==VEB Mikroelectronic KC Compact==[[Image:KCcompactThis is a list of '''Amstrad CPC clones'''.jpg|thumb|KC compact]]
''Note: This is the edited translation of a magazine advert for the computer. I don't know the original translator, so I'm afraid no credit can be given.''==Classic Amstrad CPC clones==* [[KC Compact]] (1989-1990; East Germany)* [[Aleste 520EX]] (1993; Russia)
The KC compact is a new developed home computer, made by VEB Mikroelektronik "Wilhelm Pieck" Muehlhausen. The system can be expanded software- or hardware-wise. The KC compact is a compact, easy to use computer. It consists of a base unit with integrated keyboard and an external power supply. An RGB-monitor or a (non)colour-TV can be connected. A cassette recorder is used to store data. A disc-drive is to follow soon. The homecomputer sports an 8-bit-processor, 64 Kbyte RAM and 32 Kbyte ROM. The BASIC-interpreter with an extended instruction set (181 instructions) and the operating system (non KC-85 compatible) are stored in ROM. The KC compact has a sound-generator with three channels and 8 octaves. In comparison with KC-85-system the KC compact has a new design: the newly designed keyboard has 69 keys. The keyboard is programmable (ASCII-codes, autorepeat on/off). Seven keys may be programmed with words and instructions (jobs). External equipment (like a disc drive) can be connected to the the expansion port. There are connectors for cassette recorder, joystick, sound and a centronics-printer port. ===Graphic modes===The computer supports three graphic modes: *mode 0: 200 * 160 pixels with 16 of 27 colours *mode 1: 200 * 320 pixels with 4 of 27 colours *mode 2: 200 * 640 pixels with 2 of 27 colours Independent of screenmode there are 25 lines. The number of characters per line depends on the screenmode. *mode 0: 20 characters/line *mode 1: 40 characters/line *mode 2: 80 characters/line ===Technical data===*name: microcomputer KC compact *construction type: base unit with integrated keyboard and external power supply *dimensions: base unit 390x220x50mm, power supply 125x76x62mm *weight: ca. 3500 g *protection class: IP20 TGL RGW 778 *power: 25 watts *voltage: 220 V/external power supply *processor: UA880 *clock frequenzy: 4 MHz *memory: 32 Kbyte ROM (operating system, BASIC),64 Kbyte RAM, 42 Kbyte free for user *resolution: 640x200 with 2 of 27 colours, 320x200 with 4 of 27 colours, 160x200 with 16 of 27 colours *max. pixels: 128,000 *palette: 27 *screen unit: normal (non)colour-TV or monitor with RGB-input *TV-connector: HF-modulator, ch 36, PAL or SCART-connector *ports: expansion port, joystick, tape, sound, parallel printer port (centronics) *external data storage: cassette recorder *tape-interface: 1000 bit/s, 2000 bit/s switchable non KC-85 compatible *sound: 3 channels, 8 octaves, sound- and SCART-interface (stereo) HF-interface (mono) *keys: 69 *lines: 25 *charaters per line: 20/40/80 *programming languages: BASIC (ROM), other languages can loaded from tape/disc (assemler,pascal) *KC compact includes: ground device, power supply, BASIC-handbook, Demo-tape ==Aleste 520EX==[[Image:Aleste.jpg|thumb|right|Aleste CPC/MSX compatible]]''The following clone has not been confirmed. There is only one source ([http://aleste520.narod.ru]) available.'' At 1993, a company located at Omsk (Siberia) desighed and manufactured a clone of CPC6128 computer. The name of computer "Aleste 520EX". The coputer works with Modern Amstrad CPM and MSXDOS as well. Thats because Aleste computer have two modes one is Amstrad mode, but second MSX mode have different memory management and additional graphics modes. ===Amstrad Mode=== Computer have no any differences with CPC6128 instead of 192KB memory and one addtional register with let switch to MSX mode. ===MSX Mode=== At this mode computer have different memory manager. The manager seems same like MSX mapper and could swicth ON any 16KB page of whole memroy at the any of 16KB page of CPU memory. The mode have different color coding system. It has the color lookup table (CLUT) or another name pallette. That is dual port memory one prot for coversion pixel's color number to RGB levels. But second for CPU acccess. There is 2 bits for each channel at the pallette present, then it lets to have 64 colors. The mode have two additional modes with 32KB of video memory. Pixel encoding the same as at Amstrad mode but each line has twice more bytes (and pixels). Two 16KB pages transfer to output, one buffer for odd and second even lines of screen. The computer have also RTC and 8251 mosue port. The 8253 timer connected to CRT lets make split screen for three zones. Middle one has different pallete. Aleste ROM is 64KB, additional page have BIOS SETUP and MSXDOS Boot Loader. The BIOS SETUP lets control over: date and time, boot drive, RAM disk, screen mode and style, printer, serial port, and mouse. At the boot time computer loads BIOS and MSXBDOS (BIOS for Disc BIOS) from a bood disc. After that COMMAND.COM (MSXDOS). Computer can bott from RAM disc as well. ===Magic Sound=== Additional sound board MagicSound is a four channels smapler. Each channel has 8 bit per sample and 6 bits of volume per channel. Computer uses the board for playing STM (Scream Tracker) files. The sample's data containg at the Aleste's memory, that is possible because Aleste have support DMA access from external board to whole Aleste's memory. === VDP Emulator === Computer have "GameBios" with is emulator of VDP9938. it was sufficiently - to replace the first several kilos-byte of game and MSX2 game worked. Certainly, video processor MSX is by apparatus sharpened for the games, but they worked sufficiently rapidly to 8MGts of game on "alesta" in order in them to play. Game "FireBird" typical"vertical scroller" worked very well. === Foton=== Another additional board FOTON is a "Light Processor". The board have D54 interface and Aleste with special FX application controls over club's light. === Technical specs === * CPU: Z80* Clock: 8MHz* Memory manager: msx-mapper* Memory: 512КБ (up to 2МБ)* Audio: AY8910* Graphics:** 256x212:16 colors** 512x212:4 colors** 320x200:16 colirs** 640x200:4 colors** 640x400:4 colors interleaved** Palette 64 colors** Hardware scroll* Floppy disk 3.5"* Mouse* RTC* Expansion slot** 19 address lines** DMA to whole memory** External board MagicSound*** 4 channels*** 8 bits per channel*** Stereo output* Touch screen (only prototype)* Light-Processor with D54 === Software ===* MSXDOS* С compiler* GUI Debugger* GameBIOS with VDP emulator* Text editor PowerEdit* Text files converter TRC. Convert between MSX, Aleste, and DOS* Disk Fixer (ported)* Disk Edit (ported)* Image viewer* Player of S3M, STM files* Editor of S3M, STM files* Games ported from MSX2** VampireKiller** KingValery 2** FireBird** MetalGear ==Modern CPC clones==
* [[CPC TREX]] (FPGA based solution)
* [[C-ONE]] (FPGA based multi machine solution)
* [[CPCng]] (development currently has been stopped)
