Vectrex Programming Docs
These pages are for all vectrex lovers. If you look for
information about Vectrex, and how the thing is programmed, you
have come to the right place. There are not many places where you will find so much
information about the Vectrex as this little place.
These pages will not stagger you with blinding graphics, they
actually will be quite boring for people not interested in
vectrex programming and technical details.
This collection of Vectrex programming related documents was started by Chris Salomon and is now maintained by the museums staff. |
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Tutorials
Vectrex, technically
Where: INTERNAL.TXT
Great introduction from Keith Wilkins. Though not alltogether up
to date
anymore - a must read.
Where: VEC_FAQ.TXT
A list of all vectrex components.
Where: Text/Vectrex/ (NOW ONLINE AGAIN !)
The other files include technical documentation as well.
Where: Vectrex Service
Manual
A scanned version of the vectrex service manual, as well as a
html version,
gives details about nearly every aspect.
Where: PINOUT.TXT
Pinout of the vectrex cartridges.
Where: Vectrex Controller Pin Outs
Pinout of the vectrex controller.
Vectrex Logic Board Schematic PDF
Board Schematic by Ron Reuter
Where: Text/Chips/ (NOW ONLINE AGAIN !)
More detailed information on some in vectrex used electronical
parts.
2151 - 2151 - 2153 - 6522-VIA - 6522 - 6522_BUG - 6522B - 6522D
AY3_8912 - NOTE - PSG - LF353
Where: Text/Interfac/ (NOW ONLINE AGAIN !)
Two different interfaces built for accessing vectrex through the
cartridge slot.
J_LEVIN: (download as zip file) - Includes: Schematic for a development board, serial interface and Source for 6809
WOOLSEY: INTERFAC - INTERFA2 - PLAY
Where: Vectrex Programming
Includes technical documentation of the 6522 and PSG.
Where: FIX_VEC.TXT
Notes on fixing a broken vectrex.
Where: Text/Vectrex2/ (NOW ONLINE AGAIN !)
These notes include somewhere information about a (once) possible
vectrex
successor.
TEXT1 - TEXT2 - TEXT3 - TEXT4 - TEXT5
Further look at some 'detail', like sound, 3d-imager,
lightpen...
3d-Imager
Programming Information
Where: NARROW.ASM
Disassembled version of "Narrow Escape"
commented by Fred Taft.
Where: SLEDGE.ASM
Source of demo of 3D-Imager abilities, some ancestor of
"3D-Crazy Coaster"?
With many comments.
Technical Information
Where: text/Imager/(NOW ONLINE AGAIN !)
The whole directory contains technical files about the imager.
3DGOGGLE - README - 3DWHEEL
Images: Vectrex 3D Googles Schematic - 3D Minestorm Info - 3D Narrow Info - Place - 3D Wheel
Where: VEC_FAQ.TXT
There are some question concerning the imager.
Some advices on how to use it, and how it works.
Coding 6809 Assembler
Where: Introduction to Vectrex
Programming
Great intro to general Assembler language (with 6809 in mind).
Where: Tools/6809/ (download as zip file) (NOW ONLINE AGAIN !)
Assemblers for the 6809 processor, some with documentation.
Disassemblers for the 6809 processor.
Reference cards and a mirror of a 6809
lecture in html. (partial offline)
Where: Dis_/ (download as zip. file) (NOW ONLINE AGAIN !)
All source code in general.
Read our page about the Vectrex 3D Imager
Vectrex Light Pen
Programming Information
Where: ART.ASM
Disassembled version of "Art Master"
commented by Fred Taft.
Technical Information
Where: Text/Lightpen/ (NOW ONLINE AGAIN !)
Contains technical files about the lightpen.
DVE - LIGHTPEN
Read our page about the Vectrex light pen
Vectrex Controller
Atari2600TrackballConversion.txt
Atari CX80
Trackball in Joystick Emulation Mode to be used as an 8
direction controller on the Vectrex
SegaGenesisControllerAdapter.txt - Guide One
SegaGenesisControllerAdapter2.txt - Guide Two
Most standard Arcade Sticks can be adapted to work in this way
Vectrex Hand Controler Schematic
Where: Vectrex Service
Manual
Vectrex Sound
Programming Information
Where: Vectrex Programming
Text describing BIOS functions (some).
And gives a table for the notes in the BIOS.
And gives a complete describtion of the PSG registers.
Where: EXEC-ROM.ASM + BIOS.ASM
Disassembled version of the BIOS.
Where: RUMCHIP.ASM
Another 'original' source of the BIOS, gives some other hints on
the use of the functions.
(including explosion sound routine)
Where: SONGDEMO.ASM
Documented source code to a new set of new song playing routine
using
3 configuable voices.
Where: PLAYVOIC.TXT
Text describing how to use the above routines.
Where: Text/Sound/ (NOW ONLINE AGAIN !)
Some notes on how the PSG works, and how it is programmed via
vectrex,
how the BIOS routines handle ADSR envelopes.
Christopher Tumbers text (SOUND.TXT)
is a great intro to sound programming!
ADSR_ROM - Using PLAY_VOICE
Where: DAISYNEW.ASM
Source of a song playing routine, which gives a graphical output
of
the notes as well.
Where: NARROW.ASM
Gives a source example on how to set up explosion sound
sub-routine.
Where: SOUND1.AS9
Gives a source example on how to output digitized sound.
Where: TEST.ASM
Gives a source example on how to output digitized sound. This
version
enables output of vectors during sample playing
Many other source codes, include sound routines (nearly all).
Technical Information
Where: Text/Chips/Ay3_8912/ (NOW ONLINE AGAIN !)
Reference manual for the soundchip of vectrex (and other notes).
AY3_8912 - NOTE - PSG
Where: PLAY.TXT
Not really related, but gives a describtion of the BASIC sound
format,
which in a program of his is converted to vectrex sound.
That program is also included (DIS\WOOLSEY\...).
Programm Optimization
Where: PROGGER.TXT
Some notes on techniques used in vectrex frogger.
Where: Vectrex Programming
There is a chapter about optimization (though only fundamental).
Where: Vfrog.txt
These are some newsgroups finds (most of me).
Discussing some technics used in VFrogger (look further at the
end).
Where: Moon.txt
Part of an optimization thread in the newsgroup.
Not a very rewarding text to read. This discussion seems to have
some effect on
Clay. Since than he didn't release any more source codes to the
Vectrex community
(not even MoonLander final, which is a shame :-().
Where: Dis_/ (download as zip. file) (NOW ONLINE AGAIN !)
All source code in general (I don't know them all, but nearly all
include some tricky stuff). |
