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Preview: Unboxing Manosoft C64SD Infinity v2.0

May 19th, 2011 No comments
C64SD Infinity v2.0

Autopsy:

Preview of the new Manosoft C64SD Infinity v2.0.

This project is interesting not only because it’s another mass-storage solution but because it combines already existing solutions to a new and fresh product. Damiano has always followed all the Commdore related websites and forums especially concerning the MMC and SD2IEC projects.

That’s when he got the idea to build a solution for which one doesn’t need soldering, wire cutting or the IEC cable. C64SD utilizes the Datasette pass-through connector to power the SD2IEC circuit. An IEC pass-through connector connects right into the IEC port.

The whole module stand vertical along the back of the C64/128 (or VIC20). The module is fitted with two rather large buttons, one reset and one diskswap/multi-function button.

Remember: with a external power supply the C64SD works fine with Commodore 16/Plus4.

C64SD Infinity new Features:

  • TAPE pass-through connector.
  • Reset on User Port.
  • CPU Type ATMEL ATmega 1284P(128k)
  • SD Filesystem for firmware upgrade FAT16/32
  • Standard Commodore 128 IEC Cable.

The interface can be purchased on the Manosoft site.

source: manosoft.it youtube.com

HxC mount v1.00 for Atari ST/Falcon

May 18th, 2011 No comments

HxCmount is a piece of software for your Atari ST that transform your HxC Floppy Emulator SD card into a hard disk emulator.

Once loaded, you will be able to use a new disk letter (C: for example) exactly as a hard disk partition, the only thing is that the partition resides on a image file on your SD card.

Requirements:

  • An hardware Atari ST computer.
  • A HxC Floppy Emulator SD card.
  • HxC FE firmware version: 1.6.0.0

source: hxcmount.atomas.com

HxC Floppy Emulator: Software updated

May 18th, 2011 No comments

The HxC Floppy Drive Emulator is a software and hardware system created by jfdn aka Jeff.

The aim of this project is to replace the floppy disk drive by an electronic device emulating the floppy disk drive (list of supported Computer/Hardware).

There are two differents emulators:

  • A USB version which allows to connect the floppy disk drive interface of the computer to a PC via a USB cable.
  • A SDCARD version which allows to emulate floppy disks which images are stored in a SDCARD.

Release notes for the HxCFloppyEmulator software v1.6.8.0:

  • New track generator implemented.
  • Use of the new track generator for Most of file loaders.
  • New files Support : *.ADF Amiga/UAE Extended ADF file format (old and new format)
  • New files Support : *.ADF Acorn  file format.
  • New files Support : *.SSD/*.DSD Acorn BBC file format.
  • New files Support : *.ADL Acorn BBC file format.
  • New files Support : *.D77/*.88D/*.D8U/*.2D/*.D68
  • New files Support : *.FDI file format. (Zx Spectrum…)
  • New files Support : *.LDF (CamputersLynx) file format. (Beta)
  • New files Support : *.D81 file format (C64+1581). (Beta)
  • New files Support : *.DMK file format (TRS-80)
  • New files Support : *.vegasdsk file format (“Tavernier” / Vegas 6809)
  • D88 files Support : 1DD format support.
  • … full release notes here

source: hxc2001.free.fr

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

Retro Innovations Zoom Floppy & ROM-el

April 20th, 2011 No comments
Retro Innovations Zoom Floppy & ROM-el and IEEE-488 connector.

Autopsy:

ZoomFloppy is an USB device for connecting Commodore disk drives to your PC. The ZoomFloppy is an improvement based on XU1541 from Till Harbaum.

Nate Lawson and Jim Brain teamed up to produce a professional product. This controller will support IEC drives, IEEE-488 drives and a user-port connection for parallel.

source: go4retro.com ieee488 beta software docs & firmware

FPGA Arcade site updated: Amiga AGA workbench Demo

April 14th, 2011 No comments

This site is about recreating gaming hardware from the past in modern programmable devices, known as FPGAs.

source: fpgaarcade.com

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

Nano SwinSID Prototype: Unboxing and first Impressions

April 5th, 2011 2 comments
Nano SwinSID prototype (component side)

Nano SwinSID Prototype by x1541:

This project is based on the microcontroller ATMEGA88PU from Atmel and the emulation code is written by Swinkels.

