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MB03+ Ultimate: Difference between revisions

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The '''MB03+ Ultimate''' is a compact all-in-one interface, made by ''LMN128'', that replaces an assembly of more than 13 single hardware and system add-ons. It is compatible with many popular sound, graphics and memory expansions and also with several modern storage interfaces. The MB03+ '''''is not''''' a self-running ''FPGA'' computer, such as the ZX-UNO or the NEXT.
The '''MB03+ Ultimate''' is a compact all-in-one interface, made by ''LMN128'', that replaces an assembly of more than 13 single hardware and system add-ons. It is compatible with many popular sound, graphics and memory expansions and also with several modern storage interfaces. The MB03+ '''''is not''''' a self-running ''FPGA'' computer, such as the ZX-UNO or the NEXT.


This interface provides graphic, sound and other hardware enhancements, even for basic ZX Spectrum 48K models. It imitates a lot of combinations of small single interfaces joined together to the computer and improves some functionalities of software, e.g. displays the ''Gigascreen'' without flickering. The basic concepts of the device include the possibility of using modern PC peripherals with an old 8-bit home computer. Operating systems in the MB03+ support standard PC FAT-formatted media: [[:wikipedia:SD card|SD card]] cards and [[:wikipedia:CompactFlash|CompactFlash]] cards. The MB03+ works with computer USB mice that support the [[:wikipedia:PS/2 port|PS/2]] protocol and can be connected to LCD TVs and PC monitors with [[:wikipedia:HDMI|HDMI]] input via an universal digital video output connector.   
This interface provides graphic, sound and other hardware enhancements, even for [[ZX Spectrum 16K/48K|basic ZX Spectrum model]]. It imitates a lot of combinations of small single interfaces joined together to the computer and improves some functionalities of software, e.g. displays the ''Gigascreen'' without flickering. The basic concepts of the device include the possibility of using modern PC peripherals with an old 8-bit home computer. Operating systems in the MB03+ support standard PC FAT-formatted media: [[:wikipedia:SD card|SD card]] cards and [[:wikipedia:CompactFlash|CompactFlash]] cards. The MB03+ works with computer USB mice that support the [[:wikipedia:PS/2 port|PS/2]] protocol and can be connected to LCD TVs and PC monitors with [[:wikipedia:HDMI|HDMI]] input via an universal digital video output connector.   


All development and production of the MB03+ is a hobby and one-man-show project on non-profit basis.
All development and production of the MB03+ is a hobby and one-man-show project on non-profit basis.
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The story of the MB-family interfaces goes to 1990, when the '''AP-01''', a ZX Spectrum compatible computer was created by Slovak coder and designer ''Róbert Letko'', named ''MDV''. The computer consisted of various peripherals and supporting circuits: 8255, 8251, Z80-CTC, Z80-DMA and also with a floppy disk drive. Almost the same progressive equipment had an interface made by Slovak coder ''Slavomír Lábsky'' (''Busy''): WD2797 and Z80-DMA chips, 64KB battery-backed additional RAM, two 8255 with six parallel ports, memory LED maps and connectors for two disk drives. And so the name "'''MB'''" came from nicknames of the authors - MDV and Busy.
The story of the MB-family interfaces goes to 1990, when the '''AP-01''', a ZX Spectrum compatible computer was created by Slovak coder and designer ''Róbert Letko'', named ''MDV''. The computer consisted of various peripherals and supporting circuits: 8255, 8251, Z80-CTC, Z80-DMA and also with a floppy disk drive. Almost the same progressive equipment had an interface made by Slovak coder ''Slavomír Lábsky'' (''Busy''): WD2797 and Z80-DMA chips, 64KB battery-backed additional RAM, two 8255 with six parallel ports, memory LED maps and connectors for two disk drives. And so the name "'''MB'''" came from nicknames of the authors - MDV and Busy.


Around 1996 the '''MB-01''' was substantially improved to the '''MB-02'''. Then two Moravian Speccy-fans, ''Last Monster'' and ''Blazko/systems'', associated in the ''8bc group'', made a new '''MB-02+''' with a RTC chip, a bigger RAM up to 512KB, a booting EPROM and 4 disk drives. About 90 MB-02+ units were produced and delivered mainly to Germany, Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Poland. After years, the design of the new MB03+ continues with the same philosophy of expanding the old good ZX Spectrum computer for modern times, in an effort to overcome the limitations that arise with new chips and modern peripherals when connected to older circuity of a 8-bit home computer.
Around 1996 the '''MB-01''' was substantially improved to the '''MB-02'''. Then two Moravian Speccy-fans, ''Last Monster'' and ''Blazko/systems'', associated in the ''8bc group'', made a new [[MB-02+]] with a RTC chip, a bigger RAM up to 512KB, a booting EPROM and 4 disk drives. About 90 MB-02+ units were produced and delivered mainly to Germany, Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Poland. After years, the design of the new MB03+ continues with the same philosophy of expanding the old good ZX Spectrum computer for modern times, in an effort to overcome the limitations that arise with new chips and modern peripherals when connected to older circuity of a 8-bit home computer.


