Can't wait for a Spectrum Next? What are the alternatives? Let's n-go and take a look!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 лип 2022
- If you really want some or part of the Spectrum Next experience but don't want to wait till the middle of 2023 - what are your options?
This episode has been sponsored by our good friends at PCBWay.com - Check out their website for all your PCB fabrication needs. pcbway.com - PCBs for as little as $5!
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
Follow the shack on twitter: / the_retro_shack
Support the channel: ko-fi.com/theretroshack
Check out our website at: theretroshack.uk
References
www.jabil.com/blog/global-chi...
www.specnext.com
Links
Active Consult
store.activeconsult.co.uk
Manuferhi
manuferhi.com
N-Go Github Page
github.com/ManuFerHi/N-GO
Superfo 128k Facebook Page
/ 349470902442395
Byte Delight
www.bytedelight.com
ZX +Uno
www.antoniovillena.es/store/p...
Sizif 512k
github.com/UzixLS/zx-sizif-512 - Наука та технологія
The added bonus of the N-Go is the 2nd flash so you get the Next on the left flash and what you shown earlier with the +UNO on the right flash via the switch just below the expansion slot. Note though you need an external keyboard and output is VGA only for the second flash.
Could you do an update on what retro machines are currently available fully assembled? I’d never heard of this one and I’m wondering what else I’ve missed.
Proud ZX80 owner.
Yes I couldn't wait for my Spectrum Next v2 either, so have an N-Go with the official case n mechanical keyboard. Really enjoying it.
I've just ordered an N-Go. Thank you for the letting me know about it.
One Speccy you did'nt review is the eLeMeNt ZX. It fits inside the +2 case, (and uses the built in tape deck), has SD/DivMMC and extended colour pallette with 512K RAM as standard. Plus tons of other features. :)
Just looked at the Element Zx… and now I have to have one :) Thanks for letting me know about it :)
@@TheRetroShack :)
@@TheRetroShack I need your help !
I've just recieved my N-Go, all I got with it was a PSU and I can't get a picture. It has power as a green light comes on near the 5V input socket and a blue light flashes near the VGA port. I've plugged in the HDMI but theres no image. I can't find any contact details for the seller either.
Any suggestions ?
@@frankowalker4662 Hi Franko - you probably just need to hold down ‘D’ as the machine boots, to select the Digital output.
Here’s the Spectrum Next boot sequence:
wiki.specnext.dev/Boot_Sequence
wiki.specnext.dev/FAQ
Let me know how you get on :)
@@TheRetroShack Pressing 'D' worked a treat. Thank you so much. :)
And thank you for the links.
The Pi Zero isn't only used for TZX loading, it also handles the playback of many sound file formats like C64 SID, Amiga MOD and ST SNDH.
I'm, personally, a huge fan of the N-Go case and keyboard combo, it's great for sustained programming sessions if you're used to a PC Mechanical keyboard (as I am) for your daily driver.
-Dx
An excellent and informative video, I've backed the KS2 and will wait for it to arrive, but I do like like the look of the NGO solution too.
I decided to try a Hermit-retro kit (as I had a spare RaspberryPi) - pleased with the outcome, good to see there's plenty of options for all.
I'm loving my ngo, it's in a spectrum plus 2 case with the added feature of a working tape deck as well, if u want the original experience of waiting for tapes to load can.
Good video, as always. Nice to know that there are alternatives out there for people wanting a Next. I don’t have room in my budget for one of these, but it seems to be a really good product.
Good video. But you're wrong about one thing. The 48k keyboard is not the same. The Next can see the composite keys as separate keys. So any software that supports that can not be used by the 48k keyboard.
As a C64 person growing up I didn't think I'd have much nostalgia for the Speccy. However a lot of my friends had them at the time, and it is a computer I really feel I missed out on, so actually the impulse to buy something like this is more than with the retro C64 stuff. The Spectrum sentimentality comes from the original 48K case rather than anything else so as good as the Next case may be it would be an N-Go and a classic case. I must say that the white one is doing it for me.
