SPECTRUM IS SLOWED DOWN

Have you ever wished that there was some way to slow a game so you could get past the first screen without getting zapped? If so your wish has been granted by Cambridge Computing with its new Slomo device.

On the front of it are two push buttons, a rotary speed control and an LED.

One of the buttons is used to stop the Spectrum and the other activates the speed control.

Slomo lends itself to a number of uses. For the games player it allows that extra edge while the machine code addict can use it to see, if it is on screen, the code working step by step. Listings can be slowed and anything normally too fast can be set to a manageable speed.

An ingenious device and reasonably priced at £14.95, from Cambridge Computing, 61 Ditton Walk, Cambridge CB5 8QD.

Tired of being unable to play those fast games, or do you wish to take screen shots, or just stop a game that has no "pause"? Then Nidd have the answer to your problem - the "Slomo". It is a handy small unit comprised of sloped hand control 2.75" by 1.75", and a yard of cable leading to a user port extender which can be attached to the computer or behind any peripheral which has a suitable extender.

As with all "add-ons", it is essential to switch the computer off when fitting the "Slomo", which can then be left permanently plugged in. The instruction sheet offers a simple test program involving filling the screen with asterisks and then pressing "Freeze Frame". The screen should stand still until the button is released. Pressing the "Slow Motion" button should cause the red indicator to light, and allow the speed control knob to be turned anti-clockwise to slow the screen display to a standstill. Turning the knob clockwise results in the display gradually speeding up to virtually normal speed at full turn. Press "Slow Motion" again and the light goes out showing that the "Slomo" is switched off.

When LOADing or SAVEing a program the device must be switched off, otherwise nothing will happen. Load one of those games that require fast reactions such as "Bug-Eyes", "Leapfrog" or "Bruce Lee" switch on "Slomo", select the speed that you feel able to cope with and sit back to enjoy the game as never before. When the game becomes too easy at that speed, just turn the knob slightly and play it faster. You should soon find yourself playing it at normal speed.

The only minor irritation perhaps caused by having a Disk Drive and an FDS keyboard is that occasionally programs have crashed after using the "Freeze Frame" button - which can be most frustrating, especially considering the time some programs take to LOAD. That aside, the "Slomo" is a valuable addition to any computer buff's armoury of peripherals.

The Slomo costs £14.95, and is available from Nidd Valley Micro Products, Stepping Stones House, Thistle Hill, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire.

If you think you've seen all kinds of Spectrum peripherals and that nothing can surprise you then watch this space.

Steve Lloyd from Cambridge Computing has sent us a little device which should help any arcade addict get past the most critical stages of any game requiring fast reflexes. The unit is called quaintly SLOMO and the logo features a pace-setting snail. Yes, you've guessed it, this little gadget provides slow motion and freeze frame facility for any game or program running on the Spectrum. It accomplishes this by setting a Bus Request signal on the system bus. The Z80 acknowledges and goes into 'hibernation' (high impedance state) until the signal is called off. Two little push button switches provide either instant freeze frame (for as long as the key is pressed) or timer mode, which allows you to vary the delay time of the internal timer/monostable so that you can adjust continually from normal speed right down to stand still. An LED indicates the timer mode.

SLOMO is easy to use. The edge connector features an extension port for other peripherals and plugs in at the back of the Spectrum with a lead connections up to the control box. The two push button switches are located at the front and annotated FREEZE FRAME and SLOW MOTION. When SLOW MOTION is selected, the red LED indicator comes on and the speed of the game can be set via the central speed control know. SLOMO is compatible with any add-on which does not require the Bus Request signal.

Apart from cheating at your favourite games and acquiring HALL OF SLIME fame with ridiculous and dishonest point scores, it can be handy for screen photographs. The fiddliest moments of a same can be captured in time and some of this issue's screen pics would not have been possible without SLOMO. Yes, you guessed it, SLOMO has already been requisitioned by our in-house camera team and all the begging in the world will not bring the unit back to me. Cambridge Computing foresees SLOMO's use as an educational tool for accommodating the program speed to the individual pupil or lecture and also as a development help for programme's. The cost of SLOWMO is £14.95 and if you ask me, you can buy a lot of time with that.

Available from:
Cambridge Computing Research Ltd,
61 Ditton Walk,
Cambridge,
CBS 8QD
Tel. (0223) 214451