So many questions!?!? Propeller questions please!

cbmeeks

Hey guys!

I've been out of the loop for a while due to starting a new job. I want to get back into my homebrew computer and just noticed this new fan-dangled chip called the Propeller.

I read up on it some (just found out last night!) and I am kinda torn.

First, I wanted my computer to be old-school. 6502 based CPU. But, I don't have a problem in using a 32bit mcu for the video/sound.

Anyway, here are my questions.

1) There are no real built-in video functions...video is supplied by the graphics library coded by Chip. In other words, all pins can be used for whatever. There are no pins reserved for any kind of video? Is this correct?

2) How practical would it be to take one cog for NTSC video and another cog to render sprites at the same time?

3) Built in font?? Seriously? How easy is it to access that built-in font and dump to tv?

4) Can I pull the font to be used in bitmap modes? ie, directly into my own scanlines?

5) When will the PropSTICK be available?????

6) The PropSTICK comes with a serial programming interface. Does that mean I will just need a serial cable to program it? ( and the software )

I have many more but I really appreciate any input.

Thanks!

-cbmeeks

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Paul Baker

cbmeeks said...
hey guys!

I've been out of the loop for a while due to starting a new job. I want to get back into my homebrew computer and just noticed this new fan-dangled chip called the propeller.

I read up on it some (just found out last night!) and i am kinda torn.

First, i wanted my computer to be old-school. 6502 based cpu. But, i don't have a problem in using a 32bit mcu for the video/sound.

anyway, here are my questions.

1) there are no real built-in video functions...video is supplied by the graphics library coded by chip. In other words, all pins can be used for whatever. There are no pins reserved for any kind of video? Is this correct? yes

2) how practical would it be to take one cog for ntsc video and another cog to render sprites at the same time? fairly easy

3) built in font?? Seriously? How easy is it to access that built-in font and dump to tv? using the proper technique, fairly easy, getting raw access not so much because of the interleaving.

4) can i pull the font to be used in bitmap modes? Ie, directly into my own scanlines? yes but youd need a means of de-interleaving it unless you use the video gen unit.

5) when will the propstick be available????? it is already availible

6) the propstick comes with a serial programming interface. Does that mean i will just need a serial cable to program it? ( and the software ) correct.

i have many more but i really appreciate any input.

Thanks!

-cbmeeks

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1+1=10

cbmeeks

thanks!

Paul Baker said...
video gen unit.

Is that something built into the chip (hardware) or a piece of software that gets compiled in?

cbmeeks said...
When will the PropSTICK be available????? It is already availible

Ah, I should have asked, when will it not be back-ordered. I want it!


So, the built in font isn't just simply a chunk of ram with the bits in it? So, I can't simply index into it to paste somewhere else?

Thanks again!

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Paul Baker

cbmeeks said...
thanks!

paul baker said...
video gen unit.

is that something built into the chip (hardware) or a piece of software that gets compiled in?

im speaking of the hardware serializer for video, the way it is setup, it takes every other bit when rendering from the charactor bitmap. I cannot explain exactly why this is the case, something to do with phase and value (i think).

cbmeeks said...
when will the propstick be available????? It is already availible

ah, i should have asked, when will it not be back-ordered. I want it!

likely when they get in more propellers, which should be in a couple weeks or so. Order ahead of time to ensure getting one.

so, the built in font isn't just simply a chunk of ram with the bits in it? So, i can't simply index into it to paste somewhere else? no you would have to write a routine to deinterlace the charactor.

thanks again!

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1+1=10

cbmeeks

thanks. Just when I thought I was learning the SX, Parallax goes and throws me this nifty thing...lol

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Jon Williams

Just more toys to play with....

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Jon Williams
Applications Engineer, Parallax

cbmeeks

That's what my wife says. lol

I'm excited about the Prop. I just wonder if I should use it in my "retro" computer? I wanted that old, 80's feeling with it. :-/

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JT Cook

CB, Andre is using this chip for his next XGS kit. Check out the video·to see what this chip·can do.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=573833
There is also a pic of the system on XGS site under the media section.

cbmeeks

ahhh...yeah....I think the prop will do!

lol

That is awesome

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Gadgetman

Just imagine what the Hydra II will do...
(It's supposed to have 4 Propellers...)

And who knows, it may even hit the market before Sony's mythical PS3...

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