 0
| bgcolor="#ff0000" |
|-
| 13
| Bright Magenta
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 100
| bgcolor="#ff00ff" |
|-
| 14
| Orange
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 0
| bgcolor="#ff8000" |
|-
| 15
| Pastel Magenta
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 100
| bgcolor="#ff80ff" |
|-
| 16
| Blue
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 50
| bgcolor="#000080" |
|-
| 17
| Sea Green
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 50
| bgcolor="#00ff80" |
|-
| 18
| Bright Green
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 0
| bgcolor="#00ff00" |
|-
| 19
| Bright Cyan
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 100
| bgcolor="#00ffff" |
|-
| 20
| Black
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 0
| bgcolor="#000000" |
|-
| 21
| Bright Blue
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 100
| bgcolor="#0000ff" |
|-
| 22
| Green
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 0
| bgcolor="#008000" |
|-
| 23
| Sky Blue
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 100
| bgcolor="#0080ff" |
|-
| 24
| Magenta
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 50
| bgcolor="#800080" |
|-
| 25
| Pastel Green
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 50
| bgcolor="#80ff80" |
|-
| 26
| Lime
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 0
| bgcolor="#80ff00" |
|-
| 27
| Pastel Cyan
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 100
| bgcolor="#80ffff" |
|-
| 28
| Red
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 0
| bgcolor="#800000" |
|-
| 29
| Mauve
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 0
| align="right" | 100
| bgcolor="#8000ff" |
|-
| 30
| Yellow
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 0
| bgcolor="#808000" |
|-
| 31
| Pastel Blue
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" | 100
| bgcolor="#8080ff" |
|}

==== RGB assignments for the software colours ====

This is simply a side note to illustrate a pattern in the RGB assignments of the software colours and to show how their value is calculated.

{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
| ''Firmware Colour Number''
| ''Colour Name''
| ''R %''
| ''G %''
| ''B %''
| ''Colour''
|-
| 0
| Black
| 0
| 0
| 0
| bgcolor="#000000" |
|-
| 1
| Blue
| 0
| 0
| 50
| bgcolor="#000080" |
|-
| 2
| Bright Blue
| 0
| 0
| 100
| bgcolor="#0000ff" |
|-
| 3
| Red
| 50
| 0
| 0
| bgcolor="#800000" |
|-
| 4
| Magenta
| 50
| 0
| 50
| bgcolor="#800080" |
|-
| 5
| Mauve
| 50
| 0
| 100
| bgcolor="#8000ff" |
|-
| 6
| Bright Red
| 100
| 0
| 0
| bgcolor="#ff0000" |
|-
| 7
| Purple
| 100
| 0
| 50
| bgcolor="#ff0080" |
|-
| 8
| Bright Magenta
| 100
| 0
| 100
| bgcolor="#ff00ff" |
|-
| 9
| Green
| 0
| 50
| 0
| bgcolor="#008000" |
|-
| 10
| Cyan
| 0
| 50
| 50
| bgcolor="#008080" |
|-
| 11
| Sky Blue
| 0
| 50
| 100
| bgcolor="#0080ff" |
|-
| 12
| Yellow
| 50
| 50
| 0
| bgcolor="#808000" |
|-
| 13
| White
| 50
| 50
| 50
| bgcolor="#808080" |
|-
| 14
| Pastel Blue
| 50
| 50
| 100
| bgcolor="#8080ff" |
|-
| 15
| Orange
| 100
| 50
| 0
| bgcolor="#ff8000" |
|-
| 16
| Pink
| 100
| 50
| 50
| bgcolor="#ff8080" |
|-
| 17
| Pastel Magenta
| 100
| 50
| 100
| bgcolor="#ff80ff" |
|-
| 18
| Bright Green
| 0
| 100
| 0
| bgcolor="#00ff00" |
|-
| 19
| Sea Green
| 0
| 100
| 50
| bgcolor="#00ff80" |
|-
| 20
| Bright Cyan
| 0
| 100
| 100
| bgcolor="#00ffff" |
|-
| 21
| Lime
| 50
| 100
| 0
| bgcolor="#80ff00" |
|-
| 22
| Pastel Green
| 50
| 100
| 50
| bgcolor="#80ff80" |
|-
| 23
| Pastel Cyan
| 50
| 100
| 100
| bgcolor="#80ffff" |
|-
| 24
| Bright Yellow
| 100
| 100
| 0
| bgcolor="#ffff00" |
|-
| 25
| Pastel Yellow
| 100
| 100
| 50
| bgcolor="#ffff80" |
|-
| 26
| Bright White
| 100
| 100
| 100
| bgcolor="#ffffff" |
|}

===== To calculate the colour value =====

'''Red'''

0% => do not add anything

50% => add 3

100% => add 6

'''Green'''

0% => do not add anything

50% => add 9

100% => add 18

'''Blue'''

0% => do not add anything

50% => add 1

100% => add 2

Green Screen Colours

On a green screen (where all colours are shades of green), the colours (in the software/firmware colours), are in order of increasing intensity. Black is very dark, and white is bright green, and colour 13 is a medium green. (Thanks to [[Mark Rison|Mark Rison]] for this information)

==Links==

*[[Video modes]] : for other informations on colours and pixels.

*[[CRTC]] : the other video stuff.
*[[ASIC]] : for Plus users

*[[Synchronising with the CRTC and display]] : technical details on the relationship between Gate Array and CRTC.

[[Category:Hardware]][[Category:Programming]][[Category:Datasheet]][[Category:Graphic]]

Dr.Zed

2009-10-12T18:12:35Z

Nowster: Spelling and grammar

[[Image:Drz.jpg|thumb|Dr.Zed today]] [[Image:Drzeds1.jpg|thumb|Dr.Zed at the beach 1]] [[Image:Drzeds2.jpg|thumb|Dr.Zed at the beach 2]]

'''Dr.Zed''' is a hardware developer and PLD/CPLD/FPGA/AVR programmer in the German CPC scene. [[TFM|TFM]] contacted him in 2003 about the production of a MP3 card for the CPC. Dr.Zed produced the first MP3 card for the CPC ever made and [[TFM|TFM]] wrote the [[FuturePlayer|FuturePlayer]] software for it. He finally joined the scene in 2004 at the [[COM II|COM_II]] meeting in Frankfurt. Later a team of '''Dr.Zed''', [[Octoate|Octoate]], [[TFM|TFM]] and [[Tolkin|Tolkin]] created the CPC-IDE, Dr.Zed having done the main part of the work. He created the first working IDE interface at this time, called the [[CPC IDE|CPC IDE]]. It was the predecessor of the [[SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II]] extension card that was also developed by Dr.Zed.

== Productions ==
* [[FuturePlayer]] (2004, MP3 player for the CPC)
*[[CPC IDE|CPC IDE]] (2004; IDE interface)
*[[SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II]] (2006; IDE + PS/2 interface, RTC, 512 KB RAM / 512 KB ROM expansion)

== Group ==

*[[SymbiosiS|SymbiosiS]] (since 2005)

[[Category:CPC_scene_members]]

SYMBiFACE II

2009-10-12T18:11:12Z

Nowster: Spelling and grammar

== Introduction ==

[[Image:Cpc-ide.jpg|200px|thumb|Prototype of the CPC-IDE interface]]

In Autumn 2004 the CPC-IDE was developed by [[Dr.Zed]] with support from [[Octoate]], [[Tolkin]] and [[TFM]]. It was the first hardware solution ever that allowed connection of IDE harddrives and CF cards to the CPC with the maximum possible data transfer speed. Technically the CPC-IDE interface was based on the GIDE IDE interface by Tilmann Reh.

It was fully working, but still in a prototype state, so only 10 pieces have been produced.

During the production of the CPC-IDE [[Prodatron]] joined the team and created IDE-support in [[SymbOS]] for [[Disc_format|FAT]]16 and FAT32 hard discs by Xmas 2004.

After getting it working successfully, [[Dr.Zed]] and [[Prodatron]] made plans for a second version, which includes a lot of more extensions. So the '''SYMBiFACE II''' is not now merely an IDE interface. It merges the CPC with current PC technology.

== Features ==

[[Image:Symbiface II.jpg|thumb|400px|SYMBiFACE II]]
[[Image:Symbiface2.gif|thumb|400px|SYMBiFACE II with description]]

CPC SYMBiFACE II contains the optimal solution for connecting a CPC with an IDE hard disc. It provides the maximum - both for the performance and for the simplicity in accessing the hard disc.

''IDE Features''

*Supports IDE hard discs with up to 128GB.
*Bigger HDD or CD/DVD drive support possible with drivers.
*Simultaneous operation of two hard discs (master and slave) for a total of up to 256GB on your CPC!
*Transfer speed of 162KByte/s. That's as fast as copying memory inside the CPC with LDIR. In practice (loading FAT16/32 files) the speed is still about 130KB/s ([[SymbOS|SymbOS]]-FAT-driver).
*External power supply required: no extra load for the CPC's internal PSU.
*No timing problems: Interrupts don't need to be disabled during the data transfer with the hard disc. The hard disc can operate while you play sound or doing other things with your CPC (multitasking etc.).
*Traffic activity display via a LED on the board.

''Additional Features''

*512KB RAM extension, which is fully compatible with the CPC [[6128|6128]] and the [[Dk'tronics|dk'tronics]] RAM extension
*512KB rewriteable ROM. You can upload up to 32 ROMs, which are persistent. You can also use the ROM space as an additional RAM extension. ROMs can be switched on or off via switches or via software.
*PS/2 mouse connector. This makes it possible to connect wireless and optical mice to your CPC.
*Real time clock, which is fully PC compatible and provides additional 128 byte persistent RAM, which can be used to store config data.

== ROM-Manager ==

[[Image:Sf2romman.gif|thumb|400px|SYMBiFACE II ROM manager]]

SYMBiFACE II includes ROM manager software, which runs under [[SymbOS|SymbOS]]. This tool is needed for displaying, loading, saving and deleting the 32 x 16K ROMs.

*See also "[[ROManager|ROManager]]", a comprehensive SYMBiFACE II ROM management tool for [[FutureOS|FutureOS]]. It allows you to load or save one or all ROMs, test a ROM, adapt the checksum, copy, paste and delete ROMs etc.

== See also ==

* [[Programming:SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II documents]]
* [http://www.symbos.de/sf2.htm SYMBiFACE II homepage]

[[Category:Hardware]] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:SymbOS]] [[Category:Memory expansions]]

CRR

2009-10-12T17:42:31Z

Nowster: Provide a few more details on CRR (which I wrote).

[[Category:CP/M]]
CRR, CP/M Read and Reply, was an offline reader for bulletin boards written by [mailto:pm@nowster.org.uk Paul Martin]. It ran on all CP/M systems but was particularly popular with CPC-owning BBS users.

