Bildschirmtext (Btx) was a German online service that existed from 1983 to 2001.

To use the service with a C64, this decoder cartridge was required, which connected to the expansion port.

The cartridge is actually a Siemens product, it’s just Commodore-branded.

The sticker says:

• SIEMENS
• Universal Btx Decoder
• S30817-S721-B101-7/02 EX/W8
• A30817-X732-B100-4-11
• Commodore Artikel Nr. 606491

The box with the Deutsche Bundespost logo is the registration (A506 131V). At the time, only explicitly Post-approved devices and software were allowed to be used for participating in Bildschirmtext.

(This is the “Btx Decoder Modul II”, even though the cartridge doesn’t say so. There was a completely different first model.)

There are three DIN ports at the back, from left to right:

• Modem: This connects to the proprietary Deutsche Bundespost “DBT-03” modem (1200 baud down, 75 baud up).
• RGB: This is for connecting an analog RGB monitor.
• FBAS: This port is identical to the C64 video port and allows using a C64 monitor.

The Post-approval for participating in Bildschirmtext required the decoder to be able to show a pixel-exact image of the service (480×240 pixels with 32 out of 4096 colors)1. Since the VIC-II in the C64 could not meet this, the decoder cartridge had its own video controller and therefore its own video ports.

The board reveals that the cartridge doesn’t only have its own video chip, it also has its own CPU, RAM and ROM – it’s a complete computer that only connects to the C64 in order to reuse the keyboard and the disk drive.

These are the major chips:

• Motorola MC6803: a 6800-family microcontroller
• Motorola MC68HC34: Dual-Port Memory Unit
• 64 KB RAM (two 41464 64Kx4 DRAM)
• 32 KB EPROM
• D65040GF206: NEC µPD65000 series CMOS gate array

The communication with the modem, the decoding of the CEPT data stream and the interaction with the Btx service are handled by 6800 CPU and the software in the EPROM.

I am assuming the software writes the RGB values of every single scanline into the dual-port memory in real-time, which the gate array then reads to generate the video signal – like on the Atari VCS and the Sinclair ZX81. This keeps the complexity of the video hardware minimal.

The chipset and the firmware are probably very similar to the technology used in dedicated Bildschirmtext terminals.

Gallery:

source: pagetable.com

TFW8b C64 Kung Fu Flash Cartridge by Kim Jørgensen.

The Kung Fu Flash is a multi format C64/C128 Cartridge Developed by Kim Jørgensen and assembled by TFW8b.

The use is very simple, just copy your CRT, PRG or Dxx files onto a FAT formatted Micro SD and you are ready to go and also the firmware is upgradable via SD Card.

Built to the usual TFW8b high standards with the obligatory gold edge connector, served in our own injection molded case.

Kung Fu Flash Supported File Formats:

• Cartridge (CRT)
• Disk image (D64, D71, D81)
• Program (PRG, P00)
• Firmware update (UPD)

Kung Fu Flash Supported Cartridges Formats:

• Standard CBM cartridge (8k, 16k, Ultimax)
• Action Replay v4.x/v5/v6
• KCS Power Cartridge
• Final Cartridge III(+)
• Simons’ BASIC
• Fun Play, Power Play
• Ocean type 1
• Epyx Fastload
• C64 Game System (C64GS), System 3
• Dinamic
• Zaxxon, Super Zaxxon
• Magic Desk, Domark, HES Australia
• Super Snapshot v5
• Comal-80
• EasyFlash

Gallery:

TFW8b C64 Kung Fu Flash Video:

source: KimJorgensen/KungFuFlash thefuturewas8bit.com

Thanks go to my friend Andrea Pierdomenico.

Some Cartridges for Commodore 64.

