Replaced the first C64 with the colored keycaps.

Follow me for the other keys replacements ;-D

Gallery:

Finally a useful object that works very well and i have tried many.

This mini vacuum cleaner (4hapa) that uses a BRUSHLESS motor (be careful when choosing which model to buy) besides the “vacuum cleaner” mode it also has the “blower” mode and i assure you that it BLOWS and quite a lot (two selectable speeds).

So finally i can finally say goodbye to compressed air spray!!!

The package includes over 4 spare filters (washable), various adapters, the USB battery charger (5v to 9v) and a bag.

The only negative note; Yes! it makes some noise! i’ll get a reason.

Video:

source: aliexpress.com

Observing these two displays at first glance there are no big differences are noticed.

Wrong! the Display where you reads V2.0 (updated version of the previous one), also works perfectly if inserted very close to the PCB of a Switching Power Supply, the other one instead at Random resets and displaying 888 just move it 10 CM away from the Switching Power Supply PCB and it works perfectly.

I wanted to share this news because i’m not the only one with this bizarre problem.

Gallery:

I have also bought a LED spectrum analyzer, very nice and impressive but certainly not suitable for professional use, but who cares!

The technical features are many and not very intuitive to be changed with just two buttons on the back.

However, I’ll summarize them very briefly:

• Automatic detection of Microphone or Audio Input (Jack 3.5).
• Ability to disable the clock.
• 12 display modes.
• 7 color modes.
• 84 display effects can be combined.
• 8 brightness modes.
• Clock adjustment.
• 4 time display modes.
• Alarm clock function.
• Custom RGB colors.
• USB 5v power supply.

Below are some photos of the inside.

The reset button is very curious can cannot be reached from the outside (missing the hole) and also a Micro USB connector unusable from the outside of the case.

I attach the datasheets of the integrated circuits that are used and the manual in English language that was sent to me via email, the one available by scanning the QR Code of the product is only Chinese :-D

Gallery:

Download:

• LED Spectrum Analyzer PDF Datasheet (441)
• LED Spectrum Analyzer PDF English Manual (425)

source: aliexpress.com

Testing OSSC through the component Video of the TI-99/4A

The ODV-II although it is placed above the OSSC is not used, i could not remove it because it is attached with bioadhesive :D

Gallery:

Below are my presets in binary format of the OSSC with firmware v0.90.

• 0: Amiga RGB
• 1: Amiga Overscan RGB
• 2: Commodore 64 Svideo through ODV-II
• 3: SupaBoy RGB
• 4: TI-99 YPbPr
• 5: Apple II+ Composite through ODV-II

Download: OSSC Binary Presets (297)

Still in beta stage but interesting this software written by SLC that allows you to write and read C64 file formats (D64/G64) using a regular 360k Floppy Drive with the Greaseweazle interface.

To understand how this program works, you should first read the README found in the program archive.

I tried it personally and it works quite well, the only problem is the double sided management of Floppy Disks for Commodore 64, i don’t want to dwell too much on this question but in other words the Floppy Drive PCs do not allow you to turn the floppy disk to use also the other side of the Floppy Disk, the optical sensor is present only on the left side of the reader (the Floppy Drive of the Commodore 64 does not have this sensor).

There are MODs to get around this annoying problem, mods that are not exactly immediate and not for all Floppy Drive.

So let’s say it outspoken, if you want to read and write Floppy Disks for Commodore 64 what i recommend is the software OPENCBM + Hardware XUM (ZoomFloppy) or similar and a native Commodore 64 (1541/1541-II) drive. :-D … and everything is great.

Download: Disc Disk Revolution 64 v0.99B3

I also wanted to try the ODV-II converter to be able to use the OSSC also with CVBS and S-VIDEO inputs (OSSC does not natively support this type of video inputs).

I have chosed this product and not others for three reasons:

• The cost.
• Video quality, absolute perfection wasn’t important.
• Signal output converted to YPbPr.