Funnily enough I feel the same, even though I built a successful career from the C64. I started with a ZX81, and wanted a Spectrum but couldn't afford one at the time. My friends had them though so I spent a lot of time round their houses playing and programming on them in the early speccy days, and hanging around computer shops and going to computer shows. So the notstalgia for the Spectrum is very strong in me.
However I satiated my nostalgia by getting a refurbished, composite modded rubber key 48k Spectrum last year, with a tape emulator and a DivMMC future. (I also got a refurbed ZX81 too with 32k, composite mod and modern ULA).
The Spectrum Next is a lovely machine but for me the only 'real' Spectrum is the original rubber key version.
I do have a 'TheC64' modern C64 replica as that feels very close to the real thing, without having to muck about with tape decks, disk drives and cartridges. I still have my original C64, but it's yellowing and in need of some restoration as it doesn't work perfectly - and neither does the disk drive, so the replica is a great way to get some C64 nostalgia.
Excellent video as usual, thanks for this. I ordered the Next 2 ages ago. Waiting.... Not patiently , but waiting
I ordered one a week ago to put in a 48k+ case, but I was disappointed that you'd not reviewed it already 😆 I looked at the Sizif-512 with it's built in divmmc as well but went for the n-go, partly because of the Next compatibility, but more because of the HDMI output.
Your voice is always so calming :) these are some interesting alternatives!
I am getting my ZX Spectrum Next, next year so as a stop gap I got a made up Sizif 512K. It is very very nice. I use my ZX-HD HDMI INTERFACE from Byte Delight, I have used it on all of my ZX Spectrums I have. But with the Sizif 512K and many other clones you will need to cut into your case. Another thing I have used is my Mister DE10 Nano but to use it as a ZX Spectrum I use the The Recreated Sinclair ZX Spectrum keyboard on a USB cable again the DE10 is Out of stock all over.
The Manufehri complete kit keyboard has nice satisfying mechanical keys. Very nice machine. I could not wait for my Spectrum Next Kickstarter round 2 unit to arrive sometime in 2023.
Nice video!! Thanks
I wish they'd do a batch of Spectrum Next cases and sell those on their own. Surely there's nothing to stop that from happening?
I quite agree, they should also think about doing a pc/mac compatible keyboard but in the same style as the next. That would be cool for the emulators 😉
I wish they’d decided to produce bare boards again like the first Kickstarter.
Agree on the keyboard/case issue too. Imagine Sky as the rights holder would be happy to allow cases to be sold separately if the licensing was amended slightly. Get some cash flow whilst waiting for the board parts to become available.
It's great to see there are plenty of alternatives available for people who missed out on the Next and aren't keen to pay the going rate on the secondhand market.
At the other end of the spectrum (no pun intended), if you don't need all the extra Next/N-Go features and you have an old Raspberry Pi handy i.e. not a RPi 4 or RPi 400, ZXBaremulator does a great job. If you're really keen, it'll even support an original 48k Speccy rubber keyboard via GPIO.
Interesting, I never knew about the n-go. A bit late now as I’m firmly on the waiting list for the real thing.
Building it yourself is a downside? The only reason I bought a Harlequin 128k kit was because I could build it. Did in 2021 and loved every minute of it. (I was also amazed when I powered it on and it not only ran but passed all the tests!)
Well, like most things in life, there are people who like building electronic kits themselves, and people that are only interested in the end product. Some people build their own cars, some build aeroplanes or helicopters. Some even build their own homes. Thankfully, for me at least, none of those "self build" projects are compulsory. 😂
Oh great now I have another potential project on my wish list. Not come across sizif before but it looks really good
So glad I got one from the first Kickstarter
Of course another alternative (although rather expensive) is the MiSTer FPGA which has a Spectrum Next core.
So expensive
@@blackterminal So expensive now, although you’ve got to look at how many systems & arcade games you get for that price (and the list is forever growing).
Expensive but, if you can afford it, a very wise investment. I had some spare cash and managed to get one last December, and I've used it a great deal since. Having all those old computer cores is great - you get to see what you missed back in the day. And the arcade core list is growing fast: when I got mine there were about 80 games, now it's almost 300 (afaik).