CRR allowed you to dial up your favourite bulletin board, download all your e-mails and discussion board messages, then disconnect. You could read and reply to them at your leisure, and would only need to reconnect when you wanted to send them. It was compatible with [[FidoNet]] bulletin boards which supported certain protocols, such as XRS and QWK.

In the author's words from 1991, describing an early version:

<blockquote>
CRR is the CP/M offline reader for use anywhere XRS might be used on
an MSDOS machine. It allows you to read and reply to downloaded
messages from a conforming QBBS, RemoteAccess or SuperBBS Fidonet
bulletin board. In order to use this software you will need an
archiving program (eg. ARK or ARC), an archive extractor (UNZIP
included), and a text editor (eg. VDE or ZDE).
</blockquote>

If you do wish to use CRR, the following Turbo Pascal program is the registration key generator:

<pre>
Program keygenerator;

var crc1,crc2,p,q: integer;
b : array [0..24] of byte;
s : string[25];

begin
writeln('Key generator');
writeln;
write('Enter name: ');
readln(s);
for p:=0 to 24 do b[p]:=32;
for p:=1 to length(s) do
b[p-1]:=ord(upcase(s[p]));
crc1:=0; crc2:=$ffff;
for p:=0 to 24 do
begin
crc1:=crc1 xor b[p];
crc2:=crc2 xor b[24-p];
for q:=0 to 7 do
begin
if (crc1 and 1) = 0 then
crc1:=crc1 xor $9041
else
crc1:=crc1 shr 1;
if (crc2 and 1) = 0 then
crc2:=crc2 xor $9041
else
crc2:=crc2 shr 1;
end;
end;
for p:=1 to 4 do
begin
write(chr(65+(crc1 and $f000) shr 12));
crc1:=crc1 shl 4;
end;
for p:=1 to 4 do
begin
write(chr(65+(crc2 and $f000) shr 12));
crc2:=crc2 shl 4;
end;
writeln;
end.

</pre>

Amstrad/Schneider DMP2000 Printer

2009-10-12T17:12:01Z

Nowster: Spelling and grammar

Amstrad's second printer, the successor to the [[Amstrad DMP1 printer|DMP1]] printer.

In reality this printer was a repacking of the Riteman+ printer.

== Technical specs ==

== Pictures ==

<gallery caption="DMP 2000">

Image:Dmp2000 1.jpg|The beast
Image:Dmp2000 - 6128.jpg|DMP2000 in natural surroundings
Image:Dmp2000 service manual.jpg|The service manual
Image:Ribbon.jpg|The ribbon that was never enough

</gallery>

<gallery caption="Riteman +">

Image:Riteman 1.gif|Also used for Commodore
Image:Riteman 2.jpg|Similarities are striking
Image:Riteman 3 back.jpg|From the back

</gallery>

== Manuals ==

* [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/manuals/Amstrad%20DMP%202000%20Manual.es.rar Amstrad DMP 2000 Spanish Manual]

[[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Printers and printer ports]] [[Category:Manual]]

CPC old generation

2009-10-12T17:10:07Z

Nowster: Spelling and grammar

[[Category:Hardware]]
[[Image:464.png|thumb|CPC 464 with Colour monitor]]
[[Image:Schneider 664 en.jpg|thumb|German CPC 664]]

''The following text was copied in part from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_CPC English Wikipedia article].''

==Hardware description==
All CPC models were based on a Zilog Z80 processor clocked at 4 MHz. Because a common pool of RAM is shared with the video circuits, the Z80 may only make a memory access once every four cycles, which has the effect of rounding all instruction cycle lengths up to the next multiple of four.

The system came with 64 KB or 128 KB of RAM depending on the model (capable of being expanded to 576k). The machines also featured a standard 9-pin Atari-style joystick socket which was able to take two joysticks via a splitter.

===Video (graphics): modes, outputs===
Underlying the CPC's video output was the [[Motorola 6845]] address generator. This chip was connected to a pixel generator that supported 4 bpp, 2 bpp and 1 bpp output (bits per pixel). The address generator was clocked at a constant rate so the 4 bpp display generated half as many pixels as the 2 bpp and a quarter as many as the 1 bpp.

The ROM featured three built-in display resolutions but many others could be achieved by reprogramming the 6845.

The standard [[video modes]] were:
*'''Mode 0''': '''160×200''' pixels with 16 colours (4 bpp)
*'''Mode 1''': '''320×200''' pixels with 4 colours (2 bpp)
*'''Mode 2''': '''640×200''' pixels with 2 colours (1 bpp)
*'''Mode 3''': '''160x200''' pixels with 4 colours (2 bpp) (this is not an official mode, but rather a side-effect of the hardware)

A colour palette of 27 colours was supported, derived from RGB colour space with each component assigned as either off, half on or on. The later '''Plus''' models extended this to 4096 colours and added support for hardware sprites.

This hardware compares well with the other 8-bit computers. In particular the CPC lacks the colour clash of the ZX Spectrum, and clever programming of the 6845 could produce overscan, different resolutions (although with the same pixel density) and smooth pixel scrolling.

The machine lacked either a RF TV or composite video output and instead shipped with a proprietary 5-pin DIN connector intended for use solely with the supplied Amstrad monitor. An external adapter for RF TV was available to be bought separately.

The five-pin DIN connector is capable of driving a television with a correctly wired SCART lead.

===Audio (sound)===
The CPC used the General Instrument AY-3-8912 sound chip, providing three channels, each configurable to generate square waves, white noise or both. A small array of hardware volume envelopes are available.

Output was provided in mono by a small (4 cm) built-in loudspeaker with volume control, driven by an unusually powerful amplifier. Stereo output was provided through a 3.5mm headphone jack, not present on some early CPC464 models. In those models, what looked like a standard 3.5" headphone jack was actually used for connecting an external tape recorder, although later models used a five-pin DIN connector for the same purpose.

Playback of digital sound samples at a resolution of a little better than 5-bit, as heard on the title screen of the game ''RoboCop'', was possible through clever programming of the sound chip. This trick was very processor intensive and hard to combine with any other processing.

===The 3" floppy disk drives===
Amstrad's idiosyncratic choice of Hitachi's 3" floppy disk drive, when the rest of the PC industry was moving to Sony's 3.5" format, is often claimed to be due to Amstrad bulk-buying a large consignment of 3" drive units in Asia. The cheapest drive (built-in in later models) was a single-sided 40-track unit that required the user to physically remove and flip the disk to access both sides. Each side had its own independent write-protect switch. The sides were termed "A" and "B", with each one holding 180KB (178KB in AMSDOS format) for a total of 360KB per disc.

The disk drive interface was a NEC 765 FDC, used for the same purpose in the IBM PC/XT, PC/AT and PS/2 machines. Many of its features were unused in order to cut costs, namely DMA transfers and support for single density disks. Disks were formatted as double density using Modified Frequency Modulation.

Disks were shipped in a paper sleeve or a hard plastic case resembling a compact disc "jewel" case. The casing is thicker and more rigid than that of 3.5" diskettes and the sliding metal cover to protect the media surface is internal to the casing and latched, unlike the simple external sliding cover of Sony's version (some reviews at the time reported driving over them with no problems). Because of this they were significantly more expensive than both the 5.25" and 3.5" alternatives. This, combined with their low nominal capacities and their essentially proprietary nature, lead to the format being discontinued when the CPC itself was discontinued.

Apart from Amstrad's other 3" machine, the PCW, and the ZX Spectrum +3 (produced by Sinclair), the only other computer systems to use them were the Sega SF-7000 and mostly obscure and exotic CP/M systems such as the Tatung Einstein and Osborne machines. It should be noted that some of these machines used drives with different pinouts and care should be taken when replacing drives.

The data formatting of 3" disks was very similar to that of 5¼" disks, and the Amstrad CPC machines were able to use 5¼" drives through their "external drive" port - either one specially designed for use by the CPC or an adapted IBM-PC drive.

A more popular alternative was to attach an adapted IBM-PC 3½" drive for operation in either single-sided 180 KB or double-sided 360 KB mode, although with the later availability of the PARADOS Disc Operating System, 720k per disc became available. (It was possible to patch CP/M Plus so that it recognised 80 track double sided disk formats, too.)

===Serial port adaptor===
An official RS-232-C D25 serial port adaptor was produced that attached to the expansion connector at the rear of the machine, and had a through-connector for the CPC464 disk drive or other peripherals. The adaptor came with a "''Book of Spells''" for facilitating data transfer between other systems using a proprietary protocol in the device's own ROM, as well as terminal software to connect to British Telecom's Prestel service. A separate version of the ROM was created for the U.S. market due to the use of the commands "SUCK" and "BLOW", which were considered unacceptable there.

===Similarities to the BBC Micro===
The CPC has been termed an "improved Z80 implementation of the (earlier) BBC Micro" due to similarities in firmware and hardware. Both used the Motorola 6845 video address generator and the two have very similar sound output chips - the General Instrument AY-3-8912 in the CPC provided three tone channels each optionally with added noise and the Texas Instruments SN76489 in the BBC offered three tone channels and one exclusive noise channel.

The BBC Micro used an Intel 8271 floppy disc controller. The CPC used the Intel 8272, which is similar to the 8271 but contains the addition of a double density (MFM) mode.

The "two cursor" BASIC editing system seen on the Amstrad CPC (whereby holding Shift and using the cursor keys moves a shadow text cursor allowing text to be copied from another area of the screen to the normal cursor) was a lift from BBC BASIC, albeit substantially improved by allowing free movement of the normal cursor.

Both systems provided similar systems of full hardware abstraction through Operating System calls. This saves programs which don't require time critical hardware access from having to touch the underlying machine and provides a level of machine portability for those programs.

It exists a to the graphic and sound capabilities adapted version of BBC BASIC for the CPC. ???

==Software==
===Built-in BASIC and operating system===
Like most home computers at the time, the CPC had its OS and a BASIC interpreter built in as ROM. It used Locomotive BASIC - a variant specifically written for the CPC hardware which as a result was faster, more comfortable and more powerful than the generic but common Microsoft BASIC used by the Commodore 64 and MSX amongst others. It was particularly notable for providing easy access to the machine's video and audio resources in contrast to the arcane POKE commands required on some Microsoft implementations (the MSX implementation of Microsoft Basic being an exception, which even allowed for hardware sprite manipulation and collision detection).

===Other languages===
Although it was possible to obtain compilers for Locomotive BASIC, BCPL, C, Forth, and Pascal the majority of the CPC's software was written in native Z80 assembly language.

An interpreter for the educational language LOGO was also available.

