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Unboxing SIO2SD Micro by Panos Santos

July 14th, 2012 1 comment
SIO2SD Micro (testing)

Autopsy:

The SIO2SD is a device that allows you to load games/applications into any 8-bit Atari XL/XE computers via SIO interface from SD cards.

This version is like the original SIO2SD (based to latest schematic “version 2″) but in a smaller form with some improvements by Panos.

Panos improvements:

  • As for the cpu the latest “low consumption” ATMega32A microcontroller in smd form.
  • The 74LVC245 who guarantees good data transfer between the microcontroller and SDcard, in proper voltage levels also.
  • New 47nf capacitors for better button response.
  • Extra resistor and capacitor added in output of low dropout voltage regulator, for better voltage stability particularly at “no load” condition. As result of that is much higher reliability and compatibility with more SD cards.
  • New tactile switches with smooth feeling for more comfortable use.
  • Push on-Push off type SD connector.

source: atariage.com/forums

Everdrive MD – OS Update v34 released

July 10th, 2012 No comments

It was released a new OS Update for the Everdrive MD Flash Cartridge (Megadrive/Genesis) by Krikzz. The upgrade instructions can be found here.

Changelog:

  • Fixed underscan problem for old TV-sets.

Download: Everdrive MD - OS Update v34 (820)

source: krikzz.com

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

Overview of some Flash Cartridges for Snes,Megadrive,N64,Atari 2600

June 29th, 2012 No comments

Quick overview of some Flash Cartridges (backup device) for Super Nintendo (Famicom/Snes), Megadrive (Genesis), Nintendo 64, Atari 2600.

Flash cartridges (backup device) used in this video:

  • Everdrive-MD flash cartridge for Sega Megadrive (Genesis) with SD/MMC interface.
  • EverDrive 64 backup device for Nintendo 64 with SD interface.
  • SD2Snes backup device for Super Nintendo (Snes/Famicom) with SD interface.
  • Harmony flash cartridge for Atari 2600 with SD interface.

Unboxing SD2Snes MK II REV E2 by Ikari for Famicom/Super Nintendo

June 29th, 2012 No comments
SD2Snes MK II REV E2 by Ikari

Autopsy:

The SD2Snes cartridge is a SD Card Cartridge for the Super Nintendo / Famicom / Snes.

This cartridge, unlike previous products such as the NeoFlash SNES Myth Cart, has more space inside the Xilinx Spartan FPGA to store code so in the future it is possible to support any special chip as long as it has been firmware updated with the latest code provided that support has been developed and implemented.

Xilinx Spartan FPGA Firmware updates can be done without any special hardware, again, unlike the NeoFlash product. You can put the firmware on an SD card and it will automatically find the file and allow you to flash it right in place.

This cartridge already supports the Capcom CX4 microchip which is used in both the Megaman/Rockman X2 and Megaman/Rockman X3 cartridges. NTSC/U/J and PAL/E ROMs will run without a hitch as well as the Megaman X3 Zero Mission ROM (with the latest firmware update which readdresses some of the memory mapping in code).

It also works with ALL DSP chips including third party vendors (DSP1A/B, DSP2, DSP3, and DSP4). SD Gundam GX and TopGear 3000 run as well as Dungeon Master and Pilotwings. All of these titles load in a fraction of a second and are fully playable. There is no difference between the gameplay of these ROMs using sd2snes than playing them on original cartridge hardware.

Features:

