The RGB LED strip (APA102C) is a feature that has been added since the firmware version V1.0D, this version will be released very soon.
In the photos you can see two different Keyboard Mount Set and Accessories, in the first 7 photos (Transparent case) i have used the KIT sold by PixelWizard.eu and in the following 10 photos (SX-64 style case) i have used the kit sold by corei64.com
Both KITs do their job and integrate perfectly with the case.
Just a note, but it was my error, i didn’t read the description written on the site, the kit sold by corei64.com is not compatibile with the U64 motherboards v1.0 because there is a keyboard adapter, i solved quite easily by cutting a piece of plastic of the right side keyboard support.
The two ULTIMATE 64 custom stickers with their S/N and the SX-64 Style C64C Case are on sale on PixelWizard.eu.
The transparent C64C case is no longer available and comes from an old campaign on Kickstarter.
Gallery:
Video:
Easy Mod to add a single 64Mb simm to the Apollo 1260.
What is needed to be made this hack:
- Cover any area affected by heat of the Apollo 1260.
- Use a Hot Air Rework Station and carefully lift the mach socket away.
- Clean and tin the mach chip pads and the mach chip.
- Brush the pads with a good flux in cream.
- Position the mach chip back on the pads and reheat with a Hot Air Rework Station or Soldering iron.
- Remove foil / protection and inspect well the solder.
- Clean and test.
- Fit 64Mb Mod socket. (pins towards ram socket)
- Remove a resistor and solder wires to Marmes Mod PCB. (see photos)
- Clean & inspect.
- Fit the 64Mb RAM simm and test.
Gallery:
Download: Apollo 1260 64Mb Hack (first version not updated) (633)
source: amibay.com
This is a collection of old photos (2017) of an article that i wanted to publish and i never wrote and i will never do.
So i will briefly sum up, the PI2Scart for Raspberry 3B+ works very well but you have to configure the video settings for each emulators.
I tried the SCART RGB output with different monitors and it always worked very well also with a TAXAN Vision EX Monitor, which is not the top for RGB compatibility.
Gallery:
source: arcadeforge.net pi2jamma.info/pi2scart
This is the last batch of iNTY ZOE RGB v2.0. I just want to inform for those interested that i’m starting the assembling.
I could not resist the temptation to try also this “we hope it will be the last one!” FPGA implementation of the SID (Sound Interface Device) MOS 6581 / 8580, i’m talking about the fpgaSID by andi6510.
Probably this is the best implementation using an FPGA of the sound chip of the Commodore 64. If we make a quick comparison with the implementation made by Gideon for the Ultimate-64, both are the best ever.
It remains however understood that the audiophiles and purist of the sound generated of a original SID will never accept any implementation of the SID via FPGA.
andi6510 also wrote a software for the Commodore 64 (ConfiGuru) to configure the various fpgaSID options and for upgrade the firmware.
Below some information taken from the fpgaSID site.
Accurate replication of the original SID MOS6581 and MOS8580:
- Exact reproduction of the digital sound generation part
- Spice simulation of the analog filters
- Advanced models for all 6581 non-linearities
Many extra features on top of the original SID:
- FPGASID includes two fully functional SIDs for 6-voice stereo sound
- Perfect audio quality – much better than the original SID!
- Pseudo stereo mode mixes traditional tunes or game sounds to stereo
- Digitize the analog input to 8-bit samples (in your own software)
- Sample playback of 8-bit samples (in your own software)
- Nice light organ effect visible when mounted in transparent case
- Paddles readout even more accurate than the original SID
High compatibility:
- Works in any C64/SX64 or C128
- Works with any software written for standard single SID computers
- Works with large existing software base for dual SID stereo tunes
- Paddle and 1351 Mouse support
- Analog input EXTIN fully supported
Easy configuration with the software tool ConfiGuru:
- Individual configuration of every SID
- Easy- and Expert configuration modes
- Save up to two configuration sets permanently in flash memory
- Easy update to new firmware directly on your C64
- Flexible address allocation of the second SID
- Diagnostic function to troubleshoot hardware problems
Easy installation:
- Installation done in 20 minutes
- No soldering required for all main features (except external configuration switch, when needed)
- Much smaller than traditional stereo boards thus avoiding installation trouble
Gallery:
Video:
source: fpgasid.de
ARMSid (6581/8580 Replacement) by Nobomi.
I could not resist the temptation to try also this emulation of the SID 6581/8580 with the STM32F410 ARM Cortex M4, i’m talking about the ARMSid by Nobomi.
The fast shipping and the courtesy of Nobomi are certainly very well but also the packaging, the ARMSid is shipped in a plastic case to avoid any problem with the shipping.
The sound and the “audio” feeling are good like the SwinSID Ultimate but better, personally i would place the ARMDSid between the Original SID and the SwinSID Ultimate, Nobomi you have made a very good job. Congratulations.
Nobomi also wrote a software for Commodore 64 to configure the various ARMSid options and another software to update the Firmware.
Some information taken from the Nobomi site:
What is it ?:
- A new replacement of the MOS6581 and MOS8580 used in the Commodore C64. It is minimalistic (in simplicity of circuit and use, not in function and power).
