Author Topic: eZ80 Hardware Discussion  (Read 58421 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline willrandship

  • Omnimagus of the Multi-Base.
  • LV11 Super Veteran (Next: 3000)
  • ***********
  • Posts: 2953
  • Rating: +98/-13
  • Insert sugar to begin programming subroutine.
    • View Profile
Re: eZ80 Hardware Discussion
« Reply #90 on: August 07, 2010, 11:14:10 pm »
But no rectangular pixels! That was the only bad thing about the 86!

Offline TIfanx1999

  • ಠ_ಠ ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
  • CoT Emeritus
  • LV13 Extreme Addict (Next: 9001)
  • *
  • Posts: 6173
  • Rating: +191/-9
    • View Profile
Re: eZ80 Hardware Discussion
« Reply #91 on: August 07, 2010, 11:32:03 pm »
Yea, rectangular pixels would be very.. odd.

Offline DJ Omnimaga

  • Clacualters are teh gr33t
  • CoT Emeritus
  • LV15 Omnimagician (Next: --)
  • *
  • Posts: 55943
  • Rating: +3154/-232
  • CodeWalrus founder & retired Omnimaga founder
    • View Profile
    • Dream of Omnimaga Music
Re: eZ80 Hardware Discussion
« Reply #92 on: August 07, 2010, 11:38:28 pm »
True, I would prefer nothing like the 85/86. At least on Casio calcs, pixels on 128x64 screens are squares. Also no blue LCDs like the 82, 85 or the 2001 version of the 83

Offline Happybobjr

  • James Oldiges
  • LV11 Super Veteran (Next: 3000)
  • ***********
  • Posts: 2325
  • Rating: +128/-20
  • Howdy :)
    • View Profile
Re: eZ80 Hardware Discussion
« Reply #93 on: August 07, 2010, 11:53:26 pm »
so what is the resolution of ti 83+ pixels?
School: East Central High School
 
Axe: 1.0.0
TI-84 +SE  ||| OS: 2.53 MP (patched) ||| Version: "M"
TI-Nspire    |||  Lent out, and never returned
____________________________________________________________

Offline Madskillz

  • LV6 Super Member (Next: 500)
  • ******
  • Posts: 488
  • Rating: +32/-2
    • View Profile
Re: eZ80 Hardware Discussion
« Reply #94 on: August 08, 2010, 02:13:22 am »
Can we forget about AAA batteries go with AA or some sort of rechargeable battery.
I like the idea of a 192x128 pixel setup.
I'd like to see a 3.5mm headphone jack. As well as a backlit lcd.

The other thing is the form factor of this device. Just throwing my two cents out there, but I think a look similar to the voyage 200 would cool. However I think the issue would be with all the calc buttons. Either way on what you guys decide, I think it should stand out from the TI form factor.

Offline cooliojazz

  • Support Staff
  • LV7 Elite (Next: 700)
  • *******
  • Posts: 619
  • Rating: +66/-9
  • I omnoms on your soul
    • View Profile
    • Unreal Phantasies
Re: eZ80 Hardware Discussion
« Reply #95 on: August 08, 2010, 02:15:07 am »
Ok, my thoughts:
For resolution, i would also go with the 192x128, albeit a same size screen.  Backlight would be great...
For ports, I think the SD would be a good addition if not to expensive, etc, but no where near necessary.  Either a mini usb-b, or usb-a is needed, the usb-a seeming the more likel choice to me, since most usb devices are usb-a.  Honestly though, I would like to see both.  A standard 1/8 in. headphone jack would be good.  And the "plug in recharge" sounds like a good idea... except when you have nothing to plug into.
Speaking of batteries, I think the best option would be rechargeable AAs, with the "plug in recharge" supported for them.  I know this has been deemed by quite a few as impractical etc, but thats just my two cents.
ABCD Keyboard.  Enough said.  ;)
I also agree that we should just build it, and worry about trying to get compatibility later with software.
I'm sorry if I added my thoughts to anything already decided, I can't really tell. :P
Spoiler For Random signess:
You can not beat my skills.
Trust me.
So don't even try.
And remember never to trust someone who says, "Trust me."

TI File Editor Progress: Remade in java like a boss. 50% we'll call it? IDK =P
Java Libraries: JIRC - 90% JTIF - 5%
TI Projects: Unreal Notator - -5000%
Nomcraft, a Bukkit mod
Some of the music I write can be found here | The Rest Should Be Here (Bandcamp)

Offline tloz128

  • LV6 Super Member (Next: 500)
  • ******
  • Posts: 324
  • Rating: +58/-6
  • I feel asleep.
    • View Profile
Re: eZ80 Hardware Discussion
« Reply #96 on: August 09, 2010, 10:34:18 pm »
camera anyone? lol jk  :P

I think that the calc should have a battery life of at least 20 hours, or if not, have a rechargable battery inside of it- preferably both.