• Tele-Data 64 by Handic
• Cherry by Fruit Hardware System
• Isepic (Clone)
• Antiram by S.C.T. 1987 (Freeze Frame Clone)
• Bandit (The Expert Clone)
• Sykline S.A. by KAWA (Industria Argentina)
• Niki II by O.M.Alfred
• Unknown Cartridge (The Final Cartridge I Clone)
• Hypra Disk II by Rex (9615)
• 5531A1 by Koks Gesto BV Computers

Gallery:

Some retro-things received from my friend Gerben.

• 2 x Commodore 64 Manual
• 1 x Commodore 64 Programmer’s Reference Guide
• 1 x Sony HITBIT MSX-Basic Manual
• 1 x Sony HITBIT MSX-Disk Basic Manual
• 1 x Sony HITBIT Manual
• 1 x Jack Nicklaus Accolade game for Macintosh
• 1 x Commodore 64 Tune-up Book
• 1 x Getting More from your Commodore 64 Book
• 1 x Commodore VIC-1541 Manual
• 2 x Commodore Mouse 1351 Manual
• 3 x Spare Manuals of Coleco Vision Cartridge (Mouse Trap / Turbo / Time Pilot)
• 1 x 16k Memory Module for ATARI 800 (Boxed)
• 1 x Radio Shack TRS-80 Ribbon Daisy Wheel Printer II (Boxed)
• 1 x Donkey Kong Junior Coleco Vision Cartridge (Boxed)
• 1 x Narco Police C64 & C64GS Game Cartridge
• 1 x Simons’ Basic C64 Cartridge
• 1 x Power Cartridge for Commodore 64
• 1 x 16K Expansion Memory for Commodore VIC-20 (RED CASE)
• 1 x Homemade Joystick Interface for ZX-80/81
• 1 x Commodore 64 RS-232 Interface
• 1 x Multi Cartridge for VIC-20
• 1 x Protek Joystick Interface
• 1 x Philips MSX Mouse
• 1 x S.C.N. Modem for Commodore 64
• 1 x Modem House Spectrum VTX 711 for ZX Sepctrum (Boxed)
• 1 x Intel 8087
• 9 x IBM 2164-20 (RAM)
• 1 x Sony HITBIT HB-75P (MSX)
• 1 x Philips 8245 (MSX2)
• 1 x Frankenstein ZX-81 (Homemade wood case for ZX-81 with a ACORN Electron Keyboard) + Expansion Memory Inside. The worst thing i’ve ever seen.

Some RS-232 Gender Changer, Null Modem, RS-232 Tester and unknown cables.

The Frankenstein ZX-81 it works! the keyboard not but is not a problem of the keyboard but of the missing connections of the matrix, maybe an unfinished project ?

Gallery:

Thanks to my friend Andry for the donation of those two cartridges for Commodore 64/128.

Cartridges:

• KCS Cartridge for C64.
• Captain Miki II (Clone?) for C64.

Gallery:

Autopsy:

from MOS6502 Homepage:

The idea of running the multitude of CP/M software on your Commodore surely was one of the drivers for people to invest in the C128. But what about that obscure CP/M cartridge, containing of course the Z80 CPU (running at 3MHz), that Commodore released for the C64 in 1983?  Did this introduce CP/M for the classic Commodore computer?

At least in theory, the cartridge would open up the world of CP/M to the C64 user, but 1541 disk drive incompatibilities made it next to impossible to run CP/M software on the home computer.  A disk of, let’s say an Apple (CP/M) would simply not run and only produce a “Bad Track” or “Bad Sector” error.

Commodore quickly stopped manufacturing these cartridges and Commodore users had to wait till the C128 before they could really start playing around with CP/M So was the CP/M cartridge a complete waste?  Surely there would be some “proprietary” Commodore CP/M software for the C64? The answers are “no” and… “no”.

This may seem a bit contradictory but there was one neat little trick that you could do to actually run the CP/M programs out there and it didn’t involve the incompatible disk drive: you had to utilize the user port to transfer CP/M software from another machine… talk about some workaround!

