I like what I am seeing 😁

You keep making these things and I will keep buying them 😁

Nice. If possible, use the same layout as for OPL2LPT so we can use the same 3d-printed case.

ps: count me in for one. 😁

hmm it will not fit the same 3d printed case

This is a very interesting concept, but how will you distinguish writes to SAA1099 one from SAA1099 two? Creative Labs used a pair of addresses for each chip to separate data writes, but your parallel port has one data port. The easiest way would be to use a pair of control port lines to control write access to each chip. The control port has four bits, so for each chip one bit can toggle write enable and one bit can toggle the address/data select (A0) pin.

Unfortunately, while this sounds simple and does not require any more logic than perhaps an inverter, it just won't work in a Tandy 1000, which is limited to three control bits. I would suggest using a 74LS139 for directing the write enable bit, that way you only need three control bits.

Great Hierophant wrote:

Unfortunately, while this sounds simple and does not require any more logic than perhaps an inverter, it just won't work in a Tandy 1000, which is limited to three control bits. I would suggest using a 74LS139 for directing the write enable bit, that way you only need three control bits.

You'd only need three control bits as-is. You can tie /WR to /CS on each chip, so 2 lines to select which chip, and 1 line to select A0. Alternatively you might be able tie /WR low permanently and select only with /CS, though I don't know if the SAA1099 latches A0 on /WR or /CS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNeaNesNQf8

WAT
ANOTHER ONE
YOU SIR ARE BRILLIANT

So what's next?

SIDLPT?

SIDLPT is nothing new, and already around 😀

http://www.loper-os.org/vintage/parallelsid/parasid.html

What we really want is, Soundblaster LPT.

ESS Audio Chip on LPT Port 😁

matze79 wrote:

What we really want is, Soundblaster LPT.

ESS Audio Chip on LPT Port 😁

Problem I see with that is that games will typically be doing DMA transfers to the soundblaster. The parallel port might start showing its speed limitations there. Not sure how the TSR would properly handle doing the transfers in the background as well. That and the lack of available lines for chip selects, (would need to have and address and data latch type set-up).

What we really want is PCIe OPL3 sound cards

^ a PCI YMF7x4 via PCIe-PCI bridge adapter would do, I guess.

What about an ISA slot on the parallel port? ISA2LPT, would solve all problems, as long as someone manages to code a really good TSR. 😁

Stop making things I want to buy. Please.

Ok ok just go ahead and make more. 😀

And another one. Great work Serdaco!

Have fun "benchmarking" 😜

looking good 😁

Hi, i have good news to report.

At the moment i'm patching games with CMS support to work on different ports other than the default 220h. I have an original CMS/Game Blaster card which conflicts with the Sound Blaster Pro 1 i have, so i decided to change the port on the CMS card for 210h. I already have several games working using a non default port. I'm still trying to figure out other tough ones, and i actually would appreciate if someone with asm programming experience could help me on this project. There aren't a lot of games left to patch, and after properly documenting it will be very easy to make a program to just patch games for any port we wish. I don't see any problem with patching to port 0378h.

I already managed to defeat the auto detection routine in a game called Altered Destiny, which requires a true CMS/Game Blaster card. Now the game will also work in a normal SB with CMS chips in any port i want. I have other games patched too, but still some tough ones to go.