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website/content/museum/amstrad-464-6128-plus.md
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---
title: Amstrad 464 / 6128 Plus
categories:
- Computers
params:
name: 464 / 6128 Plus
image: /media/museum/photos/amstrad_6128plus_system_1.jpg
company: /companies/amstrad
company_name: Amstrad
tabs:
- photos
- hardware
- software
- emulators
- links
- docs
- videos
forum_thread: 45
photos:
- title: CPC 464+
subtitle: ''
text: |-
It featured the same characteristics as the 6128, except regarding its memory (64 KB instead of 128 KB) and had a tape recorder (located above the keyboard) instead of a floppy disk.
It replaced the CPC 464 and had a short life because tape recorders were no longer supported when it was released.
image: /media/museum/photos/amstrad_464p.jpg
- title: CPC-464P SIDE VIEW
subtitle: ''
text: Another view of the CPC-464+ with its Burnin'Rubber/Basic cartridge inserted.
image: /media/museum/photos/amstrad_464p_side.jpg
- title: CPC-464+ REAR VIEW
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/amstrad_464p_back.jpg
- title: RUNNING 6128+
subtitle: ''
text: One ROM cartridge was delivered with the computer, holding the Locomotive BASIC language, and 'Burnin Rubber', a car race game.
image: /media/museum/photos/amstrad_6128plus_running_1.jpg
- title: LEFT SIDE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**(1)** RJ11 expansion connector, for gun or light pen\
**(2)** Power switch which also locks the inserted cartridge while the system is turned on\
**(3)** Analogue joystick connector\
**(4-6)** Atari-compatible joystick DB9 connectors\
**(5)** ROM cartridge. A cartridge must be inserted before turning on the system.\
**(7)** Stereo headphones jack
image: /media/museum/photos/amstrad_6128plus_leftside_1.jpg
- title: REAR
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**(1)** Parallel Centronics connector\
**(2)** Power jack. Power supplied by the monitor\
**(3)** RGB video DIN plug\
**(4)** Bus expansion connector, mainly intended for an external floppy disk unit\
**(5)** Serial DB25 connector
image: /media/museum/photos/amstrad_6128plus_back_1.jpg
- title: UNCOVERED 6128+
subtitle: ''
text: |-
A typical design for the last generation of personal home computers: a compact motherboard featuring numerous I/O connectors, a built-in floppy disk drive, and a keyboard.
The 6128 Plus, like all members of the Amstrad home computer range, was a very reliable system... except the floppy drive belt which had to be changed from time to time.
image: /media/museum/photos/amstrad_6128plus_uncovered_1.jpg
- title: MOTHERBOARD
subtitle: ''
text: |-
A very compact board thanks to the custom Amstrad chip. Even so this board features 12 different connectors!
**(1)** AY38912 sound generator. 8 voices, 3 octaves and white noise generation\
**(2)** ROM cartridge connector\
**(3)** Z80A processor. Here an ST Electronics version\
**(4)** Zilog Z80 FDC - Floppy disc controller\
**(5)** Amstrad custom chip in charge of memory and video management and various I/O. This chip replaces more than 20 I.C’s used in the original version of the 6128.\
**(6)** Keyboard connectors\
**(7)** 32 KB video RAM 41464 chip\
**(8)** 128 KB RAM memory chips (4 x 41464 chips)\
**(9)** BIOS ROM. Holds basic I/O routines.
image: /media/museum/photos/amstrad_6128plus_mainboard_1.jpg
- title: MOTHERBOARD CLOSE-UP
subtitle: ''
text: Notice the Z80A CPU chip (from ST-Microelectronics), the Z80 FDC (from Zilog) and the custom Amstrad chip.
image: /media/museum/photos/amstrad_6128plus_mainbcloseup_1.jpg
- title: THE GX4000 GAME
subtitle: ''
text: console based on the 6128+ hardware
image: /media/museum/photos/gx4000.jpg
hardware:
- title: DDI-1
subtitle: Amstrad disk drive
text: |-
After a long wait for the first purchasers of CPC-464, the diskette drive was available one year after its announcement. It connected to the expansion connector of the computer and used a 3" Hitachi diskette drive. This choice may appear strange in the light of the growing success of the Sony 3,5" standard, but would prove highly reliable in use. The Amstrad operating system (AMSDOS) is stored in a 16 KB ROM. Two operating systems and one language were delivered with this unit :\
\- **AmsDOS** allowed Amstrad Basic to be used via additional file-management commands, but was not very practical to use.\
\- **CP/M 2.2** from Digital Research which gave access to an immense professional software library but required two floppy drives in order to function well.\
\- **Dr. LOGO** A popular language, especially in educational circles. It took advantage of the sound and graphic capabilities of the Amstrad.
