| ZRT-80 replica project? [message #10209] |
Wed, 25 January 2023 10:29  |
lynchaj
Messages: 1080
Registered: June 2016
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Senior Member |
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Hi
Maybe some people here are familiar with the ZRT-80 which is a vintage/legacy video & keyboard (serial terminal emulator).
There are many web pages on the ZRT-80 and here is one to illustrate the device a little
http://www.stippl.org/wb/pages/it/microcomputer-projekte/zrt -80.php
It seems to me a replica of the ZRT-80 would be interesting. I have an original ZRT-80 board at home (untested).
I recognize that several higher performance and simpler serial terminal replacement devices, but none have the vintage chops of the actual ZRT-80
Discussion? Thoughts?
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| Re: ZRT-80 replica project? [message #10227 is a reply to message #10223] |
Wed, 01 February 2023 05:24  |
lynchaj
Messages: 1080
Registered: June 2016
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Senior Member |
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Hi
I've been really struggling to come up with any new or interesting retrobrew computer ideas and the ZRT-80 replica is one of few that seem feasible. It's going to have to wait until I have a lot more time and energy though. I can barely keep up with things these days and not much left over for the hobbies. Maybe a fun retirement project?
I think the ZRT-80 is a neat design. I have one of the boards but haven't tested it. There seems to be fairly complete technical data like schematics and source listings for it which makes it a good project. The design is a bit dated and could be modernized a bit without losing its retrobrew credibility.
If I were to take this on, the first pass would be to replicate the existing design as faithfully as possible. Get that working and debugged, then do a somewhat modernized version.
The ZRT-80 appears to have both its firmware ROM, program RAM, and video RAM all in the same Z80 memory address space shared with the HD46505 CRTC. I think my ZRT-80 also uses a HD46505 and I seem to recall there is a reason for it, but I don't recall what it is.
I wonder if the ZRT-80 could be paired with a second CPU like a Z180 to make a full blown SBC with video and keyboard. That's an interesting idea but really haven't thought it out yet.
http://www.retroarchive.org/cpm/misc/misc.htm (ZRT-80 near the bottom of the page)
[Updated on: Wed, 01 February 2023 10:50] Report message to a moderator |
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