Hi Res and Other Matters

A nice program for the TSZX computers is put out by PRISM. The program is called “High-Res Package”. For those who have never seen a high resolution graph on a TSZX, this program will “blow your mind”.

The program is about 3/4K long. It is all machine code and is stored in a 0 REM statement. The normal display is still available while the high resolution screen is stored starting at 26368. In reality, there are only 128 different dot patterns possible (not 256) and some of these are repeated. Even so the actual graphics are almost as good as truly addressable graphs of 256×192.

Eight USR commands are provided in the program. These are: CLS; INVERT; HIGH RESOLUTION SCREEN; NORMAL SCREEN; SAVE (save display); LOAD {load display); PRINT (a character is 1/8 the normal size); and PLOT.

I have used the PLOT command the most. I am really pleased with the results. HOWEVER, there is a fly in the ointment. There is no way provided to get a copy of the screen to the 2040 printer or for that matter, any printer! With Doug’s help I may be getting close to solving the problem. If anyone has a suggestion, I would love to hear it. I paid &19.95 for the program and got it from PRISM MICROPRODUCTS. The address was 49 La Salle Avenue, Buffalo, N.Y., 14214. This is the same address for the now bankrupt TIMEX SINCLAiR USER mag. Who knows, this program may now be in the public domain. Another address to try INTERNATIONAL (it was on the cassette) is: INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING SOFTWARE Inc., 3948 Chesswood Drive, Downsview, Ontario, Canada, M3J 2W6.

G. RUSSELL – ELECTRONICS, RD 1 Box 539, Centre Hall, Pennsylvania 16828, has a COMPCOOLER for TSZX computers. “makes your computer run cool by reducing the voltage applied to your 9V DC jack”. No hardware changes are needed and the device will take up to 750ma. I tested the device on a computer with a CAI/0 board, a 16K ram pack, and the 2040 printer. In addition the regulator heat sink was three times larger than normally found on a TS 1000. Normally, after 1 hour, the hottest part of the case is 39 degrees C. With the compcooler in the line the temperature, after 1 hour was 37 degrees C. The temperature reduction may actually be better than measured because the computer CASE, not the actual regulator itself, was measured. The price for the compcooler is $7.95 postage included.

Here is some good news for those who have a CAI/O board. You can run any 2716 EPROM in the left (component side) socket. The right most socket can be used with any 2716 compatible RAM but only 1k can be used. This is because of hardware. The center socket could also be used if the STRINGY FLOPPY is not needed. A good EPROM to consider 1s the PROGRAMMERS UTILITY EPROM. This is put out by DELPHIC ENTERPRISES, P. 0. Box 72205, Corpus Christi, TX 78472. The tape version of this highly recommended and quite fantastic EPROM is available from SYNCWARE Co., P.O. 5177, El Monte, CA 91734. We have not actually tried this utility in this socket but this is the word from CAI. CAI also said that while they do not sell and products for the TSZX now, they will continue to support their TSZX products.