Amstrad Serial Interface - Revision history

TFM: /* Original serial interface (1985) */ Nothing bad about an external PSU!

2019-04-11T11:43:24Z

Original serial interface (1985): Nothing bad about an external PSU!

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:43, 11 April 2019
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	=== Original serial interface (1985) ===		=== Original serial interface (1985) ===

	Amstrad's first serial interface was one of the original peripherals released for the CPC. It was remarkable ~~(in a bad way)~~ for the necessity for an external, brick-like power supply.		Amstrad's first serial interface was one of the original peripherals released for the CPC. It was remarkable for the necessity for an external, brick-like power supply.

	Software was supplied on ROM, mostly comprising utility commands for hobbyists rather than a comms application per se - though there was limited terminal emulation for connecting to the then-popular [[Prestel]] service]. The original, UK version included commands for file transfer entitled \|SUCK and \|BLOW, which used a proprietary Amstrad format similar to [[XModem]]-1k but, annoyingly, subtly incompatible. These commands were reputedly renamed for the US edition to avoid causing offence.		Software was supplied on ROM, mostly comprising utility commands for hobbyists rather than a comms application per se - though there was limited terminal emulation for connecting to the then-popular [[Prestel]] service]. The original, UK version included commands for file transfer entitled \|SUCK and \|BLOW, which used a proprietary Amstrad format similar to [[XModem]]-1k but, annoyingly, subtly incompatible. These commands were reputedly renamed for the US edition to avoid causing offence.

Arnoldemu at 13:05, 10 March 2018

2018-03-10T13:05:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:05, 10 March 2018
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	* [[Media:PACE232.ZIP\|ROM Image for Pace version]] - Commstar 32K ROM		* [[Media:PACE232.ZIP\|ROM Image for Pace version]] - Commstar 32K ROM

	[[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Serial_interfaces]][[Category:Amstrad Products]][[Category:Expansion ROM]]		[[Category:Peripherals]][[Category:Network]][[Category:Communication Software]] [[Category:Serial_interfaces]][[Category:Amstrad Products]][[Category:Expansion ROM]]

Arnoldemu: /* Alternative software */

2018-03-10T13:04:32Z

Alternative software

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:04, 10 March 2018
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	== Alternative software ==		== Alternative software ==

	The limitations of the [[Commstar]] software, and the desire to use more recently developed file transfer protocols (such as [[XModem]]-1k, [[YModem]] and [[ZModem]]) meant that many users chose to use their Amstrad serial interface with third-party software~~. This included:~~		The limitations of the [[Commstar]] software, and the desire to use more recently developed file transfer protocols (such as [[XModem]]-1k, [[YModem]] and [[ZModem]]) meant that many users chose to use their Amstrad serial interface with third-party software.

	* [[Ansiterm]] - a fast AMSDOS utility (also known as ANSI.ARC)
	* [[Charley's Comms ROM]] - sideways ROM capable of 4800 baud terminal emulation
	* [[ZMP]] - ZModem file transfer under CP/M

	~~A vast range of comms software was available for [[CP/M]], including [[Bulletin_boards\|bulletin board]] hosts, offline readers (notably [[CRR]] - CP/M Read and Reply), and many terminals~~.

	== Pictures ==		== Pictures ==

Arnoldemu: /* Alternative software */

2018-02-24T17:22:28Z

Alternative software

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:22, 24 February 2018
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	== Alternative software ==		== Alternative software ==

	The limitations of the Commstar software, and the desire to use more recently developed file transfer protocols (such as [[XModem]]-1k, [[YModem]] and [[ZModem]]) meant that many users chose to use their Amstrad serial interface with third-party software. This included:		The limitations of the [[Commstar]] software, and the desire to use more recently developed file transfer protocols (such as [[XModem]]-1k, [[YModem]] and [[ZModem]]) meant that many users chose to use their Amstrad serial interface with third-party software. This included:

	* [[Ansiterm]] - a fast AMSDOS utility (also known as ANSI.ARC)		* [[Ansiterm]] - a fast AMSDOS utility (also known as ANSI.ARC)

Arnoldemu: /* Alternative software */

2018-02-24T17:00:24Z

Alternative software

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:00, 24 February 2018
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	* [[ZMP]] - ZModem file transfer under CP/M		* [[ZMP]] - ZModem file transfer under CP/M

	A vast range of comms software was available for [[CP/M]], including [[~~Bulletin board~~\|bulletin board]] hosts, offline readers (notably [[CRR]] - CP/M Read and Reply), and many terminals.		A vast range of comms software was available for [[CP/M]], including [[Bulletin_boards\|bulletin board]] hosts, offline readers (notably [[CRR]] - CP/M Read and Reply), and many terminals.

