I compared 3 modern ZX spectrum boards with PI Zero, PI PIco and ESP32 chips.

In this video I am looking at three new modern boards that emulate the ZX Spectrum computers and can be installed into the OG cases for that proper retro experience. I compare the functions of each one especially file system access, menu and joystick use.
Mechtrums are on sale again
leesmithsworkshop.co.uk/produ...
ZXZERO
zxrenew.co.uk/Hermit-Retro-c7...
www.hermitretro.com/
Espectrum
antoniovillena.com/product/es...
zxespectrum.speccy.org/
Pico based Spectrums
github.com/fruit-bat/pico-zxs...
www.ebay.co.uk/usr/carpresto101
Ringo
retrosouls.itch.io/ringo
00:00 Intro
01:32 ZXZERO board with PI Zero
08:51 ESPECTRUM board with ESP32
18:27 PICOZXPI with a PI PICO
27:49 win nothing at all for staying to the end.

[@leesmithsworkshop]

I am talking to the ESP firmware team and they are sending me a new firmware and I will try again with the audio capture, I am sure I didn't do a good job and that is why it does not sound good.

[@ZXESPectrum]

Hi Lee! Tyvm for reviewing our emulator on Antonio's board 😊 As you said, there must be something wrong about AY emulation. It works nicely and with no issues even in the most demanding scenarios. Anyway, as you said, we'll send you next release dev firmware for you to test it and see the new features included 😊

[@CurtisPreston-uk101]

Hey Lee, thanks for the review of my PicoZXPi board. I will try and look into the timing issues with the firmware. but I don't want to break things as the current firmware runs great with all original zx games. Thanks for your support.

[@leesmithsworkshop]

Fruit-bat already tried and said it would be hard work to get it working. Thanks for watching and all the help with the Video side.

[@mogwaay]

Nice round up Lee, thanks for going through that. Great to hear more Mechtrums on the way, great that these extra boards will be supported. I think if I ever did a Harlequin, I'd go for a Mechtrum to house it, perfect thing for it I think and would be so weird to have an *actually* good keyboard in a little Speccy form factor.

[@rumbledethumps]

Nice boards. I'm cheering for the Pi Pico even though I know almost nothing about the Spectrum.

[@Colin_Ames]

A good overview of the three systems. I have a soft spot for the Pico, it is such a versatile piece of kit. I recently built a PicoMiteVGA, which performed well. I would love to see a Pico V2 with more capability.

[@leesmithsworkshop]

as long as the pico stays cheap and not get out of control like the PI is.

[@retrorobbins]

good video thanks

[@RudysRetroIntel]

Excellent video and review!! I wish that the boards also came with HDMI and composite output. Thanks for sharing

[@leesmithsworkshop]

The ZXZero is HDMI and the PICO can also support it in the firmware on other boards. Not sure about the ESP It sounds like they are pushing the Pico and ESP to the limits.

[@stephenwhite506]

Strange that they don't support long file names. Chan's open source FatFs is perfect for these kind of projects.

[@onkelnb]

I wanted to build a Pico ZX. As you've said, there are loads of Options on the Github, but sadly not the one I would prefer. Some use a strange keyboard matrix layout I don't want to replicate. I would prefer original keyboard matrix and a tiny lcd display to make it portable. VGA would be nice, but is not mandatory.

[@fastbeta]

Hi to all ZX Spectrum fans

[@preferredimage]

That espectrum sounded like it was struggling with the ay music in ringo. A Sizif 512 would be worth a look if you haven't reviewed it already. One just ended up in my Spectrum +1 and it replaced an espectrum fruitbat type board.

[@leesmithsworkshop]

I think that is a different type of board and not using these single chip systems it's a programmable logic - fpga. More fun making it covered a lot of those types of Spectrums recently. I do agree and noticed in the edit that the music was not great and I will set it up again and try some of the timing options for the esp.

[@leesmithsworkshop]

the szif is also 3 x the cost of the espectrum.

[@preferredimage]

Granted, yes. This was my reaction when I was told about it too! But I reckon its worth considering. Even supports ULA+ really bang on timing and I can run heavy demos like mescaline without it staggering. My speccy pico will go to lighter duties.

[@deesto]

@@preferredimage what is ULA+?

[@waytostoned]

I have been working with ESP32's as a retro dos machine emulator (8086 based, 286 12mhz so far.)... Running into similar problems with audio, can you please share any updates. Please and thank you very much!

[@jlofthouse1062]

hi just watched your video and wondered how the software for the zxzero is loaded onto the pi zero?

[@leesmithsworkshop]

sd card

[@EdinburghRetroPC]

Lee one massive let down with the ZX Zero is the ability to save programmes to the SD card. No option is available to do this. I did contact the manufacturer to enquire why this is missing and got no response.

[@leesmithsworkshop]

I also had trouble with a spectrum plus keyboard not working and some keys would stick making it boot to the colour test screen, left an issue and had no reply.

[@hyzenthlay7151]

On the Pi Pico you can use the USB port for a keyboard or a gamepad. But can you use it with a hub to plug a keyboard and a pad in at the same time?

[@leesmithsworkshop]

the software does support both in the menu so I would say yes.

[@scottschmehr8681]

I am about to begin a project for BCI interface and bci detection methods which microprocessor do you recommend? I have done some searching as for compatibility with AI and processing power pi does better in some aspects but arduino has more compatibilty. which if either of these would you prefer, or another product?

[@leesmithsworkshop]

I have no idea what any of that means.I just flash firmware and play games.

[@scottschmehr8681]

well i intend to build a brain computer interface using pi or arduino with infrared detection methods. I thought you might have some insight into subject matters sorry.@@leesmithsworkshop

[@ZXSpectrum128K]

What about edge connector? Ula+ ulax vdac2 spectra and interlaced?

[@leesmithsworkshop]

the pico and esp are not powerful enough and don't have any spare ram or IO.

[@ZXSpectrum128K]

@@leesmithsworkshop 4mhz is good but 8mhz is better and even better would be video ram at double the processor speed

[@namesurname6583]

what makes it impossible to make the ZX_Spectrum memory much larger than 128kb? iron is more powerful today than it was 40 years ago. if hardware makes it possible, then why not improve the graphics of the ZX_Spectrum? The games could be more beautiful.

[@Innesb]

The amount of available memory is not relevant to the graphics quality. The Spectrum had a very ‘clever’ (read ‘budget friendly’) method of displaying graphics. The pixel bitmap and the colour attributes are stored in different areas of memory, with only one foreground and one background colour per 8x8 pixel character (leading to the Spectrum’s famous ‘attribute clash’ effect). Changing how it works, to take advantage of more memory is not feasible (at least, not worthwhile) because it would break all original Spectrum software. More memory would only allow for larger programs, not better quality graphics.

[@EnjoySynthSounds]

Rings crashes for me in the Spectrum windows emulator. Don’t lose sleep over one game.