Q-emuLator 4.1

 Q-emuLator 4.1 has a new GPU graphics engine that uses less CPU and adds optional scanline and monitor persistence effects.

Variable pixel ratio - a feature requested by many users - is finally available. It allows  MODE 4 pixels to appear square at the expense of a squished image.

   

The built-in debugger now supports the 'step out' command and allows using the mouse to toggle breakpoints and inspect stack traces.

Q-emuLator 4.0 for Windows

Version 4.0 of Q-emuLator has been released for Windows 7 SP1 and later.

Extensive research went into making the CPU emulation cycle-accurate (also simulating its interaction with the ZX8301 video ULA and the 8049 coprocessor), creating a new lower-level format for microdrive images and studying the hardware of the ICL One Per Desk computer (a cousin of the QL).

Q-emuLator 4 also adds emulation of the QSound interface (3 sound channels), can run the pre-existing extended graphics modes inside a window, includes an improved ram disk driver and has more extensive debugging capabilities

For the nostalgic, there are monochrome monitor colour options and simulation of the microdrive motor and tape noise.

The overall experience of running the emulator should be smoother, with new features like default directories for ROMs/software/configurations, reduced audio latency, a Pause command (Windows-Alt-P), auto CPU speed setting, ability to create new empty MDV, MDVRAW, QXL.WIN and IMG file containers.

The manual has been updated and expanded and there are now an online troubleshooting page and a 'check for updates' command.

For a more detailed list of everything that's new in version 4, see this web page.