« Last Edit: August 10, 2010, 12:08:03 am by tloz128 »
Naaa... Na Nah Na Nana Na Nah... Hey Jude!

SirCmpwn

  • Guest
Re: eZ80 Hardware Discussion
« Reply #97 on: August 09, 2010, 10:40:33 pm »
I think that we should layout the entire hardware speck, and then tell me, and I can write an emulator for it and we can start building the firmware.  A nice feature would be the ability to get the battery level programatically.

Offline rcfreak0

  • Support Staff
  • LV4 Regular (Next: 200)
  • ****
  • Posts: 133
  • Rating: +7/-0
    • View Profile
Re: eZ80 Hardware Discussion
« Reply #98 on: August 09, 2010, 10:42:11 pm »
I think that we should layout the entire hardware speck, and then tell me, and I can write an emulator for it and we can start building the firmware.  A nice feature would be the ability to get the battery level programatically.

^ This, cause before i can help dev anything hardware wise i need to know what we are using. lol

SirCmpwn

  • Guest
Re: eZ80 Hardware Discussion
« Reply #99 on: August 09, 2010, 10:46:36 pm »
Therefore, anyone on the hardware team should write up a *full* spec, including ports and everything, and post it.  Then, we can nitpick at it until it is usable, and I can make an emulator.  Let's get this show on the road, folks!

Offline TIfanx1999

  • ಠ_ಠ ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
  • CoT Emeritus
  • LV13 Extreme Addict (Next: 9001)
  • *
  • Posts: 6173
  • Rating: +191/-9
    • View Profile
Re: eZ80 Hardware Discussion
« Reply #100 on: August 10, 2010, 12:39:21 am »
That's actually a fantastic idea. I'm sure it will still take a while to iron specs. out though. :)

Offline matthias1992

  • LV6 Super Member (Next: 500)
  • ******
  • Posts: 408
  • Rating: +33/-5
    • View Profile
Re: eZ80 Hardware Discussion
« Reply #101 on: August 10, 2010, 03:14:33 pm »
Therefore, anyone on the hardware team should write up a *full* spec, including ports and everything, and post it.  Then, we can nitpick at it until it is usable, and I can make an emulator.  Let's get this show on the road, folks!

I'll work on that. But I'll leave out all the [opional] peripherals!
MASM xxxxxxxxxx aborted | SADce ====:::::: 40% -Halted until further notice| XAOS =====::::: 50% -Units done| SKYBOX2D engine ========== 100% -Pre-alpha done. Need to  document it and extend |

~Those who dream by day are cognizant of much more than those who dream by night only. -Sir Edgar Allen Poe-

Offline calc84maniac

  • eZ80 Guru
  • Coder Of Tomorrow
  • LV11 Super Veteran (Next: 3000)
  • ***********
  • Posts: 2912
  • Rating: +471/-17
    • View Profile
    • TI-Boy CE
Re: eZ80 Hardware Discussion
« Reply #102 on: August 10, 2010, 08:53:54 pm »
Hey, I'm already working on an emulator :P
"Most people ask, 'What does a thing do?' Hackers ask, 'What can I make it do?'" - Pablos Holman

Offline rcfreak0

  • Support Staff
  • LV4 Regular (Next: 200)
  • ****
  • Posts: 133
  • Rating: +7/-0
    • View Profile
Re: eZ80 Hardware Discussion
« Reply #103 on: August 10, 2010, 09:17:32 pm »
Hey, I'm already working on an emulator :P
Thats cool cant wait to actually mess with hardware tho :P

Offline willrandship

  • Omnimagus of the Multi-Base.
  • LV11 Super Veteran (Next: 3000)
  • ***********
  • Posts: 2953
  • Rating: +98/-13
  • Insert sugar to begin programming subroutine.
    • View Profile
Re: eZ80 Hardware Discussion
« Reply #104 on: August 11, 2010, 12:28:03 pm »
You know, depending how much power draw 50 mhz actually draws, battery may not be an issue. You're assuming it will cut the power usage in half, while that may not actually be true. Besides, if the calc runs >20 hrs on 50 and >30 on 20 mhz, is it really worth the sacrifice? You're already getting a ridiculous amount of time!

A lot of people, it seems, think higher resolution means bigger screen. We've had lcds that are the same size as the 84+, but much higher resolution for years, more than double, even since the GB.

you know, an emulator wouldn't be so illegal. We can't provide it with the OS, but it's not like everyone will want it, only those who want the compatibility. The only people who will care about compatibility will know how calculator games will work, and can get ahold of their own rom, along with the emu, say, from ticalc.org.

as for keypads, are we going the Alpha-lock route, or the separate buttons? Heck, I'm fine with either configuration, it would just be nice to know which.