Get a Mister FPGA and then you have all the spectrums and a core for for the NEXT. Then you have hundreds of Arcade system and dozens of PCs and Consoles. I think it is the best of all worlds.
Have the Mister but it falls flat with a generic keyboard for the Speccy, can't wait for my ks2 next to arrive.
Have the Mister but it falls flat with a generic keyboard for the Speccy, can't wait for my ks2 next to arrive.
If you live in Brazil you can also buy Victor Trucco's Multicore2+ with the Next expansion (for RPi and WiFi).
Nice video.
What should be mentioned is that if you order the n-GO from manuel's shop direktly, there is an option containing an acryllic case and a mechanical keyboard.
Owning both - the original Next and this device - I prefere to use the one with the mechanical keyboard...
Ermmm - I did mention that :) Going to get one for myself :)
@@TheRetroShack If so, as a "non native" may be I've skipped this. ;-)
I really like the printed key caps. What I don't like so much, is the keyboard layout wich is different to the Next (and different to the Spectrum +)...
I made my own ZX Spectrum 128 clone with Beta Disk and dual AY8910 TurboSound emulation. Parts cost less than $10. Schematics and firmware are availabe for everyone.
I'm interested in these systems, but at the same time my brain keeps telling me "real hardware or emulator, man...", but I'm kinda interested in what people can do with them.
Off topic but not; after watching all your(and several other channels) videos I decided to break out the ol' A1200. Amazingly, got straight into Workbench 3.0 within 5 seconds of powering on. Both floppy drives still work, as does the expansion card('030, FPU and 4mb fast RAM). Most of the floppy disks didn't fare as well, but I got a few levels of Lemmings and a few games of Sensible Soccer(the original, SWOS is read error'd) before turning it off because the HD started making disturbing death sounds. I want it to last until my CF card adaptor arrives.
Also looking into a Gotek.
It's a good thing I've seen your videos, unless I might've just binned the thing thinking it was screwed.
Just yesterday watched about ZX new generation platforms with modern ez80 cpu: Agon-lite from thebyteattic team. Just for 50$.
And coming up Agon-heavy with many upgrades. It is 10 times faster than Spectrum Next.
Second new generation ZX mini-atx platform - Cerberus 2080. It is much more serious than regular "enthusiasts" platform. Works with two different Cpu's: ez80 and 65c02
The Agon Light looks very promising, but it's aimed at a completely different kind of user to the Next or N-GO. If you want BBC BASIC, Z80 assembler, CP/M and GPIO in the one machine, the Agon Light is a winner. If you want to relive your childhood and play Jet Set Willy... not so much. For what it's worth I'm looking forward to taking delivery of a KS2 Next *and* an Agon Light some time in 2023. 😀
MiSTer works well if you have one.
For completeness sake, there is also the Next core for the MiSTer platform. Haven't done much with it (patiently waiting for my Next to arrive), but it is there if you want it. Seems fully featured too, according to the readme.
Totally agree. I backed KS2 so obviously waiting for that, but got a MiSTer about a year ago and use the Next core on it. The only problem I have is that it uses a VHD file, so it isn't that straightforward to add files to the image.
I suspect the MiSTer is something of a dirty word in the Next community, I never hear of anyone using the Next core on there.
@@Gannett2011 A big draw of the NEXT is the case and keyboard design, with it's direct link to original Sinclair products (RIP Rick D), but there are several software based Spectrum emulators running on cheap hardware that could be fitted in to a real or reproduction Spectrum case for a fraction of the cost. The "Next" team themselves couldn't care less. Theirs is a niche product in an already crowded niche "retro" market... bit they know demand outstrips supply. 😁
9:10 what keyboard layout is that? The cursor keys should be either side of the space bar.
I'd love a Next, but are they going to even have enough for non-Kickstarters to buy, or will there only be enough to fill the backer orders?
Did you ever get your keyboard adaptor into production?
I set up an emulator for the next following an online tutorial. I have it running on a laptop and it is ok for occasional use.
