Post by richard on Feb 20, 2014 13:00:26 GMT -5
My adapter presents an API to the Vectrex to use for 3D transforms.
It also has an extra 17K memory that the adapter shares with the Vectrex which makes dealing with vector lists much easier.
I'm not sure if there would be much practicality in replacing all of the Vectrex guts with an Arduino board. I suppose it can be done but then you're basically running an emulator. If you're going to do that then it would probably be better to use a Linux based platform. Then you're not beholden to a specific Arduino board and write the emulator with portability in mind. I'm thinking building a USB to CRT adapter would be more useful.
I'd avoid putting a linux box inside as it doesn't really bring anything to the party and what you need is a high speed embedded processor without an OS getting in the way. People using Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone usually end up with an Arduino to do all the high speed io.
Regarding 'practicality', to use the Arduino, you are replacing the digital board (It can stay in place actually). You just unplug the XYZ connection to the CRT power board and also connect in he controller port to the Arduino AD inputs. I can't think of anything more practical actually!
The Arduino isn't emulating anything, it's just running code I wrote in C which does vector graphics, from the ground up. There's no emulation.
The only downside is you do have to write all your own routines and you can't use anything in the vectrex BIOS, but that's quite an interesting task and in C it's not too difficult. Beign Arduino you do get to use the various libraries to do sound, read SD cards etc etc.
Oh and you can't run any vectrex games, because it's not an emulator, but that's not it's purpose! You have to write your own!
An Arduino Due gives you 96k RAM and 512k of FLASH. You can easily stick on a few gig of flash on an SD card of course.