In spite of a prohibitive price due to a long period of (organized?) scarcity, Amstrad’s 3" floppy disks became the primary medium for numerous games and other programs and contributed to the big commercial success of the machine in Europe, until the announcement of the &lt;$112$>CPC 664, the first model with an integrated disk drive.
DDI-1 with interface for CPC-464 or CPC-664 : 1990fr (March 86)\
FD-1, second drive for CPC-464,664 and 6128 : 1590fr (March 86)
image: /media/museum/hardware/fd_ddi_1.jpg
- title: INSIDE DDI-1 CASE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**(1)** Read/Write magnetic head\
**(2)** As in any disk drive, 2 engines are required : the biggest one to spin the magnetic disc, and the second one (at the top) to move the read/write head\
**(3)** The DDI case contains its own power supply. The PSU is shown here surrounded by a thick metallic plate to prevent magnetic fields from damaging the disks\
**(4)** The power supply regulation part is located under the disk drive\
**(5)** Disk introduction slot and eject button. Disk storage capacity is of 169 Kb. for system floppy disks (which include an operating system), or 178 Kb. for data disks.
image: /media/museum/hardware/fd_eclate.jpg
- title: AMX MOUSE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
For drawing and moving the cursor
Could be used with the CPC-464,664 and 6128\
Cost 105 Euros in March 86.
image: /media/museum/hardware/amstrad_amx_mouse.jpg
- title: AMSTRAD LIGHT PEN
subtitle: ''
text: |-
For all models with a colour monitor\
Sold with a drawing program: 44 Euros (March 86)
image: /media/museum/hardware/amstrad_light_pen.jpg
- title: DMP 2000
subtitle: Amstrad printer
text: |-
90 Fonts, 20-100 characters /s\
350 Euros (March 86)
image: /media/museum/hardware/amstrad_dmp2000.jpg
- title: AMSTRAD JOYSTICK
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Classic joystick sold by Amstrad.\
It includes another joystick plug to add a second joystick.
Cost 23 Euros in March 86
image: /media/museum/hardware/amstrad_joystick.jpg
- title: MP1 / MP2 ADAPTOR
subtitle: Amstrad Scart adaptors
text: |-
Enabled the use of an Amstrad with a Peritel (scart) TV.
MP1 for CPC-464: 60 Euros (March 86)\
MP2 for CPC-664 and 6128: 75 Euros (March 86)
image: /media/museum/hardware/amstrad_scart_adaptator.jpg
- title: AMSTRAD RS-232C INTERFACE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Self-explanatory I think...
For the CPC-464, 664 and 6128\
90 Euros in March 86
image: /media/museum/hardware/amstrad_cpc464_rs232.jpg
- title: VOCAL SYNTHESIZER
subtitle: ''
text: |-
And your CPC talks!
