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Don't Mess with Texas – TI-99/4A Megademo [video]

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Re: Don't Mess with Texas – TI-99/4A Megademo [video]

#71
post #47

The TI-99 is a desktop computer, at first I thought it was a calculator like the TI-98.

TI-98? No such thing as far as I know. The TI-89, now. That is a calculator. Also a significantly more capable machine in virtually every respect.

You're right, I was thinking of the TI-92.

Re: Don't Mess with Texas – TI-99/4A Megademo [video]

#72
post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Parsec was 2D horizontal smooth scrolling. It wasn't full screen, but the scrolling screens in this demo generally contains repetitive graphics, which would allow them to use a number of possible tricks. I actually downloaded and tried the demo on the Classic99 emulator, and it works exactly as advertised. Would love to see actual hardware demo though.

I have the real hardware ready to go, but I don't currently have an easy option for getting software from the internet onto it. I see they made a ROM cartridge version of it; if they ever make a run of those for sale I'll definitely grab one.

you are in luck they are available soon as I get the labels in also many other new TI-99/4a games, expansions etc including 32k if you don't already have it

Re: Don't Mess with Texas – TI-99/4A Megademo [video]

#73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, Parsec is very far from this demo, if the window is small it's for speed. The demo is full screen, which is impressive. And Parsec is coherent with what the hardware had to offer for the 3D those years, like Elite.

Parsec was 2D horizontal smooth scrolling. It wasn't full screen, but the scrolling screens in this demo generally contains repetitive graphics, which would allow them to use a number of possible tricks. I actually downloaded and tried the demo on the Classic99 emulator, and it works exactly as advertised. Would love to see actual hardware demo though.

check out another demo here by one of the coders of the megademo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guv_Jp3m-vw this is video from my 99/4a screen real hw.. my boot menu is a gram device so it's a little different..

Re: Don't Mess with Texas – TI-99/4A Megademo [video]

#74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, 16-bit data bus but only 16-bit address bus. So still has the limitation of 64k memory which was really the chief defect of machines of that era.

I wouldn't call it a defect. It's just a limitation, which could and did get worked around to a certain extent with various bank switching schemes.

Well it was a hindrance and probably the chief reason people wanted to upgrade later to 16-bits. In reality a 6502 or Z80 at 1-3mhz with supporting circuity was probably fast enough for most people's needs, but the memory sizes and lack of 80 column displays gave those machines limited usefulness for the things people needed computers for at the time: word processing, home spreadsheets, etc.
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