Legendary Windows dev codes demos and games for ancient ‘War Games’ monitor — interfaces with the HP1345a vector display using an ESP32 microcontroller

News
By published

Dave Plummer also shared a driver for the monitor’s ‘completely proprietary, unbuffered, and unterminated interface.’

HP1345a monitor demo using DIY interface.
(Image credit: Dave W Plummer)

There’s something extremely alluring about vector displays for tech enthusiasts beyond a certain age. Recently, legendary Windows developer Dave W Plummer got hold of a prime example of this type of monitor, the HP1345a, and set about making it usable with a PC via USB serial connection. Plummer has been busy, already showcasing a vector demo andan Asteroids clone on the HP monitor, best known for its starring role in the classic 1983 movie War Games.

The ancient HP ‘War Games’ monitor “uses a completely proprietary, unbuffered, and unterminated interface: D0-D15 data lines and then two handshake lines: ReadyForData and DataValid,” explains the developer. “I decided to use an ESP32 to interface with it. I wired up the 16 data lines and the two handshake lines to free GPIOs, then set about writing code to ‘bridge’ data from the serial port to the HP.”

Article continues below

A Python app is then used to drive the display, which renders a binary stream at 921,600 baud. All this code, and further details of the HP1345a, plus Plummer’s DIY interface, are available on GitHub. Potential DIYers are warned that, should they be lucky enough to source one of these ‘War Games’ monitors, they should be careful of opening or servicing the display due to the high voltages inside the display cabinet.

Asteroids ahoy

Hot on the heels of his first HP1345a interfacing success, Plummer has completed a “quick and dirty port of some Python Asteroids code” to the USB-HP bridge he created. This looks like a great way to enjoy a vector gaming classic. Of course, this announcement was followed by requests for other vector game ports – Star Wars, Battle Zone, Tempest, et al.

Incidentally, we have covered the news of the Vectrex Mini console in recent months. This crowdfunding project lacks an actual CRT vector display, as they aren't manufactured anymore. Though we haven’t had a hands-on with the Kickstarter product, its display will almost certainly underwhelm, being based on OLED tech and measuring a mere 5 inches diagonally.

Google Preferred Source

Follow 3DTested on Google News, or add us as a preferred source, to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds.

Mark Tyson
Mark Tyson
News Editor
1 Comment Comment from the forums
  • itcures
    The combination of retro technology and current DIY engineering methods stands as one of the most impressive things I have seen recently.

    The process of reviving the HP1345a vector display through ESP32 technology demonstrates impressive results because users can watch animated content and play games such as Asteroids which requires them to operate the system through its proprietary interface and high-voltage components.

    The process of developing new technologies requires people to develop fresh solutions but they must also discover innovative methods to restore existing technological systems.
    Reply