2025/06/27 Enhanced game for the eZX: Nether Eart for HGFX, 64+ colours, 6ch. SAA1099 in-game music, esxDOS support, game levels

2025/05/21 New Core & SetUp - RS232 control, transfers and printing now available also via the external UART/joystick DE9 connector

2025/01/17 New Core & SetUp - minor improvements + added: Timex port hFF reading option and Pentagon HiRes Monochrome

2024/07/07 Lnx Amiga MOD Player - 3 types of stereo playback, autoplay, HAM8 graphics and more: https://www.ilnx.cz/lnxmp/

2024/06/12 New core: a lot of minor improvements (LCU, SDMA, PS2, K-Mouse) and divSD over ALLRAMs (+3/+2A, MB02+, URAM)

More news

2024/04/05 SoundDMA added to the core - an enhanced 6-channel system for 8bit/16bit samples, sound streaming and wavetable synth

2024/02/15 ASCII text editor LnxTEd now fully supports PC keyboards (via ZX-Uno ZXi hw-ports), with two keyboard layouts available

2024/01/07 New core: SafeNMI with RAM-overwrite protection, SaveINT(errupt) and FastDMA for graphic data transfers.

2023/12/04 Version 2 of the User Manual, significantly rewritten, with new chapters. External keyboard layout, useful BASIC OUTs, newbie help.

2023/12/02 Webpage about everything related to the eLeMeNt ZX: https://element.zxfiles.net/

2023/11/28 New core and firmware (SetUp) - added: internal RealTimeClock and Didaktik Gama (80KB), UART buffer (FIFO) erase.

2023/10/26 LnxTEd - other software masterpiece by Lanex, a beta version of the ASCII editor with full esxDOS support, Bytefest Edition

2023/08/01 ZX native core-upgrade app - detects the FPGA module and reflashes the system directly from SD card

2023/04/23 LnxViewer - universal picture viewer for ZX classics, enhanced eLeMeNt/Timex/ZX-Uno/SAM graphics and PC standard - colourful GIFs.

2023/04/16 Better eLeMeNt ZX v2, incl. a socket for Wi-Fi, more SD slots and one extra USB slot for a mouse. The v2 is now for sale in the e-shop.

2023/03/16 Big Core and Firmware update: UART/Wi-Fi, second USB port, FLASH area and joystick type select, numlock key support.

Now ready for the ExpansionPack B and new v2 motherboards.

2023/01/10 No more SD cards shuffling. SERCP is a comfortable way to exchange files between our Speccy and a PC using a standard USB-A cable.

2022/10/21 New version of the User Manual. Updated: SetUp sections and external keyboard shortcuts.

2022/09/17 Updated FPGA core and firmware (in Download). Now ready for amazing HGFNICCC demo.

2022/07/22 HGFX graphics, ZX-screen compatible, planar-based. Bitplanes, indexed colours, HiRes. mode, offsets, transparency and more...

2022/03/26 SAA1099 soundchip has been added, on both old (SAM Coupé) and new ZXi ports. More info in the ProgRef doc.

2022/03/18 Monty on the Run - the first ZXS game with a Z80 native SID player. Source code at https://hood.speccy.cz/dwnld/motr_sid_info.htm

2022/02/08 Sega controllers support (up to 8 buttons). +2A/+3 ALLRAM paging. Pause mode with controllers/ext. keyboard.

2022/01/26 2 MB expansion memory pack (AA-RAM). New machines: Pentagon 4096, KAY, PROFI, Scorpion, Phoenix, ATM1.

2021/12/08 The User's Manual updated, with more detailed SetUp sections and ext. keyboard info.

2021/11/05 The popular Sound Interface Device (SID) is implemented in the FPGA core. Both 6581/8580 models and PAL/NTSC supported.

2021/10/15 Updated core and firmware for the Overclock mode, eLeMeNt ZX now runs software on the real Z-80 CPU at speed of 30 MHz.

2021/10/02 LnxCommander - new program by Lanex, makes the most of DivSD, Ultimate memory, K-Mouse and HRC/HRXC graphics. www.ilnx.cz

2021/08/02 Tips and hints, chat, user's requests, guide, newbie help > Telegram group eLeMeNt ZX & MB03+ Users Forum started.