==What was in the box?==

=== CPC464 ===

* The computer itself, including built-in [[Datacorder]]
* [[Demostration tape or disc|Demonstration tape]] in local language (UK, Germany, France, Spain)
* [[User Manual]]
* Either an [[Amstrad GT64/GT65 Green Monitor|Amstrad GT64 (Later: GT65) green monitor]] or an [[Amstrad CTM640/CTM644 Color Monitor|Amstrad CTM640 (Later: CTM644) Colour Monitor]]
* Optional: [[Amstrad MP1/MP2 modulator|Amstrad MP-1 (Later: MP-2) TV modulator and power supply]]

=== CPC472 ===

* [[472]]

=== CPC664 ===

* The computer itself, including built-in 3" disk drive
* [[System Disk]]: CP/M 2.2 disk with demo in local language (UK, Germany, France, Spain)
* [[User Manual]]
* Either an [[Amstrad GT64/GT65 Green Monitor|Amstrad GT65 green monitor]] or an [[Amstrad CTM640/CTM644 Color Monitor|Amstrad CTM644 Colour Monitor]]
* Optional: [[Amstrad MP1/MP2 modulator|Amstrad MP-2 TV modulator and power supply]]

=== CPC6128 ===

* The computer itself, including built-in 3" disk drive
* [[System Disk]]s with CP/M Plus, CP/M 2.2 and a demo in local language (UK, Germany, France, Spain)
* [[User Manual]]
* Either an [[Amstrad GT64/GT65 Green Monitor|Amstrad GT65 green monitor]] or an [[Amstrad CTM640/CTM644 Color Monitor|Amstrad CTM644 Colour Monitor]]
* Optional: [[Amstrad MP1/MP2 modulator|Amstrad MP-2 TV modulator and power supply]]

=== DDI-1 ===

* Controller DDI-1
* 3" disk drive FD-1
* [[System Disk]]: CP/M 2.2 disk with demo
* [[User Manual]]

==Others==

*[[CPC6128_Keyboard_Disassembled]]

Amstrad External Disk Drive

2009-10-12T16:51:36Z

Nowster: Spelling and grammar

'''Amstrad''' made two different [[disk drives]] for the Amstrad/Schneider CPC range:

* DDI-1: a set consisting of the real DDI-1 (= Disk Drive Interface) and a FD-1 3" disk drive, as well as the CP/M 2.2 license and disk.

This set was for the CPC464 which didn't have a built-in disk controller.

* FD-1: a 3" disk drive as secondary disk drive unit for the CPC664, CPC6128 and CPC464 with DDI-1

There was no official external disk drive for the 6128Plus or even the 464Plus. The difference between a CPC664/CPC6128 and a 6128Plus was simply a changed pin-out which can easily be solved by a new plug on the disk drive's cable.

The 464Plus was harder to equip with a disk drive. Although the pin-out of the expansion port was left unchanged, the DDI-1 cannot be used on the 464Plus without modifications.

== Technical Details ==

The two disk drives were identical. The only difference was that the DDI-1 shipped with controller, manual and CP/M 2.2 on one disk.

The disk drives were jumpered (more accurately, soldered) to react on both drive select lines, A: and B:.

The cable decided which drive became A: and which one became B: :

* On the CPC664 and CPC6128 computers, DRIVE SELECT 0 was not connected on the external connector, so the drive could only become drive B: on these systems.
* For the DDI-1, DRIVE SELECT 0 was only wired to the outermost connector of the attached cable, while the inner connector was wired to DRIVE SELECT 1 only, thus the drive at the cable's end always became A: while the other one became drive B: accordingly.

Note that the drive also powered the DDI-1 interface when used together with it. Certain pins documented as N/C in the CPC664/CPC6128 manual in fact carry +5V from the drive to the controller.
The main reason for this was that you couldn't connect a standard drive with a more common format (5¼" in the beginning, 3½" later and today) and thus cheaper disks as drive A: without modifications, as the DDI-1 wouldn't work without the power fed from the FD-1.

== Pictures ==

<gallery caption="DDI - 1">

Image:ddi1.gif|Amstrad FD-1/DDI-1 disk drive

</gallery>

== Covers ==

<gallery caption="Manuals">

Image:Amstrad DDI-1 Manual En.jpg|(English) User Manual
Image:DDI-1 User (German) Manual.jpg|(German) User Manual
Image:Manual de Usuario del DDI-1.jpg|(Spanish) User Manual
Image:DDI1-FD1 Service Manual.jpg|Service Manual

</gallery>

== Manuals ==

* [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/manuals/ddi-1.zip Amstrad DDI-1 (English) Manual]
* [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/manuals/DDI-1.es.rar Amstrad DDI-1 (Spanish) Manual]

== Service Manual ==

* [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/manuals/DDI-1%20FD-1%20Service%20Manual.en.rar Amstrad DDI-1 FD-1 Service Manual]

[[Category:Hardware]] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Manual]][[Category:DATA Storage]]

CP/M

2009-10-12T16:34:33Z

Nowster: Version -> versions

'''CP/M''' is an [[System software#Operating_Systems|operating system]] running on different computers with Intel 8080 and compatible CPUs. It was the most popular operating system for micro computers, before the 16 bit age started successfully with the IBM PC and MS-DOS. Most computer systems running CP/M were based on a [[Z80]] CPU.

It was developed by [[Gary Kildall]] of [[Digital Research|Digital Research, Inc.]] as a private project from 1974 on, named '''''C'''ontrol '''P'''rogram/'''M'''onitor''. When it became commercial software in November 1977 it was renamed to '''''C'''ontrol '''P'''rogram for '''M'''icrocomputers''.

'''CP/M''' was shipped with the disk models of the Amstrad CPC and the [[DDI-1]] disc drive on one or two [[System Disk]]s.

CP/M versions relating to the Amstrad CPC

* [[CP/M 2.2]]
* [[CP/M 3.0]]

== MicroDOS ==
'''MicroDOS''' (Microcomputer Disc Operating System) is a CP/M clone made in East Germany (GDR) for computers of the brand Kleincomputer (KC). It was available for the [[KC Compact]]. Unfortunately it is not 100% compatible with CP/M.

[[Category:Operating System]]

CP/M

2009-10-12T16:34:08Z

Nowster: Spelling and grammar

'''CP/M''' is an [[System software#Operating_Systems|operating system]] running on different computers with Intel 8080 and compatible CPUs. It was the most popular operating system for micro computers, before the 16 bit age started successfully with the IBM PC and MS-DOS. Most computer systems running CP/M were based on a [[Z80]] CPU.

It was developed by [[Gary Kildall]] of [[Digital Research|Digital Research, Inc.]] as a private project from 1974 on, named '''''C'''ontrol '''P'''rogram/'''M'''onitor''. When it became commercial software in November 1977 it was renamed to '''''C'''ontrol '''P'''rogram for '''M'''icrocomputers''.

'''CP/M''' was shipped with the disk models of the Amstrad CPC and the [[DDI-1]] disc drive on one or two [[System Disk]]s.

CP/M Version relating to the Amstrad CPC

* [[CP/M 2.2]]
* [[CP/M 3.0]]

== MicroDOS ==
'''MicroDOS''' (Microcomputer Disc Operating System) is a CP/M clone made in East Germany (GDR) for computers of the brand Kleincomputer (KC). It was available for the [[KC Compact]]. Unfortunately it is not 100% compatible with CP/M.

[[Category:Operating System]]

Z80

2009-10-12T16:32:34Z

Nowster: Spelling and grammar

[[image:Z80A.jpg|thumb|Zilog Z80A]]
Microprocessor from Zilog, which is used in the Amstrad CPC Computers. The Z80/Z80A was a very popular microprocessor, used in a great variety of home computers and appliances as far-fetched as satellites. It was even used in the Commodore C128 as a secondary processor in order to achieve [[CP/M]] compatibility.

== Description ==

The Z80 microprocessor is an 8 bit [[CPU]] with a 16 bit address bus capable of direct access to 64k of memory space. It has a language of 252 root instructions and with the reserved 4 bytes as prefixes, access to an additional 308 instructions. The Z80 was modelled after the [[8080]] and contains the seventy-eight 8080 opcodes as a subset to its language.

Programming features include an accumulator and six 8-bit registers that can be paired as three 16-bit registers. In addition to the general registers, a stack pointer, program counter, and two index (memory pointer) registers are provided. While not in the same league as the Intel 80x86 or the [[Motorola 68000]] series, the Z80 is extremely useful for low cost control applications. One of the more useful features of the Z80 is the built-in refresh circuitry for ease of design with DRAMs.

The Z80 comes in a 40 pin DIP package. It has been manufactured in A, B, and C models, differing only in maximum clock speed. It also has been manufactured as a stand-alone microcontroller with various configurations of on-chip RAM and EPROM.

== See also ==

* [[Z80 - undocumented opcodes]]

== Tutorials ==

== Weblinks ==

*[[Zilog]] [http://www.zilog.com]
*[http://www.z80.info/z80cs.htm Computer Systems based on Z80 Family]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z80 The Z80 processor on Wikipedia]

== Opcodes ==

Check the end of the document for explanations of abbreviations used below.