	== Pictures ==		== Pictures ==

Gerald: /* Pace serial interface (1986) */

2014-03-01T19:48:09Z

Pace serial interface (1986)

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:48, 1 March 2014
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	=== Pace serial interface (1986) ===		=== Pace serial interface (1986) ===

	As a result, Amstrad dropped their original design and instead chose to remanufacture a [[PACE]] design. This included improved hardware (a more compact interface thanks to SMD components and no external PSU) and vastly superior software. However, this redesign also ~~scarified~~ the quality of RS232 signalling ~~voltage~~ by using 0V/5V output voltage instead of -12V/12V.		As a result, Amstrad dropped their original design and instead chose to remanufacture a [[PACE]] design. This included improved hardware (a more compact interface thanks to SMD components and no external PSU) and vastly superior software. However, this redesign also reduced the quality of RS232 signalling by using 0V/5V output voltage instead of -12V/12V.

	The software was a ROM version of the [[Commstar]] terminal utility from [[HoneySoft]]. This was a user-friendly program with standard [[XModem]] file transfer functions. However, one foolish design decision was the idea of using a 24x80 screen with a single-line status display - though presenting a good user interface, this forced the use of software rather than hardware scrolling, making the interface unusable for terminal emulation at any speed above 2400 baud.		The software was a ROM version of the [[Commstar]] terminal utility from [[HoneySoft]]. This was a user-friendly program with standard [[XModem]] file transfer functions. However, one foolish design decision was the idea of using a 24x80 screen with a single-line status display - though presenting a good user interface, this forced the use of software rather than hardware scrolling, making the interface unusable for terminal emulation at any speed above 2400 baud.

Gerald: /* Original serial interface (1985) */

2014-03-01T19:32:14Z

Original serial interface (1985)

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:32, 1 March 2014
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	Software was supplied on ROM, mostly comprising utility commands for hobbyists rather than a comms application per se - though there was limited terminal emulation for connecting to the then-popular [[Prestel]] service]. The original, UK version included commands for file transfer entitled \|SUCK and \|BLOW, which used a proprietary Amstrad format similar to [[XModem]]-1k but, annoyingly, subtly incompatible. These commands were reputedly renamed for the US edition to avoid causing offence.		Software was supplied on ROM, mostly comprising utility commands for hobbyists rather than a comms application per se - though there was limited terminal emulation for connecting to the then-popular [[Prestel]] service]. The original, UK version included commands for file transfer entitled \|SUCK and \|BLOW, which used a proprietary Amstrad format similar to [[XModem]]-1k but, annoyingly, subtly incompatible. These commands were reputedly renamed for the US edition to avoid causing offence.

	The French company [[~~Mercitel~~]] sold a custom version of this interface, replacing the original 8k ROM with an 16k Rom adding a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minitel minitel] emulator.		The French company [[M.E.R.C.I.]] sold a custom version of this interface, replacing the original 8k ROM with an 16k Rom adding a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minitel minitel] emulator.

	Because of the external power supply and the poor quality of the software, this model failed to establish itself as the "standard" serial interface in the way that (say) the [[DDI-1]] did for disc drives. This allowed other serial interfaces to flourish, such as those sold by [[Cirkit]] and [[KDS]].		Because of the external power supply and the poor quality of the software, this model failed to establish itself as the "standard" serial interface in the way that (say) the [[DDI-1]] did for disc drives. This allowed other serial interfaces to flourish, such as those sold by [[Cirkit]] and [[KDS]].

Gerald: Mercitel ROM for original RS232 interface

2014-03-01T18:12:27Z

Mercitel ROM for original RS232 interface

Cpcmaniaco: /* Manuals */

2013-04-15T07:43:31Z

Manuals

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:43, 15 April 2013
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	* [[Media:RS232C Interface Serie (Amsoft FR) Manual.pdf\|RS232C Interface Serie (Amsoft FR) Manual]] {{FR}} {{PDF}}		* [[Media:RS232C Interface Serie (Amsoft FR) Manual.pdf\|RS232C Interface Serie (Amsoft FR) Manual]] {{FR}} {{PDF}}
	* [[Original Amstrad RS232 interface\|Manual of the original RS232 by Amstrad (OCR)]]		* [[Original Amstrad RS232 interface\|Manual of the original RS232 by Amstrad (OCR)]]
	* Pace Manual.~~.. none such scanned yet...~~		* [[Media:RS232 (Pace) Manual.pdf\|RS232 (Pace) Manual]] {{EN}} {{PDF}}

	== Downloads ==		== Downloads ==

Ygdrazil at 06:50, 14 March 2012

2012-03-14T06:50:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:50, 14 March 2012
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	* [[Media:PACE232.ZIP\|ROM Image for Pace version]] - Commstar 32K ROM		* [[Media:PACE232.ZIP\|ROM Image for Pace version]] - Commstar 32K ROM