My options for a ZX Spectrum next? Just… use my Next, because I’ve got an issue 1… Mwahahaha! No, it’s not for sale!! …great video :-)
Interesting, wasn't aware of the N-Go
Just don't anyone tell Alan about these. His favourite hobby is litigation! :-O
Not sure he has any say in it anymore as it's all owned by Sky now. So far they seem ok with people engaged in this strange hobby to carry on and hopefully things remain that way as long as license holders like the spectrum next respect/establish the license, IP and brand.
This is no surprise, there are no Spartan 6 FPGAs available (at sensible prices). Digikey lists 409 different models of Spartan 6 and none of them are in stock. Lead times are unavailable. At work, we use a XC6SLX45 in one of our products and the earliest restock time for it is March or April next year. Unless the cloners have stocks, then they will have the same supply problems.
There's always CSpect or Zesarux emulators as well. It's a little tempting to trade in my Next for an N-GO but I like the case too much.
The one thing you didn’t mention about the N-Go, which makes it unique, is its switch that allows it to be turned into a Spectrum Uno (I believe). I don’t have an N-Go or a Uno, so I’m not sure exactly what this does or the advantages it brings, but I’d have liked to hear about it. It’s a unique feature of the N-Go that the Next itself doesn’t have. NB You also missed a few regular Spectrum alternatives that might be worth considering rather than just the Harlequin. Aside from the JustSpeccy 128, there’s notably the Omni - an enhanced Harlequin that’s available in ‘laptop’ form. (There are others too, but these two are quite readily available.)
So many other variants have come out of the woodwork (so to speak) since making this video - there may have to be a part 2 at some point :)
@@TheRetroShack I know there are a lot. I mentioned the JustSpeccy and the Omni in particular because they’re popular ones and readily available. And the Omni is the only one that’s available as a laptop - though it looks as though that may be happening to the N-Go too.
the problem with next is greed and control, the success of next 1 should have been used to gain venture capital backers and a big manufacturer on board.
but then they would lose over all control of the project, but a next would be coming down a production line, and be available in retailers.
nail down a design, get it manufactured, sell design for mass production then create a new product is how it works, not having differing tiers constant design changes,crowd funding is good to get a foothold but pass the product on, get them out there for those that want to buy.
Greed and control is not the right word. Nexts are produced at approximately cost. The first batch ended up going slightly over and had to be covered out of pocket in order to complete delivery. The designs are made as open as possible so that others can make the machine if they so desire and this is all available for free. The NGO came about because of this, based on the issue 2 spectrum next board, and using the next software and hardware. At least six or seven fpga boards have ports of the spectrum next core because the vhdl is openly available as is the operating system software. It should be mentioned that, like the spectrum, it is not actually legal to use the spectrum roms or the spectrum next operating system on other hardware since these must be licensed from Sky to be legal.
The spectrum next is not really a retail friendly product. It has very high per unit costs and an additional 40-50% margin demanded by retail puts it well out of reach of impulse nostalgic buyers that might buy at retail. So the next best thing is making the machine available at as low cost as possible and making the designs open to the community as a whole to produce their own machines.
I get my Next kicks from the MiSTer system, the Next core is pretty much perfect, although it only emulates a non accelerated model.
The core is far from perfect. There are waitstates which cause visible glitching in some games and you can also hear it in some audio effects.
-Dx
@@XaliorI did design an add-on board for the MiSTer that has the proper ram, joystick ports, vga and external SD header. I changed the core to remove the wait states so it is (as far as I can tell) identical to a proper Next.
ZX Evolution - our all
Raspberry Pi is also gone. They're left now only with Arduino market of Raspberry Pico and Pico W which was already taken by esp32. Don't expect many solutions in 2023, the moment has passed.
I thought the N-go had a few circuit improvements too? Better than the issue 2 next, but not as good as the upcoming Next? The only real failing here is no beautiful case - That's where the Next can't be beat - Thank you Rick Dickenson! RIP..