The prototype of Nano SwindSID is a scaled down version of the Micro SwinSID, so far so good, and here’s my initial impression.

x1541, a user of the forum64.de has made a very nice work, the pcb has the same size of the original SID chip (6581/8580), the components are arranged very well and the entire space of the pcb was used. I can just say to buy it when the Nano SwinSID kit will be available, your money will be spent well.

Nano SwinSID Features:

  • ISP Connector.
  • Same size as the original SID.
  • 6581/8580 Jumper.
  • Smd ATmega.

source: forum64.de

Unboxing Commodore EasyFlash Cartridge

March 31st, 2011 No comments
Skoe EasyFlash Cartridge

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

FPGA Arcade site updated: boards shipped to beta testers

March 12th, 2011 No comments

This site is about recreating gaming hardware from the past in modern programmable devices, known as FPGAs.

source: fpgaarcade.com

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

nanoSwinSID PCB by x1541

February 27th, 2011 No comments

x1541, a user of the forum64.de has decided to scale down and update the pcb of the Micro SwinSID.

Download: NanoSwinSID PCB (33.34 Kb)

Features:

  • ISP Connector.
  • Same size as the original SID.
  • 6581/8580 Jumper.
  • Smd ATmega.

source: forum64.de

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

Micro ZoomFloppy

February 17th, 2011 No comments

Micro ZoomFloppy is a reduced version of the ZoomFloppy interface.

The interface Micro ZoomFloppy will sit in the 6522 IC socket of the Commodore Floppy Drive and provides the complete ZoomFloppy functionality.  The only external connection is a USB connector.

source: go4retro.com

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

Linus Åkesson: The Chipophone

January 2nd, 2011 No comments

The Chipophone is a homemade 8-bit synthesizer, especially suited for live chiptune playing. It has been built inside an old electronic organ.

All the original tone-generating parts have been disconnected, and the keys, pedals, knobs and switches rerouted to a microcontroller which transforms them into MIDI signals.

Those are then parsed by a second microcontroller, which acts as a synthesizer.

Here some video examples:

source: linusakesson.net

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

Tiny Eprommer Software for Easyflash

December 31st, 2010 No comments

This is a tiny eprommer software. You need a external interface connected via commodore 64 userport for burn eprom. The programmed chip will be used later with the Easyflash cartridge.

source: noname.c64.org

Commodore USA shows his baby, The Commodore 64 clone

December 26th, 2010 No comments

Commodore 64 it’s back… and better than ever! The new C64 is a modern functional PC as close to the original in design as humanly possible.

It houses a modern mini-ITX PC motherboard featuring a Dual Core 525 Atom processor and the latest Nvidia Ion2 graphics chipset. It comes in the original taupe brown/beige color, with other colors to follow.

source: commodoreusa.net

HxC Floppy Emulator: Software updated

December 23rd, 2010 2 comments

The HxC Floppy Drive Emulator is a software and hardware system created by jfdn aka Jeff.

The aim of this project is to replace the floppy disk drive by an electronic device emulating the floppy disk drive (list of supported Computer/Hardware).

There are two differents emulators:

  • A USB version which allows to connect the floppy disk drive interface of the computer to a PC via a USB cable.
  • A SDCARD version which allows to emulate floppy disks which images are stored in a SDCARD.

Release notes for the HxCFloppyEmulator software v1.5.1.0:

  • New files Support : Jeff Vavasour Color Computer Disk Image format (*.JVC) added.
  • Floppy disk dump tool/ HFE conversion : Bitrate value are now corrected.
  • Floppy disk dump tool : a small GUI change.
  • D88 file format support improved.
  • HDM file support : gap len increased to 116.
  • FAT12 Floppy Generator enhanced : More FAT12 floppy format available, FAT geometry adjusted/corrected.
  • FAT12 Floppy Generator : Sources files on the PC side are now correctly closed in case of fail.
  • E-Mu SP1200 support : E-Mu SP1200 RAW file image support added (*.sp1200fd)
  • ISO/IBM track generator : Skew/interleave generator bug corrected.

source: hxc2001.free.fr

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

ZoomFloppy: Commodore floppy drive Interface

December 15th, 2010 No comments

ZoomFloppy is an USB device for connecting Commodore disk drives to your PC.

The ZoomFloppy is an improvement based on XU1541 from Till Harbaum. Nate Lawson and Jim Brain teamed up to produce a professional product.

This controller will support IEC drives, IEEE-488 drives and a user-port connection for parallel speeder drives.

source: jbrain.com commodore-gg.hobby.nl

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today