A new version of the firmware for the Kung Fu Flash Cartridge by Kim Jørgensen is released.

Changelog:

• Fix race condition in menu startup #206. Thanks lunadog

Download:

• Kung Fu Flash Firmware v1.52 (51)

source: github.com/KimJorgensen/KungFuFlash

Although these diagnostic roms for Intellivision are freely downloadable online i had a bit of trouble finding them so i decided to write this post.

The ZIP archive contains the ROMs and the .CFG file for the correct mapping.

Download: Mattel Intellivision Diagnostics Roms (273)

.- the inexpensive dual-SID/FM replacement that you can build yourself -.

SIDKick pico by Frenetic is a microcontroller-based C64 SID replacement. Analog inputs for paddles and mice are available just as for the original SID.

Changelog:

• Flashing PRGs from disk drive 8 (<200 blocks)
• Timing diagnostics and adjustment
• Removing of audio bumps/ramps in PWM output
• Optional offsetting of paddle values (in case diagnostic ROMs complain)

Note:

There are different .uf2-files are firmware files with PWM and/or DAC output, flashing (RGB-)LED on/off AND for hardware revision 0.1 and 0.2.

Please read the troubleshooting section in case you experience problems.

Review:

My SID Player plays SID tunes with the SIDKick-pico.
SIDKick-Pico by Frenetic.

Download: SIDKick-Pico Firmware v0.21 (324)

source: c64-wiki.com github.com/frntc/SIDKick-pico restore-store.de

It’s been 4 years since i last updated the firmware of these devices, so it was time to do so.

Gallery:

Download:

• Ultimate 1MB Firmware
• Side 2 Cartridge
• AVG Cartridge

A new version of the firmware for the Kung Fu Flash Cartridge by Kim Jørgensen is released.

Changelog:

• Support MACH 5 cartridge. Thanks Lord Kopromaster.

Download:

• Kung Fu Flash Firmware v1.51 (352)

source: github.com/KimJorgensen/KungFuFlash

A new firmware update for the ARMSiD has been released by Nobomi.

News features and fixes in FW 2.16:

• Fix for 2 MHz mode C128. Since this firmware ARMSID is functional for all modes and types of communication with C128 (even those incompatible with SID documentation).
• Added to the configuration the possibility to use the EXT IN input (pin 26) as an analog input and connect it to the internal mixer, as on the original chip. You should expect a slight increase in noise background from this input, I recommend using it only when you really need this feature.
• Also added to the configuration the possibility to change the emulation detection threshold of the 6581/8580 according to the input voltage (pin 28), so called autodetection. Originally this limit is set to 10.5V, what is below indicates 8580 emulation, what is above so 6581. With the new setting, this limit can be about 2V, so you can use logic levels of 5V or even just 3V for switching the emulation type (pin 28 is not used for power supply in ARMSID, only for voltage measurement, no power supply on this pin is required for function).

Download: ARMSiD v2.16 [PRG/D64/CONFIG] (369)

source: nobomi.cz github.com/nobomi/Arduino-ARMSID-configurator

.- the inexpensive dual-SID/FM replacement that you can build yourself -.

SIDKick pico by Frenetic is a microcontroller-based C64 SID replacement. Analog inputs for paddles and mice are available just as for the original SID.

Changelog:

• This release contains the fix for the NTSC-specific bug of firmware version 0.20 (and the fix for the bug I introduced with 0.201 :-)).

Note:

There are different .uf2-files are firmware files with PWM and/or DAC output, flashing (RGB-)LED on/off AND for hardware revision 0.1 and 0.2.

Review:

My SID Player plays SID tunes with the SIDKick-pico.
SIDKick-Pico by Frenetic.

Download: SIDKick-Pico Firmware v0.202 (298)

source: c64-wiki.com github.com/frntc/SIDKick-pico restore-store.de

.- the inexpensive dual-SID/FM replacement that you can build yourself -.

SIDKick pico by Frenetic is a microcontroller-based C64 SID replacement. Analog inputs for paddles and mice are available just as for the original SID.

Changelog:

• This release contains the fix for the NTSC-specific bug of firmware version 0.20.

Note:

There are different .uf2-files are firmware files with PWM and/or DAC output, flashing (RGB-)LED on/off AND for hardware revision 0.1 and 0.2.

