Engineering:OPUS Discovery Interface
The'Opus Discovery 1 is a disk interface for ZX Spectrum home computers, released in 1985 by the British company Opus Supplies Ltd.
Caracteristics
Designed initially for the 48Kb models, versions for the 128Kb models were also released later. [1]
A built-in power supply controlled by an On/Off switch on the casing fed both the interface and the computer.
The commands in BASIC which controlled data storage, and the printer port, were largely compatible with Sinclair Research's ZX Interface 1 and Microdrive(s). Model 1 could only read/write on 178Kb [formatted] 3.5" floppies. Model 2 came with a second 778k [formatted] DS-DD drive and a 6116 (2kx8) SRAM that also allowed BASIC commands to be added. Several (third parties) ROMs were also developed aim at adding functionalitie, and speeding up disk operations. It was connected to the rear expansion port of the computer, and the device in turn had the following connectors for expansion:
- Bays and internal Shugart connectors for two 3.5" diskette drives
- A composite black and white video output
- A Kempston compatible joystick port (Atari 9-pin type)
- A paralel printer port for Epson compatible printers.
- A generic expantion port (no NMI), to piggy-back other peripherals.
Floppy disk controler: WD1770
References
- ↑ 128: The First Disk Drive. ZX Computing. August 1986, p. 23.
External links
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