Setting the baud rate

When using a real serial (COM) port, you need to ensure Spectaculator, Windows and the connected device all have their respective baud rates set to the same value.

With Spectaculator, use the ZX Spectrum BASIC FORMAT "b" or FORMAT "t" commands to set the baud rate. If you have a real Spectrum connected to the serial port, use those commands to set the baud rate on that machine.

To manually set the baud rate of a COM port

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

  2. Click the ZX Interface 1 tab.

  3. Choose the desired baud rate. Set to automatic to use the baud rate set by the last FORMAT "t" or FORMAT "b" command.

  4. Click OK.

Tip

  • Normally, you want to configure the same COM port for both input and output. However, sometimes it can be useful to say, configure serial input to a COM port and serial output to a file. This way it's possible to receive data from a real Spectrum and write it to a local file on your computer.

  • Details on building your own RS-232 cable to connect to a real Spectrum can be found here.

Note

  • When the serial port baud rate is set to automatic, Spectaculator uses the ZX Interface 1 system variables to set the baud rate used by Windows to the value of the last FORMAT "b" or FORMAT "t" command.

  • If you are using a custom Interface 1 ROM which does use the standard BAUD system variable at $5CC3, you must set the serial port baud rate manually.