2021/07/24 Updated core with ZX-Uno's Radastan graphic mode and Z-Controller.

2021/07/04 Updated core with an external PC keyboard and mouse support. A partial support of the ZX-Uno. Details in Prog. Ref. in the docs section.

2021/04/23 Updated core in the download section. New esxDOS v0.8.9 in FPGA Rescue Mode, digital sound and TSFM improvements.

2021/04/22 The User's Manual was extended, download it from the docs section.

2021/04/06 New version (v1.2a) of the excellent LnxCopy. Visit website www.ilnx.cz.

2021/03/28 Updated a software collection for the eLeMeNt ZX in the download section. A lot of apps and demos, incl. fabulous Pentagon software.

2021/03/28 Updated core in the download section. Check you use the latest Alchitry Loader (v1.2.6) when core-flashing.

2021/03/22 Updated firmware in the download section. AY/YM and ABC/ACB selection, HiRes improvements and more...

2021/03/15 The eLeMeNt ZX motherboard is now in production and for sale! Orders available in the eshop RETROCOMP.CZ.

LMN128's Diary

2024/04/05 SoundDMA is born. I am very proud and pleased. Brand new feature for eLeMeNt is here. New sound system named SoundDMA. After classic Z80DMA and FastDMA, SoundDMA is third DMA in eLeMeNt ZX. Parameters:
- 6 audio channels #A - #F

- each channel can play 8bits mono or stereo sound

- stereo VOLUME and PAN (balance) have 256 levels

- channel #A can play 16bits mono sound

- normal 16bits or extended 24bits period for fine-tunning

- unsigned and signed sample support

- play and loop mode

- wavetable synth ready (variable loop lenght)

- streaming ready (from SD)
- highest data-transfers priority, above the FastDMA and the classic Z80-DMA

2024/02/13 ALLRAMZONE modes release. I extend ulimate memory mode from zone0 to zone 1,2 and 3.

2024/01/09 SafeNMI and SaveINT features. SaveINT save INT during DMA operation like acces to SD. SafeNMI can put return address on ports and doesn't damage memory during NMI. Useful for NMI menu.

2023/12/18 A new FastDMA feature. Useful for fast move memory blocks or frames (sprites).

2023/12/04 eLeMeNt ZX now has an implementation of the popular RTC chip RTC72421. You don't need to buy anything and insert it into the board, just update Core and SetUp and you can turn on RTC72421. The solution is batteryless, the time is synchronized from the internet. esxDOS uses time when saving files to SD.

2023/09/05 New graphic mode 720 x 576 pixels and 4 colours.

2023/08/01 I added support for self FPGA core update and create utility.

2023/05/17 eLeMeNt keyboard - USB (PS/2 compatible) keyboard for eLeMeNt ZX, MB03+, emulators and other ZX Spectrum clones. The keyboard has professionally UV printed ZX Spectrum keyboard layout. Thanks a lot to my friends Martin Lukasek and Zbyněk Krajča for help with this project. You are the best.

2023/03/22 After almost tree years I made improved version - eLeMeNt ZX board v2

- optional SD card sockets

- WiFi ESP socket and electronics integrated on the board

- second USB K-mouse port

- Flash Area is selectable by SetUp instead of DIP switches

- some minor power protection improvement

- full compatible with current revision

2023/03/18 ExpansionPack B was first present at FOReVER 2023 8-BIT demoparty.

It brings second UBS(PS/2) port and WiFi compatible with MB03+, ZX-Uno and on AY ports. Description at https://element.zxfiles.net/

2023/02/04 Connecting the ESP8266 DevKitC to the eLeMeNt´s motherboard. It is simple and provides full compatibility with all WiFi software not only for ZX-UNO´s and fast MB03´s UARTs, but also for the classic ZX128-AY serial port.

2023/01/20 eLeMeNt ZX Spectrum Planar Scroll Speed Test

2022/12/26 I am proud to announced first HGFX "colorized" remake of the Speccy classic: Highway Encounter
The author of all patching, graphics and code is Michal Mareš - Lanex. This is the first full-fledged HGFX game - with full-colour sprites, background, splash screen, menu and animations after winning the battle lane.

Thank you Costa Panayi for great game. It's a tribute to your work.