=== Alfabethical list ===

{|{{Prettytable|width: 700px; font-size: 2em;}}
|''Mnemonic''||''Clock''||''Size''||''SZHPNC''||''Opcode''||''Description||''Notes''
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|ADC A, r||4||1||rowspan=5|*** V0 *||88 + rb||rowspan=5|Add with Carry||rowspan=5|A = A + s + CY
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|ADC A, N||7||2||CE XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|ADC A, (HL)||7||1||8E
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|ADC A, (IX + N)||19||3||DD 8E XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|ADC A, (IY + N)||19||3||FD 8E XX
|-
|ADC HL, BC||15||2||rowspan=4|**? V0 *||ED 4A||rowspan=4|Add with Carry||rowspan=4|HL = HL + ss + CY
|-
|ADC HL, DE||15||2||ED 5A
|-
|ADC HL, HL||15||2||ED 6A
|-
|ADC HL, SP||15||2||ED 7A
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|ADD A, r||4||1||rowspan=5|*** V0 *||80 + rb||rowspan=5|Add (8-bit)||rowspan=5|A = A + s
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|ADD A, N||7||2||C6 XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|ADD A, (HL)||7||1||86
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|ADD A, (IX + N)||19||3||DD 86 XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|ADD A, (IY + N)||19||3||FD 86 XX
|-
|ADD HL, BC||11||1||rowspan=4|--?- 0 *||09||rowspan=4|Add (16-bit)||rowspan=4|HL = HL + ss
|-
|ADD HL, DE||11||1||19
|-
|ADD HL, HL||11||1||29
|-
|ADD HL, SP||11||1||39
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|ADD IX, BC||15||2||rowspan=4|--?- 0 *||DD 09||rowspan=4|Add (IX register)||rowspan=4|IX = IX + pp
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|ADD IX, DE||15||2||DD 19
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|ADD IX, IX||15||2||DD 29
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|ADD IX, SP||15||2||DD 39
|-
|ADD IY, BC||15||2||rowspan=4|--?- 0 *||FD 09||rowspan=4|Add (IY register)||rowspan=4|IY = IY + rr
|-
|ADD IY, ||15||2||FD 19
|-
|ADD IY, IY||15||2||FD 29
|-
|ADD IY, SP||15||2||FD 39
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|AND r||4||1||rowspan=5|***P00||A0+rb||rowspan=5|Logical AND||rowspan=5|A=A&s
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|AND N||7||2||E6 XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|AND (HL)||7||1||A6
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|AND (IX+N)||19||3||DD A6 XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|AND (IY+N)||19||3||FD A6 XX
|-
|BIT b,r||8||2||rowspan=4|?*1?0-||CB 40+8*b+rb||rowspan=4|Test Bit||rowspan=4|m&{2^b}
|-
|BIT b,(HL)||12||2||CB 46+8*b
|-
|BIT b,(IX+N)||20||4||DD CB XX 46+8*b
|-
|BIT b,(IY+N)||20||4||FD CB XX 46+8*b
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|CALL NN||17||3||------||CD XX XX||Unconditional Call||-(SP)=PC,PC=nn
|-
|CALL C,NN||17/1||3||rowspan=8|------||DC XX XX||rowspan=8|Conditional Call||If Carry = 1
|-
|CALL NC,NN||17/1||3||D4 XX XX||If carry = 0
|-
|CALL M,NN||17/1||3||FC XX XX||If Sign = 1 (negative)
|-
|CALL P,NN||17/1||3||F4 XX XX||If Sign = 0 (positive)
|-
|CALL Z,NN||17/1||3||CC XX XX||If Zero = 1 (ans.=0)
|-
|CALL NZ,NN||17/1||3||C4 XX XX||If Zero = 0 (non-zero)
|-
|CALL PE,NN||17/1||3||EC XX XX||If Parity = 1 (even)
|-
|CALL PO,NN||17/1||3||E4 XX XX||If Parity = 0 (odd)
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|CCF||4||1||--?-0*||3F||Complement Carry Flag||CY=~CY
|-
|CP r||4||1||rowspan=5|***V1*||B8+rb||rowspan=5|Compare||rowspan=5|Compare A-s
|-
|CP N||7||2||FE XX
|-
|CP (HL)||7||1||BE
|-
|CP (IX+N)||19||3||DD BE XX
|-
|CP (IY+N)||19||3||FD BE XX
|-
|CPD||16||2||****1-||ED A9||Compare and Decrement||A-(HL),HL=HL-1,BC=BC-1
|-
|CPDR||21/1||2||****1-||ED B9||Compare, Dec., Repeat||CPD till A=(HL)or BC=0
|-
|CPI||16||2||****1-||ED A1||Compare and Increment||A-(HL),HL=HL+1,BC=BC-1
|-
|CPIR||21/1||2||****1-||ED B1||Compare, Inc., Repeat||CPI till A=(HL)or BC=0
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|CPL||4||1||--1-1-||2F||Complement||A=~A
|-
|DAA||4||1||***P-*||27||Decimal Adjust Acc.||A=BCD format (dec.)
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|DEC A||4||1||rowspan=10|***V1-||3D||rowspan=10|Decrement (8-bit)||rowspan=10|s=s-1
|-
|DEC B||4||1||05
|-
|DEC C||4||1||0D
|-
|DEC D||4||1||15
|-
|DEC E||4||1||1D
|-
|DEC H||4||1||25
|-
|DEC L||4||2||2D
|-
|DEC (HL)||11||1||35
|-
|DEC (IX+N)||23||3||DD 35 XX
|-
|DEC (IY+N)||23||3||FD 35 XX
|-
|DEC BC||6||1||rowspan=4|------||0B||rowspan=4|Decrement (16-bit)||rowspan=4|ss=ss-1
|-
|DEC DE||6||1||1B
|-
|DEC HL||6||1||2B
|-
|DEC SP||6||1||3B
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|DEC IX||10||2||rowspan=2|------||DD 2B||rowspan=2|Decrement||rowspan=2|xx=xx-1
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|DEC IY||10||2||FD 2B
|-
|DI||4||1||------||F3||Disable Interrupts||
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|DJNZ $+2||13/8||1||------||10||Dec., Jump Non-Zero||B=B-1 till B=0
|-
|EI||4||1||------||FB||Enable Interrupts||
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|EX (SP),HL||19||1||rowspan=5|------||E3||rowspan=5|Exchange||(SP)<->HL
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|EX (SP),IX||23||2||DD E3||(SP)<->xx
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|EX (SP),IY||23||2||FD E3||
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|EX AF,AF'||4||1||08||AF<->AF'
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|EX DE,HL||4||1||EB||DE<->HL
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|EXX||4||1||------||D9||Exchange||qq<->qq' (except AF)
|-
|HALT||4||1||------||76||Halt||
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|IM 0||8||2||rowspan=3|------||ED 46||rowspan=3|Interrupt Mode ||rowspan=3|(n=0,1,2)
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|IM 1||8||2||ED 56
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|IM 2||8||2||ED 5E
|-
|IN A,(N)||11||2||------||DB XX||Input||A=(n)
|-
|IN (C)||12||2||***P0-||ED 70||Input*||(Unsupported)
|-
|IN A,(C)||12||2||rowspan=7|***P0-||ED 78||rowspan=7|Input||rowspan=7|r=(C)
|-
|IN B,(C)||12||2||ED 40
|-
|IN C,(C)||12||2||ED 48
|-
|IN D,(C)||12||2||ED 50
|-
|IN E,(C)||12||2||ED 58
|-
|IN H,(C)||12||2||ED 60
|-
|IN L,(C)||12||2||ED 68
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|INC A||4||1||rowspan=7|***V0-||3C||rowspan=7|Increment (8-bit)||rowspan=7|r=r+1
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|INC B||4||1||04
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|INC C||4||1||0C
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|INC D||4||1||14
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|INC E||4||1||1C
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|INC H||4||1||24
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|INC L||4||1||2C
|-
|INC BC||6||1||rowspan=4|------||03||rowspan=4|Increment (16-bit)||rowspan=4|ss=ss+1
|-
|INC DE||6||1||13
|-
|INC HL||6||1||23
|-
|INC SP||6||1||33
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|INC IX||10||2||rowspan=2|------||DD 23||rowspan=2|Increment||rowspan=2|xx=xx+1
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|INC IY||10||2||FD 23
|-
|INC (HL)||11||1||***V0-||34||Increment (indirect)||(HL)=(HL)+1
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|INC (IX+N)||23||3||rowspan=2|***V0-||DD 34 XX||rowspan=2|Increment||rowspan=2|(xx+d)=(xx+d)+1
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|INC (IY+N)||23||3||FD 34 XX
|-
|IND||16||2||?*??1-||ED AA||Input and Decrement||(HL)=(C),HL=HL-1,B=B-1
|-
|INDR||21/1||2||?1??1-||ED BA||Input, Dec., Repeat||IND till B=0
|-
|INI||16||2||?*??1-||ED A2||Input and Increment||(HL)=(C),HL=HL+1,B=B-1
|-
|INIR||21/1||2||?1??1-||ED B2||Input, Inc., Repeat||INI till B=0
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|JP NN||10||3||rowspan=4|------||C3 XX XX||rowspan=4|Unconditional Jump||PC=nn
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|JP (HL)||4||1||E9||PC=(HL)
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|JP (IX)||8||2||DD E9||rowspan=2|PC=(xx)
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|JP (IY)||8||2||FD E9
|-
|JP C,$NN||10/1||3||rowspan=8|------||DA XX XX||rowspan=8|Conditional Jump||If Carry = 1
|-
|JP NC,$NN||10/1||3||D2 XX XX||If Carry = 0
|-
|JP M,$NN||10/1||3||FA XX XX||If Sign = 1 (negative)
|-
|JP P,$NN||10/1||3||F2 XX XX||If Sign = 0 (positive)
|-
|JP Z,$NN||10/1||3||CA XX XX||If Zero = 1 (ans.= 0)
|-
|JP NZ,$NN||10/1||3||C2 XX XX||If Zero = 0 (non-zero)
|-
|JP PE,$NN||10/1||3||EA XX XX||If Parity = 1 (even)
|-
|JP PO,$NN||10/1||3||E2 XX XX||If Parity = 0 (odd)
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|JR $N+2||12||2||------||18 XX||Relative Jump||PC=PC+e
|-
|JR C,$N+2||12/7||2||rowspan=4|------||38 XX||rowspan=4|Cond. Relative Jump||rowspan=4|If cc JR(cc=C,NC,NZ,Z)
|-
|JR NC,$N+2||12/7||2||30 XX
|-
|JR Z,$N+2||12/7||2||28 XX
|-
|JR NZ,$N+2||12/7||2||20 XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD I,A||9||2||rowspan=2|------||ED 47||rowspan=2|Load*||rowspan=2|dst=src
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD R,A||9||2||ED 4F
|-
|LD A,I||9||2||rowspan=2|**0*0-||ED 57||rowspan=2|Load*||rowspan=2|dst=src
|-
|LD A,R||9||2||ED 5F
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD A,r||4||1||rowspan=38|------||78+rb||rowspan=38|Load (8-bit)||rowspan=38|dst=src
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD A,N||7||2||3E XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD A,(BC)||7||1||0A
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD A,(DE)||7||1||1A
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD A,(HL)||7||1||7E