For CPC-464, 664 and 6128\
60 Euros (March 86)
image: /media/museum/hardware/amstrad_vocal_synth.jpg
- title: TECHNI-MUSIQUE MUSICAL SYNTHESIZER
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Musical synthesizer with 12 stereo channels\
A 4-octave piano keyboard was optional\
Application delivered on disk
Price : 150 Euros (France, October 1987)
image: /media/museum/hardware/amstrad_musical_synth.jpg
screenshots:
- title: LOADING SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_1942-title.gif
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_1942.gif
- title: LOADING SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_1943-title.gif
- title: LOADING SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_addams-family_title.gif
- title: SCREENSHOTS
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_addams-family.gif
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_airwolf.gif
- title: LOADING SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_alien-highway2_title.gif
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_alien-highway2-encounter.gif
- title: LOADING SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_apb.png
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_apb2.png
- title: LOADING SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_arabian-nights_title.png
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_arabian-nights.png
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_beyondicepalace.png
- title: LOADING SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_bombjack-title.png
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_bombjack.png
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_boulderdash.png
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_bountybob-strikesback.png
- title: LOADING SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_brucelee_title.png
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_brucelee.png
- title: LOADING SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_bubblebobble.png
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_bubblebobble2.png
- title: LOADING SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_catch23.png
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_catch23_2.png
- title: LOADING SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_cauldron_t.png
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_cauldron.png
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_chuckie-egg.png
- title: LOADING SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_commando_t.png
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_commando.png
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_fruityfranck.png
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_5axe.gif
- title: LOADING SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_mgt_t.png
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/amstrad_cpc_ss_mgt.png
emulators:
- title: Arnimedes
url: http://www.arnimedes.de/
platform: MS DOS
text: CPC emulator for DOS
- title: CaPriCe32
url: http://www.caprice32.cybercube.com/
platform: Windows
text: 32 bit Amstrad CPC Emulator
- title: No Cash Amstrad CPC Emulator (NO$CPC)
url: http://www.work.de/nocash/cpc.htm
platform: Windows
text: For Windows and MS-DOS
- title: WinAPE32
url: http://winape.emuunlim.com/
platform: Windows
text: Fast, accurate CPC/+ emulation
- title: Arnold
url: http://www.bannister.org/software/arnold.htm
platform: Apple
text: Arnold/MacOS is an Amstrad CPC/CPC+/KC Compact Emulator for the Macintosh.
- title: CPC ++
url: http://bricerive.free.fr/cpc
platform: Apple
text: Emulator for MAC OS
- title: CPC ++
url: http://bricerive.free.fr/cpc
platform: Unix / Linux
text: Emulator for Linux and SunOS.
- title: XCPC
url: http://XCPC.EMUUNLIM.COM
platform: Unix / Linux
text: CPC emulator for any UNIX platform with X-Window
- title: Ami-CPC
url: http://www.chez.com/deplanque/
platform: Amiga OS
text: ''
- title: C-ONE
url: http://c64upgra.de/c-one/
platform: Other platform
text: Hardware emulator (re-configurable computer)
- title: DreamCPC
url: http://www.consolevision.com/dreamcast/emus/amstrad/
platform: Other platform
text: CPC emulator for Dreamcast
- title: PocketCaprice
url: http://www.pocketcult.com
platform: Other platform
text: Pocket PC/PDA emulator for Windows Mobile 2003 or Windows Mobile 5 operating system
- title: Arnold (amstad 128k v3 emulator)
url: http://arnold.emuunlim.com/
platform: Multiplatform
text: Emulates CPC 464, 644, 6128, 464+, 6128+, and KC Compact.
- title: CPCE
url: http://cpce.emuunlim.com/
platform: Multiplatform
text: Amstrad CPC emulator for DOS, DPMI and WIN32
- title: MESS
url: http://www.mess.org/
platform: Multiplatform
text: MESS emulates a lot of Amstrad computers (available for many OS) !
links:
- title: Amstrad Computer Manuals
url: http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/category/computer/amstrad.htm
text: ''
- title: Amstrad CPC 464 664 6128 Basic programming tutorial and games. The Basic Idea
url: http://www.sean.co.uk/books/amstrad/index.shtm
text: ''
- title: Amstrad.cpc.free.fr
url: http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/
text: Excellent site full of info
- title: Amstrad.DK
url: http://www.amstrad.dk/
text: 464, 664, 6128 emulation, games and demos. Nice site.
- title: Amstrad's Home Page
url: http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/index.htm
text: ''
- title: CPC/IP The TCP/IP Stack for the Amstrad CPCs
url: http://www.nenie.org/cpcip/
text: ''
- title: CPCWIKI
url: http://www.cpcwiki.eu
text: The biggest Amstrad CPC site and community
- title: CPCwiki
url: http://www.cpcwiki.com/index.php/Main_Page
text: This site hopes to evolve into an encyclopaedia on all things Amstrad CPC related.