2022/10/27 Tiny eLeMeNt ZX case with logo. Will is available on retrocomp.cz

2022/09/23 Tiny eLeMeNt ZX case - I have created simple, 3D printable case. STL files are available in download section.

2022/09/14: Unbelievable demo. STNICCC 2000 remake for the eLeMeNt ZX computer (C) 2022 by Lanex, soundtrack: "Third Ethernal Wind" by Cj Splinter.
* 6 channels TurboSound
* 80 colours
* resolution of 256 * 192 pixels
* planar graphics at 7 bitplanes
* HGFX Fill and Chunky modes
This demo is based on a powerful 3D animation engine, that supports up to 256 colours. The presentation time is always the same at different CPU speeds. The creation of three-dimensional graphics is carefully timed. at a speed of 3.5 MHz, 83% of all frames are displayed. 100% of frames are presented With a 7 MHz Z80-CPU.

2022/07/23: HGFX - graphics expansion for ZX Spectrum. In cooperation with Lanex we created this system.
What is HGFX?
HGFX is a new hardware expansion that adds a "planar" graphics to the ZX Spectrum graphics screen. It uses a normal zx-screen bitmap of size 6144 bytes (from address 16384), but enables to color each individual point (pixel) as you like. You can keep original zx-pixels and connect an additional color graphics to them, of course.

2022/05/22: Monty on the Run - the first ZXS game with a Z80 native SID player. Thanks to HOOD. Good work. This is intro:

2022/03/28: eLeMeNt ZX can play SAM Coupé SAA1099 music now.

2022/01/27: I made first expansion board for eLeMeNt ZX. It's Memory expansion pack that extend RAM up to 4MB. Honestly it's mainly intended to FPGA Alchitry board users (fans) that need SRAM instead of DDR3 RAM, but I created it to use with eLeMeNt ZX as well. The latest version of SetUp is expanded by new machine Pentagon4096 that includes page models of KAY, Profi, Scorpion, ATM1 and Phoenix ZX Spectrum clones. There are not too much SW to use it except LnxCopy and LnxCommander, but it opens opportunity to adapt SW from these ZXS clones for esxDOS.

2022/01/01: The eLeMeNt ZX was born about a year ago and has grown enormously since then. Happy birthday.

2021/11/02: SID SID SID. Yes it's true. SID is coming to eLeMeNt ZX. SID - sound chip is known primary from Commodore C64. SID will be part of next release and is implemented in FPGA. Old/new 6581/8580 SIDs supported and both frequency PAL/NTCS as well. Big thanks to NEO SPECTRUMAN for brilliant SW for ZX Spectrum! NSID plays C64 SID songs on eLeMeNt ZX. Enjoy and relax. Recorded at eLeMeNt ZX in Pentagon 1024 mode. First presented on ByteFest 2021.

2021/10/15: I was wondering if it's possible to OverClock a real Z80 CPU and how much. I haven't seen so much experience on the internet. The overclocking depends not only on the capability of the Z80 CPU, but also on a whole design around (board, routing wires, memories, etc.). I made some tests on eLeMeNt ZX with CMOS Z80 CPU marked with 20MHz. Guess what is maximum CPU speed that can be achieved on the eLeMeNt ZX with 20MHz Z80 CPU? It's 30.6 MHz.

Here is an example of the DRILLER game running on 30MHz:

2021/10/03: Ladies and gentlemen, come and meet Lnx Commander...first public version.

https://www.ilnx.cz/lnxcmd/
Big thank you, Lanex!!! Michal Mareš
background music by Ziutek:
https://zxart.ee/eng/authors/z/ziutek/beat-to-the-pulp/

2021/09/20: Legendary demomaker Slavo Labsky released enhanced version of his Tochi 1k intro exclusively for the eLeMeNt ZX.

2021/07/24: Radastan video mode originally first presented on the ZX-UNO. I added it to the eLeMeNt ZX and the MB03+ Ultimate interface as well. There are some nice games and demos.

2021/06/06: Good news for all those of us who don't have a redundant ZXS+2/+3 keyboard: a PC keyboard is connectable to the eLeMeNt ZX. Any ps/2 keyboard with an USB adapter or an USB keyboard which supports ps/2 protocol.

2021/05/30: HiResindeXedColour is second new graphics mode of eLeMeNt ZX. It extends first one (HiResColour) about indeXedColourTable (#60 bytes) .

