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Archive for the ‘Hardware’ Category

Unboxing Sic!Cart flash cartridge for ATARI (XE/XL)

June 19th, 2011 No comments
Sic!Cart flash cartridge for Atari

Autopsy:

The Sic!Cart (Super Inexpensive Cart) is a low price Flash Cartridge System for the Atari XL/XE series computers.

Sic!Cart available configurations:

  • Programmed GAL.
  • Sic!Cart with 2Mbit memory.
  • Sic!Cart with 4Mbit memory.

source: atariage.com

ZXpand Interface for ZX81 and Timex-Sinclair

June 19th, 2011 1 comment

The ZXpand interface is a brand new interface for the Sinclair ZX81, and Timex-Sinclair TS/1000 Home Computers.

The ZXpand interface offers 32K of expanded memory (which is configurable to support various hi-resolution graphics modes), instant file access to .p files stored on SD memory cards and more.

The Sinclair ZX81 ZXpand interface will also allow you to connect an Atari style 9 pin joystick port to play either specially written or specially adapted games.

The ZXpand provides the following facilities:

  • SD Memory Card reader – for instant loading from / saving to .p files (used by ZX81 emulators)
  • 32K of configurable RAM memory, which can then be set up to use the various hi-resolution graphics schemes for the Sinclair ZX81.
  • New keywords are added to the system ROM to allow you to load and save programs, produce a catalogue of files on the memory
    card, configure the ZXpand Interface, and delete files.
  • You can still load programs from cassette as well as using the interface, to allow you to copy files onto the SD memory card.
  • Sub-directories are supported on the memory card.
  • The new ROM can be switched off once a program is loaded, in order to allow access to LPRINT, LLIST and COPY commands.
  • There is a built in reset button to reset the ZX81 without having to pull the power lead.

Download: ZXpand Manual (2295)

source: rwapsoftware.co.uk

Unboxing 1541 Ultimate-II by Gideon Zweijtzer

June 18th, 2011 6 comments
1541 Ultimate-II / Tape Adapter / IEC Cable / Micro SD HC / Manual

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

HxC Floppy Emulator: Software updated

June 17th, 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 v1.6.9.0:

  • New files Support : Kurzweil KRZ file support.
  • New files Support : EDE EDM (Ensoniq Mirage) file image support.
  • A new “About” window ;).
  • … full release notes here

Download: HxCFloppyEmulator software v1.6.9.0 (921)

source: hxc2001.free.fr

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

Unboxing IDE Plus 2.0 for ATARI (XE/XL)

June 15th, 2011 1 comment
IDE Plus 2.0 interface

Autopsy:

IDE Plus 2.0 is a new IDE host adapter by Simius for Atari (XE/XL) computer.

Some features:

  • Is not much greater than a 2,5-inch IDE disk.
  • Does not require an external power-supply.
  • Contains an XE (CART+ECI) connector, an XL (PBI) connector, a cartridge port, and a connector for a 2,5-inch IDE disk.
  • Contains 96 KB ISP Flash ROM and 32 KB RAM available to the internal PBI BIOS and flashable from the Atari.
  • Contains 512 KB or 1024 KB ISP Flash ROM for SpartaDOS X (or any other cartridge of such type), flashable from the Atari. This ROM can be physically disabled using a dedicated switch. The switch is not installed in the device shown on photos below.
  • Contains a real time clock circuitry to be used with SpartaDOS X. If someone doesn’t want to use it, the module is anyway fully compatible with an external R-Time 8 or internally mounted ARC.
  • A LED flashing during the I/O.

source: atariage.com

 

Internal Stereo SID board for the C64 and C128

June 10th, 2011 2 comments

This is a compact, feature-filled dual-SID board, designed to provide a proper way to mount a second SID inside your C64 or C128 without resorting to the old piggyback hack.

Variations available to fit most C64 and C128 computers. Second SID can be placed at any 32-byte boundary from $DE00 to $DFE0, and it works in the $D420-$D4E0 range also. C128/C128-D users can also use $D700-$D7E0.

Easy no-solder installation – just move your computer’s SID chip onto the Stereo SID board, plug it into the motherboard SID socket, and connect a few micro-hook clips.

source: digitalaudioconcepts.com

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

petSD: A cards storage for Commodore with IEEE 488 bus

June 10th, 2011 No comments

petSD is the name of the new AVR-based hardware. It’s a modern mass storage solution for Commodore PET/CBM computers with IEEE 488 bus using SD cards as floppy or hard disc replacement.

If you know the SD2IEC or µIEC: the petSD is just the same but for the older parallel IEEE 488 bus instead of the newer serial IEC bus.

The petSD is still a work in progress and there still are some issues.

A petSD consists of at least:

  • ATmega 1284P.
  • Red and a green LED (may be combined in one).
  • SD slot.
  • IEEE 488 connector.

source: nils eilers homepage

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

ZoomFloppy: IEEE-488 Firmware support

June 4th, 2011 No comments

The support of the IEEE-488 protocol (thanks to Tommy Winkler) is officially part of OpenCBM distibution.

You can find newest source code for ZoomFloppy in the Opencbm GIT repository.

Software revision v0.6 for IEEE-488 support:

  • Device detection for 3040, 4040, 8050, 8250, SFD-1001 (as 8250).
  • CBMCTRL.
  • CBMCOPY.
  • D64COPY for 4040 (thanks to TNT) and 2031.
  • D82COPY for 8050, 8250 and SFD-1001.

Firmware revision v0.07 for IEEE-488 support:

  • 0.7 (2011/5/10) – Add IEEE-488 support (thanks to Tommy Winkler).

source: sourceforge.net tommy winkler homepage retro innovations

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

Hybrid SID (chipTune) Player by Markus Gritsch

May 31st, 2011 No comments

The Hybrid SID is a portable SID Player with a OLED LCD and a USB connector.

The Hybrid SID plays the most common variety of chiptunes, music written for playback on a SID chip. Probably the biggest collection of SID music is the High Voltage SID Collection, which has 36,000 SID tunes, free to download.

This prototype use a real SID chip (6581/8580) for play music and a CUI32 PIC32MX Development Stick for the CPU (6510) Emulation.

A YouTube video is available here.

source: dangerousprototypes.com

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

Commodore 64 SmartReset (V2)

May 28th, 2011 No comments

This is a quick and secure reset button for Commodore 64. This simple project was made by a Italian guy, a user of Lemon64 forum.

source: lemon64.com

HxC Floppy Emulator: Software updated

May 24th, 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 v1.6.8.1:

  • Amiga/UAE Extended ADF file (new format) loader : crash corrected (Bitrate corrected).
  • All Amiga loader (IPF,ADF,DMS…) : Index timing adjusted.
  • Track encoder : Amiga track post gap corrected.
  • … full release notes here

source: hxc2001.free.fr

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

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