- title: DDDS Ltd Home Page
url: http://www.diskdoctor.co.uk/
text: ''
- title: FutureOS - THE operating system for the CPC
url: http://www.FutureOS.de
text: FutureOS is a very fast OS for Amstrad CPC 6128 and 6128+.
- title: Generic and Amstrad CPC based Programs written in Turbo Pascal 3
url: http://turpas3.angelfire.com/
text: Turbo Pascal programs written on a CPC.
- title: Good Old Games
url: http://speccy.altervista.org/
text: Many games with screenshot comparisons, download and magazines
- title: Les Sucres en Morceaux
url: http://scampin.chez-alice.fr/cpc/index.html
text: Demomaking and gfx
- title: Phenix Informatique
url: http://phenixinformatique.free.fr/
text: History, games, links, emulators, contacts (French)
- title: SymbOS Amstrad CPC Multitasking Operating System
url: http://www.symbos.de/
text: A multitasking OS for the CPC 6128 with a Windows-like GUI
- title: The Unofficial Amstrad WWW Resource
url: http://andercheran.aiind.upv.es/~amstrad/
text: collection of documentations dedicated to the Amstrad CPC (CPC464, CPC664 and CPC6128), Amstrad Plus (464+,6128+ and GX4000 console), and VEB Mikroelectronic KC Compact
- title: Tricky's Amstrad CPC page
url: http://www.trickynz.com/Amstrad%20CPC.html
text: Old mags and Amsoft catalogues for download
- title: Web Wiz CAPTCHA
url: http://www.webwizcaptcha.com
text: ''
docs:
- title: CPC PLUS - MANUEL DE L'UTILISATEUR (FRENCH MANUAL)
url: http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/amstrad_cpc-plus_french-manual.jpg
text: |-
[**CPC PLUS - MANUEL DE L'UTILISATEUR (FRENCH MANUAL)**](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23)written by Amstrad
 compiled/archived by Charles Da Silva\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Amstrad Computer Site](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/)
- title: AMSTRAD CPC FIRMWARE MANUAL
url: http://www.cantrell.org.uk/david/tech/cpc/cpc-firmware/
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/amstrad_cpc_firmware-guide.jpg
text: |-
[**AMSTRAD CPC FIRMWARE MANUAL**](http://www.cantrell.org.uk/david/tech/cpc/cpc-firmware/)written by Bob Taylor and Thomas Defoe
 compiled/archived by David Cantrell / John Kavanagh\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Dave's Free Press](http://www.cantrell.org.uk/david/)
- title: AMSTRAD CPC+ SPECIFICATIONS
url: http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/arnold5.htm
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/amstrad_cpc-plus_specs.jpg
text: |-
[**AMSTRAD CPC+ SPECIFICATIONS**](http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/arnold5.htm)\
 compiled/archived by Rob Scott / Paul Fairman / Kevin Thacker\
 type of document : HTML\
 source : [Amstrad Computer Site](http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/index.htm)
- title: TEACH YOURSELF AMSTRAD BASIC - A TUTORIAL GUIDE - PART 1
url: http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/amstrad_cpc_teach-yourself-amstrad-basic_1.jpg
text: |-
[**TEACH YOURSELF AMSTRAD BASIC - A TUTORIAL GUIDE - PART 1**](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23)written by Amstrad
 compiled/archived by Charles Da Silva\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Amstrad.CPC](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/)
- title: TEACH YOURSELF AMSTRAD BASIC - A TUTORIAL GUIDE - PART 2
url: http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/amstrad_cpc_teach-yourself-amstrad-basic_1.jpg
text: |-
[**TEACH YOURSELF AMSTRAD BASIC - A TUTORIAL GUIDE - PART 2**](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23)written by Amstrad
 compiled/archived by Charles Da Silva\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Amstrad.CPC](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/)
- title: DMP2000 PRINTER - MANUEL UTILISATEUR (FRENCH MANUAL)
url: http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/amstrad_dmp2000_manuel-utilisateur.jpg
text: |-
[**DMP2000 PRINTER - MANUEL UTILISATEUR (FRENCH MANUAL)**](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23)written by Amstrad
 compiled/archived by Charles Da Silva\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Amstrad.CPC](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/)
- title: DMP2160 PRINTER - GUIDE DE L'UTILISATEUR (FRENCH MANUAL)
url: http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/amstrad_dmp2160_manuel-utilisateur.jpg
text: |-
[**DMP2160 PRINTER - GUIDE DE L'UTILISATEUR (FRENCH MANUAL)**](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23)written by Amstrad