2021/05/19: Exact timing #4. Bordertrix by Cheveron: Timing is very important for multicolor and border effects use in games and demos. Recorded at eLeMeNt ZX in ZX48, ZX128 and Pentagon modes.

2021/05/18: Examples of HiResColour mode. First is modified Slavo Labsky's effect, second is LNXcmd (in development) amazing file manager.

2021/05/17: Subliminal Extacy #04 exists in two version. Normal and Enhanced. Second one use graphics mode HiResColour (512x192pixels/64x48attributes). This mode is primary intended for tools like file commanders and text apps. HiResColour was presented first in MB03+ and eLeMeNt ZX.

2021/05/16: NSID_Emu_TS. Very interesting sw for ZX Spectrum based on Simon Owen's SidPlayer. It uses CPU and TurboSound for playing Commodore sid files (music). You can enjoy it at eLeMeNt ZX or MB03+ as well. Recorded on eLeMeNt ZX.

2021/05/06: Look into the SetUp. Background music Jan Kucera, remixed by Karel Matocha. Original Mike Oldfield.

2021/05/05 Exact timing #3. NaPicu demo by code: Jiří Dron Sléžka and music: Bell. Includes timing demanding multicolor and move by Z80 DMA chip. Recorded at eLeMeNt ZX in ZX128 mode.

2021/05/04: Impressive SW for ZX Spectrum! It uses TurboSound FM for playing S98 songs intended for Yamaha YM2608 sound chip. 6 FM + 3 SSG + 1 single channel for samples. I like it this song. Enjoy and relax. Recorded at eLeMeNt ZX in Pentagon 1024 mode.

2021/05/02 Exact timing #2. EKLHAFT II demo by Jan Palenicek, Branislav Bekeš and POke. Includes timing demanding multicolor and border effect. In addition to these there is nice Sid music in the second part of this demo. Recorded at eLeMeNt ZX in ZX128 mode.

2021/04/28: I love zx demo progs. The exact timing of any speccy machine (ZX48, ZX128, Pentagon,..) is important for demomakers. I paid attention to it in the eLeMeNt´s design. Here is an example, others will follow. I think the eLeMeNt ZX is the first enhanced ZX board with precise timings aligned with the digital video output.

2021/03/15: LnxCopy supports now the eLeMeNt ZX hardware. Thank you, Lanex!

LnxCopy is a copier, simple file manager and tape-archives editor with modern user interface. It allows you to perform operations on your Speccy that were previously the domain of more powerful PCs. All eLeMeNt´s memory is supported, so you can load huge amounts of data recordings from one side of an audio casette in one go. Then sort all programs from your old tapes, make TAP files, transfer to a SD/CF card etc. Check out ilnx.cz. Great software!

2021/02/11: Two new graphics mode for fan/fun.

HiResColour - 512x192pixels / 64x48attributes: Spectrum attributes (Two buffers switching like on ZXS 128 in page 7) – linear layout

pixels: #4000-6FFF (#C000-EFFF) (12KB)

attrs: #7000-7BFF (#F000-FBFF) (3KB)

HiResindeXedColour - 512x192pixels / 64x48attributes: indeXedColour attributes - 16ink/16paper colours (Two buffers switching like on ZXS 128 in page 7) - linear layout.

pixels: #4000-6FFF (#C000-EFFF) (12KB)

attrs: #7000-7BFF (#F000-FBFF) (3KB)

indeXedColourTable: #7C00-#7C5F (#FC00-#FC5F)

2021/01/06: SetUp utility of eLeMeNt ZX. There is unique info about using system and user ranking.

2020/12/12: eLeMeNt ZX in +2 case with and without optional cutouts.

2020/11/25: Version 1.1. of the board. Some improvements and fixing. I hope final.

2020/10/21: Soldered. I have started testing.

2020/10/06: Prototype board v1.0. Probably final size.

2020/10/03: Prototype board v1.0. Probably final size. Ready to route.

2020/09/11: for HW designers, eLeMeNt ZX will be internally expandable by two ways, by a internal zxbus pin headers and by extra board inserted between main board and FPGA board.

2020/08/30: Prototype board v0.0 (no final size). Real Z80 CPU works on 20MHz with no wait states! Pentagon 128 memory and timing mode implemented.

2020/07: The project started.

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