  • SD/SDHC/SDXC support (tested up to 64GB; no exFAT support so SDXC cards must be reformatted using FAT32)
  • High quality push-push memory card slot.
  • Fast ROM loading (~9MB/s)
  • Fast menu navigation.
  • Directories are sorted automatically, no need for FAT sorting tools.
  • High resolution menu (512×224) for adequate display of long file names.
  • Real Time Clock.
  • Supports ROM size up to 128MBit (96Mbit actually implemented)
  • Automatic near-time SRAM saving to SD Card (while the game runs). Some limitations apply:
    • near-time saving is switched to periodic saving when a game is found to use the SRAM as work RAM.
    • Automatic saving is disabled when MSU1 is used. SRAM is saved on reset.
  • Enhancement chip support (see below for implementation status)
    • BS-X memory map / Satellaview base unit registers (clock)
    • DSP1 / 1b
    • DSP2
    • DSP3
    • DSP4
    • ST-010
    • Cx4
    • MSU1 (Each supported enhancement chip can be used in conjunction with MSU1.)
    • S-RTC
  • SuperCIC key (SNES CIC clone):
    •  enables operation on unmodified consoles of all regions.
    •  supports software 50/60Hz switching on SuperCIC enhanced consoles only (to be performed by sd2snes firmware, not yet implemented there)
  • Auto region patching: eliminates “This Game Pak is not designed…” messages regardless of 50/60Hz setting.

A few things that may be added via Firmware updates in the future:

  • GSU-1/2 (SuperFX)
  • Action Replay/Game Genie code support
  • SPC7110
  • and more…

SD2Snes Video Review:

Download: SD2Snes Cartridge Label (1672)

source: sd2snes.de tototek.com

Unboxing Altera USB Blaster (JTAG)

May 29th, 2012 No comments
Altera USB Blaster (JTAG)

Autopsy:

The Altera USB-Blaster adapter interfaces a USB port on a host computer to an Altera FPGA mounted on a printed circuit board. The cable sends configuration data from the PC to a standard 10-pin header connected to the FPGA.

You can use the USB-Blaster adapter to iteratively download configuration data to a system during prototyping or to program data into the system during production.

Download:

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

Unboxing Everdrive cartridge for Megadrive/Genesis & Nintendo 64

May 24th, 2012 No comments
PCB of the Everdrive cartridge for Nintendo 64

Autopsy:

The Everdrive is essentially an interface which allows your ageing console to communicate with an SD card. Using software loaded directly onto the device, the Everdrive boasts a simple menu which allows you to navigate your way around your SD card and load one of hundreds of ROMs into its flash memory. This takes only a few seconds and once the process is complete it’s as if you’ve slotted the original cartridge into your machine.

The Everdrive itself is manufactured in the Ukraine by a talented guy known as Krikzz. He only sends out the bare circuit board so you may want to cannibalize an existing cartridge to create a suitable case. Setting up the Everdrive is relatively straightforward; you simply format your SD card in FAT32 and then drop your ROMs into organised files. One thing you have to note is that each folder cannot have more than 512 items in it, so it’s a good idea to create a folder for each letter of the alphabet and then transfer the files into each.

The Everdrive can be ordered direct from its creator via his website or via resellers on various auction sites.

Everdrive Video Review:

source: krikzz.com meanmachinesmag.co.uk gp2x.de 8bitplus.co.uk

Individual Computers Indivision AGA Mk2 A1200/4000T

The Indivision AGA Mk2 A1200/4000T is the successor to the discontinued Indivision AGA 1200 flicker fixer. As the name suggests, the new version also supports the Amiga 4000T (not the A4000 desktop model, there’s the Indivision AGA Mk2 A4000/CD32 for use with that computer). Other Amiga models are not supported.

The Indivision AGA Mk2 support a DVI-I connector instead of the usual VGA socket. DVI-I provides digital as well as analog signals, so you can use modern TFT displays, older TFT displays with analog input or CRT monitors alike (the latter two with a VGA adapter).

source: vesalia.de jschoenfeld.com

Lotharek HxC Floppy Drive Emulator REV F

March 20th, 2012 No comments

Lotharek has made a new PCB for the HxC Floppy Drive Emulator designed by Jean-François DEL NERO so that fits inside in a standard 3.5 bay for industrial / home use. The case will be soon available on the site.

source: lotharek.pl

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

Unboxing Harmony Cartridge for Atari 2600 & Composite Mod

February 12th, 2012 3 comments
Harmony Cartridge for Atari 2600

Autopsy:

1 Cents Atari 2600 Video Composite Mod: This very simple/cheap and functional mod adds a Video Composite output to the Atari 2600 console. I have shorted the five contacts Luma/Chroma and Sync for get a decent composite Video Signal. I have also cut a  resistor (R55) to get better colors, for the Audio signal see the picture.