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD A,(IX+N)||19||3||DD 7E XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD A,(IY+N)||19||3||FD 7E XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD A,(NN)||13||3||3A XX XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD B,r||4||1||40+rb
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD B,N||7||2||06 XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD B,(HL)||7||1||46
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD B,(IX+N)||19||3||DD 46 XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD B,(IY+N)||19||3||FD 46 XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD C,r||4||1||48+rb
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD C,N||7||2||0E XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD C,(HL)||7||1||4E
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD C,(IX+N)||19||3||DD 4E XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD C,(IY+N)||19||3||FD 4E XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD D,r||4||1||50+rb
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD D,N||7||2||16 XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD D,(HL)||7||1||56
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD D,(IX+N)||19||3||DD 56 XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD D,(IY+N)||19||3||FD 56 XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD E,r||4||1||58+rb
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD E,N||7||2||1E XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD E,(HL)||7||1||5E
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD E,(IX+N)||19||3||DD 5E XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD E,(IY+N)||19||3||FD 5E XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD H,r||4||1||60+rb
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD H,N||7||2||26 XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD H,(HL)||7||1||66
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD H,(IX+N)||19||3||DD 66 XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD H,(IY+N)||19||3||FD 66 XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD L,r||4||1||68+rb
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD L,N||7||2||2E XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD L,(HL)||7||1||6E
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD L,(IX+N)||19||3||DD 6E XX
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|LD L,(IY+N)||19||3||FD 6E XX
|-
|LD BC,(NN)||20||4||rowspan=15|------||ED 4B XX XX ||rowspan=15|Load (16-bit)||rowspan=15|dst=src
|-
|LD BC,NN||10||3||01 XX XX
|-
|LD DE,(NN)||20||4||ED 5B XX XX
|-
|LD DE,NN||10||3||11 XX XX
|-
|LD HL,(NN)||20||3||2A XX XX
|-
|LD HL,NN||10||3||21 XX XX
|-
|LD SP,(NN)||20||4||ED 7B XX XX
|-
|LD SP,HL||6||1||F9
|-
|LD SP,IX||10||2||DD F9
|-
|LD SP,IY||10||2||FD F9
|-
|LD SP,NN||10||3||31 XX XX
|-
|LD IX,(NN)||20||4||DD 2A XX XX
|-
|LD IX,NN||14||4||DD 21 XX XX
|-
|LD IY,(NN)||20||4||FD 2A XX XX
|-
|LD IY,NN||14||4||FD 21 XX XX
|-
|LD (HL),r||7||1||rowspan=15|------||70+rb||rowspan=15|Load (Indirect)||rowspan=15|dst=src
|-
|LD (HL),N||10||2||36 XX
|-
|LD (BC),A||7||1||02
|-
|LD (DE),A||7||1||12
|-
|LD (NN),A||13||3||32 XX XX
|-
|LD (NN),BC||20||4||ED 43 XX XX
|-
|LD (NN),DE||20||4||ED 53 XX XX
|-
|LD (NN),HL||16||3||22 XX XX
|-
|LD (NN),IX||20||4||DD 22 XX XX
|-
|LD (NN),IY||20||4||FD 22 XX XX
|-
|LD (NN),SP||20||4||ED 73 XX XX
|-
|LD (IX+N),r||19||3||DD 70+rb XX
|-
|LD (IX+N),N||19||4||DD 36 XX XX
|-
|LD (IY+N),r||19||3||FD 70+rb XX
|-
|LD (IY+N),N||19||4||FD 36 XX XX
|-
|LDD||16||2||--0*0-||ED A8||Load and Decrement||(DE)=(HL),HL=HL-1,#
|-
|LDDR||21/1||2||--000-||ED B8||Load, Dec., Repeat||LDD till BC=0
|-
|LDI||16||2||--0*0-||ED A0||Load and Increment||(DE)=(HL),HL=HL+1,#
|-
|LDIR||21/1||2||--000-||ED B0||Load, Inc., Repeat||LDI till BC=0
|-
|NEG||8||2||***V1*||ED 44||Negate||A=-A
|-
|NOP||4||1||------||00||No Operation||
|-
|OR r||4||1||rowspan=5|***P00||B0+rb||rowspan=5|Logical inclusive OR||rowspan=5|A=Avs
|-
|OR N||7||2||F6 XX
|-
|OR (HL)||7||1||B6
|-
|OR (IX+N)||19||3||DD B6 XX
|-
|OR (IY+N)||19||3||FD B6 XX
|-
|OUT (N),A||11||2||rowspan=9|------||D3 XX||Output||(n)=A
|-
|OUT (C),0||12||2||ED 71||Output*||(Unsupported)
|-
|OUT (C),A||12||2||ED 79||rowspan=7|Output||rowspan=7|(C)=r
|-
|OUT (C),B||12||2||ED 41
|-
|OUT (C),C||12||2||ED 49
|-
|OUT (C),D||12||2||ED 51
|-
|OUT (C),E||12||2||ED 59
|-
|OUT (C),H||12||2||ED 61
|-
|OUT (C),L||12||2||ED 69
|-
|OUTD||16||2||?*??1-||ED AB||Output and Decrement||(C)=(HL),HL=HL-1,B=B-1
|-
|OTDR||21/1||2||?1??1-||ED BB||Output, Dec., Repeat||OUTD till B=0
|-
|OUTI||16||2||?*??1-||ED A3||Output and Increment||(C)=(HL),HL=HL+1,B=B-1
|-
|OTIR||21/1||2||?1??1-||ED B3||Output, Inc., Repeat||OUTI till B=0
|-
|POP AF||10||1||rowspan=4|------||F1||rowspan=4|Pop||rowspan=4|qq=(SP)+
|-
|POP BC||10||1||C1
|-
|POP DE||10||1||D1
|-
|POP HL||10||1||E1
|-
|POP IX||14||2||rowspan=2|------||DD E1||rowspan=2|Pop||rowspan=2|xx=(SP)+
|-
|POP IY||14||2||FD E1
|-
|PUSH AF||11||1||rowspan=4|------||F5||rowspan=4|Push||rowspan=4|(SP)=qq
|-
|PUSH BC||11||1||C5
|-
|PUSH DE||11||1||D5
|-
|PUSH HL||11||1||E5
|-
|PUSH IX||15||2||rowspan=2|------||DD E5||rowspan=2|Push||rowspan=2|-(SP)=xx
|-
|PUSH IY||15||2||FD E5|
|-
|RES b,r||8||2||rowspan=4|------||CB 80+8*b+rb||rowspan=4|Reset bit||rowspan=4|m=m&{~2^b}
|-
|RES b,(HL)||15||2||CB 86+8*b
|-
|RES b,(IX+N)||23||4||DD CB XX 86+8*b
|-
|RES b,(IY+N)||23||4||FD CB XX 86+8*b
|-
|RET||10||1||rowspan=9|------||C9||Return||PC=(SP)+
|-
|RET C||11/5||1||D8||rowspan=8|Conditional Return||If Carry = 1
|-
|RET NC||11/5||1||D0||If Carry = 0
|-
|RET M||11/5||1||F8||If Sign = 1 (negative)
|-
|RET P||11/5||1||F0||If Sign = 0 (positive)
|-
|RET Z||11/5||1||C8||If Zero = 1 (ans.=0)
|-
|RET NZ||11/5||1||C0||If Zero = 0 (non-zero)
|-
|RET PE||11/5||1||E8||If Parity = 1 (even)
|-
|RET PO||11/5||1||E0||If Parity = 0 (odd)
|-
|RET||10||1||------||C9||Return||PC=(SP)+
|-
|RET C||11/5||1||rowspan=8|------||D8||rowspan=8|Conditional Return||If Carry = 1
|-
|RET NC||11/5||1||D0||If Carry = 0
|-
|RET M||11/5||1||F8||If Sign = 1 (negative)
|-
|RET P||11/5||1||F0||If Sign = 0 (positive)
|-
|RET Z||11/5||1||C8||If Zero = 1 (ans.=0)
|-
|RET NZ||11/5||1||C0||If Zero = 0 (non-zero)
|-
|RET PE||11/5||1||E8||If Parity = 1 (even)
|-
|RET PO||11/5||1||E0||If Parity = 0 (odd)
|-
|RETI||14||2||------||ED 4D||Return from Interrupt||PC=(SP)+
|-
|RETN||14||2||------||ED 45||Return from NMI||PC=(SP)+
|-
|RLA||4||1||--0-0*||17||Rotate Left Acc.||A={CY,A}<-
|-
|RL r||8||2||rowspan=4|**0P0*||CB 10+rb||rowspan=4|Rotate Left||rowspan=4|m={CY,m}<-
|-
|RL (HL)||15||2||CB 16
|-
|RL (IX+N)||23||4||DD CB XX 16
|-
|RL (IY+N)||23||4||FD CB XX 16
|-
|RLCA||4||1||--0-0*||07||Rotate Left Cir. Acc.||A=A<-
|-
|RLC r||8||2||rowspan=4|**0P0*||CB 00+rb||rowspan=4|Rotate Left Circular||rowspan=4|m=m<-
|-
|RLC (HL)||15||2||CB 06
|-
|RLC (IX+N)||23||4||DD CB XX 06
|-
|RLC (IY+N)||23||4||FD CB XX 06
|-
|RLD||18||2||**0P0-||ED 6F||Rotate Left 4 bits||{A,(HL)}={A,(HL)}<- ##
|-
|RRA||4||1||--0-0*||1F||Rotate Right Acc.||A=->{CY,A}
|-
|RR r||8 ||2||rowspan=4|**0P0*||CB 18+rb||rowspan=4|Rotate Right||rowspan=4|m=->{CY,m}
|-
|RR (HL)||15||2||CB 1E
|-
|RR (IX+N)||23||4||DD CB XX 1E
|-
|RR (IY+N)||23||4||FD CB XX 1E
|-
|RRCA||4||1||--0-0*||0F||Rotate Right Cir.Acc.||A=->A
|-
|RRC r||8||2||rowspan=4|**0P0*||CB 08+rb||rowspan=4|Rotate Right Circular||rowspan=4|m=->m
|-
|RRC (HL)||15||2||CB 0E
|-
|RRC (IX+N)||23||4||DD CB XX 0E
|-
|RRC (IY+N)||23||4||FD CB XX 0E
|-
|RRD||18||2||**0P0-||ED 67||Rotate Right 4 bits||{A,(HL)}=->{A,(HL)} ##
|-
|RST 0||11||1||rowspan=8|------||C7||rowspan=8|Restart||rowspan=8|(p=0H,8H,10H,...,38H)
|-
|RST 08H||11||1||CF
|-
|RST 10H||11||1||D7
|-
|RST 18H||11||1||DF
|-
|RST 20H||11||1||E7
|-
|RST 28H||11||1||EF
|-
|RST 30H||11||1||F7
|-
|RST 38H||11||1||FF
|-
|SBC r||4||1||rowspan=5|***V1*||98+rb|| rowspan=5|Subtract with Carry|| rowspan=5|A=A-s-CY
|-
|SBC A,N||7||2||DE XX
|-
|SBC (HL)||7||1||9E
|-
|SBC A,(IX+N)||19||3||DD 9E XX
|-
|SBC A,(IY+N)||19||3||FD 9E XX
|-
|SBC HL,BC||15||2||rowspan=4|**?V1*||ED 42||rowspan=4|Subtract with Carry||rowspan=4|HL=HL-ss-CY
|-
|SBC HL,DE||15||2||ED 52
|-
|SBC HL,HL||15||2||ED 62
|-
|SBC HL,SP||15||2||ED 72
|-
|SCF||4||1||--0-01||37||Set Carry Flag||CY=1
|-
|SET b,r||8||2||rowspan=4|------||CB C0+8*b+rb||rowspan=4|Set bit||rowspan=4|m=mv{2^b}
|-
|SET b,(HL)||15||2||CB C6+8*b
|-
|SET b,(IX+N)||23||4||DD CB XX C6+8*b
|-
|SET b,(IY+N)||23||4||FD CB XX C6+8*b
|-
|SLA r||8||2||rowspan=4|**0P0*||CB 20+rb||rowspan=4|Shift Left Arithmetic||rowspan=4|m=m*2
|-
|SLA (HL)||15||2||CB 26
|-
|SLA (IX+N)||23||4||DD CB XX 26
|-
|SLA (IY+N)||23||4||FD CB XX 26
|-
|SRA r||8||2||rowspan=4|**0P0*||CB 28+rb||rowspan=4|Shift Right Arith.||rowspan=4|m=m/2
|-
|SRA (HL)||15||2||CB 2E
|-
|SRA (IX+N)||23||4||DD CB XX 2E
|-
|SRA (IY+N)||23||4||FD CB XX 2E
|-
|SLL r||8||2||rowspan=4|**0P0*||CB 30+rb||rowspan=4|Shift Left Logical*||rowspan=4|m={0,m,CY}<-
(SLL Instructions
are unsupported)
|-
|SLL (HL)||15||2||CB 36
|-
|SLL (IX+N)||23||4||DD CB XX 36
|-
|SLL (IY+N)||23||4||FD CB XX 36
|-
|SRL r||8||2||rowspan=4|**0P0*||CB 38+rb||rowspan=4|Shift Right Logical||rowspan=4|m=->{0,m,CY}
|-
|SRL (HL)||15||2||CB 3E
|-
|SRL (IX+N)||23||4||DD CB XX 3E
|-
|SRL (IY+N)||23||4||FD CB XX 3E
|-
|SUB r||4||1||rowspan=5|***V1*||90+rb||rowspan=5|Subtract||rowspan=5|A=A-s
|-
|SUB N||7||2||D6 XX
|-
|SUB (HL)||7||1||96
|-
|SUB (IX+N)||19||3||DD 96 XX
|-
|SUB (IY+N)||19||3||FD 96 XX
|-
|XOR r||4||1||rowspan=5|***P00||A8+rb||rowspan=5|Logical Exclusive OR||rowspan=5|A=Axs
|-
|XOR N||7||2||EE XX
|-
|XOR (HL)||7||1||AE
|-
|XOR (IX+N)||19||3||DD AE XX
|-
|XOR (IY+N)||19||3||FD AE XX
|}