 compiled/archived by Charles Da Silva\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Amstrad.CPC](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/)
- title: AMSTRAD DDI-1 DISK DRIVE - MANUEL DE L'UTILISATEUR (FRENCH MANUAL)
url: http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/amstrad_ddi-1_user-manual.jpg
text: |-
[**AMSTRAD DDI-1 DISK DRIVE - MANUEL DE L'UTILISATEUR (FRENCH MANUAL)**](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23)written by Amstrad
 compiled/archived by Charles Da Silva\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Amstrad.CPC](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/)
- title: AMSTRAD MP2F PERITEL ADAPTER - MANUEL UTILISATEUR (FRENCH MANUAL)
url: http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/amstrad_mp2f.jpg
text: |-
[**AMSTRAD MP2F PERITEL ADAPTER - MANUEL UTILISATEUR (FRENCH MANUAL)**](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23)written by Amstrad
 compiled/archived by Charles Da Silva\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Amstrad.CPC](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/)
- title: AMX MOUSE - GUIDE DE L'UTILISATEUR (USER MANUAL)
url: http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/amstrad_amx-mouse.jpg
text: |-
[**AMX MOUSE - GUIDE DE L'UTILISATEUR (USER MANUAL)**](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23)written by Cygnet Computer Consultants Limited
 compiled/archived by Charles Da Silva\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Amstrad.CPC](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/)
- title: AMSTRAD LP-1 LIGHT PEN - INSTRUCTIONS POUR L'UTILISATEUR (FRENCH MANUAL)
url: http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/amstrad_lp1_lightpen.jpg
text: |-
[**AMSTRAD LP-1 LIGHT PEN - INSTRUCTIONS POUR L'UTILISATEUR (FRENCH MANUAL)**](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23)written by Amstrad
 compiled/archived by Charles Da Silva\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Amstrad.CPC](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/)
- title: MARK 2 LIGHT PEN - USER MANUAL
url: http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/amstrad_mark2-light-pen.jpg
text: |-
[**MARK 2 LIGHT PEN - USER MANUAL**](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=23)written by Electric Studio Products
 compiled/archived by Charles Da Silva\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Amstrad.CPC](http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/)
videos:
- title: Amstrad CPC - French commercial
url: http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=1649912029980987973&hl=fr
text: 'Length: 29 s'
related:
- /museum/amstrad-cpc-464
- /museum/amstrad-cpc-5512
- /museum/amstrad-cpc-6128
- /museum/amstrad-cpc-664
- /museum/schneider-germany-cpc-464
oc_id: 26
source:
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230202014350/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=26
date: '2023-02-02'
---
These Amstrads were the successors of the Amstrad [CPC 6128](/museum/amstrad-cpc-6128/). Amstrad tried to prolong the life of the old 8-bit Amstrads, which suffered from competition with the new 16-bit home computers (like the Amiga and Atari ST).
Amstrad made some important modifications to maintain the level of its machines, the CPC 6128 Plus became 95% compatible with the CPC 6128 (using the same operating systems AMSDOS and CP/M 3.0). However, some software did not run on the plus range and amstrad official statement was that the programmers where lazy and used bad programming in some software resulting in crashes on this machine.
Several new features were added: hardware scrolling, increased color palette, an enhanced sound chip, a cartridge port, and a redesigned keyboard. Some of these features were not even present (yet) on certain 16-bit computers (Atari STf didn't have hardware scrolling or sprites). Regardless, this new version of the CPC didn't last long.
The system offers 16 hardware sprites at a size of 16x16 pixels. The sprites are using 15 other colors than the 16 of the palette, and have x/y zoom. The soundchip is the same AY as on the CPC, but controlable with a DMA.
As Atari did with the [65-XE](/museum/atari-65-130-xe/) when it reached the end of its life, so Amstrad made a game console from the Amstrad CPC Plus hardware called the GX 4000. This console used the same programs as the computer but were supplied on cartridges.