I managed to get the N-Go, however, when connected via HDMI I get no signal. Haven’t figured out how to use it🙄
Hold down the D key when booting up and you should get digital mode (HDMI)
I got tired of waiting and built a Harlequin 128 into a new Speccy case and keyboard
Ive got a zxuno - it works but I cant get any ps/2 keyboard to work :( so I bought a MiSTer
Are they going to make anymore? And are they going to make larger amounts? Clearly they need to make greater volumes to satisfy demand
Use a Rpi 400. Easily emulates the Spectrum and many other much better systems too.
Or use an old, really cheap Netbook, preferably black. Buy some self adhesive Spectrum keyboard decals, a Spectrum "Rainbow" decal and have it boot straight in to an emulator. But to be honest, any hardware from the last 25 years will easily emulate a Spectrum and other 8 bit computers.
What are the tech specs please?
I'm a snob because I bought the KS1 Next for its case. You wouldn't see me with an N-Go!
I even ordered a KS2 Next because I want all Speccies!
And I already have them all-all Sinclairs, all Amstrads, all Inves'es, all Timex'es, all Czerweny's*, all deciBells, all Microdigitals* and all Vega's. Yes, I'm a snob, now bow before me.
* Spectrums, not necessarily ZX8x's
Do you also have the UniPolBrit 2086? Hmmmm?
@@BertGrink yes, I have two - one with the normal keyboard and one with the more rare white keys.
@@MarcKloos Damn, I didn't know there was a white key variant.
@@BertGrink do a google search for "mcbx rare Unipolbrit 2086"
What about the zx evolution ?, one of the best clones out there that use real hardware and has lots of features. It's ready available and not expensive to purchase. Own one and see no need for the next at all.
I wanted another one but have given up now.
That n go in the white case looks swanky.
I sold a v1 spectrum next to someone in the USA for £1000 lol
Bytheway: why not use Mister FPGA which complete replicate Spectrum Next and many others platforms.
Because Spectrum Next hardware founded on FPGA also.
I'm soon will recieve my own Mister FPGA.
does anyone know if you can get PDF of those games and programmes you used toi be able to get in magazines ? there was nothing like spending hour after hour of inputting the bode to find out you had a pile of crap of a game , i want to relive my youth 😁😁 i couldn't afford eight quid for a proper space invaders but found a version in the mags so was happy AND i copied it for a couple of other guys at school so made three quid plus tape cost or provide your own tape TDK only
Does BSKYB own the rights to ZX spectrum stuff since they own Amstard and Amstrad bought the rights to sinclair research stuff 🤔
ZX Spectrum Next or a PS5.. tough decision
Nah, I can wait 😁
Would a Raspberry Pi IV not have WIFI built in.
My dad has like 7 lol
Great there are real and FPGA clones, too bad no one remembers QL :( But more options, the merrier
Hang on a minute.. someone still pronounces it "SEAGA"? Mind blown.
I flip-flop between SEAga and SAYga :) Can't seem to shift it! :) :)
Spectrum Next website is dead, I tried to get an account for the forum and they never returned to me. Their forum does not accept new accounts.
When you want real spectrum - buy original or at least clone with real Z80 and AY.
Why go for 40 year old hardware? Nostalgia is great, but originals are far more likely to fail than new designs, it won't be easy to expand to include all those nice features everyone wants. More RAM, better storage, networking/wi-fi, USB and general connectivity are handy extras, not to mention the compatibility issues with different versions of the original machines.
@@another3997 For example ZX Evolution has real Z80, real AY, 4 MB memory, 7 / 14 MHz turbo modes and 2 ZXBUS slots for expansion.
Pretty sure a pi zero alone built with a bare metal emulator would perform just as well as all alternatives. Zx always was a crappy machine in every aspect. Don't see the reason why anyone would down the retro remembrance lane on that one without ending up again as a door stopper.
Too much padding in this video
Activeconsult is a great company to deal with, very helpful.
We agree!
It's pronounced Z, not Zed.
grammarist.com/usage/zee-zed/
It was always pronounced "Zed" - at least when I was stationed in England in the '80s when they were released initially.