- Real “plug & play” solution. Just insert instead of the original SID into the slot and it’s done.
- It determines (through supply voltages) which chip it replaces and starts the appropriate emulation (it can be changed later in software).
- No need to switch the PAL / NTSC version, the circuit uses directly the clock from the computer bus, always synchronous with the C64.
- It also emulates analog inputs (joysticks, mouse, etc. – POTX and POTY inputs)
- Analog output is sufficiently buffered, it is not necessary to change anything on the computer board for proper operation.
- Output sampling frequency is 1/16th bus clock of C64 (approx. 62kHz), real 12bit D/A converter, no pwm.
- Filters completely transferred to digital form, emulated by float point arithmetic.
- Significantly lower noise level and less interference from the power supply than the original :)
- Lower power consumption than the original.
- Firmware update possible inside the C64.
- Emulates all waveforms, and even “samples” (at least some of them, Ghostbusters laugh, Chimera screams at you).
- Full support of analog filters (LowPass, BandPass, HighPass, combination, Q quality control).
- Emulation of OSC3 and ENV3 registers (little delay, approximately 16 clocks of the C64 bus).
- Joysticks and mice work.
What is inside ?:
- A few resistors, capacitors, one stabilizer, one opamp and a processor. That’s all, parts only from one side.
- The only programmable circuit is the STM32F410, ARM Cortex M4 with HW float point arithmetic at 100MHz.
- Analogue output amplified via the AD8515 opamp.
- Stabilizer for the 3.3V processor, the processor itself has 5V tolerance inputs.
Firmware:
- New features in FW 2.6:
- Optimization for speed again (approx. 10ns more faster response to read registers, faster processing of writing registers).
- New features in FW 2.5:
- Again faster interrupt (approx. 10ns more faster response to read registers).
- New features in FW 2.4:
- Further optimization of the interrupt (approx. 20ns faster response to read registers).
- New features in FW 2.3:
- A part of source code (interrupt routine) has been rewritten in assembler and manually optimized.
- It makes a possibility to control the bus only through the CS signal (no need for O2 clock synchronization, so it can run on systems with a different CPU than MOS6502 now).
- Low frequency limit and filter strength settings and saving settings to permanent flash memory.
Gallery:
Download:
ARMSiD Video:
source: ARMSiD Homepage
Very nice adapter designed by Rolo that allows you to use the Rolo Multi-Cartridge also on the Emerson Arcadia 2001 / GIG Leonardo and Hanimex HMG-2650 console.
The Eprom need to be installed in the Multi-Cartridge and contains 64 games all fully working.
This is a good alternative for those who don’t want to spend an important amount of money for the Multicart Arcadia 2001.
Thanks Rolo for this great extension (Adapter) for the Multi-Cartridge.
Gallery:
Video:
source: atariage.com
The Penultimate+ Cartridge is a menu driven RAM/ROM cartridge for your Commodore VIC20 PAL or NTSC.
The Memory Expansion is selectable from 3-35k and include 70+ ROMS including tfw8b exclusive games titles.
Many thanks for this gift to Dave Curran of Tynemouth Software and tfw8b (The Future Was 8Bit)
Gallery:
Click here to buy the PenUltimate+ Cartridge.
I tried the SwinSID Ultimate (SID 6581/8580 Replacement) by CodeKiller & Hermit and the base work by Swinkels with a Commodore 64 and the Ultimate-64 by Gideon and i must say that it works well without any problem.
The sound and the feel is good and knowing many SID tunes i did some comparisons, i can only say that these two Hungarian guys have done a Great job.
Forget immediatly how sounded the old Swinsid.
Some information taken from the SwinSID Ultimate site:
A duo from Hungary, Máté “CodeKiller” Sebők and Mihály “Hermit” Horváth have been working on improving SwinSID, originally developed by Swinkels.
List of improvements:
It has full feature compatibility with the original SID (over the old SwinSID):
- paddle/mouse support.
- readable registers (OSC3/ENV3)
- external audio in.
- bitfade.
- proper ADSR-bug support.
- fast ADSR attack rate (thanks to the self-correcting rate-counter)
- ‘Lazy Jones’ and ‘180’ -like gate and test-bit workaround (no missing note)
- proper 23bit noise-waveform calculation –> better “random” numbers.
- full 3V p-p output range w/o 1KOhm load (same as 8580)
- improved filter quality (16bit) and resonance-table for both SID model.
- improved waveform calculation (full 16 bit)
- high resolution combined waveform-tables.
It has enhancements over the original SID:
- clean anti-aliased bandlimited sound at high pitches.
- undistorted mixed digi tunes and eliminated volume-change click thanks to AC/DC separation of master volume register.
- Softconfig — software configurable options for a number of aspects of the operation.
- LEDs which intensity represents the active channels volume.
- LED displaying the active (classic) digi playback.
- or in case of the new Mahoney-digi, the entire array acts like a VU-meter.
Software configuration options:
- change between 8580/6581 behaviour (filter, ADSR, combined waveforms)
- change between PAL/NTSC pitch.