The result went above expectations, works well, the output of the ODV-II is in component (YPbPr) so the SCART-RGB and VGA inputs remain free on the OSSC, furthermore the ODV-II has a third YPbPr input.

The ODV-II also has the possibility of selecting some Video filters via a small button, filters which i find absolutely embarrassing in fact i have configured it in pass-through mode and another small button to select the video inputs.

Below are the photos of some tests with the Commodore 64 where i have used the S-Video output and also the photos of the PCB because i didn’t find them on the net, i also attach the datasheets of the integrated circuits that are used.

Gallery:

12►

Download:

I have replaced my cheap SCART RGB to HDMI/DVI converter with the OSSC (Open Source Scan Converter)

I had been wanting to buy this interesting peripheral for some time and given the availability on Amazon with one day shipping with PRIME and the mature firmware and also the developing active, thanks to marqs, i did this crazy thing.

Some aspects of the software can certainly be improved but it already works just fine.

I’m not going to explain what this device does and doesn’t , you can find everything on the net.

Example:

Wiki: https://junkerhq.net/xrgb/index.php/OSSC
Firmware: http://www.infocult.com/m/ossc/fw/
Beta Firmware: https://videogameperfection.com/forums/topic/ossc-v1-xx-series-beta-firmware/
GitHub: https://github.com/marqs85/ossc

Some time has passed since the last and useless purchase and like the previous ones there is little to say all the “mini” are practically identical, change the external box, the menu and some chips inside that for the occasion are the latest version (more or less).

I used a very lame HDMI to Composite Video converter to try it with a CRT monitor.

Gallery:

12►

Click on the image for the actual size.

Many thanks to Fabs/Hokuto Force, Onslaught for a new Logo for Nightfall Crew. The photo was made using a U64 with RGB video output and a Sony monitor.

Download the Nightfall Logo in PRG format from here

Click on the image for the actual size.

Many thanks to Fabs/Hokuto Force, Onslaught for the Logo. The photo was made using a U64 with RGB video output and a Sony monitor.

Download the Nightfall Logo in PRG format from here

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

Changelog (v0024):

• PDS/COV/COS files run PDSPLAY/COVPLAY/COSPLAY
• added ability to select (TAB) CAR files
• selected files (ATR, CAS, CAR) don’t have to be in the same directory anymore, selection is cleared only after returning to the selector
• ENTER on ATR/CAS/CAR file will replace the selection so SPACE was added to run with selected files, ignoring current file under cursor
• search now allows navigation during searching and editing search string
• CTRL-L disables item shortcuts and allows starting search by typing instead of ‘/’
• ESC stops search, exiting search requires 2x ESC (to prevent accidental exit when search stops at the same time user tries to stop it)
• disable cart was changed to SHIFT-ESC
• short filenames should finally (hopefully) have proper case
• filenames longer than screen width should be (finally) properly sorted
• type 57 (2kB) fixed
• right cart button will disable cart for carts <= 16kB (to make some CS turbo carts work)

New keys:

• SPACE – run selected files (ignores item under cursor)
• CTRL-L – toggle key shortcuts

Changed keys:

• ESC -> SHIFT-ESC (disable cart and reboot)

Changelog (v0023):

• [ECI] Auto-enable cart menu after reset (CTRL-SHIFT-E to enable, CTRL-E to disable)
• [ECI] Patched OS for ATR emulation is forced as ROM, not just loaded into RAM under ROM, increases compatibility
• [ECI+SIO] When emulating ATR, HSIO patched OS with inverted OPTION (BASIC off) is forced

Changelog (v0022):

• [ECI] EXTMEM support up to 512kB (CTRL-SHIFT-M to enable, CTRL-M to disable)

Download:

• AVGCART [0024] (556)
• AVGCART Manual (750)

source: atariage.com

Against all trends, a simple photo without unboxing.