Review:

My SID Player plays SID tunes with the SIDKick-pico.
SIDKick-Pico by Frenetic.

Download: SIDKick-Pico Firmware v0.201 (264)

source: c64-wiki.com github.com/frntc/SIDKick-pico restore-store.de

A new version of the firmware for the Ultimate U2+L by Gideon is released.

Changes in 3.11a:

• WiFi support – Now that the WiFi modules for the U2+L are available, you will need this firmware to enable it. In this zip there are two files; the firmware update for the cartridge itself (.u2l) file and the firmware file for the ESP WiFi module (.esp). They have to be applied in this order.
• Ethernet fix – Improves compatibility with some switches and routers. The LAN should now work with these.
• Garbled characters fix. – On some machines, especially on NTSC machines, the 3.11 firmware gave some timing issues. This build should fix that.
• Ulticopy fix – In 3.11 Ulticopy was broken; it should work again – supposedly – not tested.

Due to “life” (e.g. house renovation) there has not been any time for testing this firmware for other hardware platforms. Will come soon.

Download: Ultimate U2+L v3.11a Firmware (356)

source: ultimate64.com github.com facebook

.- the inexpensive dual-SID/FM replacement that you can build yourself -.

SIDKick pico by Frenetic is a microcontroller-based C64 SID replacement. Analog inputs for paddles and mice are available just as for the original SID.

Changelog:

• FM emulation
• built-in PRG launcher
• Some bugfixes, better stability (e.g. paddle/mouse handling).

Note:

There are different .uf2-files are firmware files with PWM and/or DAC output, flashing (RGB-)LED on/off AND for hardware revision 0.1 and 0.2.

Review:

My SID Player plays SID tunes with the SIDKick-pico.
SIDKick-Pico by Frenetic.

Download: SIDKick-Pico Firmware v0.20 (267)

source: c64-wiki.com github.com/frntc/SIDKick-pico restore-store.de

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v2.00 – 11/5/2024

Added:

• Added a new parameter in the configuration file (config.ini).
  • Now you can also choose the FPGASid as well as the ARMSID for SID auto switching.

Below is an excerpt from the “config.ini” file.

# FPGASid/Armsid Auto Switching (0:Disabled – 1:Socket #1 – 2:Socket #2) – default: 0
# When you use this mode the other socket it does not activate automatically.
FPGASID_SOCKET=0

• Implemented auto switching for the FPGASid.

When choosing this mode the FPGASid must be installed ONLY in one of the two sockets,  you must also choose which socket to use for the FPGASid by editing the configuration file.

When configuring auto switching for the FPGASid during boot the SID Player is displayed the message “FPGASid Socket #” followed by the socket number where the FPGASid was configured in the configuration file.  This message is intended only to inform you that the configuration has been correctly activated.

*** Please read if you want to use the FPGASid in Auto Switching mode ***

The status LED indicating the SID that is used to play the song will remain fixed on the socket where the FPGASid was installed, therefore it will not change between Socket #1 and Socket #2.

The display of the SID model from the music track being played will consequently be displayed Only on the display.

The ‘sidSet’ mode will work exactly as before, the only difference is that if no SID is installed in the other Socket no sound will be played :-D while if a SID model 6581 or 8580 is installed you will be able to compare the fidelity of the FPGASid by switching between the two SIDs (obviously better if the same model).

The configuration of the model of the Sid with which to play the piece of music in the configuration file although working in this case it is to be considered Virtual because we would no longer have a change of state between Sockets for each SID model, therefore i decided to assign a static numbering to the SID.

• Write 1 for the SID 8580 model
• Write 2 for the SID 6581 model

For files in DMP format (conversion from RSID to RAW) playback is automatically forced with the 8580 SID of the FPGASid.

Jumpers to configure if the FPGASid is installed:

• Filter capacitors (JP4/JP5 or JP6/JP7): Does not matter.
• SID voltage 9v/12v (JP2 or JP3): Does not matter.
• Resistor 1k (JP10 or JP15): Better to remove.

Updated:

• Slightly fixed timing for SID song playback. Unnoticeable problem :-D

Fixed:

• Config.ini Parser BUG. The “ARMSID_SOCKET” parameter was not read correctly.

NOTE: The SID Player currently only supports the FPGASID for SID auto switching.

A new version of the firmware for the Kung Fu Flash Cartridge by Kim Jørgensen is released.

