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Raster Interrupt
A raster interrupt (also called a horizontal blank interrupt) is an interrupt signal in a legacy computer system which is used for display timing. It is usually, though not always, generated by a system's graphics chip as the scan lines of a frame are being readied to send to the monitor for display. The most basic implementation of a raster interrupt is the vertical blank interrupt. Such an interrupt provides a mechanism for graphics registers to be changed mid-frame, so they have different values above and below the interrupt point. This allows a single-color object such as the background or the screen border to have multiple horizontal color bands, for example. Or, for a hardware sprite to be repositioned to give the illusion that there are more sprites than a system supports. The limitation is that changes only affect the portion of the display below the interrupt. They don't allow more colors or more sprites on a single scan line. Modern protected mode operating systems ge ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Interrupt
In digital computers, an interrupt (sometimes referred to as a trap) is a request for the processor to ''interrupt'' currently executing code (when permitted), so that the event can be processed in a timely manner. If the request is accepted, the processor will suspend its current activities, save its state, and execute a function called an ''interrupt handler'' (or an ''interrupt service routine'', ISR) to deal with the event. This interruption is often temporary, allowing the software to resume normal activities after the interrupt handler finishes, although the interrupt could instead indicate a fatal error. Interrupts are commonly used by hardware devices to indicate electronic or physical state changes that require time-sensitive attention. Interrupts are also commonly used to implement computer multitasking, especially in real-time computing. Systems that use interrupts in these ways are said to be interrupt-driven. Types Interrupt signals may be issued in response to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
MOS Technology TED
The 7360/8360 Text Editing Device (TED) was an integrated circuit made by MOS Technology, Inc. It was a video chip that also contained sound generation hardware, DRAM refresh circuitry, interval timers, and keyboard input handling. It was designed for the Commodore Plus/4 and 16. Packaging consisted of a JEDEC-standard 48-pin DIP. The only difference between models 7360 and 8360 is the manufacturing technology used; model 8360 is more common. Video capabilities The video capabilities provided by the TED were largely a subset of those in the VIC-II. The TED supported five video modes: * Text mode of 40×25 characters with 8×8 pixels * Multicolor text (4×8 pixels per character, double pixel width in the x-direction) * Extended background color mode (8×8 pixels per character) * Multicolor Graphics 160×200 pixels * Hi-Res Graphics 320×200 pixels * of the long visible part of the scan lines is filled with pixels These modes were largely unchanged from the corresponding ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yamaha V9938
The Yamaha V9938 is a video display processor (VDP) used on the MSX2 home computer, as well as on the Geneve 9640 enhanced TI-99/4A clone and the Tatung Einstein 256. It was also used in a few MSX1 computers, in a configuration with 16kB VRAM. The Yamaha V9938, also known as MSX-Video or VDP (Video Display Processor), is the successor of the Texas Instruments TMS9918 used in the MSX1 and other systems. The V9938 was in turn succeeded by the Yamaha V9958. Specifications * Video RAM: 16–192 KB * Text modes: 80 × 24, 40 × 24 and 32 × 24 * Resolution: 512 × 212 (16 colors from 512), 256 × 212 (16 colors from 512) and 256 × 212 (256 colors) * Sprites: 32, 16 colors, max 8 per horizontal line * Hardware acceleration for copy, line, fill and logical operations available * Interlacing to double vertical resolution * Vertical scroll register Detailed specifications * Video RAM: 4 possible configurations ** 16 KB (modes G4 up to G7 will not be available) ** 64 K ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Device Driver
In computing, a device driver is a computer program that operates or controls a particular type of device that is attached to a computer or automaton. A driver provides a software interface to hardware devices, enabling operating systems and other computer programs to access hardware functions without needing to know precise details about the hardware being used. A driver communicates with the device through the computer bus or communications subsystem to which the hardware connects. When a calling program invokes a routine in the driver, the driver issues commands to the device (drives it). Once the device sends data back to the driver, the driver may invoke routines in the original calling program. Drivers are hardware dependent and operating-system-specific. They usually provide the interrupt handling required for any necessary asynchronous time-dependent hardware interface. Purpose The main purpose of device drivers is to provide abstraction by acting as a translator be ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
IBM Personal Computer XT
The IBM Personal Computer XT (model 5160, often shortened to PC/XT) is the second computer in the IBM Personal Computer line, released on March 8, 1983. Except for the addition of a built-in hard drive and extra expansion slots, it is very similar to the original IBM PC model 5150 from 1981. Name IBM did not specify an expanded form of "XT" on the machine, press releases, brochures or documentation, but some publications expanded the term as "''eXtended Technology''" or just "''eXTended''". Features The XT was regarded as an incremental improvement over the PC and a disappointment compared to the next-generation successor that some had anticipated. Compared to the original IBM PC, the XT has the following major differences: * The number of expansion slots is increased from five to eight * Base RAM is increased to at least 128 KB * 2x32KB ROM ICs replace the previous 6x8KB ROM ICs * A 10 MB hard drive is included as standard equipment * PC DOS 2.0 is included * The ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Enhanced Graphics Adapter
The Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA) is an IBM PC graphics adapter and de facto computer display standard from 1984 that superseded the CGA standard introduced with the original IBM PC, and was itself superseded by the VGA standard in 1987. In addition to the original EGA card manufactured by IBM, many compatible third-party cards were manufactured, and EGA graphics modes continued to be supported by VGA and later standards. History EGA was introduced in October 1984 by IBM,High-Resolution Standard Is Latest Step in DOS Graphics Evolution, ''InfoWorld'', June 26, 1989, p. 48News Briefs, Big Blue Turns Colors, ''InfoWorld'', October 8, 1984 shortly after its new PC/AT. The EGA could be installed in previously released IBM PCs, but required a ROM upgrade on the mainboard. Chips and Technologies first product, announced in September 1985, was a four chip EGA chipset that handled the functions of 19 of IBM's proprietary chips on the original Enhanced Graphics Adapter. By that No ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Video Gate Array
