Spectaculator 8.0 for Windows® released!

Version 8.0 is now available to download.

This is a free upgrade for all existing registered users (those that purchased a license for versions 6.x and 7.x). Installing version 8 will automatically upgrade your existing installation.

It’s Much Cheaper!

Eagle-eyed readers will have noticed that the purchase price of this version has been reduced considerably (about 50% of the version 7 price as of today). The only downside of this price reduction is that “free lifetime upgrades” are no longer available.

Previously, if you purchased a license for version 6.x or version 7.x, you were entitled to a free upgrade every time I released a new version. For existing users, this still applies.

For users purchasing version 8, you will only be entitled to a free upgrade for minor (point) releases, e.g. 8.1, 8.2 etc. For major releases, e.g. 9.0, a small upgrade fee will apply.

Render plugins

Spectaculator now supports Kega Fusion Render plugins. Any RPI scaler that supports 2x scaling be used. Support for 3x scalers will be added at a later date if there is any demand for it.

Original ZX Spectrum Display Output

hq2x (Maxim Stepin)

Super 2xSaI (Derek Liauw Kie Fa)

DDT2x (Hyllian/Jararaca)

Overlay Filters (RGB Triads)

Popularised by the MAME emulator, overlay filters attempt to simulate the physical displays of many old televisions and arcade monitors.

Original ZX Spectrum output

aperature1x2rb.png

Effect_Twisty.png

ScanRez1.png

Support for Windows 8

There were a few issues installing Spectaculator 7.5 on Windows 8 along with problems with full screen mode. These have been resolved in Spectaculator 8.

Quick Save/Load Enhancements

  • The file name format has changed to make it easier to see which snapshots are for which games.
  • Choosing a snapshot to load now loads the correct snapshot(!)
  • Quick-loaded snapshots now move to the top of the list.
  • Deleted snapshots are automatically removed from the list.
  • F2 now loads the last quick-saved snapshot. Ctrl+F2 now shows the list of quick-saved snapshots.

Other Changes

  • Minimum requirements are now Windows XP /w SP3 and hardware-accelerated Direct3D 9 graphics. It will no longer install on older versions of Windows.
  • Added Dynamite Dan and Dynamite Dan 2 to the Game Pack courtesy of Rod Bowkett.
  • Added manual controls for the TV simulation (brightness, contrast, colour bleed, sharpness etc.)
  • Added option to pause Spectaculator when the main window is minimised. This is off by default.
  • Added support for modern game controllers such as the Xbox 360 controller.
  • The Escape key can now be configured to exit Spectaculator rather than sending CAPS+SPACE to the virtual Spectrum.
  • Added progress indicator for Action Replay (RZX) playback.
  • All binaries and the installer are now digitally signed.

Bug Fixes

  • Enter key can now be mapped to one of the joystick/game pad buttons.
  • Fixed AY noise generation (although you probably won’t be able to tell any difference). With thanks to Patrik Rak.
  • Fixed crash when clicking to the right of Custom ROMs on the Advanced tab.
  • Fixed Action Replay (RZX) finalisation crashing in some rare situations (thanks Pavel Plíva).
  • Fixed errors when writing to TRD/SCL disk images under certain situations (thanks Shadow Maker)
  • Fixed recording of SpecDrum output to AVI and audio files.
  • Fixed recording of Covox output to AVI and audio files.
  • Fixed selection of COM ports used by the ZX Interface 1 serial port emulation.

…And Finally

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Jonathan Needle, December 2012.