8088 MPH by Hornet + CRTC + DESiRE

Jim Leonard
8 HN recommenders · recommended in 5 months, 2015–2026
YouTube
327K views · 11 years ago · demo · evergreen

8088 MPH is a demo for the original 1981 IBM PC with its 4.77 MHz 8088 processor and CGA graphics, released in 2015 by Hornet, CRTC and DESiRE. It shows 1024 colors on CGA and plays sound through the PC speaker.

HN rates it as the standout of old-hardware demoscene work, a piece of software built with great care over years.

“The most amazing thing I've heard done with a PC speaker is in the last part of this equally amazing demo”
Shaders & real-time visuals
#demoscene#ibmpc#cga#8088#pcspeaker

17 comments from Hacker News

u
@userbinator2019 · in “PC Speaker To Eleven”
The most amazing thing I've heard done with a PC speaker is in the last part of this equally amazing demo (starts at 6:37 --- the parts before have more "normal" beeper music): ▶ this video Explanation here: link
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p
@pixelfarmer2024 · in “Furnace – the biggest multi-system chiptune tracker ever made”
PC speaker: - 8088 mph demo: ▶ this video - Area 5150 demo: link - Stormlord (game, 1989): link (unfortunately doesn't keep intro screen around for long) - A nice video explaining PC speaker with examples (also features Chronos from ZX Spectrum): link
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b
@bazza972024 · in “Video playback on low-end MS-DOS machines”
Love how people are still pushing old hardware. These are also two excellent demo's on the XT: Area 5150 link 8088 MPH ▶ this video
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b
@bitwize2023 · in “Demoscene accepted as UNESCO cultural heritage in The Netherlands”
A former boss of mine said that he aspired to build the "Sagrada Família of software", referring to the intricately beautiful basilica whose architect didn't live to see the completion of: link He meant that he wanted to build something that took time and care, but it would last and amaze all who saw it with its beauty and impressive construction. I showed him 8088MPH, which took seven years to write: ▶ this video He said "OK, that's the Sagrada Família of software." Thinking on the Matrix sequels which, I know, do not exist, I came to a stunning realization: The Machines have a demoscene. Neo encounters a pair of programs who are trying to smuggle their daughter, Sati, into the Matrix. The Oracle told Neo that every program in the Matrix has a purpose, but Sati does not and that's why she is at risk of deletion. Her parents created her simply to experience the joy of loving her. Sati is a demo. Like any demo she exists simply to delight her creators and anyone who observes her. We even get to see a demoeffect of hers: the colorful sunrise she creates for Neo to enjoy, wherever he may be. This demonstrates that the Machines have developed art, empathy, and love, quite possibly due to Neo's influence.
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S
@SwellJoe2015 · in “This is the real composite output of an IBM CGA card and 4.77MHz 8088 PC”
Submitted the video to Hacker News.
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s
@sep2015 · in “8088 MPH: first time showing 1024 colors on the 1981 IBM PC and CGA”
Submitted the video to Hacker News.
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j
@jpatokal2015 · in “8088 MPH”
Submitted the video to Hacker News.
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b
@bane2015 · in “8088 MPH – CGA DOS Demo”
Submitted the video to Hacker News.
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_
@_jackdk_2026 · in “Donkey.bas is 45 Years Old – 131 line of Glory”
The 8088 MPH demo, for example, pushed the PC Speaker pretty far: ▶ this video
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n
@nitrogen2022 · in “86Box: Why Not Pentium III?”
To add an example to your arguments, the C64 and PC/XT demo scenes show what can be done with cycle accurate retrocomputing. Especially 8088mph: ▶ this video
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T
@TMWNN2021 · in “A Mind Is Born (2017)”
How about 1981? ▶ this video
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A
@Akronymus2021 · in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade EGA/VGA Comparison”
CGA shines on a crt, usually. Some CGA games just look stunning with CRT/composite ▶ this video
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