==Basic hardware==
==Basic hardware==
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* recovery/rescue mode
* recovery/rescue mode


Because the MB03+ is only an external interface and original ZX Spectrum models do not have a RAM/CS signal on their expansion buses (as was a case with the previous ZX-80 and ZX-81 models), it cannot map the upper part of the computer's memory. However, this issue is solvable when handling a second videoRAM and graphics modes.
Because the MB03+ is only an external interface and original ZX Spectrum models do not have a RAM/CS signal on their [[ZX Spectrum edge connector|expansion buses]] (as was a case with the previous ZX-80 and ZX-81 models), it cannot map the upper part of the computer's memory. However, this issue is solvable when handling a second videoRAM and graphics modes.


Four '''UserApp ROMs''' and eight system '''CustomROMs''' are part of the MB03+ firmware and can be (auto)run instead of the ZX BASIC ROM.
Four '''UserApp ROMs''' and eight system '''CustomROMs''' are part of the MB03+ firmware and can be (auto)run instead of the ZX BASIC ROM.
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* SpecDrum
* SpecDrum
* General Sound
* General Sound
* ULA Sound (Beeper)
* [[ZX Spectrum ULA|ULA]] Sound (Beeper)


==Compatibility with other interfaces==
==Compatibility with other interfaces==
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[[File:MB03+CustomROM.jpg|thumb|CustomROM setup for MB03+]]
[[File:MB03+CustomROM.jpg|thumb|CustomROM setup for MB03+]]
[[File:MB03+64charROM.jpg|thumb|64char ROM]]
[[File:MB03+64charROM.jpg|thumb|64char ROM]]
With the MB03+ connected, the ZX BASIC stored in ROM can be partly or fully switched off. The MB03+ provides extra ROMs in combination of
With the MB03+ connected, the ZX BASIC stored in ROM can be partly or fully switched off. The MB03+ does extra ROMs in combination of
* 8x16KB ROM
* 8x16KB ROM
* 4x16KB ROM and 1x64KB ROM
* 4x16KB ROM and 1x64KB ROM
* 2x64KB ROM system
* 2x64KB ROM


The 64KB ROM system is identical to the ROM paging of the [[ZX Spectrum +2A/2B, +3/3B|ZX Spectrum +3/+2A]].
The 64KB ROM system is identical to the ROM paging of the [[ZX Spectrum +2A/2B, +3/3B|ZX Spectrum +3/+2A]].
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[[File:Mb03+esxdos088.png|thumb|esxDOS for MB03+]]
[[File:Mb03+esxdos088.png|thumb|esxDOS for MB03+]]
Software that uses special options and expansions of the MB03+:
Software that uses special options and expansions of the MB03+:
* '''[https://esxdos.org/ esxDOS]''' v0.8.8 by ''Lordcoxis'' - an advanced operation system with FAT16/FAT32 read/write support, virtual disks (images) support, TR-DOS and tape emulation using TRD and TAP files, extended BASIC commands, BASIC files integration using +3DOS headers for FAT filesystems, system "DOT" commands and POSIX-based API
* '''[https://esxdos.org/ esxDOS]''' v0.8.8 by ''Lordcoxis'' - an advanced operation system with FAT16/FAT32 read/write support, virtual disks (images) support, TR-DOS and tape emulation using [[TRD format|TRD]] and [[TAP format|TAP]] files, extended BASIC commands, BASIC files integration using [[+3DOS]] headers for FAT filesystems, system "DOT" commands and [[:wikipedia:POSIX|POSIX]]-based API
* '''TurboSound FM Demo''' by ''LMN128'' and ''Lanex'', a demo with more than 100 FM tunes for YM2203
* '''TurboSound FM Demo''' by ''LMN128'' and ''Lanex'', a demo with more than 100 FM tunes for YM2203
* '''HQ Digital Audio Demo''' by ''LMN128'', with 15MB sample based music and Gigascreen graphics
* '''HQ Digital Audio Demo''' by ''LMN128'', with 15MB sample based music and Gigascreen graphics
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