80 columns on MZ700

Jo Even
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80 columns on MZ700

Post by Jo Even »

What are my options here? I know about these:
  • K & P. This could be reimplemented/emulated on an Arduino, but it looks like it's only supported by disk software and requires K & P disk drives.
  • Kuma. I haven't found any details on how it work.
  • Homebrew kit from SUC. Same as with the Kuma, I haven't found any details on how it work.
Ideally I'd like to run S-BASIC in 80 column mode on my 700, is this realistic?
sharpmz
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2018 4:41 pm

Re: 80 columns on MZ700

Post by sharpmz »

K&P 80 char card:
As I remember "normal" floppy drives were also supported.
For K&P floppy drives the SFD700 is needed. Signals are passed through.
The FDC800 can be used too, but maybe, you need an expanded monitor.

I think I will sell my K&P Char Card via ebay at some point with a heavy heart.
As I know I am the only one who owns it, isn't it? Never heard that another one has one. Same for my 700 PCG graphic.
sharpmz
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2018 4:41 pm

Re: 80 columns on MZ700

Post by sharpmz »

SUC 80 char card:
There were articles in the SUC magazines for the 80k. Some poor information could Michael Franzen get by reverse engineering / research by software like (SUC) CP/M versions. I can publish his info here if you are interested.
Maybe you can get detailed information for the 700 interface from John Edwards / SUC?
I searched the SUC magazines but I only found a hint in 1992 (or was it 1990?) that such card is in the development by the SUC. No more information until 1995. Suddenly such card appears for selling for 15 UKP. Strange, they didn't publish any info or articles for it in the meantime.
sharpmz
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2018 4:41 pm

Re: 80 columns on MZ700

Post by sharpmz »

Kuma card: (never heard of it)
Try to contact our Japanese fans via FB or wait until they register ;)
Jo Even
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Re: 80 columns on MZ700

Post by Jo Even »

sharpmz wrote: Wed Feb 07, 2018 5:03 pmK&P 80 char card:
As I remember "normal" floppy drives were also supported.
Is there a BASIC that works with this card? I'm tempted to implement this card on an Arduino if there is.
sharpmz
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2018 4:41 pm

Re: 80 columns on MZ700

Post by sharpmz »

See the K&P 80-column Disk BASIC on the 700 dl page:
https://sharpmz.org/mz-700/dldos.htm
A complete list of all commands (I hope it is the 80column version):
https://www.sharpmz.org/mz-700/kpbasicovv.htm
About the functionality read:
https://www.sharpmz.org/mz-700/80zkup.htm
sharpmz
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2018 4:41 pm

Re: 80 columns on MZ700

Post by sharpmz »

Maybe, the following words are helpful:
The K&P 80 column IF uses the MZs floppy connector. If you want to connect to a floppy you have to connect it to a floppy interface which is connected to the 80 column card. The MZ signals are passed through the floppy.
You do not need a floppy IF if using the K&P SFD700/DFD700 (5.25") / MFD700 (3.5"). These have its own inbuilt IF. See the inbuilt IF now:
https://www.sharpmz.org/mz-700/images/sfd700_if_02.jpg
If you want to use the K&P floppy drives with inbuilt IF you can directly connect them to the 700.

You do not need a special Disk Basic for using K&P disk drives but you need one if using the K&P 80 column IF which uses a 80 column and a 40 column control screen:
https://sharpmz.org/mz-700/images/kup80zbasic01.gif
https://sharpmz.org/mz-700/images/kup80zbasic02.gif

The K&P 80 column box takes its power supply from Joystick Port number 1, and the video output for the screen is taken from the box, not from the computer. There is a major snag in that the characters are smaller, and some tend to get ‘lost‘ around the curve of an ordinary TV screen display, and so it is necessary to use a proper monitor display to obtain the full benefit of this facility.
https://www.sharpmz.org/images/80charkup_01.jpg
https://www.sharpmz.org/images/80charkup_02.jpg
sharpmz
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2018 4:41 pm

Re: 80 columns on MZ700

Post by sharpmz »

I assume that the SUC got the copyright for the KUMA IF. It seems to me that it is for the 80a only. A KUMA 80 column monitor ROM is needed. Sounds like 80a. Search the SUC-magazine index for KUMA and read the articles:
https://sharpmz.no/original/suc_index/s ... nsubmit=Go
No indication of its use by a 700.

There seems to be a further 80 column IF by Hippo Associates. I found a hint in the net and in a SUC magazine, read on page 37:
https://sharpmz.no/original/sucmags/199 ... df#page=39

So we have for the 700 only a K&P 80 column IF from Germany and one from the SUC so far. Anyone know another for the 700?
Jo Even
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Re: 80 columns on MZ700

Post by Jo Even »

Thanks for the info. It looks like the K&P interface is the most realistic option, as it's quite easy to reimplement it. However, I would need disk drives as well then to use BASIC.
Jo Even
Site Admin
Posts: 152
Joined: Wed Jan 17, 2018 9:28 pm

Re: 80 columns on MZ700

Post by Jo Even »

sharpmz wrote: Wed Feb 07, 2018 5:12 pm Maybe you can get detailed information for the 700 interface from John Edwards / SUC?
I searched the SUC magazines but I only found a hint in 1992 (or was it 1990?) that such card is in the development by the SUC. No more information until 1995. Suddenly such card appears for selling for 15 UKP. Strange, they didn't publish any info or articles for it in the meantime.
I got in touch with John, apparently he still has some kits to sell.

The 80-column kit is described in the SUC 2015 magazine. A very interesting read!
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