=== Sorted by opcode ===

=== Ordered by function ===

[[Category:Hardware]][[Category:Programming]][[Category:Datasheet]]

CPC

2009-10-12T16:27:55Z

Nowster: /* Clones */ both-not -> neither-were

[[Category:CPC History]]
[[Category:Hardware]]
== Introduction ==

The Amstrad CPC (Colour Personal Computer) series was a series of 8-bit home computers that were manufactured by the British company [[Amstrad]] between 1984 (launch of the CPC464: 21st June 1984) and 1993 (?). The CPC, like most contemporary home micros, had an integrated computer-in-a-keyboard design. Also incorporated in the keyboard was the tape recorder or disc drive.

In general what Amstrad aimed for was to offer a completely integrated solution at a low price. Just as with Amstrad's stereo towers before, [[Alan M. Sugar]] wanted to provide a solution with as few separate components as possible, with as few cables as possible and at as low a price as possible. A truck driver, unfamiliar with computers, was often cited as the CPC's target market.

As a result, Amstrad chose ready off-the-shelf components and used low-cost production methods in an effort to bring manufacturing costs down. They also included a monitor to connect the computer to - a move which, while raising the price, was designed to free the home TV from little brats hogging it for a dose of Ikari Warriors while Eastenders was on. This concept appealed to users and proved to be a success.

The combination of low cost, integrated design, good manufacturing quality and some impressive features like CP/M and an 80-column display mode (lacking in much of the competition, particularly the Sinclair [[ZX Spectrum]] and [[Commodore 64]]) proved to be a success both with home users and small businesses, and Amstrad went on to sell millions of CPCs.

Because of its use of the Z80, which was also used in the Sinclair models, some of the earliest games found on the CPC were fairly direct ports of the Spectrum versions which failed to take advantage of the CPC's extra capabilities. The amount of Spectrum ports has often been overstated by those who wish to knock the machine, and in fact formed a comparatively small number of largely unsuccessful games. Nonetheless, those that were published left users and reviewers with a bad taste in their mouth.

At its core, the CPC combined a standard 4MHz [[Z80|Z80A]] with off-the-shelf components and a custom Gate Array chip. The [[firmware]] comprised two 16k ROMs (combined onto one 32k chip): one was effectively the operating system, the other the fast and flexible [[Locomotive BASIC]] interpreter. All machines except the original 464 would also include a further 16k ROM (on a separate chip), the AMSDOS disc operating system.

In all, there were three 'classic' models, the CPC [[464]], [[664]] and [[6128]]; plus two short-lived later [[Plus|advanced]] models, the 464 Plus and the 6128 Plus. A final iteration was the [[Plus|GX4000]] games machine based on the CPC+ computers.

''See also: [[CPC Prototypes]].''

== The 464 ==
[[Image:464.png|right|thumb|250px|Amstrad CPC [[464]] with colour monitor]]
First came the CPC464, the father of the CPC family, released on the 21st June 1984 (with production ceasing in 1990). This model used an integrated tape recorder and offered 64KB of RAM. It sold around two million units in Europe and, technologically-wise, was more impressive than the ZX Spectrum and on a similar level with the Commodore 64. One notable exception was the sound chip: while the C64 employed the splendid custom SID chip, Amstrad opted for a generic sound chip - [[AY|AY-3-8912]] - with unremarkable features. That said, the firmware of the CPC was leagues ahead of the C64.)

At its core was a [[Z80]] clocked at 4MHz - though screen display considerations, and the particular design of the [[Gate Array]] limited this to an effective 3.3MHz in practice - while the display was managed by the [[CRTC|6845 CRTC]] along with a gate-array chip.

The CPC464 sported a palette of 27 colours and [[Video modes|three distinct resolutions]]: 160x200x16 colours (mode 0), 320x200x4 colours (mode 1) and 640x200x2 colours (mode 2, 80-column mode).

== The 472 ==
[[image:CPC_472_es.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Spanish Amstrad CPC 472]]
The CPC 472 was a Spanish version of the CPC 464 with an additional, non-functional 8KB RAM. A Spanish law required that every computer with up to 64KB should have extra keys for the Spanish language, or an extra tax would be levied. So Amstrad soldered in an extra 8kb which was not, however, usable by the machine since it was not connected to anything else. Later on Amstrad released a 472 with a proper Spanish keyboard. After the rule changed there was also a CPC472 with non-Spanish keys available for a very short time. The CPC 472 is very rare.

== The 664 ==
[[Image:cpc664.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Amstrad CPC [[664]] with colour monitor in 80-column display mode]]

In June 1985, Amstrad took the initial design and, building upon the same idea, removed the tape recorder and replaced it with a disc drive, using the same hardware sold as the [[DDI-1]] add-on for 464 owners. The result: the CPC664. Sporting a less colourful and easier-to-type-on keyboard, the CPC664 appealed as a more serious machine and proved a success, especially due to its quite fast 3", 180KB/side drive.

* ''[http://www.gondolin.org.uk/hchof/reviews/yc-cpc664.html Your Computer review of the CPC664]''

== The 6128 ==
[[Image:Cpc6128.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Amstrad CPC [[6128]] with colour monitor]]

Shortly afterwards, Amstrad launched the CPC6128 for the American market only, through its distributor [[Indescomp]]. The new machine sported 128k of memory and a still more sober appearance, but was otherwise identical to the 664.

Despite initial denials, the machine was launched in Europe shortly afterwards, replacing the 664 for the same price - a situation which understandably irritated some of those who had recently purchased 664s. As well as the CP/M 2.2 and DR Logo that had shipped with the DDI-1 and the CPC664, the 6128 came bundled with CP/M Plus (with the GSX graphics extension) making it an appealing all-round computer at a low price. Though the 128KB of memory could not be accessed all at once from BASIC (due to limitations of the [[Z80]]), the upper 64KB could be used readily from machine code courtesy of an upgraded Gate Array. A bundled program, [[Bankman]], provided some access from BASIC.

The presence of this extra memory and the clever design of Amstrad's CP/M Plus implementation allowed for a TPA (Transient Program Area) of 42KB, more than enough to run all CP/M software.

== ANT (Arnold Number Two) prototype ==

At the same time, Amstrad was designing the immensely successful [[PCW]] word-processor series, also with software by [[Locomotive Software|Locomotive]] and featuring an all-in-one Z80-based design.

A shared architecture was developed that would encompass both the PCW and a new, upgraded CPC - codenamed ANT, or Arnold Number Two. It shared many features with the PCW, such as its larger memory and its exceptionally elegant screen-handling hardware, but boasted colour and sound, and retained CPC compatibility. The aim was to see off the Atari ST and Commodore Amiga, next-generation games machines already on the horizon.

A few of the PCW's design features which don't appear to make any sense on their own stem from this shared ancestry. But the project was dropped at a fairly early stage, and the CPC Classic lived on before eventually succumbing to the Plus. Only one prototype board is believed to survive, in the possession of ex-Locomotive Software engineer [[Richard Clayton]].

== The Plus series ==
[[Image:cpc6128plus.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Amstrad [[Plus|CPC6128+]] with colour monitor]]

The last models in the Amstrad CPC range were the [[Plus|Amstrad 464 Plus]] and [[Plus|Amstrad 6128 Plus]], launched together in 1990. The CPC name is said to have been dropped because of a legal dispute with a French firm, though it is also likely that "CPC 6128 Plus" was considered too unwieldy a name and one redolent of the machine's mid-80s heritage.

Described as a solution of 'too little, too late', this was Amstrad's second effort to prolong the life of its 8-bit computer series in the face of fierce competition from new 16-bit machines (notably, the [[Atari|Atari ST]] and the Commodore [[Amiga]]). The Plus series were mostly (but not quite 100%) compatible with the original CPC computers, and incorporated a list of [[ASIC|new features]], like a cartridge port for instant program loading, DMA for the [[AY]] soundchip, hardware scrolling, programmable interrupts, 16 hardware zoomable sprites (not vectorized) with an independent palette of 15 colours, and a choice of 4096 colours all in a new, sleek case which mimicked the keyboard-computer design that was ''en vogue'' in the 16-bit market (ST, Amiga etc).

While the Amstrad Plus computers were arguably one of the best 8-bit computers ever built for the mass market, they died an early death as the 16-bit era had well and truly begun.

== The GX4000 ==
[[Image:Gx4000.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The Amstrad GX4000 ]]
By 1990 Amstrad had realised that the home market was heading towards the 16-bit machines, on one hand, and towards the new generation of game consoles like the Sega Master System or the Nintendo Entertainment System, on the other. Therefore, just as they created the 464 Plus and 6128 Plus to compete against the ST and the Amiga, they also created a stripped-down variant called the [[Plus|GX4000]].

