Image Preparation
and
EPROM File Software

Once you have completed construction of the ICH NBTV ROMScanner, you have two additional tasks to complete before you can put it into service:

• You have to prepare some image files for storage in the ROMScanner EPROM
• You have to convert and format a set of four images for each EPROM you wish to program.

The first task is accomplished with your standard photo-editing software, but there are some very specific things you need to keep in mind as you proceed. As noted in the ICH (Chapter 3), pictures have to meet three very specific requirements if the software is going to be able to format them properly for EPROM programming:

• The images must be 8-bit (256-step) grayscale.
• The images must be stored using Windows bit-map (BMP) format.
• Each image must be precisely 160 pixels (width) by 240 pixels (height).

The BMP source picture for this mug-shot is shown on the left while the 32-line image derived from it appears on the right. Given the resolution losses, it is critical that all other aspects of the picture are of the highest possible quality to get the most out of the image format. Given the limited resolution available, composition and content are also critical. Whatever the primary object in the picture, it should fill most of the available image area. It is also desirable to keep the pictures simple. Human faces are excellent subjects.

Image size can be a bit tricky, but simply because there is no margin for error. All image editing software includes an image sizing function, but if the original picture has slightly odd dimensions, the resize operation may yield a picture that is just slightly off - 159 x 240 instead of 160 x 240. The easy way to avoid size errors is to use a 160 x 240 gray-scale image blank, created with your software's NEW image option. I keep suck a blank image on file so it can be used at any time. You can then use your PASTE or PASTE FROM editing function to paste the desired picture into the blank. Move and/or resize the pasted image in relation to the blank until you get the desired composition.
 

At this point you can perform any necessary image processing functions (contrast, brightness, etc.). Now, the final detail! Prior to saving the image for the final time, you must rotate it 90 degrees to the right using the editing functions of your software:

If this is the original image......
 

It should look like this prior to your final save.

OK, to sum it up:

• Be sure the final image is grayscale - not color!
• Be sure the original was precisely 160 x 240 pixels.
• Be sure the image was rotated 90degrees (right) prior to your final save operation.
• Be sure that the saved image is in the .BMP file format.
• Use DOS conventions when selecting the name for the image file (8-characters max.), even if your photo editing program supports long file-names. This is because we will be using a DOS program to batch-process our image files and we don't need the additional complication of truncated file names.

The final task that has to be performed is to format sets of four images into binary files (.BIN) that can be programmed into the EPROMS you want to use with the NBTV ROMScanner. This job is performed by a utility program, nbtvrom.exe, available for free download from this website. Proceed as indicated in the sections which follow.

Preparing a Directory

Everything is just a bit easier if you dedicate a directory to be used for the image files and the formatting software. If you prefer using Windows:

• Click on FILE
• Click on New
• Click on Folder
• Type romscan for the filename and <ENTER>

• At the hard-drive prompt type cd\ and <ENTER> to get to the root directory.
• Type md\ romscan and <ENTER> to create the new directory

Software Download and Install
 

Click on the link shown above to download the formatting software. When your system prompts you as to where to copy the file, select your new romscan directory.

The file is a self-extracting ZIP file and final installation is easily accomplished with Windows Explorer:

• Start Windows Explorer
• Double-click on the ROMSCAN directory folder
• Double-click on the NBTVR file

nbtvr.exe - the orginal download file
nbtvrom.exe - the file formatting program
alison.bmp - a sample BMP file
bugs.bmp - a sample BMP file
molly.bmp - a sample BMP file
wb8dqt.bmp - a sample BMP file
setup.bin - the EPROM binary file for the ROMScanner set-up
rom1.bin - a sample binary image file (4 images)

Booting and Using nbtvrom.exe

The program will run as a DOS-window under Windows, so the easiest way to boot the program is:
 

• Click on Start
• Click on Run
• Type \nbtvrom\nbtvrom in the window and click on OK

You can increase the size of the window by clicking on the maximize button in the upper right. I may be old-fashioned, but I like to operate the program full-screen in the DOS environment. Most versions of Windows will let you reboot under MS DOS and that's what I prefer doing. To run the program from DOS:

• Type cd\romscan and <ENTER> to get to your directory

• Type nbtvrom and <ENTER> to start the program

• Create a new binary ROMScanner file from BMP images

• Examine a previously created image file to verify its contents

• Quit the program

I trust you will find the program useful and I welcome any comments or suggestions.

Programming an EPROM (also known as "burning", "blasting", or "blowing") requires a piece of programming hardware, most commonly operating in conjunction with your PC, that will execute the precisely-timed instructions and apply just the right voltages at different times, to properly program the chip. My old programmer dated from the early 80s, would operate only under DOS, and was manufactured by a company long out-of-business. I decided to get something new that was at least nominally Windows-compatible. Since this is a specialized market, many of the available models are fairly pricey and many require additional adapters (more money) to program specific devices.

The least expensive devices tend to use the PC parallel port for interfacing, although newer units are available (at somewhat higher cost) that use a USB interface. Some kits are available for basic programmers that are in the $80.00 price range, but I wanted a fully-assembled unit with robust software. The one I settled on the the  Pocket Programmer 2  from Transtronics in Lawrence, KS. This system costs ~$150 and includes the programmer hardware, the cable to connect to the PC parallel port, a wall-mounted 9V power supply, and software for DOS and all versions of Windows^TM. I have been using mine under Windows 98 and it has worked flawlessly.

It makes no sense to purchase such a programmer just to prepare a few chips for the ROMScanner, so you may want to find someone locally who can do it for you. Be aware that we are usually talking about hard-core computer and embedded controller types, not your local Windows or Mac "expert".  Chris Lewis , the wbmaster of the NBTVA web site in the UK is offering to provide a programming service and I would be willing to do the same for experimenters on this side of the pond. Contact either of us by e-mail for more information.