Hackaday · Creativity & design

Retro Computer Terminal Recreated

A computer terminal experience from the past is being recreated for the RC2014 retrocomputer, using period-appropriate hardware and techniques.

The build features an Alphacom thermal printer, a third-party alternative to the ZX81's Sinclair printer. This printer connected directly to the ZX81's bus and was controlled by BASIC commands. The creator has interfaced this Alphacom to the RC2014's Z80 bus, similar to its original connection, and developed ROM routines to drive it as the RC2014's terminal output.

A keyboard is also part of the setup, initially an MSX keyboard, later replaced by one custom-made with retro typewriter keycaps. The keyboard is scanned using an 8255 I/O port card, a method common in older systems.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.