The GX4000 was, in essence, an Amstrad 464+ motherboard in a new case, with no keyboard, cassette deck nor disc drive, and with most extension ports gone - save for the cartridge port and two joypads.

As expected, the GX4000 was a flop that could not break the stranglehold that Sega and Nintendo had on the market at the time. As a result, the GX4000 was soon to be found selling at ridiculously low prices - as little as £19.99 in the UK - as dealers tried to offload their stock. It was a shame, because if Amstrad had realised the market potential and produced this console a few years earlier, it could well have been a success. As it was, it had to suffer the same fate as the even less powerful Commodore 64GS.

== Clones ==

There were two clones of the CPC, neither of which were 100% compatible with the CPC.

* KC Compact

An East German clone. The Gate-Array was replaced with TTL logic which performed a similar function. There are some hardware differences, especially in the interrupts. This clone is much more closer to the CPC in terms of functionality.

* Aleste 520EX

This clone also had some MSX like hardware which made it possible to run some modified MSX titles. This clone also ran faster than the original CPC.

== Outro ==

All in all, the CPC series met with great success. Although they would never achieve the universal status of the Commodore 64 or the humble Spectrum series, the CPCs managed to sell very well and attain leader status in several countries. The CPCs were very popular in the UK, Spain, France, Greece, Germany and Australia, to name a few countries.

Besides a lot of [[emulators]], several old and modern hardware [[clones]] have been produced up to now.

CPC

2009-10-12T16:24:34Z

Nowster: /* The 6128 */ upgrade->upgraded

[[Category:CPC History]]
[[Category:Hardware]]
== Introduction ==

The Amstrad CPC (Colour Personal Computer) series was a series of 8-bit home computers that were manufactured by the British company [[Amstrad]] between 1984 (launch of the CPC464: 21st June 1984) and 1993 (?). The CPC, like most contemporary home micros, had an integrated computer-in-a-keyboard design. Also incorporated in the keyboard was the tape recorder or disc drive.

In general what Amstrad aimed for was to offer a completely integrated solution at a low price. Just as with Amstrad's stereo towers before, [[Alan M. Sugar]] wanted to provide a solution with as few separate components as possible, with as few cables as possible and at as low a price as possible. A truck driver, unfamiliar with computers, was often cited as the CPC's target market.

As a result, Amstrad chose ready off-the-shelf components and used low-cost production methods in an effort to bring manufacturing costs down. They also included a monitor to connect the computer to - a move which, while raising the price, was designed to free the home TV from little brats hogging it for a dose of Ikari Warriors while Eastenders was on. This concept appealed to users and proved to be a success.

The combination of low cost, integrated design, good manufacturing quality and some impressive features like CP/M and an 80-column display mode (lacking in much of the competition, particularly the Sinclair [[ZX Spectrum]] and [[Commodore 64]]) proved to be a success both with home users and small businesses, and Amstrad went on to sell millions of CPCs.

Because of its use of the Z80, which was also used in the Sinclair models, some of the earliest games found on the CPC were fairly direct ports of the Spectrum versions which failed to take advantage of the CPC's extra capabilities. The amount of Spectrum ports has often been overstated by those who wish to knock the machine, and in fact formed a comparatively small number of largely unsuccessful games. Nonetheless, those that were published left users and reviewers with a bad taste in their mouth.

At its core, the CPC combined a standard 4MHz [[Z80|Z80A]] with off-the-shelf components and a custom Gate Array chip. The [[firmware]] comprised two 16k ROMs (combined onto one 32k chip): one was effectively the operating system, the other the fast and flexible [[Locomotive BASIC]] interpreter. All machines except the original 464 would also include a further 16k ROM (on a separate chip), the AMSDOS disc operating system.

In all, there were three 'classic' models, the CPC [[464]], [[664]] and [[6128]]; plus two short-lived later [[Plus|advanced]] models, the 464 Plus and the 6128 Plus. A final iteration was the [[Plus|GX4000]] games machine based on the CPC+ computers.

''See also: [[CPC Prototypes]].''

== The 464 ==
[[Image:464.png|right|thumb|250px|Amstrad CPC [[464]] with colour monitor]]
First came the CPC464, the father of the CPC family, released on the 21st June 1984 (with production ceasing in 1990). This model used an integrated tape recorder and offered 64KB of RAM. It sold around two million units in Europe and, technologically-wise, was more impressive than the ZX Spectrum and on a similar level with the Commodore 64. One notable exception was the sound chip: while the C64 employed the splendid custom SID chip, Amstrad opted for a generic sound chip - [[AY|AY-3-8912]] - with unremarkable features. That said, the firmware of the CPC was leagues ahead of the C64.)

At its core was a [[Z80]] clocked at 4MHz - though screen display considerations, and the particular design of the [[Gate Array]] limited this to an effective 3.3MHz in practice - while the display was managed by the [[CRTC|6845 CRTC]] along with a gate-array chip.

The CPC464 sported a palette of 27 colours and [[Video modes|three distinct resolutions]]: 160x200x16 colours (mode 0), 320x200x4 colours (mode 1) and 640x200x2 colours (mode 2, 80-column mode).

== The 472 ==
[[image:CPC_472_es.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Spanish Amstrad CPC 472]]
The CPC 472 was a Spanish version of the CPC 464 with an additional, non-functional 8KB RAM. A Spanish law required that every computer with up to 64KB should have extra keys for the Spanish language, or an extra tax would be levied. So Amstrad soldered in an extra 8kb which was not, however, usable by the machine since it was not connected to anything else. Later on Amstrad released a 472 with a proper Spanish keyboard. After the rule changed there was also a CPC472 with non-Spanish keys available for a very short time. The CPC 472 is very rare.

== The 664 ==
[[Image:cpc664.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Amstrad CPC [[664]] with colour monitor in 80-column display mode]]

In June 1985, Amstrad took the initial design and, building upon the same idea, removed the tape recorder and replaced it with a disc drive, using the same hardware sold as the [[DDI-1]] add-on for 464 owners. The result: the CPC664. Sporting a less colourful and easier-to-type-on keyboard, the CPC664 appealed as a more serious machine and proved a success, especially due to its quite fast 3", 180KB/side drive.

* ''[http://www.gondolin.org.uk/hchof/reviews/yc-cpc664.html Your Computer review of the CPC664]''

== The 6128 ==
[[Image:Cpc6128.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Amstrad CPC [[6128]] with colour monitor]]

Shortly afterwards, Amstrad launched the CPC6128 for the American market only, through its distributor [[Indescomp]]. The new machine sported 128k of memory and a still more sober appearance, but was otherwise identical to the 664.

Despite initial denials, the machine was launched in Europe shortly afterwards, replacing the 664 for the same price - a situation which understandably irritated some of those who had recently purchased 664s. As well as the CP/M 2.2 and DR Logo that had shipped with the DDI-1 and the CPC664, the 6128 came bundled with CP/M Plus (with the GSX graphics extension) making it an appealing all-round computer at a low price. Though the 128KB of memory could not be accessed all at once from BASIC (due to limitations of the [[Z80]]), the upper 64KB could be used readily from machine code courtesy of an upgraded Gate Array. A bundled program, [[Bankman]], provided some access from BASIC.

The presence of this extra memory and the clever design of Amstrad's CP/M Plus implementation allowed for a TPA (Transient Program Area) of 42KB, more than enough to run all CP/M software.

== ANT (Arnold Number Two) prototype ==

At the same time, Amstrad was designing the immensely successful [[PCW]] word-processor series, also with software by [[Locomotive Software|Locomotive]] and featuring an all-in-one Z80-based design.

A shared architecture was developed that would encompass both the PCW and a new, upgraded CPC - codenamed ANT, or Arnold Number Two. It shared many features with the PCW, such as its larger memory and its exceptionally elegant screen-handling hardware, but boasted colour and sound, and retained CPC compatibility. The aim was to see off the Atari ST and Commodore Amiga, next-generation games machines already on the horizon.

A few of the PCW's design features which don't appear to make any sense on their own stem from this shared ancestry. But the project was dropped at a fairly early stage, and the CPC Classic lived on before eventually succumbing to the Plus. Only one prototype board is believed to survive, in the possession of ex-Locomotive Software engineer [[Richard Clayton]].

== The Plus series ==
[[Image:cpc6128plus.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Amstrad [[Plus|CPC6128+]] with colour monitor]]

The last models in the Amstrad CPC range were the [[Plus|Amstrad 464 Plus]] and [[Plus|Amstrad 6128 Plus]], launched together in 1990. The CPC name is said to have been dropped because of a legal dispute with a French firm, though it is also likely that "CPC 6128 Plus" was considered too unwieldy a name and one redolent of the machine's mid-80s heritage.

Described as a solution of 'too little, too late', this was Amstrad's second effort to prolong the life of its 8-bit computer series in the face of fierce competition from new 16-bit machines (notably, the [[Atari|Atari ST]] and the Commodore [[Amiga]]). The Plus series were mostly (but not quite 100%) compatible with the original CPC computers, and incorporated a list of [[ASIC|new features]], like a cartridge port for instant program loading, DMA for the [[AY]] soundchip, hardware scrolling, programmable interrupts, 16 hardware zoomable sprites (not vectorized) with an independent palette of 15 colours, and a choice of 4096 colours all in a new, sleek case which mimicked the keyboard-computer design that was ''en vogue'' in the 16-bit market (ST, Amiga etc).

While the Amstrad Plus computers were arguably one of the best 8-bit computers ever built for the mass market, they died an early death as the 16-bit era had well and truly begun.

== The GX4000 ==
[[Image:Gx4000.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The Amstrad GX4000 ]]
By 1990 Amstrad had realised that the home market was heading towards the 16-bit machines, on one hand, and towards the new generation of game consoles like the Sega Master System or the Nintendo Entertainment System, on the other. Therefore, just as they created the 464 Plus and 6128 Plus to compete against the ST and the Amiga, they also created a stripped-down variant called the [[Plus|GX4000]].

The GX4000 was, in essence, an Amstrad 464+ motherboard in a new case, with no keyboard, cassette deck nor disc drive, and with most extension ports gone - save for the cartridge port and two joypads.

As expected, the GX4000 was a flop that could not break the stranglehold that Sega and Nintendo had on the market at the time. As a result, the GX4000 was soon to be found selling at ridiculously low prices - as little as £19.99 in the UK - as dealers tried to offload their stock. It was a shame, because if Amstrad had realised the market potential and produced this console a few years earlier, it could well have been a success. As it was, it had to suffer the same fate as the even less powerful Commodore 64GS.

== Clones ==

There were two clones of the CPC, both of which are not 100% compatible with the CPC.

* KC Compact

An East German clone. The Gate-Array was replaced with TTL logic which performed a similar function. There are some hardware differences, especially in the interrupts. This clone is much more closer to the CPC in terms of functionality.