The Harmony Cartridge is a simple, affordable, time-saving, space-saving, hassle-free way to play hundreds of games on your Atari 2600 console.

Using a Harmony cartridge is easy. Just insert the Harmony cartridge into your console slot the same way you would with any ordinary Atari game cartridge. Put your favorite game binaries on an SD card, pop it into the Harmony Cartridge and you’re ready to go. Turn on the console, select the game you want to play from the list and start having fun.

source: harmony.atariage.com

Commodore 64 Kernal Multiload

February 5th, 2012 No comments

Musicmax gives an demonstration about installing and the use of the Commodore c64 Kernal Multiload.

This device comes in two parts:

  • One EPROM that replaces the original Kernal of the Commodore 64.
  • A control-box that makes it possible to select and start an alternative Kernal.

In the video you can see that the SX-64, EXOS V3, JiffyDOS and the Cockroach Turbo ROM are being used.

Thanks to commodore-gg.hobby.nl which have shared this News.

Categories: C64/SX64, Hardware, Today

SIO2Arduino for Atari 8-bit (800/XL/XE)

January 27th, 2012 2 comments

SIO2Arduino is an Atari 8-bit (800/XL/XE) device emulator that runs on the Arduino platform. It currently emulates a single Atari 1050 disk drive (D1:) but there are plans to extend it to support multiple drives as well as other devices.

In its current state, SIO2Arduino allows you to put single and enhanced density Atari 8-bit disk images (ATR, XFD, XEX and many PRO and ATX) onto a microSD card and boot them on real Atari hardware.

source: whizzosoftware.com/sio2arduino

My Work Bench for small electronic Repair

January 23rd, 2012 3 comments
My Work Bench for small electronic Repair

My Work Bench for small electronic Repair.

C64anabalt Cartridge Released!

January 8th, 2012 No comments

Finally available the C64anabalt Cartridge for Commodore 64.

C64anabalt is an official conversion of Adam Atomic & Danny B.’s award winning single-button 2009 indie game Canabalt for the 8-Bit, 64KB RAM, 1Mhz Commodore 64 home computer developed by Paul Koller (Paulko64). This particular version was designed to run from a 16KB cartridge.

source: rgcd.co.uk

EasyFlash 3 Cartridge by Skoe is available on Retro-Donald shop

December 31st, 2011 No comments

The cartridge EasyFlash III by Skoe is available on Retro-Donald shop. Like the previous version the VHDL code is open source.

This version introduces several new features, like:

  • Kernal emulation (no need hardware changes).
  • If you choose to use the Kernal emulation the RAM will be available.
  • You can choose 8 Kernal’s.
  • You can choose 7 EasyFlash’s.
  • USB connector for firmware updates.
  • Emulation of FinalCartridge III, ActionReplay…

source: retro-donald.de skoe.de

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

Unboxing Ultimate 1Mb – Atari XE/XL

December 31st, 2011 2 comments
Ultimate 1Mb Motherboard

Autopsy:

After 8 long months of waiting i finally received the Ultimate 1Mb module by Candle’o'Sin.

The Ultimate 1Mb module is a expansion for Atari XE/XL.

This module allows a easy installation regardless of machine type one chooses and is not intrusive to original hardware. The Ultimate 1Mb was designed to fit in any XL/XE computer, including 1200XL and XEGS – there are no versions as such, the only diffrence might be with lenght of ribbon cables it connects to motherboard

Features:

  • To be as much solderless as possible (only RW, PHI2, HALT and RESET lines need soldering)
  • Fully flashable SpartaDOS-X with up to 320kbytes for its purposes
  • RTC module for SDX with battery backup and NVRAM
  • Fully flashable 4 OS ROM slots
  • Hardware WRITE PROTECT for whole Flash array
  • Configurable memory expansion with 4 modes of operation (disabled, 320k RAMBO, 578k COMPY SHOP, 1088k RAMBO)
  • Customizable BASIC and MISSLE COMMAND slots (also flashable)
  • System select/Memory exp mode select from integrated BIOS

source: spiflash.org atariage.com