Tandy Graphics Adapter (TGA, also Tandy graphics) is a computer display standard for the Tandy 1000 series of IBM PC compatibles, which has compatibility with the video subsystem of the IBM PCjr but became a standard in its own right. PCjr graphics The Tandy 1000 series began in 1984 as a clone of the IBM PCjr, offering support for existing PCjr software. As a result, its graphics subsystem is largely compatible. The PCjr, released in 1983, has a graphics subsystem built around IBM's Video Gate Array (not to be confused with the later Video Graphics Array) and an Motorola 6845, MC6845 CRTC and extends on the capabilities of the Color Graphics Adapter (CGA), increasing the number of colors in each screen mode. CGA's 2-color mode can be displayed with four colors, and its 4-color mode can be displayed with all 16 colors. Since the Tandy 1000 was much more successful than PCjr, their shared hardware capabilities became more associated with the Tandy brand than with IBM. While th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
IBM PCjr
The IBM PCjr (pronounced "PC junior") was a home computer produced and marketed by IBM from March 1984 to May 1985, intended as a lower-cost variant of the IBM PC with hardware capabilities better suited for video games, in order to compete more directly with other home computers such as the Apple II and Commodore 64. It retained the IBM PC's 8088 CPU and BIOS interface, but provided enhanced graphics and sound, ROM cartridge slots, built-in joystick ports, and an infrared wireless keyboard. The PCjr supported expansion via "sidecar" modules, which could be attached to the side of the unit. Despite widespread anticipation, the PCjr was ultimately unsuccessful in the market. It was only partially IBM compatible, limiting support for IBM's software library, its chiclet keyboard was widely criticized for its poor quality, expandability was limited, and it was initially offered with a maximum of of RAM, insufficient for many PC programs. Models The PCjr came in two models: ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Memory Management Controller
Multi-memory controllers or memory management controllers (MMC) are different kinds of special chips designed by various video game developers for use in Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) cartridges. These chips extend the capabilities of the original console and make it possible to create NES games with features the original console cannot offer alone. The basic NES hardware supports only 40KB of ROM total, up to 32KB PRG and 8KB CHR, thus only a single tile and sprite table are possible. This limit was rapidly reached within the Famicom's first two years on the market and game developers began requesting a way to expand the console's capabilities. In the emulation community these chips are also known as ''mappers''. List of MMC chips CNROM * Manufacturer: Nintendo * Games: ''Gradius'', ''Ghostbusters'', ''Gyruss'', ''Arkanoid'' CNROM is the earliest banking hardware introduced on the Famicom, appearing in early 1986. It consists of a single 7400 series discrete logic chip. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Legend Of Zelda (video Game)
''The Legend of Zelda'', originally released in Japan as is a 1986 action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo. The first game of ''The Legend of Zelda'' series, it is set in the fantasy land of Hyrule and centers on an elf-like boy named Link, who aims to collect the eight fragments of the Triforce of Wisdom in order to rescue Princess Zelda from the antagonist Ganon. During the course of the game, the player controls Link from a top-down perspective and navigates throughout the overworld and dungeons, collecting weapons, defeating enemies and uncovering secrets along the way. Designed by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, it was originally released in Japan as a launch title for the Family Computer Disk System in February 1986. More than a year later, North America and Europe received releases on the Nintendo Entertainment System in cartridge format, being the first home console game to include an internal battery in the US for saving data. This version was ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Castlevania
''Castlevania'' (), known in Japan as is a gothic horror action-adventure video game series and media franchise about Dracula (Castlevania), Dracula, created and developed by Konami. It has been released on various platforms, from early systems to modern consoles, as well as handheld devices such as mobile phones. The franchise has expanded into several spin-off video games and List of Castlevania media, other media, including comic books and an Castlevania (TV series), animated television series. ''Castlevania'' is largely set in the eponymous castle of Dracula (Castlevania), Count Dracula, the main antagonist of the List of Castlevania characters, Belmont clan of vampire hunters. It debuted with 1986's ''Castlevania (1986 video game), Castlevania'' for the Nintendo Family Computer Disk System. The first entry and the majority of its sequels are side-scrolling video game, side-scrolling action platformers, and were succeeded by the 1997 game, ''Castlevania: Symphony of the Nig ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Super Mario Bros
is a platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The successor to the 1983 arcade game ''Mario Bros.'' and the first game in the ''Super Mario'' series, it was first released in 1985 for the Famicom in Japan. Following a limited US release for the NES, it was ported to international arcade game, arcades for the Nintendo Vs. System, Nintendo VS. System in early 1986. The NES version received a wide release in North America that year and in PAL regions in 1987. Players control Mario, or his brother Luigi in the multiplayer mode, as they traverse the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Toadstool from King Koopa (later named Bowser (character), Bowser). They traverse side-scrolling video game, side-scrolling stages while avoiding hazards such as enemies and pits with the aid of power-ups such as the Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Starman. The game was designed by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka as "a grand culmination" of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