* Aleste 520EX

This clone also had some MSX like hardware which made it possible to run some modified MSX titles. This clone also ran faster than the original CPC.

== Outro ==

All in all, the CPC series met with great success. Although they would never achieve the universal status of the Commodore 64 or the humble Spectrum series, the CPCs managed to sell very well and attain leader status in several countries. The CPCs were very popular in the UK, Spain, France, Greece, Germany and Australia, to name a few countries.

Besides a lot of [[emulators]], several old and modern hardware [[clones]] have been produced up to now.

CPC

2009-10-12T16:21:55Z

Nowster: /* The 464 */ Punctuation.

[[Category:CPC History]]
[[Category:Hardware]]
== Introduction ==

The Amstrad CPC (Colour Personal Computer) series was a series of 8-bit home computers that were manufactured by the British company [[Amstrad]] between 1984 (launch of the CPC464: 21st June 1984) and 1993 (?). The CPC, like most contemporary home micros, had an integrated computer-in-a-keyboard design. Also incorporated in the keyboard was the tape recorder or disc drive.

In general what Amstrad aimed for was to offer a completely integrated solution at a low price. Just as with Amstrad's stereo towers before, [[Alan M. Sugar]] wanted to provide a solution with as few separate components as possible, with as few cables as possible and at as low a price as possible. A truck driver, unfamiliar with computers, was often cited as the CPC's target market.

As a result, Amstrad chose ready off-the-shelf components and used low-cost production methods in an effort to bring manufacturing costs down. They also included a monitor to connect the computer to - a move which, while raising the price, was designed to free the home TV from little brats hogging it for a dose of Ikari Warriors while Eastenders was on. This concept appealed to users and proved to be a success.

The combination of low cost, integrated design, good manufacturing quality and some impressive features like CP/M and an 80-column display mode (lacking in much of the competition, particularly the Sinclair [[ZX Spectrum]] and [[Commodore 64]]) proved to be a success both with home users and small businesses, and Amstrad went on to sell millions of CPCs.

Because of its use of the Z80, which was also used in the Sinclair models, some of the earliest games found on the CPC were fairly direct ports of the Spectrum versions which failed to take advantage of the CPC's extra capabilities. The amount of Spectrum ports has often been overstated by those who wish to knock the machine, and in fact formed a comparatively small number of largely unsuccessful games. Nonetheless, those that were published left users and reviewers with a bad taste in their mouth.

At its core, the CPC combined a standard 4MHz [[Z80|Z80A]] with off-the-shelf components and a custom Gate Array chip. The [[firmware]] comprised two 16k ROMs (combined onto one 32k chip): one was effectively the operating system, the other the fast and flexible [[Locomotive BASIC]] interpreter. All machines except the original 464 would also include a further 16k ROM (on a separate chip), the AMSDOS disc operating system.

In all, there were three 'classic' models, the CPC [[464]], [[664]] and [[6128]]; plus two short-lived later [[Plus|advanced]] models, the 464 Plus and the 6128 Plus. A final iteration was the [[Plus|GX4000]] games machine based on the CPC+ computers.

''See also: [[CPC Prototypes]].''

== The 464 ==
[[Image:464.png|right|thumb|250px|Amstrad CPC [[464]] with colour monitor]]
First came the CPC464, the father of the CPC family, released on the 21st June 1984 (with production ceasing in 1990). This model used an integrated tape recorder and offered 64KB of RAM. It sold around two million units in Europe and, technologically-wise, was more impressive than the ZX Spectrum and on a similar level with the Commodore 64. One notable exception was the sound chip: while the C64 employed the splendid custom SID chip, Amstrad opted for a generic sound chip - [[AY|AY-3-8912]] - with unremarkable features. That said, the firmware of the CPC was leagues ahead of the C64.)

At its core was a [[Z80]] clocked at 4MHz - though screen display considerations, and the particular design of the [[Gate Array]] limited this to an effective 3.3MHz in practice - while the display was managed by the [[CRTC|6845 CRTC]] along with a gate-array chip.

The CPC464 sported a palette of 27 colours and [[Video modes|three distinct resolutions]]: 160x200x16 colours (mode 0), 320x200x4 colours (mode 1) and 640x200x2 colours (mode 2, 80-column mode).

== The 472 ==
[[image:CPC_472_es.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Spanish Amstrad CPC 472]]
The CPC 472 was a Spanish version of the CPC 464 with an additional, non-functional 8KB RAM. A Spanish law required that every computer with up to 64KB should have extra keys for the Spanish language, or an extra tax would be levied. So Amstrad soldered in an extra 8kb which was not, however, usable by the machine since it was not connected to anything else. Later on Amstrad released a 472 with a proper Spanish keyboard. After the rule changed there was also a CPC472 with non-Spanish keys available for a very short time. The CPC 472 is very rare.

== The 664 ==
[[Image:cpc664.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Amstrad CPC [[664]] with colour monitor in 80-column display mode]]

In June 1985, Amstrad took the initial design and, building upon the same idea, removed the tape recorder and replaced it with a disc drive, using the same hardware sold as the [[DDI-1]] add-on for 464 owners. The result: the CPC664. Sporting a less colourful and easier-to-type-on keyboard, the CPC664 appealed as a more serious machine and proved a success, especially due to its quite fast 3", 180KB/side drive.

* ''[http://www.gondolin.org.uk/hchof/reviews/yc-cpc664.html Your Computer review of the CPC664]''

== The 6128 ==
[[Image:Cpc6128.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Amstrad CPC [[6128]] with colour monitor]]

Shortly afterwards, Amstrad launched the CPC6128 for the American market only, through its distributor [[Indescomp]]. The new machine sported 128k of memory and a still more sober appearance, but was otherwise identical to the 664.

Despite initial denials, the machine was launched in Europe shortly afterwards, replacing the 664 for the same price - a situation which understandably irritated some of those who had recently purchased 664s. As well as the CP/M 2.2 and DR Logo that had shipped with the DDI-1 and the CPC664, the 6128 came bundled with CP/M Plus (with the GSX graphics extension) making it an appealing all-round computer at a low price. Though the 128KB of memory could not be accessed all at once from BASIC (due to limitations of the [[Z80]]), the upper 64KB could be used readily from machine code courtesy of an upgrade Gate Array. A bundled program, [[Bankman]], provided some access from BASIC.

The presence of this extra memory and the clever design of Amstrad's CP/M Plus implementation allowed for a TPA (Transient Program Area) of 42KB, more than enough to run all CP/M software.

== ANT (Arnold Number Two) prototype ==

At the same time, Amstrad was designing the immensely successful [[PCW]] word-processor series, also with software by [[Locomotive Software|Locomotive]] and featuring an all-in-one Z80-based design.

A shared architecture was developed that would encompass both the PCW and a new, upgraded CPC - codenamed ANT, or Arnold Number Two. It shared many features with the PCW, such as its larger memory and its exceptionally elegant screen-handling hardware, but boasted colour and sound, and retained CPC compatibility. The aim was to see off the Atari ST and Commodore Amiga, next-generation games machines already on the horizon.

A few of the PCW's design features which don't appear to make any sense on their own stem from this shared ancestry. But the project was dropped at a fairly early stage, and the CPC Classic lived on before eventually succumbing to the Plus. Only one prototype board is believed to survive, in the possession of ex-Locomotive Software engineer [[Richard Clayton]].

== The Plus series ==
[[Image:cpc6128plus.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Amstrad [[Plus|CPC6128+]] with colour monitor]]

The last models in the Amstrad CPC range were the [[Plus|Amstrad 464 Plus]] and [[Plus|Amstrad 6128 Plus]], launched together in 1990. The CPC name is said to have been dropped because of a legal dispute with a French firm, though it is also likely that "CPC 6128 Plus" was considered too unwieldy a name and one redolent of the machine's mid-80s heritage.

Described as a solution of 'too little, too late', this was Amstrad's second effort to prolong the life of its 8-bit computer series in the face of fierce competition from new 16-bit machines (notably, the [[Atari|Atari ST]] and the Commodore [[Amiga]]). The Plus series were mostly (but not quite 100%) compatible with the original CPC computers, and incorporated a list of [[ASIC|new features]], like a cartridge port for instant program loading, DMA for the [[AY]] soundchip, hardware scrolling, programmable interrupts, 16 hardware zoomable sprites (not vectorized) with an independent palette of 15 colours, and a choice of 4096 colours all in a new, sleek case which mimicked the keyboard-computer design that was ''en vogue'' in the 16-bit market (ST, Amiga etc).

While the Amstrad Plus computers were arguably one of the best 8-bit computers ever built for the mass market, they died an early death as the 16-bit era had well and truly begun.

== The GX4000 ==
[[Image:Gx4000.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The Amstrad GX4000 ]]
By 1990 Amstrad had realised that the home market was heading towards the 16-bit machines, on one hand, and towards the new generation of game consoles like the Sega Master System or the Nintendo Entertainment System, on the other. Therefore, just as they created the 464 Plus and 6128 Plus to compete against the ST and the Amiga, they also created a stripped-down variant called the [[Plus|GX4000]].

The GX4000 was, in essence, an Amstrad 464+ motherboard in a new case, with no keyboard, cassette deck nor disc drive, and with most extension ports gone - save for the cartridge port and two joypads.

As expected, the GX4000 was a flop that could not break the stranglehold that Sega and Nintendo had on the market at the time. As a result, the GX4000 was soon to be found selling at ridiculously low prices - as little as £19.99 in the UK - as dealers tried to offload their stock. It was a shame, because if Amstrad had realised the market potential and produced this console a few years earlier, it could well have been a success. As it was, it had to suffer the same fate as the even less powerful Commodore 64GS.

== Clones ==

There were two clones of the CPC, both of which are not 100% compatible with the CPC.

* KC Compact

An East German clone. The Gate-Array was replaced with TTL logic which performed a similar function. There are some hardware differences, especially in the interrupts. This clone is much more closer to the CPC in terms of functionality.

* Aleste 520EX

This clone also had some MSX like hardware which made it possible to run some modified MSX titles. This clone also ran faster than the original CPC.

== Outro ==

All in all, the CPC series met with great success. Although they would never achieve the universal status of the Commodore 64 or the humble Spectrum series, the CPCs managed to sell very well and attain leader status in several countries. The CPCs were very popular in the UK, Spain, France, Greece, Germany and Australia, to name a few countries.

Besides a lot of [[emulators]], several old and modern hardware [[clones]] have been produced up to now.

Ilogicall

2009-10-12T16:11:35Z

Nowster: Punctuation fixes

Puzzle game by ESP Soft. It is a logical game where you have to help MariBee to become queen.

A port of the game [[Picross]]

[[http://amstrad.es/juegosamstrad/decargajuegos/ilogicall.php iLogicAll Homepage]]

[[Category:Games]][[Category:Games 2009]]

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Amstrad/Schneider DMP2000 Printer

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