Download: Cartridge Schematic & Manual (1678)

source: mos6502.com

Autopsy:

12►

from Richard Lagendijk Homepage:

This cartridge makes it possible to use hardware with a IEEE 488 interface with a Commodore C64. This could be a disk drive, printer or hard disk from the CBM / PET computer models.

source: richardlagendijk.nl

Autopsy:

Today i’m very happy to present three new cartridges for the Commodore 64.

• C64anabalt from Paulko64
• Blok Copy from Cosine
• Fortress of Narzod from Tristar & Red Sector Incorporated

Nowadays, i’m very pleased to see new cartridges for Commodore 64. Many years are gone but this computer doesn’t want to die and honestly i am very happy.

If you like to purchase these fantastic games go here.

source: rgcd.co.uk

Autopsy:

Today i’m happy to present two new cartridges for the Commodore 64; Not Even Human (NEH) Inhuman Edition from Onslaught and Edge Grinder from Cosine.

Nowadays, i’m very pleased to see new cartridges for Commodore 64. Many years are gone but this computer doesn’t want to die and honestly i am very happy.

If you like to purchase these fantastic games go here.

source: rgcd.co.uk

Autopsy:

The 1541 Ultimate-II is a peripheral developed for the Commodore 64 (C64) by Gideon Zweijtzer.

It’s a C64 compatible cartridge that carries an Action Replay, The Final Cartridge III, Super Snapshot, Retro Replay or TurboAss with Codenet support (whatever the user prefers) and a fully compatible FPGA-emulated Commodore 1541 floppy drive that is fed from a built-in Mini SD card slot with C64-compatible files (e.g. .D64 diskimages or .PRG single program files).

The difference between 1541 Ultimate-II and other SD-based & .D64 mounting cartridges (like the MMC64, Super Snapshot 2007, or MMC Replay, SD2IEC) is that the 6502 microprocessor that powers the 1541 floppy and the 1541′s mechanical behavior (even sound) is fully emulated, making it theoretically compatible with almost anything.

File selection and management is done via a third button on the cartridge that brings up a new menu on screen.

For the full features list click here.

source: 1541ultimate.net ar.c64.org

Autopsy:

Personal note (PLA Compatibility): I have tested the EasyFlash cartridge with a Commodore 64 with installed a PLA replacement by Manosoft and it works Perfectly!

I bought mine fully assembled from Mike Betz via Lemon64 Forums.

EasyFlash is a cartridge for the C64 expansion port. In contrast to traditional cartridges, this one can be programmed directly from the C64.

You can easily create various classic computer game cartridges, program collections or even a diagnostic cartridge to track down issues with your hardware with it. All what you need to do this is a C64, an EasyFlash, the software available here and an image of the cartridge (*.crt). As these CRT files may be quite large, a large disk drive like the FD-2000 or an sd2iec may be useful.

EasyFlash is not a freezer cartridge like the Final Cartridge III or the Retro Replay. And it’s no replacement for a 1541 disk drive like the sd2iec.

source: skoe.de/easyflash lemon64.com

Autopsy:

The Commodore 6499 is a modem made by Celint for Commodore in Italy. It was able to connect the Commodore 64 with Sip Videotel. Sip Videotel (now Telecom Italia) was unique telephone company in Italy that provided a sort of BBS with teletext.

The modem could transmit at 300/300 baud on BBSs, and 1200/75 baud on Videotel/Minitel.

Thanks to recompute33 for your donation.

Today i picked up a MS Pacman cartridges for Commodore 64 (Like new).

Autopsy:

Description:

• On the left: RS232c Interface for Commodore 64 (KIT: LX719 from Nuova Elettronica)
• On the right: Test Eprom Board cartridges.

Autopsy:

Datel’s 3 Slot Cartridge Expander for Commodore 64 (works on a 128 in 64 mode only).

Features:

• Accepts 3 Cartridges.
• Switch in/out any slot.
• Fully Buffered.
• Onboard safety fuse.
• High Grade PCB.
• Reset Button.