- enable/disable external audio input (less external noise)
- if enabled, then CAN be enabled to sample trough OSC3 register.
- enable/disable startup “ding”(beep)
- upload 3 banks of 256 bytes custom waveforms.
- “transparent” mute for channels — does not affect the sync, OSC3/ENV3,..
Gallery:
Download:
SwinSID Ultimate Video:
Pi1541 is a real-time, cycle exact, Commodore 1541 disk drive emulator that can run on a Raspberry Pi 3B (or 3B+). The software is free and I have endeavored to make the hardware as simple and inexpensive as possible.
Pi1541 provides you with an SD card solution for using D64, G64, NIB and NBZ Commodore disk images on real Commodore 8 bit computers such as:
- Commodore 64
- Commodore 128
- Commodore Vic20
- Commodore 16
- Commodore Plus4
source: cbm-pi1541.firebaseapp.com
The Ultimate 64 is a hardware implementation (FPGA) of the entire Commodore 64, and it includes the Ultimate-II+ / LAN / Wi-Fi / HDMi / RGB and many more cool things. An ALL IN ONE solution!
For more information and orders, visit the website.
Ultimate 64 Unboxing:
Ultimate 64 RGB Output Example:
Ultimate 64 RGB Pinout:
Ultimate 64 Manosoft Princess Ultra C64SD 4.0 Test:
Ultimate 64 SIDTap Alternative Audio Output:
Ultimate 64 DigiFIX resistors removed:
source: ultimate64.com
ZOE rev 2.0 Inty (Mattel Intellivision) RGB Interface.
Some information about this revision:
- The flat cable that connects the IDC 10+10 male socket to the 10+10 IDC female connector is about 15cm long (in the photo are: 20cm)
- The cable that connects the 7 dupont connectors to the 8-pin DIN female panel socket is 30cm long (in the photo are: 20cm)
- The video cable with a male SCART connector on one end and a 8-pin DIN male on the other side is 2 meters long.
- The audio cable with dupont connector from one end and to solder on the other side is 20cm long.
- The ZOE pcb must be fixed with 3 bioadhesive supports.
- Status LED.
- Improved audio output, there are a little less background noise.
The 8-pole DIN female panel socket can be positioned, after drilling, at any place. I recommend using the RF output hole, removing the RF modulator which is no longer usable after the modification.
This mod like the previous one works ONLY with Mattel Intellivision consoles equipped with the LM1886 (D/A Video Matrix Converter) chips. Example: PAL/SECAM but not UK/NTSC (USA). Better to check, open the console and check.
For console disassembly, desoldering the LM1886 or other connections you can consult the documentation of the previous version.
Gallery:
Soon available for sale.
Jean-François DEL NERO (who’s behind the HxC SD Floppy Emulator) recently has released a version of the HxC emulator firmware that is compatible with the STM32 chip used in the Gotek floppy emulators.
This means that the great functionality of the HxC SD emulator is now available on cheaper and more widely available hardware.
The bootloader to convert the Gotek floppy drive in HxC compatible must be purchased on the website HXC 2001 by sending an email to Jean-François DEL NERO. The price of the bootloader is one-off 10 Euro per Gotek that you want to update. Future updates of the software are free and can be made from a USB stick
The HXC Usb (Gotek) firmware supports: 
+ many more….
Release notes Firmware USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.1.1a:
- Fix broken Rotary support in normal mode. (Connection points reminder : Clock -> J7 pin 2,Direction -> J7 pin 1)
This is only a little part of the changelog. The original one is very long and you can read it here.
Download: USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Firmware v3.1.1.1a (760)
source: hxc2001.com
..and after 5 months finally the DreamPSU is here!
DreamPSU – Making your Dreamcast™ cool again.
The DreamPSU is a simple and fast to install replacement power supply for the SEGA Dreamcast that not only reduces heat, but also frees up some much needed internal space for any other mods you may have or want to install.
Last year I noticed my Dreamcast™ getting unusually hot around the power supply, Not long after, I got myself a GDEMU (not required for the DreamPSU, but awesome anyway), and the heat further increased, after doing some research I realized the culprit was the 12v line on the power supply, when it isn’t used it actually reaches 14v and produces a lot of heat, not wanting to modify the existing power supply for when I wanted to use my GDRom disc drive, I thought, OK, I’ll make myself a new power supply.
I recently spoke to a friend of mine and he explained how the Dreamcast™ power supplies will eventually die and people will have to cannibalize other consoles for parts. So I told him about my power supply and he convinced me there might be a market for it and that I should see if people would be interested, So I posted on the Dreamcast-Talk forums and Facebook and indeed it seems like people are.
Features:
- Small Size, only 48mm x 43mm (1.89in x 1.70in).
- Drop in, easy to use replacement for original power supply (no modifications necessary).
- Utilizes your original Dreamcast™ power button.
- Runs from an external 12v 2.5amp power supply (not included).
- Less heat inside your Dreamcast™ means that will potentially last longer.
- More space inside your Dreamcast™ for other mods.
- Spare 12v and 5v power header available for mods.
Gallery:
source: dreampsu.com
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