Changelog:

• Fix loading via EF3 USB (since v1.49) #187 #189. Thanks stefagnani, mvancopp1, jperrin72

Download:

• Kung Fu Flash Firmware v1.50 (342)

source: github.com/KimJorgensen/KungFuFlash

A new version of the firmware for the Kung Fu Flash Cartridge by Kim Jørgensen is released.

Changelog:

• Hide hidden and system files/folders (#184). Thanks buzbard.
• Bugfix: Wait for a valid C64 clock before selecting NTSC/PAL handler.

Download:

• Kung Fu Flash Firmware v1.49 (336)

source: github.com/KimJorgensen/KungFuFlash

A new version of the firmware for the Ultimate-64 (U64/U64E) / U2/ U2+ / U2+L by Gideon is released.

Changes in 3.11, compared to 3.10i/j:

• This version adds WiFi support for the Ultimate 64 and Ultimate 64 Elite. Please read the manual on how to set up the ESP32 module. https://1541u-documentation.readthedocs.io/en/latest/howto/wifi.html
• Assembly 64 integration. Many users use the offline version of the great Assembly 64 online database, by running Fredrik’s tool to copy the content into folders onto a USB stick. Now, the Ultimate is the first embedded ever system that integrates access to this online database! You can now simply download and play titles directly from the internet on your Ultimate device. Please read the manual about this here: https://1541u-documentation.readthedocs.io/en/latest/howto/assembly.html
• The Ultimate now supports a basic http daemon; also known as webserver. This allows some simple files to be served from the Ultimate. This server also implements a ReSTful API, which allows an external device to control the Ultimate with standard web URLs. Read up on the API here: https://1541u-documentation.readthedocs.io/en/latest/api/api_calls.html
• JiffyDOS support for the built-in SoftwareIEC drive. This is a first step to make the internal drive more usable. More effort needs to be done to make the command set more compatible with CMD.
• On the Ultimate 64 it is now possible to isolate the serial bus from the computer, which allows the Ultimate 64 to be used as external drives. Look for “Serial Bus Mode” in the “Ultimate 64 Specific Settings”.

Fixes:

• Various small fixes, such as the telnet session closing upon mount, configuration of the cartrdiges that serve VIC data from external ROM, quite a few fixes in the emulated printer, configurable page margins, … and so on.

Download:

• U64/Ultimate-64 - U2 - U2+ - U2+L v3.11 (Core: v1.43) (483)

source: ultimate64.com github.com facebook

A new version of the firmware for the AVGCART (SD multicart for 8bit Atari) by tmp is released.

The AVGCART is a FPGA based multicart for 8bit Atari computers, extensible with SIO and/or ECI/PBI cables.

• supports CAR (cartridge dump) files up to 1MB and most bankswitching types
• supports XEX (executable) files
• supports ATR (floppy image) files (read/write) – support is limited without an optional SIO or ECI/PBI cable due to Atari cartridge port constraints (e.g. SW that uses RAM under OS does not work)
• supports ATX (protected floppy image) files (read-only, SIO cable required)
• supports CAS (cassette) files (SIO cable required)
• supports AVF (video) files
• supports PDM (audio) files
• fast file search, file shortcuts, randomizer and tons of other features
• when used with optional ECI/PBI cable, it can expand ATARI memory to up to 576kB, it can also provide extra 48kB RAM to stock 16kB 600XL machines (some limitations apply)
• firmware upgradeable via SD card (no additional hw needed)
• SIDE2 emulation (compatible with U1MB and SpartaDOS X)
• ability to stack emulated cart with emulated SpartaDOS X cart, together with SIDE2 emulated HDD
• unlike some other products, most of the functionality is running inside the cart and not on the host machine’s CPU which makes it faster and more versatile (it can do stuff in parallel with host machine without having to gain 6502 control and doesn’t require soldering extra internal upgrades like Ultimate 1MB for some basic functionality like ATR emulation or memory expansion)
• compatible with 600XL, 800XL/XE, 65XE, 130XE, XEGS (cartridge shell is too wide for 1200XL, bare pcb will fit, it is also too tall for 800, can be used with cartridge door opened and door switch triggered)

Changelog (v0029):

Download:

• AVGCART [0029] (365)
• AVGCART Manual (1835)

source: atariage.com