	[[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Serial_interfaces]][[Category:Amstrad Products]]		[[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Serial_interfaces]][[Category:Amstrad Products]][[Category:Expansion ROM]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:12, 1 March 2014
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	Software was supplied on ROM, mostly comprising utility commands for hobbyists rather than a comms application per se - though there was limited terminal emulation for connecting to the then-popular [[Prestel]] service]. The original, UK version included commands for file transfer entitled \|SUCK and \|BLOW, which used a proprietary Amstrad format similar to [[XModem]]-1k but, annoyingly, subtly incompatible. These commands were reputedly renamed for the US edition to avoid causing offence.		Software was supplied on ROM, mostly comprising utility commands for hobbyists rather than a comms application per se - though there was limited terminal emulation for connecting to the then-popular [[Prestel]] service]. The original, UK version included commands for file transfer entitled \|SUCK and \|BLOW, which used a proprietary Amstrad format similar to [[XModem]]-1k but, annoyingly, subtly incompatible. These commands were reputedly renamed for the US edition to avoid causing offence.

			The French company [[Mercitel]] sold a custom version of this interface, replacing the original 8k ROM with an 16k Rom adding a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minitel minitel] emulator.

	Because of the external power supply and the poor quality of the software, this model failed to establish itself as the "standard" serial interface in the way that (say) the [[DDI-1]] did for disc drives. This allowed other serial interfaces to flourish, such as those sold by [[Cirkit]] and [[KDS]].		Because of the external power supply and the poor quality of the software, this model failed to establish itself as the "standard" serial interface in the way that (say) the [[DDI-1]] did for disc drives. This allowed other serial interfaces to flourish, such as those sold by [[Cirkit]] and [[KDS]].
Line 17:		Line 19:
	=== Pace serial interface (1986) ===		=== Pace serial interface (1986) ===

	As a result, Amstrad dropped their original design and instead chose to remanufacture a [[PACE]] design. This included ~~significantly~~ improved hardware (a more compact interface and no external PSU) and vastly superior software.		As a result, Amstrad dropped their original design and instead chose to remanufacture a [[PACE]] design. This included improved hardware (a more compact interface thanks to SMD components and no external PSU) and vastly superior software. However, this redesign also scarified the quality of RS232 signalling voltage by using 0V/5V output voltage instead of -12V/12V.

	The software was a ROM version of the [[Commstar]] terminal utility from [[HoneySoft]]. This was a user-friendly program with standard [[XModem]] file transfer functions. However, one foolish design decision was the idea of using a 24x80 screen with a single-line status display - though presenting a good user interface, this forced the use of software rather than hardware scrolling, making the interface unusable for terminal emulation at any speed above 2400 baud.		The software was a ROM version of the [[Commstar]] terminal utility from [[HoneySoft]]. This was a user-friendly program with standard [[XModem]] file transfer functions. However, one foolish design decision was the idea of using a 24x80 screen with a single-line status display - though presenting a good user interface, this forced the use of software rather than hardware scrolling, making the interface unusable for terminal emulation at any speed above 2400 baud.
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	Image:Amstrad rs232 2.jpg\|The original Amstrad serial interface		Image:Amstrad rs232 2.jpg\|The original Amstrad serial interface
	Image:Amstrad rs232 power1.jpg\|The original powersupply that came with the interface		Image:Amstrad rs232 power1.jpg\|The original powersupply that came with the interface
			Image:AmstradRS232PSU_Rating.jpg\|The original powersupply rating
	Image:Amstrad RS232C Box.jpg\|Old interface, boxed		Image:Amstrad RS232C Box.jpg\|Old interface, boxed
	Image:Amstrad RS232C Device.jpg\|Old interface with PSU		Image:Amstrad RS232C Device.jpg\|Old interface with PSU
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	* [[Media:RS232101.ZIP\|ROM Image for original version]] - 8K ROM		* [[Media:RS232101.ZIP\|ROM Image for original version]] - 8K ROM
			* [[Media:RS232Mercitel14.rom\|ROM Image for Mercitel version]] - 16K ROM
	* [[Media:AmstradPaceSerialInterfaceCommstarRomImage.zip\|ROM Image for Pace version]] - Commstar 32K ROM (two 16K banks)		* [[Media:AmstradPaceSerialInterfaceCommstarRomImage.zip\|ROM Image for Pace version]] - Commstar 32K ROM (two 16K banks)
	* [[Media:PACE232.ZIP\|ROM Image for Pace version]] - Commstar 32K ROM		* [[Media:PACE232.ZIP\|ROM Image for Pace version]] - Commstar 32K ROM

	[[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Serial_interfaces]][[Category:Amstrad Products]][[Category:Expansion ROM]]		[[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Serial_interfaces]][[Category:Amstrad Products]][[Category:Expansion ROM]]